title: Three Indianapolis Men Sentenced to Federal Prison for String of Armed Robberies

component: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

body_text: INDIANAPOLIS- Three men have been sentenced to federal prison for their roles in a string of armed robberies carried out across Indianapolis in July 2024. Emmanuel Collins, 27, was sentenced to 18 years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, after pleading guilty to three counts of interference with commerce by robbery and two counts of brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. Jujuan Beecher, 25, was sentenced to 18 years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, after pleading guilty to four counts of interference with commerce by robbery and two counts of brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. Tayveon Majors, 23, was sentenced in 2025 to five years and three months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, after pleading guilty to two counts of interference with commerce by robbery. According to court documents, on July 4, 2024, Collins, Beecher, and two unknown individuals robbed a GoLo gas station on East Washington Street. Collins and another individual pointed a firearm at the clerk and demanded money, forcing the employee behind the counter at gunpoint. Beecher guarded the door and acted as a lookout. The men fled on foot with approximately $350 in cash and a box of lottery tickets. Five days later, on July 9, Collins, Beecher, and two other individuals robbed a Shell gas station on East New York Street in a similar manner, stealing approximately $1,000 in cash, lottery tickets, and cigarettes. On July 13, Collins, Beecher, and another individual robbed a Phillips 66 gas station on Kentucky Avenue. Collins held the clerk at gunpoint while Beecher guarded the door, stealing $2,134 in cash. Majors acted as the getaway driver. The final robbery occurred on July 18 at a Dollar Tree on Washington Street. Beecher and another individual entered the store, held the cashier at gunpoint, and demanded money while multiple customers were present. They took the register drawer containing approximately $230 in cash and fled in a vehicle. Majors again acted as the getaway driver. Collins, Beecher, and Majors were arrested later that evening in the same getaway car. During a search of their vehicle, officers recovered three handguns used to commit the robberies. “No one who is shopping for their family or simply working for a living should face the threat of armed robbery. In addition to the physical and emotional toll on the victims, these types of robberies also have broad repercussions for entire communities, forcing them to live in fear,” said Tom Wheeler, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. “Through Operation Take Back America, our office will continue holding violent individuals accountable and making our neighborhoods safe.” "These defendants used firearms and violence to terrorize innocent people for their own personal gain. Today's sentences send a clear message that those who commit violent crimes in our communities will be identified, investigated, and held accountable,” said FBI Indianapolis Special Agent in Charge Timothy J. O’Malley. “The FBI remains committed to investigating violent crime and working with our law enforcement partners to protect our communities." The Federal Bureau of Investigation- Indianapolis Division and IMPD investigated this case. The sentences were imposed by U.S. District Judges Jane Magnus-Stinson. This case is part of Operation Take Back America , a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. ###


title: Metropolis man sentenced to 63 months for attempted possession and distribution of fentanyl

component: USAO - Illinois, Southern

body_text: BENTON, Ill. – A district judge sentenced a Metropolis man to 63 months of federal imprisonment after he admitted to attempting to possess with intent to distribute over 54 grams of fentanyl. Jason J. Gallo, 54, pleaded guilty to one count of attempted possession with the intent to distribute fentanyl in February. Following imprisonment, Gallo will serve four years of supervised release. The district court also assessed a $1,500.00 fine. “Fentanyl is incredibly dangerous and continues to threaten our communities, said U.S. Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft. “Today’s sentence sends a clear message that those who choose to traffic this lethal drug will be held accountable.” Between March and April 2024 law enforcement intercepted two packages of fentanyl pills being delivered from California to Gallo’s residence in Metropolis. According to court documents, on or about April 10, 2024, in Massac County, Gallo attempted to possess with the intent to distribute approximately 54 grams of fentanyl. “The U.S. Postal Inspection Service is charged with defending the nation’s mail system from illegal use. With the collaborative efforts of our federal law enforcement partners, Postal Inspectors investigate those utilizing the U.S. Mail for illicit activities, including the distribution of narcotics. Today’s sentencing reflects the diligent investigative work by Postal Inspectors, and our law enforcement partners,” said Inspector in Charge, Nicholas Bucciarelli, who leads the Chicago Division, which includes the St. Louis Domicile Office. “Intercepting this fentanyl is another victory in stopping illegal drugs from reaching and harming our communities,” said ISP Director Brendan F. Kelly. “ISP is committed to combatting drug trafficking and will continue to focus on this crime that destroys lives.” The United States Postal Inspection Service led the investigation with support from the Metropolis Police Department and the Illinois State Police’s Southern Illinois Drug Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney David Sanders prosecuted the case.


title: Fort Madison Woman Sentenced to 30 Years in Federal Prison for Sexual Exploitation and Distribution of Child Pornography

component: USAO - Iowa, Southern

body_text: DAVENPORT, Iowa – A Fort Madison woman was sentenced on July 8, 2026, to 30 years in federal prison for sexual exploitation of a child and distribution of child pornography. According to public court documents and evidence presented at sentencing, Metallie Leigh Gillette, 27, created child sexual abuse material by sexually exploiting a minor child and then distributed the files containing child sexual abuse material. Law enforcement seized an electronic device during a search of Gillette’s Fort Madison residence that Gillette used to distribute and attempt to sell images and videos containing child sexual abuse material. The individual Gillette sent the child sexual abuse material to was David Enrique Remigio, 30 of Burlington, who was sentenced in March 2025 to 16 years in federal prison for receipt of child pornography . After completing her term of imprisonment, Gillette will be required to serve a seven-year term of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system. Gillette was also ordered to pay $3,000 in restitution. United States Attorney David C. Waterman of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. The Des Moines County Sheriff's Office investigated the case with assistance from the Joint Forensic Analysis Cyber Team, the Burlington Police Department, DCI ICAC, and the United States Marshal Service. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc .


title: Third defendant sentenced to federal prison for theft of mail in Augusta

body_text: SAVANNAH, Georgia: A federal judge has ordered a third defendant to be confined in federal prison after conviction for mail theft. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Court Judge J. Randal Hall and announced by Margaret E. “Meg” Heap, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. Torrance Urban Miller , 49, of Miami, was sentenced to 60 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release and fined $2,000 after pleading guilty to Theft of Mail. Millers’ codefendants, Joshua Mister Holmes , 21, of Miami, and Coleshia Carter , 22, of East Point, Georgia, were previously sentenced after pleading guilty to Theft of Mail, Bank Fraud, and Aggravated Identity Theft. There is no parole in the federal system. As described in court documents and testimony, from January 2023 to January 2024, the defendants took part in a mail theft scheme in which they would steal mail from Augusta area U.S. postal receptacles looking for business checks. They would take the business checks they had stolen and create counterfeit checks which were then deposited into accomplices’ accounts and withdraw the money. “Closing this case out with a substantial prison sentence is a victory for the business victims in and around Augusta,” said U.S. Attorney Heap. “The tireless efforts of all of the agencies involved should be commended.” The FBI, United States Postal Inspection Service and Richmond County Sheriff’s Office investigated the cases, which were prosecuted for the United States by Southern District of Georgia First Assistant U.S. Attorney David H. Estes.


title: Yankton Man Sentenced to 45 Years in Federal Prison  For Production of Child Pornography

component: USAO - South Dakota

body_text: SIOUX FALLS - United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced today that U.S. Chief Judge Roberto A. Lange has sentenced a Yankton, South Dakota man convicted of two counts of Production of Child Pornography. The sentencing took place on July 6, 2026. Robert Barbetti, age 34, was sentenced to 45 years in federal prison, 8 years of supervised release, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $200. Once released from federal prison, Barbetti must register as a sex offender. Barbetti was indicted by a federal grand jury in February 2024. He pleaded guilty on April 6, 2026. The conviction stemmed from an investigation into several cyber tips which led to the discovery that between 2018 and 2023, Barbetti had been using various online social media platforms, including SnapChat and Wink, to target minor children and coerce them into producing child sexual exploitation materials at Barbetti’s direction and for his sexual gratification. Barbetti’s criminal conduct included coercing a juvenile male living in Texas to perform sexual acts on his own prepubescent brother, record the sexual acts, and send them to Barbetti over the internet. Barbetti’s criminal conduct also included persuading a minor female living in Virginia to produce videos of herself naked from the waist down while committing indecent acts. “This Administration has no higher priority than protecting innocent children,” said U.S. Attorney Parsons. This case was investigated by the FBI, DCI, and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Ebert-Webb prosecuted the case. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc . Barbetti was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.


title: Convictions through Guilty Pleas in Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) Prosecutions (June 29 through July 2, 2026)

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

body_text: SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Puerto Rico, Héctor Ramírez-Carbó, Acting United States Attorney, in conjunction with our partner agencies in the Homeland Security Task Force (“HSTF”) announce the following prosecutorial results for the week of June 29 through July 2, 2026. The HSTF is a permanent, interagency law enforcement task force created by executive order to combat transnational criminal organizations—including cartels, trafficking networks, and foreign terrorist organizations. Convictions through Guilty Pleas: On July 1, 2026, José González Herrera pleaded guilty to Counts One and Seven of the Indictment in Criminal Case 24-453 (MAJ). According to the indictment, the defendant was charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances and possession of firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking. Defendant was arrested on December 11, 2024. The court set defendant’s sentencing date for November 17, 2026. AUSAs Laura Díaz González and Joseph Russell are in charge of the prosecution of the case. On July 1, 2026, Ángel Agosto Andino pleaded guilty to Count One of the Indictment in Criminal Case 24-453 (MAJ). According to the indictment, the defendant was charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances. Defendant was arrested on December 11, 2024. The court set defendant’s sentencing date for September 29, 2026. AUSAs Laura Díaz González and Joseph Russell are in charge of the prosecution of the case. On July 1, 2026, Bernardo De la Cruz Pizarro pleaded guilty to Count One of the Indictment in Criminal Case 24-453 (MAJ). According to the indictment, the defendant was charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances. Defendant was arrested on December 11, 2024. The court set defendant’s sentencing date for September 29, 2026. AUSAs Laura Díaz González and Joseph Russell are in charge of the prosecution of the case. On July 1, 2026, Alex Encarnación Febus pleaded guilty to Count One of the Indictment in Criminal Case 24-453 (MAJ). According to the indictment, the defendant was charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances. Defendant was arrested on December 11, 2024. The court set defendant’s sentencing date for September 29, 2026. AUSAs Laura Díaz González and Joseph Russell are in charge of the prosecution of the case. On July 1, 2026, Victor Sifonte Rivera pleaded guilty to Count One of the Indictment in Criminal Case 24-453 (MAJ). According to the indictment, the defendant was charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances. Defendant was arrested on December 11, 2024. The court set defendant’s sentencing date for September 29, 2026. AUSAs Laura Díaz González and Joseph Russell are in charge of the prosecution of the case. On July 2, 2026, Carlos Pereira Cruz pleaded guilty to Counts One and Seven in Criminal Case 25-272 (SCC). According to the indictment, the defendant was charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. Defendant was arrested on July 10, 2025. The court set defendant’s sentencing date for September 30, 2026. AUSAs Laura Díaz González and Andres Orr are in charge of the prosecution of the case. On July 2, 2026, Miguel Antonio Galva-Tavárez pleaded guilty to 8 U.S.C. 1326(a) in Criminal Case 26-158. According to the indictment, the defendant was charged with Reentry of a Removed Alien. Defendant was arrested on April 17, 2026. The court set defendant’s sentencing date for September 30, 2026. SAUSA Cody A. McKinney is in charge of the prosecution of 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. HSTF San Juan comprises agents and officers from the following federal partners: FBI, ICE-HSI, CBP (OFO, AMO and Border Patrol), the U.S. Marshals Service for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, DEA, ATF, IRS, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Service, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Department of State, and the U.S. Secret Service, the Puerto Rico/U.S. Virgin Islands HIDTA, TSA, FAA, and the U.S. Attorney’s Offices for the Districts of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The HSTF also has the following state and local law enforcement partners as participating agencies: the Puerto Rico Police Department; the San Juan, Carolina, Guaynabo, Barceloneta, and Ponce Municipal Police Departments, the Puerto Rico National Guard – Counter Drug Program; the Puerto Rico Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation; the Puerto Rico Internal Revenue Service (Hacienda); the Puerto Rico Port Authority; and the Virgin Islands Police Department. ###


title: 63-Year-Old Caguas Man Arrested for Child Exploitation

component: USAO - Puerto Rico

body_text: SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – Israel Arroyo-Chiqués, a 63-year-old from Caguas, Puerto Rico, was arrested on criminal charges for child exploitation, announced Héctor Ramírez-Carbó, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico. Special Agents with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested Arroyo-Chiqués today. On July 1, 2026, a federal grand jury indicted Arroyo-Chiqués on charges involving the coercion and enticement of a minor, receipt and distribution of child pornography, and possession of child pornography. According to court documents, from or about December 2025, to April 2026, Arroyo-Chiqués used a cellphone, online instant messaging services, and social media to knowingly persuade, induce, entice, and coerce a 14-year-old male minor to engage in sexual activity. From January to March 2026, the defendant received and distributed images depicting minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct via instant messaging applications using his cellular telephone and other electronic devices. Defendant also possessed and accessed with intent to view child pornography. Acting U.S. Attorney Héctor Ramírez-Carbó of the District of Puerto Rico; and HSI San Juan Acting Special Agent in Charge Yariel Ramos made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Daynelle Álvarez-Lora of the Crimes Against Children, Human Trafficking and Immigration Unit, is prosecuting the case. The Puerto Rico Crimes Against Children Task Force led by HSI is in charge of the investigation. If convicted for the charges the defendant faces the following penalties: (1) coercion and enticement of a minor - a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years up to life in prison; (2) receipt and distribution of child exploitation material – 5 to 20 years in prison; and (3) possession of child pornography –a maximum of 20 years of imprisonment. All charges of conviction are to be followed by a term of supervised release after the term of imprisonment. A federal district court judge will determine the sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. For more information about HSI’s efforts to protect children from sexual predators, visit Know2Protect.gov . To report suspicious activities, call 787-729-6969 or send an email to IntelHSISanJuan@hsi.dhs.gov . This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc. An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. ###


title: 35-Year-Old Toa Alta Man Arrested for Child Exploitation, Cyberstalking and Online Threats

body_text: SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – Gabriel Alfonso Núñez-Robles, a 35-year-old from Toa Alta, Puerto Rico, was arrested on criminal charges for child exploitation, cyberstalking and online threats, announced Héctor Ramírez-Carbó, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico. On July 7, 2026, Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agents arrested Núñez-Robles. According to court documents, from February 2026 to May 2026, Núñez-Robles knowingly received, distributed and transported child pornography using a cellular phone. Núñez-Robles was also found to possess child pornography material on his cellular device, including child pornography of a prepubescent minor who had not attained 12 years of age. Núñez-Robles is further charged with cyberstalking a female minor between the ages of 11 and 16. He is also charged with cyberstalking an adult female from in or about the year 2016, through April 2026, and sending her a communication via an instant messaging application containing a threat to injure. Acting U.S. Attorney Héctor Ramírez-Carbó of the District of Puerto Rico; and Carlos R. Goris Special Agent in Charge of the FBI San Juan Field Office made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Emelina Agrait-Barreto of the Crimes Against Children, Human Trafficking and Immigration Unit, is prosecuting the case. The FBI is in charge of the investigation. If convicted for the charges the defendant faces the following penalties: distribution and receipt of child exploitation material and transportation of child exploitation material - a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years; possession of child exploitation material - a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.Cyberstalking carries maximum sentence of five years of imprisonment, and cyberstalking of children, 10 years in prison. Interstate communications – threats, carries a maximum term of imprisonment of five years. All charges of conviction are to be followed by a term of supervised release after imprisonment. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc. An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. ###


title: Four Colombian Nationals Unlawfully Residing in the United States Sentenced to Federal Prison for a Burglary Conspiracy Targeting Asian American Business Owners

body_text: EUGENE, Ore.— Four Columbian nationals unlawfully residing in the United States were sentenced to federal prison yesterday for a multi-state burglary conspiracy that targeted Asian American business owners in Oregon and Washington. Following the federal hearings, the defendants were also sentenced in their state court cases based on the targeted burglaries. Derinson Martinez-Grandas, 34, was sentenced to 12 months and 1 day in federal prison and 10 months in state prison; Jhon Alexander Quintero, 45, was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison and 15 months in state prison; Steven Alexander Quiroga-Solano, 28, was sentenced to 21 months in federal prison and 18 months in state prison; and William Estiven Rodriguez-Gaviria, 27, was sentenced to 12 months and 1 day in federal prison and 10 months in state prison. Each defendant was also sentenced to 3 years of supervised release and ordered to forfeit the stolen proceeds as well as the devices used to coordinate the burglaries. The defendants traveled from California and proceeded through Nevada, Idaho, Washington, and Oregon. In Washington and Oregon, they identified burglary victims by using the internet to research potential Asian American targets and their businesses. They stayed in short-term rentals and identified and surveilled their burglary targets, who were all Asian American small business owners. They then performed reconnaissance on the victims’ residences. When they carried out the burglaries, the defendants employed signal jamming technology, perimeter countersurveillance, and communicated on seven-way group calls. They then entered their victims’ homes by shattering glass doors. Once inside, they ransacked residences, stealing United States and foreign currency, jewelry, designer handbags, purses, wallets, travel documents, and other valuables. After the burglaries, the crew returned to their short-term rental to package the proceeds for transport, transfer, or transmittal back to California and Colombia. Following a burglary in Salem, Oregon, detectives learned that the defendants returned to their rental in Eugene, Oregon, and executed a search warrant at the rental that night. Investigators recovered money and property, believed to be stolen from the various residences, more than a dozen cell phones, believed to be used by the burglary crew, evidence of money wires to Bogota, Colombia, and various Colombian travel documentation, including passports. They also located commercial-grade Wi-Fi signal jammers, seen in the image below, that were plugged in and charging following their suspected use during the burglary that day. A search of their devices revealed additional evidence of the conspiracy, including sending and receiving coordinates for the houses they burglarized, surveillance communications, and shared messages highlighting the burglary targets from the preceding days. For instance, Martinez-Grandas secured short term rentals for the crew in Auburn, Washington, and Eugene and mapped the address of the Salem home on the day of that burglary. Quintero researched the value of jewelry the night of a burglary in Auburn and called a Columbian shipping company two days after the Eugene burglary. Quiroga-Solano researched Chinese restaurants two days before the burglary crew victimized a family owning a Chinese restaurant. He was in the vicinity of a victim’s home in Gresham, Oregon, the night before it was burglarized, which authorities believe was in preparation for the following day’s burglary. Lastly, Rodriguez-Gaviria sent a message to a co-conspirator with the address of a burglary victim the day the victim was burglarized and posed as a food delivery person at two homes the day they were burglarized. On November 20, 2025, a federal grand jury in Eugene returned an indictment charging the defendants with conspiracy to commit interstate transportation of stolen goods. From March through May 2026, Quintero, Rodriguez-Gaviria, Quiroga-Solano, and Martinez-Grandas pleaded guilty to conspiracy. U.S. Attorney Scott E. Bradford for the District of Oregon made the announcement. This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Eugene Police Department with assistance from the Salem Police Department, the Auburn Police Department, and the Gresham Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney William M. McLaren.


title: Bend Man Pleads Guilty After Armed Robbery at Cannabis Dispensary

component: USAO - Oregon

body_text: EUGENE, Ore.—A Bend, Oregon, man pleaded guilty today after robbing a Bend cannabis dispensary. Russell Ian Boggess, 43, pleaded guilty to interference with commerce by robbery and using and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. According to court documents, on July 23, 2024, Boggess robbed a Bend cannabis dispensary with a .9 mm handgun. During the robbery, Boggess attempted to fire the gun twice, but the gun jammed. A dispensary employee attempted to call the police, but Boggess struck the employee in the head with the firearm and fled the store with the stolen cannabis. Witnesses outside the store were able to subdue Boggess and secure the firearm until law enforcement arrived. On September 19, 2024, a federal grand jury in Eugene returned a three-count indictment charging Boggess with interference with commerce by threats or violence, felon in possession of ammunition, and use and carry of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. Boggess faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release for interference with commerce by robbery. For use and carry of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, Boggess faces a mandatory minimum sentence of seven years in prison, a maximum sentence of life in prison, to be served consecutively to any other sentence, a $250,000 fine, and five years of supervised release. Boggess will be sentenced on October 7, 2026, before a U.S. district court judge. U.S. Attorney Scott E. Bradford of the District of Oregon made the announcement. The FBI and Bend Police Department are investigating the case. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Nelson and Assistant U.S. Attorney William M. McLaren are prosecuting the case.


title: Felon Indicted for Unlawful Possession of Stolen Firearm

component: USAO - Nevada

body_text: LAS VEGAS – A felon with multiple prior convictions made his initial appearance in court today for allegedly possessing stolen firearms and suppressors. According to allegations contained in the indictment, on July 1, 2025, Erik Robert Rasmusson unlawfully possessed a Remington 870 shotgun and a Ruger 10/22 rifle. Later, on July 11, 2025, he unlawfully possessed two rifles and five suppressors. The Ruger 10/22 rifle and suppressors were stolen. Rasmusson has prior felony convictions, all in Clark County, Nevada, including attempt racketeering; conspiracy to commit robbery and ownership or possession of firearm by prohibited person; stop required on signal of police officer and possession of firearm by ex-felon; possession of stolen property; possession of controlled substance with intent to sell; and burglary. He is prohibited from possessing a firearm by law. Rasmusson is charged with two counts of felon in possession of a firearm and two counts of possession of a stolen firearm. A jury trial is scheduled for September 14, 2026. If convicted, the statutory maximum penalty is 50 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. First Assistant U.S. Attorney Sigal Chattah for the District of Nevada and Special Agent in Charge John Wester of the San Francisco Field Division, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) made the announcement. This case was investigated by ATF and the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Weidhaas is prosecuting the case. An indictment is merely an accusation, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. ###


title: Son of Las Cruces Bounty Hunter Charged in Federal Child Exploitation Case Following Search in Human Trafficking Investigation

body_text: ALBUQUERQUE – A Las Cruces man has been charged with federal child exploitation offenses after investigators allegedly discovered evidence on his cellular telephone during the execution of a search warrant related to a separate federal investigation. According to court documents, on May 12, 2026, federal agents executed a search warrant at a Las Cruces residence as part of an ongoing investigation connected to Robert Jay Hernandez . During the search, the FBI seized multiple electronic devices, including a cellphone belonging to Hernandez’s adult son, Matthew Esai Hernandez , 37. A forensic extraction of the phone, conducted pursuant to additional warrants, revealed evidence that Hernandez engaged in sexually explicit communications with individuals who represented themselves as minors and possessed Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM). Hernandez allegedly used messaging applications, including Telegram and Kik Messenger, to solicit sexually explicit images. In one Telegram conversation, he confirmed the age of a minor and requested explicit photos. In multiple Kik conversations, he engaged in sexual messaging with individuals who stated they were minors and received CSAM images. In a separate prolonged Telegram conversation spanning approximately 21 months, Hernandez allegedly received numerous CSAM images and videos depicting the sexual abuse of young children, and he continued to receive and possess such material throughout the communication. Hernandez is charged with attempted coercion and enticement of minors, receipt of child pornography, and possession of child pornography. He will remain in custody pending trial, which has not yet been scheduled. If convicted of the current charge, Hernandez faces a minimum of 25 years in prison and up to life in prison. First Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Justin A. Garris, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office, made the announcement today. The Las Cruces Resident Agency of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case, and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Maria Armijo and Grant Gardner are prosecuting the case 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 . A criminal complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.


title: Las Cruces Teenager Sentenced for Shooting That Left Victim Permanently Paralyzed During Robbery

body_text: ALBUQUERQUE – A Las Cruces teenager was sentenced to 108 months in federal prison for shooting an 18-year-old victim during a robbery, leaving the victim permanently paralyzed. There is no parole in the federal system. According to court documents and statements made in court, on February 25, 2022, Matthew James Aguilar , who was 16 years old at the time, and two other individuals arranged to meet with the victim to purchase marijuana. During the transaction, Aguilar and the other individuals decided to rob the victim instead of paying for the marijuana. As the victim attempted to drive away, Aguilar fired multiple rounds from a firearm into the passenger side of the victim’s vehicle. One of the bullets struck the victim in the back, causing a collapsed lung and permanent paralysis. The victim, who was 18 years old at the time, suffered injuries that left him a quadriplegic. After the shooting, Aguilar initially denied involvement when interviewed by law enforcement. Investigators later obtained social media messages in which Aguilar admitted he had shot and paralyzed someone while attempting to rob him. In subsequent jail calls, Aguilar again described shooting a drug dealer in the back and causing the victim’s paralysis. “Protecting the public requires a criminal justice system that can respond appropriately to serious acts of violence, regardless of the offender’s age,” said F.A. United States Attorney Ryan Ellison. “Our office will continue working with our law enforcement partners to pursue justice and use every available tool to address violent crime in New Mexico.” "Violence in our communities is never justified, and we will continue working alongside our law enforcement partners to hold violent offenders accountable and keep our communities safe-regardless of the offender's age; said Justin A. Garris, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office. "This sentence reflects the unwavering commitment of law enforcement and prosecutors to pursue justice for victims and remove dangerous criminals from our neighborhoods. Together, we will continue using every available resource to protect the public and ensure those who resort to violence face the consequences of their actions." “Today’s sentencing is the result of outstanding collaboration between the Las Cruces Police Department, the FBI and the United States Attorney’s Office,” said Jeremy Story, Chief of the Las Cruces Police Department. “This offender committed serious acts of violence that endangered our community and devastated the lives of his victims. Today’s outcome demonstrates what can be accomplished when local and federal law enforcement work together with a shared commitment to justice.” Aguilar was initially charged as a juvenile under the Federal Juvenile Delinquency Act. He later agreed to be prosecuted and sentenced as an adult and pled guilty to Interference with Commerce by threats and violence. Upon his release from prison, Aguilar will be subject to three years of supervised release. First Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Justin A. Garris, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office, made the announcement today. The Las Cruces Resident Agency of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Las Cruces Police Department and Dona Ana County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Maria Y. Armijo and Devon Aragon Martinez prosecuted the case. Instagram highlights from sentencing


title: Former Santa Fe Nonprofit Executive Agrees to Pay $735,000 to Resolve HUD Grant Fraud Allegations

component: USAO - New Mexico

body_text: ALBUQUERQUE – The U.S. Attorney's Office announced today that Carolyn Luna-Anderson has agreed to pay $735,000 to resolve allegations that she improperly obtained federal housing assistance funds by concealing conflicts of interest and submitting claims for ineligible rental assistance payments through a HUD-funded program serving individuals experiencing homelessness. According to the settlement agreement, Luna-Anderson founded and served as Executive Director of The Life Link, a Santa Fe nonprofit that received HUD Continuum of Care grants to provide housing assistance at La Luz Special Needs Apartments. The government alleged that Luna-Anderson simultaneously controlled the nonprofit administering the federal grants and the entity that owned the apartment complex, yet repeatedly certified that no conflicts of interest existed in grant applications and disclosure forms submitted to HUD between 2015 and 2018. The government further alleged that Luna-Anderson sought HUD reimbursement for rental assistance payments that were not permitted under program rules, including payments for vacant units and amounts exceeding allowable rental assistance limits. To resolve these allegations, Luna-Anderson agreed to pay $735,000.00 to the United States. The settlement resolves civil claims under the False Claims Act, the Program Fraud Civil Remedies Act, and common law theories including breach of contract, payment by mistake, unjust enrichment, and fraud. As part of the settlement, Luna-Anderson admitted and acknowledged that the conduct underlying the government's allegations involved misrepresentations, fraudulent omissions, and deceptive conduct that caused financial harm to the United States. “Federal dollars come with accountability. Those entrusted with public funds must meet the obligations that come with that responsibility and ensure those resources serve the purposes for which they were provided,” said F.A. United States Attorney Ryan Ellison. “My office will continue working with our agency partners to protect taxpayer dollars, promote accountability, and ensure that those entrusted with federal resources meet their obligations.” “Carolyn Luna Anderson exploited her position and insider knowledge to personally benefit from federal funds intended to provide supportive services to help individuals and families experiencing homelessness,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Aaron McCullough. “HUD OIG remains committed to working with our law enforcement partners to aggressively pursue and hold accountable those who engage in activities that threaten the integrity of HUD programs.” The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only, and there has been no determination of liability. F.A. United States Attorney Ryan Ellison for the District of New Mexico and Aaron McCullough, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Inspector General, made the announcement today. The matter was investigated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Office of Inspector General and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Mexico. The settlement was handled by Assistant United States Attorney Ruth F. Keegan and Auditor Philip Stella.


title: Former Hudson County Parks Department Director Admits to Participating in a Bribe and Kickback Scheme

component: USAO - New Jersey

body_text: NEWARK, N.J. – Former Hudson County Parks Department Director Russell Fallacara (Fallacara) pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit honest services fraud, United States Attorney Robert Frazer announced today. Fallacara, 59, of Bayonne, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Claire C. Cecchi to an Information charging him with conspiring to defraud Hudson County of the right to officials’ honest services. According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court: From 2019 through 2024, the conspiracy involved more than $1.5 million in bribes and kickbacks. The payments were made by business owner William A. Murray (Murray), so that Murray’s company would be awarded contracts to work on various Hudson County Parks Department projects, including but not limited to landscape maintenance, paving, and general contracting projects. The bribes and kickbacks often came in the form of cash payments to Hudson County officials, including Fallacara and former Parks Department Director Thomas DeLeo (DeLeo). Fallacara received over $400,000 in cash bribes and kickback payments. At other times, the bribes and kickbacks came in the form of free home repairs and renovations for both DeLeo and Fallacara. In exchange for these bribes and kickbacks, at the time that each served as Parks Department Director, DeLeo and Fallacara each took official action to approve contracts awarded to Murray’s company by Hudson County. On March 3, 2026, DeLeo pleaded guilty before Judge Cecchi to a two-count Information charging him with conspiracy to commit honest services fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering. On March 17, 2026, Murray pleaded guilty before Judge Cecchi to an Information charging him with conspiracy to commit honest services fraud. The conspiracy to commit honest services fraud charge that Fallacara pleaded guilty to carries a maximum penalty of 20 years’ imprisonment. United States Attorney Frazer credited special agents of the FBI’s Newark Field Office, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Stefanie Roddy, and the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General, Northeast Region, under the direction of Anthony D’Esposito, Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Labor, with the investigation leading to today’s conviction. The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Francesca Liquori of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Special Prosecutions Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason Goldberg, Chief of the Narcotics and International Trafficking Unit. ### Defense counsel: Jeffrey Garrigan, Esq. fallacara.information.pdf


title: Amarillo ISD Coach Sentenced to 18 Years in Federal Prison for Sexually Abusing a 17-year old Student

component: USAO - Texas, Northern

body_text: An Amarillo ISD coach who sexually abused a 17-year-old student was sentenced to 18 years in federal prison, announced United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Ryan Raybould. Nicholas Jade Herrmann, 32, was sentenced to 18 years in federal prison on June 23, 2026, by United States District Judge Matthew J. Kacsmaryk for enticement of a minor. The Court also ordered that the prison term be followed by 25 years of supervised release, and Hermann will also have to register as a sex offender. “When parents send their children to school, they place their trust in the school’s staff not only to provide them with an education but also to keep them safe,” said U.S. Attorney Raybould. “This defendant clearly took advantage of the trust he was given, and his sentence should serve as a warning to others.” “HSI Dallas is committed to protecting children against anyone abusing their power especially in a trusted position at a school,” said HSI Dallas Special Agent in Charge Travis Pickard. “Working together with our local and federal partners, and the school district, we were able to ensure this perpetrator cannot hurt anyone else for many years to come. We will also continue to investigate to identify any other potential victims." According to court documents, at the time of the offense, Herrmann was an assistant wrestling coach at Tascosa High School in Amarillo, Texas, when he engaged in an inappropriate and sexual relationship with a 17-year-old student. Text messages located on the student’s device revealed that beginning around January 2025, Herrmann began exchanging sexually explicit messages with the student and coerced her to sneak out of her house at night to meet him for sexual activity. When confronted by law enforcement, Herrmann denied the inappropriate communication and sexual relationship. The student also first lied to law enforcement to protect Herrmann, but later admitted Herrmann had sexual intercourse with her three times on two separate occasions. At sentencing, the student’s mother detailed how Herrmann’s sexual abuse of her daughter impacted her daughter and their family. Her statement revealed how Herrmann groomed both her daughter and their family to trust him and how his sexual abuse of her daughter completely changed her life’s trajectory. Homeland Security Investigations and the Amarillo Police Department conducted the investigation with the full cooperation of the Amarillo Independent School District. Assistant U.S. Attorney Callie Woolam prosecuted the case. The Justice Department is committed to combating child sexual exploitation and brought this case as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, visit www.justice.gov/psc. The Department partners with and oversees funding grants for the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), which receives and shares tips about possible child sexual exploitation received through its 24/7 hotline at 1-800-THE-LOST and on missingkids.org.


title: Canton Man Sentenced to 13+ Years in Prison for Child Pornography Offenses

body_text: AKRON, Ohio – A Stark County man has been sentenced to federal prison for receiving, distributing, and possessing materials that depicted the sexual abuse of children. Brian Dazey, 38, of Canton, has been sentenced to 160 months (13.3 years) in prison by U.S. District Judge Donald C. Nugent, after pleading guilty to Receipt and Distribution of Visual Depictions of Real Minors Engaged in Sexually Explicit Conduct, and Possession of Child Pornography, also known as Child Sexual Abuse Materials (CSAM). Dazey was also ordered to serve 10 years of supervised release after imprisonment and is required to register as a sex offender. In May of 2025, law enforcement in the Canton area were investigating suspected CSAM activity. Investigators learned that the child pornography was downloaded from both a church and a grocery store where Dazey was employed. On June 30, 2025, agents executed a search warrant on Dazey’s person and residence and seized his cellphone. Dazey admitted to downloading, viewing, and trading child pornography on several social media platforms. During forensic examination of his electronic devices, investigators located more than 130,000 videos and images depicting child sexual abuse. The case was investigated by the FBI Canton Resident Agency, the Ohio Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, the Jackson Township Police Department, and the Canton Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Joseph P. Dangelo 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.


component: USAO - New York, Northern

body_text: Schenectady Man Sentenced for Possessions of Multiple Illegal Firearms ALBANY, NEW YORK –Steven Dunn, age 38 of Schenectady, New York, was sentenced on June 24, 2026 by United States District Judge Anne M. Nardacci to a total of 15 months in Federal Prison to be followed by a term of three years of supervised release. The sentence stems from his conviction to two counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm. The announcement was made by First Assistant United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III; United States Marshals Service, Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), Schenectady Police Department and the Rotterdam Police Department. On January 21, 2025 Schenectady Police responded to a complaint for a suspicious vehicle. A search of defendant’s vehicle revealed a quantity of methamphetamine and a Mossberg 535 shotgun. Approximately 6 months later, a search warrant was conducted on his residence and another shotgun was recovered. Defendant is a convicted felon stemming from a prior Burglary conviction in Schenectady and is prohibited from possessing both firearms. First Assistant United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III stated: “Thanks to the dedication of our partners at the Schenectady Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, this defendant is no longer a threat to our streets. Mixing lethal narcotics and illegal firearms creates a volatile and unpredictable combination, and I thankful this investigation stopped Mr. Dunn before that volatility could harm the community.” Schenectady Police Chief Brian Whipple stated: "This sentence is another example of what can be accomplished through the strong partnerships between the Schenectady Police Department, ATF, the United States Attorney's Office, and our law enforcement partners. We remain committed to proactively identifying those who illegally possess firearms, removing dangerous weapons from our streets, and holding offenders accountable. Every illegal firearm we recover has the potential to prevent violence, save lives, and spare another family from tragedy. We will continue using every tool and every partnership available to make Schenectady a safer community." ATF Special Agent in Charge Bryan DiGirolamo stated: “This defendant repeatedly demonstrated a blatant disregard for federal law by illegally possessing firearms despite being prohibited from doing so as a convicted felon. Every illegal firearm recovered represents a potential act of violence prevented. Today’s sentence reflects the outstanding partnership between ATF NY Albany, the Schenectady Police Department, Rotterdam Police Department, U.S. Marshals and the U.S. Attorney’s Office, whose collective efforts continue to hold violent offenders accountable and make our communities safer.” Assistant United States Attorney Paul DerOhannesian handled the sentencing.


title: Oneida County Sex Offender Pleads Guilty to Distribution, Receipt, and  Possession of Child Pornography

body_text: SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Patrick Weaver, age 36, of Waterville, New York, pled guilty in federal court yesterday to distributing, receiving, and possessing child pornography. The announcement was made by First Assistant United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Buffalo Acting Special Agent in Charge Anthony Patrone. As part of his plea, Weaver, who is a registered sex offender because of a prior conviction related to child pornography, admitted that in July of 2025 he used an internet-based messaging application installed on his cell phone to receive from and distribute to other users of the application numerous images and videos of child pornography. Weaver also admitted that in February of 2026, he possessed additional images and videos images and videos of child pornography on another cell phone. “This defendant’s disturbing conduct continued even after he was first caught and convicted,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney John A. Sarcone III. “Day in and day out, members of law enforcement—especially the Special Agents at Homeland Security Investigations—work tirelessly to track, investigate, and build cases against child predators like Mr. Weaver. I am grateful for their relentless efforts, and I am proud that our office was able to secure a plea that will keep this defendant away for many years.” Acting Special Agent in Charge Patrone stated: “Patrick Weaver’s guilty plea exposes the grave conduct of a repeat sex offender who again chose to distribute, receive, and store images and videos documenting the sexual abuse of children. By uncovering and disrupting his use of online platforms to fuel this exploitation, HSI has helped protect vulnerable victims and reinforced the safety of our community. Together with our law enforcement partners, HSI Syracuse remains firmly committed to pursuing offenders who target children, wherever they operate and however many times they attempt to reoffend.” Because of Weaver’s prior conviction, the distribution and receipt charges against him carry a term of imprisonment between 15 and 40 years while the possession charge carries a term of imprisonment between 10 and 20 years. Each count carries a fine of up to $250,000 and a term of supervised release of at least 5 years and up to life. Weaver will also be required to continue registering as a sex offender upon his release from prison. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statutes the defendant is convicted of violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors. Sentencing is currently scheduled for October 29th, 2026, in Syracuse, New York before United States District Judge Elizabeth C. Coombe. HSI investigated the case with assistance from the NYSP Computer Crimes Unit (CCU). The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Adrian S. LaRochelle as part of Project Safe Childhood. Project Safe Childhood is a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc .


title: Massachusetts Man Pleads Guilty to Assaulting a Federal Officer and  Failing to Register as Sex Offender

body_text: SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Cedric E. Cundiff, age 68, of Massachusetts, pleaded guilty in federal court on June 29 th , 2026, to assaulting a federal officer, failing to register as a sex offender, and committing a crime of violence while failing to register as a sex offender. First Assistant United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III, Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Division Craig Tremaroli, and Christopher Amoia, U.S. Marshal for the Northern District of New York made the announcement. As part of his guilty plea, Cundiff admitted that in June 2025, Cundiff was charged in Suffolk Superior Criminal Court in Massachusetts with multiple felony offenses, including armed robbery. He was released pending trial, but failed to appear in court as required in August 2025, which resulted in a warrant being issued for his arrest. Cundiff admitted that in approximately September 2025, he moved from Massachusetts to Syracuse, because he did not want authorities to know where he was living. The U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force for the Northern District of New York was asked to assist in efforts to arrest Cundiff. On January 29, 2026, members of the Task Force went to an apartment in Syracuse after receiving information that Cundiff may be staying there. Cundiff further admitted that when Task Force members knocked on the apartment door, he answered the door and falsely told them that his name was William, before shutting the door and fleeing to a rear bedroom of the apartment. As Cundiff admitted, when Task Force members entered the apartment to apprehend him, he took efforts to prevent officers from opening the bedroom door. When a Task Force member attempted to open the bedroom door, Cundiff slashed the Task Force member’s hand with a knife, which caused multiple lacerations and a fractured finger. Cundiff also admitted that as a result of a 2005 Massachusetts conviction for aggravated rape, he was required to register as a sex offender under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act, and further, that he knowingly failed to register when he changed his residence to New York. “This case underscores how lenient bail restrictions put the public and law enforcement at risk, this defendant should never have been released in the first place,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney John A. Sarcone III. “While released pending trial, Mr. Cundiff believed he could evade justice by fleeing to another state, but thanks to the diligent work of the U.S. Marshals Service, he was quickly located and arrested, where he violently resisted, slashing an officer with a knife. This guilty plea ensures he is held behind bars where he can no longer continue to reoffend.” Christopher Amoia, Acting U.S. Marshal stated, “The guilty plea entered by Cedric Cundiff holds him accountable for not only failing to meet his legal obligation to register as a sex offender, but also for the violent actions he took while attempting to evade arrest. Individuals who disregard registration requirements and resort to violence against law enforcement officers pose a significant threat to public safety. The United States Marshals Service remains steadfast in its commitment to locating and apprehending violent fugitives, protecting communities, and supporting our law enforcement partners in bringing dangerous offenders to justice. “Mr. Cundiff’s violent attack illustrates the risks our law enforcement partners face every day while protecting our communities. The FBI’s response should send a clear message that anyone who assaults a law enforcement officer carrying out their duties risks spending decades in federal prison like Mr. Cundiff,” said Special Agent in Charge Craig Tremaroli, Albany FBI. Under the plea agreement, the defendant will serve a sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment, a term of supervised release of 5 years, and be required to pay restitution to the victim of the offense. Sentencing is currently scheduled for October 27 th 2026, before Chief Judge Brenda K. Sannes. FBI and U.S. Marshals Service are investigating the case, with the assistance of the New York State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew J. McCrobie and Adrian S. LaRochelle are prosecuting the case.


title: Broome County Man Sentenced to 25 Years in Prison for Possession and Receipt of Child Pornography

body_text: BINGHAMTON, NEW YORK – Neil Wesley, 47, of Broome County, New York, was sentenced on June 25, 2026 to 25 years in prison for receipt and possession of child pornography. First Assistant United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III and Craig L. Tremaroli, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James and Broome County District Attorney F. Paul Battisti made the announcement. As part of his guilty plea, Wesley admitted he had been previously convicted of rape in New York in 2001. He also admitted that from at least December 2024 through February 2025 he received and distributed child pornography. Further, he admitted that in February 2025 he possessed over 200 images and 18 videos of child pornography. In addition to the 25-year imprisonment term, United States District Judge Anthony J. Brindisi imposed 15 years of supervised release, forfeiture and directed restitution to victims of the offense. “Another child predator is behind bars, thanks to the diligent work of the FBI, New York State Police and Broome County District Attorney’s Office, said First Assistant U.S. Attorney John A. Sarcone III. “This defendant failed to correct his behavior the first time and has now been sentenced to 25 years in prison for his continued depravity. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, together with our federal and local law enforcement partners, will continue to aggressively pursue those who prey on our children and use every resource available to bring them to justice.” FBI Special Agent in Charge Craig Tremaroli said, “Mr. Wesley, already a convicted rapist, horrifically exploited our most vulnerable by both possessing and distributing Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM). This 25-year sentence illustrates just how depraved his behavior was, but it also highlights how impactful law enforcement can be when we leverage our collective resources to hold these sick predators accountable. The FBI’s Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force is wholly committed to working with every level of law enforcement to investigate these dangerous predators and send them to prison where they belong.” New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James said, “The State Police and our law enforcement partners have zero tolerance for those who prey on children, and this sentencing reflects the severity of these crimes and our commitment to finding justice for the victims. We will remain dedicated to intercepting the lengths child predators go through to exploit and harm children. I commend our State Police members, United States Attorney’s Office, Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Broome County District Attorney’s Office for their steadfast work in keeping innocent children safe.” Broome County District Attorney F. Paul Battisti said, “This sentence reflects the unwavering commitment of our law enforcement partners to protecting children and holding those who exploit them fully accountable. Cases involving the sexual exploitation of children require seamless collaboration between federal, state, and local agencies, and this investigation is a testament to what can be accomplished when we work together toward a common goal. I commend the FBI, the New York State Police, the United States Attorney's Office, and the dedicated members of our office whose coordinated efforts helped ensure this dangerous offender will no longer pose a threat to our community or to vulnerable children." FBI-Albany, the New York State Police, and the Broome County District Attorney’s Office investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorneys Michael Gadarian and Kristen Grabowski prosecuted it. Project Safe Childhood is a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc .


title: Binghamton Man Indicted for Possession with Intent to Distribute Fentanyl and Crack Cocaine

body_text: BINGHAMTON, NEW YORK – Robert Scott, age 60, of Binghamton, New York, was indicted on a charge of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and crack cocaine. First Assistant United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III and Craig L. Tremaroli, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office for the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) made the announcement. According to the indictment, on October 30, 2025, Scott possessed with the intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl and 28 grams or more of crack cocaine. Scott was also on federal probation at the time of the offense. The charges in the indictment are merely accusations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. First Assistant United States Attorney John Sarcone stated: “The allegations in this indictment remind us that our efforts to stem the tide of deadly drugs into our communities remains an ongoing endeavor. I thank the Special Agents at the FBI and their partners at the Binghamton Police Department and Broome County Special Investigations Unit Task Force for their never‑ending pursuit of tracking down and holding accountable individuals such as this defendant, who, as alleged, sought to profit from selling deadly substances in our community.” “This indictment perfectly illustrates the FBI’s commitment to working with our law enforcement partners throughout Broome County to leverage our collective resources and aggressively investigate and hold accountable anyone allegedly trafficking dangerous drugs into our communities,” said Craig Tremaroli, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI–Albany Field Office. The charge filed against Scott carries a minimum sentence of 5 years in prison and a maximum sentence of up to 40 years in prison, a fine of up to $5,000,000, and a period of supervised release of at least 4 years and up to life. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statutes the defendant is convicted of violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors. The FBI is investigating the case, with assistance from the United States Probation and Pretrial Services Office for the Northern District of New York, the Binghamton Police Department, and the Broome County Special Investigations Unit Task Force. Assistant United States Attorney Kevin Cheung is prosecuting the case.


title: Peru Man Sentenced to 46 Months in Prison For Possession of Child Pornography

component: USAO - Indiana, Northern

body_text: SOUTH BEND – Dex Dilan Willard, Jr., 38 years old, of Peru, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Cristal C. Brisco after pleading guilty to possession of child pornography, announced United States Attorney Adam L. Mildred. Willard was sentenced to 46 months in prison, 5 years of supervised release. Restitution is deferred until the restitution hearing on September 29, 2026. “The Defendant will serve nearly four years in the Bureau of Prisons and five years of supervised release thereafter for possessing video portraying child sexual abuse involving a prepubescent minor or a minor who had not attained the age of 12 years of age. Possession of child pornography is not a victimless crime, as a child was violated during its creation. Possessors of such deviant material continue to harm the innocent child victim into perpetuity, so long as the porn exists and they create a deplorable black market for the evil material. As part of Project Safe Childhood , the case was investigated by the Homeland Security Investigations and the Indiana State Police and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Andrew A. Krumwied and former Assistant United States Attorney Hannah T Jones. Our children are safer because of their efforts,” said U.S. Attorney Adam L. Mildred. This case was investigated by the Homeland Security Investigations with assistance from the Indiana State Police. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Andrew A. Krumwied and former Assistant United States Attorney Hannah T Jones. The case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood. In 2006, the Department of Justice created Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from exploitation and abuse. 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 www.projectsafechildhood.gov .


title: Former Accountant for Middle Eastern Jewelry Exporter Sentenced to Prison for Evading More Than $1.89 Million in U.S. Customs Duties

component: National Fraud Enforcement Division

body_text: CHICAGO — A former accountant for a gold jewelry exporter in the United Arab Emirates has been sentenced to ten months in federal prison for conspiring to avoid United States Customs duties on gold jewelry shipments imported by a suburban Chicago company. RAVI KAPADIA conspired with the owner of a UAE exporter and others to fraudulently import gold jewelry from certain countries, including India, and avoid the payment of customs duties by falsely declaring that the jewelry originated in Oman. When agents from U.S. Customs and Border Protection inquired about one of the UAE company’s shipments bound for the Northern District of Illinois and asked for information about the jewelry’s country of origin, Kapadia and others created and obtained false documentation to substantiate that the jewelry was purportedly manufactured in Oman. The false documentation included the creation of a list of purported employees with fictitious roles and salary information. The false documentation was then furnished to CBP. Kapadia, 46, a citizen of India who most recently resided in Jersey City, N.J., pleaded guilty in October 2025 in U.S. District Court in Chicago to a charge of conspiracy to defraud the United States and enter goods by means of false statements. On June 26, 2026, U.S. District Judge John Robert Blakey sentenced Kapadia to ten months in federal prison and ordered him to pay restitution to the United States. Kapadia was held accountable at sentencing for evading more than $1.89 million in U.S. Customs duties from June 2019 to April 2020. The conviction subjects Kapadia to removal from the United States. The sentence was announced by Andrew S. Boutros, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, and Matthew Scarpino, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago office of Homeland Security Investigations. The government was represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Erin Kelly. The Department of Justice recently selected the Chicago U.S. Attorney’s Office to be the lead prosecutorial partner to the Trade Fraud Task Force , which vigorously pursues enforcement actions against parties who seek to evade federal customs, trade, and adjacent laws. When U.S. Attorney Boutros served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in Chicago from 2008 to 2015, he led what still stand as the Department of Justice’s largest-ever criminal trade fraud prosecutions , spanning 27 corporate and individual defendants across multiple indictments, with losses totaling approximately $260 million. “Trade fraud, like the conspiracy perpetrated in this case, deprives the United States government of vital revenue and undermines consumer confidence,” said U.S. Attorney Boutros. “Trade compliance is critically important to not only our region’s economic security and public safety, but also that of our entire nation’s. I can assure the citizens of the Northern District of Illinois that the U.S. Attorney’s Office will be strongly committed to holding parties accountable for evading applicable duties and tariffs, which undermine the rule of law, harm American industry, and create a two-tier pricing structure: higher prices for buyers and sellers unwilling to transact in illegally-entered goods and cheaper prices for those willing to do so or who are otherwise indifferent.” “Protecting the integrity of our nation’s borders and trade systems is a core mission for Homeland Security Investigations,” said HSI SAC Scarpino. “This case demonstrates HSI’s commitment to working alongside our partners to identify and disrupt complex schemes that threaten the U.S. economy and undermine lawful commerce. We will continue to pursue those who attempt to defraud the government and ensure that individuals and businesses are held accountable for violating federal customs laws.” On April 7, 2026, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division (“Fraud Division”). The Fraud Division is laser-focused on investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against the American people. The Department’s work to combat fraud supports President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.


title: Shoplifting Arrest Leads to Federal Firearm Conviction for Tallahassee Felon

body_text: Tallahassee, Florida – Lamar Bunch, 35, of Tallahassee, Florida, pleaded guilty in federal court to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. The plea was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida. U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “This case demonstrates the dangers faced by our brave law enforcement partners every day as they confront criminals to keep our communities safe. It also underscores the urgency with which my office must continue to act to ensure armed serial offenders, like this defendant, are kept behind bars where they belong so they cannot continue terrorizing our streets with their criminality.” Court documents reflect that an off-duty Leon County Sheriff’s Office deputy was working a security detail at Dillards when he observed the defendant shoplifting. The deputy made contact with the defendant outside of the store, and, while talking with him, the defendant opened his backpack where the deputy could see a pair of jeans inside the bag with the tags still on them. When the deputy attempted to detain the defendant, he fled on foot. The defendant was caught, arrested and a search of the defendant’s backpack yielded the stolen pair of pants with the size and price tags still attached and a 9-millimeter pistol. The defendant was prohibited from possessing firearms due to prior felony convictions for burglary, robbery, and attempted burglary. The defendant faces up to 15 years’ imprisonment. The case involved an investigation by the Leon County Sheriff’s Office, the Tallahassee Police Department, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney James A. McCain. Sentencing is scheduled for September 11, 2026, at 1:00 pm, in the United States Courthouse in Tallahassee before United States District Judge Mark E. Walker. 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: Pensacola Fentanyl Traffickers Sentenced to Federal Prison

component: Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)

body_text: Pensacola, Florida – Thomas Christopher Morton, 47, and Laurie Ann Chapman, 54, both of Pensacola, Florida, were each sentenced to five years in federal prison. Morton was convicted of one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute more than 40 grams of fentanyl, one count of possession with intent to distribute more than 40 grams of fentanyl, and three counts of distribution of fentanyl. Chapman was convicted of one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute more than 40 grams of fentanyl, one count of possession with intent to distribute more than 40 grams of fentanyl, and two counts of distribution of fentanyl. The sentence was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida. U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “President Donald J. Trump designated fentanyl as a ‘weapon of mass destruction’ because that’s exactly what it has been shown to be, leaving death and devastation in its wake. Anyone caught trafficking this poison will be aggressively prosecuted by my office.” Court records indicate that Morton and Chapman were the targets of a multi-month joint agency investigation. During that time, law enforcement conducted surveillance and documented multiple instances of both defendants distributing fentanyl. The investigation concluded on May 29, 2025, when officers conducted a traffic stop and found the defendants in possession of more than 100 grams of fentanyl intended for a prearranged sale. “Every time our dedicated agents and law enforcement partners seize fentanyl we save lives,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Daniel Escobar, Tampa Field Division. “Fentanyl traffickers remain DEA’s top priority.” The case involved a joint investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Christopher C. Patterson. 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: Convicted Murderer Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison for Drug Trafficking

component: USAO - Alabama, Northern

body_text: BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – A drug trafficker with a prior murder conviction has been sentenced on gun and drug charges, announced U.S. Attorney Phillip W. Williams Jr. U.S. District Judge Corey Maze sentenced Francis Williams also known as “Mookie,” 33, of Birmingham, Alabama, to 240 months in prison followed by 10 years of supervised release for distribution of methamphetamine and using and carrying a firearm during a drug-trafficking crime. Williams pleaded guilty to the charges in March. “Violent individuals who continue to commit crimes in our communities will be met with the fullest extent of the law,” said U.S. Attorney Phillip W. Williams. “We will continue working aggressively with our federal, state and local law enforcement to bring the most dangerous offenders to justice.” “The presence of illegal firearms, particularly those equipped with machinegun conversion devices, significantly elevates the danger to our communities,” said Steven N. Schrank, the Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Georgia and Alabama. “HSI is relentless in our pursuit of individuals who disregard the law and pose a threat to public safety. This sentence sends a clear message: those who choose to engage in drug trafficking while illegally arming themselves with stolen weapons will be identified, investigated, and held accountable.” According to court documents, in April and May 2023, Williams sold methamphetamine to a confidential informant on two occasions. During one of the drug sales, Williams displayed a black pistol. In September 2023, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) issued arrest warrants for Williams for trafficking methamphetamine. On January 26, 2025, United States Marshals Service (USMS) Gulf Coast Regional Fugitive Task Force arrested Williams after he left a residence on Worchester Court in Birmingham. A state search warrant was obtained and executed at the residence. During the search, ALEA agents recovered a SCCY 9mm pistol and a Glock 9mm pistol with a machinegun-conversion device, commonly referred to as a “Glock switch.” Both pistols had been reported stolen—the SCCY from Homewood in November 2023 and the Glock from Birmingham in September 2021. Williams is prohibited from possessing a firearm because of multiple prior felony convictions, including a 2013 murder conviction in the Circuit Court of Jefferson County. Homeland Security Investigations investigated the case along with USMS and ALEA. Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel S. McBrayer prosecuted the case.


title: Convicted Felon Sentenced to More Than Seven Years in Prison for Illegal Possession of a Firearm

body_text: BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – A convicted felon has been sentenced for illegally possessing a firearm, announced U.S. Attorney Phillip W. Williams Jr. Chief United States District Judge Madeline H. Haikala sentenced Darrie Dewayne Ziegler, 32, of Birmingham, to 92 months in prison. In July 2025, Ziegler pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm. “Violent offenders who continue to disregard the law will be held accountable,” said U.S. Attorney Phillip W. Williams Jr. “I commend the outstanding work of our prosecutors and law enforcement partners for their dedication to protecting the citizens of the Northern District of Alabama and ensuring that repeat offenders like Ziegler are removed from our communities.” “This sentence for a multi-convicted federal defendant found with firearms and drugs is a reminder that repetitive criminal conduct carries serious consequences,” said Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristy Peoples. “The details in this case are particularly alarming - a violent felon, armed with stolen firearms and a machinegun, and distributing narcotics at a local motel,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge James VanVliet. “This combination of criminal activity represents a huge concern for public safety. The ATF will continue to work together with our law enforcement partners to aggressively investigate and charge individuals such as Ziegler who make our neighborhoods unsafe.” During the week of August 6, 2024, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Birmingham Police Department received a tip from Crime Stoppers of Metro Alabama related to Ziegler possessing firearms and selling drugs at a motel in Birmingham. On August 15, 2024, ATF located Ziegler at the Budgetel Inn and Suites in Fairfield. Officers recovered from Ziegler’s hotel room a Shadow Systems MR920 9mm pistol with a green dot sight, an extended magazine, marijuana, and ammunition. The Shadow Systems 9mm pistol and several other guns had been reported stolen a week earlier from a vehicle in Tuscaloosa. The next day, hotel staff found a backpack in the laundry room and reported the discovery to law enforcement. From the backpack, officers recovered a Glock 9mm pistol that had been converted to a machinegun using a machinegun-conversion device, commonly referred to as a “Glock switch,” two 50-round drum magazines, a regular magazine, 28 grams of methamphetamine, 6 grams of fentanyl, alprazolam, digital scales, and cash. At the time of the incident, Ziegler had one arrest warrant with the Irondale Police Department and nine warrants with the Birmingham Police Department. In 2018, Ziegler was convicted in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama for being a felon in possession of a firearm. In 2019, he was sentenced to 70 months in prison followed by 36 months of supervised release. Ziegler was released from federal prison in January 2022. Ziegler violated his supervised release after he failed to report to his United States Probation Officer for four months and after he was arrested for Domestic Violence Assault. His supervised release was revoked in 2023, and he served 15 more months in federal prison for the revocation. He was released in January 2024. The ATF investigated the case along with the Birmingham Police Department and Irondale Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kristy M. Peoples and Ryan S. Rummage prosecuted the case.


title: Mexican national sentenced to 6 months in prison for illegal reentry into the U.S.

component: USAO - Montana

body_text: MISSOULA – A Mexican citizen who was in the country illegally after having been removed three times before was sentenced Tuesday to six months in prison, Acting U.S. Attorney Mark Steger Smith said. Rogelio Hernandez-Olivares, 45, pleaded guilty in March 2026 to one count of illegal reentry into the United States. U.S. District Judge William W. Mercer presided. The government alleged in court documents that Hernandez-Olivares was in the United States illegally after having been removed once in 2009 and twice more in March and October of 2025. On Jan. 20, 2026, Border Patrol agents encountered Hernandez-Olivares during a traffic stop in Rocker. Hernandez-Olivares initially gave authorities a false name but admitted to being in the country illegally. Hernandez-Olivares was later correctly identified and law enforcement learned he had been removed from the country three times before. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian Lowney prosecuted the case. U.S. Customs and Border Protection conducted the investigation. This case is part of Operation Take Back America , a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.


title: Man Sentenced to 200 Months’ Imprisonment for Role in Large-Scale Methamphetamine and Fentanyl Trafficking

component: USAO - Minnesota

body_text: MINNEAPOLIS – United States Attorney Daniel N. Rosen announced today that Juan Carlos Felix, 47, the lead defendant in a large-scale drug trafficking case that involved an extensive undercover operation, was sentenced to 200 months’ imprisonment. On November 18, 2025, Felix pleaded guilty for his role in an expansive methamphetamine and fentanyl trafficking operation responsible for moving large quantities of narcotics from California into the Midwest. According to court documents, law enforcement began investigating in September 2023 after learning that Felix was trafficking large quantities of methamphetamine from California to states in the Midwest, including Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Nebraska. Investigators infiltrated Felix’s network, and from September 2023 through May 2024 an undercover officer coordinated nine controlled narcotics transactions with Felix that collectively contained nearly 20 kilograms of methamphetamine and more than a kilogram of fentanyl. Felix was formerly convicted of transporting controlled substances in Los Angeles in both 2015 and 2019, serving two and five years in prison, respectively. And here, Felix was not simply a member of a large drug trafficking organization responsible for facilitating shipments of illicit narcotics. Rather, Felix supervised and directed the activities of multiple Midwest-based members of the trafficking operation, including directing co‑defendants to collect payments and conduct drug exchanges on his behalf. “The scale of Juan Felix’s operation was staggering,” said United States Attorney Daniel N. Rosen. “Had these drugs reached Minnesota, the impact would have been devastating. Yesterday’s sentencing reflects our commitment to safeguarding the people of Minnesota by keeping dangerous drugs off our streets.” “Juan Carlos Felix, a known Sinaloa Cartel affiliate, was operating out of Minneapolis with a network that spanned several Midwest states,” DEA Omaha Field Division Special Agent in Charge Dustin Gillespie said. “There is truly no portion of the country immune to the threat of these drug trafficking organizations and the fentanyl, methamphetamine and other deadly drugs they are moving into our communities. The DEA is committed to dismantling these organizations cell-by-cell as we work toward eliminating these threats from the heartland.” “This case highlights the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s commitment to keeping our communities safe from the scourge of methamphetamines and fentanyl,” said Inspector in Charge Bryan Musgrove. “Every day, Postal Inspectors work to protect the mail from being misused by criminals, including large scale Drug Trafficking Organizations. The sentence handed down today should serve as a reminder to other perpetrators that we remain vigilant, along with our law enforcement partners, to swiftly bring anyone who engages in this activity to justice.” “Drug trafficking reaches far beyond those involved in the illegal drug trade,” said Bureau of Criminal Apprehension Superintendent Drew Evans. “Traffickers fuel addiction, which victimizes families and threatens the safety of entire communities. The outstanding work of our agents and law enforcement partners ensured that Mr. Felix can no longer prey on the people of the Iron Range and Duluth areas. Their dedication and commitment to protecting Minnesotans have made those communities safer today.” “The Carlton County Sheriff’s Office is proud to have assisted our DEA partners in removing a repeat drug trafficker from our community, protecting our residents from the large quantities of dangerous narcotics he had spent time and effort transporting and distributing,” said Chief Deputy of Carlton County Sheriff’s Office Dan Danielson. “This case reflects the strength of our partnerships across every level of law enforcement. Mr. Felix’s operation pushed significant quantities of methamphetamine and fentanyl into our communities, and this sentence reflects the seriousness of that harm,” said Chief of Police of Cloquet Police Department Derek Randall. “I want to thank the U.S. Attorney’s Office and our federal, state, and local partners for their relentless work to hold him accountable and keep these drugs off our streets.” This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, US Postal Inspection Service, Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, Carlton County Sheriff’s Office, Cloquet Police Department, and other federal and local law enforcement partners. Assistant United States Attorney Garrett S. Fields prosecuted this case.


title: Fort Campbell Soldier Pleads Guilty to Child Exploitation Charges

component: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

body_text: NASHVILLE – Robert Cecilio, [40], of Clarksville, Tennessee, pleaded guilty today to child sexual exploitation and child pornography offenses, announced U.S. Attorney Braden H. Boucek for the Middle District of Tennessee. Cecilio, a U.S. Army soldier stationed at Fort Campbell, pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual exploitation of a minor, four counts of receipt of child pornography, and one count of possession of child pornography depicting a prepubescent minor. "Cecilio hid behind a fake name and a screen to prey on young girls across the country. But anonymity on the internet is no shield from accountability,” said U.S. Attorney Braden H. Boucek. “This office will continue to identify, investigate, and prosecute those who exploit children to the full extent of the law. I commend the FBI and Army CID for their outstanding work in identifying these victims and bringing this offender to justice.” “Robert Cecilio used fear and coercion to sexually exploit numerous minors,” said Special Agent in Charge Terence G. Reilly of the FBI Nashville Field Office. "There is no safe haven for those who exploit children. The FBI and our partners remain steadfast in our commitment to identify, apprehend, and hold accountable any individual who sexually exploits minors for their own depraved gratification. Protecting children and pursuing those who prey upon them is a top priority." “Mr. Cecilio's plea is a testament to the diligent work of our special agents, the FBI, and prosecutorial partners at the United States Attorney's Office, Middle District of Tennessee,” said Special Agent in Charge John McCabe of the Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Division’s Mid Central Field Office. “We stand firm in our commitment to protect children. To those who would exploit or harm their innocence: we will find you, we will hold you accountable, and justice will be served. Our children deserve nothing less.” According to the plea agreement, from at least June 2024 until his arrest in August 2025, Cecilio used Snapchat accounts containing variations of the name "Gabe" to communicate with minor girls, typically claiming he was 19 or 20 years old. He persuaded the girls to produce and send him sexually explicit images and videos of themselves, which he received over the internet and, in some cases, saved. Investigators identified five victims, ranging in age from 13 to 18, who lived in Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Kentucky, and Tennessee. Cecilio continued to communicate with one victim even after she turned 18. The FBI identified one of the victims, a 16-year-old girl in Florida, in June 2025 and traced the Snapchat account she had been communicating with to Cecilio. On August 8, 2025, agents executed a search warrant at Cecilio's Clarksville residence and seized multiple electronic devices. Agents also seized Cecilio's cell phone after stopping him as he entered Fort Campbell. During the search, investigators recognized items inside the residence—including bedding, drapes, and bathroom tile—that matched the backgrounds of photographs and videos Cecilio had sent to his victims. After waiving his Miranda rights, Cecilio admitted that he had engaged in sexually explicit communications with numerous minor girls over an extended period using multiple Snapchat accounts and cell phones. He further admitted receiving numerous sexually explicit images and videos of minors that he knew constituted child pornography. Four of Cecilio's cell phones contained child sexual abuse material, including a video depicting two prepubescent children. U.S. District Judge Aleta A. Trauger will sentence Cecilio on October 21, 2026, at 1:30 p.m. Cecilio faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years and a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison on each sexual exploitation count; a mandatory minimum sentence of 5 years and a maximum sentence of 20 years on each receipt count; and up to 20 years on the possession count. He also faces fines of up to $250,000 on each count and a term of supervised release of at least five years and up to life. Cecilio will be required to register as a sex offender, has agreed to pay restitution to his victims, and has agreed to forfeit four cell phones used in the offenses. As part of the plea agreement, the government will move to dismiss the remaining count of the indictment, which charged transmission of interstate threats, at sentencing. The Federal Bureau of Investigation's Nashville Field Office, Clarksville Resident Agency, and the Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Division investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Monica R. Morrison is prosecuting the case. # # # # #