title: Hammond Man Sentenced to 24 Months in Prison For Possessing a Firearm as an Illegal Alien

component: USAO - Indiana, Northern

body_text: HAMMOND – Israel Castro, 37 years old, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Philip P. Simon after pleading guilty to possessing a firearm as an illegal alien, announced United States Attorney Adam L. Mildred. “An armed illegal alien will serve two years in jail followed by a year of supervised release after yet again violating our nation’s borders, laws, and sovereignty and being in possession of a firearm. On February 2, 2025, law enforcement responded to a report of gunshots fired at a residence on Cardinal Drive in East Chicago, Indiana, involving a white transit van. A witness identified Israel Castro as the shooter. Law enforcement located the van and detained Castro who admitted to having a weapon inside the van. A semi-automatic pistol was later recovered from the van. He had been previously convicted of Illegal Entry on May 15, 2014, in the Northern District of Indiana. As part of Operation Take Back America and Project Safe Neighborhoods , Homeland Security Investigations and the Lake County Sheriff’s Office teamed with Assistant United States Attorney Kristian R. Mukoski to bring this case. Our nation is safer when armed illegal aliens are caught, incarcerated, and removed. The Defendant needs to return to his home country and not violate our nation’s laws again,” said U.S. Attorney Adam Mildred. This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations with assistance from the Lake County Sheriff’s Office. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kristian R. Mukoski. This case is part of Operation Take Back America a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. 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: Winnebago County Woman Who Embezzled Funds From a Booster Club Sentenced to Six Months in Federal Prison and Ordered To Pay Full Restitution

component: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

body_text: ROCKFORD — A former Treasurer of a booster club in Rockford, Ill. has been sentenced to six months in federal prison for embezzling more than $44,000 from a booster club. SHONDRA MCLARTY, 55, embezzled and stole money from the Tumbling and Acro Boosters Club (“TAB”) from 2023 to 2024 while she served as Treasurer. During this 10-month period, McLarty fraudulently used TAB’s business debit card and fraudulently caused TAB to issue business checks, which she used for personal expenses such as Netflix, dog grooming, a Menards purchase, a stretch limousine, and a partial payment for a vacation to Cancún, Mexico. McLarty also concealed her misappropriation of funds by changing the mailing address of TAB’s business bank accounts to her personal residence. McLarty, of Rockton, Ill., pleaded guilty to wire fraud earlier this year. On Monday, U.S. District Court Judge Iain D. Johnston sentenced McLarty to six months in federal prison and ordered her to pay full restitution. The sentence 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 Rockford Police Department assisted in the investigation. “Defendant’s actions were deliberate and repeated, not the product of negligence or confusion,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan S. Kim argued in the government’s sentencing memorandum. “[The sentence] will signal to others who might be tempted to engage in similar schemes that such conduct carries significant consequences.”


title: Man to Federal Prison for Illegally Reentering the United States

component: USAO - Iowa, Northern

body_text: A man who illegally reentered the United States from Guatemala was sentenced July 23, 2026, to eight months in federal prison. Rigoberto Corado-Hernandes, age 63, from Guatemala but illegally residing in Rock Valley, Iowa, received the prison term after a May 20, 2026, guilty plea to one count of illegal reentry. At the hearings, Corado-Hernandes admitted he illegally reentered the United States without permission after having been previously removed from the United States on two occasions. He had previously been convicted in Sioux County, Iowa, in 2024 of domestic abuse assault, first offense, with a dangerous weapon after he attempted to stab his nephew with a knife. He was then located by immigration officials in the Sioux County jail on January 13, 2026, where he was being held on a probation violation stemming from the 2024 sentence. While in custody, officials determined he was a citizen of Guatemala, had no legal status to be in the United States, and had previously been deported from the United States to Guatemala. Corado-Hernandes was sentenced in Sioux City by United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand. He was sentenced to eight months’ imprisonment. He must also serve a one-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system. Corado-Hernandes is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Patrick T. Greenwood and was investigated by the Sioux County Sheriff’s Office and United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement. This case is part of Operation Take Back America a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl . The case file number is 26-CR-04011. Follow us on X @USAO_NDIA.


title: Former CPA Sentenced to Federal Prison for Laundering Funds Stolen from Children's Healthcare of Atlanta

body_text: ATLANTA - Ronald Deabler was sentenced to serve four years in prison following his federal conviction for conspiring to launder $5.3 million of fraud proceeds stolen from Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Inc. “Deabler used his knowledge of the banking system to launder millions of dollars stolen from a not-for-profit pediatric healthcare system that is dedicated to the welfare of Georgia’s infants, children, and teens,” said U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg. “Scammers, swindlers, and thieves who target our vital healthcare institutions, and their associates who launder stolen money, will face the full consequences of their actions.” “Criminals who steal from a children’s hospital are not just committing financial fraud—they are exploiting an institution that exists to care for vulnerable children and support their families,” said Marlo Graham, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. “Deabler chose to use his financial expertise to help conceal and distribute millions of dollars stolen from Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. This sentence demonstrates that anyone who profits from these schemes will face serious consequences.” According to U.S. Attorney Hertzberg, the charges, and other information presented in court: In early June 2023, a hacker gained access to the email system of a commercial furniture vendor for Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta (CHOA). Pretending to be one of the vendor’s employees, the unknown hacker contacted CHOA and updated the vendor’s bank account information on file with CHOA for ACH payments. The bank account information provided was, in actuality, for Deabler’s bank account. On or about June 13, 2023, the hacker directed CHOA to wire $5.3 million into Deabler’s bank account. Deabler, a business owner and former Certified Public Accountant, agreed to distribute the stolen money in exchange for a commission. Shortly after the $5.3 million was deposited into his account, Deabler opened a second bank account into which he attempted to move the entire proceeds of the fraud. When the bank prevented him from doing so, Deabler instead transferred more than $1 million to the new account. Deabler then converted approximately $3.5 million of the fraud proceeds into four cashier’s checks that he promptly mailed to individuals and entities as directed by the hacker. CHOA and its vendor detected the fraud within a few days after the transfer of funds. CHOA then notified its bank, which traced the funds to Deabler’s bank account. Further tracing of the proceeds resulted in the recovery of approximately $4 million from Deabler’s accounts and the bank accounts that received Deabler’s cashier’s checks. On July 22, 2026, Ronald Deabler, 66, of Atlanta, Georgia, was sentenced to four years in prison to be followed by two years of supervised release and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $682,860. Deabler was found guilty by a jury on February 12, 2026. This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant United States Attorneys Tracia M. King and Phyllis Clerk prosecuted the case. For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6185. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga .


title: Tallahassee Man Sentenced for Possession of Child Pornography

body_text: Tallahassee, Florida – Cedrick Campbell, 36, of Tallahassee, Florida, was sentenced by United States District Judge Robert L. Hinkle to three years in federal prison after previously pleading guilty to possession of child pornography. The sentence was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida. U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “Those who view, possess, and share child sexual abuse material deserve severe punishment because they re-victimize the innocent, exploited child each and every time one of those horrific images and videos is seen. My office will continue to aggressively prosecute these sick offenders to ensure we are doing everything possible to keep our kids safe.” Court documents reflect that the Tallahassee Police Department Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force received information that the defendant was possessing and viewing child pornography. Further investigation led to the execution of a search warrant at the defendant’s residence and a search of his cell phone, which revealed that he had also used an overseas server to access and store child pornography. “Every image of child sexual abuse represents the exploitation of a real child,” said FBI Jacksonville Special Agent in Charge Jason Carley. “These investigations are an opportunity to protect children, identify victims and hold offenders accountable. The FBI, alongside our partners, will continue to investigate these crimes and ensure offenders face the consequences of their actions.” The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigations and the Tallahassee Police Department. Assistant United States Attorneys Joseph Ravelo and Meredith Steer prosecuted the case. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys' Offices and 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 . 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 for the Northern District of Florida, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndfl .


title: Pensacola Felon Pleads Guilty to Federal Firearm Offense

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

body_text: Pensacola, Florida – Damien R. Johnson, 47, of Pensacola, 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: “Keeping dangerous, armed felons off our streets is the most effective way to improve public safety for our communities. Thanks to the excellent work of the Pensacola Police Department and our federal law enforcement partners, my office was able to deliver this successful prosecution to ensure this defendant is kept off the streets and behind bars where he belongs.” Court documents reflect that in February 2026, Johnson fled from a Pensacola residence during Pensacola Police Department’s execution of a residential search warrant. Johnson attempted to evade capture but was quickly apprehended by officers. Johnson discarded a firearm during law enforcement’s pursuit. In 2001, Johnson had previously been convicted in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute more than 100 kilograms of marijuana. Johnson faces up to 15 years’ imprisonment and up to a three-year term of supervised release. Thus, if Johnson were to violate any conditions of his release, he could potentially face an additional period of incarceration related to violating his supervision. The case involved an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Pensacola Police Department. Assistant United States Attorneys David L. Goldberg and Thomas S.P. Geeker are prosecuting the case. Sentencing is scheduled for October 14, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. at the United States Courthouse in Pensacola before United States District Judge T. Kent Wetherell II. This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. The 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 available 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: Multinational Software Company Agrees To Pay Over Three Million Dollars To Resolve False Claims Act Allegations Involving Paycheck Protection Program Loan

component: USAO - California, Northern

body_text: SAN FRANCISCO – IGEL Technology Corporation, a multinational software company with a North American headquarters in San Francisco, has agreed to pay a total of $3,168,901.75 to settle allegations that it knowingly violated the False Claims Act when it received and retained a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan in violation of PPP rules. Congress created the PPP in March 2020, as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, to provide emergency financial support to the millions of Americans suffering the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The CARES Act authorized billions of dollars in forgivable loans to small businesses struggling to pay employees and other business expenses. Applicants for a “first-draw” PPP loan were required to certify that they met certain size standards based on, for example, the number of employees that they employed, including in most cases employees of any U.S. and foreign affiliates. The United States alleged that IGEL’s North American affiliate, claiming to have only 105 employees, applied for and obtained a first-draw PPP loan in June 2020, even though the company was not eligible because it exceeded the size standards when including affiliated entities, including its multinational parent company. According to the United States, despite knowing that it was not eligible for the first-draw loan, IGEL also sought and obtained forgiveness of the loan. United States Attorney Craig H. Missakian and SBA General Counsel Wendell Davis made the announcement. The settlement resolves claims brought under the qui tam or whistleblower provisions of the False Claims Act by Verity Investigations, LLC. Under those provisions, a private party can file an action on behalf of the United States and receive a portion of any recovery. The qui tam case is captioned United States of America ex rel. Verity Investigations, LLC v. IGEL Technology Corporation , No. 3:25-cv-03290-SK (N.D. Cal.). Verity Investigations, LLC will receive $316,890.17 in connection with the settlement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Savith Iyengar handled this matter, with assistance from Jacqueline Hollar. The resolution resulted from a coordinated effort between the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of California and SBA’s Office of General Counsel. The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only, and there has been no determination of liability .


title: Multinational Investment Firm Subsidiary Pays $3.5M+ To Settle PPP False Claims Act Case

body_text: SAN FRANCISCO – SoftBank Robotics America, Inc. (SoftBank Robotics America), a San Francisco-headquartered robotics business within SoftBank Group Corp., a Japanese multinational investment holding company, has agreed to pay a total of $3,637,499.09 to settle allegations that it knowingly violated the False Claims Act when it received and retained a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan in violation of PPP rules. Congress created the PPP in March 2020, as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, to provide emergency financial support to the millions of Americans suffering the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The CARES Act authorized billions of dollars in forgivable loans to small businesses struggling to pay employees and other business expenses. Applicants for a “first-draw” PPP loan were required to certify that they met certain size standards based on, for example, the number of employees that they employed, including in most cases employees of any U.S. and foreign affiliates. The United States alleged that SoftBank Robotics America, claiming to have only 16 employees, applied for and obtained a first-draw PPP loan in March 2021, even though the company was not eligible because it exceeded the size standards when including affiliated entities, including its multinational parent company. According to the United States, despite knowing that it was not eligible for the first-draw loan, SoftBank Robotics America also sought and obtained forgiveness of the loan. United States Attorney Craig H. Missakian and SBA General Counsel Wendell Davis made the announcement. The settlement resolves claims brought under the qui tam or whistleblower provisions of the False Claims Act by Verity Investigations, LLC. Under those provisions, a private party can file an action on behalf of the United States and receive a portion of any recovery. The qui tam case is captioned United States of America ex rel. Verity Investigations, LLC v. SoftBank Robotics America, Inc ., No. 3:25-cv-1442-SK (N.D. Cal.). Verity Investigations, LLC will receive $363,749.91 in connection with the settlement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Savith Iyengar handled this matter. The resolution resulted from a coordinated effort between the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of California and SBA’s Office of General Counsel. The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only, and there has been no determination of liability .


title: Humboldt County Woman Sentenced To 20 Months In Federal Prison After Pleading Guilty To Embezzling Over $500,000 From Her Construction Company Employer

body_text: SAN FRANCISCO – Christina Ann Mobley was sentenced yesterday to 20 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to charges that she defrauded her former employer, a construction company located in Fortuna, California. United States District Judge Charles R. Breyer handed down the sentence. Mobley, 59, was charged in an indictment filed February 5, 2025, with multiple counts of mail fraud and wire fraud. The indictment alleges that Mobley was employed as the business manager for a Fortuna construction company. When the company’s bookkeeper retired, Mobley took on the accounting and bookkeeping duties. She became essential to the business and was trusted with management of the company’s bank accounts, checks, and payroll systems. The indictment alleges that Mobley used that access to steal over $500,000 from the company. On December 10, 2025, Mobley pleaded guilty to two counts of mail fraud under 18 U.S.C. § 1341 and two counts of wire fraud under 18 U.S.C. § 1343, based on the various methods she used to defraud her employer. Mobley admitted that she directed checks mailed from the company’s bank account to be applied to the account for her personal credit cards to pay for personal expenses such as cash advances at casinos and personal travel; issued electronic payments of company funds to her personal credit cards; wrote checks from the company to herself, including for the repayment of her car loan; and inflated her vacation time, work hours, and bonuses in the company’s payroll system, resulting in unearned and excessive payments to herself. Between January 2022 and November 2024, Mobley admitted that she embezzled more than $500,000 from her employer. United States Attorney Craig H. Missakian and FBI Special Agent in Charge Scott Schelble made the announcement. In addition to the prison term, Judge Breyer sentenced Mobley to a three-year period of supervised release and ordered restitution in the amount of $586,000. Mobley was ordered to self-surrender to the Bureau of Prisons in 90 days. Assistant United States Attorney Kevin Barry is prosecuting the case. The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the FBI.


title: CEO Of Bay Area Home Health Agency Convicted Of Health Care Fraud Conspiracy Targeting Medicare

body_text: SAN FRANCISCO – A federal jury yesterday convicted Simon Katz of conspiracy to commit health care fraud in connection with a scheme to submit fraudulent claims to Medicare and falsify medical records. The jury’s verdict follows a six-day trial before U.S. District Judge James Donato. According to evidence presented at the trial, Katz conspired with his wife, the former CEO of HealthNow Home Healthcare, a home health agency based in Hayward, California, and two former agency employees to commit health care fraud. According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Katz, 43, currently of Boca Raton, Florida, and his wife, Veronica Katz, agreed to defraud Medicare by having unqualified medical professionals provide care for home health patients outside their authorized scope of practice, billing Medicare for services never provided, submitting false documents to California Department of Public Health (CDPH) inspectors to maintain the ability to bill Medicare, and instructing former employees to lie to the FBI and federal law enforcement to conceal their fraudulent activity. As part of the conspiracy, from October 1, 2018, when HealthNow began submitting fraudulent documents to deceive CDPH inspectors, through November 2020, HealthNow received more than $3 million in payments based on HealthNow’s claims. Simon Katz in turn received $300,000 from HealthNow during that same time period. In addition, trial evidence showed Simon Katz took steps to thwart the law enforcement investigation into HealthNow. In October 2019, Simon and Veronica Katz met with one of HealthNow’s former employees, who informed them that FBI agents had questioned her regarding HealthNow’s billing practices and patient medical assessments. Simon Katz instructed the employee to lie to the FBI and falsely state that the employee had been trained and supervised by a registered nurse in the course of conducting patient assessments. Simon Katz is the fourth defendant convicted in connection with this investigation. Co-defendant Veronica Katz pleaded guilty to health care fraud on April 18, 2024, and was sentenced on December 9, 2024, to two years in prison and ordered to pay restitution of $543,634.34 to Medicare and pay a $50,000 fine. Vennesa Herrera pleaded guilty on Aug. 30, 2021, to conspiracy to commit health care fraud and health care fraud. She is scheduled for a status hearing on August 3, 2026. Pharadja Andrews pleaded guilty on August 30, 2021 to conspiracy to commit health care fraud. She is scheduled for a status hearing on August 3, 2026. “Simon Katz and his wife defrauded Medicare by altering medical records and forging doctor signatures, and in the process stole millions from the hardworking American taxpayer,” said United States Attorney Craig H. Missakian. “As part of the Administration’s War on Fraud, we will continue our unrelenting efforts to investigate and prosecute anyone who steals from the public and we hope this verdict sends a strong message that this conduct will not be tolerated.” “This verdict underscores the FBI’s commitment to protecting the integrity of federal health care programs and the patients who rely on them,” said Special Agent in Charge Scott Schelble of the FBI San Francisco Field Office. “Katz and his co conspirators orchestrated a deliberate scheme that put vulnerable patients at risk and stole from Medicare. We will continue working with our partners to ensure those who defraud our health care system are held accountable.” “Successfully uncovering and prosecuting complex health care fraud schemes like this one requires years of determined investigative work and close coordination among federal and state partners,” said Special Agent in Charge Robb R. Breeden of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS OIG) San Francisco Regional Office. “This verdict reflects the steadfast efforts of HHS OIG and our law enforcement partners. HHS OIG will continue collaborating with our partners to protect Medicare and uphold the integrity of the programs and patients we are entrusted to serve.” Katz is currently in federal custody. His sentencing hearing has not been scheduled. Katz faces a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. 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 Chris Highsmith and Kevin Yeh are prosecuting the case with the assistance of Kevin Costello and Lynette Dixon. The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the FBI, HHS-OIG, and the California Department of Public Health. On April 7, 2026, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division (“Fraud Division”). The Fraud Division is investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against the American people. The Department’s work to combat fraud supports President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.


title: Dunmore man sentenced to 5 years in prison for sexually abusing child

body_text: BILLINGS – A Dunmore man who sexually abused a child on the Crow Indian Reservation was sentenced today to five years in prison, followed by five years of supervised release, Acting U.S. Attorney Mark Steger Smith said. Following a three-day trial in February 2026, a jury found Jared Cordell Stewart, 55, guilty of one count of abusive sexual contact of a child. U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided. The government alleged in court documents that in July 2020 a child spoke out about Stewart sexually abusing her. However, during a follow-up visit from law enforcement, the victim denied the abuse. About a year later, in October 2021, the police again spoke with the victim. This time she said Stewart had sexually abused her many times, beginning when she was 7 or 8 years old, and that she had lied to them previously at the direction of Stewart. Law enforcement interviewed everyone who lived in the home, and many reported seeing Stewart go into the victim’s room at night and after she showered. Others who lived in the home reported seeing Stewart treat the victim differently and saw inappropriate photos of her on his cell phone. One child reported that while he was visiting the home he witnessed Stewart touch the victim’s legs while she was in bed. Another child reported Stewart made inappropriate comments about her and approached her while she was alone and asleep in her room. She said she refused Stewart’s advances, and she believes Stewart thereafter targeted the victim. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kelsey M. Hendricks and Tom Godfrey prosecuted the case. The investigation was conducted by the FBI.


title: Vance Boelter Sentenced to Two Consecutive Life Terms Plus 40 Years Consecutive for the Stalking and Murder of Minnesota State Legislators

body_text: MINNEAPOLIS – United States Attorney Daniel N. Rosen announced today that Vance Luther Boelter, 58, has been sentenced to two consecutive terms of life plus a consecutive 40-year term for the stalking and murders of Melissa and Mark Hortman and the stalking and attempted murders of Senator John Hoffman, Yvette Hoffman, and Hope Hoffman on June 14, 2025. Boelter was sentenced before U.S. District Judge John R. Tunheim. Boelter previously pleaded guilty to six federal offenses, including stalking resulting in death, murder through use of a firearm, and discharging a firearm during crimes of violence. According to court documents, Boelter acted alone, extensively researched his intended targets, and used disguises, firearms, and law‑enforcement‑style equipment to gain access to the victims’ residences. The sentence reflects the seriousness of the offenses, the lasting physical and emotional impacts on the victims and their families, and Boelter’s admitted intent to target multiple elected officials. “Our hearts remain with the families and loved ones of former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and Mark Hortman, and with Minnesota State Senator John Hoffman, Yvette Hoffman, their daughter, and all those whose lives were forever changed by these horrific attacks,” said Acting Attorney General Blanche. “Today’s sentence ensures that this violent criminal will spend the rest of his life in federal prison for his calculated and heinous acts of violence against Minnesota public servants and their families. Political violence is an attack not only on its immediate victims, but also on our communities, our democratic institutions, and the rule of law. The Justice Department will continue to use every available resource to investigate, prosecute, and hold accountable those who target public officials and engage in acts of violence.” “Vance Boelter’s crimes rank among the most horrific this office has ever prosecuted. Today, the United States ensured that Boelter will spend the rest of his life in prison without the possibility of release. Those who commit political violence at any level should take heed that the Department of Justice will seek and obtain the longest prison terms available for their crimes,” said United States Attorney Daniel N. Rosen. “My deepest condolences go out to the Hortman and Hoffman families as they continue to grieve and heal from this tragedy.” “Today’s sentencing is an important step toward healing for the families and community forever changed by this political violence,” said FBI Minneapolis Field Office Special Agent in Charge Christopher D. Dotson. “Minnesotans deserve to live in a state where their voices are respected and their safety is never threatened by those who try to silence democratic participation through fear. Vance Boelter believed his political opinions outweighed the voice and vote of every other Minnesotan. He was and is profoundly wrong. Minnesota’s law enforcement at every level rallied last June with one shared purpose: to protect our neighbors and defend the democratic values that hold our communities together. The FBI remains committed to using every resource at our disposal to uphold our democracy, defend the Constitution, and eradicate political violence.” “Behind every count in this case is a person whose life Vance Boelter took or tried to take,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Spence Burnett of the ATF St. Paul Field Division. “Melissa and Mark Hortman were parents whose children lost them both in a matter of seconds. John and Yvette Hoffman survived devastating gunshot wounds, while their daughter was forced to call for help. Boelter also targeted other legislators. Accountability has its limits in the face of this much loss. No sentence can restore the lives he took, heal those he wounded or undo what these families endured. Today’s sentence does ensure he will spend the rest of his life answering for those decisions.” “This sentencing brings accountability for crimes that shook our community and forever changed the lives of those affected. By portraying himself as a police officer while targeting elected officials, the offender caused profound harm and damaged public trust. We are grateful that the prosecution sought the maximum penalties to be imposed and extend our sincere thanks to everyone whose hard work and commitment made this resolution possible,” said Champlin Police Department Chief Glen Schneider. “No sentence can bring back the Hortmans, repair the terrible harm done to the Hoffmans, or undo the fear felt by people across Minnesota on June 14 and 15 last year,” said Bureau of Criminal Apprehension Superintendent Drew Evans. “But today’s sentence is a statement to all Minnesotans that order can be restored, that we will hold people accountable for their crimes, and that political violence is never acceptable.” “Vance Boelter is a cold-blooded killer who should never again walk free. His horrific actions forever changed the lives of the Hortman and Hoffman families, spread fear across communities throughout Minnesota, and shocked our nation. We are grateful for this outcome and hope it brings some measure of justice and relief to the families and everyone impacted by this tragedy,” said Minneapolis Police Department Chief Bill Peterson. This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI, Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, ATF, Brooklyn Park Police Department, Minneapolis Police Department, Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office, Champlin Police Department, and New Hope Police Department, together with several other state and local partners. The National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section also assisted in the investigation. This investigation has proceeded with the United States Attorney’s Office in strong partnership with the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office. Assistant United States Attorneys Bradley M. Endicott and Matthew D. Forbes prosecuted the case. Note: Previous press releases on the investigation ( June 16, 2025 ), indictment ( July 15, 2025 ), and guilty plea ( June 11, 2026 ) are linked here.


title: Schuylkill County Man Sentenced To 21 Months’ Imprisonment For Drug Trafficking Offense

component: USAO - Pennsylvania, Middle

body_text: SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Mark Thompson, age 51, of Ashland, Pennsylvania, was sentenced yesterday to 21 months’ imprisonment and three years of supervised release by Senior United States District Judge Robert D. Mariani for one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. According to United States Attorney Brian D. Miller, Thompson previously admitted that beginning in January of 2025, and continuing to on or about April 25, 2025, in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, Thompson conspired with others to distribute and possess with intent to distribute approximately 28 grams of methamphetamine. The FBI, the Shenandoah Police Department, and the Schuylkill County District Attorney’s Office investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney James M. Buchanan prosecuted 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: Defendants Sentenced for Interstate Auto Theft Conspiracy

body_text: SCRANTON- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Nigel Criss, age 27, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and Rafael Otero Nieves, age 41, of Baltimore, Maryland, were sentenced on July 21, 2026, to 54 months’ imprisonment and 84 months’ imprisonment, respectively, by Chief United States District Judge Matthew W. Brann for interstate transportation of stolen motor vehicles. According to United States Attorney Brian D. Miller, Criss, Otero, and eight additional co-conspirators conspired with each other and others to transport stolen motor vehicles interstate and to receive, possess, conceal, store, sell, and dispose of stolen motor vehicles that had been transported interstate. Criss, Otero, and their co-conspirators took the stolen vehicles—typically high-end, “muscle” type cars—across state lines to “car meetups” and “street takeovers,” at which the co-conspirators would take over a parking lot, intersection, road, or portion of a highway. The vehicles were then shown off in person at the meetups and on social media and driven in a reckless and dangerous manner, such as drifting and “burning out” the vehicles. The co-conspirators stole numerous vehicles across multiple states. For example, on October 3, 2023, Criss, Otero, and other co-conspirators traveled to a car dealership in Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania, to steal two 2017 Cadillac CTS-V’s, a 2016 Cadillac CTS-V, two 2019 Cadillac CTS-V’s, a 2018 Chevrolet Camaro, a 2019 Chevrolet Camaro, and a 2019 Chevrolet Corvette. Ten co-conspirators were charged in this case. Several have been sentenced as follows, while the remaining defendants are pending sentence following guilty pleas: Nigel Criss, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania—54 months’ imprisonment; Ian Quintana Torres, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania—pending sentence; Shamar Morris, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania—12 months’ imprisonment; Jumaane Wright, of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania—deceased; Raymond Steward, of Camden County, New Jersey—6 months’ imprisonment; Rafael Otero Nieves, of Baltimore County, Maryland—84 months’ imprisonment; Jose Otero Nieves, of Baltimore County, Maryland—pending sentence; Jesus Terrero, of Baltimore County, Maryland—pending sentence; Tyler Hoagland, of Howard County, Maryland—18 months’ imprisonment, and; Robert Jones, of Prince George’s County, Maryland—pending sentence. In imposing the sentences, Chief Judge Brann noted the sheer volume of vehicles stolen by Criss and Otero—more than two dozen each—and the supervisory roles each defendant played in the wide-ranging, multi-state conspiracy. The Federal Bureau of Investigation and Pennsylvania State Police, Central and Eastern Auto Theft Task Forces investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Kyle A. Moreno prosecuted the case. # # #


title: Chinese Woman Charged with Assaulting Federal Officers

body_text: WILLIAMSPORT – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Hua Zhen Dong, a citizen of the Republic of China, was indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of assaulting federal officers. According to United States Attorney Brian D. Miller, the indictment alleges that on July 9, 2026, Herrera was found by Immigration and Customs Enforcement Officers in State College, PA. An investigation showed that there was an immigration warrant for Dong’s arrest at that time. Dong refused to comply with the officers’ investigation and kicked, bit and scratched them as she resisted arrest. This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant United States Attorney Geoffrey W. MacArthur is prosecuting the case. This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN). The maximum penalty under federal law for this offense is 8 years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following the finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines. Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court. # # #


title: Ponte Vedra Man Sentenced for Conspiracy to Traffic Firearms and Controlled Substances

component: USAO - Florida, Middle

body_text: Jacksonville, Florida – Braden Huston Hobbs (28, Ponte Vedra) has been sentenced by U.S. District Judge Harvey E. Schlesinger to nine years in federal prison for conspiracy to traffic firearms, making a materially false statement to a licensed firearms dealer, and conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, including 500 grams or more of cocaine. U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe made the announcement. According to court documents and proceedings, agents began investigating Hobbs after learning that several firearms Hobbs had purchased were recovered during separate law enforcement investigations. These firearms were recovered from the homes of drug dealers and a convicted felon. Additionally, undercover agents purchased 11 firearms from two co-conspirators, Alton Wayne Cope III and Jayden Lance Cope, who were also prosecuted. Hobbs was the original purchaser of multiple firearms purchased from the Copes. Cellphone records also confirmed that Jayden Cope regularly purchased firearms from Hobbs. Through further investigation, agents found that between March 2022 and June 2024, Hobbs had purchased at least 121 firearms from three different federally licensed firearms dealers in Jacksonville, with 67 of those firearms being purchased between January and June 2024. Hobbs then sold those firearms to others. On multiple occasions, Hobbs advertised firearms for sale to potential customers before acquiring the firearms from the federally licensed firearms dealer. Customers typically paid Hobbs in cash for the firearms. Hobbs also traded drugs for the firearms. Hobbs was aware that some of his customers intended to resell the firearms, were drug users, or were drug distributors. Hobbs also asked his co-conspirators to assist him in finding buyers for the firearms and the co-conspirators advertised Hobbs’s firearms for sale. Hobbs told others that he “deal[s]” in firearms, bragging he was “Mr. Cocaine addict firearms trafficker.” Records indicated that Hobbs had made more than $200,000 in illegal proceeds in less than 36 months. Although he engaged in the business of dealing firearms, Hobbs is not a federally licensed firearms dealer, as required by federal law. When Hobbs purchased the firearms from licensed firearms dealers, he indicated on the required ATF Form 4473 that he was the actual buyer or transferee of the firearms. In addition, Hobbs indicated that he was not a user of or addicted to controlled substances. Both statements were false. Hobbs intended to sell the firearms and therefore was not the actual buyer or transferee of them. Hobbs was also a habitual user of controlled substances and was distributing controlled substances, including over 500 grams of cocaine and Adderall. Hobbs routinely advertised controlled substances for sale and coordinated narcotics transactions and often sold the controlled substances to the same individuals to whom he was selling firearms. On June 26, 2024, Hobbs was arrested by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office for driving under the influence and trafficking in cocaine. During a search of Hobbs’s car, officers recovered more than 200 grams of cocaine and 17 grams of Adderall, as well as various items used to package and distribute controlled substances. In related court proceedings, co-conspirator Alton Wayne Cope III was sentenced to four years and three months in federal prison for possessing a firearm as a convicted felon and conspiring to deal in firearms without a license. Jayden Lance Cope was sentenced to six years for conspiring to deal in firearms without a license and unlawful receipt of a firearm after being indicted. This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation, the U.S. Secret Service, the North Florida HIDTA Tri-County Narcotics Task Force with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office, and the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Elisibeth Adams. 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: Two Men Charged in Alleged $1.7 Million Counterfeit Postage Scheme

component: USAO - Alabama, Middle

body_text: Two men have been charged in federal court for their alleged roles in a scheme to acquire and sell counterfeit United States postage stamps. On April 21, 2026, a federal grand jury returned an indictment charging John Patrick Best, 55, of Hoschton, Georgia, and Kevin Douglas Padgett, 48, of Phenix City, Alabama, with conspiracy to commit money laundering related to the purchase and distribution of large quantities of counterfeit postage stamps. The indictment further charges Best with conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, possession with intent to sell counterfeit postage stamps, concealment money laundering, and spending money laundering. United States Attorney Thomas Govan, Inspector in Charge Shameka Jackson of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) Houston Division, and Special Agent in Charge Demetrius Hardeman, IRS Criminal Investigation Atlanta Field Office made the announcement. “This case reflects the strong partnership between our office and federal law‑enforcement agencies committed to protecting the U.S. mail and the financial system,” said United States Attorney Thomas Govan. “We appreciate the dedicated work of the Postal Inspection Service, IRS Criminal Investigations, and Homeland Security Investigations in bringing these allegations to light.” “The US Postal Service is committed to protecting consumers and the US Mail from fraudulent activity and has no tolerance for people who create, distribute or use counterfeit postage,” said Shameka Jackson, Inspector in Charge of the Houston Division. “These practices undermine the inherent trust of the USPS brand, and postal inspectors will continue work with our law enforcement partners and federal prosecutors to disrupt these criminal schemes and bring those responsible to justice.” “The defendants are accused of moving approximately $1.7 million in proceeds through multiple bank accounts in an effort to disguise the source and ownership of their illicit profits from the counterfeit postage stamps scheme,” said Special Agent in Charge Demetrius Hardeman, IRS Criminal Investigation Atlanta Field Office. “Although individuals may attempt to disguise illicit profits through intricate financial maneuvers, IRS Criminal Investigation special agents excel at unraveling complex money flows and revealing the hidden trail they leave behind.” According to the indictment and other court records, beginning in or around January 2024, Best and Padgett conspired to purchase counterfeit U.S. postage stamps from suppliers in China and resell the stamps within the United States. As part of the alleged scheme, the defendants formed a shipping supply company in Georgia and opened bank accounts in the company’s name. The indictment alleges that Best and Padgett knowingly purchased counterfeit postage stamps from sources in China and elsewhere. The conspirators purchased a product listed by the vendor as “Patriotic Series American Independence Day Doodle Stickers” and resold them as genuine U.S. flag forever stamps. After receiving the counterfeit stamps, Best allegedly used his position with a media company to advertise and sell them through an online vendor marketplace under the newly created business name. Padgett then allegedly packaged and mailed the counterfeit stamps from multiple locations, including post offices in Smiths Station and Phenix City, Alabama. According to the indictment, the scheme generated at least $1.7 million in proceeds. The government alleges that the proceeds were derived from the sale of approximately 6,483,700 counterfeit stamps, with an additional 544,596 stamps seized before distribution. It is further alleged that Best and Padgett attempted to conceal the illicit funds through a series of financial transactions involving multiple bank accounts. On June 30, 2026, Padgett pleaded guilty to the money laundering conspiracy charge. His sentencing hearing is scheduled in October. Best made his initial appearance in federal court on July 22, 2026. The charges against both men carry a potential maximum sentence of up to 20 years in federal prison, along with substantial monetary penalties and restitution. There is no parole in the federal system. The U.S. Postal Inspection Service investigated the case with assistance from IRS Criminal Investigations and Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant United States Attorney Joel Feil is prosecuting the matter. An indictment is merely an allegation. Best is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.


title: Former Harford County EMT Indicted on Child Sex Crimes

body_text: Baltimore, Maryland – The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland announced, today, a federal grand jury indicted a Maryland man in connection with child sexual exploitation charges. Jurel Daquone Leo Bowman, 32, of Lusby, is charged with producing child sexual abuse material (CSAM), coercion and enticement of a minor to engage in criminal sexual activity, receipt of CSAM, and possession of CSAM. Bowman previously served as a Harford County emergency medical technician. Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the indictment with Special Agent in Charge Jimmy Paul, FBI Baltimore Field Office; Colonel Michael A. Jackson, Superintendent, Maryland State Police (MSP); Chief Andrew Parsons, Upper Allen Police Department (UAPD); Director Greg Mashburn, Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI); and Alison M. Healey, Harford County State’s Attorney. According to the indictment, between August 2022 and April 2026, Bowman sexually exploited minors using his cellphone and an online social media application. Bowman paid hundreds of dollars for sexually explicit images and videos of the minors. Additionally, Bowman repeatedly attempted to coerce minors to meet in person with him to engage in sex acts in exchange for money. Investigators believe there may be other potential victims. If you have information related to this individual or victims, contact the FBI Baltimore Field Office at 410-265-8080. This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorney’s 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 justice.gov/psc . For more information about Internet safety education, please visit justice.gov/psc and click on the “Resources” tab on the left of the page. U.S. Attorney Hayes commended the FBI, MSP, UAPD, and OSBI for their work in the investigation. Ms. Hayes also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Victoria Liu who is prosecuting the federal case. For more information about the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, please visit justice.gov/usao-md . # # #


title: Baltimore County Man Sentenced for Bribing Former Baltimore City Finance Official

body_text: Baltimore, Maryland – A federal judge sentenced a Baltimore County man for bribing a Baltimore City official. U.S. District Judge Richard D. Bennett sentenced James Carroll Erny, Jr., 55, of Glen Arm, Maryland, to 13 months in prison, followed by eight months of home confinement, for bribery. Erny admitted to paying at least $25,000 in bribes to Joseph Gillespie, a former Baltimore City Department of Finance employee. In exchange, Gillespie extinguished various financial obligations Erny owed to the City of Baltimore. As a result of the criminal conduct, the City of Baltimore suffered financial losses of more than $145,000. Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the sentence with Special Agent in Charge Jimmy Paul, FBI Baltimore Field Office; Acting Special Agent in Charge Lee Bacon, Small Business Administration Office of Inspector General (SBA-OIG), Eastern Region; and Chief Robert McCullough, Baltimore County Police Department (BCPD). According to court documents, beginning in December 2019, and continuing until August 2023, Erny engaged in a bribery scheme in which Gillespie abused his position of trust as a public official for his own personal gain. During this period, Erny — who owned at least eight properties in Baltimore City — routinely paid bribes in exchange for Gillespie delaying, removing, or extinguishing financial obligations owed to the City. This included unpaid citations, tax obligations, and water obligations, thereby causing losses to the City. Erny primarily paid these bribes by cash, providing Gillespie with envelopes containing as much as $1,000 each, while the former City employee worked at the Abel Wolman Municipal Building. Sometimes, Erny met Gillespie in a men's bathroom in the City-owned building to give him envelopes containing cash bribes. Erny also routinely provided Gillespie bribe payments via Cash App and Zelle. Additionally, Erny admitted to engaging in a separate scheme to obtain fraudulent COVID-19 relief loans under both the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program. Ultimately, Erny fraudulently obtained $996,240 in fraudulent PPP funds as part of the scheme, and he attempted to obtain more than a $100,000 worth of EIDL funds. U.S. Attorney Hayes commended the FBI, SBA-OIG, and BCPD for their work in the investigation. U.S. Attorney Hayes also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sean R. Delaney and Joseph Wenner who prosecuted the case. For more information about the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to report fraud, please visit justice.gov/usao-md and justice.gov/usao-md/report-fraud . # # #


title: Two Massachusetts Men Plead Guilty to Drug Conspiracy

component: USAO - Massachusetts

body_text: BOSTON – Two men pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court in Boston to conspiring to distribute fentanyl following a series of controlled purchases in Brookline and Boston. Kerry Charlotin, a/k/a “KG,” 36, of Rockland and Shaquylle Burden, 31, of Roslindale, pleaded guilty to one count each of conspiracy to distribute fentanyl. U.S. District Court Judge Leo T. Sorokin scheduled Charlotin’s sentencing for Oct. 26, 2026. Burden is scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 19, 2026. The defendants were arrested in December 2025 and remain detained in federal custody pending sentencing. According to the charging documents, in June 2025, an investigation began into drug trafficking activities conducted by Charlotin and Burden. The investigation revealed that the defendants were actively selling fentanyl in the greater Boston area. On two separate dates in October and December 2025, Charlotin and Burden sold or arranged the sale of fentanyl to undercover law enforcement during controlled purchases. One firearm was found in Burden’s Roslindale residence at the time of his arrest. At the time of the conduct, Charlotin was on federal supervised release for a 2020 conviction for being a felon in possession of a firearm, for which he was sentenced to five years in prison. The charges of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and possession of controlled substances with intent to distribute provide for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, at least three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $1 million. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case. United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Boston; and Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the FBI’s Columbia Field Office in South Carolina. Assistant U.S. Attorney John T. Dawley of the Organized Crime & Gang Unit is prosecuting the case. This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces and Project Safe Neighborhood .


title: Three Men Charged in $1.5 Million Deed Fraud and Money Laundering Schemes

body_text: BOSTON – Three individuals, including one from Massachusetts, have been charged for their alleged involvement in multi-state schemes to defraud property owners by impersonating them and selling their land, and launder the proceeds of the deed fraud scheme. One defendant allegedly defrauded property owners of approximately $1.5 million, while all three defendants are accused of laundering the proceeds of the fraud between June 2023 and June 2024. The following individuals have been charged by criminal complaint: Moshe Levi, 57, of Carrollton, Texas, was charged with wire fraud conspiracy and money laundering conspiracy; Kyon James, 44, of Middleboro, Mass. was charged with money laundering conspiracy; and Bradley Beauge, 41, of Somerset, N.J., was charged with money laundering conspiracy. The defendants were arrested on July 16, 2026. James was released on conditions following an initial appearance in federal court in Boston later that day. Following an initial appearance in federal court in Boston today, Beauge was released on conditions. Levi was detained following an initial appearance in Kansas City, Mo., and will appear in federal court in Boston at a later date. According to the charging document, Levi and co-coconspirators executed a deed fraud scheme by identifying vacant and unencumbered real properties in Massachusetts, Georgia, Indiana and Tennessee that were owned by individuals who lived out of state. Levi and co-conspirators allegedly established email and internet telephony accounts and obtained fake identifications, including driver’s licenses and passports, all in the names of the properties owners. Using the fake identifications and accounts, Levi and his co-conspirators allegedly impersonated the record owners of the properties in order to trick real estate professionals into listing and negotiating the sale of the properties and deeding the properties to unsuspecting buyers in exchange for payment. It is further alleged that Levi, Beauge and James conducted financial transactions involving the proceeds of the fraudulent sale of properties, including by check and wire transfer, through individual and corporate bank accounts that they and others controlled, with the intent to conceal and disguise the nature, the location, the source, the ownership and the control of the proceeds. According to court documents, since approximately June 2023, Levi, Beague, James and others allegedly shared and attempted to share in illegal proceeds of approximately $1.5 million. The charge of wire fraud conspiracy provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000, or twice the gross gain or loss from the scheme, whichever is greater. The charge of money laundering conspiracy provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $500,000 or twice the value of the financial transactions that were the object of the conspiracy. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case. United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Boston Field Office made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Seth B. Kosto, Chief of the Securities, Financial & Cyber Fraud Unit is prosecuting the case.


title: Registered Sex Offender Sentenced to 12 Years in Prison for Federal Child Pornography Charge

body_text: BOSTON – A Lunenburg man was sentenced today in federal court in Worcester for possessing child sexual abuse material (CSAM). Michael Myers, 39, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Margaret R. Guzman to 12 years in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release. In March 2026 , Myers pleaded guilty to one count of possession of child pornography. Myers was arrested and charged by criminal complaint in December 2024 and has remained in federal custody since that time. In 2015, Myers was convicted of possession of CSAM, for which he was sentenced to two years’ probation by state authorities. He is a Level One Sex Offender. In August 2023, Myers was identified as the owner of a Kik Messenger account transmitting CSAM files. One of the files depicted a male victim, approximately as young at eight years old, being raped by an adult male. Separately, in April 2024, Myers was identified as the owner of a Reddit account transmitting CSAM files depicting the abuse of a minor male victim. Search warrants obtained for both the Kik and Reddit accounts revealed several chats further demonstrating Myers’ criminal sexual interest in young boys. During a search of his Lunenburg residence in December 2024, an anonymous private messenger application was found on Myers’ cell phone and showed that several videos and pictures depicting CSAM were sent and received. United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Jeff Grimming, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England; and Lunenburg Police Interim Police Chief Jeffrey M. Thibodeau made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Danial Bennett of the Worcester Branch Office prosecuted 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: New Bedford Couple Sentenced for Defrauding at Least 50 Clients of Over $750,000 in Connection with Their Insurance Business

body_text: BOSTON – A married couple from New Bedford was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for a scheme to defraud individuals seeking insurance coverage through the couple’s business, BL Insurance Brokerage, LLC. Brendan Lawler, 59, and Lisa Lawler, 46, were sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Myong J. Joun to eight months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release. The defendants were also ordered to pay restitution in an amount to be determined at a later date. In March 2026 , the Lawlers pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud. The Lawlers were charged by criminal complaint in August 2025 . From March 2023 through March 2024, the Lawlers solicited and collected insurance payments from BL Insurance’s clients, which should have been paid to the clients’ insurance providers. Instead of paying the insurance companies, the Lawlers pocketed their clients’ payments and used the money for their own purposes. To conceal this theft of client funds and to keep their BL Insurance afloat to perpetuate the scheme, the Lawlers used incoming client funds to pay outstanding balances due to other clients’ insurers. The Lawlers also created and distributed certain insurance documents to clients that falsely suggested that the clients were insured. In total, through this scheme, the Lawlers defrauded at least 50 individuals or insurance providers and stole more than $962,000 from individual customers, insurance providers, premium finance companies and hard money lenders. United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Massachusetts Division of Insurance and Insurance Fraud Bureau. Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan Cleary of the Criminal Division prosecuted the case.


title: Illinois Man Sentenced to Over Six Years in Prison for Identity Theft and Wire Fraud

body_text: BOSTON – An Illinois man has been sentenced in federal court in Boston for phishing the Snapchat access codes of over 750 women in an effort to hack their Snapchat accounts and steal nude photos, which he kept, sold, or traded on the internet. The defendant also lied to investigators on two occasions, claiming he had no interest in child sexual abuse material. Investigators later determined that he possessed over 500 photos and 600 videos of child sexual abuse material, including some involving children between three and four years old having sex with adults. Kyle Svara, 27, of Oswego, Ill., was sentenced on July 21, 2026 by U.S. District Court Judge Brian E. Murphy to 76 months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release. In February 2026 , Svara pleaded guilty to aggravated identity theft, wire fraud, computer fraud, conspiracy to commit computer fraud and false statements related to child pornography. Svara was charged in December 2025 . From at least May 2020 to February 2021, Svara used social engineering and other resources to collect victim emails, phone numbers and/or Snapchat usernames. He used those means of identification to access victim Snapchat accounts, which prompted Snap Inc. to send account security codes to victims. Using anonymized phone numbers, Svara posed as a representative of Snap Inc. and texted more than 4,500 victims requesting those Snapchat access codes. Below in gray are some examples of Svara’s phishing text messages: When approximately 570 women provided the access codes that Svara requested, Svara then accessed the Snapchat accounts of approximately 517 women without permission to download their nude or semi-nude images. Svara would often activate two-factor authentication to lock his victims out of their Snapchat accounts. Once he had the stolen images he wanted, Svara sold or traded them on internet forums or in transactions with others who had hired him to hack the Snapchat accounts. Svara advertised on internet forums like Reddit that he could “get into girls snap accounts” for others and provide content “for you or trade.” Below is an example of one of his Reddit advertisements in a forum dedicated to “wifepictrading”: To track his efforts, Svara maintained spreadsheets and “notes” application lists on his computer and phone that contained victims’ names, contact information and Snapchat and Instagram usernames. These trackers also documented Svara’s degree of hacking success with notes to himself like “priority,” “got in, couldn’t crack meo [My Eyes Only],” “got a few,” “wrong snap,” and “TONS OF HOT NUDES, TRY AGAIN,” and contained personal information about victims that appear to have been provided by individuals purchasing Snapchat hacks from Svara to help Svara guess probable passwords, such as “Likes Harry Potter, likes San Francisco, likes Buenos Aires, bday March 4.” One of Svara’s co-conspirators, Steve Waithe, a former Track and Field Coach at Northeastern University hired and paid Svara to hack the Snapchat accounts of women Waithe coached or had other relationships with. In November 2023, Waithe was convicted in federal court in Boston of 12 counts of wire fraud; one count of cyberstalking; one count of conspiracy to commit computer fraud; and one count of computer fraud, aiding and abetting. In March 2024 , Waithe was sentenced to five years in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release. In addition to the women Waithe and others hired Svara to hack, Svara also targeted women who resided in or around the area of Plainfield, Ill., including his neighbors, family friends, grade school classmates, high school classmates, personal friends, family friends and friends of his wife and sister. He also targeted a small group of women who were students at Colby College in Waterville, Maine. When Svara was interviewed by investigators, he falsely stated that he did not know anything about hacking Snapchat. Additionally, he falsely stated that had no interest in child pornography and had never actively sought out or accessed child sexual abuse material (CSAM). Contrary to these statements, the defendant collected, distributed and solicited CSAM. In Svara’s Mega account, for example, investigators found approximately 530 images and 600 videos depicting CSAM. Several of the videos had the ages three and four in their names and depicted female children of these approximate ages engaging in oral and vaginal sex acts with adult men. And in Svara’s Instagram account, investigators found multiple conversations in which he solicited others to send him CSAM. These included children from whom the defendant attempted to obtain images and videos. In one of these exchanges, a user asked expressly, “[d]oes it bother you that I’m underage?” and stated, “I’m not 18.” Svara replied, “Oh okay. More live pics? (:” United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Boston made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Chicago and the Oswego Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan Cleary of the Criminal Division prosecuted the case.


title: Gloucester Man Pleads Guilty to Sexual Exploitation of a Minor and Possession of Child Pornography

body_text: BOSTON – A Gloucester man pleaded guilty today in federal court in Boston to sexually exploiting a minor and possessing child sexual abuse material (CSAM). Robert Burnham, 44, pleaded guilty to one count of sexual exploitation of a minor and one count of possession of child pornography. U.S. Senior District Court Judge Patti B. Saris scheduled sentencing for Dec. 3, 2026. Burnham was arrested and charged by criminal complaint in September 2025 and remains detained pending trial. According to the charging documents, from on or about June 11, 2024 to Oct. 4, 2024, Burnham persuaded and coerced a 13-year-old minor female to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing pictures and videos and transmitting them to him via social media. Additionally, on April 28, 2025, Burnham knowingly possessed files that depict CSAM. The charge of sexual exploitation of a minor provides for a sentence of at least 15 years in prison, at least five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of possession of child pornography provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, at least five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case. United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by Harper County Sheriff’s Office, FBI Kansas City, Lincoln Police Department and Gloucester Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Allegra Flamm of the Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.


title: Topeka woman sentenced for methamphetamine and fentanyl trafficking

component: USAO - Kansas

body_text: TOPEKA, KAN. – A Kansas woman was sentenced to 115 months in prison for drug trafficking which will be followed by five years of supervised release. According to court documents, Madeline R. Wagner, 40, of Topeka pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. On multiple occasions between July 2024 to November 2024, Wagner and her co-conspirators were in possession of 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and 40 grams or more of fentanyl that they acquired with the intention to sell. The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Greg Hough prosecuted the case. ###


title: Kansas cousins sentenced for robbing & assaulting food truck owners

body_text: TOPEKA, KAN. – Two Kansas men were sentenced to prison for robbing a food truck during which they violently assaulted a victim. According to court documents, Deon Ikner, 21, and Aaron Whitehead, 25, both of Topeka pleaded guilty to one count of interference with commerce by robbery. Ikner was sentenced to 71 months in prison. Whitehead was sentenced to 71 months in prison. In March 2024, Whitehead and Ikner robbed a couple at gunpoint while the victims were unloading their food truck in Topeka. Whitehead and Ikner struck the male victim with a handgun and threatened to shoot him if he moved. The defendants stole cash the business owners had earned from their sales that day. The owners were able to identify Whitehead and Ikner from mugshots. “These defendants felt so entitled to money they didn’t earn that they violently accosted a husband and wife who had just finished a hard day of work,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan A. Kriegshauser. “Violently robbing a hardworking family is only going to earn you a hefty prison sentence.” “By their own admission, these two defendants used a firearm and threats to rob a commercial food truck in Topeka. Make no mistake – if you participate in violent crime in Kansas, the FBI and its partners stand ready to hold you accountable,” said Chris Ormerod, FBI Kansas City Special Agent in Charge. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Topeka Police Department investigated the case. ###


title: Half a dozen illegal aliens indicted for returning to the U.S. after deportation

body_text: TOPEKA, KAN. – A federal grand jury in Topeka returned separate indictments charging six previously deported foreign nationals with illegally returning to the United States. According to court documents, the following defendants were indicted on one count of reentry by a previously removed alien: • Rodrigo Alan Castro-Sosa, 21, an illegal alien from Mexico, • Omar Alejandro Hernandez-Hernandez, 31, an illegal alien from Mexico, • Jorge Luis Landin-Ramirez, 39, an illegal alien from Mexico, • Joaquin Morales-Diaz, 43, an illegal alien from Guatemala, • Lesvia M. Lopez-Pena, 31, an illegal alien from Guatemala, and • Eber Reyes-Duarte, 44, an illegal alien from Honduras. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is investigating all of the cases. An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. ###


title: Norfolk man pleads guilty to attempted witness tampering while under investigation for murder threats

body_text: NORFOLK, Va. – A Norfolk man pled guilty today to attempted witness tampering. According to court documents, on May 3, 2025, Christopher Martin Herr, 33, called his then-ex-girlfriend, identified as Jane Doe, dozens of times and left multiple voicemails in which he threatened to kill Jane Doe, murder her boyfriend, and assault her father. On Sept. 29, 2025, Herr drove to Jane Doe’s apartment in Virginia Beach and threw her trash can at her car. Between Sept. 27 and Oct. 28, 2025, Herr sent messages to Jane Doe in which he threatened to murder her boyfriend, her family, and an FBI agent. On Oct. 26, 2025, Herr again drove to Jane Doe’s apartment and attempted to open her locked door. Jane Doe reported Herr’s behavior to Virginia Beach Police. On Dec. 19, 2025, Herr contacted a relative who was an officer with the Norfolk Police Department and requested that the relative arrange for Jane Doe’s arrest for a DUI. Herr told the relative exactly where Jane Doe lived, described the make and model of her vehicle, and described her license plate. The relative declined Herr’s request. On Jan. 9, Herr contacted another relative who works in law enforcement and again requested that Jane Doe be arrested. Herr is scheduled to be sentenced on Nov. 19 and faces up to 20 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Theophani K. Stamos, First Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Dominique Evans, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Norfolk Field Office, made the announcement after U.S. Magistrate Judge Lawrence R. Leonard accepted the plea. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Nikolas Nelson and Assistant U.S. Attorney Rebecca Gantt are prosecuting the case. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:26-cr-17.


title: Hampton man sentenced to over five years in prison for federal drug and firearm offenses

body_text: NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – A Hampton man was sentenced today to five years and eight months in prison for possession with intent to distribute cocaine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. According to court documents, on Sept. 4, 2025, Damion Chesson, 29, was seated in the front passenger seat of a vehicle during a traffic stop. Chesson told law enforcement that he did not have identification and provided a false name and a social security number with an insufficient number of digits. Officers observed a bag between Chesson’s legs. A K9 unit alerted to narcotics inside the vehicle. During a search of the vehicle, investigators located the bag, which contained a loaded handgun, a digital scale, and narcotics packaging material. When officers searched Chesson, they recovered $1,135.03 from his left front pocket and 25.54 grams of cocaine from his right front pocket. On January 2, Chesson was arrested after being federally indicted for the Sept. 4, 2025, offense. At the time of his arrest, Chesson was in possession of, among other things, a loaded handgun and 15.76 grams of cocaine. Theophani K. Stamos, First Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Anthony A. Spotswood, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Washington Field Division, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Elizabeth W. Hanes. The Virginia State Police and Hampton Police Division assisted in the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter G. Osyf prosecuted the case. This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations, and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 4:25-cr-79. This release was edited on July 23, 2026, to correct the term of imprisonment.


title: Jefferson County man sentenced to federal prison for armed robbery of a Beaumont tobacco store

body_text: BEAUMONT, Texas – A Beaumont man has been sentenced for a violent crime in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs. Bradley Broussard, 39, pleaded guilty to brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence and was sentenced to 84 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Marcia A. Crone on July 23, 2026. According to information presented in court, on July 5, 2025, Broussard entered a tobacco store on Washington Boulevard, pointed a firearm at the clerk, and demanded money. Broussard fled the store with a bag containing money from the register. Broussard’s getaway driver, Dustin Lee Davis, pleaded guilty to Hobbs Act robbery and was sentenced to 70 months in federal prison by Judge Crone on July 13, 2026. Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is the Department of Justice’s nationwide initiative that brings federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement, prosecutors, and other public safety partners together to coordinate efforts to combat violent crime and make communities safe. Coordinated by U.S. Attorneys’ offices in each of the 94 federal districts, PSN is tailored to particular communities to strategically address specific violent crime and public safety challenges. As a key component of Operation Take Back America, PSN serves a central role in the Department’s commitment to make our country safe. PSN emphasizes three core principles: rapid federal response to violent crime and criminal offenders; strong, strategic partnerships among law enforcement at all levels; and accountability and deterrence through the prosecution of the most serious, readily provable offenses and other strategies. These efforts complement and strengthen President Trump’s Homeland Security Task Forces, ensuring a comprehensive federal response to the most pressing public safety issues facing communities . This case was investigated by the Beaumont Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Russell James. ###


title: Illegal alien sentenced to federal prison for immigration violation in the Eastern District of Texas

component: USAO - Texas, Eastern

body_text: BEAUMONT, Texas – A Mexican national, illegally living in Lufkin, has been sentenced to federal prison for an immigration violation in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs. Miguel Garza-Soluga, 45, pleaded guilty to illegally re-entering the United States after being deported and was sentenced to 57 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Marcia A. Crone on July 23, 2026. According to information presented in court, in August 2025, Garza-Soluga was discovered illegally in the United States after having been previously deported in 2020 and 2022. Garza-Soluga is a convicted felon having prior felony convictions for possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, delivery of a controlled substance, and illegal reentry. This case is part of Operation Take Back America a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs) and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. This case was investigated by the Angelina County Sheriff’s Office, Department of Homeland Security-Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Homeland Security Investigations and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren Gaston. ###


title: Hardin County convicted felon sentenced to federal prison for firearms violation

body_text: BEAUMONT, Texas – A Kountze man has been sentenced for a federal firearms violation in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs. Joshua Kenneth Hope, 33, pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and was sentenced to 63 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Marcia A. Crone on July 23, 2026. According to information presented in court, very early on June 21, 2025, local law enforcement responded to a call of shots fired near a Kountze residence when they encountered Hope with a shotgun. Further investigation revealed that Hope was a convicted felon and had been previously convicted in Hardin County of aggravated assault family violence and assault on a public servant. Under federal law, convicted felons are prohibited from owning or possessing firearms or ammunition. Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is the Department of Justice’s nationwide initiative that brings federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement, prosecutors, and other public safety partners together to coordinate efforts to combat violent crime and make communities safe. Coordinated by U.S. Attorneys’ offices in each of the 94 federal districts, PSN is tailored to particular communities to strategically address specific violent crime and public safety challenges. As a key component of Operation Take Back America, PSN serves a central role in the Department’s commitment to make our country safe. PSN emphasizes three core principles: rapid federal response to violent crime and criminal offenders; strong, strategic partnerships among law enforcement at all levels; and accountability and deterrence through the prosecution of the most serious, readily provable offenses and other strategies. These efforts complement and strengthen President Trump’s Homeland Security Task Forces, ensuring a comprehensive federal response to the most pressing public safety issues facing communities . This case was investigated by the Hardin County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John B. Ross. ###


title: New York Man Sentenced to 60 Months in Prison for His Role in Car Theft Conspiracy

body_text: PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney David Metcalf announced that Amadou Diol, 43, of New York, New York, was sentenced today to 60 months' imprisonment, three years of supervised release by United States District Judge Kelley Brisbon Hodge for his role in a scheme to steal and sell more than 20 rental cars. The defendant was charged by superseding indictment in September of last year and pleaded guilty in March to conspiracy and two counts of transportation of stolen vehicles. As detailed in court filings and statements, from about December 2020 to December 2021, Diol and others conspired to rent vehicles from car rental companies throughout the central and eastern United States by fraudulent means, transport the vehicles in interstate commerce, and sell the stolen vehicles to various purchasers, who then exported the vehicles overseas. Diol and others would rent the cars by obtaining and using genuine driver’s licenses belonging to third parties, who were not aware their licenses were being used for the scheme, or by causing fake driver’s licenses to be created and used. The defendant and co-conspirators frequently transported, and caused to be transported, the stolen vehicles across state lines to facilitate their sale. They received payment for the stolen vehicles by various means, including cash, electronic payments via money transfer apps, and in the form of a luxury vehicle. This case was investigated by the FBI and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Meghan Claiborne Bisio and Kara Traster.


title: Montgomery County Man Charged With Impersonating an FBI Agent

body_text: PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney David Metcalf announced that Seok Joon Lee, 54, of Jenkintown, Pennsylvania, was charged by indictment with impersonating a federal officer, and acting as such. The indictment alleges that, on or about April 22, 2026, the defendant falsely assumed and pretended to be an agent and employee of the FBI, in that the defendant entered a Philadelphia supermarket wearing a bulletproof vest, a law enforcement-type duty belt, a holstered firearm loaded with 13 rounds of live ammunition, and two spare magazines, identified himself as an FBI agent to a security guard, and attempted to conduct a security check of the supermarket. Lee subsequently stated to responding officers from the Philadelphia Police Department that he was “undercover FBI” and that his credentials and FBI number could be located elsewhere. If convicted, the defendant faces a maximum possible sentence of a monetary fine and three years in prison. This case was investigated by the FBI, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the Philadelphia Police Department and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Michael R. Miller and Nelson S.T. Thayer Jr. The charges and allegations contained in the indictment are merely accusations. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.


title: Settlement Agreement Reached With East Hampton Housing Authority to Resolve Civil Rights Lawsuit Alleging Failure to Reasonably Accommodate a Minor Tenant Requiring Use of an Assistance Animal

component: USAO - New York, Eastern

body_text: Joseph Nocella, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, announced today a Settlement Agreement with the East Hampton Housing Authority resolving the United States’ lawsuit against East Hampton Housing Authority under the Fair Housing Act. The lawsuit alleged that East Hampton Housing Authority discriminated against a minor tenant by refusing to permit him to live with his emotional support dog to accommodate his disability. As alleged, over the course of nineteen months during 2021 and 2022, East Hampton Housing Authority took the erroneous position that emotional support animals did not qualify for reasonable accommodation under the law. The settlement will ensure equal access to housing for all East Hampton Housing Authority tenants who demonstrate their need for a reasonable accommodation for assistance animals under the Fair Housing Act. “Today’s settlement ensures that tenants with disabilities who require assistance animals will be reasonably accommodated so that they have the same opportunity to use and enjoy their homes as other tenants,” stated United States Attorney Nocella. “Our Office will continue to enforce the Fair Housing Act and its protections against discrimination for people with disabilities.” Under the terms of the settlement, East Hampton Housing Authority has agreed to adopt a reasonable accommodation policy regarding requests for assistance animals, comply with certain notice, training, and recordkeeping requirements to ensure that its officers and employees are knowledgeable about and comply with the terms of the Fair Housing Act, and allow the United States to monitor compliance with the Settlement Agreement. East Hampton Housing Authority has also agreed to pay the victim’s family $82,500 in damages, upon a release of claims. The Fair Housing Act makes it unlawful to discriminate in the terms and conditions of the sale or rental of, or to otherwise make unavailable or deny, a dwelling based on the prospective buyer or renter’s disability. The Fair Housing Act also mandates that reasonable accommodations in rules, policies, practices, and services be provided when necessary to afford equal housing opportunities to persons with disabilities. This matter has been handled by Chief of the Office’s Civil Division Civil Rights Section Megan Freismuth. usa_v._ehha_fully_executed_agreement_7.16.26.pdf