title: Savannah man sentenced to more than 35 years in prison for machinegun and drug charges

body_text: SAVANNAH, Georgia: A Savannah man has been sentenced to prison in federal court after being convicted for firearm- and drug-related crimes. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Court Judge Lisa Godbey Wood and announced by Margaret E. “Meg” Heap, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. Maurice Williams, aka “Bando,” 23, of Savannah, was sentenced to 421 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release after being convicted of two counts of Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime, Illegal Possession of a Machinegun and Possession with Intent to Distribute Oxycodone and Marijuana. Williams also pled guilty to two additional counts of Illegal Possession of a Machine Gun and two counts of Distribution of Fentanyl. There is no parole in the federal system. Court documents and testimony show that in September 2023, an extensive investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) began which included undercover purchases of firearms and drugs. These controlled purchases included weapons of various models, including Glock handguns which were equipped with machinegun conversion devices, or MCD’s. An MCD allows a firearm to fire multiple rounds with one pull of the trigger, transforming a semi-automatic firearm into a fully automatic machinegun. Throughout the investigation, undercover agents completed multiple purchases of firearms and drugs, including hundreds of pills containing fentanyl. During a September 2024 traffic stop by Savannah Police, Williams was found in possession of a Glock Model 21, .45 caliber pistol with an attached MCD, oxycodone, and more than 300 grams of marijuana. “The extensive illegal activity this defendant was involved in, peddling illicit drugs and selling dangerous weapons will not be tolerated,” said U.S. Attorney Heap. “Along with our law enforcement partners, the U.S. Attorney’s Office is committed to ensuring that felons that terrorize our community face long, federal prison sentences without opportunities for parole.” “I want to thank our officers and federal partners for their hard work on this case,” said Savannah Police Chief Lenny B. Gunther. “Savannah is a safer place for having removed drugs, illegal guns, and a criminal from our community.” “Today's sentencing highlights the importance of our ongoing partnerships in law enforcement,” said ATF Resident Agent in Charge Chase Anastasio. “By working together, we can effectively target and disrupt the flow of illegal firearms and drugs in our neighborhoods." This case was investigated by the ATF, Drug Enforcement Agency, and the Savannah Police Department’s Strategic Investigations Unit and Community Response Team and prosecuted for the United States by Southern District of Georgia Assistant U.S. Attorneys L. Alexander Hamner and Makeia R. Jonese.


title: California Duo Charged with Operating Nationwide Darknet Drug Trafficking Operation, Laundering Cryptocurrency Proceeds

component: USAO - Florida, Southern

body_text: MIAMI – A California duo accused of operating a darknet drug trafficking business that sold fentanyl and methamphetamine nationwide, including in South Florida, and laundered hundreds of thousands of dollars in cryptocurrency has been indicted by a Southern District of Florida grand jury. According to court documents, Nicholas Aguilar, 44, and Jessica Marcolina, 37, both of Los Angeles, allegedly operated vendor accounts under the moniker “HotGirlzClub” on multiple darknet marketplaces, where they conspired to distribute controlled substances — including fentanyl and methamphetamine — to customers throughout the U.S., including in Miami-Dade and Broward counties. Aguilar and Marcolina also allegedly conspired to launder cryptocurrency proceeds from the drug sales through transactions designed to conceal the source and ownership of the funds. It is alleged that from as early as 2020, continuing through the date of their arrest, the defendants were consistently shipping parcels containing controlled substances using the U.S. Mail. According to the complaint, in a seven-month period alone in 2025, law enforcement allegedly identified more than 500 shipped parcels believed to contain narcotics that were linked to the operation. Searches of the defendants’ residences in California revealed distribution quantities of suspected controlled substances, drug packaging materials, printed warning labels, U.S. Postal Service (USPS) shipping supplies, a label maker, heat and vacuum sealer, a food processor containing suspected narcotics residue, electronic devices, fraudulent identification documents bearing the names of identity theft victims, and firearms. Law enforcement also recovered warning inserts identical to those included in undercover purchases. The inserts cautioned customers about the risk of overdose, advising them to “be safe until you know you tolerance for the product,” demonstrating the defendants’ awareness of the dangers posed by the narcotics they allegedly distributed. The search also revealed that Aguilar possessed two loaded handguns and a rifle and operated an illicit firearms manufacturing operation that produced ghost guns, suppressors, and firearm upper and lower receivers. Aguilar and Marcolina are charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and conspiracy to commit money laundering. If convicted, they each face up to life imprisonment on the drug trafficking conspiracy count and up to 20 years’ imprisonment on the money laundering conspiracy count. U.S. Attorney Jason A. Reding Quiñones for the Southern District of Florida; Special Agent in Charge Ronald A. Loecker of the IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), Florida Field Office; Special Agent in Charge Miles Aley of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Miami Field Division; Inspector in Charge Bladismir Rojo of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), Miami Division; and Special Agent in Charge Brett Skiles of the FBI, Miami Field Office, made the announcement. IRS Criminal Investigation – Cyber Crimes Unit and the DEA Miami Counternarcotic Cyber Investigations Task Force, a multi-agency task force, including the DEA, IRS Criminal Investigation, FBI, USPIS, and the Fort Lauderdale Police Department are investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Monique Botero is prosecuting the case. This prosecution is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of U.S. law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the U.S. HSTF Miami comprises of agents and officers from IRS-CI, DEA, FBI, USIS, and the Fort Lauderdale Police Department with the prosecution being led by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern district of Florida. An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov , under case number 26-cr-20280. ###


title: Thirty Charged in Takedown of Gang-Associated Crack Cocaine Street Market

component: USAO - California, Southern

body_text: SAN DIEGO – A federal grand jury indictment was unsealed today charging 30 alleged West Coast Crips gang members and associates with distributing large amounts of cocaine base to customers at an open-air crack market on Imperial Avenue about a mile and a half east of Petco Park. In a coordinated takedown this morning, more than 350 members of the FBI Violent Crimes Task Force – Gang Group, plus federal, state, and local law enforcement officials executed 21 search warrants on homes and vehicles in San Diego and arrested 28 defendants. As of 1 p.m, two defendants were still being sought. Surveillance recording of hand-to-hand transactions allegedly being conducted by defendants Elton Wilson (in the reflective vest) and Eric Grady (white shirt at the bottom of the photograph) at the Imperial Avenue Crack Market. All photos are contained in court documents. The investigation began in 2024 and focused on West Coast Crips (WCC) gang members suspected of drug trafficking and committing acts of violence in San Diego at and near the Crips-controlled outdoor drug market located at 2900 Imperial Avenue, pictured below. According to court documents, the market functioned as both a retail outlet and a wholesale hub, supplying users directly while also feeding a network of low-level dealers who spread across East Village, downtown, Logan Heights, Sherman Heights, and beyond to redistribute crack cocaine. Investigators believe thousands of customers repeatedly purchased cocaine base at the Imperial Avenue Crack Market in 2025. Those customers would approach Crips members staffing the market and buy cocaine base with cash. Investigators estimate that about 20 pounds of cocaine - with an estimated street value of at least $550,000 - were sold at the Imperial Avenue Crack Market weekly. Including seizures today and throughout this investigation, authorities have confiscated more than 11 pounds of cocaine; more than $14,000 in U.S. currency; two handguns and a money counting device. According to wiretapped conversations between coconspirators, defendants frequently sold out their inventory and would then look to replenish their supply. For most of the investigation, a surveillance camera was trained on the Imperial Avenue Crack Market, capturing daily activity consistent with the sale of cocaine base, cocaine base, commonly known as crack cocaine. According to court documents, the conspirators fell into three categories based on their roles: (1) street-level dealers who sold crack cocaine at the Imperial Avenue Crack Market; (2) suppliers who provided powder cocaine to be converted into crack cocaine for sale at the market; and (3) purchasers who bought crack cocaine at the market for redistribution elsewhere, including in San Diego's East Village neighborhood near Petco Park. Investigators also identified associated gang activity occurring at or near the Imperial Avenue Crack Market. For example, WCC members celebrate “set day,” a gang holiday, every year on or around March 30 in recognition of their claim of the 30th Street corridor as WCC territory. On the evening of March 30, 2025, as captured in the photo above, WCC members and associates congregated at and around the Imperial Avenue Crack Market, effectively shutting off traffic through the area, and defied commands from San Diego Police Department officers to disperse. The Imperial Avenue Crack Market was also a backdrop for violence. In one instance, on the evening of January 9, 2026, a car drove up to, and stopped in front of, the Imperial Avenue Crack Market. An occupant got out of the car and fired four or five gunshots at people congregating near the market, striking at least two. The occupant then returned to the car, which sped away. “With these 30 indictments, the message is simple: San Diego is a paradise, but it’s not a gangster’s paradise,” said U.S. Attorney Adam Gordon. “Today marks another important milestone in the FBI’s mission to wipe out gang violence in America,” said FBI Director Kash Patel. “Operation ENCRIPTED – led by FBI San Diego with our federal and regional partners – marked a full-scale op targeting local Crips street gang members and their affiliates perpetrating criminal activities, including drug trafficking, violent crime, and more. Twelve tactical FBI teams and partners targeted 23 locations and executed 28 arrests – building on the 1,200+ alleged gangs and criminal enterprises this FBI has disrupted so far in 2026 alone. This FBI is not letting up." “Today's operation sends a clear message: the FBI will not allow violent gangs to threaten our communities,” said Special Agent in Charge Mark Remily of the FBI San Diego Field Office. “Crips street gangs and affiliated members have allegedly committed numerous violent crimes while trafficking drugs, harming and intimidating our neighborhoods. This takedown shows the power of determined investigative work and strong collaboration with the San Diego Police Department, Chula Vista Police Department, and our federal, state and local partners. We united the full strength of our agencies to dismantle this violent network and ensure they face justice. The FBI remains committed to working with our partners to keep San Diegans safe.” “Gang activity has no place in our city,” said San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl. “Disrupting large-scale operations like this is what will keep San Diego one of the safest big cities in the nation. I am incredibly proud of the work being done by the Violent Crime Task Force and the U.S. Attorney’s Office to dismantle this operation.” “The Chula Vista Police Department is proud to be part of the FBI Violent Crimes Task Force. This investigation highlights the importance of strong partnerships, as this criminal network impacted communities across San Diego County. We commend the coordinated efforts of the FBI and our law enforcement partners in bringing those responsible to justice,” said Captain Henry Martin of the Chula Vista Police Department. “The charges are the result of a year-long investigation that included the use of court-authorized wiretaps, undercover agents, and confidential sources.” “This investigation highlights the dedication and teamwork of our law enforcement partners in confronting organized drug trafficking in our city,” said HSI San Diego Special Agent in Charge Kevin Murphy. “HSI is proud to support this collaborative effort, targeting those responsible for fueling addiction and violence. By working together, we are helping to restore safety and peace of mind to the community and remain committed to supporting initiatives that disrupt criminal activity and protect San Diego’s neighborhoods.” Many of the defendants charged in the conspiracy have significant criminal histories, underscoring how the market became a haven for repeat offenders. At least 22 of the defendants have prior felony convictions, mostly for drug sales. Five defendants are presently subject to some form of post-conviction supervision. Rynell Baker, one of the alleged leaders of the Crack Market conspiracy, was convicted of first-degree murder in 1994, paroled in 2021, and discharged from parole in 2022. Four of the defendants— Elton Wilson, Roshawn Walls, Shawn King, and Alejandro McFadden—have prior federal convictions that qualify as serious drug felonies. At least three others also have prior federal criminal convictions—Darnell Butler and Jerry Davis (RICO conspiracy), and Kendall Evans (Felon in Possession of Ammunition). Cash, cocaine base, and marijuana found in defendant Grady’s car after he was arrested by police These cases are being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Keith D. Ellison, Mario Peia, and David Kete. DEFENDANTS Case Number 26CR2402 Name Age City Elton Wilson 58 San Diego Rynell Baker 55 San Diego Eric Grady 55 San Diego Lorenzo Miller 43 San Diego FUGITIVE Elmer Salgado-Pineda 25 National City Julio Rangel 38 San Diego Julio Rangel Jr. 19 San Diego Felipe Benitez 33 San Diego Michael Pollard 46 San Diego Darnell Butler 39 San Diego FUGITIVE Stephanie Singleton 57 San Diego Derrick Taylor 60 San Diego James Wright 76 San Diego Leray Shine 52 San Diego Roshawn Maurice Walls 56 San Diego Aundray Eatmon 48 San Diego Kirk Patterson 47 San Diego Brandon Antwaun Jones 39 San Diego Shawn Monique King 56 San Diego Anthony Suffern 65 San Diego Patrick Davis 51 San Diego Larry Haynes 64 San Diego Nancy McSwain 58 San Diego Kendall Evans 42 San Diego Jerry Davis 38 San Diego Wendy Williamson 57 San Diego Alejandro McFadden 55 San Diego Norman Martin 58 San Diego SUMMARY OF CHARGES Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine and Cocaine Base, in violation of Title 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1), 841 (b) (1) (ii), 841 (b) (1) (iii) Maximum Penalty: Life in prison; Mandatory Minimum: Ten years in prison; $10 million fine INVESTIGATING AGENCIES Federal Bureau of Investigation, Violent Crimes Task Force – Gang Group (VCTF-GG), which includes investigators from the following agencies: Federal Bureau of Investigation San Diego Police Department Homeland Security Investigations Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives California Department of Corrections San Diego County Sheriff’s Department Chula Vista Police Department National City Police Department U.S. Bureau of Prisons U.S. Postal Inspection Service San Diego County District Attorney’s Office *The charges and allegations contained in an indictment or complaint are merely accusations, and the defendants are considered innocent unless and until proven guilty. This investigation 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 San Diego comprises agents and officers from FBI, Homeland Security Investigations, DEA, ATF, U.S. Marshals Service, Department of Defense, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Naval Criminal Investigative Service, IRS Criminal Investigation, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Customs and Border Protection and INTERPOL, with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of California. High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) program, created by Congress with the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988, provides assistance to Federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies operating in areas determined to be critical drug-trafficking regions of the United States. This grant program is administered by the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP). There are currently 33 HIDTAs, and HIDTA-designated counties are located in 50 states, as well as in Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia.


title: Mexican National Unlawfully Residing in the United States Sentenced to Federal Prison for Drug Conspiracy

component: USAO - Oregon

body_text: PORTLAND, Ore.— A Mexican national unlawfully residing in the United States was sentenced to federal prison last week for conspiring to distribute over 20 kilograms of methamphetamine and over 800 grams of fentanyl pills. Carlos Manuel Perez Lopez, 43, was sentenced to 136 months in federal prison and five years’ supervised release. “Bulk narcotics distributors like Carlos Manuel Perez Lopez profiteer from the misery of their customers’ addictions,” said Scott E. Bradford, U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon. “Multi-agency collaboration and coordination between state and federal authorities are a powerful force multiplier in combatting narcotics traffickers. This investigation is a shining example of how combined federal and state enforcement efforts can thwart drug traffickers’ efforts to poison our community. Drug dealers in Oregon are on notice.” “Mr. Perez Lopez put profits ahead of human life by distributing fentanyl and methamphetamine into our communities,” said Robert A. Saccone, Special Agent in Charge, DEA Seattle Field Division. “DEA and our partners are relentlessly pursuing those responsible, disrupting the supply chain, and bringing traffickers to justice. Every fentanyl seizure represents lives protected. Through Fentanyl Free America, we remain committed to making our communities safer and building a future free from the threat of fentanyl.” According to court documents, in September 2024, DEA task force investigators identified Perez Lopez as a large-scale local drug distributor. On September 13, 2024, after learning Perez Lopez was expecting to receive a drug shipment, investigators followed Perez Lopez to a meeting at a truck stop in Aurora, Oregon, where Perez Lopez met briefly with two men near a blue semi-truck bearing license plates from Mexico and a Texas temporary tag. Investigators stopped Perez Lopez near Tigard, Oregon. Perez Lopez was the driver and sole occupant of the Camry. Investigators detained Perez Lopez and then searched the car after a drug detecting canine alerted to the presence of narcotics in the car. Below is a photo of the drugs that were seized from the trunk: Inside the Camry, investigators seized over 20 kilograms of methamphetamine and 820.4 gross grams of fentanyl pills. Meanwhile other investigators were following the semi-truck as it traveled northbound on I-5 from the truck stop. Soon after investigators stopped Perez Lopez, the semi-truck left the highway and parked at a public rest stop near Wilsonville, Oregon, barely three miles from the truck stop. The occupants of the semi-truck fled the truck, leaving it running and abandoned at the rest stop. Investigators lawfully searched the cab of the truck where they found and later seized approximately 209.68 pounds of methamphetamine concealed in suitcases. Below is an image of the drugs seized from the semi-truck: On September 14, 2024, Perez Lopez was charged by criminal complaint with possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine, and conspiracy to distribute controlled substances. On April 1, 2026, Perez Lopez pleaded guilty to a superseding information alleging conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. U.S. Attorney Scott E. Bradford for the District of Oregon made the announcement. This case was investigated by the DEA, Tigard Police Department, Washington County Sheriff’s Office, Sherwood Police Department, and the Westside Interagency Narcotics Team. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul T. Maloney. This case is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF Portland comprises agents and officers from FBI, HSI, DEA, USMS, IRS-CI, ATF, USPIS, CBP, TSA, U.S. Coast Guard, Oregon Air, Army National Guard Counterdrug program, and Oregon-Idaho HIDTA with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon.


title: Mexican National Unlawfully Residing in the United States Sentenced to 15 Months in Federal Prison for Prohibited Possession of a Firearm

body_text: PORTLAND, Ore.—A Mexican national was sentenced to federal prison last Thursday for illegal possession of a firearm and illegal reentry. Ramon Oscar Morales-Valencia, 47, was sentenced to 15 months in federal prison and 3 years’ supervised release. His sentence will run concurrent with his recent Marion County drug possession conviction. “Illegal possession of firearms and narcotics by prohibited individuals fuels gun violence in our community,” said U.S. Attorney Scott E. Bradford. “Combatting gun violence is a priority, and my office will pursue those who think they are above the law.” “As if his illegal reentry into the United States was not enough, Morales-Valencia intentionally chose to further break our nation’s laws by illegally possessing a firearm and methamphetamine,” said ATF Seattle Field Division Special Agent in Charge Jonathan Blais. “The unlawful possession of firearms and narcotics by prohibited individuals poses a serious threat to the safety of our communities, and ATF will continue to identify, investigate, and prosecute those who endanger our citizens.” According to court documents, Morales-Valencia was formally removed from the United States in 2010. On April 19, 2025, Marion County Sheriff’s Deputies initiated a traffic stop on an SUV Morales-Valencia was driving. He stopped the SUV and stepped from the vehicle, removing a Ruger 9mm pistol from his waistband and setting it on the driver’s seat. Deputies recovered the firearm as well as methamphetamine from the SUV. Morales-Valencia pleaded guilty in state court to possession of methamphetamine and was sentenced to 29 months. On September 16, 2025, a federal grand jury in Portland returned an indictment charging Morales-Valencia with alien in possession of a firearm and illegal reentry. U.S. Attorney Scott E. Bradford for the District of Oregon made the announcement. This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Explosives and Firearms with the assistance of the Marion County Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by U.S. Attorney’s Office. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit Justice.gov/PSN .


title: Jackson County Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Distributing Fentanyl

body_text: MEDFORD, Ore.—A Jackson County, Oregon, man was sentenced to federal prison last Thursday for possession with the intent to distribute fentanyl. Eduardo Cortes Cortes, 28, was sentenced to 67 months in federal prison and four years’ supervised release. According to court documents, in July of 2022, investigators responded to an overdose where the victim was declared deceased with a rolled up dollar bill with crushed pill residue that tested positive for fentanyl. After extensive investigation, Tyren Duarte was determined to be the source of supply to the victim. Law enforcement later identified Cortes Cortes as a source of that fentanyl, and, during a traffic stop involving Cortes Cortes, law enforcement recovered 93 grams of fentanyl pills and 33.66 grams of a fentanyl analogue inside. On February 2, 2023, a federal grand jury in Medford, Oregon, returned an indictment charging Duarte, Cortes Cortes, and a third co-conspirator with possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. Duarte previously plead guilty to possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and was sentenced to 48 months in federal prison and six years of supervised release on August 19, 2025. U.S. Attorney Scott E. Bradford for the District of Oregon made the announcement. This case was investigated by the FBI, HSI, and the Medford Area Drug and Gang Enforcement (MADGE). It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sara T. Shaw and John C. Brassell. MADGE, led by the Medford Police Department works to disrupt and dismantle drug trafficking organizations operating in and around Jackson County, and reduce illegal drugs and related crimes throughout the community. The task force is comprised of members from the Medford Police Department, The Central Point Police Department, Oregon State Police, the FBI, and HSI. MADGE is supported by our community with the passage of the Public Safety Levy and grant funding from the Oregon-Idaho High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area program.


title: Nevada Businesswoman Sentenced to Prison for Fraudulent Scheme Seeking Millions in COVID-19 Tax Credits

component: USAO - Nevada

body_text: LAS VEGAS – A Nevada woman was sentenced today to 18 months in prison for conspiring to defraud the United States by filing false COVID-19 employment tax credits. The government recommended a sentence of 40 months’ imprisonment. “The Fraud Division will not tolerate anyone who steals from public benefits programs designed to support Americans in need,” said Assistant Attorney General of the Justice Department’s National Fraud Enforcement Division Colin M. McDonald. “If you attempt to defraud these programs, we will come after you with the full force of federal law. We are committed to safeguarding America’s tax dollars and the programs they are meant to support.” “Today’s sentence, once again, highlights our District’s commitment to the American taxpayer that when people commit fraud, they will face the legal consequences of those criminal acts,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Sigal Chattah for the District of Nevada. According to court documents and statements made in court, Adonia Stiles, of Las Vegas, was a real estate agent, tax preparer, and clothing store owner. Stiles conspired with others to file false tax returns fraudulently seeking refunds based on the employee retention credit (ERC) and sick and family leave credit. Congress created both the ERC and the sick and family leave credit to aid struggling businesses during the COVID-19 global pandemic. Stiles caused one of her co-conspirators, Candies Goode-McCoy, to file 11 false employment tax returns for Stiles’s clothing store seeking a total of more than $800,000 in refundable tax credits. Stiles also referred 18 other people to Goode-McCoy, for whom Goode-McCoy filed over 150 false employment tax returns. Goode-McCoy claimed $15 million in fraudulent tax credits on behalf of these taxpayers, which resulted in the United States paying out more than $7 million in refunds. In exchange for making these referrals to Goode McCoy, Stiles received at least $135,000. She did not report this income on her individual income tax returns. In April 2026, Goode-McCoy was sentenced to 54 months in prison for her role in the scheme. In addition to the term of imprisonment, U.S. District Judge Jennifer A. Dorsey ordered Stiles to serve two years of supervised release and to pay $7,079,121.48 in restitution to the United States. IRS Criminal Investigation and the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration investigated the case. Trial Attorney John C. Gerardi of the Criminal Division’s Tax Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard Anthony Lopez of the District of Nevada prosecuted the case. On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the Fraud Division. The Fraud Division is laser-focused on investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against the American people. The Department’s work to combat fraud supports President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs. ###


component: Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)

body_text: Seacoast Man Pleads Guilty to Trafficking Large Quantities of Methamphetamine and Fentanyl CONCORD – Michael Michaud, 55, pleaded guilty today in federal court to one count of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, specifically methamphetamine and fentanyl, and two counts of possessing methamphetamine and fentanyl with the intent to distribute them, U.S. Attorney Erin Creegan announces. U.S. District Court Judge Steven J. McAuliffe scheduled Michaud’s sentencing for November 4, 2026. According to the court documents and statements made in court, beginning in 2022, the DEA began an investigation into a drug trafficking organization that was distributing fentanyl, methamphetamine and cocaine in the Seacoast region of New Hampshire. During the investigation, multiple DEA cooperating sources reported that Michaud was a significant source of narcotics, personally selling distributable quantities of fentanyl, methamphetamine and cocaine in the Seacoast area. The DEA conducted multiple controlled drug purchases from Michaud and his coconspirators, purchasing more than a pound of methamphetamine and more than a pound of fentanyl. In November 2025, law enforcement pulled over Michaud while he was driving with his girlfriend. Michaud possessed substantial qualities of methamphetamine and fentanyl packaged for distribution and was arrested. The charges of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance and possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance each carry a sentence of up to 20 years’ incarceration, not less than 3 years of supervised release, and a fine up to $1,000,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case. The Drug Enforcement Administration investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew T. Hunter is prosecuting the case. This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).


component: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

body_text: Massachusetts Man Charged With Nashua Bank Robbery CONCORD – A Massachusetts man has been charged in federal court with bank robbery, U.S. Attorney Erin Creegan announces. He was arrested on July 8, 2026, and appears before the court this afternoon. Joseph Sawyer, 52, of Townsend, Massachusetts, allegedly robbed at gunpoint the St. Mary’s Bank located at 4 Northwest Boulevard in Nashua on June 12, 2026. According to the criminal complaint, the FBI identified Sawyer as the suspect after investigating a similar bank robbery that occurred two weeks later in Boonton, New Jersey. If convicted, Sawyer faces up to 25 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The details contained in the criminal complaint are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. FBI Boston is leading the investigation. The Nashua Police Department, FBI New Jersey, FBI Albany, New Jersey State Police, New York State Police, Warren County (NY) Sheriff’s Office, and the United States Attorneys’ Offices for the District of New Jersey, Northern District of New York, and District of Massachusetts provided valuable assistance. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mike Shannon is prosecuting the case.


component: USAO - New Hampshire

body_text: Manchester Man Pleads Guilty to Failing to Register as a Sex Offender CONCORD – Christopher Hodgeman of Manchester, 35, pleaded guilty today to one count of failing to register as a sex offender as required by the federal Sexual Offender Registration and Notification Act (“SORNA”), U.S. Attorney Erin Creegan announces. U.S. District Court Judge Steven J. McAuliffe scheduled Hodgeman’s sentencing for October 27, 2026. According to the court documents and statements made in court, SORNA requires individuals convicted of certain sex offenses to register as a sex offender in the state in which they reside or work. Among other things, SORNA requires sex offenders to register their online identifiers such as email addresses and online accounts and usernames. Hodgeman is required to register as a sex offender under SORNA due to his 2021 conviction for possessing child exploitation material (also known as child pornography). In 2024, Hodgeman pleaded guilty and was sentenced in the United States District Court for the District of New Hampshire to one count of failure to register in violation of SORNA arising from his failure to register online identifiers he used in direct messaging applications. Beginning at least by December 2025, and continuing through January 2026, Hodgeman used the private direct messaging applications Signal, Zangi, and WhatsApp. For each application he had a unique online identifier. Hodgeman used these applications and online identifiers to exchange sexually explicit messages with multiple different women. Hodgeman knew he was required to register his online identifiers, yet he never reported these online identifiers in his sex offender registration paperwork. The charge of failure to register carries a sentence of up to 10 years’ incarceration, at least 5 years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case. The United States Marshals Service investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew T. Hunter is prosecuting the case. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by 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.


body_text: Convicted Felon Who Was Apprehended by U.S. Marshals After Fleeing Halfway House Pleads Guilty to Escaping Bureau of Prisons Custody CONCORD – A Bureau of Prisons (BOP) inmate has pled guilty for attempting to escape custody after he left a Manchester halfway house and was later apprehended by the U.S. Marshals, U.S. Attorney Erin Creegan announces. Sentencing is set for November 4, 2026 before U.S. District Court Judge Steven J. McAuliffe. Daniel Irving, 35, pleaded guilty to one count of escape from federal custody. According to court documents and statements made in court, Irving was assigned to complete his prior federal sentence at the Hampshire House in Manchester after being transferred from a BOP facility in West Virginia. In October 2025, law enforcement was alerted that Irving had removed his electronic GPS monitoring device and absconded. The United States Marshals then initiated a search for Irving, before locating him at a home in Goffstown. The charge of escape carries a maximum prison term of 5 years, a maximum fine of $250,000 and term of supervised release not to exceed 3 years. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case. The United States Marshals Service led the investigation. The Goffstown Police Department and the Manchester Police Department provided valuable assistance. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Vicinanzo is prosecuting the case.


title: Norfolk Man Sentenced to 35 Years for Child Pornography Charges

body_text: United States Attorney Lesley A. Woods announced that Noah Hale, 21, of Norfolk, Nebraska, was sentenced on July 9, 2026, in federal court in Lincoln, Nebraska, for one count of production of child pornography, one count of receipt of child pornography, and one count of possession of child pornography. United States District Judge Susan M. Bazis sentenced Hale to a total of 420 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Hale’s release from prison, he will begin a lifetime term of supervised release. Hale was additionally ordered to pay $3,460 in restitution and $3,000 which will contribute to funds established for victims of these types of cases. In February 2024, FBI Omaha was contacted regarding an investigation into a trend where individuals groom and subsequently entice victims, often minors, into a variety of concerning behaviors. These behaviors included engaging in and recording self-harm and producing sexually explicit images of themselves at the request of the predator. Noah Hale was identified as a suspect during the investigation. The FBI received several tips that associated Hale using various social media accounts where he requested, posted, and/or sent child pornography. A search warrant for Hale’s residence and his devices was executed on February 29, 2024. A review of those devices revealed approximately 2,300 media files that were flagged as files of interest. Most of these files appeared to be original content created by females Hale victimized. The files depicted females, a majority of whom were apparent minors, engaged in various circumstances to include: self-harm and self-mutilating behavior, child pornography, and “fan signs” which are files in which the female had written names associated with Hale on their body or on a sign. FBI underwent extensive efforts to locate the females identified in these files. Thirty minor females, between the ages of 11 and 17, from across the United States and in at least one other country were able to be identified from the 2,300 files. It was discovered that Hale would use various tactics of enticing, love bombing or threatening these minors with physical and sexual harm in order to convince them to produce images or videos of themselves for Hale. The files produced at Hale’s request were often sadistic and degrading. “Hale is every parent’s worst nightmare: the type of predator who can gain access to their children even when they are in their own homes with their loved ones all around them,” said United States Attorney Lesley Woods. “This type of predator grooms, manipulates, and threatens children and by the time they realize what is going on, the predator has them convinced of the lie that they have to comply with his sick demands. Hale deserves every minute of his federal prison time. May he never talk to another child online so long as he lives.” After the sentencing, FBI Omaha Special Agent in Charge Eugene Kowel said, “Criminals like Noah Hale are a horrific and chilling example of how child predators use technology to locate and victimize the most vulnerable members of our community. We will never stop using every investigative resource we have to identify and apprehend subjects like Hale and ensure he will not be in a position to harm another child for a very long time. We appreciate all the work of our law enforcement partners in this case to help bring some measure of justice on behalf of those victimized.” 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 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 better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov. This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.


title: Six Lubbock Methamphetamine Traffickers Sentenced to Combined 143 Years in Prison

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

body_text: United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas, Ryan Raybould, announced that the final defendant in a significant Lubbock, Texas, methamphetamine trafficking organization was sentenced to 18 years in federal prison on July 8. Waylon Williams, 42, pled guilty to one count of distribution and possession with intent to distribute five grams or more of methamphetamine in January 2026. “These lengthy prison sentences assure North Texans that the federal government is partnering – through the Homeland Security Task Forces – with our great state and local law enforcement officers to dismantle drug traffickers and their networks,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould. “Methamphetamine is a highly addictive drug that ruins lives and destroys families. Thanks to the hard work of our prosecutors and our law enforcement partners, these individuals have been held accountable for their crimes.” Five others charged in the same case were previously sentenced to prison terms for their respective roles in the methamphetamine trafficking: Charles Clay Pruitt, 48, of Lubbock, was sentenced in April 2026 to 480 months (40 years). Jason Lee Garza, also known as “J-Bird”, 50, of Lubbock, was sentenced in June 2026 to 420 months (35 years). Brody Wayne Duncan, 32, of Post, Texas, was sentenced in May 2026 to 240 months (20 years). Matthew Young, 50, of Lubbock, was sentenced in April 2026 to 188 months (15.6 years) in federal prison. Veronica Pena aka Veronica Zambrano, 51, of Lubbock, was sentenced in May 2026 to 180 months (15 years) in federal prison. Williams, Pruitt, Garza, Duncan, and Pena were sentenced by United States District Judge James Wesley Hendrix. Young was sentenced by Fifth Circuit Judge Andrew S. Oldham, sitting by assignment. Court documents reflect that beginning as early as 2020, the defendants conspired to distribute large quantities of methamphetamine in Lubbock and Post. Agents investigated the conspiracy over several months, culminating in the execution of several search warrants resulting in the seizure of approximately 985 grams of methamphetamine, $9,816 in currency, and multiple firearms. Searches of the defendants’ cellular phones revealed extensive communications where they would coordinate their methamphetamine trafficking operation. One set of messages between the conspirators also discussed destroying evidence prior to law enforcement’s execution of a search warrant. The Texas Department of Public Safety and the Drug Enforcement Administration led the investigation, with substantial assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, Lubbock Police Department, Lubbock County Sheriff’s Office, Garza County Sheriff’s Office, and the Texas Anti-Gang Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen Rancourt prosecuted the case. This case is part of the Homeland Security Task Force 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. ###


title: Elyria Man Sentenced to More Than 15 Years in Prison for Receipt, Distribution, and Possession of Child Pornography

body_text: CLEVELAND – A Lorain County man was sentenced to federal prison for receipt, possession and distribution of pornographic materials involving children. Christopher Jackson, 27, of Elyria, Ohio, was sentenced to 186 months (15.5 years) in prison by U.S. District Judge Pamela A. Barker, after pleading guilty in March to the following charges in the indictment: Receipt and Distribution of Visual Depictions of Real Minors Engaged in Sexually Explicit Conduct Possession of Child Pornography, or Child Sexual Abuse Materials (CSAM) He was also ordered to serve 15 years of supervised release after imprisonment. Restitution will be determined at a later date. According to court records, agents were conducting investigation into suspected CSAM activity on social media platforms and identified Jackson as an individual downloading child pornography. Jackson was later apprehended. During a forensic analysis of his electronic devices and online accounts, investigators found approximately 955 images and 371 videos of CSAM. Further investigation revealed that Jackson had been possessing and viewing CSAM for more than 17 years. The investigation leading to the indictment was led by the FBI Cleveland Division and the Elyria Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Margaret Kane for the Northern District Ohio led the prosecution. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. The initiative is led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices throughout the country and marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, visit justice.gov/PSC . To report child exploitation, please visit cybertipline.org , or call 1-800-843-5678, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.


title: Goshen Man Sentenced to 63 Months in Prison For Unlawful Possession of a Firearm

body_text: SOUTH BEND –Luis Garcia, 25 years old, of Goshen, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Damon R. Leichty after pleading guilty to possession of a machinegun and being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm, announced United States Attorney Adam L. Mildred. Garcia was sentenced to 63 months in prison followed by 3 years of supervised release. “The Defendant will serve over five years in prison after he flashed a machine gun at another person inside a bar. Security removed him from the premises and took away his gun, which had a 30-round extended magazine loaded with 24 rounds plus a round chambered. It also had a Glock switch attached, which allowed the gun to fire in rapid succession, in fully automatic. Garcia escaped the grip of the guards and ran away before police arrived. Sometime later, police pulled over a car where Garcia was a passenger and found him in possession of yet another firearm and cocaine. Garcia had a felony conviction for unlawful carrying of a handgun, and he was therefore prohibited from possessing a firearm. Thanks to the combined efforts of Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Goshen Police Department and the support of the Elkhart County Prosecutor’s Office led by Vicki Becker, the Defendant was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Katelan McKenzie Doyle and Joel Gabrielse. Our community is safer with him off the streets,” said U.S. Attorney Adam L. Mildred. This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives with assistance from the Goshen Police Department and the Elkhart County Prosecutor’s Office. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Katelan McKenzie Doyle and Joel Gabrielse. Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is the Department of Justice’s nationwide initiative that brings federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement, prosecutors, and other public safety partners together to coordinate efforts to combat violent crime and make communities safe. Coordinated by U.S. Attorneys’ offices in each of the 94 federal districts, PSN is tailored to particular communities to strategically address specific violent crime and public safety challenges. As a key component of Operation Take Back America, PSN serves a central role in the Department’s commitment to make our country safe. PSN emphasizes three core principles: rapid federal response to violent crime and criminal offenders; strong, strategic partnerships among law enforcement at all levels; and accountability and deterrence through the prosecution of the most serious, readily provable offenses and other strategies. These efforts complement and strengthen President Trump’s Homeland Security Task Forces, ensuring a comprehensive federal response to the most pressing public safety issues facing communities . This 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 Indianapolis comprises agents and officers from FBI, HSI, DEA, ATF, IRS, Indiana State Police, and other partners, with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Indiana.


title: Colombian National Sentenced to 25 Months in Prison For Illegal Use of a False Social Security Number and Aggravated Identity Theft

body_text: SOUTH BEND – Oscar Andres Lopez-Gomez, 52 years old, a citizen of Colombia, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Damon R. Leichty after pleading guilty to felony use of a false Social Security Number and Aggravated Identity Theft, announced United States Attorney Adam L. Mildred. Lopez-Gomez was sentenced to 25 months in prison. “The Defendant, a citizen of Columbia, committed Aggravated Identity Theft by using another person’s name, date of birth, and Social Security Number in an attempt to circumvent rules regarding employment. Circumventing those rules is not “victimless” conduct in that it affects the economic opportunities available to citizens and guests of our country who lawfully participate in the economy in good faith. As a result of the collaboration between the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and Homeland Security Investigations, the case was able to be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Lydia T. Lucius,” said U.S. Attorney Adam L. Mildred.


title: Tallahassee Man Sent to Federal Prison for Theft of Government Funds in Stolen Valor Prosecution

component: USAO - Florida, Northern

body_text: Tallahassee, Florida - Michel Duane Dyson, 46, of Tallahassee, Florida, who misrepresented himself as a decorated U.S. Army combat veteran to fraudulently collect Veteran’s Administration (VA) benefits, has been sentenced to a 48-month term of federal imprisonment for his misrepresentations and receipt of VA funds. John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida, announced the sentence today. U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “The brave men and women of our Armed Forces have made innumerable sacrifices throughout our nation’s history to preserve and protect the freedoms enjoyed by all Americans, and acts of stolen valor by fraudsters, like this defendant, are despicable. This defendant fraudulently claimed military service to gain benefits reserved for our nation’s warriors, but thanks to the excellent investigative work by federal law enforcement partners and the successful prosecution by my office, he’ll spend years in federal prison for his crimes.” 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. Court records show that in April 2022, Dyson fraudulently applied for Veterans Affairs benefits based on his claims that he actively served in the U.S. Army, further claiming that he served in combat and had been awarded both the Purple Heart and a Bronze Star. Dyson was never an active or reserve member of any branch of the armed forces. Investigators later determined that, during part of the time Dyson claimed service in the Army, he was incarcerated in Massachusetts for a sex offense. Nonetheless, as a result of his fraudulent misrepresentations, from April 2022 until June 2025, Dyson was able to secure VA benefits in the form of medical treatment provided either through VA medical facilities or contracted medical providers. In May 2025, Dyson further attempted to fraudulently obtain additional VA housing benefits, at which point his deception was uncovered. Records in the investigation revealed that Dyson had similarly attempted to obtain VA benefits in the Boston, Massachusetts area in 2013, but had been denied. As part of the sentence, upon release from prison, Dyson will be required to serve three years on supervised release and was ordered to pay $28,118.37 in restitution to the VA. “This sentence holds the defendant accountable for falsely claiming military service to obtain VA benefits intended for veterans who earned them through their sacrifice and service,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Greg Wentz with the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General Southeast Field Office. “The VA OIG remains committed to safeguarding veteran programs against fraud so that benefits reach the individuals they were created to serve.” The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Eric K. Mountin prosecuted the case. The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access available public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndfl .


title: Pennsylvania Man Indicted for Federal Child Exploitation Crimes in Alachua County, Florida

body_text: Gainesville, Florida – Joshua Barber, 39, of Butler, Pennsylvania, was indicted by a federal grand jury charging him with one count of attempted sexual exploitation of a minor for purpose of producing visual depictions; one count of attempted coercion and enticement of a minor to engage in sexual activity; one count of cyberstalking; six counts of threatening communications; and one count of repeated harassing communication. John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida, announced the charges today. Barber appeared in federal court for his arraignment before United States Magistrate Judge Midori A. Lowry in Gainesville, Florida. Jury trial is scheduled for August 4, 2026, at 8:30 am before Chief District Court Judge Allen C. Winsor in Gainesville, Florida. If convicted, the defendant faces a mandatory minimum of 15 years’ imprisonment, and up to life imprisonment, on count one; a mandatory minimum of 10 years’ imprisonment, and up to life imprisonment, on count two; up to 10 years’ imprisonment on count three; up to five years’ imprisonment on counts four through nine; and up to two years’ imprisonment on count ten. The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, the Gainesville Police Department, and the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Christie S. Utt is prosecuting the case. An indictment is merely an allegation by a grand jury that a defendant has committed a violation of federal criminal law and is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial, during which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys' Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit Justice.gov/PSC . The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access available public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndfl .


title: Panama City Beach Felon Indicted on Gun and Drug Charges

body_text: Tallahassee, Florida – Joseph Primus Gainer, 44, of Panama City Beach, Florida, has been indicted in federal court for possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and marijuana, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida announced the charges. Gainer appeared in federal court for his arraignment before United States Magistrate Judge Martin A. Fitzpatrick in Tallahassee, Florida. Jury trial is scheduled for August 24, 2026, at 8:30 am before District Court Judge Mark E. Walker in Tallahassee, Florida. If convicted, Gainer faces enhanced penalties of up to 30 years’ imprisonment on the drug count due to a prior drug trafficking conviction and up to 15 years’ imprisonment on the firearm count. The case was jointly investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Bay County Sheriff’s Office, the Panama City Beach Police Department, and the Panama City Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Eric K. Mountin. An indictment is merely an allegation by a grand jury that a defendant has committed a violation of federal criminal law and is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial, during which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial. This case is part of Operation Take Back America , a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndfl .


title: Indictments Unsealed Charging Five Individuals with Sexual Exploitation of Children

body_text: HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – A federal grand jury has indicted five individuals on child-exploitation charges, announced U.S. Attorney Phillip W. Williams Jr. The following defendants were indicted: A four-count indictment charges Gregory Alan Lee, 49, of Irondale, Alabama, with coercion and enticement of a minor, possession of child pornography, and solicitation of child pornography. The incidents occurred between September 2024, and November 2025, in Jefferson County, Alabama. A two-count indictment charges John Spencer Murphy, 65, of Huntsville, Alabama, with transportation and possession of child pornography. The incidents occurred in July 2025, and August 2025, in Madison County, Alabama. A five-count indictment charges Abigail Marie Roberts, 22, and Michael Clinton Chambers, 26, of Carrollton, Georgia, with conspiracy to engage in the sexual exploitation of children, conspiracy to receive and distribute child pornography, sexual exploitation of children, distribution of child pornography, and possession of child pornography. The incidents occurred in April 2026, in Franklin County, Alabama. A 13-count indictment charges Landon Chace Williams, 20, of Cherokee, Alabama with sexual exploitation of children, coercion and enticement of a minor, and possession of child pornography. The incidents occurred between June 2024 and February 2026 in Colbert County, Alabama. If you suspect or become aware of possible sexual exploitation of a child, please contact law enforcement. Reports can be filed with the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) or online at www.cybertipline.org. The case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched by the Department of Justice in May 2006 to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov . FBI investigated the cases along with the assistance of multiple other law enforcement agencies, including Department of Army Criminal Investigations Division, Homewood Police Department, Madison County Sheriff’s Office, Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, Colbert County Sheriff’s Office, and Marshall County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys R. Leann White and Sara M. Judah are prosecuting the cases. An indictment contains only charges. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.


title: Clay County Man Charged with Carjacking and Attempted Kidnapping

body_text: BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – A Clay County man charged with carjacking, attempted kidnapping, and multiple other crimes has been arraigned in federal court, announced U.S. Attorney Phillip W. Williams Jr. A five-count indictment filed in U.S. District Court charges Stevie Earl Harris with attempted kidnapping, carjacking, using/carrying a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, explosive materials – transport by non-licensee, and explosive materials – transport with intent to injure. This incident occurred on September 5, 2024, in Clay County, Alabama. “As alleged in the indictment, the defendant is accused of crimes that threatened the safety of an innocent victim and others nearby,” said Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristy M. Peoples. “We appreciate the outstanding work of our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners whose coordinated efforts made this prosecution possible.” “ATF’s number one priority is to combat violent crime,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge James VanVliet. “We will continue to work in lockstep with our law enforcement partners to bring justice to individuals that harm our communities.” The ATF investigated the case along with the Clay County Sheriff’s Office, Lineville Police Department, and Ashland Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Darius C. Greene and Kristy Peoples are prosecuting the case. An indictment contains only charges. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.


title: Wolf Point woman sentenced to over 4 years in prison for trafficking meth from Billings motel

body_text: BILLINGS – A Wolf Point woman who was dealing meth out of a Billings motel room was sentenced Tuesday to four years and eight months in prison, followed by four years of supervised release, Acting U.S. Attorney Mark Steger Smith said. Destinee Fate Rowe, 27, pleaded guilty in January 2026 to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. U.S. District Judge William W. Mercer presided. The government alleged in court documents that Rowe, while on probation with the state of Montana, was dealing methamphetamine in Billings. An informant told law enforcement Rowe was operating out of a room at the Vegas Hotel, which law enforcement then searched and found an ounce and a half of meth. About a week later, investigators received another tip that Rowe was now dealing meth out of the Econo Lodge in Billings. A search of the room and her vehicle turned up another ounce and a half of meth, which Rowe acknowledged she was selling. Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Godfrey prosecuted the case. The ATF and Billings Police Department conducted the investigation.


title: Missoula woman sentenced to over five years in prison for trafficking meth

body_text: MISSOULA – A Missoula woman who fled from a city park after trying to sell meth was sentenced today to five years and three months in prison, followed by five years of supervised release, Acting U.S. Attorney Mark Steger Smith said. Jody Lynn Pope, 30, pleaded guilty in February 2026 to one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. U.S. District Judge Donald W. Molloy presided. The government alleged in court documents that Pope, who also goes by Jody Lynn Nygaard, was dealing methamphetamine in Missoula. Law enforcement used an informant to set up a buy from Pope at Franklin Park on Dec. 10, 2025. Pope arrived in a vehicle driven by Brandon Gregory Genet, who sped away from the park when he spotted law enforcement. Genet was sentenced to prison on July 7, 2026, for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Law enforcement found Pope on Dec. 11, 2025, who acknowledged to officers she had gone to Franklin Park the night before to sell 3 ounces of meth and that she had already sold 8 ounces of meth the previous week. The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case. The FBI's Montana Regional Violent Crime Task Force and DEA conducted the investigation.


title: Idaho man sentenced to 10 years in prison for trafficking meth in Montana

component: USAO - Montana

body_text: MISSOULA – An Idaho man who admitted to travelling to Montana to sell methamphetamine was sentenced today to 10 years in prison, followed by eight years of supervised release, Acting U.S. Attorney Mark Steger Smith said. Duke Lee Flemings, 27, pleaded guilty in March 2026 to one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. U.S. District Judge Donald W. Molloy presided. The government alleged in court documents that Flemings was driving near Ronan on June 24, 2025, when he was pulled over for speeding. Flemings was wanted on several outstanding warrants and was arrested at the traffic stop, where he told officers they would find drugs in his vehicle. Officers found roughly an ounce of meth and messages on a cell phone that showed Flemings setting up meth deals in Montana. Flemings was previously convicted of distribution of methamphetamine in federal court in Idaho in 2021. U.S. Attorney Brian Lowney prosecuted the case. Homeland Security Investigation and the Flathead Tribal Police conducted the investigation.


title: Billings man sentenced to 4 years in prison for defrauding customers in scrap metal business scheme

body_text: BILLINGS – A Billings man who never turned over promised payments to customers on scrap metal he sold was sentenced today to four years in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, a $50,000 fine, and $300 in assessment fees, Acting U.S. Attorney Mark Steger Smith said. Chad Miller Costello, 36, pleaded guilty in May 2025 to one count of wire fraud, one count of money laundering, and one count of filing a false tax return. U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided. The government alleged in court documents that from 2018 to 2023 Costello ran a scrap metal business in Billings under different names that stole money from customers. The scheme involved Costello promising to buy scrap metal at premium prices from various businesses across the United States and selling it to recyclers. When it was time to buy the scrap from customers, Costello would only pay a portion or nothing of the contract price, promising to pay later. He would then pick up the scrap metal, sell it to recyclers and keep the money. When the customers contacted him about the money he owed them, Costello would offer excuses, delay responses, and then stop communicating altogether. Costello would then launch a new business and repeat the scheme. The business names he used include M&M Recycling, Industrial Surplus Buying, A-1 Surplus, and ABC Iron & Metal. The contracts typically involved large sums. In October 2022, Costello paid $150,000 in an initial installment for scrap metal that he took from a company in Coolidge, Arizona. Costello then sold the material to a recycler for more than $1 million and did not pay the balance he owed to the seller. Costello also filed his taxes in 2020, falsifying the documents and claiming an annual income significantly smaller than what he was making from his sales of scrap metal. Assistant U.S. Attorney Colin Rubich prosecuted the case. IRS Criminal Investigation conducted the investigation. On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division (“Fraud Division”). The Fraud Division is laser-focused on investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against the American people. The Department’s work to combat fraud supports President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.


title: Five Men Sentenced to Total of 518 Months’ Imprisonment for Role in Large-Scale Drug Trafficking in Wadena County

component: USAO - Minnesota

body_text: MINNEAPOLIS – United States Attorney Daniel N. Rosen announced today that five defendants were collectively sentenced to over 500 months of imprisonment for their roles in a large-scale drug trafficking case out of Wadena County. The following individuals were sentenced: Robert Joseph Anderson , 40, of Wadena, Minnesota, 132 months for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and cocaine Aaron Thomas Heifort , 30, of Clitherall, Minnesota, 122 months for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and cocaine Bill J. Rude , 63, of Wadena, Minnesota, 120 months for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and cocaine Carlos Deyvi Valdovinos‑Trejo , 39, 84 months for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and cocaine Jesus Alarcon Valdovinos , 44, 60 months for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and cocaine On July 9, 2026, Aaron Heifort, the final of five these defendants, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge John R. Tunheim in Minneapolis. According to court documents, beginning in or about December 2023, and continuing through in or about February 2024, Valdovinos‑Trejo, Valdovinos, Anderson, Heifort, and Rude knowingly and intentionally conspired with one another and others to possess with the intent to distribute and distribute large quantities of methamphetamine and cocaine in Minnesota. On November 10, 2023, law enforcement responded to a death at a residence in Wadena County, Minnesota that was caused by a methamphetamine and fentanyl overdose. Investigators identified Rude as one of the decedent’s methamphetamine suppliers. Through further investigation, law enforcement successfully uncovered the broader distribution network. Anderson, a prominent regional distributor in the Wadena area, procured bulk quantities of methamphetamine and cocaine from Valdovinos-Trejo and Valdovinos, which he in turn sold to downstream distributors in Greater Minnesota, including Heifort and Rude. Between December 2023 and January 2024, law enforcement seized more than 2.6 kilograms of methamphetamine and 29 grams of cocaine from the Wadena-based members of the conspiracy, including Rude, Heifort, and Anderson. In January 2024, law enforcement conducted two separate controlled buys from Valdovinos-Trejo, resulting in the seizure of an additional 1.35 kilograms of methamphetamine. On February 6, 2024, law enforcement conducted a third controlled buy from both Mr. Valdovinos-Trejo and Carlos Valdovinos for 2.3 kilograms of methamphetamine. That same day, law enforcement searched two residences associated with the trafficking conspiracy and seized an additional 5.2 kilograms of methamphetamine, 1.1 kilograms of heroin, and 1.3 kilograms of cocaine. “Methamphetamine and fentanyl continue to destroy countless lives and communities throughout Greater Minnesota. The sentencing of these five individuals demonstrates the strong partnership across federal and local law enforcement to hold accountable those who distribute dangerous drugs into our communities,” said United States Attorney Daniel N. Rosen. “Aaron Heifort and his methamphetamine-trafficking conspirators face a combined 43 years in federal prison for the significant amount of poison they brought into and distributed around our Minnesota communities,” DEA Omaha Field Division Special Agent in Charge Dustin Gillespie said. “As a result of their actions, an individual lost their life. It’s an unfortunate tragedy seen all too frequently across the state, region and country. Drug traffickers like Heifort line their pocket with proceeds turning a blind eye to the lives lost and families left behind.” “This case reflects a strong partnership between the Wadena County Sheriff’s Office and our local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies and our shared commitment to holding drug traffickers accountable. We remain committed to pursuing those who distribute dangerous drugs in our communities and seeking justice for the victims and their families,” said Wadena County Sheriff Michael D. Carr. “What started out as a local drug related overdose death, resulted in the federal indictments and convictions of several people. The investigation by deputies of the West Central Minnesota Violent Crime and Drug Task Force discovered a large-scale drug trafficking ring. This case outlines the importance of multi-jurisdictional task forces and relationships with state and federal partners and its impact on public safety,” said Otter Tail County Minnesota Sheriff Barry Fitzgibbons. “Drug trafficking doesn’t stop at city or county lines,” said Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension Superintendent Drew Evans. “Cases like this demonstrate why strong partnerships across Minnesota are so important. By working together and following the evidence wherever it leads, law enforcement agencies can better disrupt the networks bringing dangerous drugs into our communities.” “The Minnesota State Patrol remains committed to supporting our law enforcement partners by contributing our unique capabilities and resources to initiatives that enhance public safety. While each agency plays a distinct role, our shared commitment to cooperation, information sharing, and coordinated enforcement allows us to remain steadfast in our collective mission to protect the communities we serve,” said Minnesota State Patrol Colonel Christina Bogojevic. This case was the result of an investigation conducted by the Wadena County Sheriff’s Office, Otter Tail County Sheriff’s Office, West Central Drug Task Force, Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, Minnesota State Patrol, Drug Enforcement Administration, and other federal and local law enforcement partners. United States Assistant Attorney Garrett S. Fields prosecuted the case.


title: Federal Agent Sentenced to 84 Months’ Imprisonment for Role in the Production of Child Sexual Abuse Material

body_text: MINNEAPOLIS – United States Attorney Daniel N. Rosen announced today that Timothy Ryan Gregg, 53, of Eagan, Minnesota, has been sentenced to 84 months’ imprisonment for his role in transporting and producing visual depictions of minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct. According to court documents, Gregg admitted to knowingly producing child pornography that depicted Gregg engaging in sexually explicit conduct with a minor. At the time of his conduct, Gregg was a Special Agent with Homeland Security Investigations based in Minnesota and served as a Task Force Officer with the Federal Bureau of Investigation. “My office will always pursue these cases with unwavering resolve. Protecting children is one of our highest priorities, and we will hold accountable anyone who exploits them. This case reflects a critical mission across federal and local law enforcement. The United States Attorney’s Office remains committed in our duty to protect children and will aggressively investigate and prosecute those who violate that trust,” said United States Attorney Daniel N. Rosen. “No badge, title or position places anyone above the law. The conduct in this case is appalling and wholly inconsistent with the values of ICE and Homeland Security Investigations,” said ICE Director David J. Venturella. “We have zero tolerance for crimes against children, and anyone who commits these offenses will be held fully accountable. ICE remains steadfast in its mission to protect children, support victims and pursue those who seek to exploit the most vulnerable.” “This defendant knew better than almost anyone that what he was doing was illegal and wrong, yet he chose to do it anyhow,” said FBI Minneapolis Field Office Special Agent in Charge Christopher D. Dotson. “The sexual exploitation of children in any context is reprehensible. This defendant’s crimes while employed as a law enforcement officer are doubly disgraceful. We hope this sentence provides some sense of justice and safety for the victim and their family. This sentence should also serve as a warning to others who think they might get away with sexually exploiting a minor—regardless of who you are or the position you hold, the FBI will always take swift action to protect children and hold offenders accountable.” “Protecting children and vulnerable members of our Rochester community is among our highest priorities,” said Rochester Police Department Chief Jim Franklin. “The Rochester Police Department takes these crimes extremely seriously, and we remain steadfast in our commitment to dedicating the resources necessary to identify, investigate, and hold accountable those who prey upon the most vulnerable. This case also demonstrates the critical importance of strong partnerships with our federal law enforcement partners and the U.S. Attorney’s Office. We are grateful for their vigilance, professionalism, and shared commitment to protecting our community and ensuring justice is served.” This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Rochester Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney LeeAnn Bell 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 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 better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc . Note: The previous press release detailing the case is available here .


title: Nine Criminal Aliens from Venezuela Plead Guilty for Roles in Sex Trafficking Organization

component: Office of the Attorney General

body_text: Nine criminal aliens from Venezuela have pleaded guilty to human trafficking, alien smuggling, and money laundering charges related to a sex trafficking ring operated in several motels in Nashville, Tennessee. According to court documents, the defendants orchestrated a human trafficking and smuggling scheme targeting vulnerable Venezuelan women, recruiting them to the U.S. with promises of employment. After arranging and facilitating their smuggling into the U.S., the defendants directed the women to Nashville. Once there, the women were told they owed an inflated smuggling debt, which they could only repay through commercial sex work. Those who resisted faced threats of physical harm against themselves and their families in Venezuela. The defendants profited by taking a cut of the women’s earnings in addition to collecting on the inflated smuggling debts. “Human smuggling and trafficking operations represent a dangerous convergence of exploitation and lawlessness,” said Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “These perpetrators profited off human suffering while chipping away at the integrity of our border. These convictions show that protecting vulnerable individuals and securing our border are not competing goals.” “This criminal organization exploited vulnerable women, enriched itself through coercion and violence, and showed complete disregard for human dignity and the rule of law,” said U.S. Attorney Braden H. Boucek for the Middle District of Tennessee. “We will continue working with our law enforcement partners to hold human traffickers accountable, dismantle transnational criminal organizations operating in our communities, and ensure justice for victims." “Homeland Security Investigations is committed to the pursuit and dismantlement of transnational criminal organizations that exploit vulnerable people for profit,” said Special Agent in Charge Dennis M. Fetting of HSI Nashville. “The outcome of this Homeland Security Task Force investigation is a testament to the positive impact law enforcement can have when working in collaboration towards the common goal of holding these criminals accountable.” “This case demonstrates the Homeland Security Task Force’s unwavering commitment to protecting our communities from human trafficking and smuggling schemes that exploit vulnerable people for financial gain,” said Special Agent in Charge Terence G. Reilly of the FBI Nashville Field Office. “FBI Nashville, working alongside our law enforcement partners, will continue to aggressively investigate and dismantle criminal networks that threaten public safety.” “This case is a stark reminder human trafficking and smuggling operations prey on our communities most vulnerable, using violence and intimidation to exploit innocent lives for profit,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Richard Gaskins of IRS Criminal Investigation, Charlotte Field Office. “By dismantling this network, we send a clear message to those who target victims with threats and coercion. We remain committed to working alongside our law enforcement partners to protect victims and bring perpetrators to justice.” “We have said it before, and these guilty pleas reiterate: if you lure vulnerable people to this country with lies, force them into sexual exploitation, and profit from their suffering, we will find you, dismantle your operation, and hold you accountable,” said Director David Rausch of the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation. “This case is a powerful reminder that when our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners stand together, there is no haven for human traffickers.” Yilibeth Carmen Rivero-de Caldera (“Rivero”) and her son, Kleiver Daniel Mota Rivero (“Mota”), led and managed the human trafficking and smuggling scheme. Rivero enlisted her adult children and their spouses, Mota’s girlfriend, and others to take on various roles in the scheme. Rivero, Mota, and defendant Ramon De Jesus Velasquez Martinez (“Velasquez”) used threats of violence, including wielding firearms, to intimidate and force compliance from the women trafficked by the organization. To further intimidate the women, Mota and other defendants engaged in conduct that made the victims believe Mota was affiliated with a Venezuelan prison gang and openly spoke about Mota’s prior prison term for homicide in Venezuela. Rivero, Mota, Velasquez, and the six other defendants — Wilmarys Del Valle Manzano Solorzano (“Manzano”), Endrik Alexander Morales-Rivero (“Morales”), Ariannys Beatriz Gutierrez-Carrillo (“Gutierrez”), Frankyanna Del Valle Romero-Rivero (“Romero”), Jesus Enrique Castillo Rodriguez (“Castillo”), and Yuribetzi Del Valle Gomez Machuca (“Gomez”) — arranged or otherwise aided the smuggling of the victims into the United States, posted online commercial sex advertisements for the victims, set up commercial sex appointments with men who responded to the postings, and collected the proceeds of the commercial sex acts. Rivero, Mota, Romero, and Morales pleaded guilty to sex trafficking conspiracy, conspiracy to bring aliens to the United States for financial gain, and conspiracy to commit money laundering. Castillo pleaded guilty to sex trafficking conspiracy and conspiracy to commit money laundering. Gutierrez, Gomez, and Velasquez pleaded guilty to sex trafficking conspiracy. Manzano pleaded guilty to conspiracy to bring aliens to the United States for financial gain and conspiracy to commit money laundering. The charges Rivero, Mota, Romero, Morales, Castillo, Gutierrez, Gomez, and Velasquez pleaded guilty to carry a statutory maximum penalty of life in prison. Manzano pleaded guilty to charges that carry a maximum penalty of twenty years in prison. The defendants are scheduled to be sentenced during the week of Nov. 16. A federal district judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Trial Attorneys Lindsey Roberson, Jessica Arco, and Alexandra Skinnion of the Criminal Division’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section (HRSP) and Assistant U.S. Attorney Katy Risinger for the Middle District of Tennessee are prosecuting the case. These prosecutions are 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. The Nashville HSTF comprises agents and officers from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigations (IRS-CI), U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), United States Marshals Service (USMS), United States Secret Service (USSS), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and other federal agencies, working in collaboration with our state and local partners, with the prosecutions being led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Tennessee. The investigation and charges are further supported and prosecuted by Joint Task Force Alpha (JTFA), the Department’s lead effort in combating high-impact human smuggling and trafficking committed by cartels and Transnational Criminal Organizations (TCOs). A highly successful partnership between the Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), JTFA investigates and prosecutes human smuggling and trafficking and related immigration crimes that impact public safety and border security. JTFA’s mission is to target the leaders and organizers of Cartels and TCOs involved in human smuggling and trafficking throughout the Americas. The Attorney General has elevated and expanded JTFA to target the most prolific and dangerous human smuggling and trafficking groups operating not only in Mexico and the Northern Triangle countries of Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras, but also in Canada, the Caribbean, and the maritime border, and elsewhere. Led by the Criminal Division’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section and supported by the Money Laundering, Narcotics and Forfeiture Section, the Office of International Affairs, and the Office of Enforcement Operations, among others, JTFA has dedicated Assistant United States Attorney-detailees from the Southern District of California; District of Arizona; District of New Mexico; Western and Southern Districts of Texas; Southern District of Florida; Northern District of New York; and District of Vermont. JTFA also partners with other USAOs throughout the country and supports high-priority cases in any district. All JTFA cases rely on substantial law enforcement resources from DHS, including ICE/HSI and CBP/BP and OFO, as well as FBI and other law enforcement agencies. To date, JTFA’s work has resulted in more than 465 domestic and international arrests of leaders, organizers, and significant facilitators of alien smuggling and/or trafficking; more than 419 U.S. convictions; more than 363 significant jail sentences imposed, and forfeitures of substantial assets. Anyone who has information about human trafficking should report that information to the National Human Trafficking Hotline toll-free at 1-888-373-7888, which is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For more information about human trafficking, please visit www.humantraffickinghotline.org . Information on the Justice Department’s efforts to combat human trafficking can be found at www.justice.gov/humantrafficking . #####


title: Mechanicsburg Business Owner Sentenced To  Prison For Failing to Pay Employment Taxes

component: USAO - Pennsylvania, Middle

body_text: HARRISBURG – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Omar Barron, age 49, of Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, was sentenced to imprisonment for 12 months plus one day by United States District Judge Keli M. Neary, for failing to account for and pay employment taxes. According to the United States Attorney Brian D. Miller, Barron owns Miracle Steel, Inc., a structural steel business located in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania. In 2024, Barron was charged with failing to account for and pay over employment taxes on behalf of Miracle Steel for 2018 and 2019 and two quarters of 2020. As part of a guilty plea, Barron admitted to failing to pay over $980,784.95 in employment taxes during his commission of the offense. As part of the sentence, Judge Neary ordered Barron pay the full outstanding tax liability as restitution. “Business owners have a responsibility to withhold income taxes for their employees and then remit those taxes to the Internal Revenue Service,” stated Yury Kruty, Special Agent in Charge, IRS-Criminal Investigation, Philadelphia Field Office. The investigation was conducted by IRS-Criminal Investigation, Philadelphia Field Office. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Joseph Terz.


title: Adams County Man Sentenced to 10 Years Imprisonment for Receiving Child Pornography

body_text: HARRISBURG – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Jason Lee White, age 39, of Abbottstown, Pennsylvania, was sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment by United States District Judge Jennifer P. Wilson for receiving child pornography. Judge Wilson also ordered White to pay victims restitution in the amount of $133,500, and to pay assessments totaling $17,100. According to United States Attorney Brian D. Miller, law enforcement began investigating White in 2023 after learning that he had been communicating with underage girls on Instagram and soliciting sexually explicit images from them. Following the execution of a search warrant at White’s home in November 2023, law enforcement seized computer devices that contained tens of thousands of images and videos depicting child pornography, which White received via the internet. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys' Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit Justice.gov/PSC. The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Christian T. Haugsby.