title: Brooklyn Man Pleads Guilty to Sex Trafficking a Victim and Admits to Kidnapping Six Other Women

body_text: Earlier today, in federal court in Brooklyn, Chad Barclay pleaded guilty to sex trafficking a victim, Jane Doe #1. Additionally, as part of his plea agreement, Barclay stipulated that he kidnapped six additional women. The proceeding was held before United States Magistrate Judge Seth D. Eichenholtz. When sentenced, Barclay faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years’ imprisonment and up to life in prison. Joseph Nocella, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York and James C. Barnacle, Jr., Assistant Director in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI), announced the guilty plea. “This defendant is a dangerous predator who used force and intimidation to sexually assault a victim and has admitted to additional conduct including kidnapping six other women,” stated United States Attorney Nocella. “Today’s guilty plea holds him accountable for the devastating harm he inflicted on his victims and sends a clear message that our Office will vigorously prosecute those who use violence, enticement, and coercion to facilitate sex trafficking. We remain committed to protecting victims of this scourge, pursuing justice on their behalf, and ensuring that perpetrators like Barclay are held responsible for their crimes.” Mr. Nocella expressed his appreciation to the Justice Department’s Criminal Division for their support, and the New York City Police Department for its assistance. “Chad Barclay has now admitted that he kidnapped, violently raped, and robbed multiple female victims,” stated Assistant Attorney General Duva. “This prosecution demonstrates that we will always seek justice for survivors of trafficking and abuse to prevent more of these heinous crimes. This type of exploitation and violence has no place in our civilized society.” “Chad Barclay’s brutal and predatory actions inflicted profound harm on his victims and demonstrated a clear disregard for their safety and humanity. The FBI and NYPD's joint investigation ensured his conduct was exposed and he was brought before the justice system to answer for his crimes. We will continue working closely with our partners to protect victims and ensure offenders are held fully accountable for their actions,” stated FBI Assistant Director in Charge Barnacle. As set forth in court filings and during today’s plea proceeding, on September 13, 2022, Barclay enticed Jane Doe #1, who he met on Eros, an online escort website, to travel from another state to his apartment in Brooklyn to engage in commercial sex. After arriving at his apartment, Barclay paid Jane Doe #1 approximately $1,500 in cash for sex. Barclay then used force to have sex with her without a condom and against her will. After raping Jane Doe #1, Barclay opened her purse and took the $1,500 he already paid her. In addition, he stole approximately $1,200 from the victim’s purse. Barclay asserted that Jane Doe #1 still owed him $1,500 for working on his turf, claiming that he “ran” Brooklyn and was part of a “Brooklyn gang” so all the women in Brooklyn worked for him and had to pay him a “tax.” When Jane Doe #1 replied that she did not have any more money, Barclay laughed and said that she was going to have to “pay or you have to work for me or you die.” Barclay also warned Jane Doe #1 that his “guys” were in front of the building and they would kill her if she tried to leave. Barclay also confiscated her phone, forced her to unlock it with her face and reviewed the contents of her phone. After reviewing her phone, Barclay threatened Jane Doe #1 by stating that he knew where she lived and that she had a daughter. Barclay permitted her to leave after Jane Doe #1 stated that she sent a friend her location information and that her friend would call the police if she did not hear from Jane Doe #1 soon. Jane Doe #1 later reported the rape to local police and went to a hospital where a rape kit was performed. As part of his plea agreement, Barclay stipulated to kidnapping six additional women between 2022 and 2023. Barclay engaged in a similar pattern in which he enticed commercial sex workers to come to his apartment where he robbed and sexually assaulted most of the victims. The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s Human Trafficking and Civil Rights Section. Assistant United States Attorneys Andy Palacio and Lorena Michelen and Trial Attorney Olimpia Michel of the Criminal Division of the Department of Justice are in charge of the prosecution. The Defendant : CHAD BARCLAY Age: 33 Brooklyn, New York E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 23-CR-242 (S-1) (FB)


title: Missouri Man Sentenced to 5 Years in Prison for Buying 27 Guns Recovered at Crime Scenes in Three States

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

body_text: ST. LOUIS – A man who was the original purchaser of 27 guns that were later recovered at crime scenes in three states was sentenced Wednesday to five years in prison. Lamondre Haynes, 33, bought 27 firearms that were recovered by law enforcement in Illinois, Kentucky and Missouri while in the possession of individuals being arrested for drug violations, violent assaults and gun possession crimes. Haynes identified himself as the “actual transferee/buyer” of each gun on the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Form 4473 - Firearms Transaction Record. Among those purchases were two Glock pistols Haynes bought on April 2, 2025, while accompanied by a convicted felon from Illinois. At least some of the cash for the purchase came from the felon. On May 1, 2025, Haynes bought two Glock pistols and two AK-style pistols from two different stores. One of the Glock pistols was recovered in Columbia, Illinois after being used in a carjacking during which the victim was shot. Twenty-nine of the guns have not been recovered. “Twenty-seven firearms purchased by one individual ended up in the hands of law enforcement across three states,” said Special Agent in Charge Bernard “Butch” Hansen, of the ATF Kansas City Field Division. “That kind of proliferation demonstrates how quickly illegally diverted firearms can spread into communities and contribute to violent crime. ATF is committed to identifying those who fuel the illegal firearms market and working with our law enforcement and prosecutorial partners to hold them accountable.” Haynes, of Ferguson, Missouri, pleaded guilty in June in U.S. District Court in St. Louis to one count of making a false statement to a federally licensed firearms dealer. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Szczucinski prosecuted the case. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the Department of Justice’s nationwide initiative that brings federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement, prosecutors, and other public safety partners together to coordinate efforts to combat violent crime and make communities safe. Coordinated by U.S. Attorneys’ offices in each of the 94 federal districts, PSN is tailored to particular communities to strategically address specific violent crime and public safety challenges. As a key component of Operation 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: Former Gymnastics Coach Admits Engaging in Sexual Activity with Two 13-Year-Olds

component: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

body_text: ST. LOUIS – A former gymnastics coach on Wednesday admitted engaging in unlawful sexual activity with two 13-year-olds. Marco A. Zomphier, 32, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in St. Louis to two counts of coercion and enticement of a minor. He admitted meeting the first victim in 2012, when she was a member of a YMCA dance/gymnastics program and Zomphier was a coach/member of that program. They began communicating via text messages, the ooVoo video call app and the Kik messaging app. Zomphier praised his victim in those communications, flirted with her and professed his love for her. “I love you…. You’re the only girl I want to be Mrs. Zomphier,” he wrote at one point. Zomphier convinced the victim to have him over at her house. There, he molested her but was unsuccessful in coercing her to have sex with him, his plea agreement says. On one occasion at her home, he tried to push her into her bedroom. Zomphier’s abuse of the victim ended around May of 2013. In late 2021, the second victim met Zomphier at the Collinsville gymnastics program where he was a coach. They began communicating via Snapchat. Zomphier’s messages became more sexual in nature in January of 2022. They engaged in unlawful sexual activity in the parking lot of a store near her home and at his home in Bethalto, Illinois. Zomphier is scheduled to be sentenced on December 2. The U.S. Attorney’s Office will recommend a sentence of 25 years in prison. The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, the St. Louis County Police Department, the Bethalto Police Department and the FBI investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Hayes is prosecuting the case. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information, please visit www.justice.gov/psc .


title: USP McCreary Inmate Sentenced for Attempted Murder

component: USAO - Kentucky, Eastern

body_text: LONDON, Ky. – Mufid Elfgeeh, 42, was sentenced on Tuesday to 230 months by U.S. District Judge Robert Wier for attempted murder. While serving a 270-month sentence for attempting to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization, United States Penitentiary McCreary staff observed Elfgeeh stabbing his cellmate. Elfgeeh, upset that BOP had not complied with his request for a private cell, used an improvised weapon to stab his cellmate dozens of times as he ignored numerous verbal commands to stop the attack. Elfgeeh continued the stabbing through three uses of OC spray, OC vapor grenades, multiple foam/rubber baton rounds, pepper balls, and hornet nest munitions. Elfgeeh was only stopped when staff outfitted with protective gear breached the cell, restrained him, and removed the weapon. A jury convicted found Elfgeeh guilty of the attempted murder charge on April 29, 2026, following a two-day trial. Jason Parman, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; and Olivia Olson, Special Agent in Charge, FBI, Louisville Field Office, jointly announced the sentence. The investigation was conducted by the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Pearce Nesbitt prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States. – END –


title: Perry County Man Sentenced for Trafficking Powder and Crack Cocaine

body_text: LONDON, Ky. – Franklin Delano Campbell, 67, was sentenced on Wednesday to 236 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Chad Meredith, on a charge of conspiracy to distribute cocaine (powder) and cocaine base (crack). The investigation revealed that, beginning sometime around January 2022, and continuing through November 2025, Campbell was regularly obtaining one-half to one-kilogram quantities of powder cocaine from and out-of-state source of supply. Campbell would then turn a large portion of this cocaine into crack, which he would sell to various upper-, mid-, and low-level drug traffickers, as well as end drug users in the Perry County, Kentucky area. Campbell and his co-conspirators sold the majority of these drugs from his home in the Bonnyman, Kentucky. Campbell paid others in drugs and/or money to drive to Ohio and meet with his source to pick up these drugs and bring them back to Kentucky. As part of his plea, Campbell forfeited several pieces of real property, two vehicles, multiple firearms, and approximately $119,684.00 in U.S. currency that were seized as part of the investigation. Under federal law, Campbell must serve 85 percent of his prison sentence. Upon his release from prison, he will be under the supervision of the U.S. Probation Office for five years. Jason Parman, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; Olivia Olson, Special Agent in Charge, FBI, Louisville Field Office; and Phillip J. Burnett, Jr., Commissioner of the Kentucky State Police, jointly announced the sentence. The investigation was conducted by the FBI and the Kentucky State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorneys W. Samuel Dotson and Haley Trogden McCauley prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States. – END –


title: Former Homeland Security Employee Pleads Guilty in $250,000 Fraud Scheme

body_text: WASHINGTON – Richeline Anisso Fung, 46, of Pembroke Pines, Florida, and formerly of Maryland, pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court to making false, fictitious, or fraudulent claims while working as a full-time employee for the Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (DHS-CISA), announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro. “Richeline Fung stole a quarter‑million dollars from the American taxpayer, and today she stands as a convicted felon who will be required to pay full restitution,” said U.S. Attorney Pirro. “Let this be unmistakable: if you defraud the American people, federal agents will come knocking. Nationwide initiatives across federal agencies are rapidly detecting, rooting out, and prosecuting wrongdoing to protect every taxpayer dollar as part of President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud.” The Honorable Sparkle Sooknanan accepted Fung’s guilty plea and scheduled sentencing for Jan. 20, 2027. “No profession is immune from prosecution,” said Assistant Attorney General Colin M. McDonald of the Justice Department’s National Fraud Enforcement Division. “Richeline Fung abused her positions as a federal employee and government contractor to steal nearly $250,000 from the U.S. government. Public service is a public trust, not an opportunity to defraud American taxpayers. We will continue to hold accountable anyone who defrauds the United States, regardless of title or agency.” According to court documents, Fung was a full-time DHS-CISA employee between September 2016 and October 2025. She lived in Maryland when she started working for DHS-CISA but moved to Florida. Between January 2021 and August 2024, Fung served in multiple federal government contractor positions despite being a full-time U.S. government employee with DHS-CISA. She worked as a contractor for the Drug Enforcement Administration, Department of Energy, Department of Justice (DOJ), Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). She served in these positions as a direct employee or as an independent contractor/consultant through her business RAF Pro-Consulting, LLC, which she incorporated in Florida in 2020. In connection with her employment, Fung submitted timesheets certifying the number of hours she worked each pay period. Fung routinely overstated those hours, even claiming to work more than 24 hours in a single day on multiple occasions. For example, in February 2022, Fung was employed by DHS-CISA and three different federal contractors performing work for USDA, FHWA, and DOJ. For that month alone, Fung’s combined hours totaled more than 24 hours in a single day on 15 occasions. Shockingly, she claimed to work 33 hours on February 7, 8, 9, and 10, and 32 hours on February 11. Fung admitted that she concealed her employment with DHS-CISA and the federal contractors from each other. She also acknowledged that she was able to conceal her employment because she teleworked for all the positions during the relevant period. Fung also admitted that her criminal conduct caused the U.S. government to suffer a loss of nearly a quarter million dollars. As part of her plea agreement, she must pay full restitution. This case was investigated by the Offices of the Inspector General for AmeriCorps, the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Health and Human Services, and the FBI Washington Field Office. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kondi Kleinman. On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division. The core mission of the Fraud Division is to zealously investigate and prosecute those who steal or fraudulently misuse taxpayer dollars. Department of Justice efforts to combat fraud support President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President JD Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs. 26cr177


title: D.C. Man Sentenced to 50 Months for Armed Robberies of Restaurants in Northeast

body_text: WASHINGTON – Alvin Ponson, 67, of the District of Columbia, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court to 50 months in prison in connection with the armed robberies of two fast-food restaurants in Northeast Washington D.C., announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro. Ponson pleaded guilty on May 29 before Judge Tanya Chutkan to interference with interstate commerce by robbery (Hobbs Act robbery). In addition to the prison term, Judge Chutkan ordered Ponson to serve three years of supervised release. Federal prosecutors had requested an 87-month prison sentence. According to court documents, Ponson was carrying a black handgun when he entered the Chipotle restaurant on the 2300 block of Washington Place NE, just before 7 p.m. on Jan. 26, 2026. Ponson ordered a cashier to “open the register.” The cashier refused to comply. Ponson left without any of the restaurant’s money. Minutes later, Ponson walked into the adjacent Jersey Mike’s hoagie shop on the 2300 block of Washington Place NE. Ponson told the Jersey Mike’s cashier that he was picking up an order. The cashier went to look for it. When the cashier returned, Ponson was pointing his handgun at her. The cashier ran to the back of the store. Ponson approached another employee and ordered “Give me all that sh---!” The employee handed over cash from the register and Ponson fled in the direction of the Rhode Island-Brentwood Metro Station. This case was investigated by the Metropolitan Police Department and the Washington Metro Transit Police with the valuable assistance of the Federal Bureau of Investigation- Washington Field Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Helfand. Surveillance photo of the Jersey Mike’s armed robbery. 26cr115


title: Granby Man Pleads Guilty to Multiple Firearm Offenses

component: USAO - Connecticut

body_text: David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that KYLE CHAMBERS, 31, of Granby, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport to offenses related to his unlawful possession and trafficking of firearms. According to court documents and statements made in court, on December 30, 2024, the FBI received multiple tips about Chambers’ possession of explosives at his residence on Salmon Brook Road in Granby and his intention to detonate explosives on New Year’s Eve. On December 31, 2024, Chambers was arrested on related state charges after a court-authorized search of his residence revealed dozens of firearms, ghost guns, machinegun conversion devices, ammunition, materials that tested positive for explosive substances, a 3D printer, and other items. The investigation subsequently revealed that Chambers had sold guns to other individuals and regularly coordinated the purchase and sale of firearms and firearm-related materials with others. Chambers pleaded guilty to firearm trafficking conspiracy, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 15 years; unlawful possession of a machinegun, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years; and possession of an unregistered firearm muffler/silencer in violation of the National Firearms Act, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years. Judge Dooley scheduled sentencing for November 25. Chambers has been detained since his arrest. This matter is being investigated by the FBI and the Granby Police Department, with the assistance of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys John T. Pierpont, Jr. and Justyn P. Stokely. U.S. Attorney Sullivan thanked the State’s Attorney’s Office for the Judicial District of Hartford for its cooperation in the investigation and prosecution of this case. This prosecution is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement toward identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF New Haven comprises agents and officers from the FBI, DEA, HSI, ATF, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, U.S. Department of Labor, and Connecticut State Police, with prosecutions led by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Connecticut.


title: Springfield Man Sentenced to 25 Years in Prison for Firearm and Drug Offenses

body_text: SPRINGFIELD, Ill, - A Springfield, Illinois, man, Kevin Gibbs, age 41, was sentenced on August 20, 2026, to an aggregate 25-year sentence for drug trafficking and related firearm possession. The sentence was comprised of concurrent sentences of 240 months’ imprisonment for possessing a firearm as a felon and for possessing cocaine with intent to distribute, along with a consecutive 60-month sentence for possessing a firearm during and in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. According to court documents and statements in court, in May 2023, Gibbs, a convicted felon, possessed a firearm while participating in a drug sale. Gibbs was apprehended in the middle of the transaction and taken into custody. Springfield Police suspected Gibbs had used that firearm in a shooting at a local IHOP restaurant. Casings from the firearm were sent to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ National Integrated Ballistic Information Network and linked to the shooting by the Illinois State Police Forensic Science Laboratory. At the sentencing hearing, U.S. District Judge Sue E. Myerscough found that Gibbs was an armed career criminal and a career offender based on prior convictions. Judge Myerscough also found that the May 2023 shooting was relevant conduct, which made the defendant eligible for a sentencing enhancement. Judge Myerscough noted that the defendant had committed these crimes while on supervised release from the Illinois Department of Corrections. A federal grand jury returned an indictment against Gibbs in September 2023. Gibbs was transferred from state custody to the custody of the United States Marshals Service in January 2024, where he has remained since his initial appearance. He pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Eric I. Long in April 2026. “Armed felons and drug dealers pose a great risk to the community, and my office will continue to work with local officials to ensure violent offenders are held accountable,” said U.S. Attorney Gregory M. Gilmore. “This case is an excellent example of how the federal government can support law enforcement, like the Springfield Police Department, by providing resources that help solve crimes.” “ATF’s strong partnership with the Springfield Police Department was critical in holding this violent offender accountable. The investigative work of Springfield Police Department and ATF agents led to another shooting being cleared through the use of NIBIN. ATF remains committed to working with the Springfield Police Department and our partners in the region to investigate violent crime and hold those responsible accountable,” said ATF Chicago Field Division Special Agent in Charge Christopher Amon “Individuals with a history of violent and serious offenses who continue to possess firearms pose a significant threat to our community,” said Springfield Police Chief Joseph Behl. “This sentence sends a clear message that those who choose to use firearms while engaging in criminal activity will be held accountable. I commend the detectives and officers who worked diligently on this investigation, as well as our partners at ATF and the U.S. Attorney’s Office. These partnerships are critical to our continued efforts to combat gun violence and remove dangerous repeat offenders from our streets.” The statutory penalties for possession of a firearm as a felon, where the defendant is found to be an armed career criminal. are not less than 15 years and up to life imprisonment, up to three years of supervised release, and up to a $250,000 fine. The penalties for possession of cocaine with intent to distribute are not more than 20 years’ imprisonment and not more than three years of supervised release. And the penalties for possession of a firearm during and in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime are at least five years and up to life imprisonment, consecutive to all other counts; not more than five years of supervised release; and up to a $250,000 fine. The Springfield Police Department investigated the case, with assistance from ATF. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah E. Seberger represented the government in the prosecution. The case against Gibbs is part of a committed effort to combat gun violence in Sangamon County, Illinois, by law enforcement including the Springfield Police Department, Sangamon County State’s Attorney’s Office, ATF, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office.


title: South L.A. Man Pleads Guilty to Armed Robbery Spree in SoCal, Admits to Shooting Victim During Attempted Carjacking in O.C.

component: USAO - California, Central

body_text: SANTA ANA, California – A South Los Angeles man pleaded guilty today to committing an armed robbery spree in Southern California parking lots, including one incident in which he forced a firearm into a victim’s mouth, breaking the victim’s teeth, and another incident in which he shot a victim outside an Orange County shopping mall during an attempted carjacking. Oshae Pollard, 23, of the Manchester Square neighborhood of Los Angeles, pleaded guilty to one count of interference with commerce by robbery (Hobbs Act) and one count of possessing, using, carrying, brandishing, and discharging a firearm in furtherance of, and during and in relation to, a crime of violence. Pollard has been in federal custody since December 2024. According to his plea agreement, on August 25, 2024, Pollard robbed a victim at gunpoint in the parking lot of the Hustler Casino in Gardena, stealing $1,000 in the process. Pollard pushed the victim to the ground and began pulling on the victim’s purse. He then forced his firearm into the victim’s mouth, breaking her teeth. He threatened to kill the victim if she yelled. On August 26, 2024, Pollard robbed another victim at gunpoint, stealing the victim’s wallet and cellphone, while the victim was seated in his taxi in a Winchell’s Donut House parking lot in Carson. Pollard pointed a firearm at this victim and struck the victim in the face. Later that same day, Pollard robbed another victim in the parking lot of Fashion Island in Newport Beach, stealing an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak watch, a monogrammed brown Berluti wallet, and Rolls-Royce car keys – in total, worth approximately $44,000. At the same time, Pollard and a co-conspirator attempted to rob another victim and fired a bullet into that victim’s car – barely missing that victim as he tried to escape. On September 22, 2024, Pollard attempted to steal a Lamborghini Urus from a victim in the parking lot of South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa. Pollard pointed a firearm at the victim, demanded the vehicle and other property, threatened to fatally shoot the victim, and then shot the victim in the hand and thigh in an attempted carjacking. On October 16, 2024, Pollard was arrested and released after a traffic stop with the loaded pistol he used to commit the robberies and attempted carjacking, as well as a black ski mask. United States District Judge Fred W. Slaughter scheduled a January 21, 2027, sentencing hearing, at which time Pollard will face a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in federal prison and a statutory maximum sentence of life imprisonment. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Orange County Violent Crime Task Force investigated this case. This task force is comprised of federal and local law enforcement agencies, which include ATF, the Brea Police Department, the Placentia Police Department, the Fullerton Police Department, the Santa Ana Police Department, and the Orange County District Attorney’s Office with the assistance of the Newport Beach Police Department and the Costa Mesa Police Department. Assistant United States Attorneys Jena A. MacCabe and Kevin J. Butler of the Major Crimes Section are prosecuting this case.


title: Former employee indicted for embezzling from federally recognized Tribe

component: USAO - Alaska

body_text: FAIRBANKS, Alaska – A federal grand jury in Alaska returned an indictment last month charging a former employee of a federally recognized Tribe located in Western Alaska with embezzling over $88,000 from the Tribal organization. According to court documents, between January 1, 2018, and Aug. 31, 2021, Tanya Ablowaluk, 46, of Teller, Alaska, served as the Tribal Coordinator for the Tribe. The Tribe is federally recognized and a member of a nonprofit Tribal consortium. Between January 2018 and September 2021, against the Tribal consortium’s policy and without the Tribe’s authorization, Ablowaluk allegedly accessed the Tribe’s bank accounts to make over $71,000 in unauthorized direct deposits into her personal bank accounts, over $11,000 in debit card purchases and issued over $5,000 in checks for personal payments. Ablowaluk is charged with one count of embezzlement from an Indian Tribal organization. Ablowaluk is scheduled to make her initial court appearance on Sept. 17 before U.S. Magistrate Judge Scott A. Oravec of the U.S. District Court for the District of Alaska. If convicted, she faces up to five years in prison and up to $250,000 in fines. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. U.S. Attorney Michael J. Heyman for the District of Alaska and Special Agent in Charge Vince Haecker of the U.S. Department of the Interior, Office of Inspector General (DOI OIG) Western Region made the announcement. The DOI OIG Western Region is investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Carly Vosacek and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Ibad Jafri are prosecuting the case. 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: Trinidadian Foreign National Pleads Guilty to Sex Trafficking in New York

component: Criminal Division

body_text: Trinidadian foreign national and lawful permanent resident, Chad Barclay, 33, pleaded guilty today to sex trafficking and admitted to kidnapping six additional victims. During the plea hearing, Barclay admitted that on Sept. 13, 2022, he enticed the victim to his residence to engage in commercial sex, where he robbed and sexually assaulted her. As part of plea agreement, Barclay stipulated to kidnapping six additional women between 2022 and 2023. For targeting five victims, Barclay was charged in a 20-count superseding indictment with interstate prostitution, Hobbs Act robbery, kidnapping, access device fraud, aggravated identity theft, and witness tampering and obstruction of an official proceeding in August 2023. Barclay was charged with a sex trafficking count for one of the original five victims and interstate prostitution, Hobbs Act robbery, kidnaping, and other related charges for two additional victims in a second superseding indictment in May 2026. “Chad Barclay has now admitted that he kidnapped, violently raped, and robbed multiple female victims,” said Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “This prosecution demonstrates that we will always seek justice for survivors of trafficking and abuse to prevent more of these heinous crimes. This type of exploitation and violence has no place in our civilized society.” “This defendant is a dangerous predator who used force and intimidation to sexually assault a victim and has admitted to additional conduct including kidnapping six other women,” said U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocella Jr. for the Eastern District of New York. “Today’s guilty plea holds him accountable for the devastating harm he inflicted on his victims and sends a clear message that our Office will vigorously prosecute those who use violence, enticement, and coercion to facilitate sex trafficking. We remain committed to protecting victims of this scourge, pursuing justice on their behalf, and ensuring that perpetrators like Barclay are held responsible for their crimes.” “Chad Barclay’s brutal and predatory actions inflicted profound harm on his victims and demonstrated a clear disregard for their safety and humanity,” said Assistant Director in Charge James Barnacle of the FBI’s New York Field Office. “The FBI and NYPD's joint investigation ensured his conduct was exposed and he was brought before the justice system to answer for his crimes. We will continue working closely with our partners to protect victims and ensure offenders are held fully accountable for their actions.” Barclay faces a minimum penalty of 15 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. The FBI New York Field Office and the New York Police Department are investigating the case as part of the Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force. Trial Attorney Olimpia E. Michel of the Criminal Division’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Andy Palacio and Lorena Michelen for the Eastern District of New York and are prosecuting the case.


title: Nevada Man Sentenced to Prison for False Tax Return Schemes

component: National Fraud Enforcement Division

body_text: A Nevada tax preparer was sentenced today to 60 months in prison for operating two false tax return schemes. “Michael Moore lied to his clients and lied to the IRS all while lining his own pockets,” said Assistant Attorney General Colin M. McDonald of the Justice Department’s National Fraud Enforcement Division. “To conceal his involvement in his criminal conduct, Mr. Moore impermissibly used a former employee’s identity to file fraudulent returns. Return preparers like Mr. Moore who abuse their clients’ trust and undermine the integrity of the internal revenue laws will continue to be brought to justice by the Fraud Division’s Tax Section, our U.S. Attorneys, and our law enforcement partners like IRS-CI.” “Today’s sentence sends a clear message that those who manufacture fake wage records for personal enrichment will face severe federal prison time,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Sigal Chattah for the District of Nevada. “Moore’s schemes were designed to cheat the tax system while shifting the resulting burden onto law abiding taxpayers,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge David Lowe of the IRS Criminal Investigation San Francisco Field Office. “Today’s sentence underscores that IRS-CI will aggressively pursue those who exploit the tax system for personal gain, and it should serve as a reminder that financial crimes carry serious consequences.” According to court documents and statements made in court, from 2015 through 2025, Michael J. Moore, of Las Vegas, was a former CPA who operated a tax preparation, bookkeeping and accounting business that advertised itself as specializing in clients from the adult entertainment industry. Moore promoted a fraudulent tax avoidance scheme called the “Special Tax Shelter Strategy.” As part of the scheme, Moore promised clients that in exchange for a fee he could prepare a tax return that eliminated the taxes they owed to the IRS and, in most cases, create a large tax refund. The fees Moore required as part of this “Special Tax Shelter Strategy” were paid by the clients using the refund money received from the IRS. In many instances, clients were required to pay tens of thousands of dollars in fees. To carry out the “Special Tax Shelter Strategy,” Moore made up false and fraudulent entries on the clients’ tax returns. In many cases, he did this by including on the returns false business expenses frequently amounting to hundreds of thousands of dollars in losses. In some instances, Moore prepared and filed the tax returns using a former employee’s name and personal identifying information without their permission or knowledge. After he had been charged for his role in the “Special Tax Shelter Strategy,” Moore engaged in a separate scheme involving preparation of false returns for clients. As part of this second scheme, Moore again reported totally false items on client tax returns. In the second scheme, Moore typically reported false losses from one or more corporate entities, most of which were defunct, dormant or carried on no business. These reported losses were false because the clients had not incurred these expenses. In total, Moore caused a tax loss to the IRS of more than $3.5 million. Moore pleaded guilty to one count each of tax evasion, helping a client file a false tax return, wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. IRS Criminal Investigation San Francisco Field Office investigated the case. Trial Attorney Patrick Burns of the National Fraud Enforcement Division’s Tax Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Tony Lopez for the District of Nevada prosecuted the case. On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the Fraud Division. The Fraud Division is laser-focused on investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against the American people. The Department’s work to combat fraud supports President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.


title: Michigan Man Pleads Guilty in $7M Tax Fraud Scheme

body_text: A Michigan man pleaded guilty yesterday to filing a false claim in connection with his $7 million scheme to defraud the IRS. “Filing false returns isn’t a shortcut — it’s pure theft,” said Assistant Attorney General Colin M. McDonald of the Justice Department’s National Fraud Enforcement Division. “Fraudulent refunds steal millions from Americans who play by the rules, and we will pursue those who willfully cheat the tax system without fear or favor.” According to court documents and statements made in court, Rodney Underwood, of Detroit, prepared and filed with the IRS more than 200 nearly identically false tax returns on behalf of clients from various locations in Detroit. Underwood “ghost prepared” these returns, meaning he left the paid preparer section blank so the returns appeared to be self-prepared. On each of the false tax returns, Underwood reported false dividend income amounts and false withholding amounts to generate refunds that the clients were not entitled to receive. Underwood did not report fees he received from the scheme as income on his own individual tax returns. The false tax returns filed by Underwood fraudulently claimed more than $7 million in refunds and caused an actual loss to the government of approximately $6.2 million. Underwood pleaded guilty to making a false claim. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Jan. 6, 2027 and faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. IRS Criminal Investigation is investigating the case. Trial Attorneys Shawn Noud and Alexis Hughes of the National Fraud Enforcement Division’s Tax Section are prosecuting the case.


title: Justice Department Clarifies Duty of States to Report Known Illegal Aliens Under Welfare-Reform Law

component: Office of Legal Counsel

body_text: The Department of Justice’s Office of Legal Counsel has issued a legal opinion clarifying that when a state chooses to participate in the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) programs, all agencies within that state — not only those that administer TANF or SSI benefits — must report individuals known to be not lawfully present in the United States to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). “Congress wrote this requirement plainly,” said Assistant Attorney General T. Elliot Gaiser of the Justice Department’s Office of Legal Counsel. “When a state chooses to participate in TANF, it accepts the obligation to report illegal aliens in the United States. Tax dollars intended to help vulnerable Americans should not perversely encourage illegal entry into the United States, but rather should reinforce our laws and our borders.” “Our clarification does not impose new obligations on states,” said Deputy Assistant Attorney General Joshua Craddock of the Justice Department’s Office of Legal Counsel and author of the opinion. “It simply restores the original meaning of the statute Congress enacted and ensures that DHS receives the information it is legally entitled to. States that accept TANF funding must abide by federal law, and failure to comply may lead to serious consequences, including loss of program funding.” The Office withdrew a Clinton-era opinion from 1998 that construed the reporting requirement much more narrowly. Under that prior interpretation, only the specific state agencies administering TANF or SSI were required to provide information to federal immigration authorities. All fifty states, the District of Columbia, and several U.S. territories currently participate in TANF and SSI, and federal TANF funding grants exceed $16.4 billion annually. The Office of Legal Counsel’s Sept. 1 opinion explains that Congress defined “State” broadly in the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996. As a result, when a state accepts federal TANF or SSI funds, the entire state government — including all component agencies — is bound by federal law to share information with DHS about individuals the state knows to be not lawfully present. The opinion applies prospectively. States will not face retroactive penalties for past reliance on the 1998 interpretation. Federal agencies may rely on OLC’s advice to update TANF and SSI grant agreements and compliance processes to reflect the correct legal standard moving forward. Note : Read the full opinion here .


title: Cape Cod Man Sentenced to 30 Years for Federal Child Sexual Exploitation Crimes in Wyoming

component: Criminal - Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section

body_text: CHEYENNE, Wyo. Kenneth Charles Trenholm, 36, of Cape Cod, Massachusetts, was sentenced today to 30 years in federal prison followed by 10 years of supervised release for two counts of sexual exploitation of a child. U.S. District Court Judge Alan B. Johnson imposed the sentence in Cheyenne. The sentence follows a multiagency investigation into peer-to-peer file sharing and the online extortion of minors. According to court documents, investigators initially traced illicit digital downloads to a lodging facility in Douglas, Wyoming. A subsequent report involving the digital exploitation of a 13-year-old victim enabled law enforcement to identify and arrest Trenholm. According to court documents, Trenholm used digital communication platforms to solicit illicit materials from several minors and groom them to produce sexually explicit content. He then utilized threats of distribution to coerce a victim to send further explicit content. “The damage done by these crimes is devastating, and a court sentence cannot undo it. However, today’s judgment makes it certain that child abusers will face full accountability,” said U.S. Attorney Darin Smith. "We owe a great deal to the victim's family for their courage, and to the officers who worked tirelessly on this case." The case was investigated by the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). Assistant U.S. Attorney Mackenzie R. Morrison prosecuted the case. Case No. 26-CR-003-ABJ About the United States Attorney's Office The United States Attorney’s Office is responsible for representing the federal government in virtually all litigation involving the United States in the District of Wyoming, including all criminal prosecutions for violations of federal law, civil lawsuits brought by or against the government, and actions to collect judgments and restitution on behalf of victims and taxpayers. The Office is involved in several programs designed to make our communities safer. They include: Project Safe Childhood Project Safe Childhood (PSC) is a DOJ initiative that combats the proliferation of technology-facilitated sexual exploitation crimes against children. The threat of sexual predators soliciting children for sexual contact is well-known and serious. Operation Take Back America Operation Take Back America is 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. It also streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN). Victim Witness Program The Victim Witness Coordinator for the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Wyoming is dedicated to ensuring victims of federal crimes and their family members are treated with compassion, fairness, and respect. To report a federal crime, go to: https://www.justice.gov/actioncenter/report-crime


title: Franklin County Man Pleads Guilty to Possessing Child Exploitation Material

component: USAO - Virginia, Western

body_text: ROANOKE, Va. – A Franklin County man, who possessed thousands of images of child sex abuse material (“CSAM”) after previous court-martial convictions for similar behavior, pled guilty today in federal court and faces up to 20 years in prison. Kevin Michael Robinson, 28, of Wirtz, Virginia, pled guilty today to one count of knowingly possessing CSAM, including images of prepubescent minors and minors under 12 years old. According to court documents, in June 2018, Robinson pled guilty at a military court-martial to various child sexual exploitation offenses. Upon Robinson’s release from prison in June 2025, he began his supervised release term. As required, Robinson had monitoring software installed on his cellphone. On July 1, 2025, Robinson’s probation officer received notice from the monitoring software that Robinson had downloaded CSAM. Several probation officers met Robinson at his home in Wirtz, Virginia, and seized his phone. Robinson admitted to viewing inappropriate material and expressed remorse. A specially trained probation officer reviewed Robinson’s cellphone data and identified 20,200 images and 101 videos of sexually explicit content, including a large amount of CSAM. The CSAM included both real images, as well as computer and AI-generated CSAM images. The Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Drew O. Inman is prosecuting the case. The case was brought as part of Operation Relentless Justice, a coordinated enforcement effort to identify, track, and arrest child sex predators. The nationwide crackdown resulted in over 205 child victims being located and the arrests of over 293 child sexual abuse offenders. The coordinated effort was executed over the course of two weeks by all 56 FBI field offices, the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS) in the Department’s Criminal Division, and U.S. Attorney offices around the country. Operation Relentless Justice supports Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. attorneys’ offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, visit justice.gov/psc.


title: San Antonio Man Follows Cousin’s Lead, Pleads Guilty to Same Armed Robbery Charges

body_text: SAN ANTONIO – Less than three months after his cousin’s 32-year federal prison sentencing, a San Antonio man pleaded guilty to five counts related to his role in a string of armed robberies that occurred in 2020, announced U.S. Attorney Justin R. Simmons for the Western District of Texas. According to court documents, Kevin Gonzales, along with his cousin Brian and several others, embarked on a spree of gunpoint robberies in San Antonio. In December 2020 alone, Kevin and Brian were responsible for at least six violent robberies. Gonzales pleaded guilty on Thursday to one count of conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery and four counts of aiding and abetting brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Gonzales was previously convicted at trial on state charges stemming from this robbery spree. He was sentenced to 40 years in state prison as a result of that conviction. He will be eligible for parole in 2031. This federal guilty plea ensures he will be sentenced to a minimum of 28 years in federal prison consecutive to his state prison term. In the federal system, there is no parole. In May, Brian Gonzales was sentenced to a total of 32 years in federal prison, 28 of which will run consecutive to the state prison term he is currently serving. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the San Antonio Police Department investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric Yuen is prosecuting the case. ###


title: Pennsylvania Man Indicted on Federal Drug Charges and Apprehended in U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force Operation

component: USAO - Tennessee, Western

body_text: Jackson, TN – A federal grand jury in Jackson recently returned an indictment charging a Pennsylvania man with multiple federal drug offenses. United States Attorney D. Michael Dunavant, for the Western District of Tennessee, announced the return of the indictment today. The investigation in this case revealed that in September 2024, Douglas James Moran, 38 , of Pittsburgh, PA, traveled from Pennsylvania to Texas to obtain a large amount of cocaine for redistribution. During his return trip to Pennsylvania, Moran encountered a law enforcement officer in Jackson. A probable cause search of Moran’s vehicle revealed 15 kilograms of cocaine hidden in the rear cargo area. Earlier this month, a federal grand jury returned a two-count indictment against Moran charging him with conspiring with others to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute over 5 kilograms of cocaine and possessing with intent to distribute over 5 kilograms of cocaine. Following the return of the indictment, the U.S. Marshals Two Rivers Violent Fugitive Task Force in Jackson adopted the case for a fugitive investigation and determined that Moran was in Pennsylvania. A collateral lead was sent to the U.S. Marshals Western Pennsylvania Fugitive Task Force in Pittsburgh. The task force located Moran and took him into custody in Swissvale, PA, just outside of Pittsburgh. This case is pending before United States District Court Judge J. Daniel Breen in Jackson. Moran is facing a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment and a maximum sentence of life imprisonment on each count in the indictment. There is no parole in the federal system. U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said, "This indictment represents another great example of federal and local law enforcement working together to disrupt and dismantle drug trafficking organizations that distribute illegal narcotics into and through the Western District of Tennessee. I commend the outstanding fugitive recovery efforts of the U.S. Marshals Service, and we look forward to holding the defendant accountable in federal court." “I commend the efforts of law enforcement in combating drug trafficking and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for holding offenders accountable," said U.S. Marshal Tyreece Miller. “The United States Marshals Service will always support our partners to bring fugitives to justice no matter where they hide.” This case is being investigated by members of the Department of Homeland Security and the Madison County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Josh Morrow prosecuted this case on behalf of the government. The charges and allegations contained in the indictment are merely accusations of criminal conduct, not evidence. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt and convicted through due process of law. ### For more information, please contact our Media Relations Team at USATNW.Media@usdoj.gov . Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office on Facebook or on X at @WDTNNews for office news and updates.


title: Getaway Driver in Multiple Memphis Bank Robberies Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison after Trial

body_text: WASHINGTON – A federal judge in Memphis, Tennessee, today sentenced Courtney Trenell, 34 , of Memphis, to 15 years in prison for aiding and abetting two bank robberies and joining a conspiracy to rob six banks. Eight men were indicted in this case, with Trenell and three co-defendants being convicted in jury trials and the others pleading guilty. “This defendant took part in two separate bank robberies as part of a violent robbery crew,” said Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “The series of bank robberies committed by these eight defendants threatened the lives of hardworking Americans and terrorized bank employees and customers. Those who commit these dangerous robberies will be prosecuted, regardless of their role.” “This is precisely the type of violent offender that threatens lives and public safety in Memphis,” said U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant for the Western District of Tennessee. “Armed bank robberies are brazen and disturbing acts of violence that terrorize our community and must be met with significant sentences such as this one. Trenell is a dangerous offender who has sown violence and greed and will now reap the full measure of consequences for his criminal conduct.” “This sentence demonstrates the FBI’s commitment to working with our partners to bring to justice those who resort to bank robbery for criminal profit,” said Special Agent in Charge Terence G. Reilly of the FBI Nashville Field Office. “We will continue to dedicate the necessary resources to pursue those who terrorize our communities and will not rest until offenders are held accountable for their actions.” Evidence at trial proved that between April 2023 and December 2023, Trenell joined a conspiracy to rob banks throughout Memphis. Trenell drove a getaway car to aid co-defendants in orchestrating and escaping the robberies of Bank of Bartlett and First Horizon Bank branches, which are located across the street from one another, on Oct. 20, 2023. The defendants robbed each bank at the same time to confuse and evade law enforcement. A jury convicted Trenell of two counts of aiding and abetting a bank robbery and one count of joining a conspiracy to rob banks after an eight-day trial in July 2025. Trenell’s trial co-defendants, Devin Hinds, 36, and Joshua Cribbs, 33, both of Memphis, were also found guilty of joining a conspiracy to rob banks in Memphis and robbing specific banks. Hinds was found guilty of additional firearm offenses as well. In a January 2026 trial, a separate jury found defendant Mario Patterson, 45, of Memphis, guilty of robbing three banks in the same conspiracy as Trenell and other defendants. Last year, Hinds and Cribbs were sentenced to 194 months and 144 months in prison, respectively. Another co-defendant, Robert Haley, 45, pleaded guilty before trial and was sentenced to 204 months in prison in December 2025. Three additional defendants, Monterrio Trenell, Travis Drain, and Mario Patterson, await sentencing later this year. The FBI and the Memphis Police Department investigated the case. Trial Attorney Ashleigh Atasoy of the Criminal Division’s Violent Crime and Racketeering Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Gregory A. Wagner and Tony Arvin for the Western District of Tennessee prosecuted the case. This case is part of the Safe Streets Task Force’s efforts to prosecute violent crimes in Memphis, Tennessee, and surrounding areas. This case is also part of the Criminal Division’s Violent Crime Initiative to prosecute violent crimes in Memphis, Tennessee, and surrounding areas. The Criminal Division and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Tennessee have partnered, along with local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies, to confront violent crimes committed by gang members and associates through the enforcement of federal laws and use of federal resources to prosecute the violent offenders and prevent further violence. ### CRM 26-1010 If you have questions, please use the contacts in the message or call the Office of Public Affairs at 202-514-2007.


title: Mercer County Felon Sentenced to Six Years in Prison for Armed Cocaine Trafficking

component: USAO - Pennsylvania, Western

body_text: PITTSBURGH, Pa. - A former resident of Sharon, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced to 72 months in federal prison on his conviction of violating federal firearm and narcotics laws, United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today. Senior United States District Judge Arthur J. Schwab imposed the sentence on Bruce Lindsey, 47. Judge Schwab also ordered Lindsey to pay a $10,000 fine and to serve three years of supervised release following his prison term. According to information presented to the Court, on March 20, 2025, Lindsey—who served state prison sentences for prior Pennsylvania state convictions for homicide and robbery—engaged in the armed trafficking of crack cocaine in Sharon. Federal law prohibits possession of a firearm or ammunition by a convicted felon. Lindsey pleaded guilty in April 2026 to (1) possessing with intent to distribute a quantity of cocaine base, (2) possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and (3) possessing a firearm after a felony conviction. Assistant United States Attorney Craig W. Haller prosecuted this case on behalf of the United States. United States Attorney Rivetti commended the Mercer County Drug Task Force, the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Lindsey.


title: Clearfield County Resident Sentenced to Seven Years in Prison for Distributing Fentanyl Resulting in Death

body_text: JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – A resident of Westover, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced in federal court to 84 months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, on his conviction of distribution of fentanyl resulting in serious bodily injury or death, United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today. United States District Judge Stephanie L. Haines imposed the sentence on James Gill, 41, who pleaded guilty to the charge in March 2026. According to information presented to the Court, in and around February 2021, in the Western District of Pennsylvania, Gill and co-defendant Mandi Litzinger distributed a quantity of fentanyl that resulted in serious bodily injury and death. In July 2026, a federal jury convicted Litzinger on charges of distribution of fentanyl, which the jury also determined resulted in the serious bodily injury and death of another individual, and conspiracy to distribute fentanyl. Litzinger is scheduled to be sentenced on November 19, 2026. Assistant United States Attorney Maureen Sheehan-Balchon prosecuted this case on behalf of the government. United States Attorney Rivetti commended the Drug Enforcement Administration and Pennsylvania State Police for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Gill.


title: Butler Man Sentenced to Four Years of Prison for Threatening to Assault and Murder President Trump, Other U.S. Officials, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agents

body_text: PITTSBURGH, Pa. – A resident of Butler, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced in federal court to four years of imprisonment, to be followed by three years of supervised release, for his conviction on charges related to his threats to assault and murder United States President Donald J. Trump, other United States officials, and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced. United States District Judge W. Scott Hardy imposed the sentence on Shawn Monper, 33. Monper pleaded guilty in April to two counts of threatening to assault and murder United States officials and federal law enforcement officers with the intent to impede, intimidate, interfere with, and retaliate against the officials and agents on account of, and while engaged in, the performance of official duties. As part of his plea agreement, Monper also accepted responsibility for the other counts for which he was charged. “The United States Attorney’s Office and law enforcement within this district take threats against public servants and law enforcement very seriously,” said United States Attorney Rivetti. “The speed with which Monper was identified, charged, arrested, and detained before he had the opportunity to act on his violent threats demonstrates our joint commitment to protecting those who serve our country. The sentence imposed not only ensures that Monper will be in prison and under judicial supervision for years to come, but also sends a strong message to deter others from making such threats.” “Serious offenses will be met with serious consequences. Today’s sentencing proves anyone threatening elected officials and law enforcement will not be able to hide behind a profile name,” said FBI Pittsburgh Special Agent in Charge Richard Evanchec. “When speech crosses a line into threats, FBI Pittsburgh and our partners will use every available resource to track down those responsible and hold them accountable to the fullest extent of the law.” According to information presented to the Court, on April 8, 2025, the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s National Threat Operations Section received an emergency disclosure regarding threats posted to YouTube by user “Mr Satan.” A subsequent federal investigation confirmed that the internet activity associated with “Mr Satan” corresponded with Monper’s residence in the Western District of Pennsylvania and revealed that Monper sought and obtained a firearms permit shortly following President Trump’s inauguration. In February 2025, Monper commented using his “Mr Satan” account: “I have bought several guns and been stocking up on ammo since Trump got in office.” Further, in March 2025, Monper commented using his account: “Eventually im going to do a mass shooting.” One week later, Monper commented: “I have been buying 1 gun a month since the election, body armor, and ammo.” Investigators determined that Monper posted several threatening statements regarding President Trump, other United States officials, and ICE agents during the period between January 15, 2025, and April 5, 2025, including, in February: “Nah, we just need to start killing people, Trump, Elon, all the heads of agencies Trump appointed, and anyone who stands in the way;” in early March: “im going to assassinate him myself” during a YouTube video titled “Live: Trump’s address to Congress;” in mid-March: “ICE are terrorist people, we need to start killing them;” and then, in early April: “If I see an armed ice agent, I will consider it a domestic terrorist, and an active shooter and open fire on them.” In imposing sentence, Judge Hardy described Monper’s actions as “extremely serious criminal conduct” and stated that the sentence demonstrates that “such conduct will not be tolerated and will be answered with serious consequences.” Assistant United States Attorney Brendan J. McKenna prosecuted this case on behalf of the United States. United States Attorney Rivetti commended the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Butler Township Police Department for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Monper.


title: Midwest City Man Sentenced to Serve 15 Years in Federal Prison for Possession of Child Pornography

component: USAO - Oklahoma, Western

body_text: OKLAHOMA CITY – CHRISTIAN NATHANIEL RAFFORD , 41, of Midwest City, has been sentenced to serve 180 months in federal prison for possession of child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester. “The exploitation of children is among the most reprehensible crimes in society,” said U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester. “This 15-year sentence reflects the seriousness of Rafford’s conduct and the lasting harm inflicted on victims. The Department of Justice remains committed to tracking down online predators, rescuing victims, and removing these horrific materials from our communities. I commend the FBI and the entire prosecution team for the tireless work that made this prosecution possible.” “Protecting children from online exploitation is one of the FBI’s highest priorities,” said FBI Oklahoma City Special Agent in Charge Doug Goodwater. “This investigation reflects the dedication of our agents and partners who work every day to identify offenders and stop the circulation of these devastating materials. I am grateful for their continued efforts in pursuing child predators and bringing them to justice.” According to public records, between June 13, 2025, and August 12, 2025, Rafford possessed hundreds of images of child pornography, some of which depicted prepubescent minors, which he accessed using the BitTorrent file-sharing network. He was arrested on August 12, 2025, after law enforcement executed a search warrant at his Midwest City apartment. On November 18, 2025, a federal grand jury charged Rafford with possession of child pornography. Rafford pleaded guilty on March 2, 2026, and admitted he knowingly possessed child pornography, including images of prepubescent minors, which he intended to view. At a sentencing hearing on August 31, 2026, Chief U.S. District Judge Scott L. Palk sentenced Rafford to serve 180 months in federal prison, followed by ten years of supervised release. In announcing the sentence, Judge Palk noted the seriousness of the offense, the need for just punishment, and Rafford’s troubling history. Rafford’s prior felony convictions include domestic violence offenses against spouses and partners, assault and battery, second-degree robbery, attempted robbery, and violation of a protective order. The case was brought as part of Operation Relentless Justice, a coordinated nationwide enforcement effort by the Department of Justice and FBI to identify, track, and arrest child sex offenders. The operation resulted in the arrests of more than 293 child sexual abuse offenders and the location of more than 205 child victims nationwide. This case is also part of Project Safe Childhood (PSC), a nationwide initiative by the Department of Justice (DOJ) to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the DOJ Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, PSC 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 PSC, please visit www.justice.gov/psc . This case is the result of an investigation by the FBI Oklahoma City Field Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jordan Ganz and Brandon Hale prosecuted the case. Reference is made to public filings for additional information.


title: Connecticut man going to prison for bank fraud conspiracy

component: USAO - New York, Western

body_text: BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Vance Ashley, 57, of Bridgeport, Connecticut, who was convicted of conspiracy to commit bank fraud, was sentenced to serve 27 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara. In January 2025, in Bridgeport, Connecticut, Ashley was recruited by members of the conspiracy to pose as other persons and make unauthorized withdrawals from the other persons’ bank accounts. Ashley agreed to do this in exchange for money. Between January 28 and February 3, 2025, Ashley drove with co-conspirators Edwin Robles, Edward Richardson and Michael Herrera, to bank branches in Wilmington, Delaware, Liberty, NY, and Lock Haven, PA, where Ashely used the identifications of other individuals to make, or attempt to make, unauthorized withdrawals from the victims’ bank accounts. On February 5, 2025, the defendants drove to a Northwest Bank branch in Lockport, within the Western District of New York. Ashley made an unauthorized withdrawal of from the account of an individual residing in Erie, PA. Ashley also purchased a bank check using funds from the account. That same day, the defendants drove to another Northwest Bank branch in Williamsville, within the Western District of New York, and again Ashley made an unauthorized withdrawal from an account and purchased a bank check using funds from the account of a victim from North East PA. The total loss amount, including actual loss and intended loss, is $61,800.00. Robles, Richardson and Herrera were all previously convicted. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul E. Bonanno. The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Harry Chavis and Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Anthony Patrone. # # # #


title: Registered Sex Offender Sentenced to 40 Years for Producing Child Sexual Abuse Material

component: USAO - North Carolina, Western

body_text: CHARLOTTE, N.C. – A federal judge sentenced a man with a prior child sex offense conviction to 40 years in prison yesterday for producing child sexual abuse material (CSAM), announced Russ Ferguson, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. Christopher James Porter, 33, was also ordered to serve a lifetime of supervised release and to register as a sex offender. “Mr. Porter went to extraordinary lengths to take advantage of a minor and avoid being caught. After soliciting explicit photos and videos, he traveled across the country, took her from her home and destroyed the minor’s phone, engaged in sexual relations with her, and created photos and videos of his sexual abuse. He will now spend 40 years in federal prison—longer than he has been alive,” said U.S. Attorney Russ Ferguson. “Porter targeted, groomed, and violated a child for his own sexual gratification. While it is difficult to understand how anyone could do this, it is the stark reality of the danger lurking online every day. We must talk to our children to prevent them from being victimized by disgusting predators like Porter,” said Reid Davis the FBI Charlotte Special Agent in Charge. According to court documents and the sentencing hearing, Porter began to communicate online with a 16-yer-old victim in May 2023. During their communications, and after the victim disclosed her age, Porter asked the minor to make and send him sexually explicit videos and photos, which the minor shared. Over the course of their communications, Porter discussed visiting the minor in Western North Carolina. At the time, Porter was in Colorado. In October 2023, the minor left her home and met Porter, who was waiting nearby in his vehicle. Once the minor was in the car, Porter instructed her to delete her social media application from her phone. Porter drove west and near the Tennessee border, he destroyed minor’s cell phone and threw it into a dumpster. In Tennessee, Porter got a hotel room, engaged in sexual activity with the minor, and made child pornography videos of her. Over the next few days, Porter and the minor continued to travel west and stopped at rest stops and parking lots to sleep along the way. Porter continued to engage in sexual activity with the minor in his car. On October 25, 2023, officers with the Kirkwood Missouri Police Department observed Porter’s vehicle parked in a parking lot. The officers approached the vehicle, made contact with Porter, and determined that he was a registered sex offender. The police also discovered that the minor who was with him in the vehicle had been reported as missing. Officers arrested Porter and seized his phone. A forensic analysis of the phone revealed that Porter had produced sexually explicit videos and images involving the minor. In an interview with law enforcement, Porter admitted that he had met the minor online and he had travelled to North Carolina from Colorado to pick her up. He further admitted that he had engaged in sexual activity with the minor. Porter is in federal custody and will be transferred to the custody of the Federal Bureau of Prisons upon designation to a federal facility. In making the announcement, U.S. Attorney Ferguson thanked the FBI in Charlotte, the Monroe Police Department, Kirkwood Missouri Police Department for their investigation of the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimlani Ford of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte 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 the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc .


title: Honeywell Aerospace, Inc. Agrees to Pay Over $2M to Settle False Claims Act Allegations of Failing to Comply with Cybersecurity Requirements in a U.S. Department of Defense Contract

body_text: CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Justice Department announced today that Honeywell Aerospace Inc. has agreed to pay $2,042,518 to resolve allegations that it is liable under the False Claims Act for failing to comply with cybersecurity requirements in a contract with the U.S. Department of Defense. Honeywell Aerospace, a corporation headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, provides aerospace products and solutions to government and commercial customers. Prior to June 29, 2026, when Honeywell Aerospace became a standalone public company, it was a business segment of Honeywell International Inc., of Charlotte, North Carolina. “Government contractors that obtain defense information in administering their contracts must follow required cybersecurity standards,” said Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “The Justice Department will continue to investigate potential violations of these cybersecurity requirements to protect this critical information.” “Cybersecurity requirements and standards for federal contractors are in place for a reason: to protect government systems and prevent unauthorized access to government data,” said U.S. Attorney Russ Ferguson for the Western District of North Carolina. “Companies that seek and profit off of government contracts have an obligation to ensure sensitive data is protected.” The settlement resolves allegations that from April 2020 through December 2023, a business unit of Honeywell International Inc. submitted false claims for payment by failing to comply with cybersecurity requirements specified in National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Special Publication (SP) 800-171, with respect to one of Honeywell’s networks, as required by the contract and regulation. The allegations resolved by this settlement arose from a whistleblower lawsuit filed under the False Claims Act under which private citizens can sue on behalf of the government and share in any recovery. The settlement in this case provides for the whistleblower, Rachel Tenney, a former employee of Honeywell, to receive $375,823 as her share of the settlement. The resolution obtained in this matter was the result of a coordinated effort between the Department of Justice Civil Division, Commercial Litigation Branch, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of North Carolina, and the Defense Criminal Investigative Service. The matter was handled by Senior Trial Counsel Greg Pearson and Assistant U.S. Attorney Holly Snow for the Western District of North Carolina. The lawsuit is captioned United States ex rel. Rachel Tenney v. Honeywell International Inc., Civil Action No. 3:22-cv-129 (W.D.N.C.). The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only and there has been no determination of liability.


title: Kansas City Childcare Operator Indicted for Defrauding State Program

component: USAO - Missouri, Western

body_text: KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Kansas City woman has been indicted by a federal grand jury for defrauding a state program to obtain federal funds. Yolanda Dale, 52, was charged in a four-count sealed indictment on Aug. 27, 2026, by a federal grand jury sitting in Kansas City, Mo. The indictment was unsealed today upon Dale’s initial court appearance. Dale is charged with two counts of theft of government funds and two counts of aggravated identity theft. This is one of many federal fraud cases pursued under the leadership of President Donald Trump and through the establishment of the Task Force to Eliminate Fraud. As provided in the indictment, in 2023, the State of Missouri implemented a program that provided federal funding to childcare providers based on the number of individuals the provider employed during specific periods of the COVID-19 pandemic. It is alleged that, in March 2023 and July 2023, Dale prepared and filed, or caused to be filed, applications for the federal funding on behalf of the childcare center Dale operated. The indictment further alleges that Dale fraudulently inflated the number of individuals employed during the relevant periods on the applications, and, as a result, the childcare center received at least $75,000 in federal funding to which it was not entitled. The federal funding involved was appropriated through the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA), which appropriated funds for use by state governments in responding to challenges faced by childcare providers due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Once appropriated, the ARPA funding was sent to the State of Missouri who developed and implemented programs to disperse the federal funding to childcare providers. The charges contained in the indictment are simply accusations and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charges must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence. This case is being prosecuted by Senior Litigation Counsel Nicholas P. Heberle. This case is being investigated by the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, and the United States Postal Inspection Service. National Fraud Enforcement Division On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division (“Fraud Division”). The Fraud Division is laser-focused on investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against the American people. The Department’s work to combat fraud supports President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.


title: Illegal Alien from Mexico Sentenced to Federal Prison for Immigration Violation

body_text: KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Mexican national, illegally living in the Kansas City, Mo. area, has been sentenced to federal prison for an immigration violation. A jury convicted Jaime Cruz-Hernandez, 37, of illegally reentering the United States after being deported. On September 1, 2026, U.S. District Judge Roseann A. Ketchmark sentenced him to 24 months in federal prison. According to information presented in court, Cruz-Hernandez was stopped and arrested on Jan. 6, 2026, by the Grandview, Missouri Police Department for driving while intoxicated. Immigration authorities then determined that Cruz-Hernandez is a citizen of Mexico and in the United States illegally after having been previously deported to Mexico in 2019. At that time, Cruz-Hernandez had already been arrested on four prior occasions for driving under the influence. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rudolph R. Rhodes IV, and Special Assistant United States Attorney Viet Le. It was investigated by Grandview, Missouri Police Department and Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Enforcement and Removal Operations, and Homeland Security Investigations. Operation Take Back America This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.


title: Columbia Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Arson for Burning St. John’s Chapel in Caldwell Parish

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

body_text: MONROE – On August 31, 2026, Anthony Dillon, Jr ., 19, of Columbia, Louisiana, pled guilty in federal court to committing arson in connection with the malicious burning of St. John Chapel in the early morning of March 27, 2026, right as Holy Week was set to begin. Dillon faces a mandatory minimum of five years and up to 20 years in federal prison. “Today’s guilty plea represents another step toward our Office seeking justice for the wanton and brazen burning of St. John Chapel, the sole Catholic church in Caldwell Parish,” said U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Keller. “This case reflects our Office’s commitment to working alongside our federal and state law enforcement partners to protect and serve our rural communities, and we look forward to seeing this matter to its conclusion." According to court documents, Dillon and an accomplice entered St. John Chapel intending to steal electronic equipment, including multiple television sets. After stealing several televisions from inside the church, the two ignited a fire in the administrative area of the building, using a fire accelerant within a wooden filing cabinet. A fire-accelerant canine unit alerted at the point of origin, and forensic testing confirmed the presence of an accelerant there. The fire caused extensive damage to the church’s sanctuary. ATF, FBI In the wake of the arson, parishioners have continued worship by holding weekly Masses at a local clinic. The community also established a restoration fund to help rebuild their church. U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Keller for the Western District of Louisiana made the announcement. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Louisiana State Fire Marshal, the Caldwell Parish Sheriff’s Office, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated this case. It is being prosecuted by United States Attorney Zachary A. Keller with assistance from Special Assistant U.S. Attorney S. Charlotte Farshian and Paralegal Specialist Joanne Henry-Mills. You may find a copy of this press release (and any updates) on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Louisiana at www.justice.gov/usao-wdla. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Western District of Louisiana at www.lawd.uscourts.gov or at https://www.lawd.uscourts.gov/cmecf-pacer, under Case Number 3:26-CR-00159-01. ### CONTACT: Public Affairs: USALAW-News@usdoj.gov United States Attorney’s Office: www.justice.gov/usao-wdla X: @USAO_WDLA Facebook: USAO_WDLA (337) 262-6704


title: Utah County Woman Sentenced to Prison for Cyberstalking Two Victims She Met via Online Dating Platforms

component: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

body_text: SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – A Utah County woman was sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment today for cyberstalking two male victims she met on online dating platforms and became obsessed with them. The sentence, imposed by U.S. District Court Judge Ted Stewart, comes after Kailin Wang, 43, of Spanish Fork, Utah, pleaded guilty on September 30, 2025, to two counts of cyberstalking. In addition to her term of imprisonment, Wang was sentenced to three years of supervised release, including conditions to protect the victims and their families. According to court documents and statements made at Wang’s change of plea and sentencing hearings, Wang connected with the victims separately on online dating sites in 2017 and 2018 and became obsessed with each victim. Using multiple accounts, fake names, social media accounts, and phone numbers, she harassed and disparaged them publicly and privately, tagging their friends, family, and employers. On three separate occasions, Wang reported the victims to the federal Internet Crimes Complaint Center (IC3) claiming she was being harassed and impersonated online by them. Wang reported that they did these things together, even though there is no evidence that the victims had any relation to each other. Wang admitted that she filed the IC3 complaints to get law enforcement to investigate the victims in order to harass and intimidate them. Wang’s crimes against victim 1 and victim 2 are not isolated incidents. Wang engaged in a pattern of stalking behavior in 2013 and was convicted in the state of New York. United States Attorney Melissa Holyoak of the District of Utah made the announcement. The case was investigated by the FBI Salt Lake City Field Office. Valuable assistance was provided by the San Francisco Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Joey L. Blanch of The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah prosecuted the case.


title: Cincinnati man pleads guilty to vandalizing Vice President Vance’s Cincinnati home

component: USAO - Ohio, Southern

body_text: CINCINNATI – A Cincinnati man pleaded guilty in federal court here today to vandalizing Vice President JD Vance’s Cincinnati home. Specifically, William D. DeFoor, 26, pleaded guilty to engaging in acts of physical violence against government officials or property and causing willful injury or depredation to property of the United States. “Acts of violence directed against our political leaders, their families, or property, have no place in our society and will not be tolerated. Our elected leaders, at all levels of government, must be permitted to carry out their duties free from threats, vandalism, and other forms of violence,” said U.S. Attorney Dominick S. Gerace II. “Perpetrators like DeFoor, who put that freedom at risk, particularly through violent, destructive actions, will, like here, be vigorously prosecuted.” DeFoor was charged by criminal complaint and indicted by a federal grand jury in January and has remained in custody since his arrest. According to court documents, around midnight on Jan. 5, United States Secret Service (USSS) agents observed DeFoor running along the front fence of the protected residence. DeFoor breached the property line at the driveway and attempted to break the driver’s side window of an unmarked federal law enforcement vehicle blocking the driveway entrance. DeFoor used a hammer and struck a vehicle window three times. DeFoor refused law enforcement commands to stop and drop the weapon. DeFoor ignored all commands and began to use the hammer to break large, historic glass windows across the front of the protected residence. DeFoor’s hammer strikes also caused damage to the enhanced security assets on each window owned by the United States government and valued at approximately $28,000. The defendant then attempted to flee on foot and was detained by USSS agents and Cincinnati police officers. Engaging in acts of physical violence against government officials or property and causing willful injury or depredation to property of the United States are each federal crimes punishable by up to 10 years in prison. Sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the Court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors at a future hearing. Dominick S. Gerace II, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Jason Rees, Special Agent in Charge, United States Secret Service; Jason Cromartie, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division; and Cincinnati Police Acting Chief Adam Hennie announced the guilty plea entered today before U.S. District Judge Douglas R. Cole. Executive Assistant United States Attorney Christy L. Muncy is representing the United States in this case. # # #


title: Illinois Man Receives 33 Year Sentence for Burger King Armed Robbery that Sparked Multi-County Vehicle Chase

body_text: INDIANAPOLIS- Cameron Love, 28, of Rockford, Illinois, has been sentenced to 33 years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release for the armed robbery of a Burger King restaurant. In February 2026, a federal jury convicted Love of interference with commerce by robbery, brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, and unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. According to court documents, on January 16, 2025, Love entered the Burger King located at 7620 North Shadeland Avenue armed with a 9mm Smith & Wesson handgun. After pacing in front of the counter, he drew the firearm from his coat pocket, pointed it at an employee, and threatened “You b*****s better open these registers or I’ll kill you, I’ll shoot you in the face.” Love then vaulted over the counter, pointing the gun at additional employees, threatening to kill anyone who resisted and demanding money. He stole $459 and fled the scene in a Chevy Cruze driven by Michael Scott. The employee immediately called 911 and gave a description of Love and his vehicle. IMPD officers attempted a traffic stop on the Cruze near 86th Street and Keystone Avenue, but the vehicle fled, initiating a high‑speed pursuit across multiple counties and striking another vehicle in the process. Dash camera footage captured Love throwing both the stolen cash and the handgun from the vehicle during the chase. The pursuit ended in Carmel. Four days later, IMPD officers recovered the loaded firearm—frozen in ice and protruding from snow—near a bike path on 106th Street. When employees were later asked to confirm Love’s identity as the robber, Love threatened the victims while standing beside an officer, stating, “You better not say anything, I’ll f*****g kill you.” Despite his repeated threats, both victims testified at trial and spoke bravely about their experience. Love is prohibited from possessing firearms due to multiple prior felony convictions, including aggravated robbery of a gas station—during which he held a clerk at gunpoint and assaulted him—along with a separate armed robbery in Illinois. He committed the Burger King robbery only three months after being released on parole following a fifteen-year sentence for the aggravated robbery and six-year sentence for the armed robbery. “Mr. Love committed this armed robbery just months after being released for a previous violent offense. His repeated resort to guns and threats makes clear that he poses a serious danger to the public. Thanks to the swift actions of our law enforcement partners—from the initial response to the recovery of critical evidence—and the bravery of the victims, this violent offender has been removed from our streets for decades,” said Tom Wheeler, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. “Love didn’t just rob a Burger King - he terrorized employees, threatened their lives, and then put even more people in danger when he fled from police,” said FBI Indianapolis Special Agent in Charge Timothy J. O’Malley. “This was a violent, repeat offender who had already served a lengthy sentence for an armed robbery and still chose to put a gun in someone’s face. The victims showed tremendous courage in standing up to him, and this sentence ensures he will spend decades behind bars and unable to threaten another community with a gun.” The Federal Bureau of Investigation and IMPD investigated this case. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Court Judge James P. Hanlon. Love’s co-defendant, Michael Scott, was sentenced in October 2025 to four years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release after pleading guilty to acting as an accessory after the fact. U.S. Attorney Wheeler thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Pamela Domash, who prosecuted this case. ###


title: Mexican National Sentenced to 13 Years in Federal Prison for Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine

component: Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)

body_text: Council Bluffs, Iowa – A Mexican national and former California resident was sentenced on August 27, 2026, to 13 years in federal prison for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. According to public court documents and evidence presented at sentencing, Jose Alfredo Moreno Hernandez, 35, conspired with other individuals to distribute methamphetamine. From December 2020 to the fall of 2025, Moreno Hernandez mailed packages containing a total of more than 35 pounds (16 kilograms) of methamphetamine to locations in Iowa and Florida. Moreno Hernandez received packages containing drug proceeds at his Delano, California residence and distributed the proceeds to other co-conspirators. After completing his term of imprisonment, Moreno Hernandez will be required to serve a five-year term of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system. An immigration detainer is in place. United States Attorney David C. Waterman of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. The Drug Enforcement Administration, United States Postal Investigation Service, Internal Revenue Service, Homeland Security Investigation, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Mid-Iowa Drug Task Force, and Mid-Iowa Narcotics Enforcement – West investigated the case.


title: Davenport Man Sentenced to Over 6 Years in Federal Prison for Drug and Firearm Charges

component: USAO - Iowa, Southern

body_text: DAVENPORT, Iowa – A Davenport man was sentenced on September 1, 2026, to 78 months in federal prison for possession with intent to distribute cocaine base and possession of a firearm in furtherance of his drug trafficking. According to public court documents, Darnell Jermaine Garrett, 40, armed the home he sold cocaine base and marijuana out of with two loaded firearms. In August 2025, Garrett pistol whipped a person at his home who he believed was stealing from him. After completing his term of imprisonment, Garrett will be required to serve a five-year term of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system. United States Attorney David C. Waterman of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. The Scott County Sheriff's Office investigated 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. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit Justice.gov/PSN.