title: The United States Department of Justice Announce the Launch of the National Fraud Enforcement Division

component: USAO - Alabama, Southern

body_text: MOBILE, AL – On August 26, the Department of Justice announced the launch of the National Fraud Enforcement Division, the “Fraud Division.” The mission of the Fraud Division will be to prosecute fraud in the United States, no matter its size or complexity. Prosecution of fraud is critical to restoring public confidence in the federal government’s ability to responsibly steward taxpayer dollars. The Government Accountability Office recently estimated that the federal government loses between $233 billion to $521 billion annually to fraud. Fraud schemes exploit a variety of sectors – health care, defense, technology, tax, trade, and many others – harming vulnerable people and undermining trust in the American way of life. Given the fraud epidemic gripping the county, President Donald J. Trump announced the creation of the Fraud Division earlier this year, calling on us to activate the tools of justice more than ever before to combat fraud. The Fraud Division will focus resources on prosecuting frauds that threaten the health, safety, security, and prosperity of Americans – especially the most vulnerable among us, including children, the elderly, and the sick or disabled. Fraud Division Attorneys therefore will prioritize fraud involving public trust and financial integrity, health care, internal revenue, global trade and commerce, and corporate misconduct. The Fraud Division will set national priorities for fraud enforcement, working closely with United States Attorneys, the Civil and Criminal Divisions, federal law enforcement, executive agencies, and state and local partners to ensure the fraud-fighting apparatus is focused on protecting the American people. Prosecutions of fraudsters is critical to advancing the interests of the United States and fraudsters who dare steal from Americans and their government will be systematically targeted, prosecuted, and imprisoned. The Southern District of Alabama has a long history of successfully bringing actions to protect the taxpaying public from all types of fraud and misuse of government funds. The Fraud Division will bring more resources to bear on those who seek to steal from the people of the United States. U.S. Attorney Sean P. Costello of the Southern District of Alabama made the announcement.


title: Repeat Felon Sentenced for Possession of a Firearm

body_text: MOBILE, AL – Keelon Jamar Bridges, 25, of Mobile was sentenced on August 24, 2026, to 77 months in prison for Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. According to court documents Bridges has multiple prior felony convictions for Receiving Stolen Property 1 st Degree, Burglary 3 rd Degree, Attempt to Elude, Leaving the Scene of an Accident, Receiving Stolen Property 3 rd Degree, Assault 2 nd Degree, Receiving Stolen Property 2 nd Degree, and Burglary Unoccupied Conveyance. On November 17, 2025, a Mobile Police officer observed a white Kia Soul with an expired tag. When the officer attempted to conduct a traffic stop the Kia accelerated away from the officer. Bridges fled at speeds of 70 miles per hour in a 25 mile per hour zone. Bridges bailed out of the car carrying a blue backpack while the car was still moving. Bridges was detained, and inside the backpack officers located a Tan Glock 19X, a wallet with Bridges’ driver’s license, a Black Nike Ski mask, and a pair of black gloves. Following the term of incarceration, Bridges will be placed on three years of supervised release. U.S. Attorney Sean P. Costello of the Southern District of Alabama made the announcement. The Mobile Police Department along with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney John P. Hutchins III prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.


title: Mobile Man Sentenced to over 12 Months in Prison for Illegally Possessing a Machinegun

body_text: MOBILE, AL – A Mobile man was sentenced to 12 months and one day in prison for illegally possessing a machinegun. According to court documents, on February 17, 2026, Mobile Police Department officers were patrolling downtown Mobile as part of increased law enforcement presence during Mardi Gras parades and festivities. During the surveillance operation, officers arrested Joshua Marcel Pugh, 22, for possessing a machinegun-conversion device. A machine gun conversion device, commonly referred to as a “Glock switch,” is designed to convert a pistol into a fully automatic weapon. Pugh was subsequently indicted on a charge of possessing a machine gun and pleaded guilty to the offense. United States District Court Judge Terry F. Moorer sentenced Pugh to 12 months and one day in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. U.S. Attorney Sean P. Costello of the Southern District of Alabama made the announcement. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Mobile Police Department investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica S. Terrill prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the Department of Justice’s nationwide initiative that brings federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement, prosecutors, and other public safety partners together to coordinate efforts to combat violent crime and make communities safe. Coordinated by U.S. Attorneys’ offices in each of the 94 federal districts, PSN is tailored to particular communities to strategically address specific violent crime and public safety challenges. As a key component of Operation Take Back America, PSN serves a central role in the Department’s commitment to make our country safe. PSN emphasizes three core principles: rapid federal response to violent crime and criminal offenders; strong, strategic partnerships among law enforcement at all levels; and accountability and deterrence through the prosecution of the most serious, readily provable offenses and other strategies. These efforts complement and strengthen President Trump’s Homeland Security Task Forces, ensuring a comprehensive federal response to the most pressing public safety issues facing communities .


body_text: MOBILE, AL – A Mobile man was sentenced to 12 months and one day in prison for illegally possessing a machinegun. According to court documents, on February 16, 2026, Mobile Police Department (MPD) officers arrested Braedan Matthew Thomas, 20, for possessing a machinegun-conversion device. Earlier that day, a photo and video were posted on social media showing Thomas lying flat on his back with his arms outstretched and his shoes removed and placed on the ground near his feet. Thomas was surrounded by a group of individuals, some of whom appeared to be laughing. The scene was consistent with mocking an individual who had been killed the previous night, February 15, 2026, and much of the display appeared consistent with details surrounding that individual’s death. Based on the background, the video appeared to have been recorded in downtown Mobile. On February 16, MPD officers were conducting increased patrols in and around downtown Mobile as part of heightened law enforcement presence during Mardi Gras parades and festivities. A few hours after the social media posts were made, officers approached Thomas in downtown Mobile to further investigate. Officers found Thomas in possession of a Glock handgun affixed with a machinegun-conversion device. Thomas was indicted for possessing a machinegun and subsequently pleaded guilty to the charge. United States District Court Judge Terry F. Moorer sentenced Thomas to 12 months and one day in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for possessing the machinegun. U.S. Attorney Sean P. Costello of the Southern District of Alabama made the announcement. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Mobile Police Department investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica S. Terrill prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the Department of Justice’s nationwide initiative that brings federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement, prosecutors, and other public safety partners together to coordinate efforts to combat violent crime and make communities safe. Coordinated by U.S. Attorneys’ offices in each of the 94 federal districts, PSN is tailored to particular communities to strategically address specific violent crime and public safety challenges. As a key component of Operation Take Back America, PSN serves a central role in the Department’s commitment to make our country safe. PSN emphasizes three core principles: rapid federal response to violent crime and criminal offenders; strong, strategic partnerships among law enforcement at all levels; and accountability and deterrence through the prosecution of the most serious, readily provable offenses and other strategies. These efforts complement and strengthen President Trump’s Homeland Security Task Forces, ensuring a comprehensive federal response to the most pressing public safety issues facing communities .


title: International Parental Kidnapper Sentenced

body_text: MOBILE, AL – An Oregon woman was sentenced to time served in prison for international parental kidnapping. Haley Harris, 24, was found guilty after a bench trial on May 18, 2026. Harris, who was living in Mexico, traveled to Baldwin County on September 21, 2025, to regain physical custody of her minor child from the child’s father, who was residing in Orange Beach. Harris represented to the child’s father that she would be staying in Baldwin County and only wanted to visit with the child for a few days. Instead, Harris flew to California and entered Mexico with the minor child. Harris continued to mislead the child’s father by telling him she was still in Baldwin County. Agents and officers from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, the United States Marshals Service, the Department of State, the Orange Beach Police Department, and the Baldwin County Sheriff’s office worked together to locate the child in Mexico. The child was ultimately reunited with her father in the United States. Harris was arrested in Mexico and deported to the United States on September 29, 2025, where she was formally charged. She remained incarcerated until after her bench trial. Harris is subject to a one-year term of supervised release with the United States Probation Office. As conditions of her supervised release, Harris is prohibited from having contact with the minor victim or the victim’s family and must participate in mental health treatment. “A parent with lawful custody should never have to endure the fear and devastation of having a child secretly taken to another country,” said HSI Special Agent in Charge Steven N. Schrank. “When this child was brought into Mexico, the risks increased and the need for immediate action became clear. HSI and our partners moved with urgency to help locate the child and bring her home. Harris’ conviction and time behind bars reinforce the serious consequences of disregarding the law.” “The investigative response was immediate and aggressive, driven by exceptional coordination among local, state, federal, and international law enforcement partners,” said Christopher R. Flowers, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Mobile Division. “That unified effort was critical to locating the child swiftly and ensuring her safe return. Actions like those of Ms. Harris will always be met with a relentless pursuit of justice by our law enforcement and prosecutorial team.” U.S. Attorney Sean Costello of the Southern District of Alabama made the announcement, stating: “This case demonstrates the importance of acting quickly when a child is unlawfully taken across international borders. The successful recovery of this child was made possible by the determination and cooperation of our federal, state, local, and international law enforcement partners. Our office will continue to vigorously prosecute those who violate federal law and endanger the safety and well-being of children.” The Department of Homeland Security, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the United States Marshals Service, the Orange Beach Police Department and the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Tandice Blackwood and Elizabeth Stepan prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.


title: Contract Mail Carrier Sentenced for Delay and Destruction of Mail

body_text: MOBILE, AL - Timothy Chandler, 23, a United States Postal Service contract mail carrier, was sentenced today by United States District Judge Jeffrey U. Beaverstock to a time served sentence, after spending over 30 days in jail, for delay and destruction of mail. According to court documents, in November of 2025, Robertsdale Alabama Police Department responded to Chandler’s apartment after receiving a call reporting the discovery of a large volume of undelivered mail. Officers found undelivered mail scattered throughout the apartment, including several envelopes containing celebration cards that had been opened. The mail recovered from the apartment was enough to fill eight postal delivery bins. An additional 66 empty bins were recovered from the apartment. None of the mail recovered from Chandler’s apartment was addressed to him, and Chandler was not authorized to store or open mail that was not addressed to him. Community members along Chandler’s route described the impact the interruption of their mail service had on their daily lives. "A large part of the mission of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service is to ensure public trust in the mail. When individuals challenge that mission, postal inspectors will aggressively investigate and remain steadfast in our resolve to seek justice," said Shameka Jackson, Inspector-in-Charge of the Houston Division from the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. "As a contract driver, Timothy Chandler betrayed the trust of the American public, but he is not representative of the honesty and integrity of hard-working postal employees and contractors serving our nation today. We would like to thank the Robertsdale Police Department for their assistance in this investigation." “Postal carriers are entrusted with an important responsibility to ensure that members of the public receive their mail in a timely and secure manner,” said U.S. Attorney Sean P. Costello. “Anyone violating public trust will be held accountable for their actions.” The United States Postal Inspection Service and the Robertsdale Police Department investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney S. Gaillard Ladd prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.


title: Illegal Alien from Mexico Sentenced for Immigration Violations

component: USAO - Oregon

body_text: EUGENE, Ore.— A Mexican National, illegally inside the United States, was sentenced to federal prison today for illegal re-entry. Javier Osorio-Altamira, 50, was sentenced to 12 months and 1 day in federal prison and 3 year’ supervised release announced U.S. Attorney Scott E. Bradford for the District of Oregon. According to court documents, Osorio-Altamira had been removed from the United States on three prior occasions. During Osorio-Altamira’s first illegal stay in the United States, he attempted to force his way into an apartment and threatened to kill a woman while holding a 12-inch knife. He was convicted of unlawful use of a weapon and removed from the country. After the most recent illegal stay, he was charged in Marion County for allegedly sexually touching a child on multiple occasions. After his arrest, the state released him into the community. On April 16, 2016, Osorio-Altamira was arrested by immigration authorities for immigration crimes, made his initial appearance in federal court, and was detained. Records show that Osorio-Altamira was previously deported from the United States on June 10, 2015, May 20, 2016, and June 4, 2016. He has never applied for or received permission from the Attorney General of the United States or the Secretary for the Department of Homeland Security to reenter the United States. On April 16, 2016, a federal grand jury in Eugene returned an indictment charging Osorio-Altamira with illegal re-entry. On June 3, 2026, he pled guilty to this charge. This case was investigated by Immigration and Customs Enforcement.


title: Coos Bay Man Sentenced to 17 Years in Prison for Sexually Exploiting Children in the United States and Abroad

body_text: EUGENE, Ore.— A Coos Bay, Oregon, man was sentenced to federal prison today for using a minor to produce child sexual abuse material (CSAM) and attempting to use a separate minor to produce CSAM. Thomas Owen Barnett, 40, was sentenced to 17 years in federal prison and 15 years’ supervised release, announced U.S. Attorney Scott E. Bradford for the District of Oregon. “This defendant used the internet to exploit children within the United States and abroad. He hid his identity while forcing children to be exposed. We have now exposed Burnett for the criminal he is. Children deserve to be safe online and in their own homes. I hope the children he harmed find healing after these traumatic events,” said Scott E. Bradford. “Today’s sentence underscores the FBI’s focus on stopping those who exploit children,” said FBI Portland Special Agent in Charge Doug Olson. “Barnett’s actions caused real harm, and I’m grateful to the North Bend Police Department and the Coos County Sheriff’s Office for their outstanding assistance. Their teamwork with our agents and the U.S. Attorney’s Office was essential to bringing this case to justice.” According to court documents, between September and December 2023, Barnett encouraged a minor victim to create and send him CSAM. In September 2024, Barnett distributed CSAM of that minor victim on Kik, an online chat platform, and sought money in exchange. That same month, Barnett posed as the minor victim online and asked a man in another country to make and send him CSAM depicting the man’s very young child. On February 20, 2025, a federal grand jury in Eugene returned a four-count indictment charging Barnett with sexual exploitation of a child, attempted sexual exploitation of a child, as well as possession and distribution of child pornography. This case was investigated by the FBI with assistance from the North Bend Police Department and the Coos County Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by William M. McLaren, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon. Anyone who has information about the physical or online exploitation of children is encouraged to call the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324) or submit a tip online at tips.fbi.gov. Federal law defines child pornography as any visual depiction of sexually explicit conduct involving a minor. It is important to remember child sexual abuse material depicts actual crimes being committed against children. Not only do these images and videos document the victims’ exploitation and abuse, but when shared across the internet, re-victimize and re-traumatize the child victims each time their abuse is viewed. To learn more, please visit the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children at www.missingkids.org . This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Justice Department to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc .


title: Sex Offender Sentenced to Over 10 Years in Prison for Distributing Child Sexual Abuse Material on Peer-to Peer Network

component: USAO - Nevada

body_text: LAS VEGAS – A registered sex offender was sentenced today by United States District Judge Jennifer A. Dorsey to 121 months in prison to be followed by 10 years of supervised release for making available for download a large collection of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) utilizing a peer-to-peer network. "The exploitation of children is a heinous crime that leaves lasting trauma on the most vulnerable members of our society,” said First Assistant United States Attorney Sigal Chattah for the District of Nevada. “This sentence reflects our unwavering commitment to holding predators accountable and removing them from our communities." “The sexual exploitation of children is a grave offense that impacts young and vulnerable members of communities across the nation, including in Nevada,” said Special Agent in Charge Christopher S. Delzotto for the FBI Las Vegas Field Office. “We are dedicated to rescuing and supporting victims, as well as investigating and holding perpetrators responsible for these atrocious acts. Let today's sentencing underscore the FBI's commitment to collaborating with law enforcement partners to combat individuals who target minors. It should also serve as a clear warning to potential predators that the FBI is relentless in locating them and ensuring they face justice behind bars.” According to court documents, Jimmy Franklin Dearman possessed a large collection of child sexual abuse material of children, as young as infants, across five digital devices in his possession. He made available for download by other users of a peer-to-peer network approximately 239 files of child sexual abuse material and distributed at least 39 of the files. Additionally, Dearman possessed over 1,600 images and 242 videos of CSAM depicting the abuse of infants and toddlers, and children under the age of 12. Dearman pleaded guilty to one count of distribution of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography. In addition to the term of imprisonment, under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act, Dearman will be required to register as a sex offender and keep the registration current. The FBI investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Afroza Yeasmin prosecuted this case. This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, 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: Las Vegas Man Sentenced to Prison for Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute, Selling Firearms, Unlawfully Manufacturing and Selling Machine Guns

body_text: LAS VEGAS – A Las Vegas man was sentenced today by United States District Chief Judge Andrew P. Gordon to 24 months in prison to be followed by four years of supervised release for unlawfully manufacturing and selling firearms and machinegun conversion devices and possession with the intent to sell methamphetamine. The government requested 57 months’ imprisonment. “The combination of illegal narcotics and automated firearms poses a severe threat to our neighborhoods,” said First Assistant United States Attorney Sigal Chattah for the District of Nevada. “By manufacturing and distributing 3D-printed conversion devices, the defendant actively weaponized our streets. This sentence sends a clear message that those who flood our communities with drugs and guns will be held fully accountable under federal law." According to court documents, from May 1, 2024, to May 24, 2024, Anthony George Hollis, also known as “Ant,” unlawfully sold a 5.45x39mm AK-74-pattern style semiautomatic rifle; a 9x19mm semiautomatic pistol; a privately manufactured 9x19mm semiautomatic pistol; a privately manufactured AR-15-pattern 5.56x45mm semiautomatic rifle; and machinegun conversion devices for Glock pistols and AR-15 pattern rifles. A machinegun conversion device converts a semiautomatic firearm to a fully automatic machinegun. He did not have a Federal Firearms License. Furthermore, Hollis possessed methamphetamine with the intent to distribute to others. Hollis pleaded guilty to one count of manufacturing and dealing in firearms without a license, three counts of illegal possession and transfer of a machine gun, and one count of possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute methamphetamine. First Assistant United States Attorney Sigal Chattah and Special Agent in Charge John Wester of the San Francisco Field Division, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) made the announcement. This case was investigated by ATF. Assistant United States Attorney Dan Cowhig prosecuted the case. Anyone with information about unlawful firearms activity should call ATF at 1-888-ATF-TIPS (1-888-283-8477), email ATFTips@atf.gov or submit an anonymous tip at www.reportit.com/ . ###


title: Convicted Felon Pleads Guilty to Unlawful Possession of a Firearm

body_text: LAS VEGAS – A Las Vegas man who has multiple felony convictions pleaded guilty today to unlawful possession of a firearm. "Removing illegal firearms from our streets and keeping them out of the hands of convicted felons is a top priority for this office,” said First Assistant United States Attorney Sigal Chattah for the District of Nevada. “We will continue to work alongside our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners to reduce gun violence and hold repeat offenders accountable." “ATF is committed to our pledge of ensuring the safety of the public, which includes continuing our efforts to ensure that firearms remain out of the hands of prohibited people,” said Special Agent in Charge John Wester, San Francisco Field Division, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF). “We will continue to work with our local, state, and federal partners to ensure that this conduct is not tolerated within the Las Vegas community and that the prosecution of repeat offenders, who are prohibited from having a firearm, remains a priority.” According to court documents, on September 3, 2024, Shamar Tyrell Garcia unlawfully possessed a stolen, Glock 27, .40 caliber semi-automatic handgun. The firearm has been reported stolen in March 2022. Garcia has prior felony convictions, including having a concealed firearm in a vehicle, evading an officer with reckless driving, and assault with force likely to produce great bodily injury, all in San Diego County, California; and possession of a controlled substance while armed, bringing drugs into a jail or prison, carrying a loaded firearm with a prior felony conviction, and convicted felon in possession of a firearm, all in Riverside County, California. He is prohibited by law from possessing a firearm. Garcia pleaded guilty to one count of possession of a firearm by a prohibited person. The statutory maximum penalty is 15 years’ imprisonment and a $250,000 fine. Sentencing has been scheduled for December 1, 2026, before United States District Judge Richard F. Boulware II. Any sentence would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. First Assistant United States Attorney Sigal Chattah, Special Agent in Charge John Wester, and Special Agent in Charge Christopher S. Delzotto for the FBI Las Vegas Field Office made the announcement. This case was investigated by ATF, FBI, Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, and the San Diego Police Department. Assistant United States Attorneys Brenna Bush and James Gaeta are prosecuting the case. ###


title: Newark Real Estate Developer Admits to Participating in Bribery Scheme and to the Unauthorized Sale of I.D. Cards with Department of Homeland Security Insignia

component: USAO - New Jersey

body_text: TRENTON, N.J. – Menashe Davidovitz, 31, of Airmont, New York, a real estate developer, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Georgette Castner today to a four-count Information that charged him with conspiracy to commit honest services fraud, conspiracy to commit bribery in connection with the business and transactions of a federally funded local government and organization, conspiracy to sell false seals and conspiracy to sell official insignia, U.S. Attorney Robert Frazer announced. These charges related to Davidovitz’s role in a scheme to bribe Newark, New Jersey employees and to sell law enforcement identification cards embossed with the insignia of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court: From June 2024 through November 2024, Davidovitz conspired with others to provide City of Newark employees with cash and other benefits in exchange for the employees’ official action in matters related to City of Newark properties that Davidovitz owned. Specifically, Davidovitz paid bribes in order to obtain permits and certificates, including certificates of occupancy, which were required before his properties could be occupied or sold. Davidovitz also paid bribes to local officials for their help in resolving violations at his properties. Additionally, from October 2021 through January 2023, Davidovitz worked with co-conspirators, including Jonathan Ledesma, a former U.S. Air Marshal, to sell “Law Enforcement Family Member” cards that identified their bearers as “family member[s]” of Ledesma, “a Federal Officer.” These cards were embossed with the apparent insignia of the DHS as well as a QR code that was linked to Ledesma’s cellular phone. Though Davidovitz was not authorized to sell the insignia of the DHS, or any colorable imitation of the insignia, he received approximately $30,000 in proceeds from the sale of these cards. On July 17, 2024, Ledesma pleaded guilty before District Judge Castner to a two-count Information that charged him with making false statements and selling official insignia without authorization. On December 13, 2024, Ledesma was sentenced to three years of probation. The conspiracy to commit honest services fraud charge that Davidovitz pleaded guilty to carries a maximum penalty of 20 years’ imprisonment. The conspiracy to sell false seals and conspiracy to commit bribery charges each carry a maximum penalty of five years’ imprisonment. The conspiracy to sell official insignia charge is punishable by a maximum penalty of six months in prison. Sentencing is scheduled for January 21, 2027. U.S. Attorney Frazer credited special agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Newark Field Office, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Stefanie Roddy and special agents of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Inspector General, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Shawn A. Rice with the investigation leading to the charges. The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Francesca Liquori of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Special Prosecutions Division. ### Defense counsel: Jerome A. Ballarotto, Esq., Trenton, New Jersey John W. Mitchell, Esq., Bedford, New York davidovitz.information.pdf


title: Manchester Man Pleads Guilty to 2025 Robbery at TD Bank

component: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

body_text: CONCORD – Manchester man Michael Cote, 44, pleaded guilty today in federal court to a bank robbery that took place at the TD Bank located at 300 Franklin Street in Manchester on December 11, 2025, U.S. Attorney Erin Creegan announces. U.S. District Court Judge Steven McAuliffe has scheduled Cote’s sentencing for December 8, 2026. According to court documents and statements made in court, Cote entered the TD Bank on Franklin Street shortly before 9:00 a.m. wearing a blue hooded sweatshirt and a gray hat, stating words to the teller to the effect that this was a robbery and he was armed. He also demanded the teller put money in an envelope and give it to him. Unbeknownst to Cote, the teller handed him an envelope of $600 cash that also contained a GPS tracker. Within minutes, law enforcement tracked him to Bunny’s Convenience store on Elm Street where he had just bought cigarettes with proceeds from the robbery. Cote stated to Manchester Police officers that he had committed the robbery. The charging statute provides a sentence of up to twenty years. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case. The Federal Bureau of Investigation led the investigation with valuable assistance provided by the Manchester Police Department. This case is being prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Heather Anderson and Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles Rombeau.


title: Ritchie County Man Admits to Inciting Violence Against Law Enforcement

body_text: CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – A Pennsboro, West Virginia, man has admitted to solicitating others online to attack federal law enforcement, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew L. Harvey. Christopher Bentley, 34, pleaded guilty to solicitation to commit a crime of violence. According to court documents, Bentley issued several statements on his Facebook page, encouraging people to kill Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. Several posts included information about body armor, firearms capable of penetrating it, and vulnerable areas not protected by a bulletproof vest. “Targeting federal law enforcement officers is not just dangerous—it is an attack on the rule of law itself,” said U.S. Attorney Matthew L. Harvey. “Soliciting violence online is a serious federal crime, and we will respond decisively to protect the men and women who keep our communities safe.” Bentley faces up to 20 years in federal prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew Cogar is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael John Aloi presided.


title: U.S. Attorney’s Office brings federal charges against Dallas man in violent kidnapping of local teen

component: USAO - Texas, Northern

body_text: DALLAS — United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Ryan Raybould announced that a Dallas man has been charged with kidnapping a 14‑year‑old minor. According to the federal criminal complaint filed on Aug. 27, David Michael Klepak, 63, allegedly kidnapped a minor in Dallas and held her captive from approximately July 30 to Aug. 2. “The conduct described in this complaint is brutal and predatory,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould. “As alleged, the defendant, a 63-year-old man, kidnapped, drugged and raped the victim, a teenage girl. The defendant will have his day in court but let this be a warning to would be predators on the streets: we will find you and lock you up for as long as possible under the law.” “Protecting children from predators is among HSI’s highest priorities,” said HSI Dallas Deputy Special Agent in Charge Antwoine Jones. “These allegations describe a horrific crime against a vulnerable minor, and HSI will continue working alongside the Dallas Police Department and the U.S. Attorney’s Office to ensure those who exploit and endanger children are identified, investigated and brought before the justice system.” The complaint alleges that Klepak approached the minor victim while she was lost in her neighborhood and offered her a ride home. But instead of taking her to her home, Klepak transported her to his residence in Dallas, where he proceeded to repeatedly sexually assault her. Klepak reportedly yelled at the minor victim if she refused to take narcotics with him, and at times, Klepak threatened to kill her. The minor victim escaped on or about Aug. 2 and was found by a family member who took her to a police precinct to report the incident. Dallas Police officers arrested Klepak that same day. According to the affidavit, investigators identified Klepak after the minor victim provided, among other details, a physical description of the suspect’s luxury vehicles and distinct jewelry. If convicted, Klepak faces a sentence of up to life imprisonment. Homeland Security Investigations is leading the investigation, with assistance from the Dallas Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Claire Demers and Brandie Wade from the Violent Crimes section are prosecuting the case. A criminal complaint is merely an allegation of criminal conduct, not evidence. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. ###


title: Husband and wife sentenced in fraud conspiracy involving more than $4 million in unfinished custom home projects

body_text: FORT WORTH, Texas — United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Ryan Raybould announced that a Fort Worth couple was sentenced today for their roles in a yearslong fraud scheme involving dozens of victims and millions of dollars in losses. Christopher Judge, 35, and Raquelle Judge, 36, pled guilty in December 2025 to conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Senior U.S. District Judge Terry R. Means sentenced Christopher Judge to 78 months in federal prison to be followed by two years of supervised release. Raquelle Judge was sentenced to one month in prison. Both defendants were ordered to pay $2,794,680.73 in restitution. “Fraudsters who exploit hard working families in the Northern District of Texas will face serious consequences,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould. “The Judges didn’t just abandon construction sites; their entire business model was built on lies and deceit. This kind of brazen fraud strikes at the heart of consumer trust, and our office will ensure that those who engage in such criminal conduct face justice.” According to court documents, the Judges were managing members of Judge DFW LLC, a Texas-based company they used to falsely market themselves as providers of custom architecture, construction and interior design services. From approximately August 2020 through January 2023, the defendants offered below‑market bids to consumers across six counties in North Texas, inducing them to enter into design‑and‑build contracts for custom home projects. Although victims paid multiple installment payments for their projects, the Judges failed to complete most of the work and often abandoned projects entirely, leaving victims without finished homes. The defendants also admitted to falsely representing that Christopher Judge was a licensed architect. Court records reflect that the couple defrauded more than 40 victims across at least 24 construction projects. The defendants commingled victims’ installment payments in the primary Judge DFW operating account, frequently using individual victim installment payments for unrelated construction projects. The total loss amount is estimated at approximately $4.2 million. The FBI’s Fort Worth Resident Agency and the Euless Police Department investigated the case, with assistance from the U.S. Secret Service. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Mark McDonald and Laura Montes from the Fort Worth Division prosecuted the case. ###


title: Grand Prairie attorney arrested for Ponzi scheme and obstructing SEC investigation

body_text: DALLAS — United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Ryan Raybould announced that a Grand Prairie attorney was arrested Aug. 31 on federal charges alleging he defrauded investors for years, used forged notary documents to mislead the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, falsely placed an innocent woman he barely knew at the center of that fictional operation and pressured the woman and her husband to “take a vacation” to Mexico to prevent authorities from learning the truth. David Thomas Gilchrist, 70, is charged by criminal complaint with wire fraud, aggravated identity theft and witness tampering. He is expected to make his initial appearance before a U.S. magistrate judge on Wednesday, Sep. 2. “Mr. Gilchrist’s alleged conduct strikes at the heart of investor trust and the integrity of our financial system,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould. “He didn’t just defraud innocent people out of their savings, he allegedly forged documents, lied to federal regulators, and tried to intimidate witnesses to cover his tracks. We will not hesitate to pursue anyone who attempts to deceive investors or undermine federal investigations, and we remain committed to working with our great partners at the SEC to hold offenders accountable.” “Attorneys play a vital role in the SEC’s investor protection mission,” said SEC Inspector General Kevin Muhlendorf. “Where any individual, but especially an attorney, seeks to obstruct SEC Enforcement investigations through lies, fake documents, or witness tampering, SEC OIG will use our law enforcement authority to pursue them with our partners at the Department of Justice.” According to an affidavit filed with the complaint, Gilchrist entered partnerships and promissory notes with roughly twenty victims for the purpose of purchasing property tax liens in Texas counties as an investment vehicle. As alleged in the complaint, bank records show Gilchrist did not use his victims’ funds to purchase tax liens but instead commingled the money with other funds, which he used to make personal expenditures and repay earlier investors—classic features of a Ponzi scheme. Investigators estimate that between April 2023 and January 2026, Gilchrist received approximately $1.45 million from investors and returned only about $789,000. The complaint alleges that when the SEC initiated an investigation and requested documentation, Gilchrist provided a set of purported quitclaim deeds that later proved to be forgeries. The deeds allegedly contained notary stamps and signatures belonging to real Texas notaries, none of whom authorized Gilchrist to use their credentials. According to the complaint, during sworn testimony before the SEC in April and May 2026, Gilchrist stated that he had redacted the homeowners’ names on the fraudulent quitclaim deeds because “they’re illegal,” and claimed that he used a woman — also “illegal”—as an intermediary to identify the homeowners and deliver cash to them in Bexar County, Texas. The complaint further alleges that days before testifying before the SEC, Gilchrist appeared unannounced at the woman’s home, told her husband that the FBI was looking for him and advised them to “take a vacation" for a couple of years, potentially in Mexico. Gilchrist allegedly provided his victims with sporadic payments, misleading updates and implausible excuses such as a government shutdown, an arson investigation, and a hurricane‑relief deployment, that Gilchrist allegedly used to delay repayment. In at least one instance, while claiming to be hospitalized in Tennessee after a colectomy, Gilchrist was recorded as checking into a local gym in Mansfield, Texas. If convicted of the charges alleged in the complaint, Gilchrist faces a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison for each of the wire fraud and witness tampering charges and a mandatory two-year consecutive sentence for aggravated identity theft. In a separate case, the SEC’s Chicago Regional Office has also filed a civil complaint charging Gilchrist with securities fraud. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission Office of Inspector General is investigating this matter with substantial assistance from the U.S. Marshals Service. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alexander Schwab and Douglas Brasher of the Fraud Section are prosecuting the case. A criminal complaint is merely an allegation of criminal conduct, not evidence. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. ###


title: Grove Man Sentenced for Discharging Firearm During Argument

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

body_text: TULSA, Okla. – A Grove man was sentenced today after he discharged a firearm while intoxicated and arguing with family, announced U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Nassar. U.S. District Judge Sara E Hill sentenced Colton Lee Crane, 33, for Carrying, Using, Brandishing, and Discharging a Firearm During and in Relation to a Crime of Violence. Crane was ordered to serve 120 months imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release. In July 2025, deputies with the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office responded to a 911 call in Grove, Oklahoma. The caller reported that Crane had a gun and dispatchers could hear him screaming in the background. When deputies arrived, Crane was walking down the road with a baby, unsteady on his feet, with bloodshot eyes, smelling of alcohol, and slurred speech. Crane admitted that he started drinking once he got home from work and was arguing with family members. Court documents show that Crane admitted to kicking in a door, pointing a firearm at the victim, and when it discharged, the bullet went through the wall. The bullet was approximately one foot from the victim. Crane eventually lowered the firearm, pushed past family members, grabbed the 10-month-old baby, and walked out of the home. Court documents show that Crane was previously convicted of pointing a firearm at his former spouse and discharging it while children were present. He is a citizen of the Cherokee Nation, and he will remain in custody pending transfer to the U.S. Bureau of Prisons. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica Wright 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: U.S. Trustee Program Meets with First Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarcone

component: USAO - New York, Northern

body_text: ALBANY, NEW YORK – First Assistant U.S. Attorney John A. Sarcone III met with U.S. Trustee William K. Harrington and Assistant U.S. Trustee Erin Champion on August 25. The meeting served as a forum for strengthening the partnership between the United States Attorney’s Office and the U.S. Trustee Program (USTP), with a shared focus on improving coordination and refining processes for handling criminal referrals. Participants discussed strategies to more effectively identify, investigate, and pursue instances of agency fraud, as well as other criminal conduct uncovered through individual and corporate bankruptcy filings. The conversation highlighted the mutual commitment to enhancing information‑sharing, streamlining referral procedures, and ensuring that potential criminal activity emerging from bankruptcy proceedings is addressed promptly, thoroughly, and in a manner that supports broader enforcement objectives. “Under the leadership of President Trump and Attorney General Todd Blanche, the Justice Department has a renewed focus on fraud, this meeting was an important step in ensuring that all levels of government are closely collaborating to identify and pursue instances of fraud wherever they may exist,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarcone. “I look forward to a productive relationship and thank Trustee Harrington for his efforts on supporting our crackdown on fraud within the Northern District.” “As the watchdog of the bankruptcy system, the USTP is committed to identifying and referring bankruptcy fraud and bankruptcy-related crimes for investigation and prosecution,” U.S. Trustee Harrington said. “We are proud to support our law enforcement partners, and we are grateful to First Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarcone for his dedication to upholding the integrity of the bankruptcy system.” Assistant U.S. Trustee Erin Champion, First Assistant U.S. Attorney John Sarcone, and U.S. Trustee William Harrington.


title: Former Postmaster Sentenced to 3 Years’ Probation for Money Order Fraud

body_text: SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Delos Thurston, age 28, of Clinton, New York, was sentenced on August 27, 2026, to 3 years’ probation for money order fraud. First Assistant United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III and Matthew M. Modafferi, Special Agent in Charge of the Northeast Area Field Office of the United States Postal Service, Office of Inspector General (“USPS-OIG”), made the announcement. Between April 2025 and January 2026, while he was employed as the Postmaster of the Morrisville, New York, Post Office, Thurston fraudulently issued 179 money orders for his own benefit without paying for them, and in so doing stole $118,088.19 from the United States. Senior U.S. District Judge Glenn T. Suddaby also sentenced Thurston to pay restitution to the U.S. Postal Service in the amount of $118,088.19. First Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarcone said, “This defendant was entrusted with serving his community and the American public as Postmaster. He violated that trust by using his position to steal more than $100,000 from the United States Government and, by extension, the American taxpayer. Thanks to the swift action of the USPS Office of Inspector General, his misconduct was uncovered, and he will now be required to repay the stolen funds, and serve a term of strict supervision while on probation.” “Today’s sentencing reinforces that employees who abuse their positions of public trust for personal gain will be held accountable. The USPS Office of Inspector General remains committed to protecting the integrity of the Postal Service. We thank the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of New York for its continued partnership,” said Matthew M. Modafferi, Special Agent in Charge of the Northeast Area Field Office, USPS Office of Inspector General. The USPS-OIG investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew J. McCrobie prosecuted the case. On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division (“Fraud Division”). The Fraud Division is laser-focused on investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against the American people. The Department’s work to combat fraud supports President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.


title: Fentanyl Dealer in Lowndes County Sentenced in Homeland Security Task Force Case

component: Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)

body_text: ABERDEEN, MS – U.S. Attorney Scott Leary announced that law enforcement agencies came together in the Northern District of Mississippi to bring a fentanyl dealer to justice. Joshua Wilson, 35, of Columbus, Mississippi, was sentenced to 46 months in federal prison and 3 years supervised release after previously pleading to the distribution of hundreds of fentanyl pills. U.S. District Judge Robert P. Chamberlin sentenced Wilson. “Our families must stay vigilant,” stated U.S. Attorney Scott F. Leary. “Fentanyl is a synthetic opiate that is roughly 50 times stronger than heroin, and dramatically stronger than oxycodone. It is mass produced in China and generally shipped to Mexico to be trafficked into our country by the cartels. Fentanyl kills thousands of Americans every year. Often people think they are buying prescription drugs on the black market, when in reality they are purchasing pressed fentanyl, extremely potent. And as I said, the result is thousands of overdoses. Pills are not recreational! Remember to talk to your kids about the danger. We proudly support DEA's campaign of 'One Pill Can Kill' as we continue the fight against fentanyl. The Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office is the gold standard, thank you and great work. As always, the United States Marshal service is fantastic.” “Fentanyl continues to pose a deadly threat to our communities, but through interagency collaboration like the Homeland Security Task Force, we are holding dealers accountable. This sentence sends a clear message that the DEA and our law enforcement partners will stop at nothing to remove illicit drugs and violent criminals from Mississippi,” said Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge John P. Scott, New Orleans Field Division. Sheriff Eddie Hawkins from the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office stated, “Fentanyl continues to pose a serious threat to our community, and those who choose to distribute this dangerous drug must understand that law enforcement will pursue them and hold them accountable. This sentence is the result of outstanding collaboration between our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners. The Lowndes County Sheriff’s Department remains committed to working alongside agencies such as the DEA, U.S. Marshals Service, and the United States Attorney’s Office to identify drug traffickers, remove dangerous narcotics from our community, and protect the citizens of Lowndes County. This case sends a clear message: if you distribute fentanyl in our community, we will work together to bring you to justice.” The Drug Enforcement Administration and the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Department Narcotics Unit investigated the case with assistance from the United States Marshal’s Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Clyde McGee prosecuted the case. This operation and conviction 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 tin 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 Jackson comprises agents and officers from FBI, HSI, DEA, ICE ERO, CBP, CBP OFO, CBP USBP, CBP AMO, CGIS, ATF, USMS, IRS-CI, USPIS and with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Mississippi.


title: Federal Judge Sentences Man to 19 Years in Prison for Violently Robbing Two Banks in Downtown Chicago

body_text: CHICAGO — A federal judge has sentenced a man to 19 years in prison for violently robbing two banks in downtown Chicago. JAWAD H. HAKEEM, 51, of Waukegan, Ill., committed two armed bank robberies within a week in 2023. The first robbery occurred on March 3, 2023, at a Chase Bank branch in Chicago’s River North neighborhood. The second robbery occurred on March 9, 2023, at a Fifth Third Bank branch in Chicago’s Loop neighborhood. In both robberies, Hakeem brandished a handgun at bank tellers and customers. In the second robbery, Hakeem fired nine shots at a security guard, who returned fire, but no one was wounded. Hakeem was arrested on March 13, 2023, in Waukegan, Ill. He has remained in law enforcement custody since then. Hakeem pleaded guilty earlier this year to federal bank robbery and firearm charges. On Aug. 26, 2026, U.S. District Judge John F. Kness sentenced Hakeem to 19 years in federal prison. The sentence was announced by Andrew S. Boutros, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, and Ryan Whalen, Acting Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Office of the FBI. Valuable assistance was provided by the Chicago Police Department and the Waukegan Police Department. “Defendant created extraordinarily dangerous situations that put bank patrons and bystanders at grave risk,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Sushma Raju argued in the government’s sentencing memorandum. “It is pure chance that defendant did not seriously injure or kill anyone.”


title: Dubuque Man Sentenced to Federal Prison  After Cops Find Gun and Drugs in His Bag

component: USAO - Iowa, Northern

body_text: A convicted felon from Dubuque who possessed a gun was sentenced today to seven years in federal prison. Davon Michael Cornwell, age 22, from Dubuque, Iowa, received the prison term after an April 21, 2026, guilty plea to possession of a firearm by a felon. Evidence at the plea and sentencing hearings showed that Cornwell was the passenger in a car that Dubuque police officers stopped in February 2025. Officers searched the car after smelling the odor of marijuana. Cornwell was hanging on to a bookbag at the time, which officers also searched. Oficers found approximately 87 grams of marijuana, a digital scale, fake $100 bills, and a loaded Smith & Wesson .40 caliber pistol in the bag. The gun had a loaded 14-round magazine attached. Fingerprints from the gun matched Cornwell’s. At the time, Cornwall had multiple arrest warrants pending. He has a significant criminal history which includes convictions for burglary, willful injury causing bodily injury, interference with official acts while armed with a firearm, and assault with intent to commit sexual abuse. Cornwell was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge Leonard Strand. Cornwell was sentenced to 84 months’ imprisonment. He was ordered to pay a $100 special assessment fee. He must also serve a three-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ashley Corkery and investigated by the Dubuque Police Department, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. 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. Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl . The case file number is 25-CR-1023. Follow us on X @USAO_NDIA.


title: Danish Autism Researcher Extradited After 14 Years on the Run Pleads Guilty to Stealing CDC Grant Money

component: USAO - Georgia, Northern

body_text: ATLANTA - Poul Thorsen, a Danish researcher who was one of the U.S. Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General’s top ten most wanted fugitives since 2011, pleaded guilty today to operating a wire fraud scheme that stole CDC grant money awarded for autism research overseas. “Poul Thorsen ran a multi-year fraud scheme to cheat the CDC, diverting valuable federal grant money to service his greed and inflated lifestyle,” said U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg. “His fraud was especially reprehensible because he stole public funds that had been earmarked for research related to infant disabilities and birth defects. After evading justice for more than 14 years, Thorsen will finally be held accountable in a federal prison cell and ordered to pay full restitution to the CDC.” “Today’s guilty plea represents an important step toward holding accountable those who steal taxpayer dollars intended to advance critical public health research,” said Kelly Blackmon, Special Agent in Charge for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). “HHS-OIG remains committed to protecting HHS program funds, and we will continue to pursue anyone who attempts to exploit these resources for personal gain.” According to U.S. Attorney Hertzberg, the charges, and other information presented in court: From 2000 to 2009, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Division of Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, awarded over $11 million in grants to two Danish governmental agencies to study the relationship between autism and exposure to vaccines, between cerebral palsy and infection during pregnancy, and between childhood development and fetal alcohol exposure. In 2002, Thorsen, who had worked as a visiting scientist at the CDC when it solicited the grant applications, became the principal investigator responsible for administering the money awarded by the CDC. While principal investigator, Thorsen systematically stole the CDC grant money by submitting fraudulent documents to the Danish government, to Aarhus University, and to Odense University Hospital, where scientists performed research under the grant. From February 2004 through June 2008, Thorsen submitted over a dozen fraudulent invoices, containing the forged signature of a CDC laboratory section chief, for reimbursement of expenses Thorsen claimed were incurred in connection with the CDC grant. Based on the fraudulent invoices, Aarhus University transferred hundreds of thousands of dollars to credit union accounts the university believed belonged to the CDC. In truth, the credit union accounts were personal accounts held by Thorsen. After the money was transferred, Thorsen withdrew the fraudulent proceeds for his own use, obtaining dozens of cashier’s checks and buying a home in Atlanta, a Harley Davidson motorcycle, and Audi and Honda vehicles. Thorsen also withdrew cash, paid off credit cards, and transferred fraudulent proceeds to other accounts. In total, he diverted and received more than $1 million of CDC grant money from Aarhus University and Odense University Hospital. On September 1, 2026, Thorsen, 65, of Denmark, pleaded guilty to wire fraud. His sentencing is scheduled for December 1, 2026, at 11:00 am before U.S. District Judge J. P. Boulee. On April 13, 2011, a federal magistrate judge issued an arrest warrant for Thorsen, but he evaded apprehension for over 14 years by remaining in Denmark. On June 4, 2025, Thorsen was arrested while traveling in Germany, and German authorities jailed Thorsen until he was extradited to the United States on May 7, 2026. Thorsen has remained in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service without bail since then. This case is being investigated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General. Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen H. McClain is prosecuting the case. 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: Two Sentenced to Federal Prison for Distribution of Fentanyl

body_text: Pensacola, Florida – Adrian Dion Pettaway Jr., 25, of Pensacola, Florida, was sentenced to 28 months in federal prison for distribution of fentanyl, and Gindy Nicole Lacey, 49, of Pensacola, Florida, was sentenced to 60 months in federal prison for distribution of methamphetamine, tramadol, and fentanyl. The sentence was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida. U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “These two cases underscore the excellent investigative work performed by our state and federal law enforcement partners to identify and root out the networks of criminals responsible for flooding our streets with deadly drugs, like meth and fentanyl. The citizens of the Northern District of Florida deserve to live in safe, drug-free communities, and that is exactly what my office will deliver with continued aggressive prosecutions of the drug peddling criminals who have terrorized our streets for far too long.” Court records in the separately indicted cases reflect that in November 2024, Lacey sold tramadol pills and methamphetamine to an undercover law enforcement officer. In December 2024, Lacey sold 1,000 pills containing fentanyl during an undercover operation. Further investigation revealed that Pettaway had supplied Lacey with the fentanyl pills sold during the undercover operation. Lacey was previously convicted of armed bank robbery and brandishing a firearm during the commission of a crime of violence. The case involved a joint investigation by Homeland Security Investigations, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. Assistant United States Attorney Jeffrey M. Tharp prosecuted the case. This case is part of Operation Take Back America a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access available public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndfl .


title: Perry Man Sentenced to Decade in Federal Prison for Drug Crime

body_text: Tallahassee, Florida – Fairley Trey Pitts, 35, of Perry, Florida was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison after previously pleading guilty to possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. The sentence was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida. U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “This repeat felon has demonstrated that the only way we can guarantee he won’t continue to flood our streets with deadly drugs is by keeping him locked away behind bars, and my office will do just that. Anyone who peddles poisonous drugs, like meth, in the Northern District of Florida should be on notice that federal prison awaits them.” According to court records, on June 9, 2025, a search warrant was executed at Pitts’ home, leading to the discovery of 81 grams of methamphetamine. Pitts was on federal supervision at the time following a 2017 federal conviction for distributing methamphetamine. Once he is released from prison, he will be on supervised release again for a ten year term. “Drug dealers who profit by poisoning North Florida communities will be brought to justice,” said Special Agent in Charge Daniel Escobar, DEA Tampa Field Division. “Methamphetamine is highly trafficked in this region and our agents and law enforcement partners will not stop until these bad actors are held accountable for their actions.” The conviction and sentence were the result of a joint investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Taylor County Sheriff’s Office. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Meredith L. Steer. 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 for the Northern District of Florida, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndfl .


title: Russian National Indicted For Exploiting Online Platform Used For Freelance Employment And Distributing Malware To Thousands Of Victim Users Worldwide For Financial Gain

component: USAO - California, Northern

body_text: SAN FRANCISCO – A federal grand jury has indicted Searzhudin Tamirlanovich Aktulaev on charges of Conspiracy, Transmission of a Program, Information, Code, and Command to Cause Damage to a Protected Computer, and Aggravated Identity Theft, among other offenses. Defendant was arrested in Cyprus in May 2025 and has been extradited to the United States. Yesterday, he made his initial appearance in federal court in San Francisco, and he was remanded to federal custody. According to the indictment filed June 1, 2021, and unsealed yesterday, Aktulaev, 40 years old, and a national of the Russian Federation, conspired to exploit the online message platform of a well-known freelance employment technology company, located in the Northern District of California, to spread malware to approximately 80,000 of their freelance users between at least June 2016 through November 2017. The messages, which were sent from approximately 255 fake user accounts, contained malicious Microsoft Excel attachments. When opened, the attachments prompted users to run a macro, which then downloaded malware from the Internet. The indictment alleges Aktulaev’s use of two types of malware. One was a variant of the “TVRAT” (TeamViewer Remote Access Trojan) malware, also known as “TVSPY” or “TeamSpy.” According to the allegations, TVRAT exploits a vulnerability in the popular remote administration tool TeamViewer to provide the subjects with remote control over the infected computer. The other malware, called “DarkVNC,” is similar in functionality to TVRAT except that instead of TeamViewer, it exploits the remote administration tool VNC Viewer. Both TVRAT and DarkVNC malware sent stolen data from a victim computer to a command-and-control server, from which the stolen data was collected and used by Aktulaev and his co-conspirators to commit fraud or other criminal activity. As described in the indictment, the command-and-control domains were paid for using virtual currency, and thousands of computers infected by the TVRAT malware were “calling back” to a command-and-control domain hosted in the United States. According to the indictment, approximately half of the victims were in the United States, many of whom were located in the Northern District of California. A database found on the command-and-control domain revealed thousands of victims. Additionally, a shared document on the email account used in the criminal activities contained information to include e-commerce login credentials, as well as personally identifiable information (“PII”) for hundreds of victims. United States Attorney Craig H. Missakian and Special Agent in Charge Scott R. Schelble made the announcement. Aktulaev is currently in federal custody. Aktulaev is next scheduled to appear in district court on October 5, 2026 for a status conference before U.S. District Judge Donato. An indictment merely alleges that crimes have been committed, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. If convicted, Aktulaev faces a maximum sentence of twenty years in prison and a $250,000 fine or twice the gross gain for Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1349; ten years in prison and a $250,000 fine or twice the gross gain for Transmission of a Program, Information, Code, and Command to Cause Damage Affecting 10 or More Protected Computers During Any 1-Year Period, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1030(a)(5)(A); five years in prison and a $250,000 fine or twice the gross gain for Conspiracy to Commit Computer Fraud to defraud and Obtain Value and to Cause Damage to a Protected Computer, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 371, Unauthorized Access to Obtain Information for the Purpose of Financial Gain in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1030(a)(2)(C), and Unauthorized Access to a Protected Computer to Obtain Value in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1030(a)(4); and two years in prison to run consecutive to any other term imposed and a $250,000 fine or twice the gross gain for each violation of Aggravated Identity Theft in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1028A(a)(1). Any sentence following conviction would be imposed by the court after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of a sentence, 18 U.S.C. § 3553. This case is being prosecuted by the National Security, Cyber, and Special Prosecutions Section. The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs secured the August 28, 2026 extradition of Aktulaev.


title: Founder And CEO Of Bay Area Real Estate Investment Fund Charged In Multi-Year Fraud Scheme

body_text: SAN FRANCISCO – Mark Hanf, the founder and CEO of Pacific Private Money, and Nam Phan, the fund group’s COO, have been charged in an information filed by the United States Attorney for the Northern District of California with wire fraud conspiracy. Hanf has also been charged with money laundering. Hanf and Phan made their initial appearances in federal court in San Francisco today and waived indictment. According to the information filed on August 31, 2026, Hanf, 66, of Tiburon, California, and Phan, 58, of Novato, California, allegedly engaged in a multi-year conspiracy to defraud Pacific Private Money investors by making false statements about the enterprise’s financial condition to induce investment into the enterprise’s funds. During this time, Hanf served as the enterprise’s Chief Executive Officer and majority owner, and Phan as the enterprise’s Chief Operating Officer. The information describes how Hanf and Phan knew as early as 2021 that a number of Pacific Private Money’s largest projects were losing money and value, putting Pacific Private Money’s overall financial condition at risk, but Hanf and Phan continued to solicit investors without disclosing the problems. The information further alleges that as the financial condition of Pacific Private Money worsened, starting in December 2021 Hanf and Phan moved money between Pacific Private Money investment funds to keep them afloat and used new investor funds to pay distributions and redemptions to previous investors. Pacific Private Money funds, according to the allegations, raised approximately $103 million from over 175 investors between approximately December 2021 and December 2025. In June 2026, the Pacific Private Money entities filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the Northern District of California. “These charges brought soon after the collapse of Pacific Private Money reflect this Office’s unwavering commitment to protecting investors in the Bay Area from fraud,” said U.S. Attorney Craig H. Missakian. “As alleged, these defendants falsely assured investors that Pacific Private Money was successful and profitable, knowing that continued losses had turned it into a Ponzi scheme. The Office will continue to pursue fraud in private markets and aggressively prosecute them to protect the public.” “These allegations underscore the FBI’s commitment to expose sophisticated financial schemes that put investors at risk,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Scott Schelble. “We will continue to work closely with our partners to ensure the public is protected and those who engage in deceptive schemes are held accountable.” “The allegations against Pacific Private Money founders describe a scheme that misrepresented, diverted, and used incoming investment funds to mask growing financial losses,” said IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS CI) San Francisco Field Office Acting Special Agent in Charge David Lowe. “IRS CI is focused on unraveling complex financial crimes, tracing every dollar, and ensuring that individuals accused of manipulating investor money for personal gain are held accountable.” The information also alleges that part of the scheme involved Hanf transferring funds from the Pacific Private Money enterprise to another entity that he controlled to pay for his own personal expenses, such as credit card bills and home mortgage payments. An information merely alleges that crimes have been committed, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. If convicted, the defendants face a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison as to the wire fraud conspiracy count, and Hanf faces a maximum of 10 years in prison as to the money laundering count. Any sentence following conviction would be imposed by the court after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of a sentence, 18 U.S.C. § 3553. Phan is next scheduled to appear in district court on September 23, 2026, for a change of plea hearing, and Hanf is next scheduled to appear in district court on September 30, 2026, for a change of plea hearing, both before U.S. District Judge Jacqueline Scott Corley. The SEC today also filed a civil enforcement action against Hanf and Phan in the Northern District of California. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christiaan Highsmith and Patrick O’Brien are prosecuting the case with the assistance of Mimi Lam and Maryam Beros. The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the FBI and IRS-CI. The U.S. Attorney’s Office thanks the San Francisco Regional Office of the SEC and the Marin County District Attorney’s Office for their assistance in the investigation.


title: Missoula man pleads guilty to child pornography charges

component: USAO - Montana

body_text: MISSOULA – A Missoula man who distributed Child Sex Abuse Material (CSAM) through social media admitted to charges today, Acting U.S. Attorney Mark Steger Smith said. Derek Allen Moderie, 41, pleaded guilty to two counts of distributing child pornography. Moderie faces up to 40 years in prison, a lifetime of supervised release, a $250,000 fine, and approximately $50,000 in special assessments. U.S. District Judge William W. Mercer presided and will determine a sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Sentencing was set for a later date. Moderie remained in custody pending further proceedings. The government alleged in court documents that tips from Google and Instagram to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children in the spring of 2024 identified Moderie as a user possibly distributing Child Sex Abuse Material on their platforms. Law enforcement sought a warrant and searched Moderie’s Gmail and Instagram accounts, where they found evidence that he had distributed illicit material between February and June 2024. Investigators learned prior tips in 2023 had also identified Moderie. They obtained a search warrant for Moderie’s Missoula home where they discovered emails in which he had traded CSAM with others online. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian Lowney is prosecuting the case. The Missoula Police Department and the Montana Division of Criminal Investigation conducted the investigation.


title: Last suspect pleads guilty to his role in stabbing death during Billings carjacking

body_text: BILLINGS – A man who stabbed and killed the driver of a pickup during a carjacking on Billings’ South Side admitted to charges today, Acting U.S. Attorney Mark Steger Smith said. Brian Dale Contreraz, 31, pleaded guilty to a carjacking that resulted in death. Contreraz faces up to life in prison, three years of supervised release, a $250,000 fine, and a $100 special assessment. U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided and will determine a sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Sentencing was set for Jan. 7, 2027. Contreraz remained in custody pending further proceedings. The government alleged in court documents that Contreraz, along with Violet Jean Littlelight, 23, and Shyanna Jo Whitewolf, 21, met up with Keith Breckenridge, 51, at South Park in Billings to rob him and steal his pickup truck. Littlelight was sentenced earlier this summer to 24 years in prison for her role in the attack; Whitewolf was sentenced to 20 years. The incident happened on May 16, 2025. Littlelight was spending time with Whitewolf and Contreraz in Billings and had been texting that evening with Breckenridge asking if he would come pick her up. When Littlelight told Whitewolf and Contreraz that she’d asked Breckenridge for a ride, the three made plans to steal his truck and take it to a drug dealer they knew in Hardin to exchange for drugs or money. Littlelight told Breckenridge to meet her at South Park; Whitewolf and Contreraz came along under the pretense of needing a ride. When Breckinridge arrived and saw the two additional people, he grew suspicious and kept the doors locked, asking to know who Whitewolf and Contreraz were. Littlelight vouched for them and told Breckenridge they just wanted a ride. With Littlelight’s assurances, Breckenridge opened the doors and the three climbed into his pickup. Contreraz told Breckenridge to drive to the alleyway behind Adams Street on Billings’s South Side while Whitewolf chatted with Breckenridge to keep him calm. Once there, Breckenridge stopped the truck and Contreraz leaned over and stabbed him approximately 20 times in the face, neck and chest. Littlelight, Whitewolf, and Contreraz then pulled Breckenridge from the truck and drove away. Breckenridge died in the alley from the stab wounds. The three drove the pickup to a house in Hardin where they changed their blood-stained clothes and placed them in the truck. From there they drove to a house on the Crow Reservation, where Littlelight and Contreraz decided they would clean the interior of the pickup and burn their bloody clothes along with other evidence from the truck. As they were cleaning the pickup, BIA officers pulled up. Littlelight and Contreraz ran off; Whitewolf stayed. By the end of the month, law enforcement had all three in custody. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Colin Rubich and Zeno Baucus are prosecuting the case. The Billings Police Department conducted the investigation. The FBI adopted the case to help expedite laboratory testing and for federal prosecution purposes.


title: Babb man pleads guilty to child sex abuse

body_text: GREAT FALLS – A Babb man who sexually abused a child admitted to the charge Monday, Acting U.S. Attorney Mark Steger Smith said. Bradley Dale Evans, 49, pleaded guilty to one count of abusive sexual contact. Evans faces up to life in prison, a $250,000 fine, up to a lifetime of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided and will determine a sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Sentencing was set for Jan. 14, 2027. Evans remained in custody pending further proceedings. The government alleged in court documents that between January 2020 and June 2024 Evans sexually abused a child under the age of 12 in a home near Babb. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kelsey Hendricks is prosecuting the case. The FBI conducted the investigation.


title: Mankato Man Sentenced to 35 Years’ Imprisonment for Production of Child Pornography

body_text: ST. PAUL – United States Attorney Daniel N. Rosen announced that Mitchell Ray Williams, 40, of Mankato, Minnesota, was sentenced to 420 months in prison for his role in the production of child pornography. Williams was sentenced before U.S. District Judge Jerry W. Blackwell on August 19, 2026. He previously pleaded guilty on November 4, 2025. According to court documents, throughout October 2024, Williams attempted to employ a minor male victim to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing child pornography. Williams knowingly recorded the minor and used messaging applications to share child pornography. Throughout the investigation, law enforcement found hundreds of files of child pornography of which nine files involved visibly pre-pubescent child victims involved in sexually explicit acts. Williams has two prior convictions in another state, from August 2005 and April 2017, for Encouraging Child Sexual Abuse. “Williams is a repeat sexual predator and posed a danger to vulnerable children. Today’s sentencing ensures that he is held accountable for the harm he has caused to the child victims and their families,” said United States Attorney Daniel N. Rosen. “Mitchell Williams is now on his third conviction for child sexual exploitation offenses. The abuse and exploitation stop here,” said FBI Minneapolis Field Office Special Agent in Charge Christopher D. Dotson. “We know that the production, advertisement, and distribution of child sexual abuse material causes serious and lasting harm to child victims and their loved ones. Today’s sentence reflects the seriousness of that harm and ensures that children everywhere will be protected from Mitchell Williams for decades to come.” This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI and the Mankato Department of Public Safety. Assistant United States Attorney Kristian Weir prosecuted the case. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorney’s 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.justice.gov/psc . Note: Previous press release on the indictment here .


title: New York Woman Sentenced for Multiple Fraud Offenses

component: USAO - Maine

body_text: PORTLAND, Maine : A New York woman was sentenced on August 31, 2026, in U.S. District Court in Portland for bank fraud, false use of a passport, and aggravated identity theft. U.S. District Judge John A. Woodcock, Jr. sentenced Arlene Sands , 61, to 25 months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release. Sands will also be ordered to pay restitution. Sands pleaded guilty on July 16, 2025. According to court records, in February 2023, Sands attempted to withdraw $17,000 from a credit union account belonging to two victims. Sands claimed to be one of the victims and presented a fake United States passport card, which bore her image but the victim’s name and date of birth, as identification. Credit union staff did not complete the transaction. The U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service investigated the case, with assistance from the Portland Police Department. ###


title: New Gloucester Man Sentenced for Presenting Counterfeit Treasury Checks and Wire Fraud

body_text: PORTLAND, Maine: A New Gloucester man was sentenced on August 31, 2026, in U.S. District Court in Portland for passing counterfeit U.S. Treasury checks and wire fraud. Chief U.S. District Judge Lance E. Walker sentenced Keith Mitchell , 39, to 30 months in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release. Mitchell was also ordered to pay $104,464 in restitution. Mitchell pleaded guilty on February 5, 2026. In addition, Mitchell was on supervised release for a federal drug conviction when he deposited the counterfeit checks. His term of supervised release was revoked and he was sentenced to 21months in prison, to be served consecutively. According to court records and statements made in court, Mitchell deposited 13 counterfeit U.S. Treasury checks totaling $83,632 into his bank account from April through June 2024. The checks contained the serial numbers and amounts of actual U.S. Treasury checks that had been issued to third parties, but were counterfeited to be made payable to Mitchell. In May 2021, Mitchell also received $20,832 in Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) funds based on a fraudulent PPP loan application. The application falsely claimed that Mitchell owned a sole proprietorship business that had earned gross revenue of $100,000 in 2020. Mitchell also submitted a falsified tax return in support of the application. IRS Criminal Investigation investigated the case. Paycheck Protection Program: The PPP was a COVID-19 pandemic relief program administered by the SBA that provided forgivable loans to small businesses for job retention and certain other expenses. The PPP permitted participating third-party lenders to approve and disburse SBA-backed PPP loans to cover payroll, fixed debts, utilities, rent/mortgage, accounts payable and other bills incurred by qualifying businesses during, and resulting from, the COVID-19 pandemic. PPP loans were fully guaranteed by the SBA. On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division (“Fraud Division”). The Fraud Division is investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against the American people. The Department’s work to combat fraud supports President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs ###


title: Hampden Man Pleads Guilty to Tax Evasion

body_text: PORTLAND, Maine: A Hampden man pleaded guilty on August 31, 2026, in U.S. District Court in Portland to one count of tax evasion. According to court records, Brandon Wilson , 55, owed substantial back taxes based on his tax returns for 2010 through 2017. After the IRS levied Wilson’s bank accounts as part of its collection efforts, Wilson began conducting his debt collection business without holding bank accounts in his own name. He did this by having accounts opened under the names of individuals running businesses in Massachusetts and Virginia. While these entities were ostensibly conducting debt collection services for Wilson, they were also holding money and conducting personal and business transactions on his behalf. Wilson directed specific payments out of the accounts, and received a series of smaller payments through Cash App, PayPal, and other means. This arrangement allowed Wilson to continue to control his money while frustrating the IRS’s ability to collect the taxes owed. Wilson faces up to a year and a day in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and three years of supervised release. He will be sentenced after the completion of a presentence investigative report by the U.S. Probation Office. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) investigated the case. IRS-CI is the law enforcement arm of the IRS, responsible for conducting financial crime investigations, including tax fraud, narcotics trafficking, money laundering, public corruption, healthcare fraud, identity theft and more. It is the only federal law enforcement agency with investigative jurisdiction over violations of the Internal Revenue Code. IRS-CI has 16 field offices located across the U.S. and maintains an international presence through attaché posts abroad. ###


title: Convicted Felon Sentenced to More Than Eight Years in Federal Prison for Possessing a Machinegun

component: USAO - Florida, Middle

body_text: Tampa, FL - Edward Anderson (45, Bradenton) has been sentenced by U.S. District Judge John L. Badalamenti to eight years and four months in federal prison for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession of a machinegun. U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe made the announcement. According to court documents and proceedings, Anderson is a convicted felon with multiple felony narcotics convictions and a prior firearm conviction. As such, he is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition under federal law. On July 30, 2025, the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant at Anderson’s residence. Inside, they found four firearms, one of which had been converted into a machinegun by way of a machinegun conversion device. Law enforcement later swabbed this firearm for DNA, and the Pinellas County Forensic Laboratory determined that Anderson’s DNA was present on the firearm. This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Samantha Newman. This case is being prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.


title: Clearwater Man Sentenced to Ten Years for Transportation of Child Sexual Abuse Material

body_text: Tampa, Florida – Brian Francis McArdle (34, Clearwater) has been sentenced by U.S. District Judge Virginia M. Hernandez Covington to 10 years in federal prison for transportation and possession of child sexual abuse material (CSAM). U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe made the announcement. McArdle pleaded guilty on March 9, 2026. According to court documents, from January 1, 2023, through April 2, 2024, McArdle used Telegram to distribute and sell CSAM, the production of which involved the use of a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Following the execution of a search warrant, the FBI located hundreds of images and videos of CSAM on McArdle’s cell phone, including images which depicted a minor who had not attained 12 years of age engaged in sexually explicit conduct. This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Arlington County Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Courtney Derry. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.