title: Maryland Man Sentenced to Decade in Federal Prison for Armed Robbery

body_text: Greenbelt, Maryland – A Maryland man received a federal-prison term, today, for the armed robbery of a Prince George’s County convenience store. U.S. District Judge Theodore Chuang sentenced Zebedee Alexander Johnson, 36, to 10 years in prison, followed by five years of supervised release, in connection with the crime. 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 the guilty plea, on April 29, 2022, Johnson and four others traveled to a Clinton convenience store, where they pointed a firearm at a store employee and ordered him to lie down. They then used a circular saw to break open the store’s ATM and take trays containing approximately $35,020. At the time of the armed robbery, Johnson was on federal supervised release in connection with a 2018 drug-distribution conviction. Johnson admitted that he violated the supervised-release terms, which prohibits him from committing any new crimes, by committing the armed robbery. Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is the Department of Justice’s nationwide initiative that brings federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement, prosecutors, and other public safety partners together to coordinate efforts to combat violent crime and make communities safe. Coordinated by U.S. Attorneys’ offices in each of the 94 federal districts, PSN is tailored to particular communities to strategically address specific violent crime and public safety challenges. As a key component of Operation Take Back America, PSN serves a central role in the Department’s commitment to make our country safe. PSN emphasizes three core principles: rapid federal response to violent crime and criminal offenders; strong, strategic partnerships among law enforcement at all levels; and accountability and deterrence through the prosecution of the most serious, readily provable offenses and other strategies. These efforts complement and strengthen President Trump’s Homeland Security Task Forces, ensuring a comprehensive federal response to the most pressing public safety issues facing communities. U.S. Attorney Hayes commended the FBI and PGPD for their work in the investigation. Ms. Hayes also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joshua Rosenthal and William Moomau who are prosecuting the case. For more information about the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, please visit justice.gov/usao-md . # # #


title: Member of the Lynn Chapter of the Trinitarios Sentenced to Over 11 Years for Racketeering Conspiracy

component: USAO - Massachusetts

body_text: BOSTON – A member of the Lynn Chapter of the Trinitarios was sentenced on Aug. 19, 2026, after pleading guilty in April 2026 to racketeering charges, including three attempted murders and an accessory after the fact to two murders. Luis Enrique Santana, a/k/a “Chiquito,” 32, was sentenced by Senior U.S. District Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton to 136 months in federal prison, to be followed by three years of supervised released. After serving the prison sentence, Luis Enrique Santana will be deported to the Dominican Republic. In April 2026 , Luis Enrique Santana pleaded guilty to conspiracy to conduct enterprise affairs through a pattern of racketeering activity, commonly known as RICO Conspiracy. The Trinitarios is a violent criminal enterprise comprised of thousands of members across the United States. The Trinitarios adhere to a Magna Carta, employ an internal hierarchy to organize and execute violence and undertake extensive efforts to maintain the secrecy of the organization and its members. In February 2025 , federal racketeering charges were unsealed against 22 leaders and members of the Trinitarios. The charges were the result of a multijurisdictional investigation, which began in the aftermath of four murders as well as a series of attempted murders and shootings that took place in Lynn in 2023, allegedly committed by the Trinitarios criminal enterprise and its members. On June 9, 2026 , additional federal racketeering and drug charges were unsealed charging 26 additional leaders, members and associates of the Lawrence, Haverhill and Boston Chapters of the gang. According to court documents, the Trinitarios have allegedly participated in five additional murders in Essex County since 2017, bringing the total of federally charged murders to 11. In March 2025 , a Lynn member of the Trinitarios was sentenced to 10 years in prison. In June 2025 , two members of the Trinitarios were charged with kidnapping a drug supplier. In July 2025 , the leader of the Lynn Chapter was sentenced to 14 years in prison. In December 2025 Michael Miliano and James Jimenez pleaded guilty to racketeering conspiracy; in May 2026, Westyn Lantigua pleaded guilty; in June 2026, Luis Jeffrey Santana pleaded guilty; and in August 2026, Kelvin Liranzo Roman and Israel Garcia Vasquez also pleaded guilty. All are awaiting sentencing. Luis Enrique Santana was a member of the gang and rapper who published music videos glorifying the Trinitarios in Massachusetts, which featured gang members and himself possessing firearms, and contained threats to rival gangs. Luis Enrique Santana participated in a March 2019 shooting in Lynn, where the Trinitarios intended to kill three rival gang members. During this incident, Luis Enrique Santana posed as a female online and lured rival gang members to a nightclub. Another Trinitarios gang member, Lynn Chapter leader Aaron Diaz Liranzo, proceeded to the location and fired at the three rival gang members in the vehicle, wounding two of them who would survive their injuries. In July 2025 , Aaron Diaz Liranzo was sentenced to 14 years in federal prison. Luis Enrique Santana also participated as an accessory after the fact to the Sept. 2, 2023 murders of Jandriel Heredia and Abraham Diaz. During this incident, three members of the Trinitarios drove by a party in Lynn and discharged numerous rounds at people gathered outside celebrating a recent graduate who was heading off to college. Seven people were shot during this incident, including Abraham Diaz and Jandriel Heredia who later died from gunshot wounds. After the shooting, Luis Enrique Santana assisted the Trinitarios in moving the vehicle used in the shooting from Lynn to Lawrence in order to conceal it from law enforcement and destroy evidence that it contained. The charge of conspiracy to conduct enterprise affairs through a pattern of racketeering activity (also known as “racketeering conspiracy” or “RICO conspiracy”) provides for a sentence of up to life in prison, five 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; Jeff Grimming, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England; Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; Essex County District Attorney Paul F. Tucker; Massachusetts State Police Colonel Geoffrey D. Noble; and Lynn Police Chief Christopher P. Reddy made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Philip A. Mallard of the Organized Crime & Gang Unit is prosecuting 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 Boston is comprised of agents and officers from HSI, FBI, DEA, ATF, USMS, IRS-CI, USPIS, DOL-OIG and DSS, as well as several state and local law enforcement agencies, with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts. 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: Unknown Man Sentenced To Five Years In Prison For Using Identity Of Deceased Child For 25 Years To Obtain Nearly $300,000 In Government Benefits

component: USAO - Idaho

body_text: POCATELLO – A man whose identity remains unknown was sentenced to five years in federal prison for stealing the identity of a deceased child for 25 years to obtain significant government benefits, U.S. Attorney Bart M. Davis announced today. After a three-day trial in May 2026, a federal jury sitting in Pocatello found the man guilty of wire fraud, theft of government funds, aggravated identity theft, and related charges. 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. “Taxpayer funds are precious resources, and our office will fight to vigorously protect such funds,” U.S. Attorney Bart M. Davis said. “This sentence should send a strong message that stealing taxpayer funds and craven identity theft will be met with a thorough federal investigation, and a stiff sentence.” According to court records and evidence presented at trial, Carlos Ramon Obregon was born in 1963 in Los Angeles but was tragically killed in Los Angeles in 1977 at the age of 14 after suffering from a gunshot wound to the head during a drive-by shooting. Obregon was laid to rest at a local cemetery in Los Angeles that same year. Twenty-three years after Obregon’s death, in 2000, the Defendant applied for a replacement social security card using Obregon’s social security number, Obregon’s date of birth, and Obregon’s parent’s names. At trial, Obregon’s mother testified that Obregon died in 1977. She testified that the Defendant is not her son, and that she does not know the Defendant. The Defendant’s true identity remains unknown. The Defendant misused Obregon’s identity to fraudulently obtain multiple identification documents. In 2012, the Defendant applied for, and obtained, a United States passport using Obregon’s birth certificate. He travelled multiple times on the passport to Mexico. In 2024, the Defendant unsuccessfully sought to renew the passport. “Identity thieves who exploit the identities of deceased Americans cause real harm,” said Jonathan P. Kazmar, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) San Francisco Field Office. “In this case, the defendant assumed the identity of a deceased American teenager and used it for years to commit serious fraud. DSS will continue to work closely with our law enforcement partners to protect the integrity of U.S. travel and identity documents and to seek justice for victims of identity theft.” For more than two decades, the Defendant used Obregon’s name and identity to fraudulently obtain numerous government benefits totaling approximately $284,000. The Defendant unlawfully received approximately $177,000 in Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits, $91,00 in Medicaid benefits, $12,000 in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, and $3,200 in Economic Impact Payments. “This defendant repeatedly used a deceased individual’s identity to unlawfully obtain over $177,000 in SSI benefits for personal gain, diverting critical resources from people who genuinely need them to meet their basic needs.,” said Christian Assaad, Special Agent-in-Charge, Denver/San Francisco Field Division, Social Security Administration, Office of the Inspector General (SSA OIG). “We will continue to investigate those who attempt to defraud Social Security programs, and we will work closely with our law enforcement partners to hold them accountable.” “Unlawfully obtaining Medicaid benefits—even in this case going so far as to assume the identity of a deceased child to fraudulently collect benefits—diverts limited resources from patients who truly need them,” said Special Agent in Charge Robb Breeden of the Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG) Pacific Region. “HHS OIG, working with our law enforcement and program partners, will continue to protect the integrity of Medicaid and hold accountable anyone who exploits it.” “The Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) takes all investigations into identity theft and COVID relief fraud seriously”, stated TIGTA Special Agent-in-Charge Krystofor Proev. “We would like to thank our law enforcement partners and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for prosecuting such egregious acts in this case.” “This 61-month prison sentence following a multi-agency investigation reflects the effectiveness of the whole-of-government approach against fraud under the leadership of VP Vance and the WH Task Force to bring criminals to justice. I applaud the work of USDA OIG and the numerous law enforcement partners who worked this case together,” said USDA Inspector General John Walk. “This ‘unknown man’ used the stolen identity of a child who died in 1977 to successfully obtain government benefits across numerous programs for 25 years beginning decades after the child’s death. Something is broken. This underscores the importance of strengthening fraud prevention measures like upfront identity verification and data analytics to stop the fraud before it happens.” The Defendant also obtained Idaho state identification cards in 2002, 2010, and 2014. In 2022, the Defendant obtained a Star Card, again using Obregon’s birth certificate as proof of his identity and lawful presence in the United States. United States District Judge David C. Nye sentenced the unknown man to 61 months in prison and ordered the man to be placed on supervised release for three years following completion of his prison sentence. Judge Nye also ordered the man to pay $283,977.40 in restitution. U.S. Attorney Davis commended the cooperative efforts of the SSA OIG, DSS, HHS-OIG, TIGTA, USDA OIG, and Idaho Transportation Department, which led to the charges. Assistant United States Attorneys Sean Mazorol and Brittney Campbell prosecuted the case. ###


title: Dual U.S. and Canadian Citizen and Alleged Repeat Child Sexual Predator Arrested for Sexual Exploitation of a Child in Hawaii

component: USAO - Hawaii

body_text: HONOLULU – United States Attorney Ken Sorenson announced that Donald Steven Lang, 62, was arrested this weekend in Canada at the request of the United States following his earlier indictment in Hawaii for sexual exploitation of a child. According to court documents, Lang produced images of a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Lang allegedly produced the images between September 2024 and December 2024 aboard his 52-foot sailboat, the Ishi . Lang is an amateur sailor who is known to sail around the world and frequently harbored in Hawaii. “Protecting children from sexual predators is a priority of the highest order,” said Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “We will continue to pursue this alleged offender and work with our law enforcement partners to return him to the United States to face trial for the crimes he is charged with committing.” “The U.S. Attorney’s Office is unwavering in our commitment to protecting Hawaii’s children and bringing to justice anyone preying upon them,” said U.S. Attorney Ken Sorenson for the District of Hawaii. “I commend the continued dedication and great work of FBI and our Canadian law enforcement partners for apprehending Mr. Lang quickly and safely so that he can face justice in U.S. District Court in Hawaii for his alleged crimes.” “The FBI remains committed to identifying, investigating, and bringing offenders to justice who prey on some of the most vulnerable members of our communities,” said FBI Criminal Assistant Director Heith Janke. “Donald Lang has been accused by multiple victims of committing sexual abuse of a minor. Lang’s apprehension was the direct result of the collaboration of the FBI and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Pacific Region.” Lang was previously indicted on separate charges of child sexual abuse in Idaho related to his involvement in the sexual assault of a minor between 2003 and 2007. If convicted, Lang faces a minimum penalty of 15 years in prison and a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison. He also faces a penalty of between five years of supervised release and lifetime supervised release, along with a fine of up to $250,000. A federal district court judge will determine a sentence upon conviction after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. FBI Honolulu is investigating the case. Lang's apprehension was the direct result of the cooperation of the FBI and Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP)'s Tofino General Duty, Island District GIS, Nanaimo Detachment, and Island District ERT. The Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs provided critical assistance in securing the apprehension. Assistant U.S. Attorney Barbara Eucker for the District of Hawaii and Trial Attorney Eduardo Palomo of the Justice Department’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS) are prosecuting the case. Anyone with information regarding this case may contact the FBI’s Honolulu Field Office at (808) 426-2534, the FBI’s Toll-Free tipline at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324). Anyone with information about this case may also contact their local FBI office or the nearest American Embassy or Consulate, or they can submit a tip online at tips.fbi.gov. An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.


title: Recidivist offender sentenced to 20 years in prison for fentanyl trafficking

component: Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)

body_text: RICHMOND, Va. – A Richmond man was sentenced today to 20 years in prison for possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. According to court documents, on Oct. 26, 2023, law enforcement searched the residence of Christopher Raymond Coleman, 38. Upon entering the residence, an officer located Coleman in the kitchen next to a table with numerous packages of illegal narcotics and items related to drug trafficking. Agents recovered over 670 grams of fentanyl, over 129 grams of cocaine powder, approximately 20 grams of crack cocaine, a box of plastic baggies, scissors, and a digital scale. Agents also recovered a handgun, ammunition, and two ammunition magazines. Coleman has been convicted previously of possession of oxycodone, possession with intent to distribute heroin, and possession of a firearm with drugs, and on another occasion with possession with intent to distribute heroin, and possession of a firearm with drugs. After Coleman was released from custody on Aug. 29, 2022, he began distributing illegal controlled substances in July 2023 and continued into October 2023. Additionally, Coleman was charged on Sept. 6, 2023, with being a felon in possession of a firearm. Theophani K. Stamos, First Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Christopher C. Goumenis, Special Agent in Charge for the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Washington Division, and Chief Rick Edwards, of the Richmond Police Department made the announcement after sentencing by Senior U.S. District Judge John A. Gibney Jr. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Olivia L. Norman and Katherine E. Groover prosecuted the case. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:25-cr-138.


title: Quinlan woman sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for trafficking methamphetamine in the Eastern District of Texas

body_text: SHERMAN, Texas – A Quinlan woman has been sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for drug trafficking violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs. Michelle Hignight, 48, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to manufacture and distribute methamphetamine and was sentenced to 120 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Amos L. Mazzant on August 25, 2026. According to information presented in court, in 2023, Hignight was identified during an on-going investigation into drug trafficking activities in the Eastern District of Texas. Hignight was responsible for trafficking at least 50 grams of methamphetamine during the conspiracy. This case was investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, the Texas Department of Public Safety, and the Hunt County Sheriff’s Office and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys in the Plano Office. ###


title: Illegal alien sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for an immigration violation  in the Eastern District of Texas

component: USAO - Texas, Eastern

body_text: SHERMAN, Texas – An illegal alien, who is also a convicted sex offender, has been sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for an immigration violation in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs. Walter Enoe Reyes Guzman, 51, of El Salvador, pleaded guilty to illegally re-entering the United States after being deported and was sentenced to 120 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Amos L. Mazzant on August 25, 2026. According to information presented in court, in February 2026, Reyes Guzman was found illegally in the United States after having been deported in 2001. Reyes Guzman is a convicted felon, having a prior felony conviction for indecency with a child by sexual contact. This case was investigated by the Department of Homeland Security-Immigration and Customs Enforcement and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter T. Thomas. ###


title: Hunt County man sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for trafficking methamphetamine in the Eastern District of Texas

body_text: SHERMAN, Texas – A Greenville man has been sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for drug trafficking violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs. Ronnie Jakeis Zamijay Baylor, 22, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to manufacture and distribute and possess with intent to manufacture and distribute methamphetamine and was sentenced to 120 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Amos L. Mazzant on August 25, 2026. According to information presented in court, in 2023, an on-going investigation into drug trafficking in the Eastern District of Texas identified Baylor as an active participant, responsible for distributing over 500 grams of methamphetamine during the conspiracy. This case was investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys in the Plano Office. ###


title: Dallas man receives lengthy federal prison sentence as part of Homeland Security Task Force investigation for trafficking fentanyl in the Eastern District of Texas

body_text: SHERMAN, Texas – A Dallas man has been sentenced to over 16 years in federal prison as part of a Homeland Security Task Force investigation for trafficking fentanyl in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs. Joshua Isaiah Castillo, 31, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl and was sentenced to 200 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Amos L. Mazzant on August 25, 2026. According to information presented in court, in 2024, Castillo was identified as being part of a drug trafficking organization in the Eastern District of Texas and was personally responsible for distributing large amounts of fentanyl-laced tablets and fentanyl powder in bulk form to others for redistribution. 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 Dallas comprises agents and officers from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Dallas Field Office; U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations - Dallas (ICE-HSI); Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Dallas Field Division; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Dallas Field Division; Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigations (IRS-CD; United States Postal Service, United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS); Transportation Security Administration, Federal Air Marshal Service (FAMS); United States Secret Service (USSS); Department of State, Bureau of Diplomatic Security (DSS); TEXOMA HIDTA; and U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) Eastern District of Texas with the prosecution being led by Eastern District of Texas Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew T. Johnson. ###


title: Collin County felon sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for creating an armed disturbance at a Plano apartment complex

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

body_text: SHERMAN, Texas –A Plano convicted felon has been sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for a firearms violation in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs. Tapatrick Newton Martin, 26, pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and was sentenced to 120 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Amos L. Mazzant on August 25, 2026. According to information presented in court, on November 6, 2024, law enforcement officers responded to several calls made regarding a man armed with an AR-15-style firearm at a Plano apartment complex. Witnesses described Martin walking in circles with the firearm and threatening to kill people on scene and advising others he planned to have a shootout with police when they arrived. However, once officers arrived, Martin fled the scene. Further investigation revealed Martin is a convicted felon and prohibited from owning or possessing firearms. Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is the Department of Justice’s nationwide initiative that brings federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement, prosecutors, and other public safety partners together to coordinate efforts to combat violent crime and make communities safe. Coordinated by U.S. Attorneys’ offices in each of the 94 federal districts, PSN is tailored to particular communities to strategically address specific violent crime and public safety challenges. As a key component of Operation Take Back America, PSN serves a central role in the Department’s commitment to make our country safe. PSN emphasizes three core principles: rapid federal response to violent crime and criminal offenders; strong, strategic partnerships among law enforcement at all levels; and accountability and deterrence through the prosecution of the most serious, readily provable offenses and other strategies. These efforts complement and strengthen President Trump’s Homeland Security Task Forces, ensuring a comprehensive federal response to the most pressing public safety issues facing communities . This case was investigated by the Plano Police Department and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Chalana A. Oliver. ##


title: Florida Firearms Parts Dealer Pleads Guilty to Exporting Weapons Components as Part of Russia-Based Scheme

component: USAO - New York, Eastern

body_text: BROOKLYN, NY – Earlier today, in federal court in Brooklyn, Maxim Larin pleaded guilty to conspiracy to violate the Export Control Reform Act and attempting to violate the Arms Export Control Act in connection with his shipment of weapons parts and accessories to Kazakhstan. The proceeding was held before United States District Judge Nina R. Morrison. When sentenced, the defendant faces a maximum sentence of 40 years’ imprisonment. As part of his plea, the defendant agreed to forfeit $250,000 and dozens of weapons parts and accessories seized from his residence. Larin was arrested in Florida in August 2025. Joseph Nocella, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York; John A. Eisenberg, Assistant Attorney General for the Justice Department’s National Security Division; Pete Gizas, Acting Special Agent in Charge, Homeland Security Investigations, New York (HSI New York); and David Peters, Assistant Secretary for Export Enforcement, U.S. Department of Commerce, Office of Export Enforcement (OEE), Bureau of Industry and Security, New York Field Office, announced the guilty plea. “Motivated by greed, the defendant placed his own self-interest above the safety and security of our country and its allies by shipping export-controlled weapons parts to a volatile area of the world,” stated United States Attorney Nocella. “Today’s guilty plea should serve as a warning to all who seek to evade our nation’s export regulations for their own gain and for the benefit of our adversaries. Our Office and our law enforcement partners will vigorously investigate, prosecute, and hold to account those who compromise our national security.” Mr. Nocella expressed his appreciation to the Department of Defense Criminal Investigative Service, HSI’s Miami Field Office, the United States Postal Service Office of Inspector General, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection for their valuable assistance. “Maxim Larin knowingly weaponized his businesses to smuggle restricted firearms components and tactical equipment through a web of lies, false labels and undervalued shipments,” stated HSI New York Acting Special Agent in Charge Gizas. “This was a deliberate scheme to evade U.S. export laws and feed an illicit weapons pipeline connected to Russia’s war machine. His guilty plea makes clear that those who put profit over national security, disguise contraband as harmless goods and help arm hostile foreign networks will be exposed, prosecuted and punished to the fullest extent of the law. Together with our partners, HSI New York will continue to leverage our specialized authorities and global investigative reach to hold accountable those who attempt to undermine U.S. export controls and endanger national security.” “Today's guilty plea highlights the Office of Export Enforcement's unwavering dedication to enforcing America's export control laws and holding accountable those who seek to evade them,” said Assistant Secretary for Export Enforcement Peters. According to court documents, Larin is the owner of several U.S. based companies which deal in weapons parts and sensitive firearms accessories. Larin used his businesses to sell export-controlled weapons parts and accessories to his co-defendant based in Russia. The items Larin shipped to Kazakhstan were on the Commerce Control List (“CCL”) and designated as export restricted because their reshipment could be detrimental to U.S. foreign policy or national security. As early as December 2022, Larin agreed with his Russia-based co-defendant to undervalue and mislabel the contents of the packages he was exporting. When asked by his co-defendant to falsely label the contents of a specific parcel, Larin replied “we can do that.” U.S. Customs and Border Protection records show the package was mislabeled and the value of its contents was listed as thousands of dollars less than its actual value. Larin also flagged for his co-defendant that certain items could be seized by U.S. authorities and suggested that items be repackaged to make them less conspicuous. In approximately May 2023, Larin agreed with his co-defendant to ship semi-automatic enhanced triggers, hi-speed triggers, and charging handles to Kazakhstan. These items, which enhance the performance of firearms, were all included on the CCL and their export to Kazakhstan was prohibited. Larin suggested the items could be seized by U.S. authorities and agreed to falsely declare the contents of the package and its value. Rather than state that the parcel contained firearms parts, Larin listed its contents as a “light switch.” In December 2023, Larin agreed to acquire a Raptar target acquisition device for his co-defendant. The Raptar is a firearms accessory which helps users acquire targets at long ranges. Given its obvious military application, the Raptar is included on the United States Munitions List, a list of items which cannot be exported from the United States without the approval of the Directorate of Defense Trade Controls, a unit within the U.S. Department of State. Larin obtained the Raptar device from another company and signed an agreement which specified that the item could not be shipped internationally. Although he knew about this prohibition, Larin shipped the Raptar to a co-conspirator in the United States who attempted to ship it to Kazakhstan in violation of U.S. export laws. The device was intercepted and seized by HSI in California. The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s National Security and Cybercrime Section. Assistant United States Attorney Gilbert M. Rein is in charge of the prosecution, along with Trial Attorney Maria Fedor of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section, and with the assistance of Paralegal Specialist Magdalena St. Surin. The Defendant : MAXIM LARIN Age: 44 Plantation, Florida E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 25-CR-246 (NRM)


title: Palestine National Pleads Guilty of Being an Illegal Alien in Possession of Firearms

component: USAO - Louisiana, Eastern

body_text: NEW ORLEANS , LOUISIANA – MOHAMED H.M. ZEIDAN , a/k/a “Sebastian Marcello , a/k/a “Sebastian York” (“ZEIDAN”), age 33, a native of Palestine, pled guilty on August 25, 2026, to being an illegal alien in possession of a firearm, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(g)(5)(A), announced the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of Louisiana. Sentencing is set for November 24, 2026. According to the charging document, on or about August 3, 2023, ZEIDAN, an alien present illegally in the United States, was found in possession of a MC9 semi-automatic pistol and a RF-15 semi-automatic rifle. ZEIDAN , a native and national of Palestine entered the United States as a B2 visitor. He overstayed his visa and thus became an illegal alien. On August 3, 2023, in Kenner, Louisiana, ZEIDAN , knowingly possessed two firearms, a Girsan model MC9, nine-millimeter caliber semi-automatic pistol and a Radical Firearms model RF-15, 5.56 x 45millimeter multi - caliber semi-automatic rifle. The firearms were discovered in his apartment. No other persons in the apartment claimed knowledge or ownership of the firearms. ZEIDAN faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 15 years, a fine of up to $250,000, up to three (3) years of supervised release, and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.00. U.S. Attorney’s Office praised the work of the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency, Homeland Security Investigations and the Kenner Police Department in investigating this matter. The Jefferson Parish District Attorney’s Office made significant contributions to the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Carter K.D. Guice, Jr. is in charge of the prosecution. Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is the Department of Justice’s nationwide initiative that brings federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement, prosecutors, and other public safety partners together to coordinate efforts to combat violent crime and make communities safe. Coordinated by U.S. Attorneys’ offices in each of the 94 federal districts, PSN is tailored to particular communities to strategically address specific violent crime and public safety challenges. As a key component of Operation Take Back America, PSN serves a central role in the Department’s commitment to make our country safe. PSN emphasizes three core principles: rapid federal response to violent crime and criminal offenders; strong, strategic partnerships among law enforcement at all levels; and accountability and deterrence through the prosecution of the most serious, readily provable offenses and other strategies. These efforts complement and strengthen President Trump’s Homeland Security Task Forces, ensuring a comprehensive federal response to the most pressing public safety issues facing communities. * * *


title: New Orleans Man Indicted for Being Felon in Possession of a Firearm

body_text: NEW ORLEANS , LOUISIANA – On August 21, 2026, GERALD FRANKLIN (“FRANKLIN”) , 35, from New Orleans, was charged in a two-count indictment for being a felon in possession of a firearm, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(8), announced U.S. Attorney David I. Courcelle. According to the indictment, on or about March 30, 2026, and April 5, 2026, in the Eastern District of Louisiana, FRANKLIN , knowing that that he had been previously convicted of crimes punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year, was found in possession of a firearm. FRANKLIN faces up to fifteen years imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000, up to three years of supervised release, and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.00. U. S. Attorney Courcelle reiterated that the indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt. The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and the New Orleans Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Brittany Reed of the Violent Crime Unit. Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is the Department of Justice’s nationwide initiative that brings federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement, prosecutors, and other public safety partners together to coordinate efforts to combat violent crime and make communities safe. Coordinated by U.S. Attorneys’ offices in each of the 94 federal districts, PSN is tailored to particular communities to strategically address specific violent crime and public safety challenges. As a key component of Operation Take Back America, PSN serves a central role in the Department’s commitment to make our country safe. PSN emphasizes three core principles: rapid federal response to violent crime and criminal offenders; strong, strategic partnerships among law enforcement at all levels; and accountability and deterrence through the prosecution of the most serious, readily provable offenses and other strategies. These efforts complement and strengthen President Trump’s Homeland Security Task Forces, ensuring a comprehensive federal response to the most pressing public safety issues facing communities. ***


title: New Orleans Man Indicted for Being a Felon in Possession of a Firearm

body_text: NEW ORLEANS , LOUISIANA – On August 21, 2026, GERALD FRANKLIN (“FRANKLIN”) , 35, from New Orleans, was charged in a two-count indictment for being a felon in possession of a firearm, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(8), announced U.S. Attorney David I. Courcelle. According to the indictment, on or about March 30, 2026, and April 5, 2026, in the Eastern District of Louisiana, FRANKLIN , knowing that that he had been previously convicted of crimes punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year, was found in possession of a firearm after being arrested in connection with a French Quarter shooting on March 30, 2026. FRANKLIN faces up to fifteen years imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000, up to three years of supervised release, and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.00. Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is the Department of Justice’s nationwide initiative that brings federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement, prosecutors, and other public safety partners together to coordinate efforts to combat violent crime and make communities safe. Coordinated by U.S. Attorneys’ offices in each of the 94 federal districts, PSN is tailored to particular communities to strategically address specific violent crime and public safety challenges. As a key component of Operation Take Back America, PSN serves a central role in the Department’s commitment to make our country safe. PSN emphasizes three core principles: rapid federal response to violent crime and criminal offenders; strong, strategic partnerships among law enforcement at all levels; and accountability and deterrence through the prosecution of the most serious, readily provable offenses and other strategies. These efforts complement and strengthen President Trump’s Homeland Security Task Forces, ensuring a comprehensive federal response to the most pressing public safety issues facing communities. U. S. Attorney Courcelle reiterated that the indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt. The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and the New Orleans Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Brittany Reed of the Violent Crime Unit.


title: New Orleans Man Guilty of Carjacking and Federal Gun Charges

component: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

body_text: NEW ORLEANS, LA – U.S. Attorney David I. Courcelle announced on August 12, 2026, that KEN DOOLEY (“DOOLEY”) , age 34, a resident of New Orleans, pleaded guilty to a three-count superseding indictment charging him with carjacking and Federal Gun Control Act violations. In Count One, DOOLEY is charged with carjacking, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2119(1). DOOLEY faces a maximum sentence of up to 15 years’ imprisonment, a fine up to $250,000, at least three (3) years of supervised release, and a mandatory assessment fee of $100. In Count Two, DOOLEY is charged with possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c)(1)(A)(i). DOOLEY faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five (5) years up to life imprisonment, a fine up to $250,000, up to five (5) years of supervised release, and a mandatory assessment fee of $100. In Count Three, DOOLEY is charged with felon in possession of a firearm, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(8). DOOLEY faces a maximum sentence of up to 15 years imprisonment, a fine up to $250,000, up to three (3) years of supervised release, and a mandatory assessment of $100. U.S. District Court Judge Lance M. Africk will sentence DOOLEY on December 2, 2026. According to court documents, on February 25, 2026, while a vehicle was stopped at a red light, DOOLEY pointed a black semiautomatic handgun with an extended magazine at the two occupants through the vehicle’s window. DOOLEY then racked the slide of the firearm and ordered both women to exit the vehicle. DOOLEY also instructed them to leave their phones and purses inside the car. Both individuals complied with DOOLEY ’ s demands and exited the Nissan. DOOLEY got into the driver’s seat and fled on Canal Street. One of the passengers tracked her iPhone, which was left behind in the car, to the 8300 block of Palm Street, in New Orleans. Approximately 30 minutes later, police officers arrived at the 8400 block of Palm Street and located the white Nissan backed into the driveway. A male identified as DOOLEY , who matched the full description of the carjacking suspect, fled from the residence. While at the residence where the vehicle was located, officers searched the vehicle and located a black Glock semiautomatic handgun with an extended magazine on the center console. This gun matched the description of the firearm provided by the victims. On Friday, February 27, 2026, just two days later, Federal Bureau of Investigation agents received information that DOOLEY was at his residence. Agents then set up surveillance of the residence. Agents observed DOOLEY exit the residence and enter a silver Nissan Sentra. Agents followed the vehicle and conducted a traffic stop. DOOLEY was then taken into custody. The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the New Orleans Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Troy L. Bell of the Violent Crime Unit. Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is the Department of Justice’s nationwide initiative that brings federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement, prosecutors, and other public safety partners together to coordinate efforts to combat violent crime and make communities safe. Coordinated by U.S. Attorneys’ offices in each of the 94 federal districts, PSN is tailored to particular communities to strategically address specific violent crime and public safety challenges. As a key component of Operation Take Back America, PSN serves a central role in the Department’s commitment to make our country safe. PSN emphasizes three core principles: rapid federal response to violent crime and criminal offenders; strong, strategic partnerships among law enforcement at all levels; and accountability and deterrence through the prosecution of the most serious, readily provable offenses and other strategies. These efforts complement and strengthen President Trump’s Homeland Security Task Forces, ensuring a comprehensive federal response to the most pressing public safety issues facing communities. * * *


title: New Orleans Man Convicted for Gun Charges and Drug Trafficking

body_text: NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – On August 20, 2026, LARRY CASTON (“CASTON”) , age 54, was found guilty at a jury trial for possession with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine, in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(B) (Count One), possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 924(c)(1)(A)(i) (Count Two), and felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(8) (Count Three), announced U.S. Attorney David I. Courcelle. According to court documents and evidence introduced at trial, deputies with the St. Bernard Parish Sheriff’s Office (SBSO) received tips from a confidential informant and an arrested subject about someone named “Drack” selling cocaine in St. Bernard Parish. Because the tips included a description of Drack’s truck, his license plate number, and his address, SBSO was able to identify “Drack” as Larry Caston. Surveillance began on CASTON and on October 1, 2024, SBSO was alerted by license plate readers that CASTON’ s truck had entered St. Bernard Parish. CASTON made a stop and upon returning to his truck, CASTON left the location, and deputies followed. They observed traffic violations and conducted a traffic stop. CASTON delayed stopping and deputies observed CASTON making furtive hand movements. A search of the vehicle revealed cocaine and CASTON was arrested for possession with intent to distribute cocaine. While CASTON was incarcerated in the St. Bernard Parish Jail for that arrest, he made a jail call which raised law enforcement’s suspicions and led police to search CASTON’s home, as well as his neighbor’s home. Over two kilograms of cocaine, four firearms, and over $35,000 in U.S. currency were recovered from both locations. For Count One, CASTON faces between five- and forty-years imprisonment, a fine of up to $5,000,000, and at least four years of supervised release. For Count Two, CASTON faces between five years and up to life imprisonment, which term must run consecutively to any other term of imprisonment imposed, a fine of up to $250,000, and up to five years of supervised release. For Count Three, CASTON faces up to fifteen years imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000, and up to three years of supervised release. Each count carries a $100 mandatory special assessment fee. The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the St. Bernard Parish Sheriff’s Office, and the New Orleans Police Department. Assistant United States Attorneys Sarah Dawkins, of the Violent Crime Unit, and Joshua Vanderhooft, of the Narcotics Unit, are in charge of the prosecution. Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is the Department of Justice’s nationwide initiative that brings federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement, prosecutors, and other public safety partners together to coordinate efforts to combat violent crime and make communities safe. Coordinated by U.S. Attorneys’ offices in each of the 94 federal districts, PSN is tailored to particular communities to strategically address specific violent crime and public safety challenges. As a key component of Operation Take Back America, PSN serves a central role in the Department’s commitment to make our country safe. PSN emphasizes three core principles: rapid federal response to violent crime and criminal offenders; strong, strategic partnerships among law enforcement at all levels; and accountability and deterrence through the prosecution of the most serious, readily provable offenses and other strategies. These efforts complement and strengthen President Trump’s Homeland Security Task Forces, ensuring a comprehensive federal response to the most pressing public safety issues facing communities. * * *


title: Honduran National Indicted for Illegal Reentry of Deported Alien

body_text: NEW ORLEANS , LOUISIANA – JOEL ALBERTO HENRIQUEZ-HERRERA (“HENRIQUEZ-HERRERA”) , age 40, a native of Honduras, was indicted on August 21, 2026, for illegal reentry of removed alien, in violation of Title 8, United States Code, Section 1326(a), announced United States Attorney David I. Courcelle. According to court documents, HENRIQUEZ-HERRERA , an illegal alien, was found in Orleans Parish on August 18, 2026. He had previously been removed from the United States back to his native Honduras on July 22, 2014. If convicted, HENRIQUEZ-HERRERA faces a maximum penalty of two (2) years, followed by up to one (1) year of supervised release, up to a $250,000 fine, and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee. U.S. Attorney Courcelle reiterated that an indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt. This case is part of Operation Take Back America ( https://www.justice.gov/dag/media/1393746/dl?inline ), a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN). U.S. Attorney Courcelle praised the work of the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement in investigating this matter. Special Assistant United States Attorney Rick Veters of the General Crimes Unit oversees the prosecution.


title: El Salvadoran Illegal Alien Sentenced For Reentry of Removed Alien

body_text: NEW ORLEANS , LOUISIANA – JOSE ANTONIO LARIO SALMERON (“SALMERON”) , age 33, a native of El Salvador, was sentenced today for reentry of removed alien, in violation of Title 8, United States Code, Section 1326(a), announced United States Attorney David I. Courcelle. According to court documents, on March 30, 2026, SALMERON was travelling eastbound in a white van with several illegal aliens. Following the lawful stop by U.S. Border Patrol agents, it was determined that SALMERON – who had been previously removed from the United States on June 15, 2020 – illegally re-entered the United States without permission from the Attorney General or the Secretary of Homeland Security. United States District Judge Darrel James Papillion sentenced SALMERON to time served to be followed by one-year of supervised release. A $100 mandatory special assessment fee was also imposed. SALMERON will be turned over to immigration authorities for removal to his home country. U.S. Attorney Courcelle praised the work of the United States Border Patrol in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Spiro G. Latsis of the General Crimes Unit oversees the prosecution. Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is the Department of Justice’s nationwide initiative that brings federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement, prosecutors, and other public safety partners together to coordinate efforts to combat violent crime and make communities safe. Coordinated by U.S. Attorneys’ offices in each of the 94 federal districts, PSN is tailored to particular communities to strategically address specific violent crime and public safety challenges. As a key component of Operation Take Back America, PSN serves a central role in the Department’s commitment to make our country safe. PSN emphasizes three core principles: rapid federal response to violent crime and criminal offenders; strong, strategic partnerships among law enforcement at all levels; and accountability and deterrence through the prosecution of the most serious, readily provable offenses and other strategies. These efforts complement and strengthen President Trump’s Homeland Security Task Forces, ensuring a comprehensive federal response to the most pressing public safety issues facing communities. ***


title: Jason Parman Appointed United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky

component: USAO - Kentucky, Eastern

body_text: LEXINGTON, Ky. – The United States District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky has appointed Jason Parman to serve as the United States Attorney for the District. Mr. Parman has been a member of the U.S. Attorney’s Office since 2008. He served as the Branch Manager of the London Branch Office from 2013 until March 2026. U.S. Attorney Parman is a native Kentuckian. Mr. Parman graduated from Eastern Kentucky University, with a degree in police administration, and from the University of Kentucky College of Law. Prior to joining the Office, Mr. Parman worked as a criminal defense lawyer in both federal and state court, before serving as a United States Probation Officer for five years. U.S. Attorney Parman said, “I am honored and humbled by the opportunity to lead the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Kentucky. Having spent my entire career serving the people of Kentucky, including more than 18 years with this Office, I understand the responsibility that comes with this position. I am proud of the work our attorneys and staff do every day to uphold the rule of law, protect our communities, and seek justice. I look forward to working alongside our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners as we continue that important mission across the Eastern District.” – END –


title: Fresno Man Sentenced to 3 Years in Prison for Filing $1.5 Million in False Tax Returns

component: USAO - California, Eastern

body_text: FRESNO, Calif. — Marice Curry, 35, of Fresno, was sentenced Monday by U.S. District Judge Jennifer L. Thurston to three years in prison for filing false federal income tax returns, U.S. Attorney Eric Grant announced. “This sentence reflects the seriousness of Curry’s scheme and the impact it had on the federal tax system,” said U.S. Attorney Eric Grant. “Fraudulent refund claims drain taxpayer dollars and undermine the integrity of programs designed to support legitimate businesses. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to hold accountable those who attempt to exploit these programs.” “The Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) aggressively pursues those who abuse the tax administration process for unlawful purposes,” said TIGTA Special Agent in Charge Krystofor Proev. “We appreciate the efforts of our law enforcement partners and the U.S. Attorney's Office to ensure individuals engaged in such criminal activity are held accountable to the American people.” “The scope of Marice Curry’s fraud, involving more than fifty false tax returns and over 1.5 million dollars in improper refund claims, represents a serious breach of trust in our tax system as reflected by today’s sentencing,” said IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) San Francisco Field Office Acting Special Agent in Charge David Lowe. “IRS-CI does not hesitate to pursue individuals who attempt to misuse programs meant for legitimate taxpayers, especially when a scheme is complex or designed to mislead. Our duty is clear: protect honest taxpayers and pursue justice.” According to court records, in 2023, Curry filed more than 50 fraudulent tax returns on behalf of various businesses, seeking over $1.5 million in improper refunds. He did so by falsely claiming refundable fuel tax credits—credits intended to reimburse businesses for excise taxes paid on fuel used for legitimate off‑highway purposes such as farming and fishing. Curry knew the businesses were not entitled to these credits. Curry pleaded guilty on Feb. 9, 2026. IRS-CI and the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Barton prosecuted the case.


title: Former Trinity County Man Charged with Receiving and Possessing Thousands of Depictions of Child Sexual Abuse Material

body_text: SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A federal grand jury returned a three-count indictment on July 23 against Shane Woodson, 39, formerly of Weaverville, and now living in Wyoming, charging him with receiving and possessing child sexual abuse material (CSAM), U.S. Attorney Eric Grant announced. According to court documents, in 2023, while living in Weaverville, Woodson used a sophisticated peer-to-peer software client to receive hundreds of hours’ worth of video files depicting CSAM. Law enforcement agents executed a search warrant at Woodson’s Weaverville residence in 2024 and seized electronic devices containing tens of thousands of additional depictions of children engaging in sexually explicit conduct. Law enforcement officers also seized a child-sized sex doll from Woodson’s residence. Law enforcement officers arrested Woodson in Wyoming on July 29, 2026. Woodson appeared in federal court in Sacramento on Aug. 21, 2026, to face the charges in the indictment. The Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation with assistance from the Sacramento Valley Hi-Tech Crimes Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sam Stefanki is prosecuting the case. If convicted of receiving CSAM, Woodson faces a mandatory minimum statutory penalty of five years in prison and a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison, as well as a $250,000 fine. If convicted of possessing CSAM, Woodson faces a maximum statutory penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. The charges are only allegations; the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. 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 those who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc .


title: Carjacking and Robbery Spree Yields D.C. Man 13.5 Years in Prison

component: USAO - District of Columbia

body_text: WASHINGTON – Dartanian Owens, 22, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced yesterday for a carjacking and robbery spree between April 6-8, 2025, in Northeast and Southeast Washington D.C., announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro. Owens pleaded guilty in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, on April 9, 2026, to one count of carjacking, one count of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, one count of robbery and one count of carrying a pistol without a license. On August 24, 2026, Superior Court Judge Andrea Herzfeld sentenced the defendant to 162 months’ incarceration according to the government’s recommendation and declined to sentence the defendant under the Youth Rehabilitation Act. According to the government’s evidence, in the early morning hours on April 6, 2025, Owens, while armed with a firearm, carjacked the first victim, who was delivering food for DoorDash in Northeast D.C. The following day, between 4:00 a.m. and 5:20 a.m., the defendant used the carjacked vehicle to commit three armed robberies in Southeast D.C. Specifically, at 4:05 a.m. Owens approached a victim, who was on his way to work and waiting at a bus stop in front of 2701 Naylor Road SE. The defendant pointed a pink and silver handgun at him, stated “lay it down,” and robbed the victim of his AirPods, cash, and phone. Approximately one hour later at 5:05 a.m., Owens approached another victim, who was walking to the Anacostia Metro Station on his way to work. The defendant robbed this victim at gunpoint, taking a backpack containing construction tools, keys, a phone, a wallet, cash, and an ID. Around fifteen minutes later at 5:20 a.m., Owens and a co-conspirator robbed a third victim, who was waiting for an Uber to take him to his dialysis appointment. The co-conspirator exited the vehicle first and took the victim’s backpack at gunpoint. Owens then exited the driver’s side of the vehicle and demanded more from the victim while pointing a firearm him. The victim, however, had nothing left to surrender. In the early hours of April 8, 2025, police in Prince George’s County spotted the carjacked vehicle in a McDonald’s parking lot in Maryland and attempted a felony stop. Owens, who was alone in the vehicle, refused to pull over and fled from police. The defendant led police through Maryland and D.C., at one point driving 44 miles per hour over the speed limit through a residential neighborhood. Police disabled the vehicle using spike strips and Owens jumped from the vehicle while it was still moving. The defendant then fled on foot through a neighborhood, hiding behind houses, on porches, and behind sheds. Once apprehended, the defendant gave a false identity to the police. Along the defendant’s flight path, officers recovered a black and pink Walther PK380 handgun and a key fob belonging to the carjacked vehicle. Photo of Walther PK380 firearm recovered by law enforcement. Owens was arrested on April 8, 2025, and has been in custody since. Joining the announcement was Interim Chief Jeffery Carroll of the Metropolitan Police Department. This case was investigated by the Metropolitan Police Department’s Carjacking Task Force, and other officers and Detectives with the Metropolitan Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Eliot Folsom. 2025 CF3 015856


title: West Haven Man Pleads Guilty to Drug Distribution and Fentanyl Possession Offenses

component: USAO - Connecticut

body_text: David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Jarod Forget, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration for New England, announced that ALTON SMALL, also known as “Poodah,” “Tiemare,” and “Tie,” 31, of West Haven, waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport to narcotics distribution and firearm possession offenses. According to court documents and statements made in court, a Drug Enforcement Administration New Haven District Office (NHDO) Task Force investigation identified Small as the leader of a drug trafficking organization that was distributing fentanyl and cocaine in the greater New Haven area. The investigation included the seizure of approximately two kilograms of cocaine in Ansonia on January 30, 2025, multiple controlled purchases of narcotics between March and June 2025, and other investigative techniques. Investigators also connected an overdose death to Small’s drug trafficking activity. Small was arrested on June 18, 2025. On that date, investigators searched several locations connected to Small and seized more than one kilogram of powder cocaine, more than 150 grams of crack cocaine, more than 200 grams of fentanyl, two loaded firearms, and additional ammunition. On August 20, 2026, while released on bond, Small was arrested by West Haven Police for narcotics possession and distribution offenses. Small pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine and 40 grams or more of fentanyl, and one count of possession a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. At sentencing, which is scheduled for November 17, he faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of life. Small’s bond was revoked today and he is detained pending sentencing. The NHDO Task Force includes members from the DEA, U.S. Marshals Service, Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division, Connecticut State Police and the New Haven, Waterbury, East Haven, Branford, West Haven, Ansonia, Meriden, Naugatuck, and Shelton Police Departments. The U.S. Postal Inspection Service has assisted the investigation. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Shan Patel.


title: District of Colorado Indicts Seven Defendants On Alien Smuggling, Forced Labor Charges, As A Result Of Human Trafficking Scheme

component: USAO - Colorado

body_text: DENVER – The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado announces that Freddy Alberto Gomez Urena (aka Chun Chun), Ligia Zulay Gonzalez Sanchez, Josue Reinaldo Cordoba Somasa, Narkys Doralddy Gomez Urena, Miguel Eduardo Cardenas Perez, and Wualter Alexander Castellanos Bermeo, have each been charged with one count of conspiracy to provide and obtain forced labor, multiple counts of forced labor, and multiple counts of alien smuggling. A seventh defendant, Franklin Alexis Contreras Carrillo, is charged with one count of forced labor and one count of alien smuggling. According to the indictment, beginning in about October 2021, and continuing until about December 2023, the defendants worked together to obtain and provide the labor and services of one or more persons by means of force, threats, and abuse. The defendants are also charged with illegally bringing the victims of the forced labor scheme into the United States for the purpose of commercial advantage and private financial gain. The charges contained in the indictment are allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. The investigation is being conducted by the FBI Denver Field Office, IRS-Criminal Investigation, and the Colorado State Patrol. The Transnational Organized Crime and Money Laundering Section of the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado is handling the prosecution. Case Number: 1:26-cr-00182-GPG


title: Tucson Man Sentenced to 60 Months in Prison for Assaulting Victim with a Metal Rod

component: USAO - Arizona

body_text: TUCSON, Ariz. – On Aug. 19, 2026, Sonny Reyes Lozano, 38, of Tucson, Arizona, was sentenced by United States District Judge Rosemary Marquez to 60 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. Lozano previously pleaded guilty to Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury. On Dec. 14, 2025, Lozano, an enrolled member of the Pascua Yaqui Tribe, confronted the victim as he was walking home. Lozano struck the victim approximately eight times with a metal rod, inflicting serious injuries. The victim sustained a fractured ulna. At the time of the assault, Lozano was under supervised release for a previous conviction. The FBI Phoenix Division’s Tucson office and the Pascua Yaqui Police Department conducted the investigation. The United States Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, handled the prosecution. CASE NUMBER: 25-CR-05654-TUC-RM RELEASE NUMBER: 2026-145_Lozano # # # For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/ Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, on Twitter @USAO_AZ for the latest news.


title: Oregon Man Sentenced to Prison for Tax Crimes and Other Fraud

component: National Fraud Enforcement Division

body_text: An Oregon man was sentenced to 42 months in prison for tax evasion, employment tax crimes, bank fraud, wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. According to documents and statements made in court, Joel Matthew Caswell, 32, of Jacksonville, Oregon, had ownership or managing interests in three logging and construction businesses that collectively employed approximately 40 employees. Caswell exercised control over the business and financial affairs of at least two of these businesses and was responsible for withholding Social Security, Medicare and federal income taxes from employees and then paying over those funds to the IRS. From 2018 through 2022, Caswell withheld employment taxes from his employees’ pay but willfully failed to pay over these taxes to the IRS. Caswell attempted to evade these and other taxes by directing customers to write checks to another company or to him personally, moving business funds and lying to IRS collection officers. In 2019, the IRS assessed the Trust Fund Recovery Penalty against Caswell based on these unpaid payroll taxes. Separately, between 2022 and 2024, Caswell executed multiple fraud schemes that involved submitting fabricated financial records to a bank, a private lender and the Small Business Administration to secure loans. For example, Caswell submitted fraudulent PPP and EIDL applications for all three of the logging and construction businesses. He transferred $70,000 of his fraud proceeds to be used as a deposit for an ultimate frisbee tournament. Caswell also used the personal identifying information of another person to obtain a residential mortgage. On June 9, Caswell pleaded guilty to three counts of tax evasion, three counts of willful failure to pay over employment taxes, one count of bank fraud, one count of wire fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft. In addition to the term of imprisonment, U.S. District Court Judge Michael J. McShane ordered Caswell to serve five years of supervised release and to pay $1,198,799.83 in restitution to the IRS. Assistant Attorney General Colin McDonald of the Justice Department’s National Fraud Enforcement Division and U.S. Attorney Scott E. Bradford for the District of Oregon made the announcement. IRS Criminal Investigation, the FBI and the Interior Department’s Bureau of Land Management investigated the case. Trial Attorney J. Parker Gochenour of the Criminal Division’s Tax Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney John C. Brassel for the District of Oregon prosecuted the case. On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division (“Fraud Division”). The Fraud Division is laser-focused on investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against the American people. The Department’s work to combat fraud supports President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.


title: Operator of Minnesota-Based Money Transmitter Charged With Laundering Drug Proceeds for Mexican Cartel Following Homeland Security Task Force Investigation

component: Criminal Division

body_text: A federal grand jury in the District of Minnesota returned an indictment on Aug. 20, charging Christopher A. Bravo Marin (Bravo), 46, of Minneapolis, Minnesota, a Mexican national, with conspiring to launder at least $750,000 in drug proceeds on behalf of the Cártel de Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG), one of the most prolific and dangerous drug cartels in Mexico. Bravo was arrested yesterday by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) special agents. He appeared before a U.S. magistrate judge in Minneapolis today. “The indictment alleges that this defendant abused his position at a financial institution to help the CJNG cartel launder money from its drug sales back to Mexico,” said Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “Cartels rely on financial facilitators to ensure that cartel leadership in Mexico receive the profits from the heinous crimes they perpetrate here in the United States. The Criminal Division is relentless in its mission to take the profit out of crime, including by prosecuting those who help funnel drug proceeds back to cartel management.” “This defendant strengthened a criminal infrastructure by helping transfer hundreds of thousands of dollars in drug proceeds to cartel leaders,” said U.S. Attorney Daniel N. Rosen for the District of Minnesota. “My office remains committed to taking down drug trafficking organizations that threaten the public safety of the people of Minnesota.” “These types of cases are exactly why Homeland Security Task Forces are so important in stopping transnational criminal activity,” said Special Agent in Charge Travis Pickard of HSI St. Paul. “They bring a whole-of-government approach to combating serious criminals who commit serious crimes and endanger people in our communities every day. Through coordinated law enforcement partnerships, we are better positioned to disrupt these networks and protect the public.” According to the indictment, from at least February 2023 to at least February 2026, Bravo, an employee of a Minnesota-based money transmitting business, conspired with members of a CJNG drug distribution cell in Minnesota to launder drug proceeds and transfer them to cartel leaders in Mexico through the money transmitter where he worked. Bravo used his position at the money transmitter and his understanding of his employer’s compliance policies and procedures to evade their anti-money laundering controls and conceal the illicit source of the funds he laundered. Cartel members paid Bravo approximately $40-50 for each transfer that he laundered. To transfer the funds, Bravo allegedly structured the amount of money to be sent to Mexico across multiple transfers, ensuring that each transfer was always right below $1,000 — the money transmitter’s threshold for collecting and verifying a customer’s identification document. Bravo created fake names of Hispanic origin to serve as the senders and sent the money to straw beneficiaries in Mexico whose names he received from cartel members. After processing the transfers, Bravo forged the signature of the senders on each payment confirmation receipt to make the transfer appear legitimate and texted screenshots of the receipts to his co-conspirators so that the funds could be redeemed in Mexico. Bravo is charged with one count of conspiracy to engage in money laundering, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. A federal district judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Trial Attorney Javier Urbina of the Criminal Division’s Money Laundering, Narcotics and Forfeiture Section (MNF) and Assistant U.S. Attorney Rebecca Kline for the District of Minnesota are prosecuting the case. HSI St. Paul and the Dakota County Drug Task Force investigated this case. MNF’s mission is to take the profit out of crime, eliminate drug cartels, and protect the U.S. financial system. MNF pursues criminal prosecutions and criminal and civil asset recovery actions involving: financial facilitators who launder profits for criminals; financial institutions and their officers and employees whose actions threaten the U.S. financial system and financial institutions; international money launderers who support transnational organized crime; and the top command and control of international drug trafficking organizations. MNF’s Bank Integrity Unit investigates and prosecutes banks and other financial institutions, including their officers, managers and employees whose actions threaten the integrity of the individual institution or the wider financial system. This case is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of U.S. law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.


title: Justice Department Files Lawsuit to Stop Ohio Court’s Unlawful Obstruction of Federal Law Enforcement

component: Civil Division

body_text: Today, the Department of Justice filed a lawsuit against the Franklin County Municipal Court in Columbus, Ohio, along with the Administrative and Presiding Judge and Director of Security, challenging a new rule that blocks federal officials from arresting aliens at or near the courthouse. Specifically, the complaint challenges the new Rule 2.10 that purports to shield aliens from being lawfully detained at or around the courthouse and to impose criminal and civil liability for violations. Not only is the rule an illegal attempt to regulate the federal government, but, as alleged in the complaint, the rule threatens the safety and effectiveness of federal operations. As is true in all types of law enforcement, conducting an arrest at or near a courthouse often reduces the risk of flight and potential safety risks to the public, law enforcement officers, and subjects themselves due to the enhanced security screenings in place at courthouses. Franklin County Municipal Court’s rule runs counter to common sense and endangers the broader community by attempting to eliminate safe places for law enforcement officers to act. “Today the Department sued yet another local entity that seeks to thwart the will of Congress by regulating when and where Federal law enforcement does its job, all in the name of protecting criminal aliens who violate our Nation’s laws,” said Associate Attorney General Stanley E. Woodward, Jr. “No more. This Department of Justice will not sit idly by while state and local government seek to undermine federal immigration enforcement.” “This type of rule obstructs federal law enforcement and facilitates evasion of federal law by dangerous criminal aliens, despite Congress’s direction that federal agents detain and remove them,” said Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “Throughout the country, and including in this courthouse specifically, federal agents have routinely and safely conducted arrests. The Department of Justice is committed to protecting that important federal prerogative.” Attorney General Blanche has instructed the Department’s Civil Division to identify state and local laws, policies, and practices that facilitate violations of federal laws or impede lawful federal operations. Today’s lawsuit is the latest in a series of lawsuits brought by the Civil Division targeting illegal policies designed to thwart federal law enforcement across the country, including in New York, Virginia, Connecticut, New Jersey, California, Milwaukee, and Philadelphia.


title: Justice Department to Conduct Election Monitoring in South Carolina Primary Election

component: Civil Rights Division

body_text: Today, the Civil Rights Division is monitoring polling sites in South Carolina for the state’s primary runoff election to ensure transparency, ballot security, and compliance with federal law. “South Carolina is the next stop in our ongoing effort to ensure election transparency,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “We appreciate the cooperation of the State of South Carolina, the County of Charleston, and the South Carolina United States Attorney’s Office in helping make this monitoring effort an exemplary one for promoting trust.” The DOJ, through the Civil Rights Division, enforces federal voting laws which protect the voting rights of all eligible citizens. The DOJ regularly deploys staff to monitor compliance with federal civil rights laws in communities across the country. This special GOP runoff is occurring due to the late Senator Lindsey Graham’s unexpected death on July 11, 2026. The DOJ is monitoring polls in Charleston County, South Carolina, with four Civil Rights Division attorneys, one South Carolina Assistant U.S. Attorney, and one staff employee with the South Carolina U.S. Attorney’s Office. Thus far the DOJ has deployed over 80 monitors across seven states and over 200 polling locations this primary season. By comparison, during the 2022 midterms the DOJ sent monitors to nine states during the primary season. This monitoring initiative is aimed at promoting transparency and an open flow of communication between poll observers and election monitors. The Civil Rights Division’s Voting Section enforces various federal statutes that protect the right to vote, including the Voting Rights Act, National Voter Registration Act, Help America Vote Act, Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and the Civil Rights Acts. From now through the general election on Nov. 3, Civil Rights Division personnel will be available to receive questions and complaints from the public related to federal voting rights laws. If you have a question or complaint or would like to request election monitoring in a particular jurisdiction, please contact the Voting Section at VEM@usdoj.gov.


title: Justice Department Announces Emergency Scheduling of Three Potent Opioid Compounds

component: Office of the Attorney General

body_text: The Department of Justice today announced the emergency scheduling of three highly potent opioid compounds that pose an imminent hazard to public safety: mitragynine pseudoindoxyl, commonly known as MGPI, and two synthetic compounds known as MGM-15 and MGM-16. “The Justice Department is acting before these dangerous compounds become a broader threat,” said Attorney General Todd Blanche. “These are potent opioids being manufactured and sold in consumer products, often under labels that obscure their true risks. This action will protect our nation’s children and communities from the dangers of drug addiction and abuse.” The Drug Enforcement Administration is temporarily placing the three 7-hydroxymitragynine-related substances in schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act. Preclinical evidence indicates that all three are potent mu-opioid receptor agonists and may present risks associated with other mu-opioid agonists, including dependence and respiratory depression. MGPI and MGM-15 are manufactured and marketed in products sold for their opioid effects. MGM-16 has not been confirmed in the consumer market but is a highly potent compound that could emerge as a substitute for related substances. The emergency scheduling action subjects the manufacture, distribution and possession of these substances to the regulatory controls and administrative, civil, and criminal sanctions applicable to schedule I controlled substances. It allows the federal government to respond to a rapidly developing market for products containing these manufactured opioid compounds. This action is directed at deliberately manufactured and concentrated opioid products, not traditional botanical kratom. The published scientific literature has not established MGPI as a naturally occurring kratom alkaloid. However, scientific and analytical questions remain about whether MGPI may be reported at incidental trace levels in some botanical products as a result of processing, storage or analytical conditions. In light of these unresolved questions, the Department of Justice will exercise enforcement discretion when only incidental trace amounts of MGPI are confirmed in a product otherwise consistent with botanical kratom. This policy does not create a legal exemption and does not change MGPI’s status as a schedule I controlled substance. This enforcement policy does not apply to MGM-15 or MGM-16, or products containing manufactured, concentrated, fortified or intentionally added MGPI. The policy does not change the scheduling status of any other substance or limit the authority of the Food and Drug Administration under federal law. The temporary scheduling order and the Department’s enforcement policy are available here .


title: Dual U.S. and Canadian Citizen and Alleged Repeat Child Sexual Predator Arrested for Sexual Exploitation of a Child in Hawaii

body_text: Note: See the indictment here . A man was arrested this weekend in Canada at the request of the United States following his earlier indictment in Hawaii for sexual exploitation of a child. According to court documents, Donald Steven Lang, 62, produced images of a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Lang allegedly produced the images between September 2024 and December 2024 aboard his 52-foot sailboat, the Ishi . Lang is an amateur sailor who is known to sail around the world and frequently harbored in Hawaii. “Protecting children from sexual predators is a priority of the highest order,” said Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “We will continue to pursue this alleged offender and work with our law enforcement partners to return him to the United States to face trial for the crimes he is charged with committing.” “The U.S. Attorney’s Office is unwavering in our commitment to protecting Hawaii’s children and bringing to justice anyone preying upon them,” said U.S. Attorney Ken Sorenson for the District of Hawaii. “I commend the continued dedication and great work of FBI and our Canadian law enforcement partners for apprehending Mr. Lang quickly and safely so that he can face justice in U.S. District Court in Hawaii for his alleged crimes.” “The FBI remains committed to identifying, investigating, and bringing offenders to justice who prey on some of the most vulnerable members of our communities,” said FBI Criminal Assistant Director Heith Janke. “Donald Lang has been accused by multiple victims of committing sexual abuse of a minor. Lang’s apprehension was the direct result of the collaboration of the FBI and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Pacific Region.” Lang was previously indicted on separate charges of child sexual abuse in Idaho related to his involvement in the sexual assault of a minor between 2003 and 2007. If convicted, Lang faces a minimum penalty of 15 years in prison and a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison. He also faces a penalty of between five years of supervised release and lifetime supervised release, along with a fine of up to $250,000. A federal district court judge will determine a sentence upon conviction after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. FBI Honolulu is investigating the case. Lang's apprehension was the direct result of the cooperation of the FBI and Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP)'s Tofino General Duty, Island District GIS, Nanaimo Detachment, and Island District ERT. The Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs provided critical assistance in securing the apprehension. Trial Attorney Eduardo Palomo of the Justice Department’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS) and Assistant U.S. Attorney Barbara Eucker for the District of Hawaii are prosecuting the case. Anyone with information regarding this case may contact the FBI’s Honolulu Field Office at (808) 426-2534, the FBI’s Toll-Free tipline at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324). Anyone with information about this case may also contact their local FBI office or the nearest American Embassy or Consulate, or they can submit a tip online at tips.fbi.gov. An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.


title: Deloitte Agrees to Pay $21.5M to Resolve Alleged Employment Discrimination Violations

body_text: Today the Justice Department announced another False Claims Act resolution secured under the Civil Rights Fraud Initiative, which was launched by the Department in May 2025. Deloitte LLP, Deloitte Consulting LLP, Deloitte & Touche LLP, Deloitte Financial Advisory Services LLP, and Deloitte Transactions and Business Analytics LLP, (collectively, Deloitte) have agreed to pay the United States $21.5 million to resolve allegations that Deloitte violated the False Claims Act by failing to comply with anti-discrimination requirements in its federal contracts and discriminating against employees and applicants on the basis of their race or sex. Most federal contracts contain a provision that requires contractors to provide equal opportunity to employees and applicants for employment. As a condition to being a federal contractor, the company must certify that it will not discriminate against an employee or applicant for employment because of race or sex and must further certify that it will take steps to ensure that applicants are employed, and employees are treated during employment, “without regard to” race or sex. The settlement resolves allegations that from 2017 to the present, Deloitte falsely certified compliance with these conditions, while engaging in discriminatory race and sex-based employment practices. “Government contractors cannot reward or penalize employees based on race or sex — and labeling the practice DEI does not make it lawful,” said Attorney General Todd Blanche. “The Justice Department will aggressively pursue government contractors that have used taxpayer dollars to fund unlawful discrimination.” “Merit drives opportunity and promotion. Not someone’s sex or race,” said Associate Attorney General Stanley E. Woodward Jr. “Today’s settlement is yet another example of this Department’s commitment to eliminating woke, unconstitutional practices from American workplaces.” “Federal contractors are bound by clear legal obligations: they must certify that they will make employment decisions without regard to race or sex, and they must honor that commitment — not circumvent it through demographic targets or programs that allocate opportunities based on protected characteristics,” said Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “When a contractor misrepresents its compliance with federal anti discrimination law to secure federal funds, it violates the conditions for receiving those funds and risks liability under the False Claims Act. Today’s resolution makes unmistakably clear that the Department will aggressively enforce these requirements, and companies who take taxpayer funds while engaging in illegal discrimination will be held accountable.” “As this settlement shows, the government is committed to ensuring that those who receive the benefits of federal contracts or funding must play by the rules,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould for the Northern District of Texas. “The False Claims Act is a powerful tool for enforcing those obligations, and my office will not hesitate to use it to investigate and uncover any violations and to hold the responsible parties accountable.” The United States alleged that Deloitte took race or sex into account when making hiring, promotion, and staffing decisions to achieve progress toward non-public race and sex-based workforce composition goals. Business units within Deloitte received monthly summaries tracking the demographic goals within the unit, where representation or advancement toward the goal was highlighted in green, yellow, or red depending on whether the goal was exceeded, met or slightly missed, or significantly below the goal. In addition, the United States alleged that Deloitte’s Partners, Principals and Managing Directors (PPMDs) were evaluated, in part, based on their contributions to helping Deloitte achieve its workforce composition goals, while, for a two-year period, approximately 150 of Deloitte’s most senior PPMDs compensation could be impacted if their business units did not meet demographic goals set by Deloitte. The United States alleged that these goals were also intended to impact Deloitte’s promotion decisions, as business units were assigned goals for racial and sex make up of their yearly PPMD classes. For example, where the class of PPMD candidates initially met Deloitte’s demographic goals, Deloitte identified candidates by race and sex in a spreadsheet when circulating the list of PPMD candidates, and suggested the individuals involved in selecting the PPMD candidates promote specific employees to “equitably maintain the current mix.” The United States further alleged that Deloitte set goals pertaining to the demographics of employees staffed to federal contracts, and sought to make statistically equal the percentage of Deloitte identified Under Represented Minorities (URMs) and non-URMs who were understaffed or “on the bench.” Deloitte identified employees that were available to be staffed on projects by race and sex and provided names of those employees to staffing managers and suggested that the managers consider staffing those employees whose utilization would help Deloitte achieve its goal of achieving parity between the percentage of URMs and non-URMs who were understaffed or “on the bench.” Finally, the United States alleged that Deloitte offered certain training, mentoring, leadership development programs, educational opportunities or resources, and/or similar opportunities only to certain employees, with eligibility limited on the basis of race or sex. For example, Deloitte ran the Springboard and Compass programs, where eligibility to participate was limited on the basis of race and sex. These programs were designed to boost the career prospects of these individuals over others through sponsorship and networking. This civil settlement includes the resolution of claims brought under the qui tam or whistleblower provisions of the False Claims Act by the American Alliance for Equal Rights. Under those provisions, a private party can file an action on behalf of the United States and receive a portion of any recovery. The qui tam case is captioned United States ex rel. American Alliance for Equal Rights v. Deloitte LLP, et al. (No. 4:25-cv-00458). Under the resolution, the Relator will receive $4,300,000. This year the Administration launched the Task Force to Eliminate Fraud and the National Fraud Enforcement Division to enhance the Administration’s war on fraud, waste and abuse in federal programs. When unscrupulous actors exploit these programs for their own financial gain they defraud the government, harm the people these programs are designed to aid and protect, and undermine American businesses that play by the rules. The Civil Division’s FCA enforcement plays a critical role in combatting such fraudulent schemes, recovering billions of dollars for American taxpayers, and holding wrongdoers accountable. FCA matters will continue to be on the forefront of the battle against fraud, and the Civil Division’s FCA work will support and advance the mission of the Task Force to Eliminate Fraud and the National Fraud Enforcement Division. The resolution obtained in this matter was the result of a coordinated effort between the Justice Department’s Civil Division, Commercial Litigation Branch, Fraud Section and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Texas. The claims resolved by the United States in the settlement are allegations only and there has been no determination of liability.