title: Court Clears Way for Forest Management Project in Montana

component: Energy and Natural Resources Division

body_text: Last week, the U.S. District Court for the District of Montana allowed the Forest Service’s Gold Butterfly Project on the Bitterroot National Forest to proceed. The project is in Ravalli County east of Corvallis in southwest Montana. The project authorizes almost 5,300 acres of commercial harvest, almost 2,100 acres of non-commercial treatments, prescribed burning, and replanting. Nearly 60% of the treatments are in the wildland-urban interface, and more than 90% are in a treatment area designated under the Healthy Forest Restoration Act. Continuing over the course of several years, the project will reduce the threat of catastrophic wildfire affecting nearby communities, provide timber products and related jobs, improve water quality, and restore forest habitats. In late March, the district court ruled that the Forest Service complied with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), National Forest Management Act (NFMA), and the Healthy Forest Restoration Act. The court identified a limited scope of discrepancies about how the project examined effects to grizzly bears and sent the project decision back to the Forest Service for additional explanation. After the Forest Service provided that explanation in early April, the court said the Forest Service fully explained its analysis and has always considered transient grizzly bears in the project area. The decision is subject to appeal in the Ninth Circuit. “Responsible forest management produces much-needed timber, makes housing more affordable, prevents wildfires, and saves lives,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Adam Gustafson of the Justice Department’s Energy and Natural Resources Division (ENRD). “We are combating efforts to weaponize procedural statutes against the responsible use of America’s vast natural resources. The court in this case properly remanded to the Forest Service in March to allow the agency to correct limited errors, which were quickly addressed. In last week’s decision, the court rightly deferred to the Forest Service’s analysis of environmental effects.” In March 2025, President Donald J. Trump issued an executive order to expand American timber production. One of the purposes of the executive order is to save American lives and communities through forest management and wildfire risk reduction projects. Senior Trial Attorney John Tustin of ENRD’s Natural Resources Section handled the case.


title: Former Washington man who made images of child sexual abuse sentenced to 15 years in prison

component: USAO - Washington, Western

body_text: Seattle – A former King County resident who was charged with crimes in state and federal court related to his abuse of a 4-year-old was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Seattle to 15 years in prison for production of images of child sexual abuse, announced First Assistant U.S. Assistant Charles Neil Floyd. Justin D. Carr, 38, who resided in Renton, Washington, was arrested on May 14, 2024, after images of child sexual abuse were discovered on his phone while he was driving with a witness to Colorado. Today’s sentencing is the final of three: he was sentenced to 15 years in King County Superior court for sexual assault of a child; in Colorado he was sentenced for possession of child pornography and in Seattle, 15 years in prison for producing the images of child sexual abuse. U.S. District Judge Kymberly K. Evanson sentenced Carr to lifetime federal supervised release following his prison term. “This prison sentence will protect the public for a significant period, while the lifetime supervised release should ensure Mr. Carr cannot prey on a vulnerable child again,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Neil Floyd. “These cases and the protection of children are a priority for our office, and I appreciate the partnership we have with the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office to keep these offenders away from children.” According to records filed in the case, Carr and an adult witness were traveling to Colorado when the witness discovered images on Carr’s phone of the molestation of a 4-year-old child that the witness recognized. The witness immediately called 9-1-1 and Carr was arrested. The metadata of the images indicated it was produced in Renton, Washington. The Renton Police Department and the FBI were involved in the investigation. Carr will serve the 15-year federal sentence concurrent with a 15-year state sentence. The case was prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Laura Harmon. Ms. Harmon is a Senior King County Deputy Prosecutor specially designated to prosecute child exploitation crimes in federal court. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov .


title: Two Florida men plead guilty for their roles in multi-million dollar fraud scheme that stretched across the country

component: USAO - New York, Western

body_text: ROCHESTER, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Alec Dierna, 32, and John Engler, 40, both of Boca Raton, Florida, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit mail fraud before U.S. District Judge Meredith A. Vacca. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Between August 2020 and July 2022, Dierna, Engler, and five co-defendants conspired to defraud companies throughout the United States to fraudulently obtain money and property. To execute their scheme, Dierna, Engler, and their co-defendants sent mailers from Florida, California, and Rochester, NY, to tens of thousands of victim companies throughout the United States. The mailers were intended to deceive the victim companies into believing that they had previously ordered products from the companies of co-conspirators, for which they owed payment. The names used on the mailers included Office Outlet; America’s Best; United Chemicals; Hi-Tech Industrial; North Atlantic Supply; Top Tier Chemicals; Nationwide Chemicals; Direct Chemical; Easton Chemical; Safety Supply; and Union Gloves. As a result of the conspiracy, several thousand victim companies paid $8,010,543.50 to co-conspirators’ companies for products that they did not order. Co-defendants Dylan Paul Costanza, Nicholas Scarantino, Kyle Paul Edward Gibson, Tommy Lee Coburn, and Bryan Lantry were all previously convicted of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and are awaiting sentencing. The company Five Star Warehouse, LLC, entered a corporate plea to conspiracy to commit mail fraud, and is also awaiting sentencing. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Melissa M. Marangola and Kyle P. Rossi. The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Allen D. Davis, II, the IRS Criminal Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Harry T. Chavis, Jr., New York Field Division, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, under the direction of Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Justin Page, Boston Division. Dierna and Engler are scheduled to be sentenced on February 10, 2027, at 10:00 a.m. before Judge Vacca. # # # #


title: Rochester man pleads guilty to receipt of child pornography

body_text: ROCHESTER, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Rashad Rabah, 33, of Rochester, NY, pleaded guilty to receipt of child pornography before U.S. District Judge Meredith A. Vacca. The charge carries a minimum penalty of five years in prison, a maximum penalty of 20 years and a $250,000 fine. In August 2025, Rabah attempted to collect a package containing a large amount of fentanyl from the U.S. Postal Service Jefferson Road Processing and Distribution Center in Henrietta, NY, which was shipped from Arizona. The U.S. Postal Inspection Service intercepted the package and staged a controlled delivery to Rabah. At the time of the delivery, investigators collected Rabah’s cellular telephone. A preliminary search of the phone revealed Rabah’s involvement in illegal activity, including child pornography and child exploitation crimes involving minors in the Rochester area. A subsequent analysis of Rabah’s phone and online accounts revealed that from at least April 2022, through August 7, 2025, he engaged in sexually explicit online and text conversations with a minor victim, a child in the Rochester area, during which Rabah solicited the minor victim to create and send to him sexually explicit images and videos. The investigation revealed that Rabah paid the minor to engage in this conduct and solicited other minors in the Rochester area. Rabah was also part of an online forum in a particular social media platform that was dedicated to the abuse and exploitation of minors. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kyle P. Rossi. The plea is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Allen D. Davis, II, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, under the direction of Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Justin Page, Boston Division. Sentencing will be scheduled at a future date. # # # #


title: Chautauqua County man pleads guilty to production of child pornography

body_text: BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Andrew Klos, 21, of Jamestown, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara to production of child pornography, which carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 15 years in prison, a maximum of 30 years, and a fine of $250,000. Between August 2021 and May 2024, Klos communicated with a minor victim online. In May 2024, utilizing an online chat application, he coerced the 13-year-old minor victim to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing visual depictions, specifically describing the images he wanted. The minor victim, at Klos’s direction, produced and sent the images to him via the internet. A search of Klos’s cell phone recovered the images of the minor victim. In addition, Klos also enticed her to produce images of her minor sibling for his gratification. During the investigation, Klos admitted to investigators that he engaged in multiple online relationships with other minor females, via internet chat websites or social media applications. During these communications, Klos engaged in sexually explicit conversations. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Maeve E. Huggins. The plea is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Allen D. Davis, II. Sentencing is scheduled for November 4, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. before Judge Arcara. # # # #


title: Independence, Missouri Elementary Substitute Teacher Charged with Child Pornography Offenses

component: USAO - Missouri, Western

body_text: KANSAS CITY, Mo. – An elementary school substitute teacher for the Independence, Mo. School District has been charged by criminal complaint with distributing and possessing child pornography. Caleb J. Eyde, 21, appeared in federal court today on a five-count criminal complaint. According to court documents, multiple cyber tips reports were made after Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) was uploaded to Discord, a group communication platform. The results of the investigation led local law enforcement and federal agents to Eyde. Investigators believe Discord records indicate Eyde was distributing, trading, and purchasing CSAM from other users. A forensic examination of Eyde’s electronic devices uncovered images and videos depicting CSAM saved to Eyde’s devices. The charges contained in this complaint are simply accusations, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charges must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kelly Collins. It was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation – Child Exploitation Task Force and the Independence, Missouri Police Department. For more information about online safety for kids please visit https://www.fbi.gov/onlinesafety . To report a tip visit, https://tips.fbi.gov/home . Project Safe Childhood This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. For more information about Internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab "resources."


title: Huntington Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison for Federal Drug Crime

component: USAO - West Virginia, Southern

body_text: HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Troy Alan Glover, 33, of Huntington, was sentenced today to 10 years in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release, for distribution of 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and a quantity of fentanyl. According to court documents and statements made in court, on March 17, 2025, Glover sold 111 grams of methamphetamine and 9.7 grams of fentanyl to a confidential informant while in the informant’s vehicle in Huntington. As part of his guilty plea, Glover admitted to conducting the transaction and to arranging it beforehand. Glover further admitted that he sold approximately 111 grams of methamphetamine and 9.9 grams of fentanyl on March 14, 2025, and approximately 19.9 grams of fentanyl on March 26, 2025, each time to a confidential informant in Huntington in exchange for $940. Glover also admitted that he sold approximately 18.5 grams of fentanyl to the confidential informant on April 28, 2025, in Huntington in exchange for $900. United States Attorney Moore Capito made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Cabell County Sheriff's Office. United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorney Courtney L. Finney prosecuted the case. A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:25-cr-139. ###


title: Jackson Man Sentenced to 8 Years for being a Felon in Possession of a Firearm

component: Department of Justice

body_text: JACKSON, MS – A Jackson man was sentenced on Friday, August 21, 2026, to 96 months of incarceration for being a felon in possession of a firearm in Hinds County. According to court documents and statements made in court, Derrick Demond Epps, 44, was found by Jackson Police Department to be in possession of a firearm on September 14, 2025, during an altercation in front of a local convenient store in South Jackson. Epps had previous felony convictions including aggravated assault. Epps was indicted by a federal grand jury on January 13, 2026, and pleaded guilty on April 17, 2026. U.S. Attorney J.E. Baxter Kruger of the Southern District of Mississippi and Special Agent in Charge Robert A. Eikhoff of the FBI Jackson Field Office made the announcement. The FBI investigated this case with assistance from the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; and Jackson Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney C. Brett Grantham prosecuted the case. This case was investigated by the FBI as part of Operation Take Back America ( https://www.justice.gov/dag/media/1393746/dl?inline ) 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).


title: Repeat Offender Receives 15 Year Federal Sentence for Child Exploitation Offense and Supervision Violations

component: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

body_text: EVANSVILLE- Michael K. Wallace, 40, of Evansville, has been sentenced to 15 years in federal prison, followed by 20 years of supervised release after pleading guilty to Distribution of Sexually Explicit Material Involving Minors. Wallace was also ordered to pay $3,000 per identifiable child victim. According to court documents, Wallace was previously convicted in August 2012 of felony possession and receipt of sexually explicit material involving minors and sentenced to federal prison. After his release in February 2025, he was required to register as a sex offender and report to the U.S. Probation Office for supervision. On October 17, 2025, during a meeting with probation officers, Wallace was questioned about reports that sexually explicit videos of minors were being distributed from a residence he was known to frequent. Wallace admitted that he had taken a cell phone from a workplace trash can, kept it hidden in his dresser, and later used the unapproved device to access the internet from a nearby home. He used a VPN to conceal his IP address and location. Investigators determined that Wallace created an account on the social media app KIK and used it to distribute and receive sexually explicit images of minors. Both the use of the internet and the possession of an unapproved device were violations of Wallace’s federal supervised release conditions. The Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated this case. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Judge Matthew P. Brookman. “This defendant’s decision to seek out images depicting the horrific sexual abuse of children immediately after his release from federal prison is shocking, though not surprising. It demonstrates a reckless disregard for the laws designed to keep our communities safe from predators like him,” said Tom Wheeler, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. “The serious federal prison sentence imposed here reflects our office’s commitment to protecting vulnerable victims and ensuring that those who violate the terms of their release face serious consequences.” “Michael Wallace already did federal time for child‑exploitation crimes, and even after his release, he went right back to the same behavior while under federal supervision,” said FBI Indianapolis Special Agent in Charge Timothy J. O’Malley. “He hid his online activity and used social media to keep circulating sexually explicit material involving children. That shows a total disregard for the law and for the kids who were victimized. The FBI and our partners will keep going after people who traffic in this material, and we will hold repeat offenders accountable.” U.S. Attorney Wheeler thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Todd S. Shellenbarger who prosecuted this case. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood , a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. 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. If you are a victim of child sexual exploitation, please contact your local police department. Resources for victims of child exploitation can be found on our website at https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdin/project-safe-childhood ###


title: Armed Duo Sentenced to Federal Prison for Carmel CVS Robbery

body_text: INDIANAPOLIS- Two men have been sentenced to federal prison for their roles in the armed robbery of a CVS Pharmacy in Carmel, Indiana. Mikhal Hamilton, 26, has been sentenced to 13 years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release. In March, a federal jury found Hamilton guilty of interference with commerce by robbery, brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, and unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. David Washington, 24, of Arcadia, was previously sentenced to 9 years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, after pleading guilty to interference with commerce by robbery and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. According to court documents, witness testimony, and surveillance footage presented at trial, on the morning of June 25, 2023, Hamilton and Washington robbed the CVS Pharmacy located at 1424 Rangeline Road in Carmel. During the robbery, Hamilton jumped over the pharmacy counter, pointed a firearm at an employee’s face, and demanded she open the safe. The safe contained various controlled substances in the form of prescription pills. Washington filled bags with pill bottles before both men fled northbound in a blue Chevrolet Impala parked at a nearby restaurant. Carmel Police officers quickly located the vehicle. Hamilton was seen throwing pill bottles out of the back window as officers chased them and conducted the stop. Inside the car, officers recovered pills, pill bottles, and two handguns. Hamilton has a lengthy criminal history, including felony convictions for synthetic identity deception and carrying a handgun without a license. The Federal Bureau of Investigation and Carmel Police Department investigated this case. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Judge Sarah Evans Barker. “Armed robbery is a violent and dangerous crime. It forever changes the lives of the victims who experience fear, anguish, and violence associated with being robbed while trying to earn a living. While the victim may be physically fine, the defendants’ violent actions took away her peace of mind and ability to feel safe in the workplace,” said Tom Wheeler, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. “Let these sentences serve as a clear message: those who commit armed robberies in our communities will be met with swift investigation, prosecution, and significant federal prison time.” “When you point a gun at people during a robbery, someone can get hurt or killed - plain and simple. These guys stormed into a CVS and terrorized employees and customers just to get their hands on drugs. That kind of behavior puts innocent people at risk, and there’s no excuse for it,” said FBI Indianapolis Special Agent in Charge Timothy J. O’Malley. “Now they’re doing federal time - and that’s exactly what happens when you use a gun to commit a violent crime. The FBI is going to keep working with our partners to find violent offenders and get them off the streets. If you threaten our communities, you’re going to answer for it.” U.S. Attorney Wheeler thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kelsey Massa and Nate Walter, who prosecuted this case. ###


title: Jury Convicts Fayette County Man of Attempted Sexual Exploitation of a Minor

body_text: BENTON, Ill. – Following roughly 45 minutes of deliberation a federal jury found a Fayette County man guilty of one count for attempted sexual exploitation of a minor. James W. Berner, 46, from Ramsey, was charged in February 2025 after an investigation revealed Berner had recorded a video of the minor victim showering. Berner was using a phone application that wirelessly controlled the minor victim’s cell phone camera. With this phone app, Berner could remotely view and screen record what was happening within the minor victim’s cell phone camera view without the camera showing it was activated. In December 2024 and January 2025, Berner used this phone application to remotely view the minor victim showering. At the time of the offense, the minor victim was 14 years old. “This verdict delivers justice for truly reprehensible conduct. Recording a child in a private and vulnerable moment is a gross violation of trust and basic human decency,” said United States Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft. “I commend our trial attorneys and law enforcement partners who walked into court and faced this predator down and delivered justice.” I want to extend my sincerest thanks to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for their outstanding work on this case,” said Fayette County Sheriff Ronnie Stevens. “Protecting children is our highest priority, and we cannot do it alone. Bringing this individual into federal court with their commitment to prosecuting this case, to ensure this individual will be put in prison for a very long time.” Fayette County Sheriff’s Office and St. Elmo Police Department investigated the case with substantial assistance from FBI Springfield. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ali Burns and Madalyn Campbell prosecuted this case. “This verdict reflects our collective commitment to protecting children from those who seek to exploit them,” said FBI Springfield Special Agent in Charge Ryan Presley. “The defendant’s actions were a profound violation of a young person’s privacy and safety. We are grateful for the collaboration of our partners in Fayette County Sheriff’s Office and St. Elmo Police Department, whose dedication ensured this victim received justice. The FBI will continue to work tirelessly with our law enforcement and prosecutorial partners to hold offenders accountable and safeguard the most vulnerable members of our communities.” Sentencing is scheduled for December 8, 2026 at 10:30 am in the Benton Courthouse. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the 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, visit www.justice.gov/psc .


title: Southern District of Georgia federal indictments include murder, drug- and firearm-related charges and healthcare fraud

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

body_text: SAVANNAH, Georgia: Multiple individuals have been indicted by the August term of the federal Grand Jury in the Southern District of Georgia for a host of charges. Margaret E. “Meg” Heap, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia, announced the indictments. Those facing federal charges include: Robert Kye Sturdy , 67, an inmate at Federal Correctional Institute – Jesup, was indicted for First Degree Murder. Lenard Lorenzo Kearse , 38, of Rincon, Georgia, was indicted for Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon, Possession with Intent to Distribute Marijuana, and Carrying a Firearm during and in Relation to a Drug Trafficking Crime; and, Perry Patalano , 63, of Augusta, was indicted for Healthcare Fraud, Theft of Government Money, Property or Records, and Aggravated Identity Theft. Criminal indictments contain only charges; defendants are considered innocent unless and until proven guilty. The cases listed above have been investigated by the Bureau of Prisons-Criminal Investigations Division, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the FBI, Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General, and local law enforcement agencies. These cases are being prosecuted for the United States by Southern District of Georgia Assistant U.S. Attorneys Bradley R. Thompson, Matthew Breedon, Henry W. Syms Jr., and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Karl I. Knoche.


title: Pine Ridge Man Convicted After Trial of Federal Drug Conspiracy Charge

component: USAO - South Dakota

body_text: RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a jury has convicted Clayton High Wolf, Jr., age 41, of Pine Ridge, South Dakota, of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance following a three-day jury trial in federal district court in Rapid City, South Dakota. The verdict was returned on August 20, 2026. The charge for Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance carries a mandatory minimum of 10 years up to life imprisonment, a $10 million dollar fine, at least five years up to life supervised release, and a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. High Wolf, Jr. was indicted by a federal grand jury in October 2025. The investigation determined that beginning in October 2024, High Wolf, Jr. worked with numerous individuals to sell methamphetamine on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation to end-users. During the investigation, law enforcement agents arrested High Wolf, Jr. following a high-speed pursuit through residential streets in Pine Ridge, South Dakota. When he was caught, officers discovered High Wolf, Jr. in possession of 90 grams of methamphetamine destined for further distribution. “The conviction of this methamphetamine dealer distributing that poison on the Pine Ridge Reservation will improve public safety,” said U.S. Attorney Parsons. “Our federal prosecutors and their teams do incredible work and are dedicated to the mission of trying to ensure that every community in South Dakota is as safe as it can possibly be.” This case was investigated by the Badlands Safe Trails Task Force. The Task Force is comprised of agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, and the Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety. Assistant U.S. Attorney Edward C. Tarbay prosecuted the case. A presentence investigation will be ordered, and a sentencing date will be set. The defendant was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.


title: Netarts Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Possessing a Firearm and Ammunition as a Felon

body_text: PORTLAND, Ore.—A Netarts, Oregon, man was sentenced to federal prison today for possessing a firearm and ammunition as a felon. Ciedric Royce Broussard, 42, was sentenced to 46 months in federal prison and 3 years’ supervised release. According to court documents, on February 20, 2023, Tillamook County deputies and Oregon State Police (OSP) troopers responded to a disturbance after Broussard threatened a victim with a firearm. Broussard refused to exit the home. After a standoff in the bathroom, law enforcement officers arrested Broussard. Law enforcement officers also recovered a gun with a fully loaded 31-round magazine. In total, 108 rounds of live ammunition were recovered from the residence. Broussard was initially charged in Tillamook County and was released the following day. On April 4, 2023, a federal grand jury in Portland returned an indictment charging Broussard with felon in possession of a firearm and felon in possession of ammunition. On December 4, 2024, Broussard pleaded guilty to both charges. U.S. Attorney Scott E. Bradford for the District of Oregon made the announcement. This case was investigated by Tillamook County Sheriff’s Office, Oregon State Police and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lewis Burkhart.


title: Three Defendants Make Initial Appearances in Homeland Security Task Force Fentanyl Trafficking Case

component: USAO - Nevada

body_text: LAS VEGAS – Three of seven defendants charged in an August 12, 2026, federal indictment for their alleged roles in a fentanyl drug trafficking organization made their initial appearances in federal court on Friday. “This case highlights the power of interagency collaboration to intercept the flow of deadly synthetic opioids,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Sigal Chattah for the District of Nevada. “Through the Homeland Security Task Force, our federal, state, and local partners are working as one to disrupt and dismantle the transnational criminal networks trafficking these lethal substances into our communities.” “Fentanyl trafficking organizations put our communities at risk and fuel violence through the drugs, firearms and illicit proceeds that sustain their operations,” said Jonathan Sherwin, Deputy Special Agent in Charge for HSI Las Vegas. “This Homeland Security Task Force investigation reflects HSI Las Vegas’ commitment to working with our law enforcement partners to disrupt and dismantle the criminal networks responsible for moving deadly narcotics into our neighborhoods.” “The FBI’s steadfast dedication to safeguarding our communities is demonstrated by this operation,” said Special Agent in Charge Christopher S. Delzotto for the FBI Las Vegas Field Office. “Together with our law enforcement colleagues, we took down a violent group responsible for drugs, guns and fear in our communities. Our Homeland Security Task Force’s concentrated investigation efforts are reflected in this takedown, and we will keep using every resource at our disposal to bring violent criminals accountable and maintain Nevada's safety.” “Seeing these individuals in court is another step in our fight against violent crime,” said U.S. Marshal Gary Schofield. “By deploying the fugitive recovery expertise of the U.S. Marshals, we are actively working against the criminals who threaten our state. We will remain shoulder to shoulder with our partners to ensure Las Vegas remains safe.” Adrian Ortiz Moreno, also known as “El Apache,” Martin Castro, Jr., and Juan Martinez Ramirez made their initial appearances Friday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Brenda Weksler. Four additional defendants are charged in the indictment. According to allegations in the criminal complaint, from at least 2024 to August 2, 2026, Adrian Ortiz Moreno, also known as “El Apache,” a Mexican national, and Brenda Maria Moreno De Castro, a Mexican national and lawful permanent resident of the United States, and their co-defendants Martin Castro, Jr., David Romero Hernandez, Edgar Rosas, Juan Martinez Ramirez, a Mexican national, and Walter Estrada Carlos, a Mexican national, engaged in a continuing criminal enterprise to distribute fentanyl, a Schedule II controlled substance. As a result of a Homeland Security Task Force investigation, Ortiz Moreno is charged with one count of continuing criminal enterprise. All seven defendants are charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance. Ortiz Moreno, Moreno De Castro, Estrada Carlos, Castro, Jr., and Hernandez are charged with one or more counts of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance. Ortiz Moreno, Moreno De Castro, and Castro, Jr. are also charged with possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. As a result of a Homeland Security Task Force investigation, Ortiz Moreno and Moreno De Castro are each charged with one count of continuing criminal enterprise and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Castro, Jr., Hernandez, Rosas, Martinez Ramirez, and Estrada Carlos are each charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance. Ortiz Moreno, Moreno De Castro, and Estrada Carlos are each charged with one count of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance; and Castro, Jr. is charged with one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. If convicted, the maximum statutory penalty is life imprisonment. A jury trial has been scheduled for October 19, 2026, before U.S. District Judge Cristina D. Silva. This case was investigated by HSI, DEA, ATF, LVMPD, USMS, and FBI. 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. The charges are only allegations; the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. ###


title: Romanian National Illegally in the United States Makes Initial Appearance for Identity Theft

body_text: LAS VEGAS – A Romanian national, illegally present in the United States, made his initial appearance in court Friday after a grand jury charged him for allegedly using a counterfeit foreign passport and other documents as part of a fraud scheme to steal money from American victims. “We will not allow fraudsters to hide behind computer screens and stolen credentials,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Sigal Chattah for the District of Nevada. “Law enforcement will continue to track down and prosecute those who compromise the financial security of innocent citizens.” “Identity-based fraud schemes are not harmless paperwork crimes, they are calculated efforts to hide behind false documents, deceive victims and steal their money,” said Jonathan Sherwin, Deputy Special Agent in Charge for HSI Las Vegas. “Through the Homeland Security Task Force, HSI Las Vegas and our partners are bringing the full weight of law enforcement to bear against individuals who use counterfeit identities and online scams to target victims in the United States.” According to court documents, on February 26, 2026, Eustatiu Brat, also known as “Bosko Obradovic,” allegedly possessed and used a counterfeit Canadian passport and Quebec driver’s license. He allegedly used the counterfeit passport as part of a larger scheme to advertise vehicles for sale online and to swindle victims of their money. Brat is charged with one count of aggravated identity theft. A jury trial is scheduled to begin October 19, 2026, before U.S. District Judge Richard F. Boulware II. If convicted, the statutory penalty is a mandatory two-year period of imprisonment to be served consecutively to any other sentence. This case was investigated by HSI. 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 from 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: Jury Convicts Las Vegas Business Owner of Cryptocurrency Ponzi Scheme

body_text: LAS VEGAS – A federal jury today convicted a Las Vegas business owner of fraudulently obtaining $24 million. “Financial fraud undermines the foundational trust of our economic system,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Sigal Chattah for the District of Nevada. “This verdict demonstrates our absolute commitment to aggressively pursuing bad actors who manipulate records to steal millions and ensuring they face full accountability in a court of law.” “Today’s verdict reflects the seriousness of Brent Kovar’s scheme and the impact it had on hundreds of investors,” said IRS Criminal Investigation’s San Francisco Field Office Acting Special Agent in Charge David Lowe. “Criminals who build operations on false guarantees, fabricated profits and nonexistent reserves, erode trust in our financial system, and leave victims facing real financial harm. IRS-CI special agents and professional staff are well suited and will continue to follow the money and hold accountable those who exploit emerging technologies to commit fraud.” “The victims in this case thought they were engaged in revolutionary technological advancement, but it was merely a deception crafted by the falsehoods and trickery of Mr. Kovar,” said Special Agent in Charge Christopher S. Delzotto for the FBI Las Vegas Field Office. “The FBI, along with its partners, remain dedicated to thoroughly investigating and holding accountable those who misuse their authority; however, this effort cannot be achieved alone. If you believe you have information related to fraud or know someone who may be a victim, please submit a complaint to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at ic3.gov.” “Mr. Kovar defrauded investors to enrich himself, luring victims with false claims that his investment was insured by the FDIC,” said Special Agent in Charge Ryan Korner with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Office of Inspector General (FDIC OIG). “We will work tirelessly alongside our law enforcement partners to protect financial consumers and the Nation’s financial system, while ensuring fraudsters are caught and held accountable.” From late 2017 to July 2021, Brent C. Kovar owned Profit Connect, a Las Vegas-based company that purportedly used artificial intelligence software on a supercomputer to mine cryptocurrency and verify other cryptocurrency transactions. He falsely represented the company as a profitable company that paid investors a fixed rate of return of 15% to 30% APR and provided a 100% money-back guarantee. Kovar also falsely represented that Profit Connect was backed by hundreds of millions of dollars in cryptocurrency reserves. Kovar knew his company was not profitable, had no reserves, did not and could not pay the fixed rates of return to investors, and had no legitimate means for the money-back guarantee. He used investor money to operate Profit Connect, to buy gifts for employees, to buy a house for himself, and to repay investors as if those repayments came from mining cryptocurrency and verifying cryptocurrency transactions. In total, Kovar fraudulently obtained $24 million from at least 400 investors. Following a nine-day trial, Kovar was found guilty of 11 counts of wire fraud; two counts of mail fraud; and two counts of money laundering. He is scheduled to be sentenced on November 30, 2026, and he faces a statutory maximum penalty of 280 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. IRS-CI, FBI, and FDIC OIG investigated this case; and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joshua Brister and James Gaeta are prosecuting this case. ###


title: Boyfriend and Girlfriend Plead Guilty to Importing Large Quantity of Ketamine in Luggage

body_text: LAS VEGAS – A boyfriend and girlfriend pleaded guilty today to bringing over 75 pounds of Ketamine in their luggage into the United States from London, England. “Ketamine is a powerful controlled anesthetic intended strictly for supervised clinical use,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Sigal Chattah for the District of Nevada. “When weaponized by black-market distribution rings, it becomes an explicit and immediate threat to public safety. Today's guilty pleas underscore our coordinated federal resolve to dismantle synthetic drug pipelines, disrupt international supply lines, and hold distributors fully accountable under federal law.” “Drug smugglers who attempt to move large quantities of controlled substances through our ports of entry put communities at risk and will be met with a coordinated law enforcement response,” said Jonathan Sherwin, Deputy Special Agent in Charge for HSI Las Vegas. “HSI Las Vegas and our partners will continue to target the individuals and networks importing dangerous drugs into the United States and work to keep those substances from reaching our streets.” According to court documents, on February 27, 2026, Adam Flores and Nichole Bremenour each had a suitcase that contained 17.9 kilograms of ketamine in large plastic sealed bags. There were 17 bags in Flores’ suitcase, and another 17 bags in Bremenour’s suitcase, with a combined weight of over 78 pounds. Ketamine, a schedule III controlled substance, is commonly known on the street as Special K. Ketamine is a dissociative anesthetic that has some hallucinogenic effects and distorts perceptions of sight and sound and makes the user feel disconnected and not in control. Flores and Bremenour each pleaded guilty to one count of importation of a controlled substance and one-count of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance. Sentencing has been scheduled before U.S. District Judge Cristina D. Silva on December 7, 2026. The total maximum sentence is 10 years’ imprisonment. Any sentence would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. This case was investigated by HSI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Melinda Brewer is prosecuting the case. ###


title: Shiprock Man Sentenced for Violent Assault

body_text: ALBUQUERQUE – A Shiprock man was sentenced to 27 months in prison for an assault that left a victim with life-threatening injuries. There is no parole in the federal system. According to court documents, on November 18, 2025, Darrell Joe Ben, Jr. , 36, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, assaulted his ex-girlfriend while he was intoxicated. Officers detained Ben at the scene. The victim was transported to a local hospital and received treatment for critical injuries, including a hematoma, an orbital fracture, nasal fractures, multiple broken ribs, and lung damage that necessitated the use of a ventilator. She was transferred to an intensive care unit in Albuquerque for further treatment. Ben pleaded guilty to assault resulting in serious bodily injury and assault resulting in substantial bodily injury of a dating partner. Upon his release from prison, Ben will be subject to three years of supervised release. First Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Special Agent in Charge Justin A. Garris of the FBI’s Albuquerque Field Office made the announcement today. The Farmington Resident Agency of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with the assistance of the Navajo Nation Police Department and Navajo Nation Department of Criminal Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Seth Teleky prosecuted the case.


title: Federal Jury Convicts Massachusetts Resident for Attempting to Sex Traffic a Minor at a Manchester Hotel

component: USAO - New Hampshire

body_text: CONCORD – After a 4-day trial, a Haverhill, Massachusetts man was found guilty by a federal jury of attempting to sex traffic a 12-year-old as part of a proactive federal and local law enforcement operation that took place in November of 2024, United States Attorney Erin Creegan announces. Sharath Chandra Bollu, age 25, was convicted of one count of attempted sex trafficking of a minor and one count of travel with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct. United States Chief District Court Judge Samantha Elliott ordered Bollu detained pending sentencing, which is scheduled for November 24, 2026. On November 14, 2024, in a proactive law enforcement operation, agents posted and monitored an advertisement on a website commonly used to advertise commercial sex. The advertisement contained images of what appeared to be two minor females, and a contact phone number. Law enforcement agents monitored this line and used it to communicate with potential sex buyers, including Bollu. During a text conversation and several phone calls between an undercover agent and Bollu, the agent stated that a 12-year-old girl was available to perform sex acts in exchange for money. Bollu communicated with the number from November 14 into the evening of November 15, 2024. He then traveled to a hotel in Manchester, which was the designated location for the commercial sex date. He brought condoms and $100 in cash to the hotel. Homeland Security Investigations led the investigation. Manchester Police Department, the New Hampshire Attorney General’s Office, and the New Hampshire Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force provided valuable assistance. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew Vicinanzo and Charles Rombeau are prosecuting the case. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc .


title: Pills Sold on Social Media, Overdose Result in Lengthy Sentence for Maryland Man

component: USAO - West Virginia, Northern

body_text: MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Christion Sayyid Gill, 27, of Hagerstown, Maryland was sentenced today to more than 17 years in federal prison for his role in a business that was selling fentanyl-laced pills online, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew L. Harvey. “Fentanyl is deadly, and in this case, it nearly killed two teenagers,” said U.S. Attorney Matthew L. Harvey. “Parents, talk to your kids about the dangers of buying pills online—counterfeit pills often look exactly like real prescription medication. And to anyone considering a scheme like this, law enforcement will find you and bring you to justice.” Christion Sayyid Gill, sentenced to 210 months, and his codefendant built what investigators described as a highly organized digital drug marketplace. Working alongside his co-defendants, they used platforms like Telegram, Instagram, Snapchat, Signal, and Linktree to advertise and sell counterfeit pills designed to look like Oxycodone. Behind the polished online presence, however, the pills were laced with fentanyl. The danger of the scheme became clear when officers in Frederick, Maryland, responded to a suspected overdose involving two juvenile females. The blue pills found at the scene—later confirmed to contain fentanyl—were traced back to the scheme and a codefendant who travelled from Martinsburg, West Virginia to deliver the drugs. From a Hagerstown, Maryland base of operation, they arranged online orders and traveled throughout the tristate area to deliver drugs directly to customers. A search of Christion Sayyid Gill’s home revealed the scope of the operation. Investigators seized more than 20 grams of fentanyl, nearly four pounds of methamphetamine, 146 grams of cocaine, two firearms, and $49,950 in cash—a snapshot of a drug business built for volume. Jayden Gill, 22, was convicted in November 2025 and is currently serving a 260-month federal sentence for his role in the scheme. A third defendant, Jamil Nicholas Gardner, 33, of Baltimore, is awaiting trial and is presumed innocent unless proven guilty. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kyle Kane prosecuted the case. Agencies involved in the investigation include the United States Postal Inspection Service; Homeland Security Investigations; and multiple Maryland law enforcement agencies including the Brunswick Police Department, Frederick City Police, Maryland State Police, Hagerstown Police Department, the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, and the Frederick County Sheriff’s Office. Fentanyl has been designated by President Donald Trump as a weapon of mass destruction due to its extreme lethality which poses a grave threat to public safety, even in trace amounts. This case is part of Operation Take Back America , a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime, and repel the invasion of illegal immigration. U.S. District Judge Gina M. Groh presided.


title: Drug Trafficker Will Spend Next 24 Years in Federal Prison

body_text: CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Anthony Bernard Coles, of Clarksburg, West Virginia, was sentenced today to 292 months in federal prison for trafficking dangerous drugs, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew L. Harvey. Coles, also known as “Pay Day,” and “Him Him,” 39, sold methamphetamine and cocaine on multiple occasions in Harrison County. During a search of his residence, investigators seized more than 150 grams of fentanyl, a stolen 9mm Glock pistol, 9mm ammunition, and drug paraphernalia. The firearm and ammunition were found hidden inside air vents. Assistant U.S. Attorney Zelda Wesley prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States. The Greater Harrison Drug Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated. Fentanyl has been designated by President Donald Trump as a weapon of mass destruction due to its extreme lethality which poses a grave threat to public safety, even in trace amounts. This case is part of Operation Take Back America , a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime, and repel the invasion of illegal immigration. Chief U.S. District Judge Thomas S. Kleeh presided.


title: Operation Clean Sweep III Indicts 39 Child Predators and Checked 887 Registered Sex Offenders for Compliance

body_text: TULSA, Okla. – Today, U.S. Attorney Chris Nassar announced that law enforcement has indicted 39 defendants, and several others have been identified and remain under investigation after the launch of Operation Clean Sweep III in March. Operation Clean Sweep III (operation) aims to hold child predators accountable throughout the Northern District of Oklahoma. This operation is partnered with the Tornado Alley Child Exploitation and Trafficking Task Force ( TACETT ), created by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). More than 25 federal, state, and tribal law enforcement partners helped prevent, identify, investigate, and ultimately prosecute child exploitation. From March 2026 through August 2026, the U.S. Attorney’s Office received referrals from eight of the 11 counties within the Northern District of Oklahoma. Sixty-six cases were opened for investigation. To date, 39 defendants have either been charged by Complaint or Indicted, with the remaining still under investigation. Of the 39 defendants charged, 26 were charged with possessing child sexual abuse material, eight were charged with producing child sexual abuse material, and nine were charged with coercion and enticement for using phones and applications to target minor children. Most importantly, 21 minor children have been identified and separated from the defendants. This number does not represent the children in the child sexual abuse material. Law enforcement agencies will partner with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) to identify those children. From January 2026 through August 2026, NCMEC sent 8,621 CyberTips to the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigations – Internet Crimes Against Children (OSBI-ICAC) unit. Of those CyberTips, 2,086 cases were opened for investigation. Law enforcement partners in the Northern District of Oklahoma received 586 cases for further investigation. During this operation, the U.S. Marshals Service, the Muscogee Creek Nation Lighthorse Police Department, the Cherokee Nation Marshal Service, the Pawnee County Sheriff's Office, and the Quapaw Nation Marshal Service conducted compliance checks on those required to register as sex offenders in the Northern District of Oklahoma. The Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA) provides a comprehensive set of standards for sex offender registration and notification in the United States. In total, law enforcement checked 887 individuals in 10 of the 11 counties within the Northern District of Oklahoma. Investigators found that 34 individuals were not compliant with SORNA standards. “Clean Sweep III is ending as an operation; however, the cases are not,” said U.S. Attorney Chris Nassar. “Investigations and prosecutions will continue on every open matter that has not yet been charged. The team that built this operation is not standing down. The experience, the relationships, and the enforcement effort will continue. We will keep bringing child predators to justice in the Northern District of Oklahoma.” Operation Clean Sweep III was led by U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Nassar and Assistant U.S. Attorney Ashley Robert. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alicia Hockenbury, George Jiang, Kate Brandon, Michele Hulgaard, Jessica Wright, Stacey Todd, Jack Osborn, Augustus Forster, Stephanie Ihler, Blithe Craves, and Chris Kelly also assisted in the operation. The law enforcement who participated in the operation are personnel from the Homeland Security Investigations – Tulsa office, the FBI, Tulsa Police Department, the U.S. Marshal Service, the Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office, the Broken Arrow Police Department, the Bixby Police Department, the Glenpool Police Department, the Mayes County Sheriff’s Office, the Rogers County Sheriff’s Office, the Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the Oologah Police Department, the Creek County Sheriff’s Office, the Skiatook Police Department, the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office, the Bristow Police Department, the Pryor Police Department, the Owasso Police Department, the Bartlesville Police Department, the Cherokee Nation Marshal Service, the Muscogee Creek Nation Lighthorse Police Department, the Pawnee County Sheriff’s Office, and the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigations. If you or someone you know is a victim of child exploitation, confidential help is available. Resources and contact information for child exploitation are available through the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children . This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual. 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 . An indictment or complaint is merely an allegation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.


title: Justice Department Sues Ohio Landlord for Sexual Harassment and Retaliation Against Female Tenants

component: Civil Rights Division

body_text: YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio — The Justice Department announced today that it has filed a lawsuit against the owner and manager of rental properties located in and around Girard, Ohio, for engaging in sexual harassment and retaliation in violation of the Fair Housing Act. The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, alleges that Alfred Falgiani, Jr., 72, of Girard, sexually harassed female tenants beginning in 2008. According to the complaint, Falgiani offered housing-related benefits in exchange for sexual contact, made unwelcome sexual comments and advances to female tenants, subjected female tenants to unwelcome touching and groping, and took adverse housing-related actions against female tenants who refused his sexual advances. “Everyone deserves a home where they feel safe and protected. When landlords exploit their position of power to harass or intimidate tenants, they violate both the law and the basic dignity that housing should provide,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “The Justice Department will continue to hold accountable those who abuse vulnerable residents and will work tirelessly to ensure that tenants can live free from sexual harassment and coercion.” “No one should have to live in fear of a landlord making highly inappropriate advances,” said U.S. Attorney David M. Toepfer for the Northern District of Ohio. “Housing owners and managers who engage in loathsome behavior and infringe on a person’s right to feel secure in their own home will face justice.” The lawsuit seeks monetary damages to compensate persons harmed by the alleged harassment, civil penalties to vindicate the public interest, and a court order barring future discrimination. Individuals who believe that they may have been victims of sexual harassment or other types of housing discrimination at rental dwellings owned or managed by Alfred Falgiani, or who have other information that may be relevant to this case, should contact the Housing Discrimination Tip Line at 1-833-591-0291 (press 1 for English, press 2 for Sexual Harassment, then press 4 to leave a message related to Alfred Falgiani), or send an email to Talk.Falgiani@usdoj.gov. Individuals may also submit a report online. More information about the Civil Rights Division and the laws it enforces is available at www.justice.gov/crt. This lawsuit is part of the Justice Department’s Sexual Harassment in Housing Initiative. The initiative, which the department launched in October 2017, seeks to address and raise awareness about sexual harassment by landlords, property managers, maintenance workers, loan officers and other people who have control over housing. Since launching the initiative, the department has filed 54 lawsuits alleging sexual harassment in housing and recovered over $19 million for victims of such harassment.


title: Persistent Violator: Alien Admits Third Illegal Entry into America

component: USAO - New York, Northern

body_text: UTICA, NEW YORK – Reginaldo Nunes Dos Santos, 49, of Brazil, pled guilty Tuesday, July 28, to one count of illegal reentry into the United States. First Assistant United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III and James P. D’Amato, Acting Chief Patrol Agent, U.S. Border Patrol Buffalo Sector made the announcement. Dos Santos had been arrested two previous times for entering the United States illegally. Most recently, he was arrested in Texas in 2019 and was subsequently deported in 2020. On June 11, 2026, Dos Santos was arrested after a traffic stop near Watertown, New York. First Assistant United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III stated, “The United States is a nation of opportunity, and we welcome those who follow our laws and pursue legal pathways to build a life here. This defendant chose a very different path, illegally entering our country three separate times. After being arrested and deported under the first Trump Administration, he later used the prior administration’s immigration failures to return, placing the financial burden of his unlawful behavior on hardworking taxpayers. Now, under the current Trump Administration, he has once again been arrested for violating our immigration laws. His repeated disregard for U.S. law has resulted in a federal prison sentence, after which he will be deported. Let this be a clear reminder: those who continually violate our nation’s immigration laws will face American justice and be subject to deportation.” “Through intelligence-driven targeting and coordinated enforcement efforts, agents from the Wellesley Island Station arrested a repeat immigration law violator in Watertown, NY. The agents of the U.S. Border Patrol will continue to remain vigilant, alert, and always ready to protect our borders and secure our homeland,” said James P. D’Amato, Acting Chief Patrol Agent, U.S. Border Patrol Buffalo Sector. United States District Judge Anthony J. Brindisi sentenced Dos Santos to two months’ imprisonment. Following his sentence, Dos Santos is subject to deportation. United States Border Patrol investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Whalen prosecuted the case.


title: Illegal Alien Pleads Guilty to Immigration Fraud for Using and Possessing a Counterfeit Document to Obtain Employment

body_text: ALBANY, NEW YORK – Edgar Diaz, age 47, pled guilty on August 12, 2026, to one count of immigration fraud. First Assistant United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Buffalo Acting Field Office Director Philip Rhoney made the announcement. Diaz is a citizen of Guatemala illegally present in the United States. In June 2019, while pending an immigration proceeding, Diaz was allowed to participate in the Enforcement and Removal Operations Custody Management Division’s Alternative to Detention Program (“ATD”), in lieu of being held in immigration custody. As part of the ATD, Diaz wore an ankle bracelet that allowed him to be tracked using GPS equipment. On June 7, 2019, Diaz cut the ankle bracelet and remained a fugitive until he was arrested in Virginia in May 2026. As part of his plea, Diaz admitted that on January 28, 2019, he used and possessed a counterfeit permanent resident card bearing his name and photograph but a United States Citizenship and Immigration Services number that had not been assigned to him to obtain employment at a farm in Marietta, New York. First Assistant United States Attorney Sarcone stated, “The Trump administration’s commitment to securing the homeland remains a top priority. This defendant has been a fugitive for nearly seven years, and now that the President has restored law and order in our country, the dedicated special agents at Homeland Security Investigations were able to track down Diaz and bring him to justice. With this plea, he will serve a term of imprisonment and then be subject to deportation.” ICE ERO Buffalo Acting Field Office Director Philip Rhoney said, “When individuals abscond from supervision and use counterfeit documents to secure employment, they undermine the lawful immigration process and the security it is designed to protect. Immigration laws are not merely suggestions, and the sanctity of those statutes is vital to public safety and the security of our borders. Today and always, ERO will continue to make immigration enforcement a priority to protect our communities and uphold a system the American people can trust.” Diaz will be sentenced on December 10, 2026, by Senior U.S. District Judge Frederick J. Scullin, Jr. Diaz faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release of up to 3 years. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is convicted of violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors. ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tamara Thomson is prosecuting the case.


body_text: Chinese National Sentenced to 27 Months in Prison for Possession with Intent to Distribute 94 Kilograms of Marijuana SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Wenjian Zhuo, age 32, a Chinese national and lawful permanent resident of the United States, was sentenced July 28, 2026, to 27 months in prison for possessing a controlled substance with intent to distribute it. Zhuo was convicted by a jury after a two-day trial in federal court in Syracuse in February. First Assistant United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III and Farhana Islam, Special Agent in Charge of the New York Enforcement Division of the Drug Enforcement Administration, made the announcement. Evidence presented during the two-day trial proved that on January 22, 2025, Zhuo drove from New York City to the Akwesasne Mohawk Indian Reservation where his van was loaded with 94 kilograms (approximately 207 pounds) of marijuana. Zhuo began to transport the marijuana back to New York City where he intended to deliver it when Border Patrol pulled him over and seized the marijuana. “Our partners at the U.S. Border Patrol and the Drug Enforcement Administration are working tirelessly to protect our nation and to crack down on those who traffic illegal drugs into our country,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney John A. Sarcone III. “This prison sentence reaffirms this administration’s commitment to stopping the flow of dangerous drugs along our northern border — and it delivers a clear message: if you push illegal substances into our communities, we will identify you, we will prosecute you, and you will face justice for your actions. Following this sentence, the Department of Homeland Security will be able to pursue action to revoke Zhuo’s legal status and begin the process of deportation. Legal immigrants who violate our laws and put Americans at risk are subject to review and potential revocation of their legal status as part of ensuring the safety and security of our communities.” “This sentencing sends a clear message to those individuals who attempt to traffic illegal marijuana across our border, that actions have consequences,” stated DEA New York Enforcement Division Special Agent in Charge Farhana Islam . “This defendant traveled hundreds of miles to obtain and transport 94 kilos of marijuana with the intent to distribute it in New York City. The DEA New York Enforcement Division, alongside our U.S. Border Patrol and law enforcement partners, remain steadfast in securing our border and disrupting those drug trafficking individuals and organizations looking to flood our neighborhoods with illegal drugs.” In addition to the 27 months of imprisonment, United States Senior District Judge Glenn T. Suddaby also ordered that Zhuo be subject to 3 years of supervised release once released and pay a $5,000 fine. U.S. Border Patrol and DEA investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Douglas Collyer prosecuted the case.


title: Broome County Man Pleads Guilty to Gun Offense

body_text: BINGHAMTON, NEW YORK – Bryan Nixon, age 32, of Endicott, New York pled guilty on July 27, 2026, in Syracuse, New York to possession of a firearm and ammunition as a felon. First Assistant United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III and Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Division of the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) Bryan DiGirolamo and Vestal Police Department Chief of Police Vince Stavola, made the announcement. As part of his guilty plea, Nixon admitted that he possessed a loaded handgun in February of 2025 during a vehicle stop by police, subsequently fled, disassembled the handgun during his flight and ultimately struck another vehicle before exiting the roadway and throwing parts of the disassembled firearm into a wooded area. At the time of this offense, Nixon was prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition under federal law because he had been previously convicted of a felony for attempted robbery. When he is sentenced by Hon. Brenda K. Sannes on November 24, 2026, Nixon faces a maximum sentence of up to 15 years, a maximum fine of up to $250,000 and a term of supervised release of up to three years. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is convicted of violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors. “As alleged, Nixon knowingly possessed a firearm illegally as a previously convicted felon, and when stopped by police, fled in an attempt to evade arrest and discard the firearm,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney John Sarcone. “This Administration is committed to cracking down on repeat offenders, and with the help of our partners at the Vestal Police Department and ATF, defendants like Nixon should be on notice: repeat violent offenders carrying deadly weapons will be caught and will be prosecuted.” Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Division ATF Bryan DiGirolamo said, “Convicted felons who choose to illegally possess firearms put our communities at risk and will be held accountable. This guilty plea demonstrates the value of the close partnership between ATF, the Vestal Police Department, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of New York. Together, we will continue working to reduce violent crime.” Vestal Police Department Chief of Police Vince Stavola said, “This incident is a prime example of why we continue to work closely with our federal partners to make sure violent offenders are held accountable. Nixon entered the Town of Vestal and put the lives of our residents, motorists, and police officers at risk without hesitation or regard for the consequences of his actions. That was clear when he illegally carried a firearm into our town, menaced a police officer, and fled from a lawful traffic stop, ultimately striking another motorist. Nixon knew what he was doing was illegal, evident by the fact that he tried to destroy evidence by dismantling and concealing the firearm. Thankfully, our federal partners were able to take action stemming from this incident, now he faces up to 15 years in federal prison.” The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Vestal Police Department investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristen Grabowski is prosecuting the case. 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: Felon Sentenced to More Than Two Years in Federal Prison for Illegally Possessing “Machine Gun” in Chicago

body_text: CHICAGO — A felon has been sentenced to more than two years in federal prison for illegally possessing a machine gun in Chicago. On Sept. 12, 2025, ANTONIO LUKES possessed a handgun equipped with a “Glock switch” conversion device that made the firearm capable of firing in fully automatic mode. Lukes was standing next to an empty vehicle near Jackson Boulevard and Western Avenue on the West Side of Chicago with the firearm concealed in his waistband. As Chicago Police officers drove by Lukes in their squad car, the firearm fell out of his waistband to his feet. Lukes ran from the officers but was arrested after a brief chase. Lukes had previously been convicted of multiple felony offenses and was legally prohibited from possessing a firearm. Lukes, 40, of Chicago, pleaded guilty earlier this year to a federal charge of unlawful possession of a firearm. On Aug. 17, 2026, U.S. District Judge Sharon Johnson Coleman sentenced Lukes to 28 months in federal prison. The sentence was announced by Andrew S. Boutros, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, and Christopher Amon, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Division of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives. The investigation was conducted in coordination with ATF’s Crime Gun Intelligence Center of Chicago. The CGIC is a centralized law enforcement partnership that focuses exclusively on investigating and prosecuting violent offenders who utilize firearms in commission of their crimes in Chicago and throughout northern Illinois. Every firearm-related case in Chicago is processed through the CGIC on a daily basis. “Defendant’s crime is a serious one,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Skiba argued in the government’s sentencing memorandum. “The Glock that defendant possessed that night was no ordinary firearm. The switch made a dangerous weapon even more dangerous still.”


title: Federal Jury in Chicago Convicts Engineer of Unlawfully Stealing Trade Secrets From Philips Medical Systems on Behalf of Chinese Competitor

body_text: CHICAGO — A federal jury in Chicago has convicted a former engineer at Philips Medical Systems of conspiring to steal Philips’ trade secrets and bring them to a Chinese competitor. CHIH-YEE JEN worked as an engineer at Philips’ facility in Aurora, Ill., where employees researched, developed, and manufactured X-ray tubes used in computed tomography (CT) medical imaging machines. Through its Dunlee brand, Philips spent years developing proprietary X-ray technology and selling various devices to medical facilities. In 2017, as Philips prepared to close the facility in Aurora, China-based KUNSHAN GUOLI ELECTRONIC TECHNOLOGY CO. LTD. and a Kunshan GuoLi vice president, XIAOQIN DU, began communicating with Jen about creating a U.S. subsidiary for Kunshan GuoLi to help it compete with Philips in developing, manufacturing, and selling X-ray tubes. While still employed at Philips, Jen began sharing confidential Philips documents with Kunshan GuoLi and Du and successfully recruited multiple Philips engineers to join him at the Kunshan GuoLi subsidiary. Jen copied Philips’ proprietary X-ray trade secret information from internal Philips databases and used the stolen information in connection with his new work developing the technology for the Kunshan GuoLi subsidiary. After a week-long trial in U.S. District Court in Chicago, the jury on Friday convicted Jen, 71, of Mequon, Wisc., of both counts against him, including conspiracy to steal, misappropriate, or possess trade secrets and possession or attempted possession of stolen trade secrets. U.S. District Judge Edmond E. Chang set Jen’s sentencing for Jan. 5, 2027, at 10:00 a.m. The conviction was announced by Andrew S. Boutros, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, and Ryan Whalen, Acting Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Office of the FBI. The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ramon Villalpando and Michael Maione. “The theft of proprietary information is a serious economic crime that harms American jobs and stifles critically important research and development driving the future of our nation,” said U.S. Attorney Boutros. “When individuals, corporate entities, or nation states steal proprietary information, they are threatening our country’s technological edge. The Chicago U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue to prosecute trade secret theft to protect innovation, ensure fair competition, and safeguard national economic security.” “The FBI and our prosecutorial partners are relentless in combatting trade secret theft and holding accountable those who seek to compromise private sector innovation and the safety of our nation,” said FBI Acting SAC Whalen. “As detailed throughout the trial, Jen's conspiracy to steal, misappropriate, or possess trade secrets and his possession of stolen trade secrets shows a blatant disregard for his former employer's proprietary information and America's security. This conviction reaffirms that the theft of trade secrets will be thoroughly investigated and punished to the fullest extent of the law.” Two other former Philips engineers—FINCE TENDIAN, 57, of Aurora, Ill., and VLADIMIR NEVTONENKO, 77, of Arlington Heights, Ill.—pleaded guilty prior to trial and admitted possessing stolen trade secrets. Judge Chang scheduled Nevtonenko’s sentencing for Dec. 1, 2026, at 10:00 a.m., and Tendian’s sentencing for Dec. 8, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. Du, 64, of Suzhou, China, Kunshan GuoLi, and a related Chinese company, KUNSHAN YIYUAN MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY CO. LTD., were also indicted in the case. They were placed on the Court’s Fugitive Calendar and have not been arraigned.


title: Mason City Woman Sentenced to More than 11 Years in Federal Prison for Methamphetamine Conspiracy

component: USAO - Iowa, Northern

body_text: Tina Smith, age 46, from Mason City, was sentenced August 18, 2026, to more than 11 years in federal prison, after an April 17, 2026, guilty plea to Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance. Evidence in the case revealed between March 6, 2024, through at least September 6, 2024, Smith, and others, were involved in an ongoing conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine around the Mason City area. Law enforcement utilized a confidential source to purchase methamphetamine from Smith on 7 different occasions. Smith was sentenced in Sioux City by United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand to 136 months’ imprisonment. She must also serve a 5-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system. Smith is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until she can be transported to a federal prison. The case was investigated by Cerro Gordo County Sheriff’s Department and the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ron Timmons. Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl . The case file number is 25-3065. Follow us on X @USAO_NDIA.


title: Cerro Gordo County Husband & Wife Sentenced for Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine

body_text: Bruce Sogard, age 68, from Jewell, was sentenced July 1, 2026, to more than 8 years in federal prison, after a February 12, 2026, guilty plea to conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance. Cheryl Zeien Sogard, age 63, from Mason City, was sentenced August 18, 2026, to more than 4 years in federal prison, after an April 20, 2026, guilty plea to conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance. Evidence in the case revealed that between January 2025, and continuing to at least September 20, 2025, Sogard and Zeien were involved in an ongoing methamphetamine distribution conspiracy based in Mason City, Iowa, where the pair were obtaining multiple pounds of methamphetamine from Colorado. Law enforcement also utilized a confidential source to purchase methamphetamine on multiple occasions from Zeien and Sogard. During the execution of a search warrant on the couple’s home, law enforcement located multiple scales, packaging materials, a drug ledger, marijuana, THC gummies, and several firearms. Sogard and Zeien were sentenced in Sioux City by United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand. Sogard was sentenced to 107 months’ imprisonment and fined $1,000. He must also serve a 3-year term of supervised release after the prison term. Zeien was sentenced to 59 months’ imprisonment. She must also serve a 3-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system. Sogard and Zeien are being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until they can be transported to a federal prison. The case was investigated by Cerro Gordo County Sheriff’s Department and the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ron Timmons. Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl . The case file number is 25-3061. Follow us on X @USAO_NDIA.


title: Gainesville Felon Pleads Guilty to Illegal Possession of Firearm

body_text: Gainesville, Florida – Terry Lajace Lee, 43, of Gainesville, Florida, pleaded guilty in federal court to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. The plea was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida. U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “We will not stop strictly enforcing the law, and we will not be deterred from keeping our streets safe from dangerous criminals, like this repeat felon. The citizens of the Northern District of Florida deserve to live on safe, crime-free streets, and that is exactly what my office will deliver with continued successful prosecutions like this.” Court documents reflect that during a traffic stop on February 21, 2026, the defendant was found to be driving with a suspended license. A subsequent search of the defendant and his vehicle revealed marijuana and a handgun. The defendant is not permitted to have a handgun due to four prior felony convictions. Lee faces a maximum sentence of fifteen years’ imprisonment. Sentencing is scheduled for October 20, 2026, at the United States Courthouse in Gainesville before Chief United States District Judge Allen C. Winsor. The case involved a joint investigation by the Gainesville Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Adam Hapner. 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 . The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndfl .


title: Tetra Tech EC, Inc. Agrees to Pay $57 Million to Settle False Claims Act Allegations for Falsifying Soil Test Results at the Hunters Point Naval Shipyard in San Francisco

component: USAO - California, Northern

body_text: SAN FRANCISCO – Tetra Tech EC, Inc. (Tetra Tech), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Tetra Tech, Inc., paid $57 million to resolve False Claims Act allegations that it fabricated work and falsified data the U.S. Department of the Navy relied on to determine whether the former Hunters Point Naval Shipyard (HPNS) in the San Francisco Bay was free from harmful radiation. In a lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, the government alleged that, pursuant to contracts issued by the Navy between 2003 and 2014, Tetra Tech was required to investigate the soil and buildings at HPNS and to remediate any areas where radiation was excessive so that the property could be transferred to the City of San Francisco for redevelopment. The government alleged that Tetra Tech instructed field technicians to discard soil samples collected from potentially contaminated locations, replace the discarded samples with “clean” soil known to satisfy the release criteria, and to submit the replaced samples for laboratory analysis. The complaint further alleged that Tetra Tech intentionally manipulated scan results in its database that falsely represented that scans taken at different locations were conducted by the same technician at the same time. The government alleged that Tetra Tech benefited from this misconduct by receiving unearned contract award fees and avoiding obligations to perform additional remediation work, thereby decreasing its costs and increasing its profits. “Over the past two decades, the federal government has dedicated significant resources to ensuring that the Hunters Point Naval Shipyard is free from harmful radiation and safe for public use. This has been a critical project for the Hunters Point community and the federal government, and it should have been just as important to the contractor that the government selected and paid to perform radiological testing and remediation at the site,” said United States Attorney Craig H. Missakian for the Northern District of California. “This litigation and settlement send a clear message that the government will hold contractors accountable for knowingly defrauding taxpayers by flouting their duties.” “We expect companies contracting with the government to do business honestly and fairly,” said Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “This settlement demonstrates the Department’s continuing commitment to hold accountable those who fail to fulfill their responsibilities in providing services to the U.S. military.” “By falsifying work claims and manipulating critical data, Tetra Tech put its own financial interests ahead of its commitments to the Department of the Navy, potentially placing the health and safety of the American people at risk,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Brian Merkal of the NCIS Economic Crimes Field Office. “NCIS and our federal partners remain committed to protecting the integrity of the procurement process within the Department of War.” The settlement resolves allegations filed under the qui tam or whistleblower provision of the False Claims Act, which permits private parties to file suit on behalf of the United States for false claims and share in a portion of the government’s recovery. The Act permits the United States to intervene and take over responsibility for litigating these cases, as the United States did here. The consolidated qui tam cases are captioned United States ex rel. Jahr, et al., v. Tetra Tech EC, Inc ., Case No. 13-3835 (N.D. Cal.) and were brought by Arthur R. Jahr III, Elbert G. Bowers, Susan V. Andrews, Archie R. Jackson, Anthony Smith, Donald K. Wadsworth, and Robert McLean, former employees and contractors of Tetra Tech. The relators’ share of the settlement is approximately $11,970,000. The resolution obtained in this matter was the result of a coordinated effort between the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of California and the Justice Department’s Civil Division, Commercial Litigation Branch, Civil Fraud Section, with assistance from the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, Defense Criminal Investigative Service, and the Defense Contract Audit Agency. The Justice Department also expresses its appreciation for the assistance provided by the Department of Navy, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. The matter was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Savith Iyengar for the Northern District of California and Civil Division Trial Attorney Jonathan Hoerner. This year the Administration launched the Task Force to Eliminate Fraud and the National Fraud Enforcement Division to enhance the Administration’s war on fraud, waste, and abuse in federal programs. When unscrupulous actors exploit these programs for their own financial gain, they defraud the government, harm the people these programs are designed to aid and protect, and undermine American businesses that play by the rules. The Civil Division’s FCA enforcement plays a critical role in combatting such fraudulent schemes, recovering billions of dollars for the American taxpayers, and holding wrongdoers accountable. FCA matters will continue to be on the forefront of the battle against fraud, and the Civil Division’s FCA work will support and advance the mission of the Task Force to Eliminate Fraud and the National Fraud Enforcement Division. The United States also recovered $40 million in a separate settlement under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), also known as Superfund, that was entered by the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California on July 2, 2025. The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only and there has been no determination of liability .


title: Founder Of Cryptocurrency Trading Fund Convicted Of Defrauding Investors

body_text: SAN FRANCISCO – A federal jury today convicted Japheth Dillman of wire fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud in connection with a scheme to defraud investors in a cryptocurrency trading fund. The jury’s verdict follows a 10-day trial before U.S. District Judge Richard Seeborg. According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Dillman, 48, of San Francisco, CA, defrauded more than 20 investors out of nearly $1 million through false statements about the trading fund he helped start. At trial, the evidence showed that Dillman and a coconspirator raised funds from investors by misleading them about the capabilities and profitability of Block Bits Capital. From June 2017 to August 2018 Dillman and his associates raised money from investors by claiming the fund would profit from automated cryptocurrency trading by using a software tool called the “Autotrader” that that the firm had developed and was complete and working. In fact, Dillman knew that this automated algorithm was not working and investor funds were not and could not be used as Dillman had promised. The evidence at trial also showed that Dillman and his co-conspirator used investor money to pay themselves and make risky and speculative investments in other cryptocurrency ventures, while lying to investors about the risky nature of these investments. In fact, these investments resulted in huge losses, and Dillman falsely told investors that Block Bits cryptocurrency trading had led to significant profits when if fact the trading led to more losses of investor funds. Dillman is currently released on bond. Dillman’s sentencing hearing is scheduled for December 8, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. before U.S. District Judge Seeborg. Defendant faces a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years and a $250,000 fine for each count of conviction in violation of wire fraud, 18 U.S.C. § 1343, and conspiracy to commit wire fraud, 18 U.S.C. § 1349. Any sentence will be imposed by the court after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of a sentence, 18 U.S.C. § 3553. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christiaan Highsmith and Charles Bisesto are prosecuting the case with the assistance of Kevin Costello, Lynette Dixon, Andy Ding, and Royce Epperson. The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation. The U.S. Attorney’s Office appreciates the assistance of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, San Francisco Regional Office.