title: Norman Man Sentenced to Serve 20 Years in Federal Prison for Arson of Deputy's Home and Illegal Firearm Possession

component: USAO - Oklahoma, Western

body_text: OKLAHOMA CITY – AUSTIN GARRETT REEVES , 29, of Norman, Oklahoma, has been sentenced to serve 240 months in federal prison for arson in Indian Country and possession of firearms after a previous felony conviction, announced U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester. “Reeves deliberately and repeatedly targeted law enforcement that escalated to the point of intentionally setting fire to a deputy’s vehicles and home while the deputy and his family were inside, putting innocent lives in grave danger,” said U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester. “Although the significant trauma and harm caused by Reeves’ criminal acts cannot be erased, today’s sentence ensures that he is unable to cause further harm in our community and reflects our commitment to hold accountable anyone who targets law enforcement. I applaud the cohesive and exhaustive law enforcement efforts that brought about this just result.” “Reeves’ actions demonstrate a disturbing disregard for the safety of others and for the law. After setting fire to an occupied home and a law enforcement vehicle, he was found in possession of firearms that he was prohibited from having. His decisions put innocent residents and law enforcement officers in harm’s way and could have resulted in tragic consequences,” said ATF Dallas Field Division Special Agent in Charge Brian W. Garner. “This case is a clear example of the importance of ATF working alongside our state, tribal, and local law enforcement partners to identify dangerous individuals and ensure they are held accountable.” “The OSBI appreciates our local, state, tribal, and federal partners who worked alongside us during this investigation,” said Greg Mashburn, Director of the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI). “All agencies involved worked swiftly and efficiently to apprehend the suspect shortly after the incident occurred that morning. Everyone’s dedication and commitment to this case, specifically following leads and gathering evidence, provided justice for the deputy and his family.” According to public records, on August 22, 2025, the McClain County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) and the Chickasaw Nation Lighthorse Police Department responded to a reported burglary at the Washington, Oklahoma, home of an MCSO deputy. A handgun was stolen from a family vehicle, and Reeves was located nearby and arrested in connection with the burglary. He was released from the Grady County jail later that day. Hours after his release, during the early morning of August 23, Reeves returned to the deputy’s residence with a large gas can. Surveillance video captured Reeves pouring gasoline on the deputy’s personal vehicles and an MCSO patrol vehicle before setting the patrol vehicle on fire. The flames spread to the other vehicles and eventually to the residence. Although the deputy and his family members were inside the residence when it caught fire, they were all able to escape without injury. Reeves, however, was burned by the fire before fleeing the scene. Later that day, law enforcement located Reeves at his home in Norman, where he was taken into custody following a standoff. Officers observed a significant burn on Reeves’ abdomen consistent with his involvement in the arson. Law enforcement also recovered two firearms from his bedroom. Public records reflect that Reeves has previous felony convictions in Cleveland County District Court that include actual physical control of a vehicle while under the influence in case number CF-20-937 and driving while under the influence of alcohol in case numbers CF-20-752 and CF-21-1175. On February 3, 2026, Reeves was charged by Superseding Information with arson in Indian Country and being a felon in possession of firearms. On February 24, 2026, he pleaded guilty to the Superseding Information. As part of his plea, Reeves admitted that he willfully and maliciously set fire to the vehicles and residence, placing the lives of those inside the home at risk. He also admitted that he knowingly possessed firearms despite his previous felony convictions. The arson charge is in federal court because Reeves is a member of the Cherokee Nation and the crime occurred within the boundaries of the Chickasaw Nation. At a sentencing hearing on August 27, 2026, U.S. District Judge Patrick R. Wyrick sentenced Reeves to serve 240 months in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release. In announcing the sentence, Judge Wyrick described Reeves’s actions as deeply troubling and expressed the need to protect the public from future crimes by Reeves. Judge Wyrick further noted that Reeves demonstrated a profound lack of respect for the law and law enforcement, and that his actions could have killed innocent victims in our community. This case is the result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, McClain County Sheriff’s Office, Chickasaw Nation Lighthorse Police Department, Newcastle Police Department, and the Washington Police Department, with assistance from the District Attorney’s Office for Oklahoma’s 21st Judicial District. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tiffany Edgmon and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Angela Ganote prosecuted the case. Reference is made to public filings for additional information.


title: Charlotte Woman Sentenced for Defrauding the North Carolina Medicaid Program

component: National Fraud Enforcement Division

body_text: CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Crystal Sherrell Jackson, 40, of Charlotte, was sentenced today to 48 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for submitting fraudulent bills to the North Carolina Medicaid Program (NC Medicaid) for psychotherapy services and urine drug testing that were never provided, announced Russ Ferguson, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. Jackson was also ordered to pay $1,623,983.08 in restitution. “Medicaid fraud is a crime on all of us – it steals taxpayer money, makes healthcare more expensive, and compromises the integrity of our entire healthcare system,” said U.S. Attorney Russ Ferguson. “In addition, it is a nightmare for those whose identities are stolen. We are grateful for the teamwork essential to combatting this widespread fraud.” “The only acceptable level of Medicaid fraud is zero, and we’re going to work with our law enforcement partners to investigate and prosecute fraud at every instance,” said North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson. “I’m grateful to U.S. Attorney Ferguson and his team for their partnership in prosecuting this fraudster and winning back Medicaid dollars for taxpayers.” “Today's sentence underscores our commitment to protecting the integrity of the North Carolina Medicaid Program and the vulnerable individuals it serves,” said Special Agent in Charge Donald “Trey” Eakins of IRS Criminal Investigation’s Charlotte Field Office. “Healthcare fraud harms communities, strains critical resources, and erodes public trust. Our office will continue to pursue those who try to profit from taxpayer-funded programs and work closely with our partners to ensure Medicaid funds are only used for legitimate, medically necessary care.” According to court documents and court proceedings, Jackson was a North Carolina-licensed clinical addiction specialist-associate and NC Medicaid enrolled provider who owned and operated a company called Jackson Consulting and Services, LLC (JCS). JCS held itself out as a mental health agency, clinical laboratory, and consulting business. Jackson also enrolled JCS with NC Medicaid so that both she and the company could bill NC Medicaid for those services they purportedly provided to eligible NC Medicaid recipients. However, between 2020 and 2024, Jackson and JCS submitted over $1.9 million in sham claims for payment to NC Medicaid for drug testing and psychotherapy services that were either never performed at all or for which they were already paid. To carry out the scheme, Jackson obtained licensure under the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA), which enabled Jackson to bill NC Medicaid for the highest allowable reimbursement rates for drug testing, by submitting false documents. Jackson then filed fraudulent claims for expensive urine drug testing, and psychotherapy services, using the personal information of NC Medicaid recipients, including their names, addresses, dates of birth, and unique NC Medicaid recipient numbers. Jackson obtained the personally identifiable information of these Medicaid recipients in a variety of ways, including from having a prior or unrelated treatment relationship, and from associates. In most cases, the NC Medicaid recipients did not know their information was used by Jackson and JCS to submit fraudulent claims for reimbursement, did not authorize the filing of fraudulent claims on their behalf, and never received the services for which Jackson and JCS billed the NC Medicaid Program. Jackson targeted a vulnerable Medicaid population, and her victims included more than a dozen children, incarcerated individuals, and even submitted bogus bills for services she claimed she performed for Medicaid recipients who were deceased at the time the services were purportedly rendered. As Jackson previously admitted in court, she also engaged in transactional money laundering by spending the proceeds of her unlawful scheme. In announcing Jackson’s sentence, U.S. District Judge Kenneth D. Bell said, it is “an assault on society for benefits programs to be defrauded,” and stressed the importance of general deterrence. Jackson pleaded guilty in March 2026 to healthcare fraud and transactional money laundering. She is currently in federal custody and will be transferred to the custody of the Federal Bureau of Prisons upon designation of a federal facility. In making today’s announcement, U.S. Attorney Ferguson thanked the FBI in Charlotte, the North Carolina Attorney General’s Medicaid Investigations Division, and IRS-Criminal Investigation for their investigative work in this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Katherine Armstrong, and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristina Fleisch, with the North Carolina Medicaid Division, prosecuted the case. If you suspect Medicare or Medicaid fraud, please report it by phone at 1-800-HHS-TIPS (1-800-447-8477), or via email at HHSTips@oig.hhs.gov. To report Medicaid fraud in North Carolina, call the North Carolina Medicaid Investigations Division at 919-881-2320 or fill out an online complaint form . 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.


title: Springfield Man Sentenced to 24 Months for Threatening to Blow Up Schools and Kill California District Attorney’s Office Employee

component: USAO - Missouri, Western

body_text: SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A Springfield, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court for threatening to kill a prominent member of the California District Attorney’s office and bomb area schools. David William Platek, 43, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Megan Blair Benton, to two years in federal prison, followed by three years supervised release. Platek previously pleaded guilty to threatening interstate communication. In 2019, the San Luis Obispo (SLO) County, Calif. District Attorney’s Office charged Platek with identity theft. Eventually, those charges were dismissed. After the dismissal, Platek moved to Springfield, Mo., and blamed a member of the SLO District Attorney’s Office for his prosecution, his “self-exile” to Missouri, and his inability to find employment. Platek sent his friend, who was living in another state, in excess of 125 pages of text messages. In the text messages, Platek threatened to blow up schools in SLO County, as well as threatened to kill a prominent member of the SLO District Attorney’s Office. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Randall D. Eggert. It was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Operation Take Back America This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.


title: Kansas Chiropractor Pleads Guilty to Health Care Fraud

body_text: KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Kansas chiropractor has pleaded guilty to federal health care fraud charges. Kenya Laser, 35, of Overland Park, Kan., pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge W. Brian Gaddy to health care fraud. This plea is one of many federal fraud cases pursued under the leadership of President Donald Trump and through the establishment of the Task Force to Eliminate Fraud. According to information presented in court, Laser was enrolled as a provider with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City (Blue KC) and was otherwise authorized to submit claims for reimbursements to Blue KC for chiropractic and related services. Beginning around March 2022 and continuing until around March 2025, Laser carried out a scheme to receive payments from Blue KC for health care services that were not provided as billed. Laser submitted insurance claims to Blue KC seeking payment for services that were purportedly rendered to patients on dates for which Laser knew the patients had not visited Laser Chiropractic and received no medical treatment. As part of the scheme, Laser used the information of an individual to bill for services between October 2024 and March 2025, knowing that individual had never utilized Laser for treatment. Under federal statutes, Laser is subject to a sentence of up to 10 years in federal prison without parole. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rudolph R. Rhodes IV. It was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. National Fraud Enforcement Division 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.


title: Alexandria Man Indicted as Armed Career Criminal on Drug and Firearm Charges

body_text: ALEXANDRIA – On August 19, 2026, a federal grand jury returned a superseding indictment charging Cartez Dotson , 39, of Alexandria, with Possessing a Controlled Substance with Intent to Distribute, Possessing a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime, and two counts of Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition by a Convicted Felon. Dotson faces a mandatory minimum of 15 years and up to life in federal prison. The indictment alleges that on January 14, 2026, Dotson knowingly possessed a controlled substance, including five grams or more of methamphetamine and an additional fifty grams or more of a mixture containing methamphetamine, with intent to distribute. Dotson was also allegedly found in possession of two pistols and ammunition, with the indictment further alleging that he carried a firearm in furtherance of his drug trafficking activities. Court records show that Dotson has prior qualifying convictions that subject him to enhanced penalties under the Armed Career Criminal Act, including three prior serious drug or violent felonies committed on separate occasions. U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Keller for the Western District of Louisiana made the announcement. This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren L. Nickel with assistance from Legal Assistant Christy Angelle. An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. This case is being prosecuted as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the Department of Justice’s nationwide initiative that brings federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement, prosecutors, and other public safety partners together to coordinate efforts to combat violent crime and make communities safe. Coordinated by U.S. Attorneys’ offices in each of the 94 federal districts, PSN is tailored to particular communities to strategically address specific violent crime and public safety challenges. As a key component of Operation PSN emphasizes three core principles: rapid federal response to violent crime and criminal offenders; strong, strategic partnerships among law enforcement at all levels; and accountability and deterrence through the prosecution of the most serious, readily provable offenses and other strategies. These efforts complement and strengthen President Trump’s Homeland Security Task Forces, ensuring a comprehensive federal response to the most pressing public safety issues facing communities. You may find a copy of this press release (and any updates) on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Louisiana at www.justice.gov/usao-wdla. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Western District of Louisiana at www.lawd.uscourts.gov or at https://www.lawd.uscourts.gov/cmecf-pacer. The case number for this matter is 1:26-CR-00209. ### CONTACT: Public Affairs: USALAW-News@usdoj.gov United States Attorney’s Office: www.justice.gov/usao-wdla X: @USAO_WDLA Facebook: USAO_WDLA (337) 262-6704


title: Federal Grand Jury Indicts Five for Fraud and Money Laundering  Related to Deed Theft and Vehicle Title Fraud

component: USAO - Kentucky, Western

body_text: Louisville, KY – A federal grand jury in Louisville returned an indictment on August 19, 2026, charging three men and a woman for their roles in a deed theft conspiracy to steal vacant houses in Louisville. Three of those coconspirators, along with a fourth man, were also charged in a related scheme to obtain fraudulent vehicle titles, to give the appearance of clear title to vehicles that were stolen or abandoned. U.S. Attorney Kyle G. Bumgarner of the Western District of Kentucky, Special Agent in Charge Olivia Olson of the FBI Louisville Field Office, and Acting Special Agent in Charge Bobby Kuszynski of the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, Detroit Field Office made the announcement. According to court documents, Donnie Russell , 58, Lisa Cunningham , 55, Jerry Wagers , 46, all of Louisville, and Steven Jamesray Cates , 47, of Mount Washington in Bullitt County, were charged with wire fraud conspiracy related to a deed theft scheme. Specifically, the indictment alleges that between April 2024 and June 2026, the defendants conspired together to create and file fraudulent deeds and illegally took over houses in Louisville, often stealing property after the true owner died without a will. Donnie Russell was also charged with two counts of aggravated identity theft for using the signatures of deceased homeowners on fraudulent deeds as part of the deed theft scheme. Donnie Russell , Lisa Cunningham , and Steven Jamesray Cates were further charged with money laundering conspiracy for using false identities to conceal their connection to the wire fraud conspiracy. Donnie Russell , Lisa Cunningham , Steven Jamesray Cates , and Claude Oscar Cunningham III , 36, of Indiana, were charged in an additional mail fraud conspiracy related to vehicle title fraud. Specifically, the indictment alleges that between January 2024 and July 2025, they conspired together to obtain fraudulent Indiana vehicle titles using forged documents to allow the coconspirators and others to keep or sell vehicles they did not rightfully own. On August 21, 2026, all five defendants had their initial appearances before a U.S. Magistrate Judge of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Kentucky. If convicted, each defendant could face a maximum of up to 20 years in prison per count on the fraud of money laundering charges, in addition to owing fines and victim restitution. Donnie Russell , if convicted for aggravated identity theft, could be ordered to serve an additional two-year prison sentence per count to run concurrent with any other sentence imposed. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. There is no parole in the federal system. United States Attorney Kyle Bumgarner stated, “Allegations of defrauding families of their deceased loved one’s property is heart wrenching. I’m very proud of the work leading to this indictment.” "No one should have to live in fear that their home will be stolen out from under them, especially those grieving from loss,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Olivia Olson. This case is being investigated by the FBI and IRS-CI with assistance from USPIS and LMPD. Assistant U.S. Attorney Corinne E. Keel is prosecuting the case. The FBI’s Louisville Field Office is seeking information related to this investigation. The indictment alleges that between April 2024 and June 2026, the defendants conspired together to create and file fraudulent deeds and illegally took over houses in Louisville, often stealing property after the true owner died without a will. If you believe you were victimized by these individuals or have information relevant to this investigation, please email the FBI at RussellTips@fbi.gov or CatesTips@fbi.gov . This case was investigated and prosecuted as part of the National Elder Justice Task Force and the Kentucky Elder Justice Task Force. The Department of Justice’s mission of its Elder Justice Initiative is to support and coordinate the Department’s enforcement and programmatic efforts to combat elder abuse, neglect and financial fraud and scams that target our nation’s older adults. Kentucky’s task force is comprised of investigators, prosecutors, and others at the local, state, and federal level with a common objective of protecting seniors across Kentucky. An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. ###


title: Newark, New Jersey Man Charged with Human Smuggling

component: USAO - Vermont

body_text: BURLINGTON – The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Vermont stated that Edwin Enrique Menjivar, 54, of Newark, New Jersey, has been charged by criminal complaint with human smuggling, specifically the transportation of aliens within the United States in furtherance of their unlawful entry. On August 25, 2026, Menjivar appeared before United States Magistrate Judge Kevin J. Doyle, who ordered that Menjivar be released on conditions pending trial. According to court records, U.S. Border Patrol Agents were patrolling the international border near Holland, Vermont during the morning hours of August 24, 2026. Agents observed an SUV with a New Jersey license plate driving on a small rural dirt road that has previously been the site of cross-border smuggling activity. Agents conducted surveillance which provided indicators the SUV was likely engaged in smuggling. Further, a vehicle bearing the same New Jersey license plate had previously been encountered near the border during a suspected smuggling event. During a traffic stop of the SUV, agents discovered a person crouched down in the floor area of the front passenger seat of the SUV, attempting to conceal herself. Three people were found in the second row of the SUV, attempting to conceal themselves under blankets. Two additional people were found fully concealed under a blanket in the third row of the SUV. The occupants were determined to be aliens from Mexico, Ecuador, and China. The United States Attorney’s Office emphasizes that the complaint contains allegations only and that Menjivar is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. Menjivar faces up to 5 years of imprisonment if convicted. The actual sentence, however, would be determined by the District Court with guidance from the advisory United States Sentencing Guidelines and the statutory sentencing factors. First Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan A. Ophardt commended the investigatory efforts of the United States Border Patrol. The prosecutor is Assistant United States Attorney David Golubock. Menjivar is represented by the Office of the Federal Public Defender.


title: Milton Man Indicted for Assaulting and Injuring a Federal Officer

body_text: BURLINGTON – The Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont announced that on August 27, 2026, a federal grand jury returned an indictment charging Jesse Roy, 45, of Milton, Vermont, with assaulting and resisting a federal agent while the agent was engaged in the performance of his official duties, and in so doing, inflicting bodily injury. Roy’s arraignment has not yet been scheduled. According to court records, on June 30, 2026, a Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent working with a Detective from the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force went to Roy’s residence in Milton to arrest him on unrelated charges. Roy refused to step outside of his residence and, as the officers tried to enter, Roy resisted and impeded their entry by attempting to push closed his front door. The force Roy exerted on the door as the officers attempted to gain entry resulted in impact to the Special Agent’s right hand, resulting in a torn ligament ultimately necessitating surgery with a 6-to-8-week recovery period. The United States Attorney’s Office emphasizes that an indictment contains allegations only and that Roy is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. Roy faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted. The actual sentence, however, would be determined by the District Court with guidance from the advisory United States Sentencing Guidelines and the statutory sentencing factors. First Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan A. Ophardt commended the investigatory efforts of the FBI. The prosecutor is Assistant United States Attorney Corinne Smith. Roy has not yet retained nor been appointed counsel.


title: Johnson, Vermont Man Sentenced to 100 Months for Possessing Child Sexual Abuse Materials

body_text: RUTLAND – The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Vermont stated that on August 27, 2026, Joshua Burbank, 40, of Johnson, Vermont, was sentenced by United States District Judge Mary Kay Lanthier to a term of 100 months’ imprisonment to be followed by a 10-year term of supervised release. Burbank previously pleaded guilty to possessing child sexual abuse materials involving prepubescent minors. According to court records, in 2021, law enforcement was provided a laptop by Burbank’s family member after the family member discovered child sexual abuse materials on the laptop. A search of the laptop confirmed it contained files that depicted child sexual abuse, including a video of a man sexually assaulting a toddler. In 2024, Burbank was served with a Relief from Abuse Order and arrested on new criminal charges. At the time of this 2024 arrest, Burbank possessed a cellphone (in violation of his state conditions of release). This cellphone was searched and also found to contain child sexual abuse material. First Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan A. Ophardt commended the collaborative investigatory efforts of the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, the Newport, Vermont Police Department, and the Vermont State Police. “The collection of heinous depictions of child sexual abuse causes significant and continuing harm to the victims depicted in those images. Those who seek out such imagery also pose a significant risk of danger to children. I am extremely grateful to the law enforcement officers whose work enabled us to hold Burbank accountable for his conduct.” The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michelle Arra. Burbank was represented by Assistant Federal Public Defender Emily Kenyon. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys' Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit Justice.gov/PSC .


title: Jackson, Mississippi Man Charged with Unlawfully Possessing a Firearm near Derby, Vermont

body_text: BURLINGTON – The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Vermont stated that Cruz Gary, 39, of Jackson, Mississippi, has been charged by criminal complaint with unlawfully possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. On August 24, 2026, Gary had his initial appearance before United States Magistrate Judge Kevin J. Doyle. A detention hearing was held on August 25, 2026, during which Gary was ordered detained during the pendency of the case. According to court records, on August 21, 2026, U.S. Border Patrol Agents were patrolling the international border near Derby Line, Vermont. During those patrols, an agent noticed a car with a Mississippi license plate traveling from near the international border onto a rural road. The car continued into an area that has been frequently used for alien smuggling, and slowed to half the speed limit, which the agent inferred was an attempt to locate people who may have illegally entered the United States. During a traffic stop, the driver of the car was identified as Gary. The agent learned from the occupants of the car that a firearm was inside the vehicle. A record check revealed Gary to have an extensive criminal history in Mississippi, including felony convictions. The firearm, a SCCY 9-millimeter pistol, was recovered from a bag removed from the driver’s area of the car. Inside the same bag, agents located a Social Security card and a health insurance card both bearing Gary’s name. The United States Attorney’s Office emphasizes that the complaint contains allegations only and that Gary is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. Gary faces up to 15 years of imprisonment if convicted. The actual sentence, however, would be determined by the District Court with guidance from the advisory United States Sentencing Guidelines and the statutory sentencing factors. First Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan A. Ophardt commended the investigatory efforts of the United States Border Patrol and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. The prosecutor is Assistant United States Attorney David Golubock. Gary is represented by the Office of the Federal Public Defender. Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is the Department of Justice’s nationwide initiative that brings federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement, prosecutors, and other public safety partners together to coordinate efforts to combat violent crime and make communities safe. Coordinated by U.S. Attorneys’ offices in each of the 94 federal districts, PSN is tailored to particular communities to strategically address specific violent crime and public safety challenges. As a key component of Operation Take Back America, PSN serves a central role in the Department’s commitment to make our country safe. PSN emphasizes three core principles: rapid federal response to violent crime and criminal offenders; strong, strategic partnerships among law enforcement at all levels; and accountability and deterrence through the prosecution of the most serious, readily provable offenses and other strategies. These efforts complement and strengthen President Trump’s Homeland Security Task Forces, ensuring a comprehensive federal response to the most pressing public safety issues facing communities.


title: Homeland Security Task Force investigation results in 25-year prison sentence for three-time felon gang member

component: USAO - Texas, Southern

body_text: CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A 30-year-old Corpus Christi resident has been ordered to federal prison for conspiring to possess to distribute meth smuggled into the United States from Mexico. Tommie Lee Gutierrez pleaded guilty Jan. 29. U.S. District Judge David S. Morales has now ordered Gutierrez to serve 300 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by five years of supervised release. At the hearing Aug. 26, the court heard additional evidence that Gutierrez is a member of the Tango Corpitos street gang and a three-time convicted felon. Judge Morales also heard that Gutierrez had made a call planning his return to participate in this drug trafficking organization while in custody on another unrelated felony. The organization received meth in the Coastal Bend area in multi-kilogram quantities secreted in vehicles and loads of consumer goods such as cabinetry that had passed across the border into the United States from Mexico. Gutierrez was responsible for receiving vehicle loads, removing the bundles of meth from various natural voids in the vehicles, and repacking the same vehicles with cash proceeds from prior sales. Co-conspirators then drove vehicles back into Mexico to pay the suppliers. On at least one occasion, Gutierrez wrecked an abandoned meth-laden vehicle on a public street in Corpus Christi before it had been completely unloaded. This left kilograms of meth in the drivers-side door which were later discovered at the city impound lot. He has been and will remain in custody pending transfer to a Federal Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brittany Jensen and Amanda Gould prosecuted the case. This prosecution is part of the Homeland Security Task Force initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of U.S. law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF South Texas comprises agents and officers from Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations; FBI; Drug Enforcement Administration; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; U.S. Marshals Service; U.S. Postal Inspection Service; Department of Transportation; IRS Criminal Investigation; Interpol/Department of State; and the Naval Criminal Investigative Service with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas leading the prosecution.


title: Brownsville cocaine trafficker sent to prison in Homeland Security Task Force investigation

body_text: BROWNSVILLE, Texas – A 27-year-old man has been sentenced for possession with intent to deliver cocaine and conspiracy to launder monetary instruments. Eduardo Rodriguez Jr. pleaded guilty Nov. 5, 2024. U.S. District Judge Rolando Olvera ordered Rodriguez to serve 125 months in federal prison at a hearing Aug. 26, which will be immediately followed by five years of supervised release. The investigation began in January 2024 when authorities identified Rodriguez as a large-scale cocaine trafficker coordinating the smuggling, transportation, and distribution of multi-kilogram quantities of cocaine from Mexico into the United States. On March 1, 2024, law enforcement discovered an expected cocaine delivery at a residence in Brownsville. During surveillance operations, they observed Daniel Roldan enter the residence, return with a large box, and place it in a vehicle. Authorities seized the box and discovered approximately 24 kilograms of cocaine. Evidence showed Rodriguez coordinated the shipment, which was destined for New York. Roldan, 39, Brownsville, and Andres Malave III, 45, Bronx, New York, pleaded guilty in the case and have also been sentenced. Rodriguez has been and will remain in custody pending transfer to a Federal Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future. The Drug Enforcement Administration, Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations, and FBI conducted the investigation with assistance from Brownsville Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Oscar Ponce prosecuted the case. This operation is part of the Homeland Security Task Force initiative, established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of U.S. law enforcement toward identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF South Texas comprises agents and officers from Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations; the FBI; the Drug Enforcement Administration; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; the U.S. Marshals Service; the U.S. Postal Inspection Service; the Department of Transportation/IRS; Interpol/the Department of State; and the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas leading the prosecution.


title: Local cell phone store employee pleads guilty to child pornography crimes

component: USAO - Ohio, Southern

body_text: COLUMBUS, Ohio – A Grove City man pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court today to receiving and possessing child pornography. Neil R. Brown, 41, worked at multiple cell phone stores in Columbus and, in addition to receiving child pornography files, Brown admitted that he also captured nude photos and videos from customers’ phones. A cyber tipline report received in January 2025 led investigators to search Brown’s digital accounts and devices. Investigators discovered more than 75 images and videos of child pornography on Brown’s cell phone, including child sexual abuse material of prepubescent minors approximately 7 to 9 years old. Brown paid virtual currency on an app to receive videos of child sexual abuse material. According to court documents, Brown was employed by Cellular Sales and would take the phones of female customers and search through them for sexual or illicit content. Brown then captured the content on his own phone. Agents also recovered 59 sexual images and videos of Cellular Sales customers that Brown had captured on his phone. Brown was charged federally in December 2025. Receipt of child pornography is a federal crime punishable by five to 20 years in prison and possessing child pornography carries a potential penalty of up to 20 years in prison. Dominick S. Gerace II, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Jason Cromartie, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division; Franklin County Sheriff Dallas Baldwin and other members of the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force announced the guilty plea entered today before U.S. District Judge Edmund A. Sargus, Jr. Assistant United States Attorney Emily Czerniejewski is representing the United States in this case. This case is 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. # # #


title: Career Criminal Sentenced to 12 Years in Federal Prison for Indianapolis Bank Robbery

component: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

body_text: INDIANAPOLIS- Brinton Lenell Yates, 58, of Indianapolis, has been sentenced to 12 years and seven months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, after pleading guilty to one count of bank robbery. Yates was also ordered to pay $1,583 in restitution. According to court documents, on the morning of December 2, 2025, at approximately 10:54 a.m., Yates robbed the Chase Bank located on North Meridian Street in Indianapolis. Upon approaching the teller counter, Yates removed a robbery demand note from his wallet that read, “This is a robbery 100s and 50s,” and pressed it against the glass. He then instructed the teller to “Give all the money you have” and motioned toward his waistband, stating, “You think I'm playing with you?” The teller retrieved $1,583 in cash from the top drawer and handed it to Yates, who placed the money in his jacket pockets before leaving the bank and driving away in a red Dodge Dakota. Approximately one hour later, the Federal Bureau of Investigation Violent Crimes Task Force located the vehicle near West 30th Street and arrested Yates. Investigators found an apartment key inside the truck, and subsequent search of Yates’ apartment by IMPD officers uncovered the disguise he wore during the robbery. “Today’s sentence once again demonstrates Department of Justice commitment to seek lengthy sentences for violent repeat offenders. Regardless of the amount taken, any act of violence or intimidation against our financial institutions will be met with serious federal consequences,” said Tom Wheeler, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. “Those who choose to endanger the safety of our communities will be met with swift justice and held fully accountable.” “Threatening an employee and robbing a bank is a serious crime, and Yates’ lengthy criminal history makes clear that this was not an isolated incident,” said FBI Indianapolis Special Agent in Charge Timothy J. O’Malley. “This sentence removes a repeat offender from our community and holds him accountable for his actions. The FBI and our law enforcement partners will continue to pursue career criminals who put our communities at risk and work to ensure they face justice in federal court.” The Federal Bureau of Investigation and IMPD investigated this case. U.S. Attorney Wheeler thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Jayson McGrath who prosecuted this case. This case is part of Operation Take Back America , a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.


title: Former Iowa Nonprofit Program Director Sentenced to 18 Months in Federal Prison for Theft from a Federal Funds Recipient

component: USAO - Iowa, Southern

body_text: DES MOINES, DAVENPORT, COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa – A Colfax woman was sentenced on August 25, 2026, to 18 months in federal prison for stealing over $426,000 from Children and Families of Iowa over nearly a seven-year period. According to public court documents and information presented at sentencing, Jodi Dyan Spargur-Tate, 55, was employed by Children and Families of Iowa (CFI) between 2015 and 2022 as a Program Director overseeing CFI’s youth, adult, and dislocated worker programs. During her time as Program Director, Spargur-Tate submitted hundreds of false and fraudulent reimbursement requests, including falsified invoices and receipts. She also diverted over one hundred payments from CFI to herself and her family members to pay their cell phone bills and housing costs, among other things. In addition to the 18-month term of imprisonment, Spargur-Tate was ordered to pay $426,837.11 in restitution. After completing her prison term, Spargur-Tate will serve a three-year term of supervised release. “Spargur-Tate stole Department of Labor funds intended to help Americans secure meaningful employment, instead using the money for personal gain,” said Anthony P. D’Esposito, Inspector General, U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). “Spargur-Tate’s selfish actions undermined the integrity of federally funded programs designed to support individuals facing significant barriers to work. This sentencing is a reminder to those who believe DOL grants are opportunities for personal enrichment. My office will continue partnering with our law enforcement colleagues to relentlessly pursue and hold accountable anyone who attempts to siphon money from programs meant to serve Americans in need.” United States Attorney David C. Waterman of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. The United States Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General and the Des Moines Police Department investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Joseph Lubben prosecuted the case. On April 7, 2026, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division . The Fraud Division is 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.


title: Burlington Man Sentenced to 35 Years in Federal Prison for Attempted Enticement of a Minor as a Registered Sex Offender

body_text: DAVENPORT, Iowa – A Burlington, Iowa man was sentenced on August 26, 2026, to 35 years in federal prison for two counts of attempted enticement of a minor and offense by a registered sex offender. According to public court documents and evidence presented, in June 2025, Jermaine Robert Hill, 39, began chatting on Facebook Messenger with two undercover officers who posed as 14-year-old girls. During the chats, Hill explicitly described various sex acts he wished to engage in with them and sent explicit photographs and videos of himself. A few hours later, Hill arranged to meet them at a park in Burlington to engage in sex acts and was arrested. Hill was required to register as a sex offender at the time of this offense due to a 2015 conviction from Ohio. In March 2026, following a two-day trial, a jury found Hill guilty. After completing his term of imprisonment, Hill will be required to serve a ten-year term of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system. United States Attorney David C. Waterman of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. The Des Moines County Sheriff's Office, with assistance from the Burlington Police Department investigated the case. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc .


title: Attorney General Todd Blanche Visits the Southern District of Iowa

component: USAO - Iowa, Northern

body_text: DES MOINES, Iowa – On Thursday, August 20, 2026, United States Attorney David C. Waterman was honored to host Attorney General Todd Blanche at the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa. During his visit, Attorney General Blanche met with U.S. Attorney Waterman and his leadership team, and Northern District of Iowa U.S. Attorney Leif Olson. Attorney General Blanche also spoke with prosecutors and personnel from the office. In his remarks, Attorney General Blanche expressed his appreciation for the office’s work and their commitment to protecting communities across the district. Attorney General Blanche also met with law enforcement representatives to highlight the important role of partnerships in enforcing the rule of law and enhancing public safety. “It was an honor to welcome Attorney General Todd Blanche to our office,” said U.S. Attorney Waterman. “We were proud to highlight recent successes, including nationally recognized drug-overdose and human-trafficking prosecutions, as well as major trial victories in fraud, drug, firearms, and human-trafficking cases. We remain committed to confronting the most serious threats, taking difficult cases to trial, and delivering justice for the people of Iowa.” Attorney General Todd Blanche meets with U.S. Attorneys David C. Waterman for the Southern District of Iowa (right) and Leif Olsen for the Northern District of Iowa (left) on August 20, 2026. U.S. Attorney David C. Waterman introduces Attorney General Todd Blanche at a meeting on August 20, 2026. Attorney General Todd Blanche meets with U.S. Attorney David C. Waterman (left) on August 20, 2026.


title: Arizona Man Sentenced to 12 Years in Federal Prison for Methamphetamine Trafficking Charge

component: Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)

body_text: DAVENPORT, Iowa – An Arizona man was sentenced on August 26, 2026, to 12 years in federal prison for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. According to public court documents and evidence presented at sentencing, Rickie Manuel Soria, 37, also known as “Slikk,” conspired with other individuals to transport methamphetamine to the Quad Cities from Arizona. On May 18, 2022, Soria was stopped in Kansas on his way to the Quad Cities with more than 23 pounds (10.58 kilograms) of methamphetamine. After completing his term of imprisonment, Soria will be required to serve a five-year term of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system. United States Attorney David C. Waterman of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. The Drug Enforcement Administration investigated the case.


title: Maryland Man Pleads Guilty to Sex Trafficking Offenses

component: USAO - Florida, Southern

body_text: MIAMI – A Maryland man pleaded guilty today to two counts of sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion. According to court documents, Brandon Sartor, 33, of Prince George’s County, Maryland, between December 2024 and April 2025, used physical violence, threats, sexual assault, and the withholding of drugs to compel two women to engage in repeated commercial sex acts in Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and South Carolina. Sartor initially recruited each victim by falsely promising to help them make money. Sartor then compelled each victim to have sex with as many as 10 men each day in exchange for money he seized for his benefit. He also subjected each victim to violent physical beatings, including punching and hitting them, and threatened to harm or kill them or their families. Additionally, Sartor compelled one of the victims by giving and withholding drugs in such a way that caused her to fear experiencing opioid withdrawal sickness if she did not comply with his demands. “Brandon Sartor used violence and fear to compel the two victims to have sex with dozens of men for his monetary gain,” said Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “His use of violence and threats to terrorize and control vulnerable victims speaks to the depravity of his conduct and the need to hold him accountable for trafficking them. The Criminal Division will continue to stand up for these and other victims of human trafficking.” “This defendant treated human beings as commodities — brutalizing and exploiting vulnerable women for his own profit,” said U.S. Attorney Jason A. Reding Quiñones for the Southern District of Florida. “That conduct is reprehensible. Those who traffic and profit from the suffering of others will be pursued relentlessly and held accountable.” “The defendant forced these two women into sex trafficking through repeated violence and sexual abuse that no one deserves to be victimized with,” said Assistant Director Heith Janke of the FBI’s Criminal Division. “The dedicated work of the FBI, the Anne Arundel County Police Department and DOJ prosecutors ensured Sartor pled guilty and was brought to justice.” Sartor is scheduled to be sentenced on Nov. 17 and faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 15 years in prison, with a maximum penalty of life in prison. He also faces a maximum penalty of lifetime supervised release and mandatory restitution to be paid to the victims. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. FBI Miami and the Anne Arundel County Police Department in Maryland are investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Dwayne Williams for the Southern District of Florida and Trial Attorney Elizabeth Hutson of the Criminal Division’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section are prosecuting the case. Anyone who has information about human trafficking should report that information to the National Human Trafficking Hotline toll-free at 1-888-373-7888, which is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For more information about human trafficking, please visit www.humantraffickinghotline.org. Information on the Justice Department’s efforts to combat human trafficking can be found at www.justice.gov/humantrafficking . Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov , under case numbers 26-cr-20188. ###


title: Colorado Man Charged with Attempting to Murder Five Deputy US Marshals in Vero Beach

body_text: MIAMI – A grand jury in the Southern District of Florida has returned an indictment charging a Colorado man with attempting to murder five Deputy U.S. Marshals who were trying to arrest him in Vero Beach. According to court records, Thomas Earl Steffens, 72, of Grand Junction, Colorado, was wanted on an arrest warrant in Colorado when he traveled by bus to Vero Beach. Members of the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force tracked Steffens to Vero Beach on March 2. As the Deputy U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force moved to arrest him, Steffens allegedly opened fire, striking one deputy in the chest and leg. The deputies returned fire, and Steffens was taken into custody. Steffens is charged with five counts of attempted murder of a federal officer, five counts of aggravated assault of a federal officer, and one count of discharging a firearm during a crime of violence. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of life in federal prison. U.S. Attorney Jason A. Reding Quiñones for the Southern District of Florida and Special Agent in Charge Brett Skiles of the FBI, Miami Field Office, made the announcement. FBI Miami is investigating the case, with assistance from the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Justin Hoover and William C. Long are prosecuting the case. An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.sdfl.uscourts.gov or at http://pacer.sdfl.uscourts.gov , under case number 26-cr-14054. ###


title: Rapid City Man Sentenced to Over 2 Years in Federal Prison  for Possessing a Firearm and Ammunition as a Felon

component: USAO - South Dakota

body_text: RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced today that U.S. District Judge Camela C. Theeler has sentenced a Rapid City, South Dakota, man convicted of Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition by a Prohibited Person. The sentencing took place on August 24, 2026. Tanner Standing Bear, 21, was sentenced to two years and six months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Forfeiture was also ordered. Standing Bear was indicted for two counts of Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition by a Prohibited Person by a federal grand jury in March 2026. He pleaded guilty on May 28, 2026. On March 3, 2026, Standing Bear was released from the Pennington County Jail. Within a few hours, Standing Bear was in possession of a .22 caliber pistol and fired several rounds near Knollwood Elementary school, causing teachers to quickly gather children that were outside for recess back into the school. Standing Bear had fled by the time law enforcement arrived. Law enforcement located Standing Bear the following day in possession of a second firearm and ammunition. Standing Bear is prohibited from possession firearms and ammunition based on multiple prior felony convictions. “This was a terrifying situation for all involved,” said U.S. Attorney Parsons. “I want to commend the staff of Knollwood Elementary for acting so quickly to keep everyone safe.” Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is the Department of Justice’s nationwide initiative that brings federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement, prosecutors, and other public safety partners together to coordinate efforts to combat violent crime and make communities safe. Coordinated by U.S. Attorneys’ offices in each of the 94 federal districts, PSN is tailored to particular communities to strategically address specific violent crime and public safety challenges. As a key component of Operation Take Back America, PSN serves a central role in the Department’s commitment to make our country safe. PSN emphasizes three core principles: rapid federal response to violent crime and criminal offenders; strong, strategic partnerships among law enforcement at all levels; and accountability and deterrence through the prosecution of the most serious, readily provable offenses and other strategies. These efforts complement and strengthen President Trump’s Homeland Security Task Forces, ensuring a comprehensive federal response to the most pressing public safety issues facing communities . This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Rapid City Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Patterson prosecuted the case. Standing Bear was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.


title: Porcupine Man Sentenced to More Than 6 Years in Federal Prison for  Wire Fraud and Money Laundering

body_text: RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced today that U.S. District Judge Camela C. Theeler has sentenced a Porcupine, South Dakota, man convicted of one count of Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud, three counts of Wire Fraud, and three counts of Money Laundering. The sentencing took place on August 24, 2026. Patrick Ross, age 56, was sentenced to 78 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $4,744,415.36 in restitution. From May 2006 to November 2024, Ross’s co-defendant worked for the Oglala Sioux Tribe’s (OST) Tribal Employment Rights Office (TERO), which enforces the tribal requirement that all employers engaged in business on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation give preference to qualified Native Americans in employment, contracting, and other business or economic development activities. One of the co-defendant’s duties was to collect TERO fee checks from contractors and transfer them to OST’s revenue department for deposit into the tribe’s general fund. OST’s general fund is used for emergency management services, solid waste disposal, water and sewer services, burial assistance, medical assistance, utility assistance, education assistance, and emergency assistance for tribal members in need of food and shelter due to emergencies. Between November 2017 and May 2024, Ross, a former employee of TERO, and his co-defendant, working together, developed a scheme to defraud OST by diverting TERO fee checks totaling more than $4.7 million belonging to the tribe and depositing the checks into Ross’ bank account, which Ross had opened for the purpose of carrying out the scheme to defraud the Oglala Sioux Tribe. The two then split the embezzled funds between themselves and used the funds for their own personal benefit, including purchasing homes and vehicles. Ross is a member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe. Ross’ co-defendant, Buffy Redfish, was previously sentenced to 78 months custody. “As Assistant Attorney General Colin McDonald has assured, there is no fraud too big, and no fraud too small, for the Department of Justice to prosecute,” said U.S. Attorney Parsons. “But this case is one of the big ones. Almost five million dollars, stolen from the Oglala Sioux Tribe and its members by Patrick Ross and Buffy Redfish. Be assured: if you steal from the government, including tribal governments, we have the tools to find you and you will find yourself, in short order, sitting in a federal prison cell.” “Patrick Ross’s sentencing brings accountability for his role, together with co-defendant Buffy Redfish, in a years‑long scheme that diverted more than $4.7 million from an Oglala Sioux Tribe program. Ross violated the trust placed in him and harmed the community these funds were meant to serve,” said FBI Minneapolis Field Office Special Agent in Charge Christopher D. Dotson. “The FBI remains steadfast in its commitment to protecting tribal resources, uncovering complex financial fraud, and ensuring that individuals entrusted with public funds meet the highest standards of integrity.” This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General. Supervisory Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Patterson prosecuted the case. Ross was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.


title: Mexican National Sentenced in Federal Court  for Illegal Reentry after Deportation

body_text: RAPID CITY – U.S. Attorney Ron Parsons announced today that U.S. District Judge Camela C. Theeler has sentenced a Mexican man convicted of Illegal Reentry after Deportation. The sentencing took place on August 25, 2026. Rolando Hernandez-Estrada, 39, was sentenced to time served and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. He will be deported to Mexico. Hernandez-Estrada was indicted for Illegal Reentry after Deportation by a federal grand jury in March 2026. He pleaded guilty on July 20, 2026. Hernandez-Estrada is an illegal alien who has been deported from the United States to Mexico on four separate occasions. It is a federal felony to be inside the United States after having been deported. Since being in the United States unlawfully, Hernandez-Estrada has been convicted of domestic abuse, illegal reentry after deportation, and possession of a controlled substance. This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN). This case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Schroeder prosecuted the case.


title: Members of a Midlands Drug Conspiracy Sentenced to Federal Prison in Homeland Security Task Force Investigation

body_text: COLUMBIA, S.C. — Twelve members of a Midlands drug conspiracy have been sentenced to federal prison. In total, over 15 kilograms of fentanyl, 16 kilograms of cocaine, 1.5 kilograms of crystal meth, 1 kilogram of crack cocaine, and 500 grams of meth were attributed to the conspiracy. The following individuals have been sentenced to federal prison for their roles in a fentanyl, meth, cocaine, and crack cocaine drug trafficking conspiracy: Devin Terell Faulk, 36, of West Columbia, was sentenced to 275 months’ imprisonment to be followed by a five-year term of supervised release. Winner Cheerbinson Cherisol, 65, of Columbia, was sentenced to 85 months’ imprisonment to be followed by a five-year term of supervised release. Willie Geiger, 35, of Gaston, was sentenced to 120 months’ imprisonment followed by a five-year term of supervised release. Bradley Jamal Foster, 31, of Gaston, was sentenced to 57 months’ imprisonment to be followed by a five-year term of supervised release. Darryl Pou, 52, of Columbia, was sentenced to 63 months’ imprisonment to be followed by a five-year term of supervised release. Dasia Mischell Reed, 24, of Gaston, was sentenced to 40 months’ imprisonment to be followed by a three-year term of supervised release. Kevin Jerrod Mungin, 34, of Columbia, was sentenced to 24 months’ imprisonment to be followed by a three-year term of supervised release. Wade Jerome Jenkins, 70, of Columbia, was sentenced to 24 months’ imprisonment to be followed by a three-year term of supervised release. Allison Way, 53, of Gaston, was sentenced to 21 months’ imprisonment to be followed by a three-year term of supervised release. Darryl Lewis Brown, 48, of Columbia, was sentenced to time served and a term of supervised release of three years. Shyterria Shianne Shonta Suber, 32, of Columbia, was sentenced to 24 months’ imprisonment to be followed by a three-year term of supervised release. Donna L. Parks 49, of West Columbia, was sentenced to one year and one day in federal prison to be followed by a three-year term of supervised release. Evidence presented to the court revealed that on March 25, 2021, Lexington County Sheriff’s deputies arrested Faulk on an outstanding warrant and booked him into the Lexington County Detention Center. In October of 2023, Faulk was sentenced to prison for assault and battery 1 st degree and trafficking cocaine. During his time in the detention center and continuing until August of 2024 after Faulk was transferred to the South Carolina Department of Corrections, he ran a complex and multi-faceted drug operation. Cherisol was Faulk’s main supplier of fentanyl and cocaine. Cherisol, a Haitian national, had been previously deported for a federal drug trafficking conviction and was living in the United States unlawfully under a false identity, including false passports and driver’s licenses. Faulk would use contraband phones to set up the quantity of drugs to be purchased from Cherisol. Faulk would then contact his sister, Dasia Reed, to meet Cherisol and purchase the drugs. Reed sometimes obtained money for the purchases from codefendants Parks and Suber, who Faulk used to store his drug proceeds. Faulk then coordinated sales with customers and instructed Reed and her boyfriend, Geiger, to deliver the drugs purchased from Cherisol and other suppliers to various customers. Investigators infiltrated Faulk’s drug trafficking organization and conducted several controlled purchases of large quantities of fentanyl, methamphetamine, and ice, also known as crystal meth, from Reed and Geiger as directed by Faulk while Faulk was incarcerated. Investigators learned Faulk exchanged money and narcotics to a network of drug traffickers including Foster, Way, Mungin and Pou. In addition to supplying Faulk, Cherisol supplied Brown with cocaine and Jenkins with fentanyl. Jenkins acted as a middleman between Cherisol and other drug traffickers. “Faulk and Cherisol continued to fuel dangerous drugs into our community,” said U.S. Attorney Bryan Stirling for the District of South Carolina. “We will continue to marshal the full force of federal resources with the Homeland Security Task Force to attack drug trafficking at every level.” “These significant sentences send a clear message to anyone flooding our communities with dangerous drugs,” said FBI Columbia Special Agent in Charge Anish Shukla. “The FBI and our law enforcement partners at every level are committed to dismantling criminal drug networks from top to bottom and bringing those responsible to justice. Together, we are working to make our neighborhoods safer places for everyone.” “This investigation exposed a complex and multi-faceted drug trafficking organization that operated with no regard for the devastating impact its drugs had on our communities,” said Michael J. Connolly, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Field Division. “The fact that one of the defendants continued to direct this operation from inside a corrections facility demonstrates the lengths these traffickers will go to continue their criminal enterprise. Through the dedication and collaboration of our Homeland Security Task Force partners and our local law enforcement partners, we dismantled this organization and held its members accountable. These sentences are an important step toward protecting our communities from dangerous drugs.” United States District Judge Sherri A. Lydon presided over the case and sentenced each of the defendants. A final codefendant, Donat Telcy, has not yet been sentenced. There is no parole in the federal system. This prosecution is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. This case was investigated by the FBI Columbia Field Office, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department, and the Richland County Sheriff’s Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lamar J. Fyall and Mike O’Mara are prosecuting the case. ###


title: Massachusetts Man Sentenced for Cockfighting

component: ENRD - Environmental Crimes Section

body_text: Providence — A Massachusetts man was sentenced today in federal court in Rhode Island for his role in a 2022 cockfighting operation, including transporting gaffs from Massachusetts to Rhode Island for use in animal fighting. Jose Rivera, 70, was sentenced by U.S District Court Judge Melissa R. DuBose to two years of probation, a $200 fine, and a $100 special assessment. Rivera previously pleaded guilty on April 13 to violating the Animal Welfare Act for his involvement in the 2022 cockfighting operation. As part of his plea, Rivera admitted that he traveled from Massachusetts to Rhode Island to participate in a cockfight and that he transported gaffs and other sharp instruments he had purchased, which were designed or intended to be attached to a rooster’s leg during a fight. Rivera further acknowledged that he knew the cockfights were conducted for sport, wagering, and entertainment. Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Adam Gustafson of the Environment and Natural Resources Division (ENRD) and First Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles C. Calenda for the District of Rhode Island made the announcement. “This sentence sends a clear message: animal fighting is a cruel and unlawful activity, and those who cross state lines to participate in or support these operations will be held accountable,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles C. Calenda. “We remain committed to working with our federal, state, and local partners to dismantle animal fighting rings and protect the welfare of animals in our communities.” The matter was prosecuted by Senior Trial Attorney Gary Donner and Assistant Chief Stephen Da Ponte of ENRD’s Environmental Crimes Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney John McAdams for the District of Rhode Island. This case was investigated by the Department of Agriculture’s Office of Inspector General, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Food and Drug Administration’s Office of Criminal Investigation, and the Rhode Island Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, with assistance from the U.S. Marshals Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Office of Law Enforcement, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Rhode Island State Police, Massachusetts State Police, the Animal Rescue League of Boston’s Law Enforcement Division, and the Providence, Woonsocket, and Attleboro Police Departments.


title: Mexican National Sentenced for Trafficking Over 70 Firearms

component: USAO - Oregon

body_text: PORTLAND, Ore.—A Mexican man who was a recipient of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) immigration status was sentenced to federal prison today for trafficking firearms, announced Scott E. Bradford, U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon. Vincente Cortes Quiroz, 37, was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison and 3 years’ supervised release. According to court documents, investigators learned that Quiroz acquired over 120 firearms in Oregon since 2014 from licensed firearms dealers. Quiroz lied by stating he was a United States citizen on many of the firearm purchase forms. Over 70 firearms and hundreds of rounds of ammunition were seized from Quiroz’s residence. Two vehicles Quiroz used in his crime were also seized. “Getting illegal firearms off the streets is a top priority. Through our collaboration with our law enforcement partners, we removed more than 70 illegal guns, making our community safer,” said Scott E. Bradford. This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, the Yamhill County Sheriff’s Office, the Salem Police Department, the WIN HIDTA Taskforce, the Washington County Community Violence Reduction Team (CoVRT), the Drug Enforcement Agency, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and Sheridan Fire District. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Arin C. Heinz, Jessica Keefer, and Julia Jarrett. The Oregon-Idaho HIDTA program is an Office of National Drug Control Policy sponsored counterdrug grant program that coordinates with and provides funding resources to multi-agency drug enforcement initiatives.


title: Mexican National Illegally in the United States Makes Initial Appearance for Using a Counterfeit Foreign Passport to Deceive Victims and Launder Money

component: USAO - Nevada

body_text: LAS VEGAS – As a result of a Homeland Security Task Force investigation, a Mexican national, who is illegally present in the United States, made his initial court appearance Wednesday for allegedly using a counterfeit passport as identification to open a bank account and launder proceeds from online vehicle sales. "The theft of identities and fabrication of official foreign travel documents strikes at the heart of our financial and border security systems,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Sigal Chattah for the District of Nevada. “This office, alongside our federal law enforcement partners, remains committed to dismantling the complex fraudulent networks used by illegal actors to exploit innocent victims and launder illicit funds within our borders.” “Fraudsters who use counterfeit passports, fake identities and shell accounts to steal from victims should understand that hiding behind paperwork will not shield them from law enforcement,” said Jonathan Sherwin, Deputy Special Agent in Charge for HSI Las Vegas. “Through the Las Vegas Homeland Security Task Force, HSI Las Vegas and our partners will continue to follow the money, expose these schemes and hold accountable those who exploit online marketplaces to defraud the American public.” "Each arrest is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our Deputies and Task Force Officers,” said U.S. Marshal Gary Schofield. “Bringing these criminals to court to be held accountable for running a multi-state scheme that defrauded our citizens is exactly why our officers work tirelessly to protect our communities." According to allegations in the indictment, Jose Carlos Dalli Castro, also known as “Julio Castro Lopez,” “Mario Mejia Rojas,” “Alberto Silva Valdez,” Mike Boris Oganov,” and “Amer Daoud Panou,” used a counterfeit Spanish passport to open a personal checking account with the intention to launder money through the bank account. As alleged, he purported to be the seller of vintage restored vehicles and equipment. As part of the scheme, after a victim would make an online purchase, Dalli Castro would then quickly remove the funds from the bank account. He had no intention of selling a vehicle or equipment. A federal grand jury returned a 20-count indictment charging Dalli Castro with one count of false use of a passport; seven counts of wire fraud; nine counts of money laundering; and three counts of fraud and misuse of visas, permits, and other documents. A jury trial is scheduled to begin October 20, 2026, before United States District Judge Jennifer A. Dorsey. If convicted, the statutory maximum penalty is 10 years’ imprisonment. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. This case was investigated by the Las Vegas Homeland Security Task Force. The case is being prosecuted by the District of Nevada. This case is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of U.S. law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. The Las Vegas HSTF comprises agents and officers with the FBI, HSI, DEA, ATF, IRS-CI, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, the United States Marshals Service, and Nevada Gaming Control Board with the prosecution being led by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Nevada. An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. ###


title: Zuni Man Charged with Involuntary Manslaughter in Fatal Crash

body_text: ALBUQUERQUE – A Zuni man has been charged with involuntary manslaughter after allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol in a crash that killed a passenger and injured two children. According to court documents, on June 7, 2026, Caine Aric Chimoni , 28, an enrolled member of the Pueblo of Zuni, was allegedly driving a pickup truck when the vehicle rolled onto its side. A woman who was a passenger in the vehicle was found unresponsive and was pronounced dead at the scene. Two children also were in the vehicle and sustained injuries. Chimoni was transported to a local hospital, where he allegedly admitted to officers that he had been driving and may have been under the influence of alcohol. Blood testing showed a blood alcohol concentration of 162 mg/dL, indicating that Chimoni was intoxicated above New Mexico’s legal limit. One of the injured children was transported to a regional hospital for treatment. Chimoni is charged with involuntary manslaughter and will be released under the supervision of Federal Pretrial Services. If convicted of the current charge, Chimoni faces up to eight years in prison. Defendant will remain in custody pending trial. First Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Special Agent in Charge Justin A. Garris of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office made the announcement today. The Gallup Resident Agency of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Zuni Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron O. Jordan is prosecuting the case. A criminal complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.


title: Shiprock Woman Charged with Assaulting Federal Officer, Endangering Three Children

body_text: ALBUQUERQUE – A Shiprock woman has been charged with assaulting a federal officer after allegedly running over a Navajo Police Department officer with a vehicle and fleeing the scene with three young children inside. According to court documents, on August 21, 2026, Alondria Hope Benally , 24, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, allegedly assaulted a Navajo Police Department officer at a shopping center parking lot in Shiprock, New Mexico. The officer initially responded to reports of a drunk driver in a white SUV with three young children inside. When the officer arrived and attempted to question Benally , she smelled alcohol on her. The officer observed three minor children, two of whom were unrestrained inside the running vehicle. When the officer attempted to detain Benally to prevent her from fleeing, Benally put the vehicle in gear, crashing into the police unit. As the officer attempted to pull her from the vehicle, Benally stepped on the gas and turned the vehicle’s wheel causing the officer to fall under the vehicle. The officer’s right leg was run over by the vehicle before Benally drove away down Highway 491. The officer suffered injuries, including a chipped bone in her right leg, extreme pain, and widespread abrasions. Responding officers located Benally and attempted a traffic stop. Benally led police on a high-speed pursuit exceeding 80 mph through the Navajo Nation with the three young minors in her vehicle. Officers ultimately detained Benally , and they observed damage to her vehicle's front passenger fender consistent with the assault. Benally is charged with assaulting a federal officer and three counts of child abuse. She will remain in third party custody pending trial, which has not been scheduled. If convicted of the current charge, Benally faces up to 20 years in prison on the assault and up to three years imprisonment on the counts of child abuse. First Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Special Agent in Charge Justin A. Garris of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office made the announcement today. The Farmington Resident Agency of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Navajo Nation Police Department and Navajo Department of Criminal Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Allysa B. Gambarella is prosecuting the case. A criminal complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.


title: Las Cruces Brothers Sentenced for Drug Trafficking and Firearms Offenses

body_text: ALBUQUERQUE – Two Las Cruces brothers were sentenced in federal court for drug trafficking and firearms offenses after law enforcement seized fentanyl, cocaine, methamphetamine and multiple firearms during searches of their residence and vehicle. There is no parole in the federal system. According to court documents, on March 7, 2024, agents with the FBI and Las Cruces/Dona Ana County Metro Narcotics executed a search warrant at a residence in Las Cruces, New Mexico, where brothers Eddie Linarez , 32, and Nathan Quintana , 28, lived. Before executing the warrant, agents observed Linarez leave the residence in a truck and return shortly afterward. Agents detained Linarez in the driveway and searched his vehicle and the residence. During the search of Linarez ’s vehicle, agents found a backpack containing 58 net grams of pure methamphetamine, 88.6 net grams of fentanyl, 31.5 net grams of cocaine, a loaded firearm and approximately $7,000 in cash. Bag containing scattered cash and a small black handgun. During the search of the residence, agents found five firearms in Quintana ’s bedroom, including two rifles and two handguns under the bed and a handgun on the windowsill near a bag containing fentanyl. Three of the firearms were loaded. In the closet, agents found 120 net grams of fentanyl and 735.9 net grams of cocaine. Agents also found additional fentanyl and methamphetamine, a digital scale with narcotics residue and approximately $2,000 in cash in common areas of the residence. Bags of white substances, blue pills, and a handgun Stacks of paper currency spread across a wooden table A black handgun with its detached magazine sits on a wooden table alongside several small plastic bags containing white substances and blue bills On March 6, 2025, FBI and Metro Narcotics agents executed a second search warrant at the residence. Linarez was observed approaching the residence as agents were executing the warrant. When agents attempted to stop him, Linarez fled in a vehicle at a high rate of speed. During the pursuit, he drove around a stopped school bus with its stop sign extended and lights activated, entering oncoming traffic. Agents later lost sight of Linarez and ended the pursuit. Linarez remained a fugitive for six days before surrendering to law enforcement. During the March 6, 2025, search, agents found approximately 120 grams of fentanyl, 89.6 grams of cocaine, approximately $3,841 in suspected drug proceeds and a loaded handgun in the residence. Linarez pled guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, two counts of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, possession with intent to distribute cocaine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. He was sentenced to 168 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release. Quintana pled guilty to two counts of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, possession with intent to distribute cocaine, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. He was sentenced to 147 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release. First Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Special Agent in Charge Justin A. Garris of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office made the announcement today. The Las Cruces Resident Agency of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Las Cruces/Dona Ana County Metro Narcotics. Assistant U.S. Attorney Devon Aragon Martinez prosecuted the cases.


title: New York Woman Convicted of Trafficking Fentanyl

component: USAO - New Jersey

body_text: NEWARK, N.J. – A New York woman was convicted by a federal jury yesterday for offenses related to her trafficking of 400 grams or more of fentanyl in April and May 2020, U.S. Attorney Robert Frazer announced. Naomi Hernandez, 34, of New York, New York, was convicted for possession with intent to distribute fentanyl on May 13, 2020, and for conspiracy to distribute, and possess with intent to distribute, fentanyl between April 2020 and May 13, 2020, before U.S. District Judge Brian R. Martinotti in Newark federal court yesterday, August 26, 2026 following a one week jury trial. Sentencing is set for January 12, 2027, at 10:00 a.m. According to documents in this case and the evidence at trial: In April 2020, Hernandez began communicating with two confidential sources working for the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) on an online messaging platform, seeking to sell a large quantity of fentanyl. Hernandez, a New York City resident, met with one of the confidential sources in Paterson, New Jersey, twice in April 2020 to hand over samples of the fentanyl she was offering for sale. She then met with the confidential source again in Paterson on May 11, 2020, and sold 98.6 grams of fentanyl for $5,500. She was arrested two days later, on May 13, 2020, riding in a van from her residence in upper Manhattan to Paterson on her way to meet with the confidential source again to sell a larger quantity of fentanyl for $45,000. When law enforcement stopped the van and arrested Hernandez, they also found and seized the 499.6 grams of fentanyl that Hernandez planned to sell to the confidential source. Hernandez faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison, and a maximum sentence of life, imprisonment, on each count of conviction. She also faces a maximum fine of $10 million. U.S. Attorney Frazer credited special agents of the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Towanda R. Thorne-James, with the investigation. U.S. Attorney Frazer also thanked the members of the Passaic County Sheriff’s Office for their assistance in the investigation. The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Andrew M. Trombly, Deputy Chief of the Criminal Division, and Brian N. Sinclair of the Narcotics and International Trafficking Unit in Newark. ### Defense counsel: Lorraine Gauli-Rufo, Esq. hernandez.indictment.pdf


title: Dominican Republic Cocaine Kingpin Extradited to United States on Narcotics Trafficking and Money Laundering Charges as Part of The Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF)

body_text: NEWARK, NJ. – The leader of a Dominican Republic-based international cocaine trafficking and money laundering organization was extradited from Colombia to the United States today, U.S. Attorney Robert Frazer announced. Erick Randhiel Mosquea-Polanco, a/k/a “Ramon,” a/k/a “E,” 45, is charged in a three-count Superseding Indictment in the District of New Jersey with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 5 kilograms or more of cocaine, possession with intent to distribute 5 kilograms of more of cocaine, and conspiracy to launder monetary instruments. Mosquea-Polanco was arrested in Colombia at the request of the United States in December 2024, and extradited today to Puerto Rico, where he also faces federal charges. Mosquea-Polanco had his Rule 5 initial appearance today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Marcos E. López in Puerto Rico federal court and was detained. He will have an initial appearance in the District of New Jersey at a future date. “During the Homeland Security Task Force investigation against this leader of a Dominican based drug trafficking organization extradited from Colombia, law enforcement seized millions of dollars worth of cocaine and narcotics proceeds from his drug trafficking organization,” said Attorney General Todd Blanche. “Numerous other members of the organization have already been convicted. Under this administration, federal law enforcement has the tools to find these high-profile drug lords and dismantle their organizations anywhere in the world, because we have President Trump as a leader who unified a permanent interagency task force across all 52 U.S. states and territories.” “The defendant is alleged to have been the leader of an international drug trafficking organization based in the Dominican Republic that distributed thousands of kilograms of cocaine in the United States and laundered millions of dollars of narcotics proceeds. After the defendant fled the Dominican Republic using false documents, we and our domestic and international law enforcement partners did not rest until he was located in Colombia and extradited to face charges in New Jersey and Puerto Rico. As this prosecution shows, my Office will continue to take the fight to drug cartels, both here and abroad.” - U.S. Attorney Robert Frazer “Mosquea Polanco ran a cocaine trafficking network that stretched across Colombia, Venezuela, the Dominican Republic, and Puerto Rico. Now he will answer for his alleged crimes in the United States,” said DEA Administrator Terry Cole. “This extradition underscores the reach of our partnerships and our resolve to bring drug traffickers to U.S courts, no matter where they operate.” “Today’s extradition represents another significant step in dismantling an international cocaine trafficking and money laundering organization that operated across borders and brought thousands of kilograms of cocaine into our communities,” said DEA New Jersey Field Division Special Agent in Charge Towanda R. Thorne-James. “This investigation demonstrates the commitment of the men and women of DEA to pursuing drug trafficking organizations wherever they operate and holding their leaders accountable for the harm they cause. We will continue to work closely with our domestic and international law enforcement partners to disrupt the flow of dangerous drugs, seize illicit proceeds, and bring those responsible to justice.” According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court: Mosquea-Polanco, identified by the DEA as a Regional Priority Organizational Target (RPOT), was the leader of a Dominican Republic-based international drug trafficking organization that distributed more than a thousand kilograms of cocaine in New Jersey, New York, and elsewhere from January 2020 through September 2023. In addition, Mosquea-Polanco coordinated the laundering of millions of dollars of cocaine proceeds to the Dominican Republic and elsewhere. During the investigation, law enforcement seized dozens of kilograms of cocaine and more than $6 million in narcotics proceeds from Mosquea’s drug trafficking organization. Numerous other members of the drug trafficking organization have already been convicted, including the recent conviction at trial of Samuel Alectus, a/k/a “Capet,” 37, on July 16, 2026. The charges of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine and possession with intent to distribute cocaine each carry a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment, a statutory maximum sentence of life in prison, and a statutory maximum fine of $10 million. The money laundering conspiracy charge carries a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment and a statutory maximum fine of up to $500,000 or twice the value of the property involved in the transaction, whichever is greater. U.S. Attorney Frazer credited special agents and task force officers of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, New Jersey Division, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Towanda R. Thorne-James. He also thanked the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Stefanie Roddy in Newark, New Jersey; the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration in Bogota, Colombia; the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration in the Dominican Republic; the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration in Puerto Rico; and the United States Marshals Service in Bogota, Colombia. The Justice Department’s Judicial Attaché in Bogotá and Office of International Affairs provided substantial assistance in securing the arrest of Mosquea-Polanco and his extradition to the United States. U.S. Attorney Frazer also thanked officials in Colombia and the Colombian National Police for their assistance in the investigation. This extradition is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF Newark comprises agents and officers from FBI, HSI, DEA, IRS, ATF, USMS, HIDTA, CBP, ERO, DSS and local law enforcement with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey. The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Marko Pesce, Deputy Chief of the Criminal Division, and Christopher Fell, of the Economic Crimes Unit in Newark. The charges and allegations contained in the Superseding Indictment are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. ### Defense counsel: Silvia Pinera-Vazquez, Miami, Florida