title: Middlesex County Man Admits to Production and Possession of Child Pornography

body_text: TRENTON, N.J. – An Old Bridge, New Jersey man admitted to producing and possessing images and recordings of child pornography, U.S. Attorney Robert Frazer announced today. Daniel Berwick, 39, pleaded guilty on August 18, 2026 before U.S. District Judge Robert Kirsch in Trenton federal court to a three-count Information charging him with two counts of production of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography. According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court: In August and September 2025, Berwick persuaded and enticed Minor Victim-1 and Minor Victim-2 to create and send him photos and video recordings on the social media platform Snapchat that depicted the minors engaged in sexual activity. As part of his scheme, Berwick catfished his victims by presenting himself as a 17-year-old high school student and using the photos and video recordings of an adult content creator as if they were pictures of him. Eventually, Berwick even threatened to send compromising photos of Minor Victim-1 to her family and high school officials, if she did not meet his demands for money or sexual acts. After searching Berwick’s electronic devices, law enforcement uncovered, among other things, at least 1,000 images of child pornography, including prepubescent minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct, sexual abuse or exploitation of an infant or toddler, and images portraying sadistic or masochistic conduct. The production of child pornography charges related to Minor Victim-1 and Minor Victim-2 each carries a mandatory minimum term of 15 years imprisonment and a maximum term of 30 years imprisonment, and a fine of up to $250,000. The possession of child pornography charge carries a maximum term of 20 years imprisonment, which is increased from a maximum of 10 years because at least one image associated with the offense includes a prepubescent minor, and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentencing is scheduled for December 21, 2026. U.S. Attorney Frazer credited special agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Stefanie Roddy in Newark, with the investigation leading to the guilty pleas. He also thanked the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Offense, under the direction of Prosecutor Linda Estremera, and the Old Bridge Police Department, under the direction of Chief of Police Thomas J. Montagna, for their assistance in the investigation. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS) in the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit: https://www.justice.gov/psc. The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan S. Garelick of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Criminal Division in Trenton. ### Defense counsel: Robert C. Scrivo, Esq., Mandelbaum Barrett PC. berwick.information.pdf


title: Omaha Man Sentenced to More Than 19 Years on Methamphetamine Charge

component: USAO - Nebraska

body_text: United States Attorney Lesley A. Woods announced that Philip D. Ausherman, 44, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced on August 18, 2026, in federal court in Omaha for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. Chief United States District Court Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Ausherman to 235 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Ausherman’s release from prison, he will serve a 5-year term of supervised release. Ausherman was found guilty of the conspiracy charge by a federal jury in April. Ausherman was charged because of his involvement with a Mexican source of supply of methamphetamine who supplies the Omaha and Council Bluffs, Iowa, areas. Ausherman was arrested on January 29, 2025, after a Deputy Douglas County Sheriff conducted a traffic stop after observing Ausherman commit a traffic infraction. During the traffic stop, a drug detecting canine was called to the scene and indicated to the odor of narcotics coming from within Ausherman’s vehicle. A subsequent search of his vehicle revealed approximately 8 grams of methamphetamine. During a post-arrest interview, Ausherman admitted receiving more than 17 kilograms of methamphetamine from his Mexican source of supply during the previous six months. This prosecution is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement 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 Omaha comprises agents and officers from HSI, FBI, DEA, ATF, U.S. Marshals Service, USPIS, the IRS-Criminal Investigation Division, and assistance of the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Nebraska.


title: Grand Jury for the District of Nebraska - August 2026

body_text: United States Attorney Lesley A. Woods announced the federal Grand Jury for the District of Nebraska has returned 15 unsealed Indictments charging 16 defendants. Indictments are charging documents that contain one or more individual counts that are merely accusations, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. David Barrera Jr. , age 48, of Omaha, Nebraska, is charged in a two-count Indictment. Count I charges Barrera Jr. with distribution of 50 grams or more of methamphetamine on or about September 16, 2025. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is not less than 10 years and up to life imprisonment, a $10,000,000 fine, a term of supervised release of not less than 5 years and up to life, and a $100 special assessment. Count II charges Barrera Jr. with distribution of 50 grams or more of methamphetamine on or about October 1, 2025. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is not less than 10 years and up to life imprisonment, a $10,000,000 fine, a term of supervised release of not less than 5 years and up to life, and a $100 special assessment. Count III charges Barrera Jr. with distribution of 50 grams or more of methamphetamine on or about December 10, 2025. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is not less than 10 years and up to life imprisonment, a $10,000,000 fine, a term of supervised release of not less than 5 years and up to life, and a $100 special assessment. Count IV charges Barrera Jr. with possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine on or about December 10, 2025. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is not less than 10 years and up to life imprisonment, a $10,000,000 fine, a term of supervised release of not less than 5 years and up to life, and a $100 special assessment. Gurarppan Singh Gill , age 23, of Seward, Nebraska, is charged with possession with intent to distribute 5 kilograms or more of cocaine on or about May 27, 2026. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is not less than 10 years and up to life of imprisonment, a $10,000,000 fine, a term of supervised release of not less than 5 years and up to life, and a $100 special assessment. John M. Dubray, III, age 40, and Jill C. Dubray, age 40, of Columbus, Nebraska, are charged in a six-count Indictment. Count I charges John Dubray and Jill Dubray with conspiracy to commit bank fraud beginning on October 1, 2015, through on or about August 31, 2022. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is up to 30 years of imprisonment, a $1,000,000 fine, a 5-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count II charges John Dubray and Jill Dubray with bank fraud on or about October 1, 2015, through on or about December 31, 2017. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is up to 30 years of imprisonment, a $1,000,000 fine, a 5-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count III charges John Dubray and Jill Dubray with bank fraud on or about January 1, 2019, through on or about December 31, 2020. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is up to 30 years of imprisonment, a $1,000,000 fine, a 5-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count IV charges John Dubray and Jill Dubray with credit union fraud on or about February 1, 2020, through on or about September 30, 2020. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is up to 30 years of imprisonment, a $1,000,000 fine, a 5-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count V charges John Dubray with theft, embezzlement and misapplication by a bank officer on October 1, 2015, through on or about May 30, 2022. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is up to 30 years of imprisonment, a $1,000,000 fine, a 5-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count VI charges John Dubray with bank bribery on or about October 1, 2015, through on or about May 30, 2022. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is up to 30 years of imprisonment, a $1,000,000 fine, a 5-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Jennifer Marie Harlow, age 48, of Council Bluffs, Iowa, is charged with possession with intent to distribute 5 grams or more of methamphetamine on or about July 8, 2026. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is not less than 5 years and up to 40 years’ imprisonment, a $5,000,000 fine, a term of supervised release of not less than 4 years and up to life, and a $100 special assessment. Jose Gerardo Ruiz Alonso , age 37, of Omaha, Nebraska, is charged in a two-count Indictment. Count I charges Ruiz Alonso with being an alien in possession of a firearm on or about July 10, 2026. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is up to 15 years of imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count II charges Ruiz Alonso with being an alien in possession of a firearm on or about July 21, 2026. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is up to 15 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. The following individuals were charged with being an alien, who previously had been excluded, deported and removed from the United States and were found in the United States, without the Attorney General of the United States or his designated successor having expressly consented to the defendant’s reapplication for admission into the United States: Josue Isaac Ayala Melgar, age 40 Oscar Aguilar-Pablo , age 41 Luis Antonio Chavez Portillo , age 40 Abraham Gonzalez-Garcia , age 48 Migel Silvas-Ledesma , age 40 Jairo Garcia Murillo , age 44 Andres Ambrocio Perez , age 30 The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 2 years of imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a one-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. The following individuals were charged with being an alien, who previously had been excluded, deported and removed from the United States following a felony conviction and were found in the United States, without the Attorney General of the United States or his designated successor having expressly consented to the defendant’s reapplication for admission into the United States: Salvador Mora Cisneros , age 45 Antonio Manuel Lucero Reyes , age 63 The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 10 years of imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment The following individuals were charged with being an alien, who previously had been excluded, deported and removed from the United States following an aggravated felony conviction and were found in the United States, without the Attorney General of the United States or his designated successor having expressly consented to the defendant’s reapplication for admission into the United States: Francisco Javier Ledesma Santa Cruz , age 36 The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 20 years of imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.


title: Multi-State Drug Trafficking Operation Dismantled as a Part of the Homeland Security Task Force Initiative

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

body_text: CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – A drug trafficking and money laundering network operating from Detroit, Michigan, to Morgantown, West Virginia, has been dismantled following a coordinated multi-state investigation, U.S. Attorney Matthew L. Harvey announced today. “When agencies come together to take poison off the streets, communities are safer,” said U.S. Attorney Harvey. “This case demonstrates that no operation is too large or too far-reaching for our law enforcement partners. It sends a clear message: West Virginia is not a haven for drug dealers. We will prosecute those charged and hold them accountable.” According to the indictment, over a period of more than two years, 28 defendants from Detroit, Philadelphia, Mississippi, and West Virginia conspired to possess and distribute methamphetamine, fentanyl, cocaine base (“crack”), and cocaine in Monongalia County and surrounding areas. The operation, allegedly led by Brendan Bragg, 32, of Detroit, involved transporting drugs from the Detroit area to Morgantown and Parkersburg, West Virginia. The investigation resulted in the seizure of more than 8 pounds of methamphetamine, nearly 2 pounds of fentanyl and fentanyl mixtures, more than half a pound of cocaine and cocaine base, $21,906 in cash, 10 firearms, and ammunition. “The DEA is proud to work side-by-side with our federal, state, and local counterparts to pursue those who traffic dangerous drugs and fuel violence that ravages our communities,” said Special Agent in Charge Jim Scott, head of DEA’s Louisville Field Division. “By bringing the full resources of the federal government to bear against these criminals, we are sending a clear message: your days are numbered.” Those charged along with Bragg in the 114-count indictment containing multiple drug and money laundering counts are: Torianno Alexander, 40, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Treasure Wooten, 34, of Detroit, Michigan Ezavin Blue, 31, of Detroit, Michigan Vincent Hill, 38, of Detroit, Michigan Austin Hudson, 29, of Morgantown, West Virginia Frank McKinney, 27, of Highland Park, Michigan Stewart Jenkins, 54, of Detroit, Michigan Zaire Adams, 25, of Detroit, Michigan Adam Mccullough,26, of Cleveland, Mississippi Khorie Morris, 27, of Morgantown, West Virginia Lance Harris, 33, of Detroit, Michigan Kayla Ashley, 31, of Morgantown, West Virginia Cathy Jo Riffle, 32, of Westover, West Virginia Ashley Flowers, 49, of Westover, West Virginia Rebecca Fletcher, 34, of Morgantown, West Virginia Brian Willard, 49, of Fairview, West Virginia Isabella Rexroad, 29, of Parkersburg, West Virginia Keanna Phillips, 29, of Berkley, Michigan Alexis King, 44, of Morgantown, West Virginia Jeffrey Turner, 31, of Morgantown, West Virginia Darlene Dodson, 46, of Morgantown, West Virginia Valerie Smith, 37, of Morgantown, West Virginia Cody Lockhart, 38, of Wallace West Virginia Lori Murphy, 37, of Morgantown, West Virginia Latisha Kelly, 47, of Morgantown, West Virginia Brianna Turner, 28, of Reedsville, West Virginia Brian Turner, 63, of Reedsville, West Virginia The case also involved several residences in Morgantown, including locations on Kingwood Street, Airport Boulevard, Chestnut Ridge Road, Rolling Hills Village, Dunkard Avenue, Cherry Street, and East Hillview Drive. Assistant U.S. Attorney Zelda Wesley is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. This case is a 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. Investigative agencies include the Federal Bureau of Investigation-Pittsburgh; the Drug Enforcement Administration-Louisville/Clarksburg; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the United States Marshals Service; West Virginia State Police; the Morgantown Police Department; the Monongalia County Sheriff’s Department; the Preston County Sheriff’s Office; the WVU Police Department; the Granville Police Department; and the Monongalia County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. Other agencies that assisted are the Parkersburg Drug Task Force; the Franklin County, Ohio Drug Task Force; Michigan State Police; the Detroit Police Department; FBI-Detroit; DEA-Detroit; and the Greene County, Pennsylvania Drug Task Force. An indictment is merely an allegation, and a defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.


title: West Dallas man arrested for alleged multimillion-dollar Treasury check fraud scheme

component: USAO - Texas, Northern

body_text: DALLAS — United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas, Ryan Raybould, announced that a West Dallas man was arrested today on a federal criminal complaint alleging that he used stolen identities and fake IDs to deposit over $15 million in U.S. Treasury checks intended for various businesses throughout the U.S. Kendrick Lamont Fugett, 34, was taken into custody pursuant to a complaint filed on Aug. 14 that charges him with bank fraud and aggravated identity theft. Fugett is expected to make his initial appearance tomorrow morning in federal court in Dallas. “Stealing identities to siphon millions of dollars from the U.S. Treasury is not just fraud, it’s an attack on the integrity of our financial system,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould. “As alleged, Mr. Fugett carried out a brazen scheme to impersonate corporate officers, fabricate documents and manipulate banks in order to pocket taxpayer funds. His arrest makes clear that our office, together with IRS Criminal Investigation, will aggressively pursue anyone who targets our financial institutions and the businesses they serve.” “This arrest underscores IRS-CI’s unwavering commitment to protecting the integrity of the U.S. financial system,” said IRS‑CI’s Texas Field Office Special Agent in Charge Christopher J. Altemus Jr. “The defendant’s alleged scheme was deliberate, sophisticated, and designed to exploit public trust. The women and men of IRS-CI worked tirelessly to uncover Mr. Fugett’s alleged patterns of deception and misrepresentation, and we will continue to pursue anyone who attempts to steal from taxpayers.” According to the affidavit filed in support of the complaint, Fugett, described as a “recidivist identity thief,” allegedly assumed the identity of the chief financial officer of an Austin-based software company to open a business account at an Origin Bank branch in Dallas. Using a fraudulent Texas driver’s license and forged corporate documentation, he passed himself off as the company’s Chief Financial Officer and allegedly deposited a Treasury refund check valued at more than $13.8 million. The affidavit further alleges that Fugett’s scheme extended to multiple financial institutions in the Dallas area. In one instance, he allegedly deposited a Treasury refund check exceeding $447,000 at a Bank of America branch in Mesquite, Texas. For that transaction, Fugett assumed the identity of the billionaire chairman of the holding company associated with the intended recipient business and presented a fraudulent Illinois driver’s license bearing his own image. Fugett also has outstanding warrants from the Collin County Sheriff’s Office, Dallas County Sheriff’s Office, Denton County Sheriff’s Office, and Arlington Police Department for offenses including fraudulent use or possession of identifying information and providing false statements to obtain property or credit. The affidavit notes that Nashville Airport Police arrested Fugett in July 2024 after he allegedly attempted to open bank accounts using fraudulent identities. If convicted of the charges alleged in the complaint, Fugett faces a statutory maximum sentence of 30 years in federal prison for the bank fraud charge and a mandatory two-year prison sentence for aggravated identity theft. IRS Criminal Investigation investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alexander Schwab and Ignacio Perez de la Cruz from the Fraud section are prosecuting the case. A complaint is merely an allegation of criminal conduct, not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. ###


title: Dallas man indicted for multi-million-dollar bank and wire fraud scheme

component: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

body_text: DALLAS — United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas, Ryan Raybould, announced that a Dallas man was charged Aug. 19 in a sweeping, multi‑count indictment alleging he defrauded banks and individual lenders out of more than $20 million. A federal grand jury returned a six‑count indictment against Garrett Douglas Johnson, 41, charging him with five counts of bank fraud and one count of wire fraud. “As alleged, Mr. Johnson repeatedly falsified his financial records to obtain millions in loans, inflicting significant losses on banks and private lenders,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould. “This conduct strikes at the integrity of our banking system and financial markets, institutions that are foundational to North Texas’s rapid economic expansion and its emergence as a national center for the financial industry. As more companies and financial firms relocate to the region, maintaining trust in these markets is indispensable to sustaining that growth. We will continue to aggressively pursue major financial fraud cases and hold accountable those who threaten the strength and stability of our financial system.” According to the indictment, Johnson, who maintained residences in Dallas, Texas, and Kingston and Edmond, Oklahoma, held himself out as the manager, owner, or partner of several business entities, including Federal Employee Services, LLC; American Select Partners, LLC; Marina Del Rey, LLC; Hard Knox Holdings, LLC; Hilyard Capital, LLC; Sloan Ventures, LLC; 30Days Holdings, LLC; Jet Texas Oil, LLC; Jett Holdings, LLC; and Blue Duck Energy, LTD. The indictment alleges that from 2018 through 2024, Johnson engaged in a long‑running scheme in which he secured loans by submitting falsified financial documents, overstated revenue claims and fabricated trust‑account balances. In many cases, prosecutors say Johnson failed to disclose substantial existing loan obligations while claiming to hold millions of dollars in escrowed funds in law‑firm‑managed trust accounts that did not exist. Johnson allegedly obtained more than $40 million in loans, largely from FDIC‑insured financial institutions including Texas Capital Bank, Happy State Bank, American National Bank & Trust, Gateway First Bank and others. He is accused of using new loan proceeds to pay off previous fraudulent loans, diverting funds for unrelated business ventures and moving more than $100,000 into a personal account to pay the IRS. Among the specific acts outlined in the indictment: In August 2020, Johnson secured a $1.5 million loan from Texas Capital Bank after falsely claiming he held more than $6.6 million in a trust account. In December 2021, he obtained a $9.23 million loan from Happy State Bank intended for marina improvements but instead diverted millions to purchase oil and gas interests. In April 2022, Johnson secured a $6.5 million revolving line of credit by falsely representing that American Select Partners held over $9 million in accounts receivable. In December 2022, he obtained another $1 million extension on that line of credit based on further misrepresentations. In July 2022, he secured a $5 million loan to 30Days Holdings using similar fraudulent claims about trust‑account balances and accounts receivable. In one instance, Johnson allegedly induced an individual lender (“Individual A”) to wire $2.5 million based on false assurances about purchasing a partner’s stake in Blue Duck Energy, an interest Johnson knew was not actually for sale. If convicted, Johnson faces up to 30 years in federal prison on each bank fraud count and up to 20 years on the wire fraud count. The indictment also seeks forfeiture of any property traceable to the offenses. The FBI – Dallas Field Office conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Chad E. Meacham from the Fraud section is prosecuting the case. An indictment is merely an allegation of criminal conduct, not evidence. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.


title: Albany New York Woman Charged with Attempting to Provide Material Support or Resources to a Designated Foreign Terrorist Organization

body_text: ALBANY, NEW YORK – Jessica Bowie, 35, of Albany, NY, made her initial appearance today in federal court on charges of attempting to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization, ISIS. First Assistant U.S. Attorney John A. Sarcone III; Assistant Attorney General for the National Security Division John A. Eisenberg; FBI Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office Craig L. Tremaroli; U.S. Secret Service Special Agent in Charge of the Buffalo Field Office Charles T. Perras; Anthony Patrone Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Buffalo Field Office, Homeland Security Investigation, New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James; Albany County Sheriff’s Office Sheriff Craig Apple and Albany Police Department Chief Brendan Cox made the announcement. August 19, 2026, Bowie was apprehended by law enforcement as she gained possession of what she believed to be an explosive device, with the intent of targeting the New York State Capitol and New York State Senators. “The American people embody an enduring spirit of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness — values fundamentally opposed by foreign terrorist organizations like the one this defendant allegedly pledged her support to,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney John A. Sarcone III for the Northern District of New York . “This arrest will send a strong message to anyone across the country who has been radicalized by our enemies. This administration has deployed the necessary resources for law enforcement to identify, investigate, and disrupt plots of terror well before harm can occur. I am incredibly proud to work alongside our law enforcement partners, who ultimately stopped this defendant before she could act on her plan to bring terror to the Capital Region and the United States. My office looks forward to aggressively prosecuting this case and delivering justice for the American people.” “As alleged in the criminal complaint, Ms. Bowie swore her allegiance to ISIS and developed a detailed plan to attack the New York State Capitol to kill lawmakers and disrupt our government,” said Craig Tremaroli, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Albany Field Office. “Make no mistake about it, Ms. Bowie’s alleged plot was serious, it was dangerous, and thanks to FBI Albany’s Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF), it was foiled. Let this investigation send a clear message that FBI Albany, together with our Joint Terrorism Task Force partners, will relentlessly investigate and arrest anyone supporting and conspiring with terrorists.” Through the course of the investigation and as alleged in the government’s complaint, investigators learned that Bowie had intended to conduct an attack on the New York State Capitol building then flee to join others in ISIS-controlled territories. She was observed making several visits to the New York State Capitol grounds and taking several photographs of the building. In describing the New York State capitol building as her target, Bowie stated: “I want to destroy as much of the building as possible and kill the senators while they are meeting. I want them to lose a lot of important documents as well” and “I want it to have a affect on the American system. And destroy some of the taghut.” According to the complaint, Jessica Bowie has expressed anti-American messages online. On one account identified as belonging to Bowie, she said, “Praise be to Allah for September 11 th ” and “When I can migrate, I will poison these infidels.” Further, Bowie recorded and disseminated to others online her “Bayah,” or formal oath of allegiance to ISIS. Bowie appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Daniel J. Stewart on August 20, 2026, and was detained pending further proceedings. The charge carries a statutory maximum prison term of 20 years, a fine of up to $250,000 and a lifetime of supervised release. The charge in the complaint is merely an accusation. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. The case is being investigated by the FBI with assistance from the U. S. Secret Service, Homeland Security Investigations, New York State Police, Albany County Sheriff’s Office and Albany Police Department. Trial Attorney Ryan White of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Richard Belliss and Joseph Hartunian for the Northern District of New York are prosecuting the case.


title: Restaurateur Sentenced to Two and a Half Years in Federal Prison for $2.8 Million Covid-Relief and Tax Frauds

body_text: CHICAGO – A restaurateur who operated several eateries in Illinois and Colorado has been sentenced to two and a half years in federal prison for submitting fraudulent Covid-relief loan applications and failing to pay tax withholdings from his employees. Under the leadership of United States Attorney Andrew S. Boutros and consistent with the Administration’s priorities to identify, investigate, and prosecute criminal fraud in the federal government entitlement and benefit programs, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Illinois has been taking a fresh look at Covid-19 fraud. In 2020 and 2021, JARED LEONARD schemed to fraudulently obtain more than $2.3 million in small business loans and grants under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”). Leonard submitted at least ten fraudulent applications for Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) and Economic Injury Disaster Loan (“EIDL”) loans and grants purportedly on behalf of his restaurant businesses. The applications contained numerous false statements and misrepresentations regarding the businesses’ operations, including the number of employees, gross revenues, and payroll expenses. Leonard used the funds to purchase, among other things, vehicles, international travel, and a luxurious personal residence on more than seven acres in Evergreen, Colo. In the 15 months prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, Leonard failed to pay to the IRS federal income taxes, Social Security taxes, and Medicare taxes that he had withheld on behalf of his employees in amounts totaling more than $430,000. Leonard, 45, of Littleton, Colo., pleaded guilty earlier this year to federal wire fraud and tax charges. On Aug. 13, 2026, U.S. District Judge Edmond E. Chang sentenced Leonard to 30 months in federal prison and ordered him to pay approximately $2.8 million in restitution to the IRS and U.S. Small Business Administration. U.S. Attorney Boutros announced Leonard’s sentence along with Marta Grijalva, Acting Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation in Chicago, and Vincent R. Zehme, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Region of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. Office of Inspector General. Valuable assistance was provided by the Denver Field Office of the FBI. “The crimes defendant committed were undertaken for his personal benefit, not to aid his employees,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian Hayes argued in the government’s sentencing memorandum. “He purchased a luxurious home on several acres in a scenic mountain town outright with cash taken directly from the Covid-relief programs. Defendant also subsequently purchased motor vehicles and travel to high-end resorts in Mexico and other locations.” On April 7, 2026, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division (“Fraud Division”). The Fraud Division is laser-focused on investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against the American people. The Department’s work to combat fraud supports President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.


title: Former Chicago School Principal and Two Others Sentenced to Federal Prison in Connection With Million-Dollar Procurement Fraud Schemes

component: USAO - Illinois, Northern

body_text: CHICAGO — A former Chicago school principal and two others have been sentenced to federal prison for their roles in procurement fraud schemes that defrauded a pair of school systems and a non-profit organization out of more than $1 million. BRIAN METCALF, KIMBERLY MADDOX, and JAMES DARNELL CAMPBELL schemed to illegally profit from various roles Metcalf held in school systems in Chicago and Indianapolis, as well as a non-profit corporation. Over the course of nearly ten years, Metcalf and Maddox falsely claimed that Maddox or her spouse were providing services to the schools and the non-profit corporation, when in reality, no such services were provided. As a result of Metcalf’s and Maddox’s fraud, the school systems and the non-profit organization paid Maddox nearly $700,000, which she split with Metcalf. While Metcalf and Maddox were engaging in their fraud, Campbell, who worked as a consultant, approached Metcalf and said he wanted to join the scheme. At that time Metcalf was serving as the superintendent of a school system in Indianapolis. Metcalf caused the Indianapolis school system to pay Campbell nearly $400,000 based on bogus invoices for consulting work that was never performed. Campbell split those fraud proceeds with Metcalf. Metcalf, 52, of Baltimore, Md., Maddox, 55, of Matteson, Ill., and Campbell, 59, of Frankfort, Ill., pleaded guilty to federal wire fraud charges. On Wednesday, U.S. District Judge Lindsay C. Jenkins sentenced Metcalf to a year and a day in federal prison. Last month, Judge Jenkins sentenced Maddox to two years in prison and Campbell to a year and a day. All three defendants were ordered to pay restitution totaling $1,099,200. The sentences were announced by Andrew S. Boutros, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; Michael Pritchard, the Official Performing the Duty of Inspector General for AmeriCorps; Scott Wingle, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Education Office of Inspector General’s Central Regional Office; and Philip Wagenknecht, Inspector General for Chicago Public Schools. The U.S. Small Business Administration participated in the investigation. The government was represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Chang. “When officials defraud school systems, they are eroding trust and stealing from the very futures they are meant to protect,” said U.S. Attorney Boutros. “Holding individuals accountable when they exploit their positions for personal gain sends a strong message that such betrayal will not be tolerated and even more, that the Chicago U.S. Attorney’s Office and federal law enforcement will work hard to protect the integrity of our education system and to ensure that taxpayer funds are properly safeguarded.” “The outcome of this case serves as a strong deterrent to anyone considering similar criminal acts,” said AmeriCorps OIG Official Pritchard. “Those who steal from organizations funded by federal support will face serious consequences. AmeriCorps OIG is committed to working closely with our law enforcement partners to uncover and address such misconduct. We extend our sincere gratitude to the U.S. Department of Education OIG, the Small Business Administration OIG, and the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Illinois for their unwavering cooperation and dedication to the pursuit of justice.” “I am proud of the work of OIG Special Agents and our law enforcement partners in holding these individuals accountable for their criminal actions,” said DOE-OIG Acting SAC Wingle. “And rest assured that we will continue to aggressively pursue those who misappropriate education funds or try to game the system for their own selfish purposes. Our nation’s students and taxpayers deserve nothing less.” “Administrators who use their position to enrich themselves and deprive CPS families of critical resources will not be tolerated, and neither will vendors who steal from CPS,” said Inspector General Wagenknecht. “CPS OIG investigators are committed to rooting out fraud and corruption in the school district, and we greatly appreciate the work of our law enforcement partners in holding these individuals accountable.”


title: Sioux City Man Sentenced to More Than 12 Years in Federal Prison for Illegal Possession of Firearms

component: USAO - Iowa, Northern

body_text: Angel Castillo-Martinez, age 26, from Sioux City, was sentenced August 19, 2026, to more than 12 years in federal prison, after a March 18, 2026, guilty plea to possession of a firearm by a felon. Evidence in the case revealed, on June 5, 2025, Castillo-Martinez obtained a ride from Winnebago, Nebraska to Sioux City, Iowa with the intent to “hurt a lot of people.” He was armed with a loaded handgun and a loaded rifle. Sioux City police officers saw Castillo-Martinez getting in and out of the vehicle abruptly and noticed that the vehicle was being driven by a person with a suspended license. A traffic stop ensued. Castillo-Martinez fled on foot from the traffic stop, running through a residential neighborhood, but was quickly apprehended by Sioux City police officers. Castillo-Martinez provided officers with a false name and date of birth. Officers retraced the path of flight and found Castillo-Martinez had attempted to hide a baggie containing more the 50 grams of methamphetamine. Officers conducted a search of the vehicle and located a backpack on the passenger floorboard containing a loaded pistol as well as a second backpack containing a loaded AR-style rifle, with an obliterated serial number, in the truck bed. Following his arrest, Castillo-Martinez admitted that he was on his way to “hurt a lot of people” to seek revenge for an attack that happened to a friend two days prior. He later learned that the people he had targeted were innocent. Castillo-Martinez’s criminal history includes theft, possession of controlled substances, carrying a dangerous weapon, assault on a peace officer, and interference with official acts. Castillo-Martinez was sentenced in Sioux City by United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand to 151 months’ imprisonment. He must also serve a 3-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system. Castillo-Martinez is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison. The case was investigated by the Sioux City, Iowa Police Department and the United States Department of Justice’s Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF). This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Forde Fairchild Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl . The case file number is 25-4035. Follow us on X @USAO_NDIA.


title: Serial Felon Sentenced to Federal Prison For Unlawful Possession of Firearm

body_text: Gainesville, Florida – Curtis Lee Smith-Carter, 28, of Gainesville, Florida, was sentenced to 27 months in federal prison for one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. The sentence was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida. U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “Our citizens deserve to live in communities without dangerous, armed criminals – like this serial felon – threatening their safety. My office will continue to aggressively prosecute these cases to ensure we deliver on that promise.” Court documents reflect that on November 8, 2025, shortly after midnight, the defendant attempted to flee from police as they approached him behind a Gainesville convenience store. At that time, the defendant was in possession of a loaded .32 caliber pistol, which he threw over a fence. The defendant has been convicted of nine prior felony offenses, including possession of a weapon by a convicted felon. Gainesville Police Chief Nelson Moya said: “Those who have been convicted of a felony and choose to possess a firearm put our community at risk and will be held accountable.” The case involved an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Gainesville Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Adam Hapner prosecuted the case. Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is the Department of Justice’s nationwide initiative that brings federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement, prosecutors, and other public safety partners together to coordinate efforts to combat violent crime and make communities safe. Coordinated by U.S. Attorneys’ offices in each of the 94 federal districts, PSN is tailored to particular communities to strategically address specific violent crime and public safety challenges. As a key component of Operation Take Back America, PSN serves a central role in the Department’s commitment to make our country safe. PSN emphasizes three core principles: rapid federal response to violent crime and criminal offenders; strong, strategic partnerships among law enforcement at all levels; and accountability and deterrence through the prosecution of the most serious, readily provable offenses and other strategies. These efforts complement and strengthen President Trump’s Homeland Security Task Forces, ensuring a comprehensive federal response to the most pressing public safety issues facing communities . The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndfl .


title: Gainesville Man Sentenced to Federal Prison For Unlawful Possession of Firearms

body_text: Gainesville, Florida – Kenneth Ellis Wetherington, 60, of Gainesville, Florida, was sentenced to 14 months in federal prison for one count of possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon. The sentence was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida. U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “Keeping firearms out of the hands of dangerous criminals, like this serial felon, is necessary to ensure the safety of our communities, and my office will continue to aggressively prosecute cases like these to ensure our citizens can enjoy the safe streets they deserve.” Court documents reflect that on the evening of November 21, 2025, law enforcement was dispatched to an apartment complex in reference to multiple reports of shots fired. Upon further investigation, law enforcement learned that the defendant had discharged several “warning shots” from a firearm during a confrontation with other individuals on the property. Law enforcement detained the defendant and obtained a search warrant for his apartment, where they located a handgun, a shotgun, and multiple types of ammunition. The defendant is not permitted to have any firearms or ammunition because he has eleven felony convictions, including a prior conviction for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. “This sentence is a reminder that there are consequences for violating the law,” said Gainesville Police Chief Nelson Moya. “We will continue to work with our federal partners to hold those who illegally possess firearms accountable and help keep our community safe.” The case involved an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Gainesville Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Adam Hapner prosecuted the case. Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is the Department of Justice’s nationwide initiative that brings federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement, prosecutors, and other public safety partners together to coordinate efforts to combat violent crime and make communities safe. Coordinated by U.S. Attorneys’ offices in each of the 94 federal districts, PSN is tailored to particular communities to strategically address specific violent crime and public safety challenges. As a key component of Operation Take Back America, PSN serves a central role in the Department’s commitment to make our country safe. PSN emphasizes three core principles: rapid federal response to violent crime and criminal offenders; strong, strategic partnerships among law enforcement at all levels; and accountability and deterrence through the prosecution of the most serious, readily provable offenses and other strategies. These efforts complement and strengthen President Trump’s Homeland Security Task Forces, ensuring a comprehensive federal response to the most pressing public safety issues facing communities . The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndfl .


title: Joint Homeland Security Task Force operation brings down massive multistate drug smuggling ring as last defendant is sentenced to prison

component: USAO - Montana

body_text: MISSOULA – A multijurisdictional operation launched in 2023 successfully shut down a drug smuggling ring that operated from the Netherlands and Mexico, and brought drugs into Arizona, Texas, Washington, and Montana. In all, the operation saw the arrests and successful prosecution of 13 people and involved efforts from Homeland Security Investigations, IRS Criminal Investigation, the United States Postal Inspection Service, and the Montana Division of Criminal Investigation, Acting U.S. Attorney Mark Steger Smith said. Running the drug ring was Gerad Punch, 41, a U.S. citizen living in the Netherlands. Punch worked with Bernard Cowley Glass, Jr., 39, from Phoenix, who helped funnel fentanyl from Mexico into Montana, Washington, and Texas. Punch was sentenced in February 2026 to 20 years in prison ; Glass was sentenced last month to 15 years in prison. The final of the 13 defendants, Adam Jospeh Sarvis, 47, of Butte, was sentenced today to two years in prison, followed by five years of supervised release, Smith said. Sarvis pleaded guilty in March 2026 to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl. U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen presided. Also sentenced to prison this year as part of the operation were: Carrie Jean Bishop, nine years Brooke Rose Louise Cadonia, nine years Freddie Lee Carter, 11 years and four months Spring Marie Davis, two years and eight months D’Andre Dontae Glass, four years Diana Michelle Karnes, eight years Dwayne Nyron Punch, 11 years and four months Sadie Cheryl Sawyer, four years Zane Nicholas Schafer, two years and eight months Shawn Michael Scholler, three years and 10 months The government alleged in court documents that Punch began his push into Montana after he was introduced by one of his dealers in Washington to Brooke Cardonia. Cardonia was from Rocker and had dealer connections in western Montana through defendant Sadie Sawyer. Punch began building his drug trafficking operation after a stint in prison in 2018. He had met an inmate there who connected Punch with a Phoenix-based supplier. That supplier obtained his drugs from Mexico, then provided the fentanyl to Punch and his brother Dwayne Nyron Punch, who also lived in Phoenix. Investigators first picked up on Punch’s operation in October 2023 when they learned from a source that someone named “Jeremy Holbrook” was bringing large amounts of fentanyl pills into Butte. Through the course of the investigation, agents learned that Holbrook was Punch’s alias in Montana and that he had been shipping illegal drugs into the state since at least earlier that year. The source in Butte told investigators that Punch’s shipments were often mailed to Montana and that she was expecting to receive a package in Helena. Investigators contacted the United States Postal Inspection Service, which began to investigate packages shipped from Punch to Montana. At the same time in Arizona, postal inspectors were looking into packages being mailed to Texas by Bernard Glass. Investigators quickly learned that Glass and Punch were partners in the same drug trafficking organization. As the operation grew in Montana, Punch and Glass travelled regularly to the state to meet with connections, potential buyers, and dealers. Law enforcement began to track Punch’s movements between Phoenix and Montana and to follow those with whom he met. Investigators also dug into postal and financial records, tracking the number of packages Punch and his lieutenants were sending, and identifying and following the payment systems they used to fund and run the operation. “IRS Criminal Investigation plays a critical role in disrupting and stopping the flow of money that is the lifeblood of criminal activity, including narcotics trafficking,” said Todd Wacaser, Special Agent in Charge, IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) Denver Field Office. “Working alongside our law enforcement partners, we hold drug traffickers accountable, protect the integrity of the U.S. financial system, and help keep our communities safe from the violence, addiction, and harm fueled by the illegal drug trade.” By fall of 2024, investigators had identified more than a dozen co-conspirators, mapped out the organization’s financial operation, and tracked the packages of illicit drugs Punch and others had mailed into Montana. Punch, who had returned to the Netherlands, was charged and arrested in March 2025 when he returned to the United States. “Operation Windmill is a strong example of how the Homeland Security Task Force model is designed to work: bringing federal, state, and local partners together across jurisdictions to identify, investigate, and dismantle criminal networks that threaten our communities,” said Resident Agent in Charge Joseph E. Montbriand with Homeland Security Investigations. “This case reflects the value of coordinated enforcement and intelligence-driven investigations, and we are proud of the work of our Special Agents, and all of our law enforcement partners who helped bring these defendants to justice.” This operation is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. “DOJ and its law enforcement partners are committed to the destruction of these networks and poisons they seek to bring to Montana,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Smith. “I want to commend the exemplary work of the HSTF, including agents and officers from Homeland Security Investigations, IRS Criminal Investigation, the United States Postal Inspection Service, and the Montana Division of Criminal Investigation. I also applaud the exceptional work of the prosecution team led by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brian Lowney and Zeno Baucus for the District of Montana. Our streets and our children are safer because of the HSTF’s efforts.”


title: Windsor Man Sentenced for Firearm and Drug Offenses

body_text: BANGOR, Maine: A Windsor man was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Bangor for being a felon in possession of firearms and for possessing cocaine base with intent to distribute. U.S. District Judge Stacey D. Neumann sentenced Anthony Englesbobb , 39, to 264 months (22 years) in prison to be followed by five years of supervised release. He was also ordered to forfeit the firearms seized from his residence. Englesbobb pleaded guilty on January 6, 2026. According to court records, on December 17, 2024, law enforcement agents executed a federal search warrant at Englesbobb’s Windsor residence. Agents seized nine firearms from Englesbobb’s bedroom and crack cocaine packed in small plastic bags from his person. Englesbobb was prohibited from possessing firearms due to several prior felony convictions. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency investigated the case. This case was prosecuted as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). 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: Former Georgia Correctional Officer Cadet Sentenced for Meth Smuggling

component: Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)

body_text: MACON, Ga. – A former Georgia correctional officer cadet who attempted to bring more than a half kilogram of unadulterated methamphetamine into Dooly State Prison for an inmate was sentenced to serve 10 years in prison for his crime. "The penalties are steep when trusted members of the prison system smuggle contraband behind bars, as this exponentially increases the danger for everyone both inside and outside the prison walls," said U.S. Attorney William R. "Will" Keyes. "We are grateful to the dedicated correctional officers who protect the safety and security of our prisons each day, often under challenging circumstances. Their commitment and professionalism are essential to maintaining order and upholding justice.” “The GDC does not tolerate actions of individuals who choose to bring discredit to the values of our agency and jeopardize our non-negotiable mission of public safety,” said GDC Commissioner Tyrone Oliver. “We appreciate the support of our federal partners in ensuring that justice will be served on this former cadet, and we are proud of those officers involved who were diligent in stopping the introduction of dangerous contraband into one of our facilities.” “This case is a clear example of why accountability matters. A person entrusted with becoming a correctional officer chose instead to participate in the smuggling of methamphetamine into a prison,” said Jae W. Chung, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Field Division. “That conduct threatens the safety and security of the entire correctional system. Working together with our law enforcement partners, we will continue to identify those who attempt to bring dangerous drugs behind prison walls and ensure they face the consequences of their actions.” Julius Deshawn Williams Jr., 29, of Bonaire, Georgia, was sentenced to serve 120 months in prison to be followed by five years of supervised release by U.S. District Judge C. Ashley Royal on Aug. 19, after he pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine on Dec.1, 2025. There is no parole in the federal system. According to statements referenced in court, Williams was a cadet undergoing training to become a correctional officer at Dooly State Prison. On June 24, 2024, when Georgia Department of Corrections (GDC) officers conducted the security check and shake-down required of every person attempting to enter the facility, they found four packages containing methamphetamine wrapped in black tape and hidden in the defendant’s pants. Next, his vehicle was searched, and GDC officers found four more packages of methamphetamine wrapped in black electrical tape and a pistol. Williams admitted he was attempting to bring the drugs into the prison to give to an inmate. The packages contained 640 grams of methamphetamine with 100% purity. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Georgia Department of Corrections (GDC) investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Travis Lynes prosecuted the case for the Government.


title: Tampa Man Sentenced to More Than 21 Years for Producing and Possessing Child Sexual Abuse Material

component: USAO - Florida, Middle

body_text: Tampa, Florida – Michael Antwohn Wilson (38, Tampa) has been sentenced by U.S. District Judge Steven Merryday to 21 years and 10 months in federal prison, followed by a lifetime of supervision, for producing and possessing child sexual abuse material (CSAM). Wilson pleaded guilty in March 2026. The court ordered Wilson to forfeit a cellphone and two SD cards, which were used in the commission of the offenses. Wilson was also ordered to pay $58,500 in restitution to the victims and must register as a sex offender. U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe made the announcement. According to court documents, on February 23 and April 27, 2023, Wilson produced CSAM videos involving a child. From an unknown date until June 2025, Wilson also possessed CSAM, which included children under 12 years old. This case was investigated by the Tampa Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ilyssa M. Spergel. This is another case brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc .


title: St. Augustine Man Sentenced to More Than Six Years in Prison for Defrauding a Senior of More Than $2 Million

body_text: Jacksonville, Florida – Eric James Stone (43, St. Augustine) has been sentenced by U.S. District Judge Jordan E. Pratt to six years and eight months in federal prison for committing wire fraud and money laundering. Stone was also ordered to pay $2,037,103 in restitution to his victim. He pleaded guilty on March 24, 2026. U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe made the announcement. According to court documents, Stone used his position as a financial advisor to befriend the victim, a 75-year-old woman, in order to solicit money from her. During the span of approximately three years, Stone convinced the victim to make over 600 transactions, sending him money that amounted to over $2 million. To convince the victim to send him money, Stone sent fraudulent emails from purported attorneys, banks, and other internet websites. Stone spent most of the victim’s money on foreign gambling websites. “Our seniors are among our nation’s most vulnerable population and must be protected,” said U.S. Attorney Kehoe. “The defendant in this case used his position of trust to deliberately deceive and exploit the victim for his own personal gain. For that, he will be punished for his crimes.” “Every dollar stolen is a story of hardship for the victim, and IRS-CI is dedicated to making sure those stories end with accountability,” said Ron Loecker, Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation, Florida Field Office. “Our agents’ expertise in tracing complex financial transactions is unmatched. IRS-CI Special Agents are the backbone of financial crime enforcement.” “Stealing $2 million isn’t just a financial crime, it’s a betrayal of trust that has life-altering consequences for a victim long after the crime is committed,” said FBI Jacksonville Special Agent in Charge Jason Carley. “This sentence sends a clear message: fraudsters who think they can lie and steal will face the consequences of their actions. The FBI will work with our partners to ensure those who exploit others for financial gain are brought to justice. You can’t hide from accountability.” This case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney John Cannizzaro. Assistant United States Attorney Clint J. Locke is handling the forfeiture.


title: Ponte Vedra Beach Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Fraud Scheme Involving COVID-19 Personal Protective Equipment

body_text: Jacksonville, Florida – James Elliott Davis, II (37, Ponte Vedra Beach) has been sentenced by U.S. District Judge Jordan Pratt to seven years and seven months in federal prison in connection to his guilty plea to bank fraud, wire fraud, money laundering, and theft of mail. As part of his sentence, the court ordered the forfeiture of the proceeds of the crimes, which cumulatively totaled $6,726,800. Further, the court ordered Davis to pay restitution to the victims of his offenses. U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe made the announcement. According to court documents, from March 2018 through 2022, Davis ran a purported medical supply company named Medisale Inc. By using false representations, Davis enticed individuals and business entities to invest large sums of money in Medisale and falsely represented to victim-investors that Medisale was making significant profits on the sale of COVID-19 personal protective equipment (PPE). Davis claimed to have contact with CEOs at various hospitals and that Medisale had contracts with hospitals to sell large volumes of N95 masks and other PPE. As part of convincing victim-investors to give him money, Davis showed fraudulent bank statements with large balances, claiming the money was from the sale of PPE. In reality, Medisale had no such contracts and had no true revenue from the sale of PPE. Davis kited checks and conducted fraudulent ACH/wire transfers between multiple financial institutions to artificially inflate the apparent balances on his bank accounts. Utilizing victim-investor money, Davis paid off previous debts, paid other investors purported profits from the sale of PPE, and paid personal expenses. “Exploiting the fears of individuals and businesses for profit during a national crisis is untenable,” said U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe. “Today’s court judgment sends a clear message that this type of fraudulent behavior will not be tolerated.” “During the COVID-19 pandemic, a time when communities needed real protection, Davis chose deception,” said Ron Loecker, Special Agent in Charge, IRS Criminal Investigation, Florida Field Office. “Schemes that prey on public emergencies are among the most serious frauds we investigate. IRS-CI and our partners will continue to pursue those who exploit emergencies for profit and hold them fully accountable.” “Today’s sentencing holds Mr. Davis accountable for orchestrating a scheme that obtained millions of dollars by defrauding innocent investors and multiple financial institutions,” said Special Agent in Charge Quenton Sallows, of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Office of Inspector General (FDIC OIG), Miami Region. “The FDIC OIG will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to investigate financial crimes that harm investors and undermine the integrity of our Nation’s financial institutions.” This case was investigated by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation - Office of Inspector General, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Kevin C. Frein and Michael J. Coolican. The asset forfeiture was handled by Assistant United States Attorney Clint Locke.


title: Orlando Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Transportation of Child Sexual Abuse Material

body_text: Orlando, Florida – Douglas Cody Barron (56, Orlando) has been sentenced by U.S. District Judge Anne-Leigh Gaylord Moe to five years in federal prison for transportation of child sexual abuse material (CSAM). Barron pleaded guilty on November 24, 2025. The court also ordered Barron to forfeit his cellphone, which was used to commit the charged conduct. U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe made the announcement. According to court documents, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Orlando Police Department investigated a cyber-tip from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC). The investigation revealed that Barron had used reverse image search applications online to find CSAM, and uploaded CSAM online to find more CSAM. Law enforcement found additional images containing CSAM on Barron’s phone. This case was investigated by the Orlando Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Courtney D. Richardson-Jones and Michael Sartoian. The forfeiture was handled by Assistant United States Attorney Nicole Andrejko. 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 United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (“CEOS”), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.


title: OnlyFans Content Creator Sentenced to One Year in Prison for Tax Fraud

body_text: Tampa, Florida –Kylie Perez, a/k/a “Natalie Monroe,” has been sentenced by U.S. District Judge Thomas P. Barber to one year in federal prison, followed by one year of supervised release, for filing a false tax return. Perez pleaded guilty on May 20, 2026. U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe made the announcement. According to court documents, Perez was a content creator who operated under the stage name “Natalie Monroe” on OnlyFans, a subscription-based social media platform. OnlyFans allows creators to share various types of content with subscribers, such as photos, videos, and live streams. Creators, like Perez, can monetize their content through subscription fees, pay-per-view content, and tips from subscribers. From 2019 through 2023, Perez earned more than $5.4 million from her social media accounts. Despite this fact, she engaged in a scheme to evade the assessment of taxes by filing a false tax return for calendar year 2019 and failing to pay at least $1.5 million in taxes owed for calendar years 2020 through 2023. “Evading the payment of owed income tax is a violation of our federal tax laws,” said U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe. “We will continue to prosecute those who purposely commit these crimes.” “When someone chooses personal luxury over meeting their tax obligations, the consequences are inevitable,” said Ron Loecker, Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation, Florida Field Office. “IRS CI Special Agents will continue to uncover the truth and safeguard the integrity of the tax system for all law-abiding taxpayers.” This case was investigated by Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Merrilyn E. Hoenemeyer. On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division. The core mission of the Fraud Division is to zealously investigate and prosecute those who steal or fraudulently misuse taxpayer dollars. Department of Justice efforts to combat fraud support President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.


title: North Fort Myers Felon Sentenced to 24 Years in Prison for Explosives and Firearms-Related Offenses

body_text: Fort Myers, Florida – Jesse William Korff (32, North Fort Myers) has been sentenced by U.S. District Judge Sheri Polster Chappell to 24 years in federal prison for possession of firearms and ammunition by a convicted felon, possession of unregistered silencers, possession of an unregistered destructive device, and attempted malicious use of an explosive while on federal supervised release. Korff pleaded guilty on January 14, 2026. The court also ordered Korff to forfeit the firearms, ammunition, silencers, and destructive device used to commit the offenses. U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe made the announcement. According to court documents, on May 19, 2025, Korff was at a residence in Fort Myers when the Fort Myers Police Department was dispatched to a 911 hang-up call. Officers arrived and reported a hostage situation. Officers observed a male, later identified as Korff, in a scuffle with a female. The officers restrained Korff in handcuffs and seized a firearm and silencer that had come loose during the scuffle. Officers also located a pipe bomb coming out of Korff’s pocket. The Lee County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) Bomb Squad used a robot to remove the pipe bomb and take Korff into custody. Further evidence and testing of the device by LCSO and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives confirmed that the device had attempted to be detonated. Another silencer, firearm, and ammunition were seized from Korff’s vehicle. Officers and agents also recovered other bomb-making materials inside Korff’s residence. Korff is a convicted felon and prohibited under federal law from possessing a firearm or ammunition. He was previously convicted of transfer and possession of a toxin for use as a weapon, smuggling toxins from the United States, and conspiracy to kill, maim, or injure a person in a foreign country. This case was investigated by the Fort Myers Police Department, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Mark Morgan. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the Department of Justice’s nationwide initiative that brings federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement, prosecutors, and other public safety partners together to coordinate efforts to combat violent crime and make communities safe. Coordinated by U.S. Attorneys’ offices in each of the 94 federal districts, PSN is tailored to particular communities to strategically address specific violent crime and public safety challenges. As a key component of Operation Take Back America, PSN serves a central role in the Department’s commitment to make our country safe. PSN emphasizes three core principles: rapid federal response to violent crime and criminal offenders; strong, strategic partnerships among law enforcement at all levels; and accountability and deterrence through the prosecution of the most serious, readily provable offenses and other strategies. These efforts complement and strengthen President Trump’s Homeland Security Task Forces, ensuring a comprehensive federal response to the most pressing public safety issues facing communities.


title: Convicted Sexual Predator Sentenced to Federal Prison for Illegal Reentry into the United States After Prior Deportation

body_text: Jacksonville, Florida – Miguel Solis-Morales (43, Mexico) has been sentenced by U.S. District Judge Jordan E. Pratt to two years and six months in federal prison for illegally reentering the United States after he was deported by immigration authorities in 2015. After serving this federal prison sentence, Solis will be deported and removed back to Mexico. U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe made the announcement. According to federal and state court documents, Solis was convicted of sexual battery on September 10, 2009, in Jacksonville. He was then designated as a sexual predator under Florida law and sentenced to five years in Florida state prison. After serving his state prison sentence, in May 2015, Solis-Morales was removed from the United States by immigration authorities and returned to Mexico. On February 16, 2026, Solis-Morales was found to be voluntarily back in the United States in Jacksonville and was arrested by the Florida Highway Patrol for a violation of state probation. Records checks confirmed that Solis-Morales had never applied to U.S. immigration authorities for permission to lawfully reenter the United States after his removal. This case was investigated by the Florida Highway Patrol and Homeland Security Investigations. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney D. Rodney Brown.


title: Nigerian National Pleads Guilty to Role in Cross-Country Unemployment Insurance Fraud Scheme

component: USAO - Maryland

body_text: Greenbelt, Maryland – A Nigerian national pled guilty in federal court to charges stemming from his involvement with a cross-country unemployment insurance (UI) fraud scheme. Akinpelumi Olawale Oyewusi, 60, of Hyattsville, Maryland, is charged with wire fraud conspiracy and aggravated identity theft in connection with the white-collar crime. This prosecution is part of the Trump Administration’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud. Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the guilty plea with Inspector General Joseph V. Cuffari Ph.D., Department of Homeland Security – Office of Inspector General (DHS-OIG), and Inspector General Anthony P. D’Esposito, U.S. Department of Labor - Office of Inspector General, (DOL-OIG). According to his guilty plea, beginning in September 2020, and continuing through at least March 2021, Oyewusi and others conspired to defraud state workforce authorities, including the Maryland Department of Labor (MD-DOL), to obtain fraudulent UI funds. Through the conspiracy, Oyewusi and his co-conspirators used the identities of real people to obtain fraudulent UI from the state of Maryland and other states. After obtaining access to these UI funds, Oyewusi subsequently transferred and withdrew the stolen funds through electronic transfers and ATM withdrawals. Oyewusi and his co-conspirators victimized individuals through identity theft, the state workforce authorities through stealing UI funds, and a financial institution by misdirecting UI fund transfers and fraudulent transactions. He was directly connected to at least $415,874.63 of actual losses and personally obtained at least $25,000 through his participation in the scheme. The co-conspirators used victims’ personally identifiable information (PII) to submit false UI claims to various state workforce authorities— including the MD-DOL and the California Employment Development Department. The claims contained victims’ real social security numbers and names but falsified their unemployment status and prior work history to obtain UI funds. Co-conspirators elected to receive the UI funds through bank-issued debit cards linked to a bank account. Oyewusi and his co-conspirators ensured that the bank mailed the debit cards to one of several addresses in Maryland and elsewhere. He then accessed the UI funds from the fraudulently opened UI claims and transferred the funds downstream to other members of the conspiracy after obtaining his portion of the fraudulent proceeds. Additionally, throughout the scheme, Oyewusi received incoming mail alerts from the U.S. Postal Service, allowing him to track the fraudulent UI debit cards. Oyewusi also personally withdrew thousands of dollars from the UI debit cards in the names of the victims. Typically, Oyewusi withdrew the maximum amount allowed from each card. Oyewusi would then use the same cards to make additional withdrawals at later dates. Between December 2020, and March 2021, at least 18 ATM photos captured Oyewusi withdrawing $18,000 from UI debit cards issued to six different fraudulent claims. Bank records indicate that Oyewusi withdrew approximately $69,000 from the same UI debit cards throughout the scheme. Sentencing is set for Thursday, December 3, at 2 p.m. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district judge determines sentencing after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division (“Fraud Division”). The Fraud Division is investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against the American people. The Department’s work to combat fraud supports President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs. U.S. Attorney Hayes commended DHS-OIG and DOL-OIG for their work in the investigation. Ms. Hayes also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Wenner who is prosecuting this federal case. For more information about the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to report fraud, please visit justice.gov/usao-md and justice.gov/usao-md/report-fraud . # # #


title: Colorado Man Convicted of Sexually Abusing a Minor in Mexico With Wife

component: Criminal Division

body_text: Baltimore, Maryland – A federal jury convicted a Colorado man for his role in conspiring with his wife to sexually exploit a minor victim. The jury found Alekzander Quinn Bywater, 32, formerly of Colorado Springs, guilty of conspiracy to produce visual depictions of minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct outside the United States, sexual exploitation of a minor, distribution of child sexual abuse material (CSAM), and advertising CSAM. Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the verdict with Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva, Department of Justice Criminal Division, and Assistant Director Heith Janke, FBI Criminal Division. “This guilty verdict holds this defendant accountable for the horrific abuse of a child and for his role in distributing videos that documented that abuse. Mr. Bywater’s depraved actions cost him his freedom, so now he’ll be separated from society where he can’t harm other children,” Hayes said. “Our office will continue to work tirelessly with our community and law-enforcement partners to ensure that justice is served as we relentlessly pursue and prosecute predators who prey on the most vulnerable members of our community, whether that abuse occurs here or abroad.” “Alekzander Bywater left the United States for Mexico and preyed upon the most vulnerable among us, a young child,” Duva said. “Child exploitative hands-on violations are among the most depraved. This defendant and his wife, Anika, perpetrated this heinous crime together, and even tried to profit off their conduct. This case is core to the Criminal Division’s mission of hunting down child predators and removing them from society.” “The FBI and our partners are working every day to hold criminals accountable for their participation in child sexual exploitation and abuse,” Janke said. “Bywater will now face the consequences for his disturbing and illegal actions, and we are proud to have played our part in making that happen.” According to court documents, and information provided during the trial, while in the state of Veracruz, Mexico, Bywater, and his wife Anika, 29, formerly of Gonzalez, Texas, created two separate videos of them sexually abusing a young child. In January 2024, on two separate occasions, the Bywaters agreed to create two videos, Video-1 and Video-2, that depicted them jointly engaging in sexually abusing the minor victim in Mexico. Law-enforcement officers learned about the conduct when they discovered videos of the abuse circulating on the internet. Alekzander Bywater uploaded Video-1 and Video-2 to Website A, a publicly available website, where he advertised them for sale. Then, on Feb. 6, and 7, 2024, an undercover FBI agent in Maryland purchased and downloaded the videos. Additionally, FBI agents recovered Video-1 and Video-2 from a desktop and laptop that were used to commit the offense. The devices also housed a different video of Alekzander Bywater sexually abusing the minor victim and thousands of CSAM images and videos depicting the sexual abuse and exploitation of children other than the minor victim. Alekzander Bywater is facing up to 150 years in federal prison for conspiracy to produce visual depictions of minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct outside the United States and distribution of CSAM. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district judge determines sentencing after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. In March 2026, U.S. District Judge Brendan A. Hurson sentenced Anika Bywater to 25 years in prison, followed by 20 years of supervised release, for conspiracy to engage in illicit sexual conduct in foreign places. She pled guilty to the charges in December 2025. This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit justice.gov/psc . For more information about Internet safety education, please visit justice.gov/psc and click on the “Resources” tab on the left of the page. U.S. Attorney Hayes commended the FBI Child Exploitation Operational Unit for its work in the investigation, and the FBI’s law enforcement attaché office in Mexico City for its valuable assistance. Ms. Hayes also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Reema Sood and Acting Deputy Chief Kyle P. Reynolds, Justice Department’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), who prosecuted the federal case. For more information about the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, visit justice.gov/usao-md . # # #


title: Baltimore Man Sentenced for Role in Fentanyl Trafficking Conspiracy HSTF Case

body_text: Baltimore, Maryland – A federal judge sentenced a Baltimore man to prison, today, in connection with a drug trafficking conspiracy. U.S. District Judge Stephanie Gallagher sentenced Jeremy Bethea, 47, to 10 years in prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for conspiracy to distribute and possession with the intent to distribute controlled substances. Through an investigation, law enforcement caught Bethea and his co-conspirators with more than 400 grams of fentanyl, more than 28 grams of cocaine base, commonly referred to as “crack cocaine,” and a quantity of cocaine intended for distribution. Bethea pled guilty to the charges in April 2026. Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the sentence with Special Agent in Charge Christopher C. Goumenis, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) – Washington Division, and Commissioner Richard Worley, Baltimore Police Department (BPD). According to court documents, from August 2022, through October 2023, Bethea conspired with others to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute fentanyl, cocaine, and crack cocaine. Bethea and his co-conspirators regularly obtained quantities of fentanyl, cocaine, and crack cocaine to sell to customers in the Baltimore area. Beginning in November 2022, and continuing through May 2023, undercover investigators conducted 15 controlled purchases of fentanyl, crack cocaine, and powder cocaine from Bethea. In January 2023, Bethea sold more than 40 grams of fentanyl to an undercover investigator. Additionally, from June 2023 through August 2023, investigators received authorization to utilize a federal wiretap to intercept communications from three cellphones. The cellphone users included Bethea and other members of the conspiracy.During the wiretap investigation, law enforcement intercepted numerous conversations between Bethea and his co-conspirators discussing and coordinating fentanyl, crack cocaine, and powder cocaine sales. Then on April 17, 2023, as a result of the intercepted calls, BPD officers stopped a vehicle en route to a planned drug transaction. During the traffic stop, law enforcement encountered Bethea and recovered several hundred gelcaps from the source of supply. A DEA laboratory performed an analysis of the substance found inside the recovered gel caps and confirmed it as fentanyl with a total weight of more than 400 grams. During the investigation, law enforcement also discovered that Bethea used a Sharp-Leadenhall residence to store fentanyl, cocaine, and crack cocaine for distribution. On August 22, law enforcement executed a search warrant on the residence. Investigators uncovered 105 grams of crack cocaine packaged for retail sale and more than 300 grams of marijuana at the location. This prosecution is part of the HSTF initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF Baltimore is comprised of agents and officers from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); Homeland Security Investigations (HSI); the United States Attorney’s Office (USAO) for the District of Maryland; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF); the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA); the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI); the United States Marshals Service (USMS); the Washington/Baltimore HIDTA (W/B HIDTA); the Maryland State Police (MSP); the Baltimore Police Department (BPD); and the Baltimore County Police Department (BCPD) with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland. U.S. Attorney Hayes commended the DEA and BPD for their work in the investigation. Ms. Hayes also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan Tsuei who is prosecuting this federal case. For more information about the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, visit justice.gov/usao-md . # # #


title: Former Owner of Telemedicine Companies Sentenced to Two Years in Prison for $110 Million Medicare Fraud Scheme

component: USAO - Massachusetts

body_text: BOSTON – The former owner of Expansion Media (Expansion) and Hybrid Management Group (Hybrid) was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for a $110 million telemedicine fraud scheme involving medically unnecessary durable medical equipment (DME), including orthotics such as back and knee braces. Steven Richardson, 42, of Port St. Lucie, Fla., was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton to two years in prison, to be followed by two years of supervised release. In April 2024, Richardson pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud. Richardson was charged in February 2024. Between March 2016 and January 2023, Richardson, through his companies Expansion and Hybrid, entered into business relationships with telemarketing companies that generated leads by targeting Medicare beneficiaries. The telemarketers then paid Expansion and Hybrid on a per-order basis to generate orders for DME for these beneficiaries. To arrange for these orders to be signed, Richardson worked with medical staffing companies—including one in Massachusetts—to find doctors and nurses who were willing to review and sign prepopulated orders, typically without any contact with the beneficiaries. The records falsely portrayed the medical providers as having performed a legitimate examination of the beneficiary. Richardson then provided the signed orders to the telemarketing companies, which sold the orders to DME suppliers. Richardson knew that these DME suppliers would use the signed orders to submit claims to Medicare for DME that was medically unnecessary, based on false documentation and tainted by kickbacks. United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Roberto Coviello, Special Agent in Charge at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General; Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigations, Boston Division; Justin Page, Acting Inspector in Charge, United States Postal Inspection Service, Boston Division; Kelly M. Lawson, Acting Regional Director, U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration, Boston Regional Office; and Jessica Herrington, Special Agent in Charge, Defense Criminal Investigation Service, Northeast Field Office made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alexandra Brazier and Lindsey Ross of the Affirmative Civil Enforcement Unit prosecuted the case.


title: Former Massachusetts National Guardsman Sentenced to Over Six Years in Prison for Possession and Distribution of Child Sexual Abuse Material

body_text: BOSTON – A former Master Sergeant of the 102 Security Forces of the Massachusetts National Guard stationed in Sandwich, Mass., was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Boston for possession and distribution of child sexual abuse material (CSAM). Nicholas Wells, 45, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani to 78 months in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release. In September 2025 , Wells pleaded guilty to possession and distribution of child pornography. He was indicted by a federal grand jury in September 2024 . Wells engaged in chats on a messaging application, in which he discussed his interest in minors and distributed videos depicting child pornography. Over 300 images and 100 videos depicting child pornography were located on his phone. It was also determined that Wells distributed over 70 videos depicting child pornography, some of which involved infants. United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division made the announcement. Valuable assistance was provided by the Massachusetts State Police and the Barnstable and Sandwich Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian J. Sullivan of the Criminal Division prosecuted the case. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc .


title: Former Immigration Services Officer Charged With Defrauding Union

body_text: BOSTON – A former Immigration Services Officer was charged and has agreed to plead guilty to stealing more than $60,000 from a labor union over the course of five years. Carol A. Aguja, 55, of Reading, Mass., was charged with wire fraud. A plea hearing has not yet been scheduled by the Court. According to court documents, Aguja was an Immigration Services Officer employed by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Between approximately 2015 and August 2024, Aguja also served as Treasurer of the American Federation of Government Employees Local 38 (AFGE Local 38), a labor organization that represented USCIS employees who lived in Massachusetts, Rhode Island and New Hampshire. The charging document alleges that, between 2019 and 2024, Aguja defrauded AFGE Local 38 by siphoning funds from the union bank account to pay for her own personal and non-union related expenses. As part of her fraud scheme, Aguja is also alleged to have paid union expenses out of her personal accounts and commingled union and personal funds to conceal her embezzlement. Specifically, Aguja is alleged to have used the AFGE Local 38 credit card to pay approximately $12,508 for personal expenses such as restaurant meals, bills, clothing and dance lessons. She is further alleged to have made 128 cash withdrawals totaling over $23,700 from the AFGE Local 38 account, and to have transferred over $25,000 from the AFGE Local 38 account to her personal accounts. Aguja is alleged to have falsified annual forms regarding the union finances that AFGE Local 38 was required to submit to the United States Department of Labor-Management Standards, in order to conceal her fraud. The charge of wire fraud provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater, restitution, and forfeiture. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Jonathan Russo, District Director, U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Labor-Management Standards; and Inspector General Joseph V. Cuffari, Ph.D., U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Office of Inspector General made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristina E. Barclay of the Public Corruption & Special Prosecutions Unit is prosecuting the case. The details contained in the charging document are allegations. The defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in the court of law.


title: Repeat offender sentenced to prison for having firearms as a felon

component: USAO - Kansas

body_text: TOPEKA, KAN. – A convicted felon was sentenced to 137 months in prison after being repeatedly caught with firearms although he cannot legally possess guns. According to court documents, Brandon Paul McFall, 34, of Topeka pleaded guilty to two counts of possession of firearm by a convicted felon. In 2020, McFall was convicted in Bay County, Florida, for being a felon in possession of a firearm or ammunition. In May 2023, a Shawnee County Sheriff's Office deputy stopped McFall for a traffic violation. Inside the vehicle, a deputy found a pistol and ammunition. In November 2023, a Shawnee County Sheriff's deputy saw McFall racing around a roundabout on a stolen motorcycle. McFall fled from law enforcement before abandoning the motorcycle and running away on foot. Deputies tracked and located McFall using a canine. They also found a firearm within yards of the motorcycle that McFall left behind. “Some people learn from their mistakes and don’t repeat the behavior that caused them to run afoul of the law. Mr. McFall is not one of those people. It surprises no one except him that his cycle of crime keeps resulting in the same outcome: him being locked up in a cell,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan A. Kriegshauser. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) and Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Greg Hough prosecuted the case. ###