title: U.S. Attorney Announces $2.26 Million in Law Enforcement and Public Safety Grant Awards

component: Office of Justice Programs (OJP)

body_text: MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA — U.S. Attorney Matthew L. Harvey has announced Department of Justice grant awards totaling $2.265 million for law enforcement partners and community service organizations across the Northern District of West Virginia. “Our district is strongest when law enforcement and outreach services are well-equipped to serve our neighbors and keep them safe,” said U.S. Attorney Matthew L. Harvey. “This funding not only assists the recipients in their good work, but it improves the lives of every person living in those communities.” The awards, provided through the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program, represent the nation’s leading source of federal justice funding to state and local jurisdictions, the District of Columbia, and all U.S. territories. For more than 20 years, the JAG program has provided critical funding to support law enforcement’s ability to protect the communities they serve, supporting critical needs such as personnel, equipment and supplies, technology, training, information systems for criminal justice or civil proceedings, and other operational priorities. JAG funding also supports a wide range of programs that strengthen crime prevention efforts and enhance the effectiveness of prosecutors, courts, corrections agencies, and services for crime victims and witnesses. “This funding strengthens our state, local, and tribal partners’ ability to address violent crime, support officers on the front lines, and keep our Nation’s communities safe,” said Associate Attorney General Stanley E. Woodward Jr. “The JAG Program continues to provide essential resources that help jurisdictions meet today’s public safety threats and uphold the rule of law.” The Office of Justice Programs has awarded $124,358 in Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance grants to five law enforcement offices in the Northern District of West Virginia to enhance officer safety, investigative services, and technology. Those departments awarded are: The Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office - $23,697 for officer body armor The Randolph County Sheriff’s Office - $12,287 for firearms accessories and ammunition The Fairmont Police Department - $19,444 for technology equipment The Wheeling Police Department - $57,790 for investigative technology and equipment The Ohio County Sheriff’s Office - $11,140 for investigative technology and equipment BJA awarded more than $199 million in state JAG funding across 56 awards and more than $90 million in local JAG funding across 895 awards. In addition, the Office on Violence Against Women has awarded $2,141,039 in grant funding in West Virginia. The West Virginia Office of Justice and Community Services received $1,329,906 to strengthen law enforcement, prosecution, and court strategies to combat violent crime against women and to strengthen victim services in domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking cases. The office also received $811,133 to support rape crisis centers and non-profit organizations that provide services to victims of sexual assault. For more information on the awards, funding availability, and applying for Department of Justice grants, go to https://www.ojp.gov/funding .


title: First Operation Wolf Pack defendant sentenced to 30 years in prison for distribution of child pornography

component: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

body_text: FORT WORTH, Texas — United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas, Ryan Raybould, announced that Jeffrey Don Gesford, 47, was sentenced to 30 years in prison on Aug. 7 for distribution of child pornography. On April 22, Gesford pleaded guilty to an indictment charging him with two counts of distribution of child pornography. Chief U.S. District Judge Reed O’Connor imposed a sentence of 360 months per count to run concurrently followed by a life term of supervised release. “This sentence sends an unmistakable message: those who trade in the exploitation of children will face the full force of federal prosecution,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould. “Every image traded represents a real child who has been victimized, and this office will not tolerate offenders who perpetuate that harm. Our commitment to protecting children is absolute, and we will use every resource at our disposal to bring these predators to justice.” “This sentence reaffirms our commitment to identify and hold accountable those who prey on and exploit our children,” said FBI Dallas Special Agent in Charge R. Joseph Rothrock. “Operation Wolf Pack is another example of how the FBI works together with our law enforcement partners to protect the most vulnerable members of our communities.” According to court documents, from 2025 to 2026, Gesford admitted to trading thousands of images of child pornography while he was living in a transitional center following his prior release from state prison for a possession of child pornography conviction. Gesford was arrested as part of Operation Wolf Pack, a joint law enforcement initiative carried out by the FBI’s Fort Worth Resident Agency and the Fort Worth Police Department, targeting individuals involved in the distribution of child sexual abuse material. Assistant U.S. Attorney Aisha Saleem from the Fort Worth Division prosecuted the case. The case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative, which was launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice, to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals, who sexually exploit children, and identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit justice.gov/psc . The Department partners with and oversees funding grants for the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, 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: Arlington man faces federal prison after pleading guilty to wire fraud, identity theft and reckless drone violations

body_text: FORT WORTH, Texas — United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas, Ryan Raybould, announced that Melvin Leonard Mitchell III, from Arlington, pleaded guilty on Aug. 5 to conspiring to commit wire fraud, unlawfully using another’s identity, and piloting a drone in flight-restricted airspace without a license. “Mitchell didn’t just steal identities and money, he repeatedly flouted the law,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould. “Those who exploit victims, jeopardize public safety and ignore clear warnings from federal authorities will face decisive consequences in the Northern District of Texas.” “The FBI is committed to working with our partners to identify perpetrators that violate federal laws meant to protect our communities, said FBI Dallas Special Agent in Charge R. Joseph Rothrock. “The safety and security of our community remain our top priority.” In plea papers, Mitchell admitted that between January 2022 and May 2026, he, along with several co-conspirators, procured counterfeit driver’s licenses bearing the names, dates of birth and addresses of real persons. He then used those false identities and stolen credit card information to make luxury purchases for personal gain. Mitchell’s illicit purchases included a four-wheeler ATV, a Rolex watch, and original artwork by Pablo Picasso, among other goods and services. Mitchell further admitted in plea documents to knowingly and willfully serving or attempting to serve as an airman without a valid license—a felony under federal law—when he piloted his drone while a temporary flight restriction was in effect during the 2026 Grand Prix Race in Arlington. Plea documents show that Mitchell had been warned in August 2023 of the federal requirement to obtain an airman’s certificate with the Federal Aviation Administration before operating a drone in flight-restricted airspace. Mitchell faces up to ten years in federal prison and a fine of up to $250,000 on each count. His sentencing hearing has been set for Nov. 13 before Chief U.S. District Judge Reed O’Connor. The FBI–Dallas Division conducted the investigation, with assistance from the Federal Air Marshal Service, Arlington Police Department and Coppell Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric B. Chen from the Fort Worth Division is prosecuting the case.


title: Felon Sentenced for Possessing Two Firearms within 35 Days

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

body_text: TULSA, Okla. – A transient man living in Tulsa was sentenced today after being arrested with a firearm on two separate occasions within 35 days, announced U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson. U.S. District Judge William P. Johnson sentenced Matthew Champ Henry Dick, 32, for two counts of being a Felon in Possession of a Firearm. Dick was ordered to serve 96 months imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release. In June 2025, Tulsa Police officers were dispatched to the scene of a one-car accident. Officers found Dick trying to leave the scene of the accident and believed he was under the influence of a controlled substance. When officers searched Dick, they found a loaded handgun in his waistband. After officers arrested Dick, they searched his vehicle and found cocaine, drug paraphernalia, a cash counter, a facemask, a spotting scope, a lockpick set, and credit cards not in Dick’s name. He was booked into State custody. While Dick was out on bond, he cut off his monitoring device, and a state bench warrant was issued. In August 2025, U.S. Marshals with the Northern Oklahoma Violent Crimes Task Force found and arrested Dick and located another loaded firearm on his person. Court dockets show that Dick has a lengthy criminal history, including multiple prior state convictions for being a felon unlawfully in possession of a firearm. Dick will remain in custody pending transfer to the U.S. Bureau of Prisons. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the U.S. Marshal Service, and the Tulsa Police Department investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Nathan E. Michel prosecuted the case. Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is the Department of Justice’s nationwide initiative that brings federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement, prosecutors, and other public safety partners together to coordinate efforts to combat violent crime and make communities safe. Coordinated by U.S. Attorneys’ offices in each of the 94 federal districts, PSN is tailored to particular communities to strategically address specific violent crime and public safety challenges. As a key component of Operation Take Back America, PSN serves a central role in the Department’s commitment to make our country safe. PSN emphasizes three core principles: rapid federal response to violent crime and criminal offenders; strong, strategic partnerships among law enforcement at all levels; and accountability and deterrence through the prosecution of the most serious, readily provable offenses and other strategies. These efforts complement and strengthen President Trump’s Homeland Security Task Forces, ensuring a comprehensive federal response to the most pressing public safety issues facing communities .


title: Six Illegal Aliens Sentenced, Four Charged for Immigration Offenses

component: USAO - Ohio, Northern

body_text: CLEVELAND and TOLEDO, Ohio – The United States Attorney’s Office has announced immigration enforcement actions in the Northern District of Ohio. These are separate cases and are not related. The following individuals were sentenced by a U.S. District Court judge after each previously pleaded guilty to their roles in violating federal immigration laws. All defendants will remain detained after serving their sentences, pending deportation from the United States. Santos DeJesus Gomez, 46, a citizen of Mexico, was sentenced to time served after pleading guilty to illegal reentry. He was previously removed from the U.S. on at least two occasions with the most recent being Oct. 26, 2024. He was found near Fremont, Ohio, in Sandusky County, on March 7. Alonso Diaz-Espinosa, 38, a citizen of Mexico, was sentenced to time served after pleading guilty to illegal reentry. He was previously removed from the U.S. on at least three occasions with the most recent being Feb. 13, 2026. He was found near Fremont, Ohio, in Sandusky County, on March 7. Rigoberto Gomez-Arguijo, 46, a citizen of Honduras, was sentenced to 10 months in prison after pleading guilty to illegal reentry. He was previously removed from the U.S. on at least one occasion with the most recent being Oct. 28, 2010. He was found in Marion, Ohio, in Marion County, on Jan. 8. Alan Ramos-Capultitla, 21, a citizen of Mexico, was sentenced to time served after pleading guilty to illegal reentry. He was previously removed from the U.S. on at least one occasion with the most recent being Feb. 14. He was found near Fremont, Ohio, in Sandusky County, on March 7. Carlos Sauceda-Alvarez, 38, a citizen of Honduras, was sentenced to time served after pleading guilty to illegal reentry. He was previously removed from the U.S. on at least two occasions with the most recent being Sept. 23, 2025. He was found near Fremont, Ohio, in Sandusky County, on March 7. Raul Tiburcio-Mavarro, 45, a citizen of Mexico, was sentenced to time served after pleading guilty to illegal reentry. He was previously removed from the U.S. on at least five occasions with the most recent being Oct. 30, 2019. He was found in Wauseon, Ohio, in Fulton County, on March 28. Additionally, federal grand juries returned indictments charging the following individuals: Moises Aldana-Barrientos, 53, a citizen of Mexico, was charged with illegal reentry. He was previously removed from the U.S. on at least one occasion with the most recent being April 3, 2012. He was found in Painesville, Ohio, in Lake County, on March 28, 2022. Edin Lopez-Herrera, 41, a citizen of Guatemala, was charged with illegal reentry. He was previously removed from the U.S. on at least one occasion with the most recent being on January 29, 2020. He was found in Wickliffe, Ohio, in Lake County, on June 13, 2026. Jose Manuel Lujan-Sanchez, 44, a citizen of Mexico, was charged with illegal reentry. He was previously removed from the U.S. on at least three occasions with the most recent being Dec. 20, 2017. He was found in Toledo, Ohio, in Lucas County, on July 21. Fernando Mata Hernandez, 39, a citizen of Mexico, was charged with illegal reentry. He was previously removed from the U.S. on at least one occasion with the most recent being Aug. 17, 2017. He was found in Edgerton, Ohio, in Williams County, on July 8. An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. These cases are being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Frank Spryszak , Ava Rotell Dustin , Brett Hammond , and Gene Crawford for Northern District of Ohio. These investigations were conducted by U.S. Border Patrol-Sandusky Bay Station and the Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement-Cleveland Office. These cases are part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations, and protect communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.


title: Northern District of Ohio Agencies Receive More Than $4M in Grant Awards to Support Criminal Justice Activities

body_text: CLEVELAND – The Bureau of Justice Assistance, a component under the Department of Justice’s Office of Justice Programs, awarded almost $290 million to support state, local, and tribal governments in criminal justice activities to keep American communities safe. Of this amount, more than $4 million has been awarded to agencies in the Northern District of Ohio including in Akron, Cleveland, Canton, Lima, Lorain, Toledo, Warren, Youngstown, Lake County, and Mahoning County. The awards, provided through the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program, represent the nation’s leading source of federal justice funding to state and local jurisdictions, the District of Columbia, and all U.S. territories. For more than 20 years, the JAG program has provided critical funding to support law enforcement’s ability to protect the communities they serve, supporting critical needs such as personnel, equipment and supplies, technology, training, information systems for criminal justice or civil proceedings, and other operational priorities. JAG funding also supports a wide range of programs that strengthen crime prevention efforts and enhance the effectiveness of prosecutors, courts, corrections agencies, and services for crime victims and witnesses. “This funding allows our district’s agencies to remain vigilant in their missions to protect our communities and enforce laws,” said United States Attorney David M. Toepfe r for the Northern District of Ohio. “Whether it’s to acquire new police vehicles and body armor, or to purchase the latest technology to examine and process evidence, these grant awards will make a positive impact toward upholding the rule of law.” In addition to foundational uses of JAG funds, specific areas of emphasis were included to the JAG funding opportunities highlighting and encouraging state and local jurisdictions to join federal law enforcement in addressing the most pressing public safety challenges. For Fiscal Year 2025, these areas of emphasis included combatting violent crime, immigration enforcement, safe communities, and safe houses of worship. BJA awarded more than $199 million in state JAG funding across 56 awards and more than $90 million in local JAG funding across 895 awards. Examples of initiatives supported by these grants include: Providing specialized training to strengthen the prevention, detection, and response to human trafficking and to enhance proactive crime‑reduction efforts through improved officer readiness and increased patrol capacity. Enhancing local crime‑fighting efforts by integrating innovative technology, training, and equipment, and using comprehensive crime‑data analysis to guide decision‑making, measure performance, and strengthen strategies addressing violent crime and other public safety issues. Strengthening enforcement efforts by supporting investigations related to gang activity and narcotics through targeted operations carried out by specialized units. Improving officer safety and readiness by replacing outdated ballistic helmets with modern protective equipment used during high‑risk incidents, tactical operations, active threat responses, warrant service, civil disturbances, and other dangerous calls for service. All recipients for both state and local JAG awards can be found here . About the Office of Justice Programs The Office of Justice Programs provides federal leadership, grants, training, technical assistance, and other resources to improve the nation's capacity to prevent and reduce crime; promote fair and impartial administration of justice; assist victims; and uphold the rule of law. More information about OJP and its program offices – the Bureau of Justice Assistance, Bureau of Justice Statistics, National Institute of Justice, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, Office for Victims of Crime, and Office of Sex Offender Sentencing, Monitoring, Apprehending, Registering and Tracking or SMART Office – can be found at ojp.gov . For current funding opportunities, visit ojp.gov/funding/explore/current-funding-opportunities .


title: Pennsylvania Man Sentenced for Interstate Travel to Have Sex with a Child

component: USAO - New York, Northern

body_text: SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Matthew Kilgus, age 30, of Berwick, Pennsylvania, was sentenced July 15 th , 2026, to 70 months in federal prison for a charge of interstate travel to engage in illicit sexual conduct. 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, made the announcement. In August 2025, during an operation targeting child predators, Kilgus responded to an online advertisement on a website known for prostitution and the trafficking of underage children. As part of his guilty plea, he admitted he contacted the advertiser and arranged to pay $300 to have sex with who he believed was a 13-year-old child. On August 27, 2025, Kilgus traveled from his home in Pennsylvania and paid an undercover agent $300 in cash to carry out the planned encounter. “Law enforcement must remain unwavering in our commitment to identifying and stopping child predators,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney John A. Sarcone III. “This defendant traveled across state lines fully intending to exploit what he believed was a 13-year-old child. Thanks to the decisive actions of our partners at the FBI, his intentions were exposed and stopped, and he will not be able to endanger any children for a very long time. We will continue to use every available tool to protect children and seek long prison sentences for offenders like Kilgus.” FBI Special Agent in Charge Craig L. Tremaroli stated: “Mr. Kilgus devised a disturbing plan to travel from Pennsylvania to the Northern District to have sex with a child he believed was a 13-year-old. Thanks to the swift actions of the FBI’s Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force, the only trip he’ll be taking for a while is to federal prison. The FBI remains deeply committed to aggressively investigating and holding accountable these dangerous predators who are looking to harm our children.” Chief United States District Judge Brenda K. Sannes also sentenced Kilgus to serve a 10-year term of supervised release to begin after Kilgus is released from prison. Kilgus will also be required to register as a sex offender upon his release. FBI’s Albany Division Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force investigated the case, with assistance from the New York State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ben Gillis prosecuted the case. 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: Onondaga County Man Charged with Possessing Child Pornography

body_text: SYRAUCSE, NEW YORK Theron Feidt, age 54, of Liverpool, New York, appeared in federal court today on a charge of possessing 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), made the announcement. The complaint filed against Feidt alleges that on or about August 10, 2026, Feidt knowingly possessed on his iPad material depicting the sexual abuse of children as young as four years old. The charge carries a statutory maximum prison term of 20 years, a fine of up to $250,000 and a term of supervised release of at least 5 years and up to life. Feidt if convicted will also be required to register as a sex offender upon his release from prison. The charges in the complaint are merely accusations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. 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. Feidt was arraigned today in Syracuse, New York, before United States Magistrate Judge Miroslav Lovric and was detained pending further proceedings. First Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarcone stated, “The disturbing nature of this complaint is intensified by the defendant’s access to and proximity to, children through his martial arts business. I am deeply grateful to our partners at the FBI and the New York State Police, who work tirelessly to identify, investigate, and arrest those who target and exploit children. My office will continue to use every tool and every resource available to ensure that individuals who prey on children are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.” Special Agent in Charge Tremaroli stated, “The allegations against Mr. Feidt are incredibly concerning, especially given his profession. The response from FBI Albany’s Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force was immediate and resulted in serious charges that, if convicted, will send him to federal prison for his alleged behavior. We will continue to dedicate every resource needed for this investigation and ask anyone with information to call 1-800-CALL-FBI.” Individuals with additional information regarding Feidt who owns and operates Impact Martial Arts & Fitness – Team Feidt are encouraged to contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (225-5324). This case is being investigated by the FBI’s Albany Division Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force and the New York State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Adrian S. LaRochelle and Geoffrey Brown are prosecuting the case 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 .


body_text: Oneida County Man Sentenced to 20 Years in Federal Prison for Enticing and Coercing a Minor and Receiving Child Pornography ALBANY, NEW YORK – John Secor, Jr., age 46, of Rome, New York, was sentenced on July 21, 2026, in federal court to 240 months (20 years) in federal prison for enticing and coercing a minor and for receiving child pornography. First Assistant United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III, Anthony Patrone, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Buffalo Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and New York State Police (NYSP) Superintendent Steven G. James made the announcement. As part of his guilty plea in the case, Secor admitted that in May of 2025, he began chatting online with a 16-year-old girl. Secor’s chats with the child quickly became sexual in nature, with Secor requesting that the child send him sexually explicit images and videos of herself, which she did. Secor also admitted that he arranged a meeting with the child during which Secor planned to engage in sex acts with the child. In addition to the term of imprisonment, Chief United States District Judge Brenda K. Sannes also imposed an 15-year term of supervised release that will begin once Secor is released from prison. Secor was ordered to pay restitution to victims of his offenses and will be required to register as a sex offender upon his release from prison. First Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarcone stated, “With today’s sentencing, our children are safer. A child predator is off the streets for the next 20 years, and can no longer hide behind a screen to exploit vulnerable children. We are grateful to our partners at Homeland Security Investigations and the New York State Police for their outstanding investigative work.” Acting Special Agent in Charge HSI Buffalo, Anthony Patrone stated, “John Secor Jr. admitted to coercing a 16-year-old child into sending sexually explicit images and videos, and arranging to meet the child for the purpose of engaging in sex acts, conduct that is both predatory and profoundly damaging. Protecting children from sexual exploitation is among our most urgent responsibilities, and HSI Syracuse, together with the New York State Police and our federal partners, will not stop working with confront these depraved crimes wherever they occur.” New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James said, “The exploitation of a child is a reprehensible crime that causes lasting harm to victims and their families. This 20-year sentence demonstrates that those who prey upon children online will be identified, investigated, and held accountable. I commend our investigators and our federal partners for their dedication to protecting children and bringing this offender to justice.” HSI and NYSP investigated the case with assistance from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Adrian 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: Illegal Immigrant Pleads Guilty to Attempting to Have Sex with a Minor

body_text: UTICA, NEW YORK – Bryan Silva, age 34, pled guilty on July 28, 2026, to one count of attempting to persuade or entice a minor to engage in prostitution. 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. Silva is a Brazilian citizen illegally present in the United States. On April 29, 2025, Silva responded to an online advertisement offering access to a minor for commercial sex. The defendant was told repeatedly that the girl was 12. Despite this, he went to meet her and paid $100 for a “quick visit.” After handing over the money, the defendant was arrested. First Assistant United States Attorney Sarcone stated: “This case highlights the serious threat posed when illegal aliens unlawfully enter the United States and commit crimes. As alleged, this criminal alien attempted to pay who he believed was a 12‑year‑old child for sex. Thanks to the swift and effective action of the FBI, his efforts were stopped. With today’s plea, Silva now faces a mandatory federal prison sentence of 10 years to life. Once he serves his sentence, he will be subject to deportation from the United States.” Special Agent in Charge Tremarol i said: “With this plea, Mr. Silva admits he didn’t just respond to an ad but actually showed up and paid to have sex with a 12-year-old child. Those repulsive actions will now send him to federal prison for at least a decade, and possibly the rest of his life. The FBI, together with our law enforcement partners, will continue to protect our children by aggressively investigating and holding accountable the sick predators who are trying to harm them.” Silva will be sentenced on November 5, 2026, by U.S. District Judge Anthony J. Brindisi. Silva faces a minimum of 10 years and a maximum of life in 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. After serving his sentence, Silva will be subject to deportation. The FBI investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicholas Walter is prosecuting the case.


title: Atlanta Man Sentenced to 15 Years for Dealing Fentanyl While Armed with Fully Automatic Machinegun

body_text: ATLANTA - Reginald Pierce, a twice-convicted felon, was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison on federal drug and weapons charges after possessing a fully automatic machine-gun while dealing fentanyl and other drugs. “Pierce is a violent repeat offender who trafficked lethal fentanyl while armed with a machinegun,” said U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg. “Thanks to the efforts of federal and local law enforcement, he will serve a significant sentence equal to more than half his lifetime thus far, and our community is safer for it.” “Machine gun conversion devices transform firearms into exceptionally dangerous weapons that have no place in our communities,” said Benjamin Gibbons, Special Agent in Charge of ATF’s Atlanta Field Division. “Through NIBIN intelligence and strong investigative partnerships, we connected this firearm to a prior shooting and helped bring this repeat offender to justice.” “This outcome demonstrates the importance of strong partnerships and collaborations between local and federal agencies,” said Fulton County Sheriff Patrick “Pat” Labat. “Apprehending dangerous criminals is a vital part of our mission at the Fulton County Sheriff's Office to keep the members of our community safe.” According to U.S. Attorney Hertzberg, the charges, and other information presented in court: On May 30, 2023, a Fulton County Sheriff’s Office (FCSO) investigator stopped a vehicle in which Pierce was a passenger. Pierce attempted to flee from the vehicle and tackled the FCSO investigator, but his efforts to evade arrest failed. From Pierce’s pants pocket, FCSO investigators recovered an illegally converted, fully automatic pistol that law enforcement later linked to a drive-by shooting in East Point, Georgia a week earlier. Law enforcement also recovered 469 fentanyl pills, $10,020 in cash, and oxycodone and methamphetamine pills in and near the vehicle. Pierce’s criminal history includes convictions for armed robbery and a gang-related aggravated assault that involved the stabbing of five victims. As a twice-convicted felon, Pierce was prohibited from possessing any firearm, let alone a fully automatic machinegun. On July 30, 2026, Reginald Pierce, 28, of Atlanta, Georgia, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge J.P. Boulee to 15 years in prison to be followed by five years of supervised release. Pierce pled guilty on March 17, 2026, to one count of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, one count of unlawful possession of a machinegun, and one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Fulton County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Lauren E. Renaud prosecuted the case. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods and Operation Take Back America . Operation Take Back America is a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations, and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6185. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga .


title: Homeland Security Task Force Investigation Leads to Five Year Prison Sentence for Tallahassee Felon

body_text: Tallahassee, Florida – Kelveont’a Lamar Dennis, 32, of Tallahassee, Florida, was sentenced by Chief United States District Judge Allen C. Winsor to 5 years in federal prison following his conviction at a jury trial on May 22, 2026. The sentence was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida. U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “My office continues to deliver successful prosecutions of targets of the Homeland Security Task Force, which is fighting to eradicate the criminal cartels, foreign gangs, and transnational criminal organizations flooding our streets with drugs and violence. Our HSTF partners are committed to delivering the safe, drug-free streets our citizens deserve, and my office will continue to aggressively prosecute these offenders to fulfill that promise in the Northern District of Florida.” Evidence at trial, and court documents, showed that Dennis was routinely selling drugs and possessing firearms, despite the fact he was a convicted felon who was legally prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition. A federal search warrant was executed by law enforcement and electronic evidence seized. A jury found him guilty of possessing marijuana with the intent to distribute it. Dennis had previous convictions for carjacking, false imprisonment, two instances of possession of a controlled substance, possession of firearm by a convicted felon, and felony battery, and had previously served prison sentences of 48 months, 12 years, and 394 days. “This recidivist criminal routinely shows a complete contempt for the law,” said Homeland Security Investigations Tampa acting Special Agent in Charge Nicholas Ingengo. “This kind of behavior cannot be allowed to poison our communities. HSI, alongside our law enforcement partners, will continually work to hold these criminals accountable.” Dennis’ 5-year federal prison sentence will be followed by 20 years on supervised release. The case involved an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations and the Tallahassee Police Department, with assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, DHS Customs and Border Protection, and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney James A. McCain. This prosecution is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF comprises agents and officers from multiple agencies with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida. 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: Crestview Man Indicted for Distributing Methamphetamine

component: Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)

body_text: Pensacola, Florida –John Martin Elmore, 37, of Crestview, Florida, has been indicted in federal court for one count of conspiracy to distribute more than 50 grams of methamphetamine or 500 grams of a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine and one count of possession of more than 50 grams of methamphetamine or 500 grams of a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine. John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida announced the charges. Elmore appeared in federal court for his arraignment before Chief United States Magistrate Judge Michael J. Frank. Trial is scheduled for September 21, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. before District Court Judge T. Kent Wetherell, II in Pensacola, Florida. If convicted, Elmore faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years’ imprisonment, and up to life imprisonment, on each count. The case is being investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Crestview Police Department, and the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Jessica S. Etherton and Thomas S.P. Geeker. An indictment is merely an allegation by a grand jury that a defendant has committed a violation of federal criminal law and is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial, during which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial. This case is part of Operation Take Back America , a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndfl .


title: Salinas Acosta Plaza Norteño Gang Member Sentenced To Thirty Years In Prison

component: USAO - California, Northern

body_text: SAN JOSE – Raul Coronel Suarez a/k/a “Ray” was sentenced today to 30 years in federal prison for racketeering conspiracy related to his involvement in the Salinas Acosta Plaza (SAP) Norteño criminal street gang based in Salinas, California. U.S. District Judge Beth Labson Freeman handed down the sentence. Coronel, 22, of Salinas, California, was indicted by a federal grand jury on April 18, 2024. Coronel pleaded guilty on January 27, 2026, to one count of racketeering conspiracy, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1962(d), along with a special sentencing factor that he agreed to conduct the affairs of the enterprise through murder. According to the plea agreement, Coronel admitted to being associated with Norteño criminal street gangs (including SAP) from at least mid-2022 through at least April 2024. Between January 2023 and April 2024, as a member of SAP, Coronel participated in six separate shootings: four as a shooter (resulting in two victims wounded and three victims targeted but missed), and two in a supporting role (resulting in two victims killed and two victims wounded). He also admitted to possessing a firearm, methamphetamine, and cocaine in July 2023. In addition to the prison term, Judge Freeman sentenced the defendant to a 3-year period of supervised release. The defendant was immediately remanded into custody. According to the indictment, the SAP Norteños are a street gang that originated in a Salinas apartment complex by the same name. The group is now recognized as a clique within the larger collection of Norteño criminal street gangs. Members of the gang “meet and work together” to carry out crimes for the benefit of the gang, its members, the larger Norteño organization, and the Nuestra Familia prison gang. Crimes are perpetrated by gang members to protect and uphold its power, territory, and profits and gang members are expected to engage in shootings, robberies, drug sales, and other criminal conduct to gain entry into, and improve a member’s status in, the gang. The indictment lists more than four dozen criminal acts that the defendants are alleged to have committed, including murders and attempted murders between July 2014 and April 2024 of perceived rival gang members, transient individuals, and former gang members. Sixteen other Salinas Acosta Plaza Norteño gang members have been charged in the indictment and subsequent superseding indictment with racketeering conspiracy. Five have pleaded guilty and been sentenced. Defendant Age Charge Sentence Jose Saldana a/k/a “Chepe” 21 Racketeering Conspiracy, 18 U.S.C. §1962(d) 264 months in prison, 5 years’ supervised release Salvador Mexicano a/k/a “Jumpshot” 22 Racketeering Conspiracy, 18 U.S.C. §1962(d) 228 months in prison, 3 years’ supervised release Rigoberto Ramirez a/k/a “Scooby” 38 Racketeering Conspiracy, 18 U.S.C. §1962(d) 208 months in prison, 3 years’ supervised release Gil Vasquez a/k/a “Rhino” 38 Racketeering Conspiracy, 18 U.S.C. §1962(d) 72 months in prison, 3 years’ supervised release Jose Mexicano a/k/a “Armani” 27 Racketeering Conspiracy, 18 U.S.C. §1962(d) 60 months in prison, 3 years’ supervised release The other cases remain pending. An indictment or superseding indictment merely alleges that crimes have been committed, and those remaining defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. United States Attorney Craig H. Missakian and Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent in Charge Jeff Brannigan made the announcement. The case is being prosecuted by the Office’s Organized Crime Section. Assistant U.S. Attorneys George Hageman and Jared Buszin are in charge of the prosecution. The prosecution is the result of an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations, with assistance from the Salinas Police Department and the Monterey County District Attorney’s Office. This case is part of Operation Take Back America , a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations, and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.


title: Former Williams-Sonoma Executive Pleads Guilty To Fraud And Money Laundering Conspiracies That Caused Over $16 Million In Losses

body_text: SAN FRANCISCO – Eric Marsiglia pleaded guilty today in federal court to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and honest services wire fraud, and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering. In his plea agreement, Marsiglia, 52, of Olive Branch, Mississippi, admitted that from approximately 2018 through 2022, he conspired to defraud Williams-Sonoma, Inc. (WSI). During that time, Marsiglia served as WSI’s Vice President of Engineering, Projects, Planning, Facilities, and Real Estate, with authority to enter vendor contracts and a fiduciary duty to WSI. Marsiglia oversaw the selection and leasing of warehouse space throughout the United States as well as the purchase of steel racking, forklifts, and related warehouse logistics services. Starting in 2018, Marsiglia accepted kickbacks from co-conspirators in exchange for steering WSI business to three New Jersey companies that supplied forklifts, racking systems, and machinery for warehouses. Marsiglia set up a shell company, REM Group, to receive and conceal the kickbacks. In total, Marsiglia received over $12.2 million in warehouse kickbacks, which he concealed from WSI. From 2020 through 2022, Marsiglia also conspired to divert real estate broker commissions associated with WSI warehouses. Marsiglia directed these payments to accounts held by REM Group. He then distributed portions of those proceeds to himself and co-conspirators. Marsiglia concealed from WSI that he was causing broker commission payments to be diverted to accounts he controlled, rather than to the firm that was entitled to receive them. This scheme resulted in the misappropriation of over $4.1 million in broker commissions. Marsiglia further admitted that he conspired to launder proceeds of the wire fraud scheme by conducting financial transactions designed to conceal and disguise the nature, source, ownership, and control of those funds. A federal grand jury indicted Marsiglia on April 11, 2023, along with Kourosh Mirmehdi, Augusto Alizo, and Michael Podhurst, on charges arising from the kickback scheme and broker commission diversion scheme. Co-conspirator Domenick Nardone was later charged in a superseding indictment on March 12, 2024. All defendants charged in the indictment have pleaded guilty to federal offenses. United States Attorney Craig H. Missakian and IRS Criminal Investigation San Francisco Field Office Acting Special Agent in Charge David Lowe made the announcement. Marsiglia is scheduled to be sentenced on November 3, 2026, by U.S. District Judge Richard G. Seeborg. The defendant faces a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for each of the wire fraud conspiracy counts, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1349, and a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison and a $500,000 fine for conspiracy to commit money laundering, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1956(h). However, any sentence will be imposed by the court only after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of a sentence, 18 U.S.C. § 3553. The case is being prosecuted by the Corporate and Securities Fraud Section of the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christiaan Highsmith and Ben Wolinsky are prosecuting the case, with the assistance of Elizabeth Kim. The prosecution is the result of an investigation by IRS-CI.


title: Minneapolis Man Indicted for Coercion and Enticement of a Minor to Engage in Sexual Activity

component: USAO - Minnesota

body_text: MINNEAPOLIS – United States Attorney Daniel N. Rosen announced that Ted Matthew Bennett, 58, of Minneapolis, has been indicted by a grand jury for his alleged role in knowingly persuading, inducing, enticing, and coercing a minor to engage in sexual activity from on or about January 1, 2025, through on or about November 11, 2025. Bennett had his initial appearance hearing before U.S. Magistrate Judge Shannon G. Elkins on August 10, 2026. According to state court documents, on November 10, 2025, police responded to a Ramsey County high school regarding a report of an alleged inappropriate relationship between a teacher and student. Law enforcement’s investigation revealed that Bennett groomed and communicated with a minor student for months via text messages and emails. Text messages recovered during the investigation showed that Bennett repeatedly offered the minor student alcohol and drugs, and that Bennett and the minor student engaged in sexual activity on at least one occasion. This case was the result of an investigation by the Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office and U.S. Secret Service. Assistant United States Attorney Evan Gilead is prosecuting the case. 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: Justice Department to Conduct Election Monitoring in Minnesota Primary Election

body_text: MINNEAPOLIS – Today, the Department of Justice is monitoring polling sites in two Minnesota counties for the state’s primary election to ensure transparency, ballot security, and compliance with federal law. “Minnesota is DOJ’s next stop on its nationwide effort to ensure free and fair elections,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “The DOJ is committed to nondiscriminatory monitoring throughout the primary and general election seasons.” “Election monitoring is critical to ensuring our elections have the trust of Minnesotans,” said United States Attorney Daniel N. Rosen for the District of Minnesota. “We are proud to partner with the Civil Rights Division in this effort.” The DOJ, through the Civil Rights Division, enforces federal voting laws which protect the voting rights of all eligible citizens. The DOJ regularly deploys staff to monitor compliance with federal civil rights laws in communities across the country, as it did in Minnesota in the 2020, 2022, and 2024 federal elections. The DOJ is monitoring polls in Hennepin and Ramsey counties with approximately 20 staff from the Civil Rights Division’s Voting Section and Minnesota’s U.S. Attorney’s Office. Already this primary season the DOJ has deployed over 50 monitors across seven counties. This monitoring initiative is aimed at promoting transparency and an open flow of communication between poll observers and election monitors. The Civil Rights Division’s Voting Section enforces various federal statutes that protect the right to vote, including the Voting Rights Act, National Voter Registration Act, Help America Vote Act, Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and the Civil Rights Acts. From now through the general election on November 3, 2026, Civil Rights Division personnel will be available to receive questions and complaints from the public related to federal voting rights laws. If you have a question or complaint or would like to request election monitoring in a particular jurisdiction, please contact the Voting Section at VEM@usdoj.gov .


title: Former Bridgestone Americas Assistant Treasurer Pleads Guilty to Nearly $15 Million Wire Fraud Scheme

body_text: NASHVILLE – Sajju Khatiwada, 45, of Franklin, Tennessee, pleaded guilty today to two counts of wire fraud for carrying out a scheme that caused his former employer, Bridgestone Americas, Inc., to pay nearly $15 million in fraudulent invoices submitted through a fictitious vendor he created, announced United States Attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee Braden H. Boucek. “This defendant abused a position of extraordinary trust to steal nearly $15 million from his employer and then used those stolen funds to generate millions more in investment gains,” said U.S. Attorney Boucek. “Corporate position and financial sophistication are not shields from accountability. Our office and our law enforcement partners will continue to pursue those who use positions of trust to enrich themselves through fraud.” According to court documents, Khatiwada worked at Bridgestone’s corporate headquarters in Nashville from April 2016 until April 2024, most recently as Assistant Treasurer, Capital Planning and Funding. As part of his work in Bridgestone’s Treasury Operations Department, Khatiwada managed the company’s relationships with banks that provided credit card processing services for Bridgestone retail locations across the United States. In July 2020, Khatiwada created a fictitious vendor, named Paymt-Tech, LLC, registered the company in Nevada under the name of an acquaintance, and opened bank accounts in the fictitious vendor’s name. On a monthly basis spanning nearly four years from August 2020 to April 2024, Khatiwada sent fraudulent invoices via email to other Bridgestone employees, falsely representing that Bridgestone owed Paymt-Tech money for purported “service charges.” But Paymt-Tech performed no services for Bridgestone, and Khatiwada was not entitled to any of the money. Relying on the fraudulent invoices, Bridgestone paid a total of $14,923,978.57 into Paymt-Tech accounts controlled by Khatiwada. Khatiwada transferred the fraud proceeds into financial and investment accounts under his control, where the money generated more than $6.1 million in interest, dividends, and other gains. In his plea agreement, Khatiwada admitted that the scheme generated approximately $21 million in total unlawful proceeds and agreed to forfeit that amount to the United States. He also owes restitution to Bridgestone totaling $14,923,978.57, plus interest, with the final amount to be determined by the court. Khatiwada was arrested in November 2024 and indicted by a federal grand jury in December 2024. He faces up to 20 years in federal prison on each count. U.S. District Judge Aleta A. Trauger scheduled Khatiwada’s sentencing for December 22, 2026. The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Nashville Field Office investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Chris Suedekum is prosecuting the case. #####


title: Port Charlotte Man Sentenced to Fifteen Years for Enticing a Minor  to Engage in Sexual Activity

component: USAO - Florida, Middle

body_text: Fort Myers, Florida – James Gregory Ford (34, Port Charlotte) was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Sheri Polster Chappell to 15 years in federal prison for enticing a minor to engage in sexual activity. Ford was also sentenced to a 30-year term of supervised release and ordered to register as a sex offender. He pleaded guilty on May 6, 2026.U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe made the announcement. According to court documents, in October 2025, law enforcement began investigating Ford after a minor’s parent had reported observing conversations with Ford and seeing nude photographs and videos that had been sent on a social media platform on the minor’s cellphone. On October 28, 2025, law enforcement interviewed Ford concerning his sexual communications with the minor using a social media application. Ford admitted to engaging in conversations and exchanging inappropriate messages and images with the minor, that he had initiated communications with the minor, and acknowledged receiving and sending explicit photographs. Ford also admitted to requesting inappropriate images from the minor, including images of the minor’s intimate body parts and suggestions of sexual acts. A forensic examination of Ford’s cellphone revealed that the social media account belonging to Ford had been used to communicate with the minor, and images and videos of the minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct were located. This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Fort Myers Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force, which includes the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office, and with assistance from law enforcement in Texas. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Yolande G. Viacava. This is another case brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.


title: Lakeland Drug Dealer Sentenced to 25 years in Federal Prison

body_text: Tampa, Florida – Curtis Charles Tinsley (47, Lakeland) has been sentenced by U.S. District Judge Steven D. Merryday to 25 years in federal prison for his role in a conspiracy that distributed fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine, and MDMA in and around Lakeland. United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe made the announcement. According to court documents, from an unknown date and continuing through June 2025, Tinsley was part of a conspiracy and drug trafficking organization (DTO) in Polk County. Between April and June 2025, members of the conspiracy distributed approximately 10 kilograms of methamphetamine, two kilograms of cocaine, one kilogram of fentanyl, and one kilogram of MDMA on a monthly basis. Tinsley typically sold or purchased methamphetamine by the ounce or pound – sometimes multiple pounds per transaction. He also regularly purchased and sold large quantities of fentanyl. This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Lakeland Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Erik W. Daab and David J. Pardo.


title: Jacksonville Beach Dentist Indicted for Evading Personal Income Taxes, Failing to Pay Employment Taxes, and Attempting to Obstruct IRS Investigation

component: National Fraud Enforcement Division

body_text: Jacksonville, Florida – A federal grand jury has returned an indictment charging Jon Christopher Williams with four counts of attempting to evade and defeat individual income taxes, eleven counts of failing to withhold and pay employment taxes, and one count of endeavoring to obstruct and impede the administration of the internal revenue laws. Each tax evasion and employment tax offense carries a maximum penalty of 5 years in federal prison. The obstruction offense carries a maximum penalty of 3 years in prison. United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe made the announcement. According to the indictment, Williams is a dentist with a practice in Jacksonville Beach. He filed a personal income tax return and paid the associated taxes to the IRS every year from 2002 through 2012. He submitted requests to the IRS for extensions of time to file his tax returns for 2013 and 2014, but never filed any returns for those years or for any year thereafter. The indictment alleges that from 2020 through 2023, Williams failed to report gross income from his business totaling approximately $3,371,657 and that he failed to pay approximately $1,079,136 in taxes due on that income. It is further alleged that Williams filed employment tax returns and paid the associated taxes to the IRS for the years 2008 through 2013, but that he has not filed such a return or paid any employment taxes since 2013. For the period encompassing the second quarter of 2020 through the fourth quarter of 2022, Williams failed to report and pay over to the IRS employment taxes totaling approximately $133,360. The obstruction charge alleges that Williams became aware that he was being criminally investigated by the IRS when he was served with a summons on October 21, 2021. Wiliams subsequently, over the period of November 2021 through May 2024, sent multiple emails and letters to the investigating agent and others—including the agent’s supervisor, a Florida Member of Congress, Florida’s two U.S. Senators, the Secretary of the Treasury, the Attorney General, the Commissioner of the IRS, and an IRS District Director—in an attempt to stop the investigation. Among these communications were statements that the agent’s actions were causing him “harm, injury and loss,” demands that the agent “cease and desist” all activities against him, and statements that the agent could be held personally liable for her actions. Williams sent invoices demanding payment of $525,000 by the agent, the IRS, the Department of the Treasury, and the Attorney General but said that they could “avoid paying the invoices by the immediate termination of [the agent] from her current position of employment, along with her prevention from working at any other agency of the US government.” He also stated that, to settle the matter, “A simple note from you, or your superiors, stating that I, and anyone associated with me, are no longer under investigation and that no further action will be taken against me, my coworkers, or my loved ones, as there is no evidence of any criminal intent to commit a crime, will suffice.” An indictment is only an allegation, and every defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty. This case was investigated by IRS Criminal Investigation. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Arnold B. Corsmeier. 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: Homeland Security Task Force Announces Twenty-Five-Year Sentence for Colombian Drug Kingpin

body_text: Tampa, FL – Jose Ramiro Cardenas-Iguaran, a/k/a “Titi,” “Senor,” “Jefe” (47, Colombia) has been sentenced by U.S. Senior District Judge Charlene Edwards Honeywell to 25 years in federal prison for conspiring to distribute cocaine on a vessel subject to the jurisdiction of the United States. He pleaded guilty on November 25, 2025. United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe made the announcement. According to court documents, Cardenas-Iguaran began his career about 15 to 20 years before his 2021 arrest by robbing drug traffickers. Over time, he began to assist other traffickers with maritime smuggling logistics before becoming the boss of his own organization. In August 2017, the United States Coast Guard interdicted the Togolese-flagged M/V FAT CROW in international waters with nine people and 1,500 kilograms of cocaine onboard. Cardenas-Iguaran admitted to his involvement in the planning and logistics of the smuggling operation aboard the M/V FAT CROW. Cardenas-Iguaran also admitted to smuggling cocaine for other traffickers as well placing up to 650 kilograms of his own cocaine on drug shipments. He further claimed responsibility for a seizure of cocaine in the Dominican Republic as well as a separate load of cocaine intended for Puerto Rico. This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Coast Guard Investigative Service, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Colombian National Police’s Anti-Narcotics Directorate (DIRAN). The Department of Justice’s Office of the Judicial Attaché in Bogotá and Office of International Affairs provided critical assistance in securing Cardenas-Iguaran’s extradition. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Dan Baeza. This case is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF Region 20 (Tampa) comprises agents and officers from multiple law enforcement agencies with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida.


title: Homeland Security Task Force Announces the Indictment and Arrests of  Four CJNG Members for Narco-terrorism, Drug Trafficking,  and Firearms Trafficking Offenses

body_text: Tampa, FL – United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announces the unsealing of an indictment charging: Name Offenses Maximum Penalties Edgar Alejandro Lopez Velasco (44, Mexico) Conspiracy to commit narco-terrorism Conspiracy to provide material support to terrorism Drug importation conspiracy Firearms trafficking conspiracies Life Imprisonment Noe Diaz Jimenez (33, Mexico) Conspiracy to commit narco-terrorism Conspiracy to provide material support to terrorism Drug importation conspiracy Firearms trafficking conspiracies Life Imprisonment Leobardo Gaxiola Lopez, a/k/a “Bado” (63, Mexico) Drug importation conspiracy Firearms trafficking conspiracies Life Imprisonment Jose Miguel Alvarado Morales (23, Mexico) Conspiracy to commit narco-terrorism Conspiracy to provide material support to terrorism Drug importation conspiracy Firearms trafficking conspiracies Life Imprisonment According to the indictment, Edgar Alejandro Lopez Velasco, Noe Diaz Jimenez, Leobardo Gaxiola Lopez, and Jose Miguel Alvarado Morales are all affiliated with the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), a foreign terrorist organization and one of the most powerful and violent drug cartels in Mexico. Lopez Velasco was a representative of a high-level CJNG member; Diaz Jimenez was a fentanyl trafficker with a fentanyl lab in Mexico; Gaxiola Lopez was a broker of narcotics and weapons deals; and Alvarado Morales was a representative of another high-level CJNG member. In February 2026, Lopez Velasco and Diaz Jimenez negotiated the sale of machineguns and destructive devices from the Czech Republic to Mexico to commit acts of violence against rival cartels, civilians, police forces, and military personnel in Mexico. These weapons included different kinds of European machineguns, rocket-propelled grenade launchers, mortar launchers, and accompanying ammunition and ordnance. In exchange for the weapons, the defendants paid in the form of fentanyl and methamphetamine imported into the United States for distribution. All four were arrested in the Czech Republic in June 2026. On June 12, 2026, Mexican authorities dismantled Diaz Jimenez’s synthetic opioid lab in Zapopan, Jalisco, Mexico. The indictment notifies the defendants that the United States is seeking an order of forfeiture for the proceeds of the charged criminal conduct. Lopez Velasco and Alvarado Morales were extradited to the Middle District of Florida, had their initial appearances yesterday, and were detained. An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty. This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Coast Guard Investigative Service, Homeland Security Investigations, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Czech authorities, Mexico’s Secretaria de Seguridad y Proteccion Ciudadana, and Mexico’s Secretaria de Marina. INTERPOL and the Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs provided critical assistance in securing the apprehension and Friday’s extradition of Lopez Velasco and Alvarado Morales. The case will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Dan Baeza. This case is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF Region 20 (Tampa) comprises agents and officers from multiple law enforcement agencies with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida. Indictment


title: Geneva County Insurance Agent Sentenced for Falsifying Federal Crop Insurance Application

component: USAO - Alabama, Middle

body_text: A Slocomb, Alabama, man has been sentenced for providing false information in connection with a federal crop insurance application. On August 11, 2026, Jonathan Lawrence Eubanks, 46, was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison for making a false statement to the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation (FCIC) or a company insured by the FCIC. Following his prison term, Eubanks will serve two years of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system. The court also ordered Eubanks to pay a $1000 fine and $30,164.14 in restitution. United States Attorney Thomas Govan and U.S. Department of Agriculture Inspector General John Walk made the announcement. “Federal crop insurance provides a critical safety net for farmers, but that safety net is built on honesty and integrity,” said U.S. Attorney Govan. “Forging a farmer’s signature and fabricating an email to obtain federal crop insurance is not a simple paperwork mistake, it is fraud. We will hold accountable those who intentionally falsify information to manipulate federally supported programs.” “Crop Insurance fraud directly harms taxpayers who subsidize insurance premiums and undermines public trust,” said USDA Inspector General Walk. “It will not be tolerated. Our law enforcement agents will vigorously pursue those who cheat the crop insurance program that supports honest, hardworking American farmers and bring the fraudsters to justice.” According to court documents and statements made in court, Eubanks obtained a license to sell insurance in 2017 and subsequently sold policies covered by the Federal Crop Insurance Program (FCIP) for an insurance group based in Hartford, Alabama. The FCIP provides federally supported crop insurance to help protect farmers against certain losses to their crops, including losses caused by adverse weather, natural disasters, and other covered events. The program is designed to provide farmers with financial protection and stability when covered crop losses occur. For a particular crop to be eligible for federal crop insurance coverage, policy documents must be submitted to the insurance company by specified deadlines. When an insurance company requests documentation showing that policy documents had been properly signed by the farmer and insurance agent, the agent is required to provide documentation accurately reflecting when the documents were signed. In 2024, Eubanks forged a farmer’s signature on a federal crop insurance application. He then falsified an email purporting to show that the farmer had signed the application on Tuesday, February 10, 2024. In fact, February 10, 2024, was a Saturday. On November 12, 2024, Eubanks submitted the falsified email to an insurance company with the intent of influencing the company to provide federal crop insurance coverage for the farmer’s 2024 crop in Covington County. On April 14, 2026, Eubanks pleaded guilty to making a false statement to the FCIC or a company insured by the FCIC. The U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of Inspector General and the USDA Risk Management Agency (RMA) investigated this case, which Assistant U.S. Attorney Megan A. Kirkpatrick prosecuted.


title: Virginia Man to Plead Guilty to $7.1 Million Wire Fraud Scheme

component: USAO - Massachusetts

body_text: BOSTON – A dual national of the United States and the Philippines was charged and has agreed to plead guilty to stealing more than $7.1 million from his employer over the course of a decade. Ricardo Fontanilla, 66, of Fairfax, Va., was charged with wire fraud and has agreed to plead guilty. Fontanilla was arrested at his home in May 2026 and was later ordered detained pending trial. According to court documents, between 2013 and December 2025, Fontanilla worked at the Victim Company, a global financial services company which had its U.S. headquarters in Massachusetts, as a Security Administration Services employee. Fontanilla’s role allegedly gave him access to the Victim Company’s financial systems, which tracked borrowers’ mortgage payments in connection with residential mortgage-backed securities – a kind of financial instrument that allows investors to purchase ownership in a pool of residential mortgage loans. Beginning in 2013, Fontanilla allegedly altered the Victim Company’s records to make it appear that the Victim Company was receiving excess payments from mortgage servicing companies that were collecting borrower payments. As alleged, Fontanilla fraudulently transferred these supposedly “excess” payments back to one mortgage servicer (Company A), and then falsely informed Company A representatives that the Victim Company had mistakenly refunded these amounts. In directing Company A to return the mistaken refunds to the Victim Company, Fontanilla allegedly directed Company A to wire the funds to a personal bank account he controlled at Wells Fargo. Records obtained during the investigation show Fontanilla allegedly received more than $7.1 million in wires from Company A between 2013 and 2025, and that Fontanilla allegedly made payments from his accounts of more than $4.78 million in personal credit card payments to Capital One, JPMorgan Chase, Wells Fargo and American Express; $873,000 in mortgage and loan payments; more than $200,000 in cash and cash-equivalent withdrawals in the United States and abroad; at least $300,000 in deposits to brokerage accounts at JPMorgan Chase; and approximately $125,000 in payments to Toyota – amounts far exceeding the approximately $83,000 annual salary Fontanilla received from the Victim Company. According to court documents, Fontanilla’s spending included substantial purchases of luxury brands and premium air travel through the United States, the Caribbean and Asia. The charge of wire fraud provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater, restitution, and forfeiture. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Office; and Brian Tucker, Special Agent in Charge, Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Office of Inspector General made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Seth B. Kosto, Chief of the Securities, Financial & Cyber Frauds Unit, is prosecuting the case. The details contained in the charging document are allegations. The defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in the court of law.


title: Trinitarios Gang Member Pleads Guilty to Participating in 2023 Double Murder

body_text: BOSTON – A member of the Lynn Chapter of the Trinitarios pleaded guilty today to racketeering charges, including his participation as an accessory after the fact to two murders and one shooting. Israel Garcia Vasquez, a/k/a “Menol,” 25, pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to conduct enterprise affairs through a pattern of racketeering activity, more commonly referred to as RICO conspiracy and drug conspiracy. U.S. Senior District Court Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton scheduled sentencing for Nov. 19, 2026. The Trinitarios is a violent criminal enterprise comprised of thousands of members across the United States. The Trinitarios adhere to a Magna Carta, employ an internal hierarchy to coordinate and execute violence, and undertake extensive efforts to maintain the secrecy of the organization and its members. During today’s court proceedings, Israel Garcia Vasquez admitted to his membership in the gang as well as to his participation in a shooting on Aug. 27, 2023, in Lynn, and as an accessory after the fact to the Sept. 2, 2023, murder of Jandriel Heredia and Abraham Diaz, in Lynn. Both incidents were retaliatory shootings in order to avenge the recent killing of a Trinitarios member by a rival gang. During the Sept. 2, 2023 incident, three members of the Trinitarios drove by Essex Street in Lynn and discharged numerous rounds at people gathered outside. The gathering was a party celebrating a young man who was heading off to college. Seven people were shot during this incident, including Abraham Diaz and Jandriel Heredia who later died from the gunshot wounds they sustained. Garcia Vasquez admitted that after the shooting, the driver and two shooters were brought to his residence in the Lawrence area, where they were harbored. In February 2025 , federal racketeering charges were unsealed against 22 leaders and members of the Trinitarios. The charges were the result of a multijurisdictional investigation , which began in the aftermath of four murders as well as a series of attempted murders and shootings that took place in Lynn in 2023, allegedly committed by the Trinitarios criminal enterprise and its members. In March 2025 , a Lynn member of the Trinitarios was sentenced to 10 years in prison. In June 2025 , two members of the Trinitarios were charged with kidnapping a drug supplier. In July 2025 , the leader of the Lynn Chapter was sentenced to 14 years in prison. In December 2025, two members of the Lynn Chapter, Michael Miliano and James Jimenez pleaded guilty to racketeering conspiracy. In April 2026, Luis Enrique Santana pleaded guilty. In May 2026, Westyn Lantigua pleaded guilty. In June 2026, Luis Jeffrey Santana pleaded guilty. In August 2026, Kelvin Liranzo Roman pleaded guilty. On June 9, 2026 , additional federal racketeering and drug charges were unsealed charging 26 additional leaders, members and associates of the Lawrence, Haverhill and Boston Chapters of the gang. According to court documents, the Trinitarios have allegedly participated in five additional murders in Essex County since 2017, bringing the total of federally charged murders to 11. Israel Garcia Vasquez is the 13 th defendant to plead guilty in the case. The charge of conspiracy to conduct enterprise affairs through a pattern of racketeering activity (also known as “racketeering conspiracy” or “RICO conspiracy”) provides for a sentence of up to life in prison, five years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The defendant is subject to deportation following any sentence imposed. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case. United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Jeff Grimming, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England; Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; Essex County District Attorney Paul F. Tucker; Massachusetts State Police Colonel Geoffrey D. Noble; and Lynn Police Chief Christopher P. Reddy made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Manchester, N.H. Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Philip A. Mallard of the Organized Crime & Gang Unit is prosecuting the case. This case is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF Boston is comprised of agents and officers from HSI, FBI, DEA, ATF, USMS, IRS-CI, USPIS, DOL-OIG and DSS, as well as several state and local law enforcement agencies, with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts. This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces and Project Safe Neighborhood .


title: New York Man Charged With Child Exploitation Offense

body_text: BOSTON – A Queens, N.Y., man has been charged for allegedly travelling across state lines to engage in illicit sexually conduct with a 13-year-old minor in Massachusetts. Andre Jamal Bennett, 33, was charged with interstate travel to engage in illicit sexual conduct with a minor. Bennett was arrested yesterday in the Eastern District of New York and remains detained pending a future hearing. According to the charging documents, Bennett is employed by Delta Air Lines as a ground controller at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York. In September 2025, Bennett allegedly created multiple social media accounts – including two Instagram accounts and a Snapchat account – using the fictitious name “Chris.” Using the accounts, it is alleged that Bennett falsely presented himself to be a 16-year-old boy allegedly to contact the minor victim. In November 2025, Bennett allegedly took a flight from New York City to Boston. Upon landing in Boston, Bennett allegedly contacted the minor victim, informed her that he was in the area and coerced her into meeting him in person. When Bennett met the minor victim, who still believed he was “Chris,” the 16-year-old boy he had purported to be online, Bennett allegedly wore a hooded sweatshirt that concealed his face. According to the charging documents, Bennet then brought the minor victim to a hotel and raped her. Bennett also allegedly recorded the sexual assault on his phone. Following the encounter, Bennett allegedly continued to contact the minor victim through social media over the course of several months and sought to entice her to meet with him again, including by offering to pay her. The minor victim refused. The charge of travel with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct provides for a sentence of up to 30 years in prison, at least five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case. United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; and Michael Cox, Commissioner of the Boston Police Department made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the FBI’s New York Field Office and United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York. Assistant U.S. Attorney Luke A. Goldworm, of the Major Crimes Unit and Project Safe Childhood Coordinator, is prosecuting the case. The case is 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 . The details contained in the charging document are allegations. The defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in the court of law.


title: Massachusetts Man Sentenced to Prison for Investment Fraud

body_text: BOSTON – A Haverhill man was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for fraudulently obtaining $350,000 in investor funds. Luciano Schipelliti, 29, was sentenced byU.S. Senior District Court Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV to one year and one day in prison, to be followed by two years of supervised release with six months of home confinement. The defendant was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $350,000. In April 2026 , Schipelliti pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud. He was charged in March 2026 . In the fall of 2018, Schipelliti established the Superstars Fund and raised roughly $275,000 to invest in cryptocurrency. By 2019, through a series of bad investments, Schipelliti lost all the money in the Superstars Fund. He did not, however, tell any of the investors that he had lost the money. Instead, beginning in approximately November 2020, Schipelliti began sending monthly newsletters to investors that falsely reported that the Superstars Fund continued to grow in value. Based on the misrepresented performance of the Superstars Fund in approximately February 2021, Schipelliti launched a new fund, the TTM Fund, through which he raised approximately $350,000 to invest in cryptocurrency. Schipelliti lost all the money in the TTM fund by September 2021. According to the charging documents, Schipelliti lost most of the money in the TTM Fund investing in cryptocurrency and also used some of the money in a manner inconsistent with the terms of the TTM Fund’s operating agreement. United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin A. Saltzman of the Securities, Financial & Cyber Fraud Unit prosecuted the case.


title: Former Department of Labor Employee Sentenced for Fraudulently Obtaining Over $40,000 in Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Benefits

body_text: BOSTON – A former employee of the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for fraudulently obtaining over $40,000 in pandemic unemployment assistance (PUA) benefits. Mo Yuong Kang, 51, formerly of Woburn and Dracut, Mass., was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Brian E. Murphy to one year of probation. The defendant was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $45,868 and forfeiture in the amount of $45,868. In May 2026 , Kang pleaded guilty to four counts of wire fraud after being indicted by a federal grand jury in August 2025 . Kang worked as an Industrial Hygienist with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, an agency of the DOL, from June 2016 until July 2023. In 2020 and 2021, Kang was a full-time employee of the DOL and earned over $85,000 annually. In April 2020, Kang submitted a false PUA application to the Division of Unemployment Assistance (DUA). In the application, Kang claimed under the penalty of perjury that he was “self-employed, an independent contractor, or a gig worker and COVID-19 had severely limited [his] ability to perform [his] normal work,” and that he had not earned more than $89 a week since March 8, 2020. The DUA approved Kang’s claim, and through September 2021 Kang subsequently submitted weekly certifications to the DUA claiming that he did not work and did not receive any income during those weekly periods. Based upon his application and weekly certifications, Kang received $45,868 in PUA benefits to which he was not entitled. United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Anthony P. D’Esposito, Inspector General, U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General; and Christopher Silvestro, Special Agent in Charge of the Defense Criminal Investigative Service, Northeast Field Office made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristina E. Barclay of the Public Corruption & Special Prosecutions Unit prosecuted the case. On March 26, 2026 , United States Attorney Leah B. Foley announced the creation of the Benefit & Voter Fraud Team, a district-wide initiative established in response to the rampant fraud being uncovered across Massachusetts. The Team is led by two senior federal prosecutors serving as Fraud Coordinators, whose mission it is to aggressively investigate and prosecute misuse of taxpayer-funded benefits in Massachusetts. Members of the public are encouraged to report suspected benefit fraud in Massachusetts by calling 1-855-SCAM-MA-1 (855-722-6621). On April 7, 2026, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division . The Fraud Division is investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against the American people. The Department’s work to combat fraud supports President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act was enacted in March 2020 and designed to provide emergency financial assistance to the millions of Americans who were suffering the economic effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The CARES Act created a new temporary federal unemployment insurance program called pandemic unemployment assistance (PUA), which provided unemployment benefits for individuals who were not eligible for standard unemployment benefits. To receive PUA benefits, Massachusetts claimants were required to certify in an initial registration and in weekly certifications whether or not they worked or received any income during the relevant time period. The PUA program was administered in Massachusetts by the Division of Unemployment Assistance (DUA).


title: Dominican National Sentenced to Five Years in Prison for Trafficking Tens of Thousands of Fentanyl Pills

body_text: BOSTON – A Dominican national unlawfully residing in Dorchester, Mass. was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Boston for his role in a large-scale fentanyl trafficking conspiracy. Anderson Ernesto Andujar Echavarria, 28, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani to five years in prison, to be followed by six years of supervised release. The defendant is subject to deportation upon completion of the imposed sentence. In December 2025 , Andujar pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl; three counts of distribution of 40 grams or more of fentanyl; one count of distribution of 40 grams or more of fentanyl and methamphetamine; and one count of possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl. Andujar was arrested and charged in September 2024 along with three co-conspirators Waner Bernabel Presinal, Carlos Fabal and Freddy Artemio Guerrero Soto. In November 2023, law enforcement identified Andujar as a large-scale drug trafficker distributing various narcotics. Over the course of the investigation, Andujar distributed tens of thousands of press fentanyl tablets as well as powdered fentanyl, cocaine and crystal methamphetamine to undercover law enforcement. Bernabel was identified as a co-conspirator who worked with Andujar to distribute fentanyl pills and Fabal was identified as a fentanyl pill supplier to Andujar. Fabal was previously convicted in 2007 in federal court in Boston of conspiracy to distribute cocaine, for which he was sentenced to 67 months in prison and five years of supervised release. At the time of the arrests, 30,000 blue pressed fentanyl pills were seized along with and 500 grams of powder fentanyl from Andujar and Guerrero Soto. Fabal pleaded guilty in October 2025 and is awaiting sentencing. Bernabel was sentenced in June 2026 to five years in prison, to be followed by four years of supervised release. Guerrero Soto pleaded guilty in February 2025 and, in May 2025, was sentenced to 30 months in prison. United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Jarod A. Forget, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration in New England made the announcement. Valuable assistance in the investigation was provided by the Massachusetts State Police and Boston Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Pohl of the Criminal Division is prosecuted the case.


title: Manitowoc Resident Indicted on Child Obscenity and Commission of a Felony Sex Offense by a Registered Sex Offender

component: USAO - Wisconsin, Eastern

body_text: Brad D. Schimel, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that on August 11, 2026, Maurilio Mares (age 19) of Manitowoc, Wisconsin, was indicted on two counts of Obscene Visual Depictions of the Sexual Abuse of Children, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1466A, and two counts of Commission of a Felony Sex Offense by an Individual Required to Register as a Sexual Offender in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2260A. The indictment alleges that the violations occurred on two separate dates in May 2026. If convicted of either child obscenity offense, Mares faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years’ imprisonment and up to 40 years’ imprisonment. If convicted of committing a new criminal offense against a child while required to register as a sex offender, the defendant must be given a mandatory 10 years’ imprisonment, consecutive to any other sentence. He may also be fined up to $250,000 and must serve a term of supervised release ranging from five years to life. This case was investigated by the City of Manitowoc Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Daniel R. Humble. An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government must prove his guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. 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 U.S. Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov. # # # For further information contact: Public Affairs Officer Steve Caballero (414) 297-1700 Follow us on X