title: Federal Judge Sentences Man to Four Years in Prison for $2 Million COVID-Relief Fraud

body_text: CHICAGO – A man has been sentenced to four years in federal prison for submitting—and teaching others how to submit—false Covid-relief loan applications on behalf of themselves and others who paid kickbacks to him and his co-schemers. Under the leadership of United States Attorney Andrew S. Boutros and consistent with the Administration’s priorities to identify, investigate, and prosecute criminal fraud in the federal government entitlement and benefit programs, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Illinois has been taking a fresh look at Covid-19 fraud. JAMES TOWNSEND schemed to fraudulently obtain more than $2 million in small business loans under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act). In 2021, Townsend submitted and caused to be submitted more than 100 applications for loans under the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) on behalf of dozens of sole proprietorships purportedly operated by Townsend and others. The applications contained numerous false statements and misrepresentations regarding the purported proprietorships’ operations, including the number of employees, gross revenues, and payroll expenses. In reality, the applicants did not operate sole proprietorships, nor did they employ any individuals or incur operational expenses such as payroll. For each successful fraudulent loan, Townsend and his co-schemers received kickback payments from the loan applicants. Townsend pleaded guilty earlier this year to a federal wire fraud charge. On June 24, 2026, U.S. District Chief Judge Virginia M. Kendall sentenced Townsend to four years in federal prison and ordered him to pay full restitution. Townsend also recruited and directed co-defendants SARAH STOKES 37, of Crestwood, Ill., and AMANDA HELLER, 40, of Crestwood, Ill., to find putative borrowers, complete and submit fraudulent applications on their behalf, and then share the proceeds. Stokes and Heller each pleaded guilty to a federal wire fraud charge. Stokes was sentenced in November 2025 to 18 months in federal prison. Heller’s sentencing is set for Oct. 28, 2026. U.S. Attorney Boutros announced Townsend’s sentence along with Lucas Rothaar, Acting Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Office of the FBI. Valuable assistance was provided by the Illinois Attorney General’s Office. “Defendant’s crime was serious,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Adam L. Rosenbloom argued in the government’s sentencing memorandum in Townsend’s case. “He defrauded the government of millions of dollars meant to help regular Americans survive a once-in-a-lifetime pandemic.” On April 7, 2026, 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: Chicago Man Convicted of Plotting To Kill Two Witnesses in Cousin’s Murder Trial

component: USAO - Illinois, Northern

body_text: CHICAGO — A Chicago man has been convicted on federal murder-for-hire charges for plotting to kill two potential witnesses in his cousin’s murder trial. In the summer of 2024, CHRISTOPHER YATES sought the killings of two individuals he believed would testify against his cousin, who was set to go to trial in Cook County for allegedly fatally shooting a woman in 2020. Yates recruited two individuals to carry out the killings of the witnesses and provided them with a handgun and ammunition. Yates told them, “I want them both off the board. Both of them got to [expletive] go.” Yates provided them with $250 in cash and said he could offer more money later as payment for the killings. “Whatever you charge, I’m working on that,” Yates told them. Yates, 41, was arrested on July 31, 2024, before the killings could be carried out. He has remained detained in federal custody since then. After a week-long trial in U.S. District Court in Chicago, the jury convicted Yates on June 29, 2026, of two counts of murder-for-hire and one count of unlawful transfer of a firearm and ammunition. The unlawful transfer charge is punishable by up to 15 years in federal prison, while each murder-for-hire count is punishable by up to ten years. U.S. District Judge Steven C. Seeger set sentencing for Oct. 28, 2026. The conviction was announced by Andrew S. Boutros, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, and Matthew Scarpino, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago office of Homeland Security Investigations. Substantial assistance was provided by the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office and the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General. The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kirsten Moran and Megan Donohue.


title: Mason City Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for  Illegally Possessing Ammunition

component: USAO - Iowa, Northern

body_text: Luke Braniff, age 26, from Mason City, Iowa, was sentenced in federal court in Sioux City today to nine years for his felon in possession of ammunition conviction. Braniff was previously convicted of two counts of lascivious acts with a child in 2017, and sex offender registry violations, in 2018, 2023, and 2025. These felony convictions prohibit Braniff from possessing any guns or ammunition. At the plea hearing on March 3, 2026, Braniff admitted to possessing ammunition knowing he was prohibited from doing so due to his previous convictions. Law enforcement officers became aware of Braniff’s illegal possession of ammunition during an investigation regarding reports of Braniff sending vulgar sexual messages on Snapchat to a minor female and requesting nude images of the child. United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand sentenced Braniff to 108 months’ imprisonment and he must serve a three-year term of supervised release following imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. Braniff is being held in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service until he can be transported to a federal prison. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc . For more information about Internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab “resources.” This case is also part of Operation Take Back America a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. The case was investigated by the Mason City Police Department and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kraig R. Hamit. Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl . The case file number is 25-3039. Follow us on X @USAO_NDIA.


title: Jury Convicts Delhi Man of Methamphetamine Offenses

body_text: A man who agreed to distribute methamphetamine and was found in possession of over 1,800 grams of methamphetamine was convicted by a jury on July 8, 2026, after a three-day trial in federal court in Cedar Rapids. Jesse Jon Harbach, age 45, from Delhi, Iowa, was convicted of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. The verdict was returned on the afternoon of July 8, 2026, following two hours of jury deliberations. The evidence at trial showed that Harbach obtained methamphetamine from his source of supply in Arizona for over two years. During that time, Harbach received multiple packages at a rural Delhi residence. On March 10, 2025, after Harbach and an associate picked up a package, law enforcement officers stopped the car Harbach was in. Officers found a package at Harbach’s feet that contained over 1,800 grams of methamphetamine. Sentencing before United States District Court Chief Judge C.J. Williams will be set after a presentence report is prepared. Harbach remains in custody of the United States Marshal pending sentencing. Harbach faces a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years’ imprisonment and a possible maximum sentence of life imprisonment, a $20,000,000 fine, and at least five years of supervised release following any imprisonment. The case is being prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Michael Hudson and Assistant United States Attorney Dan Chatham and was investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service, the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, the Iowa State Patrol, the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office, and the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigations Forensic Laboratory. Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl . The case file number is 25-CR-2059. Follow us on X @USAO_NDIA.


title: Marianna Felon Indicted for  Drug Trafficking and Firearms Offenses

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

body_text: Tallahassee, Florida – Michael Dontavious James, 34, of Marianna, Florida, has been indicted in federal court on one count of possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida announced the charges. James appeared in federal court for his arraignment before United States Magistrate Judge Martin A. Fitzpatrick in Tallahassee, Florida. Jury trial is scheduled for July 27, 2026, at 8:30 am, before Chief District Judge Allen C. Winsor in Tallahassee, Florida. James faces up to 20 years’ imprisonment on the possession of a controlled substance count; a minimum mandatory 5 years’ imprisonment, and up to life imprisonment, consecutive to any other sentence on the possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense count; and up to 15 years’ imprisonment on the possession of a firearm by a convicted felon count. The case was jointly investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives with assistance from the Florida Highway Patrol. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Eric W. Welch and Jessica S. Etherton. An indictment is merely an allegation by a grand jury that a defendant has committed a violation of federal criminal law and is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial, during which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial. This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndfl .


title: Gainesville Man Pleads Guilty to  Producing Child Pornography

component: USAO - Florida, Northern

body_text: Gainesville, Florida – Robert Lee Johnson, III, 39, of Gainesville, Florida, pleaded guilty in federal court to two counts of production of child pornography. The plea was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida. U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “This defendant preyed upon and sexually exploited a minor child, but thanks to the excellent investigative work by our state and federal law enforcement partners and the aggressive prosecution by my office he is on his way to federal prison. Keeping disgusting predators, like this defendant, locked away is key to keeping our kids safe.” Court documents reflect that the defendant met the minor victim in 2020, when the victim was 14 and the defendant was 33. The defendant recorded sexual acts with the minor victim and then threatened to post the videos of the victim online. A search warrant revealed the defendant’s phone contained the sexually explicit videos of his exploitation of the minor victim. For each count, Johnson faces a mandatory minimum of 15 years’ imprisonment, and up to 30 years imprisonment. Johnson will be required to register as a sex offender. Sentencing is scheduled for September 1, 2026, at 11:30 am, at the United States Courthouse in Gainesville, Florida before Chief United States District Judge Allen C. Winsor. The case involved a joint investigation by the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office and Homeland Security Investigations. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Christie Utt. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys' Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit Justice.gov/PSC . The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndfl .


title: U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Alabama Highlights Three Landmark Cases

component: USAO - Alabama, Northern

body_text: BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The U.S. Attorney’s Office is proud to highlight three landmark cases that achieved historic outcomes and reflect the Office’s commitment to protecting the public, announced U.S. Attorney Phillip W. Williams Jr. “The good people of north Alabama should know that the federal prosecutors in the Northern District have been setting the bar high with cases that make waves on a national scale. These cases demonstrate the hard work and dedication of our prosecutors and law enforcement partners,” said U.S. Attorney Phillip W. Williams Jr. “Whether dismantling a sophisticated criminal enterprise, helping bring one of the FBI’s most wanted fugitives to justice, or prosecuting those engaged in dog fighting, our mission remains the same: protecting the public and enforcing the rule of law.” Largest Sports Betting Takedown in Department of Justice History The U.S. Attorney’s Office successfully prosecuted a nationwide illegal sports betting scheme that resulted in the largest sports betting enforcement action in Department of Justice history. In February 2025, Timothy J. Pughsley, Nathan Burdette, Christopher Burdette, Thomas Zito, Gary Rapp, Mark Giaquinto, Matthew Voorhees, David Richards, and Joshua Gentrup pleaded guilty to managing a multi-million-dollar sports betting operation. The organization eventually became known as “Red44,” and bookmaking and betting activities occurred online via an offshore server located in Costa Rica. It is estimated that the organization accepted over $2 billion in wagers during its existence. Within the plea agreements, the defendants—all senior agents within Red44—agreed to pay excise tax restitution totaling $19,777,382.61 to the IRS arising from their acceptance of wagers from sports betters across the U.S. and to satisfy any income tax obligations that remain outstanding. Assistance in the Arrest of an FBI Most Wanted Child Pornographer In this case, the U.S. Attorney’s Office worked alongside law enforcement partners to assist in the arrest of William Michael Spearman. The Office assisted the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida to secure the warrants that led to the FBI executing a no-knock warrant on Spearman’s house in Madison which resulted in the seizure of his servers and his arrest. Prosecutors handled the preliminary and detention hearings in Huntsville to ensure Spearman remained in federal custody. Spearman pleaded guilty in the Florida district to engaging in a child exploitation enterprise and received a life sentence. Notably, in June 2026, the Eleventh Circuit issued a published opinion dismissing Spearman’s claim of an illegal search of his home and affirming his conviction. Spearman controlled one of the world’s largest darknet websites dedicated to the advertisement and distribution of images and videos depicting child sexual abuse material. It was international in scope. It’s very likely that thousands, maybe tens of thousands, of innocent children were victimized. Spearman oversaw thousands of users, gave directions, and promoted and perpetrated child sexual exploitation in such a size and scope that he became the FBI’s most wanted child pornographer. Second-Largest Animal Rescue in Department of Justice History In another significant case, the Office prosecuted Carlton Lenard Adams for his role in a large-scale dog fighting operation that resulted in the rescue of 78 dogs. At the time of rescue, this was the second largest number of dogs ever recovered from a single defendant in a federal case. Carlton Lenard Adams maintained a stock of 78 fighting dogs among three properties. When they were rescued, some of the dogs bore scars and other injuries, and some were living in conditions of extreme neglect. In addition to the dogs, law enforcement also recovered tools and supplies used in training and keeping dogs used for fighting. These items included modified treadmills to hold dogs in place for conditioning, injectable veterinary steroids, suture materials and syringes, skin staplers, intravenous bags and lines, a homemade breeding stand, and a break stick device used to break the bite hold of a dog. Adams was sentenced to 120 months in prison. In addition to the prison sentence, the court also imposed a restitution of $548,449 for the costs of care of 78 pit bull-type dogs rescued during this investigation.


title: Mexican National Sentenced to 13 Years in Prison for Trafficking Methamphetamine

component: USAO - North Carolina, Middle

body_text: GREENSBORO, N.C. – On July 10, 2026, Jonathan Mastache Juarez was sentenced to 156 months in prison for possessing with intent to distribute 1.7 kilograms of 98% pure methamphetamine in violation of Title 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(B). Mastache Juarez, age 39, of Sanford, North Carolina, appeared before Chief Judge William L. Osteen and was also sentenced to 4 years of supervised release following his prison term. Mastache Juarez was charged by federal indictment in August 2025 and pled guilty in February 2026. Dan Bishop, United States Attorney for the Middle District of North Carolina, made the announcement and thanked Homeland Security Investigations, the State Bureau of Investigation, Sanford Police Department, and Lee County Sheriff’s Office for their work investigating the case. “Today’s sentencing concludes a successful collaboration with our state and local partners that makes Sanford and Lee County safer and stronger communities,” said U.S. Attorney Bishop. “Stopping the flow of dangerous drugs trafficked by Mexican organizations is a top priority for federal prosecutors.” “This operation highlights the power of our federal and state partnerships to dismantle trafficking networks flooding North Carolina with high-purity methamphetamine,” said Mark M. Zito, Special Agent in Charge of HSI Carolinas. “Working alongside the North Carolina SBI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office, HSI remains relentless in targeting those who endanger our neighborhoods with narcotics and firearms.” In December 2024, law enforcement intercepted a package containing 1.7 kilograms of methamphetamine mailed from California to Mastache Juarez’s residence in Sanford. Homeland Security Investigations conducted a controlled delivery followed by the execution of a search warrant. Agents found Mastache Juarez in possession of the package which he had partially opened. In Mastache Juarez’s bedroom, agents recovered 200 grams of cocaine, three rifles, and a handgun. Mastache Juarez’s cousin arranged the shipment of methamphetamine from Mexico. Mastache Juarez was initially arrested on state charges. Mastache Juarez is a Mexican national who had lawful permanent status in the United States at the time of his arrest and conviction. Following conviction, his legal status was revoked and his application for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) was denied. Upon completion of his sentence, he will be removed from the United States and returned to Mexico. ###


title: BATON ROUGE MAN SENTENCED TO 110 MONTHS IN FEDERAL PRISON FOR MAJOR DRUG TRAFFICKING CONSPIRACY

component: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

body_text: Alexander Brock, age 60, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, was sentenced to 110 months in federal prison following his conviction for conspiracy to distribute and to possess with the intent to distribute cocaine and crack cocaine. U.S. District Judge John W. deGravelles further sentenced Brock to serve four years of supervised release following his term of imprisonment. After a three-day trial, the jury unanimously convicted Brock of conspiracy to distribute cocaine and crack cocaine. As the evidence at trial demonstrated, Brock acted as a middleman by repeatedly brokering high-quantity deals to distribute cocaine and crack cocaine in East Baton Rouge and Iberville Parishes, while also converting cocaine into crack cocaine and distributing those substances to his own customers. The jury also determined that the conspiracy involved more than 500 grams of cocaine and more than 28 grams of crack cocaine. U.S. Attorney Kurt L. Wall praised the work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Iberville Parish Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorneys Jessica Jarreau, who also serves as Deputy Chief in the Criminal Division, and Benjamin Anderson led the prosecution. “The success of these operations is attributed to true teamwork. I am proud of our prosecutors and thankful for our local and federal partners. They are working every day to make our community safer,” U.S. Attorney Wall said. This prosecution was part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF New Orleans comprises agents and officers from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), and the United States Marshals Service (USMS), U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Enforcement and Removal Operations (ICE-ERO), the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), the U.S. Coast Guard, Investigative Service (CGIS), U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations (CBP OFO), U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Border Patrol (CBP BP) with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney's Office for Middle District of Louisiana.


title: Twice-Deported Mexican National Charged with Illegal Reentry Into  the United States

component: USAO - Florida, Middle

body_text: Jacksonville, Florida – Ignatio Mateos-Herrera (33, Mexico) has been charged by federal indictment with illegal reentry into the United States by a previously deported alien. If convicted, Mateos-Herrera faces up to two years in federal prison and subsequent deportation and removal from the United States. U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe made the announcement. According to the indictment, on March 18, 2016, and again on April 27, 2017, Mateos-Herrera was removed from the United States by immigration authorities. On June 20, 2026, Mateos-Herrera was found to be voluntarily back in the United States and was arrested in the Middle District of Florida. Records checks confirmed that he had not applied to U.S. immigration authorities for permission to lawfully reenter the United States after his prior removals. An indictment is only an allegation, and every defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty. This case was investigated by the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney D. Rodney Brown. 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: Middleburg Man Convicted by Jury of Federal Firearms and Drug Offenses

body_text: Jacksonville, Florida – A federal jury has found James Malcolm Davis (47, Middleburg) guilty of possession of methamphetamine and possession of firearms by a convicted felon. Davis faces a maximum of 16 years in federal prison. His sentencing hearing has not yet been scheduled. U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe made the announcement. According to evidence presented at trial, on October 31, 2024, as part of an ongoing criminal investigation, Clay County Sheriff’s Office narcotics detectives conducted a traffic stop on Davis and located a baggie containing methamphetamine in Davis’s pants pocket, and approximately 40 grams of methamphetamine in his backpack. Following his arrest, the detectives applied for and executed a search warrant for Davis’s camper, which was located in Middleburg, Florida. Inside the camper were four firearms, over 1,500 rounds of ammunition, pipes used to smoke methamphetamine, and a bullet proof vest. The firearms included a .22 caliber rifle, two semi-automatic assault style rifles, and a revolver. Davis provided a detective with the combination to a safe, inside of which were two of those firearms. Davis has prior felony convictions, including for aggravated assault, felony battery, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Therefore, he is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition under federal law. This case was investigated by the Clay County Sheriff’s Office, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Drug Enforcement Administration. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney John Cannizzaro.


title: Maryland Woman Sentenced for Role in Multi-Million Dollar  Money Laundering Conspiracy HSTF Case

component: National Fraud Enforcement Division

body_text: Baltimore, Maryland – A Maryland woman received a federal-prison term in connection with her role in a multi-million-dollar money laundering scheme. Judge Matthew J. Maddox sentenced Fatoumata Boiro, 32, of Largo, to two years in prison, followed by two years of supervised release, for conspiring to engage in a large, multi-member, money laundering conspiracy. Additionally, Judge Maddox ordered Boiro to pay $6,838,558.31 in restitution. Boiro, who pled guilty to participating in the money laundering conspiracy, admitted that at least $3 million in money laundering occurred pursuant to her direct participation in the conspiracy. Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the sentence with Special Agent in Charge Akil Baldwin, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) – Maryland; Special Agent in Charge Kareem A. Carter, Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) – Washington, D.C. Field Office; and Acting Special Agent in Charge George Golliday, Environmental Protection Agency Office of Inspector General (EPA-OIG). This prosecution is part of the Trump Administration’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud along with the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF). According to court documents, beginning in 2021, and continuing until February 2024, Boiro conspired with multiple individuals to launder proceeds of a large-scale wire fraud. The co-conspirators engaged in various financial transactions to conceal the nature, location, source, ownership, and control of the wire-fraud proceeds, while carrying out the conspiracy. The victims included government agencies, organizations, and companies, including an environmental trust, urban redevelopment program, medical center, transportation and logistics company, school district, college, and county government, among others. Boiro and her co-conspirators worked with each other to create limited liability companies to serve as shell entities; open bank accounts and/or cause bank accounts to be opened in the name of shell entities; and receive and launder fraud proceeds. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland previously charged 14 defendants in two different cases in connection with the money laundering conspiracy – 13 already pled guilty. Faizou Gnora, 28, previously of Alexandria, Virginia, remains a fugitive from justice. The Office also charged other co-conspirators in additional cases. The District Court previously sentenced: Yahya Sowe, 42, of College Park, to 114 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, restitution of $13,050,827.03, and forfeiture of $1 million; Bright Boateng, 45, of Bladensburg, Maryland, to 108 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, restitution of $1,247,950, and a forfeiture of $431,750; Victor Killen, 33, of Hyattsville, Maryland, to 63 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, restitution of $7,070,656.46, and a $3-million forfeiture order; Gedeon Agbeyome, 31, of Montgomery County, Maryland, to 72 months in federal prison, followed by one year of supervised release, along with restitution of $2,938,424.65, and a $2.8 million preliminary order of forfeiture; Lawrence Ogunsanwo, 33, to 40 months in federal prison, followed by one year of supervised release, and restitution of $5,648,816.23; Lakeisha Parker, 33, of Baltimore, to 36 months in federal prison, followed by three years supervised release, and restitution of $8,306,930.95; Martin Ogisi, 37, of Severn, Maryland, to 33 months in federal prison, followed by one year of supervised release, restitution of $11,077,044.17; and a $500,000 forfeiture order; Kevin Colon, 34, of Curtis Bay, Maryland, to 27 months in federal prison, followed by two years of supervised release, restitution of $2,515,159.63, and a $214,518.42 forfeiture order; Areal Harris, 27, of Hanover, Maryland, to 24 months in federal prison, followed by one year of supervised release, and restitution of $3,159,482.83; Emily Gil Arias, 29, of Silver Spring, Maryland to 24 months in federal prison, followed by one year of supervised release, and restitution of 2,102,919.27; Lorena Perez Herrera, 29, of Washington, DC, to 24 months in federal prison, followed by one year of supervised release, and restitution of $1,473,125.58; and Blondel Ndjouandjouaka, 31, of Silver Spring, Maryland, to 24 months in federal prison, followed by one year of supervised release, restitution of $733,941.48, and a $757,562.63 forfeiture order. 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. This prosecution is also part of the HSTF initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF Baltimore is comprised of agents and officers from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); Homeland Security Investigations (HSI); the United States Attorney’s Office (USAO) for the District of Maryland; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF); the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA); the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI); the United States Marshals Service (USMS); the Washington/Baltimore HIDTA (W/B HIDTA); the Maryland State Police (MSP); the Baltimore Police Department (BPD); and the Baltimore County Police Department (BCPD) with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland. U.S. Attorney Hayes commended the HSI-led Document and Benefit Fraud Task Force, and thanked IRS-CI and EPA-OIG for their work in the investigation, and praised the Anne Arundel County, Prince George’s County, and Montgomery County Police Departments for their assistance. Ms. Hayes also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Harry M. Gruber and Bijon A. Mostoufi, who prosecuted the federal case, and Paralegal Specialist Joanna B.N. Huber, for her assistance. For more information about the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to report fraud, please visit justice.gov/usao-md and justice.gov/usao-md/report-fraud . # # #


title: Former Anne Arundel County Police Officer Sentenced  in Connection With Insurance Fraud Scheme

body_text: Greenbelt, Maryland – A federal judge sentenced a former Anne Arundel County police officer for his role in an auto-insurance fraud scheme. Judge Lydia Griggsby sentenced Jaron Earl Taylor, 32, of Ft. Washington, Maryland, to three years of probation, with the first five months served on home detention, for conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Judge Griggsby also ordered Taylor to pay $38,670 in restitution to the United States Automobile Association. Co-conspirator Michael Anthony Owen, Jr., 38, of Accokeek, Maryland, previously pled guilty to falsifying records, in connection with the conspiracy. Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the sentence with Special Agent in Charge Jimmy Paul, FBI – Baltimore Field Office, and Chief George Nader, Prince George’s County Police Department (PGPD). According to court documents, between August 2018 and February 2020, Taylor and Owen, who were Anne Arundel County Police Department and PGPD officers, respectively, at the time, conspired with fellow police officers to engage in mail and wire fraud. Taylor and Owen, along with officers Candace Tyler, 39, of Bowie, Maryland, who pled guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud; Conrad D’Haiti, 56, of La Plata, Maryland, who pled guilty to conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud; and Davion Percy, 41, of Suitland, Maryland, who a jury convicted at trial in June 2026, of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, and others, devised a scheme for insurance companies to pay out the remaining financing costs of unwanted vehicles. Members of the conspiracy reported fictitious losses to insurers to obtain money or avoid paying off vehicles that were now worth less than the amount owed on them. The co-conspirators used their statuses as police officers to assist each other’s claims by writing false police reports. Then co-conspirators submitted fictitious police reports to insurers to validate the claim. The false police reports were intended to impede, obstruct, or influence subsequent investigations of the false insurance claims. In August 2018, Taylor and Owen staged the theft of Taylor’s Chevrolet Tahoe. After Taylor filed a fraudulent police report, Taylor and Owen stripped the vehicle and drove it deep into the woods of a Maryland State Highway property near Largo, Maryland. Taylor then made a false claim to the United Services Automobile Association (USAA) for the loss, for which USAA paid out a total of $38,670. Then in January 2020, Owen assisted D’Haiti in avoiding payment on the loan balance of a Jaguar XKR. In cooperation with D’Haiti and Percy, Owen devised a scheme to fake the vehicle’s theft. On January 4, D’Haiti parked his Jaguar behind Marlow Heights Shopping Center where Percy worked as police chief. D’Haiti then paid Percy $350 to arrange for another co-conspirator to tow the vehicle and extensively vandalize it for the purpose of creating a total insurance loss. Tyler subsequently filed the fictitious police report which D’Haiti used to substantiate his claim against Liberty Mutual Insurance. In February 2020, Liberty Mutual paid the Jaguar’s lienholder, Navy Federal Credit Union, $17,585, on the false claim. Additionally, in January 2020, Taylor and Owen assisted with disposing of an Infiniti sedan to help a co-conspirator avoid making further payments on the vehicle while on extended overseas duty. The co-conspirator gave Taylor $1,000 via CashApp to stage the theft. Taylor then forwarded the money to Owen who filed a false police report with PGPD, stating the vehicle was stolen. But Taylor, Owen, and others moved the car to the top floor of a Camp Springs, Maryland, apartment-complex parking garage. The co-conspirators attempted to conceal the car’s identity by removing the vehicle’s license plates and replacing them with different ones registered to another vehicle. Then the owner and co-conspirator filed a claim with GEICO that was eventually denied on grounds of fraud. Owen’s sentencing is scheduled for Tuesday, August 18, at 2:30 p.m. U.S. Attorney Hayes commended the FBI and PGPD for their work in the investigation. Ms. Hayes also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joseph Baldwin, Adeyemi Adenrele, and Caroline Schechinger who are prosecuting the case. For more information about the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to report fraud, visit justice.gov/usao-md . # # #


title: Suspected Dominican National Charged with Possession with Intent to Distribute Fentanyl Analog, Healthcare Benefit Fraud and Aggravated Identity Theft

component: USAO - Massachusetts

body_text: BOSTON – A suspected Dominican national unlawfully residing in Boston has been indicted by a federal grand jury for possession with intent to distribute, as well as healthcare benefit fraud and aggravated identity theft. John Doe, an individual whose identity is unknown but allegedly has been residing in the United States without lawful status since at least 2004, was charged with possession with intent to distribute meta-Fluorofentanyl, a Schedule I fentanyl analogue, healthcare benefit fraud and aggravated identity theft. John Doe was arrested on June 18, 2026, and has been held in pretrial custody since his arrest. According to the charging documents, Doe allegedly used the stolen identity of a U.S. citizen, including the citizen’s social security number, to obtain government benefits. Specifically, the defendant allegedly represented that he was a U.S. citizen when applying for healthcare benefits in Massachusetts and submitted a sworn affidavit falsely alleging the same. According to the criminal complaint, Doe allegedly obtained over $30,000 in MassHealth benefits using the stolen identity. Doe also allegedly committed prior drug offenses in the name of the U.S. citizen, including federal convictions in April 2015 in the District of Massachusetts for possession with intent to distribute heroin and conspiracy, for which the defendant received two-year sentence, and January 2025 state convictions for drug possession and distribution, for which defendant received a six-month sentence. The charge for possession with intent to distribute controlled substances provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $1 million. The charge of making false statements relating to a health care program provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. The charge of aggravated identity theft provides for a mandatory two-year sentence to run consecutively to any other sentence imposed, one year of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. The defendant is subject to deportation upon completion of any sentence imposed. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case. United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Jeff Grimming, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England; and Roberto Coviello, Special Agent in Charge of the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division; and the United States Marshals Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Colin T. Missett of the Health Care Fraud Unit is prosecuting the case. On March 26, 2026 , United States Attorney Leah B. Foley announced the creation of the Benefit & Voter Fraud Team, a district-wide initiative established in response to the rampant fraud being uncovered across Massachusetts. The Team is led by two senior federal prosecutors serving as Fraud Coordinators, whose mission it is to aggressively investigate and prosecute misuse of taxpayer-funded benefits in Massachusetts. Members of the public are encouraged to report suspected benefit fraud in Massachusetts by calling 1-855-SCAM-MA-1 (855-722-6621). On April 7, 2026, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division . The Fraud Division is investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against the American people. The Department’s work to combat fraud supports President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs. The details contained in the charging document are allegations. The defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in the court of law.


title: Former and Current MBTA Employees Charged for Conspiracies to Falsify Red Line Track Inspection Reports and Collect Fraudulent Overtime Payments

body_text: BOSTON – Six former Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) employees and one current MBTA employee were charged today in a Superseding Indictment for multiple conspiracies, including allegedly conspiring to falsify Red Line track inspection reports as well as to commit overtime fraud. Brian Pfaffinger, 48, of Marshfield, was indicted for conspiracy to falsify records; conspiracy to commit wire fraud; falsification of records, aiding and abetting; and false statements, aiding and abetting; Ronald Gamble, 63, of Dorchester, was indicted for conspiracy to falsify records; conspiracy to commit wire fraud; wire fraud, aiding and abetting; falsification of records, aiding and abetting; and false statements, aiding and abetting; Magda Trinh, 45, of Avon, was indicted for conspiracy to falsify records; conspiracy to commit wire fraud; wire fraud, aiding and abetting; Jensen Vatel, 43, of Brockton, was indicted for conspiracy to falsify records; conspiracy to commit wire fraud; wire fraud, aiding and abetting; falsification of records, aiding and abetting; and false statements, aiding and abetting; Nathalie Mendes, 54, of New Bedford, was indicted for conspiracy to falsify records; conspiracy to commit wire fraud; wire fraud, aiding and abetting; falsification of records, aiding and abetting; false statements, aiding and abetting; and wire fraud; Danny Barbosa, 37, of Dorchester, was indicted for conspiracy to commit wire fraud and wire fraud, aiding and abetting; and Matthew Leonard, 37, of Easton, was indicted for conspiracy to commit wire fraud and wire fraud, aiding and abetting. Pfaffinger, Gamble, Vatel and Mendes were previously indicted on May 22, 2025 and arrested on May 29, 2025. Trinh, Barbosa and Leonard were arrested this morning and appeared in federal court in Boston today. According to the charging documents, the defendants were all former Red Line Maintenance of Way employees. Pfaffinger served as the team’s supervisor and Gamble, Trinh, Vatel and Mendes were former track inspectors. As track inspectors, Gamble, Trinh, Vatel and Mendes’ job duties included completing track inspections for the Red Line. To complete the inspections, track inspectors used MBTA-issued cellular phones with an application called MaxTrax to record information regarding their track inspections, including whether the inspection was completed. The application then generated a report with details concerning the inspection: Rather than complete inspections, from Jan. 1, 2024 to Oct. 16, 2024, it is alleged that Pfaffinger, Gamble, Trinh, Vatel and Mendes either falsified track inspection reports or aided and abetted the submission of falsified inspection reports. To avoid scrutiny from senior MBTA officials about the lack of work being performed, Gamble and Trinh allegedly instructed Vatel, Mendes and other Red Line track inspectors to falsely extend the duration of their track inspections on the reports. It is further alleged that some of the track inspectors, including Vatel and Mendes, falsified the train numbers on their inspection reports by inserting train numbers they found online rather than completing train rides as required for inspections. Additionally, during the times when some of the inspections were reported as having been conducted, it is alleged that Gamble, Trinh, Vatel and Mendes were actually present inside Cabot Yard – a MBTA location that contained a coffee and breakroom for Red Line inspection employees. Cabot Yard also contained a large garage where Gamble, Vatel, Barbosa and Leonard allegedly worked on private vehicles during work hours: It is alleged that Pfaffinger not only knew that his subordinates worked on private vehicles during work hours, but had his subordinates perform work on his own personal vehicle as well. In one instance, in July 2024, Pfaffinger notified his subordinates that multiple tracks – supposedly being inspected by track inspectors subordinate to him – had serious defects. Only 10 days later, however, Pfaffinger allegedly requested his subordinates use their workday to perform work on his private vehicle: Furthermore, it is alleged that from Jan. 1, 2024 to Oct. 16, 2024, Gamble frequently created overtime sheets, which he submitted directly to payroll, falsely claiming that he, Trinh, Mendes, Vatel, Barbosa and Leonard worked overtime shifts that they did not. Rather than work their overtime shifts, Gamble, Trinh, Mendes, Vatel, Barbosa and Leonard allegedly did the following: (1) they did not show up at all for the shift; (2) they showed up hours late for their shifts; or (3) they showed up at the beginning of the shift, used the hand scan and then disappeared for hours (sometimes to sleep in their vehicles) before returning to work. Gamble allegedly submitted overtime sheets for Leonard, Barbosa and others, even knowing that they did not complete their overtime shifts, to compensate them for working on private vehicles during MBTA hours. On at least one occasion, Trinh allegedly aided and abetted the submission of a falsified time sheet, alleging that Vatel worked an overtime shift that he did not. Gambled allegedly copied Pfaffinger on these overtime submissions to payroll and, as the supervisor, Pfaffinger allegedly approved all time sheets for his subordinates. The charge of conspiracy to falsify records provides a sentence of up to five years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charges of falsification of records, conspiracy to commit wire fraud and wire fraud each provide for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of false statements provides a sentence of up to five years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of aiding and abetting provides that an individual who aids and abets is punishable as a principal. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case. United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Elise Chawaga, Principal Inspector General of the United States Department of Transportation, Office of Inspector General; and Anthony D’Esposito, Inspector General, U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General, made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the United States Postal Inspection Service and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lucy Sun of the Public Corruption & Special Prosecutions Unit is prosecuting the case.


title: Brazilian National Arrested for Armed Robbery of a Cash Courier

body_text: BOSTON – A Brazilian national, unlawfully residing in the United States on an expired visa, has been arrested in Florida and charged in connection with the armed robbery of a cash courier in Framingham, Mass. last November, which resulted in the theft of approximately $200,000. Helbert Oliveira, 47, has been charged with Hobbs Act armed robbery and conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act armed robbery. Oliveira made his initial appearance in the Southern District of Florida today and will appear in Boston at a later date. According to the charging documents, Oliveira is alleged to have conspired with another individual, Curt Porcher, to rob a cash courier delivering money to a Framingham business. Porcher allegedly served as the getaway driver in a rented vehicle, while Oliveira is accused of pointing a firearm at the victim and taking approximately $200,000. Surveillance footage from the robbery is included below: Prior to Oliveira’s arrest, his alleged co-conspirator, Porcher, was charged by criminal complaint in the District of Massachusetts with Hobbs Act armed robbery and conspiracy. He was subsequently indicted on April 22, 2026. The charge of Hobbs Act armed robbery, or conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act armed robbery, provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case. United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Miami Division and the Marlborough Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Aidan Lang of the Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting Oliveira. Assistant U.S. Attorney Rob Richardson, also of the Major Crimes Unit, is prosecuting Oliveira’s alleged co-conspirator, Porcher. The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.


title: Homeland Security Task Force shuts down Mexican cocaine smuggling operation leading to 15 prison sentences

component: USAO - Kansas

body_text: KANSAS CITY, KAN. – The last of 15 defendants was sentenced to prison after a Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) investigation dismantled a Kansas City metro-based drug trafficking ring linked to Mexico. In December 2019, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) launched an investigation into a drug trafficking ring headed by Santiago Gamboa-Saenz. Gamboa-Saenz, 39, is an illegal alien from Chihuahua, Mexico. His network of traffickers smuggled cocaine from Mexico into the United States, which was then transported and distributed in Kansas City, Kansas, Kansas City, Missouri, Saint Louis, Chicago, the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, and Indiana. Through investigation, agents tied the criminal network to houses on West 98th Street in Overland Park and South Montebello in Olathe. They also determined a mechanic shop on Kaw Drive in Kansas City, Kansas, was being used to outfit vehicles with hidden compartments to transport drugs and drug money. Search warrants executed at these locations and others resulted in the seizure of over $733,000 and over 18.0 net kilograms of cocaine. Vehicle stops led to the discovery of hidden compartments with $533,780 in cash, more than 12.0 net kilograms of cocaine, drug paraphernalia, and many drug ledgers. The drug ledgers alone document drug proceeds from cocaine sales in the amount of $48,783,269. The drug trafficking organization sold cocaine to its customers for $29,000 to $36,000 per kilogram. “What may look like legitimate businesses from the outside can sometimes be criminal operations. These smugglers used a mechanic shop as a front in attempt to fly under the radar of law enforcement,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan A. Kriegshauser. “They used the space to custom outfit vehicles with hidden compartments allowing them to move large amounts of illegal narcotics and hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash at a time.” “This operation demonstrates to Americans the vast reach of drug trafficking organizations within the Midwest, but more importantly, puts on display the impressive capabilities of combined law enforcement efforts,” DEA St. Louis Field Division Special Agent in Charge Steven Hofer said. “Cartel members and affiliates are not welcome here. The DEA and our many partners will not slow down or be deterred as we work toward dismantling the drug trafficking organizations terrorizing our communities.” “Let this case serve as a warning: Homeland Security Investigations and our task force partners will relentlessly pursue and dismantle any criminal organization that dares to smuggle drugs, money, or violence into our communities,” said Homeland Security Investigations Kansas City Acting Special Agent in Charge Rick Sabatini. “We will not tolerate cartel operations in Kansas City or anywhere in the Midwest. Our agents are committed to rooting out traffickers, seizing their profits, and ensuring they face justice. The message is clear—if you threaten the safety of American families, HSI will find you, shut you down, and put you behind bars.” Santiago Gamboa-Saenz pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine. He was sentenced to 276 months imprisonment. Other defendants received the following prison sentences: Frank Gallo De La Cruz, 41, an illegal alien from Mexico, 108 months Dimas Simoes Calixto-Filho, 46, an illegal alien from Brazil, 108 months Efrain Garcia-Perez, 42, an illegal alien from Mexico, 104 months Juan Alvarez-Perez, 40, an illegal alien from Mexico, 96 months Bryan Eduardo Dominguez-Green, 24, an illegal alien from Mexico, 71 months Miguel Angel Vasquez-Rodriguez, 37, an illegal alien from Mexico, 64 months Maria Ileana Cota, 37, of Henderson, Colorado, 48 months Eduardo Ramirez-Ochoa, 36, a dual citizen of the United States and Mexico residing in Cottonwood Falls, Kansas, 46 months Jaime De Jesus Ocampo, 62, of Kansas City, Kansas, 24 months Irlanda Areyim Grajeda, 37, of Albuquerque, New Mexico, 22 months Jesus Gonzalez-Rodriguez, 41, an illegal alien from Mexico, 21 months Homero Baca-Marquez, 28, an illegal alien from Mexico, 21 months Jose Cera-Acosta, 40, of Kansas City, Kansas, 17 months Vladimir Blanco-Garciga, 54, a Cuban national residing in Riverside, Missouri, 4 months The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys David Zabel and Taylor Hines prosecuted the case. This operation is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF Kansas City comprises agents and officers from FBI; HSI; Drug Enforcement Administration; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; U.S. Marshals Service; U.S. Postal Inspection Service; and the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation Division, with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Kansas. ###


title: Former nurse loses license after forging prescriptions for Percocet and Oxycodone using coworker’s pad

body_text: KANSAS CITY, KAN. – A Missouri woman’s crimes to get illegal access to prescription narcotics resulted in the loss of her nursing license and gained her a lifetime ban from working at any hospital that receives federal funding. According to court documents, Brooke Haller, 41, of Kansas City, Missouri, pleaded guilty to one count of possession of a controlled substance by deception and subterfuge. Haller previously worked as a registered nurse at a hospital in Kansas City, Kansas. She used her position to gain access to a nurse practitioner’s prescription pad and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) number. In March 2024, Haller began to use this information to write forged prescriptions for herself using the names of her relatives for Percocet and Oxycodone, which she filled and paid for at pharmacies in Kansas and Missouri. An investigation was initiated in October 2024, after a pharmacy called the hospital to inquire about an Oxycodone prescription allegedly written by a nurse practitioner. The nurse practitioner advised she only writes electronic prescriptions. The victim indicated she had never spoken to Haller nor had she given Haller her prescription pad and DEA number. When Haller realized her scheme was falling apart, she tried to cover up her crimes. She called the hospital several times pretending to be from the pharmacy indicating the pharmacy staff questioned the validity of the prescription by mistake. Haller spoofed the pharmacy’s phone number and used several vocal disguises, including pretending to be “Peter”, but the hospital staff recognized her voice. Haller later admitted to DEA investigators that she fraudulently wrote 13 prescriptions. She obtained 90 Percocet tablets and 540 Oxycodone tablets from a pharmacy in Kansas and 1,350 Oxycodone tablets from a Missouri pharmacy. U.S. Attorney Ryan A. Kriegshauser said, “While this was a unique case, unfortunately, cases involving health care workers gaining unauthorized access to prescription narcotics are becoming more common. These professionals spent years studying and building their careers just to throw it all away, usually because of addiction. Health care professionals facing addiction need to seek help before it’s too late. Otherwise, we must make sure they are stopped for the safety of the patients they serve.” “The diversion of pharmaceutical drugs is not a victimless crime,” DEA St. Louis Field Division Special Agent in Charge Steven Hofer said. “Brooke Haller took advantage of a system intended to assist patients and violated the trust of those truly in need. Our DEA investigators did a fine job building a case that showed the copious amounts of fraud committed by Haller. As a result, she will no longer be allowed to practice in Kansas.” Haller was sentenced to three years of probation and must pay a $5,000 fine. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Faiza Alhambra prosecuted the case. ###


title: Illegal PRC National Sentenced for Unlawful Possession of Ammunition

body_text: Saipan, M.P. – SHAWN N. ANDERSON, United States Attorney for the Districts of Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands, announced that Bai Yichuan, age 40, an illegal alien from the People’s Republic of China (PRC) was sentenced by Chief Judge Ramona V. Manglona in the District Court for the Northern Mariana Islands to 24 months in federal prison for Unlawful Possession of Ammunition by an Illegal Alien, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 922(g)(5)(A) 9 and 924(a)(8). The court also imposed a one‑year term of supervised release, 50 hours of community service, and a $100 special assessment. Bai must thereafter report to immigration authorities for removal proceedings. In September 2025, Bai surrendered to the CNMI Department of Public Safety (DPS) due to an outstanding warrant seeking his arrest for alleged violent offenses. During his arrest, Bai possessed a blue bag containing a Sig Sauer magazine loaded with fifteen rounds of 9mm ammunition. He claimed ownership of the ammunition but denied knowing the location of any firearm. Bai was conditionally paroled into the CNMI in January 2018 and authorized to remain there until February 5, 2019. He continued to reside there without authorization. He was ordered removed by an immigration judge in November 2021 following a conviction for methamphetamine trafficking in the CNMI Superior Court. He was released from Department of Homeland Security (DHS) custody in March 2022 due to COVID‑19 concerns and suspended repatriation flights to the PRC. After release, he failed to report as required and was later deemed a fugitive by DHS. “Federal law prohibits illegal aliens from possessing firearms and ammunition in any quantity,” stated United States Attorney Anderson. “DPS’s referral of this case to HSI and ATF resulted in the successful prosecution of Bai, which will facilitate his removal from the United States. This case demonstrates our continuing commitment to keeping our communities safe.” “We’ll continue working with our local law enforcement partners to keep the CNMI safe. Remember that even if you’re here legally on a visa, federal law says you may not possess firearms or ammunition as an alien, and HSI will investigate and enforce these laws,” said CJ Ammons, Acting Special Agent in Charge for Homeland Security Investigations. The investigation was conducted by Homeland Security Investigations, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the CNMI Department of Public Safety. Assistant United States Attorney Garth R. Backe prosecuted the case in the District of the Northern Mariana Islands.


title: Woodbridge felon pleads guilty to federal gun charge following domestic dispute

body_text: ALEXANDRIA, Va. – A Woodbridge man pled guilty today to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. According to court documents, on Feb. 18, 2026, Fairfax County Police (FCPD) responding to a 911 call regarding a domestic dispute at an apartment in Herndon arrived to find Khari Wheeler, 27, who acknowledged that he had been knocking on the door of the apartment. When officers attempted to conduct a pat down, Wheeler attempted to flee, at which point a loaded handgun he had been carrying fell from his person. Wheeler was apprehended after a brief pursuit. USAO EDVA As a previously convicted felon, Wheeler cannot legally possess firearms or ammunition. Wheeler is scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 22 and faces up to 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 Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Washington Field Division investigated this case with assistance from FCPD. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Amber N. Rieff and April N. Russo are prosecuting the case. This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations, and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:26-cr-101.


title: Dallas County man has been extradited from Qatar to the United States to face charges in the Eastern District of Texas stemming from a Homeland Security Task Force investigation

component: Criminal - Office of International Affairs

body_text: A Garland man has been extradited from Qatar to the United States to face charges related to a Homeland Security Task Force investigation in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.


title: Dunn Housing Authority Director Sentenced to Federal Prison for Stealing Taxpayer Funds

component: USAO - North Carolina, Eastern

body_text: NEW BERN, N.C. – A federal judge sentenced Debbie Norris Woodell, 64, to two years in Federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for conspiring to commit federal program theft. Woodell was also ordered to repay $238,448 to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). “In limited circumstances, HUD pays for citizen’s housing with taxpayers’ dollars,” said U.S. Attorney Ellis Boyle. “Woodell stole those dollars robbing both taxpayers and indigent recipients of America’s generosity. We will continue to hold greedy fraudsters accountable and ensure that criminals who exploit public programs face serious consequences. Cheaters. Never. Win.” Woodell became the Executive Director of the Dunn Housing Authority (DHA) in 2014. DHA is a federally funded agency that provides affordable housing to qualifying low‑income families, seniors, and individuals with disabilities in Dunn, North Carolina. Between 2016 and 2021, Woodell exploited her position, working with others to steal more than $200,000 from DHA. As part of the scheme, she issued checks from DHA accounts to co‑conspirators for unapproved landscaping and maintenance work that they never ever started. She funneled most of the money back to her personal use. To carry out the fraud, she fabricated bid documents, created fake invoices, forged signatures, and provided false information to DHA’s board of commissioners. Woodell also misused DHA credit cards to make thousands of dollars in unauthorized personal purchases, including ATV gear and home renovations for her house. She concealed the theft by creating false receipts and altering DHA’s accounting records. “Debbie Woodell violated the trust placed in her, orchestrating multiple fraud schemes and compromising the federal procurement process by stealing more than $200,000 intended to support vulnerable members of the community,” said Special Agent in Charge Jerome Winkle of HUD’s Office of Inspector General. “Her actions were especially damaging given the limited resources available. HUD OIG will continue working with law enforcement partners to thoroughly investigate and hold accountable those who misuse public funds for personal gain.” Ellis Boyle, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Louise W. Flanagan. HUD’s Office of Inspector General investigated the case. A copy of this press release is located on our website . Related court documents and information can be located on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or PACER by searching case for Case No. 5:25-CR-103-FL-RN-1.


title: St. Louis Gang Leader Sentenced to 200 months for Illegal Gun Sales, Robbery of ATF Agent

body_text: ST. LOUIS – U.S. District Judge John A. Ross on Friday sentenced a gang leader and felon to 200 months consecutive in prison for illegally selling guns to an undercover agent of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives before setting up the agent’s robbery. Joseph Burchett, 26, of St. Louis, pleaded guilty in March to one count of aiding and abetting firearms trafficking, one count of robbery of an undercover federal agent and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. According to that plea agreement and a sentencing memo filed by Assistant U.S. Attorney Nino Przulj, Burchett sold a Glock to the agent on April 30, 2024. The agent was accompanied by Burchett’s co-defendant, Cryland Robinson, who was armed with an AR-style rifle. Burchett obtained the gun from fellow gang member Terrence Robinson. The agent had already bought three guns and methamphetamine from Cryland Robinson. At that meeting, Burchett said he had a fully automatic Glock for sale. Burchett then set up sales and used teenagers to conduct the transactions. On May 14, Burchett arranged for the sale of a fully automatic Glock 19 equipped with a drum magazine. Burchett next arranged for the sale of another fully automatic pistol and fentanyl, while secretly planning to rob the agent. On August 1, co-defendant Todd Lumpkins got into the back seat of the agent’s car. The agent, reluctant to hand over money without seeing the firearm, gave about half of the promised $1,100 to Lumpkins. Burchett and the agent were on the phone during the transaction. Lumpkins left the agent’s car and retrieved the pistol, while Burchett told the agent, “If I was you, I would have just gave it to him.” Lumpkins returned, opened the car door while brandishing the gun and stole the rest of the cash from the agent. That agent, in a letter to Judge Ross, wrote, “When Burchett said that to me over the phone, I thought there was a significant chance I was about to lose my life.” Burchett and his co-conspirators then fled from police. “Joseph Burchett illegally sold fully automatic weapons and put society at risk,” said U.S. Attorney Thomas C. Albus. “When he set up the robbery of an undercover ATF agent, he risked the life of someone who was doing nothing more than trying to protect the rest of us. This sentence should send a message that this kind of conduct will not be tolerated.” "This job asks a lot of the people who do it," said ATF Special Agent in Charge Bernard "Butch" Hansen of the Kansas City Field Division. "These defendants showed they were willing to use violence to advance their criminal enterprise, even against a federal undercover agent. I am grateful our undercover agent walked away safely from a situation that could have ended very differently. ATF agents accept extraordinary risks to take violent offenders and illegal firearms off our streets, and today's sentencing ensures everyone who played a role in this case has been held accountable." Burchett was one of four men to plead guilty in the case. Cryland Robinson, 36, of St. Louis, was sentenced to 12 years in prison. Todd Lumpkins, 20, of St. Louis, was sentenced to eight years in prison. Terrence Robinson, 35, of St. Louis, was sentenced to 46 months. The case was investigated by the ATF. Assistant U.S. Attorney Nino Przulj prosecuted the case. This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations, and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces and Project Safe Neighborhood.


title: Glenn County Man Sentenced to Nearly 20 Years in Prison for Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine

component: USAO - California, Eastern

body_text: SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Manuel Ruben Perez, 40, of Orland, was sentenced on Thursday by U.S. District Court Judge Troy L. Nunley to 19 years and 10 months in prison for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, U.S. Attorney Eric Grant announced. According to court documents, between April and July 2018, Perez worked with others to sell methamphetamine and heroin in and around Orland. During this time, Perez sourced methamphetamine from Southern California and sold it in Northern California. Over the course of the investigation, he executed at least six drug deals with a confidential informant, selling multiple kilograms of methamphetamine in total. During these transactions, Perez also sold the informant heroin when he could obtain it. Perez negotiated the prices for each deal and often had others deliver the drugs and collect the money on his behalf. The investigation uncovered that Perez sold to multiple buyers across Northern California. On Jan. 29, 2026, Perez pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. The Federal Bureau of Investigation, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, the Lassen County Sheriff’s Office, the Lassen County District Attorney’s Office, the Susanville Police Department, and the Glenn County Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney James Conolly prosecuted the case. This case is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF Sacramento is composed of agents and officers from Homeland Security Investigations, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration, Northern California High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area, Central Valley High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area, and the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of California.


title: Felon Sentenced to 27 Months for Possessing ‘Ghost Gun’ While Unconscious on D.C. Sidewalk

body_text: WASHINGTON – James Fredrick Moore, 52, a previously convicted felon residing in the District of Columbia, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court to 27 months in prison in connection with his unlawful possession of a “ghost gun” and ammunition recovered after he was found passed out on a public sidewalk in Northwest Washington, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro. Moore pleaded guilty on March 9, 2026, without the benefit of a plea agreement, before Chief Judge James E. Boasberg to unlawful possession of ammunition by a felon, to unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon, and to unlawful possession of a ghost gun. In addition to the 27-month prison term, Chief Judge Boasberg ordered Moore to serve two years of supervised release. Federal prosecutors had requested a prison term of 33 months. According to court papers, on Sept. 3, 2025, a witness called 911 to report that Moore was unconscious and in possession of a firearm at the intersection of 1st Street NW and Florida Avenue NW, a busy downtown D.C. intersection. Responding officers from the Metropolitan Police Department found Moore with a 9mm privately made pistol lacking a serial number, tucked in the back of Moore's waistband. Officers subdued Moore and recovered the loaded weapon. A search incident to arrest also uncovered suspected drug paraphernalia and a substance that field-tested positive for amphetamines. Prior to this offense, Moore had been convicted 18 times for an array of crimes that include attempted cocaine distribution, assault and sex abuse, and multiple weapons counts. The investigation was conducted by the Metropolitan Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Washington Field Office. The matter was prosecuted under the Make D.C. Safe and Beautiful initiative by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren Ibanez. Make D.C. Safe and Beautiful is a law enforcement initiative in support of President Trump's Executive Order to crack down on gun violence, prioritize federal firearms violations, pursue tougher penalties, and seek detention for federal firearms violators. The Polymer80 ghost gun recovered from Moore on Sept. 3, 2025. 25cr293


title: Felon with Prior Attempted Carjacking Convictions Sentenced for Illegal Firearm Possession

body_text: WASHINGTON – Damian Barnett, 22, a felon residing in the District who was previously convicted of two attempted carjackings, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court to 28 months in prison for illegally possessing a loaded unholstered pistol in a residential neighborhood, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro. “Barnett chose to illegally carry a loaded firearm in D.C., less than a year after being released from prison for attempted carjacking,” said U.S. Attorney Pirro. “This felon’s actions put law-abiding citizens at risk and demonstrated a blatant disregard for the law. His prior conviction should have been a turning point. Instead, it became a prelude to another crime.” Barnett pleaded guilty Nov. 20, 2025, to unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition by a felon. In addition to the 28-month prison term, Judge Jia M. Cobb ordered Barnett to serve two years of supervised release. Federal prosecutors had requested a 33-month prison term. According to court documents, on July 14, 2025, police officers on patrol in Northeast Washington encountered a group of people on the 1100 block of 16th Street, NE. Among the group was Barnett, who appeared to be smoking a marijuana cigarette. When Barnett spotted the officers, he handed off the cigarette and ran down an alley. Officers pursued Barnett and saw him reach for his waistband, pull out a firearm, and toss it into the air. Officers apprehended Barnett and recovered a Glock 19 pistol, loaded with 23 rounds of ammunition, in the alley off Levis Street, NE. The pistol had been reported stolen in November 2024 in Prince George’s County, Maryland. Barnett previously was convicted of two counts of attempted carjacking. For those offenses he received two consecutive 24-month prison sentences and was therefore prohibited from possessing a firearm. This case was investigated by the Metropolitan Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives – Washington Field Division. The matter was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jacob Green and Lauren Ibanez as part of the Make D.C. Safe and Beautiful Initiative. Make D.C. Safe and Beautiful is a law enforcement initiative in support of President Trump's Executive Order to crack down on gun violence, prioritize federal firearms violations, pursue tougher penalties for offenses, and seek detention for federal firearms violators. Barnett runs from officers on the 1100 block of 16 th Street, NE. Investigators recovered this Glock 19 pistol in an alley off Levis Street, NE. An image of a handheld Forward-Looking Infrared (FLIR) thermal imaging device that indicated the firearm had recently been held. Evidence photo of the Glock 19, magazine, and 23 rounds of ammunition that police recovered in the alley. 25cr236 Follow us on X , Instagram , and YouTube Or at https://www.justice.gov/usao-dc


title: Dominican Republic National Pleads Guilty to Participating in $1 Million Unemployment Fraud Scheme

body_text: WASHINGTON – Karin L. Contreras, 45, a Dominican Republic citizen and U.S. lawful permanent resident, pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in connection with a scheme to defraud unemployment programs, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro. Contreras pleaded guilty before the Honorable Beryl A. Howell to conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Following the plea hearing, Judge Howell scheduled sentencing for Nov. 6, 2026. “Contreras came to our country, was given the privilege of permanent residency, and then turned around and defrauded the American people,” said U.S. Attorney Pirro. “This behavior won’t be tolerated, and thieves will be held accountable. Contreras will suffer the consequence of her attempt to cheat the American taxpayers.” According to court documents, from June 2020 through March 2021, Contreras conspired with others to fraudulently obtain unemployment insurance benefits using other people’s names and personal identity information. As a result of the fraudulent applications, conspirators received prepaid ATM cards loaded with benefits totaling more than $1 million. The overwhelming majority of the cards were mailed to a D.C. address immediately next to Contreras’ residence. Contreras and other conspirators then withdrew funds from the cards at ATMs, typically in increments of $1,000, the maximum daily withdrawal limit. Between July 1, 2020, and July 14, 2020, Contreras personally used 12 different fraudulently obtained cards to withdraw $23,000 from ATMs in Washington, D.C. In total, conspirators were able to realize more than $550,000 from the scheme. On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement 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 This case was investigated by the FBI Washington Field Office and the Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kondi Kleinman of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and John Kosmidis of the Justice Department’s Fraud Section. 26cr181


title: Hartford Man Charged with Gun Possession and Fentanyl Distribution Offenses

component: USAO - Connecticut

body_text: David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, P.J. O’Brien, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the FBI, and Hartford Police Chief James C. Rovella today announced that a federal grand jury in Hartford has returned an indictment charging KIJUAN TERRELL, 40, of Hartford, with firearm possession and fentanyl distribution offenses. The indictment alleges that, on March 11, 2026, Terrell possessed a Smith & Wesson .38 Special revolver with an obliterated serial number, and fentanyl that he intended to distribute. It is alleged that Terrell’s criminal history includes state felony convictions for criminal possession of a firearm, possession of narcotics, and escape. It is a violation of federal law for a person previously convicted of a felony offense to possess a firearm that has moved in interstate or foreign commerce. The indictment, which was returned on May 13, 2026, charges Terrell with unlawful possession of a firearm by felon, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 15 years; possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of five years; and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years. Terrell has been detained since his arrest. He appeared yesterday in Hartford federal court and pleaded not guilty to the charges in the indictment. U.S. Attorney Sullivan stressed that an indictment is not evidence of guilt. Charges are only allegations, and each defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. This investigation is being conducted by the Hartford Police Department and the FBI’s Northern Connecticut Gang Task Force, which includes members from the Connecticut State Police, the Connecticut Department of Correction, and the East Hartford, Hartford, New Britain, West Hartford, Wethersfield, and Newington Police Departments. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert S. Dearington. 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: North Carolina Man Sentenced to Prison for Possessing Child Sexual Abuse Images

component: Criminal Division

body_text: A North Carolina man was sentenced today to 42 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release for the possession of child sexual abuse material. According to court documents, Blace Arthur Nalavany, 59, of Winterville, North Carolina, possessed images of children engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Nalavany pleaded guilty to the charge on March 11. According to evidence presented at the sentencing hearing, Nalavany was an associate professor of social work at East Carolina University in Greenville, NC, and a licensed clinical social worker, at the time of his arrest. His research publications include research into children who had experienced child sexual abuse. According to evidence in the case, the crime Nalavany was convicted of was committed at his home and was not connected to his employment or to any work as a licensed clinical social worker. Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney W. Ellis Boyle for the Eastern District of North Carolina, and Special Agent in Charge Reid Davis of the FBI's Charlotte Field Office made the announcement. The FBI Charlotte Field Office, Greenville Resident Agency and the FBI’s Child Exploitation Operational Unit investigated the case in collaboration with the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation. Trial Attorney Gwendelynn Bills of the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS) and Assistant U.S. Attorney Karen K. Haughton for the Eastern District of North Carolina prosecuted the case. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc .


title: Justice Department Files Proposed Settlement with Owner and Operator of Keystone Pipeline to Resolve Clean Water Act Violations for 2022 Pipeline Rupture in Kansas

component: Energy and Natural Resources Division

body_text: The Justice Department, on behalf of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and State of Kansas, today filed a complaint and proposed consent decree to resolve allegations that South Bow (USA) LP and South Bow Infrastructure Operations Inc. — the owner and operator of the Keystone Pipeline — violated the Clean Water Act related to the 2022 rupture of the Keystone Pipeline in Washington County, Kansas. On Dec. 7, 2022, nearly 13,000 barrels of oil (approximately 543,000 gallons) leaked from the ruptured pipeline over land and into Mill Creek, creating an imminent and substantial threat to human health and the environment. The event was one of the largest inland oil spills in recent history, and the largest discharge ever from the Keystone Pipeline system. As part of the settlement, South Bow has agreed to pay a civil penalty of $26,867,789 and complete work designed to prevent future similar discharges, which South Bow estimates will cost approximately $40 million. South Bow has also agreed to contribute over $3 million to the state of Kansas towards natural resource restoration projects to resolve violations of Kansas state laws. “Pipelines are the safest means of transporting large quantities of oil and other liquids and gases over long distances,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Adam Gustafson of the Justice Department’s Energy and Natural Resources Division (ENRD). “However rare, when a pipeline leaks, it can quickly escalate. That’s why an important part of this proposed settlement is the work the company has committed to do to help prevent future leaks.” “This case demonstrates why the oil pipelines crossing our heartland must be maintained properly. The oil spill blanketed land and water, rendering the waterway lifeless and useless and requiring extensive cleanup and remediation,” said Assistant Administrator Jeffrey A. Hall for EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance. “The substantial penalty reflects the seriousness of the environmental harm, and the other requirements of the settlement reflect the need to prioritize pipeline integrity and maintenance for this critical infrastructure.” “It is important that we are all good stewards of the environment,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan A. Kriegshauser for the District of Kansas. “The incident had a massive impact on the State of Kansas, and we are happy that this settlement will mitigate that damage.” “Dedicated EPA staff logged many thousands of hours cleaning up Mill Creek and were supported by multiple federal and state agencies,” said Administrator Jim Macy of EPA Region 7. “This fair and comprehensive settlement represents a federal-state partnership commitment to protect our nation’s waters and prevent future oil spills.” According to the complaint, after the 2022 spill, crude oil an inch thick covered Mill Creek bank-to-bank for 3.5 miles downstream of the rupture site. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment issued a stream advisory for Mill Creek to prohibit contact with the creek by people, livestock, or pets. The discharge covered vegetation and soil in the immediately surrounding area, and oil residue was found in the 35 acres surrounding the discharge. The spill killed or impacted more than 2,700 animals. Following a 2023 EPA cleanup order, South Bow removed oil from the creek and surrounding areas and completed restoration of aquatic habitat, stream banks, and shorelines. The Keystone Pipeline is a 2,687-mile liquid oil pipeline system between Hardisty, Alberta, Canada, and Port Arthur, Texas. The rupture occurred in a section of the pipeline that stretches from Steele City, Nebraska, to Cushing, Oklahoma. The consent decree was filed with the U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas and is subject to a 30-day public comment period. The complaint and proposed consent decree are available at www.justice.gov/enrd/consent-decrees . The Environmental Protection Agency investigated this matter. More information on the settlement is available on EPA’s South Bow Clean Water Act settlement summary: www.epa.gov/enforcement/south-bow-lp-cwa-settlement-summary . Attorneys with ENRD’s Environmental Enforcement Section and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Kansas are handling this matter.


title: Former Deputy U.S. Marshal Sentenced for Assault on Prisoner in Louisiana Courthouse

component: Civil Rights Division

body_text: A former Deputy U.S. Marshal was sentenced today to 45 months in prison for assaulting a federal inmate and writing a false report about the incident. In April 2026, after a three-day trial, a federal jury in the Western District of Louisiana convicted Joshua Firmin, 49, of one count of Deprivation of Rights Under Color of Law and one count of Falsification of Records. “The great majority of law enforcement officers do essential work honorably and lawfully under difficult and high-risk conditions,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “But Joshua Firmin knowingly overstepped his authority when he assaulted a shackled prisoner and failed to uphold the trust placed in him when he lied about it in official documents. Today’s sentence represents appropriate accountability, and we are grateful to the law enforcement personnel who reported the misconduct and cooperated with the investigation.” “The civil rights protections afforded to all U.S. citizens are a fundamental part of the Constitution,” said U.S. Attorney David I. Courcelle for the Eastern District of Louisiana. “The unlawful civil rights violation committed by Mr. Firmin against a shackled inmate, not only tarnishes the reputation, it also engenders public distrust of the innumerable law enforcement officers who so honorably protect and serve all of us. Today’s sentencing ensures that Mr. Firmin is being held accountable for his actions.” “Firmin violated his oath as a law enforcement officer by abusing his authority,” said Special Agent in Charge Cloey Pierce of the Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General (DOJ OIG) South Central Region Houston Office. “The DOJ OIG will continue working with its law enforcement partners to ensure that anyone participating in this type of behavior will be brought to justice.” According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, on February 29, 2024, Firmin, who was then assigned to operations duties at the federal courthouse in Lafayette, Louisiana, learned that a prisoner awaiting a court appearance in the courthouse cell block had made insulting remarks about Firmin to another courthouse employee. Shortly thereafter, Firmin entered the courthouse cellblock and unlocked the cell where the prisoner was being held, yanked the prisoner, who was restrained in handcuffs, waist shackles, and leg irons, out of the cell by his hair and slammed his head into the cellblock wall. As a result of the assault, the prisoner suffered a laceration to his scalp that required staples to close. Following the assault, Firmin wrote an official use of force report in which he falsely stated that the prisoner had attempted to spit on him and then inadvertently struck his head on a door while resisting efforts to escort him to another cell. However, another Deputy U.S. Marshal, who had witnessed the assault, promptly reported the misconduct to his chain of command, leading to an investigation by the DOJ OIG. The case was investigated by the DOJ OIG South Central Region Houston Office. The case was prosecuted by Trial Attorney Alec Ward of the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Chandra Menon for the Eastern District of Louisiana.