title: Louisiana U.S. Attorneys Highlight Nine Recent Fraud Prosecutions Across the State

body_text: On April 7, 2026, the Department of Justice (DOJ) announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division. The core mission of the Fraud Division is to zealously investigate and prosecute those who steal or fraudulently misuse taxpayer dollars. DOJ efforts to combat fraud support President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a comprehensive effort led by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs. United States Attorneys in Louisiana are proud to stand unified in this critical effort on behalf of Louisiana citizens and made this joint statement: “The cases highlighted include some of the most expansive and complex fraud cases that DOJ has investigated and prosecuted, and which emphasize the combined missions of the DOJ and the U.S. Attorney’s Offices for the Eastern, Middle and Western Districts of Louisiana to safeguard the nation’s coffers from fraudulent schemes. Along with our law enforcement partners, we will continue to vigorously investigate and prosecute alleged perpetrators of fraud, hold them accountable, and seek justice for those directly impacted by fraud. It is the hardworking American taxpayer who ultimately bears the financial burden of fraud, waste and abuse.” - David I. Courcelle, United States Attorney, Eastern District of Louisiana -Kurt L. Wall, United States Attorney, Middle District of Louisiana -Zachary A. Keller, United States Attorney, Western District of Louisiana “The Louisiana Department of Justice is proud to partner with our three U.S. Attorneys – David Courcelle, Kurt Wall, and Zachary Keller – to fight fraud. Since I assumed office, the LDOJ has secured more than 100 convictions and $73 million in court-ordered restitution. Those kinds of results only happen when all levels of government work together toward the same mission. Under the leadership of the Trump administration, Acting Attorney General Blanche, Governor Landry, the Louisiana Legislature, and our many other state and federal partners, we are holding criminals accountable and delivering real results for the taxpayers of Louisiana and the nation.” -Liz Murrill Louisiana Attorney General “Louisiana’s business records should never become a tool for criminals. This partnership reflects our commitment to protecting businesses, consumers, and the integrity of our state’s business registration system. By working more closely with our law enforcement partners at both the state and federal levels, we can better identify fraudulent activity, disrupt criminal schemes, and protect businesses from those who seek to exploit them. Collaboration like this strengthens public confidence and helps ensure Louisiana remains a safe place to live, work, and do business.” -Nancy Landry Louisiana Secretary of State “Louisiana is all in with President Trump and Vice President Vance. To anyone stealing from a Louisiana program: the State of Louisiana and the United States Department of Justice are working from the same file, and there is no seam left to hide in.” -Angele Davis Louisiana Inspector General and Chief Integrity Officer “We thank the U.S. Department of Justice for its partnership in combating fraud and for bringing together investigative partners from across the Southeast to strengthen our shared efforts.” -Michael “Mike” Waguespack Louisiana Legislative Auditor What follows are cases that particularly exemplify the effort to investigate and prosecute fraud in Louisiana and restore confidence to citizens. EASTERN DISTRICT OF LOUISIANA On June 3, 2026, Amanda Clayborne-Williams was charged with wire fraud and tax evasion. According to the bill of information, in 2020 and 2021, Clayborne-Williams submitted twelve fraudulent Small Business Administration (SBA) loan and loan forgiveness applications for Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) loans and Economic Injury Disaster Loans (“EIDL”). Clayborne-Williams applied for approximately $1.3 million in loans. It is alleged she received approximately $447,305.98. Clayborne-Williams also attempted to evade paying income tax by filing a false form with the IRS. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Maria M. Carboni. On June 17, 2026, Scharmaine Lawson Baker , a nurse practitioner, was sentenced to 87 months imprisonment and ordered to pay $1,508,868 in restitution for her role in a health care fraud scheme resulting in over $12 million in fraudulent Medicare claims for medically unnecessary cancer genetic tests. Baker received tens of thousands of dollars in illegal kickbacks. Trial evidence showed that Baker ordered ovarian and cervical cancer tests for male patients. The case was prosecuted by DOJ Gulf Coast Health Care Fraud Strike Force Trial Attorneys Samantha E. Usher, Gary A. Crosby II, and Kelly Z. Walters; and by Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicholas D. Moses. On June 22, 2026, Dr. Christopher Whipple , a New Orleans physician, was charged by indictment with two counts of health care fraud. Whipple owned and operated two health care companies that are alleged to have submitted $5.9 million in fraudulent claims to Medicare, Medicaid, and Humana. Whipple allegedly submitted claims on behalf of patients for which he did not provide care and billed for in-person care for Louisianians despite their being outside the state. Whipple is also alleged to have submitted claims using the identities of other providers without their permission. The case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorney Zakeria Haidary, Acting Assistant Chief Sara Porter of the Gulf Coast Strike Force, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Tracey Knight. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexandra Giavotella is handling asset forfeiture. MIDDLE DISTRICT OF LOUISIANA Chakesha Scott, Eric Scott, Courtney Scott , and Sam Green , all of Zachary, were indicted on July 15, 2026, for conspiracy to commit theft concerning programs receiving federal funds. Beginning around June 2018 and continuing until at least December 2024, the defendants allegedly conspired to embezzle or steal funds from Impact Charter School for personal use. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ellison C. Travis, who also serves as the office’s District Fraud Counsel. Oscar Hills, IV, of Baton Rouge, was convicted following a three-day jury trial in September 2025 of two counts of wire fraud and two counts of engaging in unlawful monetary transactions. The jury found that, between March 2020 and May 2020, Hills submitted fraudulent applications for Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans and Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs), which were created or expanded by Congress under the CARES Act in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Based on these applications, Hills fraudulently obtained over $835,000. He is awaiting sentencing. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John B. Casey. Damian Raby , of Gonzales, was sentenced to 18 years in prison in October of 2025 following his conviction for conspiracy to launder money and obstruct the due administration of internal revenue laws. Raby was also ordered to pay over $2.6 million in restitution based on his filing of over three dozen fraudulent applications for pandemic-era tax credits under the Employee Retention Credit (ERC) program, which was implemented by the CARES Act to encourage businesses to keep employees on their payrolls. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alan A. Stevens, who also serves as the office’s Senior Litigation Counsel, and John B. Casey. WESTERN DISTRICT OF LOUISIANA On May 7, 2026, Mya Carter , of Shreveport, and nine co-defendants - Ashley Belion , Destiny Church , Diedra Church , Corey Graham , Ciera Lashan Harris , Jimessia Robinson , Rosie Shoals , Desiman Veail , and Greginald Williams - were indicted after a multi-year investigation of individuals applying for fraudulent loans through the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program provided by the Small Business Administration (SBA) of the Federal Government. The 10 individuals indicted in this case applied for, or had others apply in their place, for multiple loans using fraudulent documents and false information to claim ownership of mostly non-existent businesses in order to enrich themselves. A total of 12 loans were funded for a loss of approximately $260,000 with an additional 46 loans that attempted to obtain over one million dollars in federal funds. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney J. Aaron Crawford. Jane Francis Pierce , of Boyce, is charged with running a multi year fraud scheme in which she filed false tax returns on behalf of a trust she controlled, seeking almost $10 million in refunds, and successfully obtaining more than $1 million from the IRS. Pierce allegedly used the money for personal expenses, including a home and vehicle, and then obstructed the IRS’s efforts to reclaim the fraudulent refunds. On April 15, 2026, a federal grand jury returned a four count indictment charging her with mail fraud, money laundering, filing false tax returns, and interfering with an IRS investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Johnson, and Trial Attorney with the Criminal Division Tax Section, Isaiah Boyd. Chandrakant Patel , of Oakdale, a business owner, and four co-defendants, Chad Doyle, Michael Slaney, Glynn Dixon , and Tebo Onishea , were paid thousands of dollars by foreign nationals to be named as false “victims” of crimes in order to obtain U-visas in and around Oakdale. Patel conspired with his co-defendants, prominent members of local law enforcement, who used their official positions to certify the fraudulent reports. Patel also attempted to bribe a Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office employee with $5,000 for an additional fraudulent report and the group used the U.S. Postal Service and other carriers to submit falsified documents. They were indicted on July 2, 2025, and all have now pled guilty. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys John Nickel and Danny Siefker. ### CONTACT: Public Affairs USALAW-News@usdoj.gov United States Attorney’s Office www.justice.gov/usao-wdla Western District of Louisiana Twitter @USAO_WDLA


title: United States Reaches $7.5 Million Settlement with Ascend Elements to Resolve False Claims Act Allegations Involving  Department of Energy Grant

component: USAO - Kentucky, Western

body_text: LOUISVILLE, KY – U.S. Attorney Kyle G. Bumgarner of the Western District of Kentucky announced today that Ascend Elements, Inc., a Massachusetts-based lithium-ion battery materials manufacturer, has agreed to pay $7,497,555.65 to resolve civil allegations that it submitted inflated reimbursement claims to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) for work on its Apex‑1 battery materials project in Hopkinsville, Kentucky. The settlement resolves the United States’ contention that, between September 18, 2023 and February 18, 2025, Ascend sought and received DOE reimbursement for goods and services that included inflated labor hours, excessive tool purchases, unnecessary equipment rentals, and other wasteful or unnecessary expenses related to its industrial-scale battery precursor production project. DOE paid more than $5.3 million tied to this conduct. Ascend voluntarily divulged the issues to the government and received credit for its cooperation, which included a timely self-disclosure, an internal investigation, and assisting the United States in understanding the full scope of the conduct. “This settlement reflects the Department of Justice’s commitment to ensuring that federal funds supporting critical energy and infrastructure projects are safeguarded from misuse,” said Kyle Bumgarner, United States Attorney for the Western District of Kentucky. “Companies that receive taxpayer dollars must be held to the highest standards, and today’s recovery demonstrates that voluntary self-disclosure and cooperation will be met with appropriate credit, while still ensuring accountability.” Assistant United States Attorney Jessica R. C. Malloy handled this matter for the United States, with support from the U.S. Department of Energy. The claims resolved by this settlement are allegations only. There has been no determination of liability. ###


title: Vermont and Texas Men Charged with Distributing Fentanyl and Crack Cocaine in Burlington, Vermont

component: USAO - Vermont

body_text: BURLINGTON – The Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont announced that on July 23, 2026, a federal grand jury indicted Angel Louis Concepcion a/k/a “Cito” (37, of McKinney, Texas), Troy McIlwain a/k/a “Breeze” (37, of St. Albans, Vermont), and David Lauderbach a/k/a “Cane” (42, of Milton, Vermont), with conspiring to distribute cocaine, cocaine base, and fentanyl from August 12, 2025, through May 2026 and with eight counts of distributing those drugs on specific dates within that time frame. The indictment was fully unsealed on July 30, 2026. Both Concepcion and McIlwain are charged with distributing more than 40 grams of fentanyl over the course of the conspiracy and doing so after they were previously convicted of “serious drug felonies” as defined by federal law. On July 28, 2026, Concepcion was arrested in McKinney, Texas and, the next day, entered a plea of not guilty to the charges during an arraignment in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas. Concepcion was detained and is being transported to Vermont for prosecution. Also on July 28, 2026, McIlwain was arrested in Vermont and, on July 29, 2026, entered a plea of not guilty during an arraignment before U.S. Magistrate Judge James O’Hara in the U.S. District Court of Vermont. McIlwain was detained pending trial. On July 30, 2026, Lauderbach was arrested and is scheduled to appear in the U.S. District Court of Vermont on July 31, 2026 for his arraignment. According to court records, Concepcion – operating remotely from Texas – coordinated the distribution of fentanyl and cocaine base by McIlwain, Lauderbach, and others in Vermont. On one occasion, when Concepcion was unhappy with the work of his subordinates, Concepcion traveled to Vermont to distribute the drugs himself. The United States Attorney’s Office emphasizes that an indictment contains allegations only and that all of the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. If convicted, Concepcion and McIlwain face a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and up to life in prison on Count One of the Indictment and they face charges of up to 20 years of incarceration for each count of distribution. Lauderbach faces a maximum sentence of 20 years for his role in the conspiracy and a statutory maximum of 20 years’ incarceration for each count of distribution. The actual sentence, however, would be determined by the District Court with guidance from the advisory United States Sentencing Guidelines and the statutory sentencing factors. First Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan A. Ophardt commended the investigatory efforts of the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Burlington Police Department, as well as assistance from the U.S. Marshals Service, the Milton [Vermont] Police Department and the Collin County [Texas] Sheriff’s Office. The prosecutor is Assistant United States Attorney Dana E. Hill. An attorney has not yet been appointed or retained to represent Concepcion or Lauderbach in the District of Vermont. McIlwain is represented by the Office of the Federal Public Defender.


title: Philadelphia Man Charged with Robbing Williston Convenience Store at Gunpoint

body_text: BURLINGTON – The Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont announced that on June 11, 2026, a federal grand jury returned an indictment charging Maurice Nelson, 38, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, with interfering with commerce by robbery, and with brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence. Nelson entered a plea of not guilty to the charges during an arraignment on July 30, 2026, before United States Magistrate Judge James P. O’Hara. Nelson was previously ordered detained pending trial at his initial appearance which occurred on May 19, 2026. According to court records, on April 3, 2026, Nelson entered a convenience store in Williston, Vermont, pointed a handgun at the store clerk, and threatened to “blow [the clerk’s] head off.” Nelson fled the store with approximately $369 and packs of cigarettes, lighters, and a cup full of coins. After leaving the store, Nelson stole a vehicle from the parking lot and drove off. About 90 minutes later, law enforcement located the stolen vehicle on Main Street in Burlington, and apprehended Nelson nearby. Nelson’s clothing at the time of his apprehension was consistent in appearance with the clothing worn by the robber. Packs of cigarettes bearing the same lot number as the stolen packs were found in the vehicle. The day after Nelson’s arrest, Burlington Fire Department personnel located a handgun in the area where Nelson was arrested. The United States Attorney’s Office emphasizes that an indictment contains allegations only and that Nelson is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. Nelson faces a mandatory minimum of seven years of imprisonment and up to lifetime imprisonment if convicted. The actual sentence, however, would be determined by the District Court with guidance from the advisory United States Sentencing Guidelines and the statutory sentencing factors. First Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan A. Ophardt commended the swift and collaborative investigatory efforts of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Williston Police Department, the Burlington Police Department, and the Vermont State Police. The prosecutor is Assistant United States Attorney Jason Turner. Nelson is represented by the Office of the Federal Public Defender. 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: Wood County Man Pleads Guilty to $510,465.19 Fraud Scheme

component: USAO - West Virginia, Southern

body_text: CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Jeffrey Jeffers, 35, of Williamstown, pleaded guilty today to wire fraud. Jeffers admitted to stealing $510,465.19 from his employer through false charges to company-issued credit cards. According to court documents and statements made in court, between November 2022 and July 2024, Jeffers delivered products by truck for a large provider of industrial gas from its distribution facility in Wood County. The delivery trucks were fueled at the distribution facility and were also equipped with fuel credit cards. As part of his guilty plea, Jeffers admitted that he fraudulently charged a total of $510,465.19 in fuel costs to the credit cards throughout his term of employment. Jeffers further admitted that the fraudulent credit card payments went to accounts for fictitious service stations he created on online payment processing platforms. Jeffers admitted that his delivery routes normally never required any refueling outside of the distribution facility. Jeffers is scheduled to be sentenced on November 9, 2026, and faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. Jeffers also owes $510,465.19 in restitution. “This defendant exploited the trust placed in him by his employer and turned a company resource into a personal revenue stream,” said United States Attorney Moore Capito. “Fraud is not a victimless crime. Every dollar stolen through deception is a dollar taken from a business, its employees, and ultimately the community it serves. This case demonstrates that complex fraud schemes carried out behind computer screens and online payment platforms are no less serious than any other form of theft. Our office will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to identify, investigate, and prosecute those who believe they can enrich themselves through dishonesty and abuse of trust.” Capito made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). United States District Judge Joseph R. Goodwin presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Gabriel Price is prosecuting the case. A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:26-cr-85. ###


title: Sex Offender Pleads Guilty to Violating the Federal Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act

body_text: CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Cory Alan Kinsel, also known as “Cory Alan Hatcher,” 38, pleaded guilty today to failing to register and update his registration as a sex offender as required by the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA) after relocating from West Virginia to Ohio and obtaining employment in Kentucky. According to court documents and statements made in court, on February 2, 2025, a law enforcement officer conducting a compliance check on Kinsel determined that Kinsel had left his registered address, a Charleston men’s shelter, without updating his registration. The resulting investigation revealed that Kinsel was living in South Point, Ohio, and working at a restaurant in Ashland, Kentucky, where he was arrested on October 8, 2025. Kinsel knew he was required to register as a sex offender and maintain that registration as a result of his conviction for third-degree sexual assault of as 13-year-old girl in Hancock County Circuit Court in 2007. Kinsel is scheduled to be sentenced on November 9, 2026, and faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison, at least five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. United States Attorney Moore Capito made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the West Virginia State Police and the United States Marshals Service (USMS). United States District Judge Joseph R. Goodwin presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan T. Storage is prosecuting the case. SORNA is part of the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006 and provides a comprehensive set of minimum standards for sex offender registration and notification in the United States. SORNA seeks to strengthen the nationwide network of sex offender registration and notification programs, in part by requiring registered sex offenders to register and keep their registration current in each jurisdiction in which they reside, work, or go to school. A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:25-cr-179. ###


title: Ada Ngozi Otuka, British citizen, guilty of illegal voting in U.S. elections

component: USAO - Texas, Southern

body_text: HOUSTON – A 63-year-old foreign national who resided in Katy pleaded guilty to illegal voting by aliens and false claim to citizenship. Ada Ngozi Otuka admitted she illegally voted in the 2020 federal election. She also pleaded guilty to falsely claiming to be a U.S. citizen when filling out her Texas voter registration and statement of residence. Although Otuka is a lawful resident, she is precluded from voting in U.S. elections. However, records show she voted in 2012, 2016, 2018, 2020, and 2024. Otuka received a notice in 2025 that her registration status was being examined because information had been received regarding her lack of U.S. citizenship. She did not respond. In 2025, Otuka filled out a naturalization application that indicated she had voted unlawfully. U.S. District Judge Alfred H. Bennett will impose sentencing Nov. 5. At that time, Otuka faces up to five years in federal prison for falsely claiming U.S. citizenship and another year for the conviction of illegal voting. She could also be ordered to pay up to a $250,000 maximum fine. In a separate but similar case, a citizen of the United Kingdom also entered a plea in May to unlawfully voting. Samuel James Hall, 50, legally resided in Houston but, like Otuka, cannot cast ballots in U.S. elections. However, he admitted to illegally voting in the 2024 federal election. FBI - Houston, Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations, and Texas Attorney General’s Office conducted the investigations with the assistance of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Assistant U.S. Attorney Liesel Roscher is prosecuting the cases.


title: Federal grand jury indicts father whose toddler fatally shot himself

component: USAO - Ohio, Southern

body_text: COLUMBUS, Ohio – A previously convicted felon whose toddler died by gunshot wound from an unsecured gun was indicted by a federal grand jury today for illegally possessing the firearm. Deshawn Levelle Butler, 35, of Columbus, was arrested by federal agents on July 16 after originally being charged by criminal complaint. According to charging documents, on July 11, Columbus police officers responded to a report of a shooting on Quinby Drive in Columbus. When officers arrived, they located a 21-month-old child suffering from an apparent gunshot wound and were told the child had accidentally shot himself. The victim was transported to Mount Carmel East Hospital and later pronounced deceased. An affidavit details that Butler was allegedly with the child during the shooting and had fled the scene prior to law enforcement officials’ arrival. Butler turned himself in the next morning to Columbus police headquarters, where he allegedly told officers his son had discovered Butler’s 9mm handgun in an open safe in a bedroom. Butler was previously convicted of aggravated burglary and, as a result, is legally prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition. Butler also had outstanding warrants for misdemeanor domestic violence charges. Possessing a firearm as a convicted felon is punishable by up to 15 years in prison. Dominick S. Gerace II, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Jorge Rosendo, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF), and Columbus Police Chief Elaine Bryant announced the charges. Assistant United States Attorney Elizabeth A. Geraghty is representing the United States in this case. An indictment merely contains allegations, and defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law. # # #


title: Identity Theft Ring, Including Former Bank Employee, Charged With Posing As Bank Customers And Stealing Over $1.6 Million

component: USAO - New York, Southern

body_text: United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jamie McDonald, and Assistant Director in Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), James C. Barnacle, Jr., announced today the arrests of CATORA NOEL, DARREN STEPHENSON, and IMANI-KAI BROWN, who are charged with stealing the personal identifying and financial information of dozens of victims as part of a conspiracy to fraudulently take over those victims’ bank accounts and initiate over a million dollars in unauthorized wire transfers and ATM withdrawals. NOEL and STEPHENSON were arrested in Brooklyn, New York, this morning and presented this afternoon in Manhattan federal court before U.S. Magistrate Judge Katharine H. Parker. BROWN was arrested today in Miami, Florida, and will be presented tomorrow in the Southern District of Florida before U.S. Magistrate Judge Edwin G. Torres. “As alleged, Noel, Stephenson, and Brown engaged in a coordinated scheme to defraud financial institutions and steal over $1.6 million from the bank accounts of dozens of hardworking New Yorkers,” said U.S. Attorney Jamie McDonald. “As part of this scheme, Stephenson exploited his employment at a bank to feed sensitive customer information to his co-defendants, who intercepted bank debit cards and posed as bank customers over the phone and in person. Thanks to the tireless efforts of our law enforcement partners, this insider scheme has been disrupted.” “The co-defendants spent years targeting and exploiting dozens of U.S. businesses and innocent victims, stealing more than $1.6 million through compromised personal and confidential information,” said FBI Assistant Director in Charge James C. Barnacle, Jr. “The FBI remains relentless in our mission to hold accountable and impose repercussions on those who prey on our country and our communities through fraudulent and predatory schemes.” As alleged in the Complaint:(1) From at least in or about July 2022 through in or about September 2024, NOEL, STEPHENSON, and BROWN participated in an identity theft scam and related fraud operation involving primarily a bank with multiple locations in the New York metropolitan area (“Victim Institution-1”). Through the fraud scheme, one or more of the participants, including NOEL, intercepted new or replacement bank debit cards that Victim Institution-1 mailed to its customers. The defendants unlawfully obtained customers’ bank debit cards by stealing bank debit cards from mail deposits and placing recorded calls to banks, impersonating customers by providing the customer’s name, personal identifying information (“PII”), and debit card number, and requesting that the bank mail a debit card for the customer’s account to an address accessible to the defendants or their co-conspirators. NOEL, STEPHENSON, and BROWN communicated through, among other means, text messages and an encrypted messaging application and exchanged the information, including names, PII, and bank card and account numbers, of bank customers. STEPHENSON, a former Victim Institution-1 employee, used his privileged access to customer account information to steal customer PII and provide it to his co-conspirators in furtherance of the scheme. Among other things, NOEL then posed as bank customers of Victim Institution-1 to conduct unauthorized and fraudulent transactions, including wire transfers, teller withdrawals, and automated teller machine (“ATM”) withdrawals. Specifically, NOEL posed as bank customers by calling and visiting Victim Institution-1, providing the customer’s PII and account information, and requesting a wire transfer or withdrawal of funds from the customer’s Victim Institution-1 account to another bank account. Alternatively, NOEL would use the intercepted bank cards to conduct fraudulent withdrawals from ATM machines. * * * NOEL, 42, and BROWN, 33, both of Brooklyn, New York, and STEPHENSON, 41, of Valley Stream, New York, are each charged with one count of bank fraud conspiracy, which carries a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison, and one count of aggravated identity theft, which carries a mandatory minimum sentence of two years in prison. NOEL is also charged with one count of access device fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison. The statutory minimum and maximum penalties in this case are prescribed by Congress and provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants will be determined by the judge. Mr. McDonald praised the outstanding investigative work of Operation Riptide of the FBI New York Field Office and Cyber Crimes Task Force, as well as the New York City Police Department and U.S. Customs and Border Protection. This action is part of Operation Riptide, an ongoing FBI campaign targeting the criminal actors, infrastructure, and financial networks behind cybercrime, cyber-enabled crime, and fraud against the American people. Last year, Americans reported over $20 billion in losses to cybercrime, a 26% single-year increase. Operation Riptide is the FBI’s sustained enforcement response to that threat. The case is being handled by the Office’s General Crimes Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorney Dana R. McCann is in charge of the prosecution. The charges contained in the Complaint are merely allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. ^ As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the Complaint to date constitutes only allegations, and every fact described herein should be treated as an allegation.


title: Natchez Man Sentenced to Year in Prison for Possession of a Stolen Firearm

component: Department of Justice

body_text: Jackson, MS – A Natchez man was sentenced today to 12 months and one day in prison for possession of a stolen firearm. According to court documents, Patrick Montrell Harris, 34, stole a pistol from the property room of the Centreville Police Department and later sold it to a pawn shop while he was an officer with CPD. U.S. Attorney J.E. Baxter Kruger of the Southern District of Mississippi, and Acting Special Agent in Charge Jason Denham of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) made the announcement. The ATF and Capitol Police investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matt Allen prosecuted the case. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), which 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: Meridian Man Sentenced for Making a Bomb Threat

body_text: Jackson, MS – A Meridian man was sentenced on July 29, 2026 to 36 months in prison for threatening to unlawfully damage and destroy a building on the Choctaw Indian Reservation, announced U.S. Attorney Baxter Kruger of the Southern District of Mississippi and Gabriel Billie, Director of Choctaw Public Safety for the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians. According to court documents, Joshua Mark Davis, 37, of Meridian, used a phone inside the Silver Star Hotel & Casino of the Pearl River Resort on the Choctaw Indian Reservation to make a bomb threat. In May of 2022, a federal grand jury indicted Davis and on March 19, 2026, Davis entered a plea of guilty to the charge. On July 29, 2026, Davis was sentenced to 36 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release upon his release from prison. Davis was also fined $1,500. U.S. Attorney Kruger commended the work of the Choctaw Police Department of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians, who investigated the case. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Kevin J. Payne, Brian K. Burns, and Special Assistant United States Attorney Kalleigh McCoy.


title: Jackson Man Sentenced to Over Six Years for Felon in Possession of a Firearm

body_text: Jackson, MS – A Jackson man was sentenced to 78 months in prison for felon in possession of a firearm. According to court documents, Capitol Police were patrolling a local hotel known for drug activity when they observed Michael Kwanmaine Fields, 34, and another man seated inside a vehicle late at night. When officers exited their vehicles, they smelled marijuana emitting from Field’s vehicle and subsequently discovered firearms and drugs inside it. Field’s has prior felony convictions for manslaughter, aggravated assault, and felon in possession of a firearm. Because of his prior felony convictions, he is prohibited by federal law from possessing a firearm or ammunition. Fields will not be eligible for parole because there is no parole in the federal system. U.S. Attorney J.E. Baxter Kruger of the Southern District of Mississippi, and Acting Special Agent in Charge Jason Denham of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) made the announcement. The ATF and Capitol Police investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matt Allen prosecuted the case. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), which is the Department of Justice’s nationwide initiative that brings federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement, prosecutors, and other public safety partners together to coordinate efforts to combat violent crime and make communities safe. Coordinated by U.S. Attorneys’ offices in each of the 94 federal districts, PSN is tailored to particular communities to strategically address specific violent crime and public safety challenges. As a key component of Operation Take Back America, PSN serves a central role in the Department’s commitment to make our country safe. PSN emphasizes three core principles: rapid federal response to violent crime and criminal offenders; strong, strategic partnerships among law enforcement at all levels; and accountability and deterrence through the prosecution of the most serious, readily provable offenses and other strategies. These efforts complement and strengthen President Trump’s Homeland Security Task Forces, ensuring a comprehensive federal response to the most pressing public safety issues facing communities.


title: Former Correctional Sergeant Sentenced to Federal Prison for Excessive, Unlawful Force Against Inmate

component: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

body_text: INDIANAPOLIS- Shaunacy Edmonds, 36, of Muncie, has been sentenced to five months in federal prison, followed by two years of supervised release after pleading guilty to deprivation of rights under color of law. According to court documents, Shaunacy Edmonds had been employed as a sergeant and correctional officer at the Pendleton Correctional Facility since August 2020. The Pendleton Correctional Facility is a level three maximum-security adult prison operated by the Indiana Department of Correction (IDOC). On March 14, 2024, inmate E.C. was removed from his cell after creating a homemade noose and attempting self-harm. Following established protocol, the IDOC Quick Response Team transported E.C. to the prison infirmary for evaluation. E.C., visibly agitated, was seated in a chair so nurses could safely assess him. During this time, he threatened to spit on the officers, prompting Edmonds to place a spit mask over his face. Surveillance video shows E.C. turning his head to speak to Sgt. Edmonds, who then lifted E.C. and slammed him onto the floor, directly on his head. Sgt. Edmonds subsequently drove his knee into E.C.’s head. As additional correctional officers moved in to gain control of E.C., Sgt. Edmonds delivered six closed‑fist strikes to E.C.’s head. A lieutenant intervened, blocking Edmonds’ hand and ordering him to stop. Throughout the incident, E.C. remained handcuffed. E.C. was then taken to the shakedown booth to calm down and await further medical attention. As a result of the force used by Edmonds, E.C. suffered a swollen lip and a cut on his forehead. Sgt. Edmonds acknowledged that slamming a handcuffed inmate onto his head was unjustified and inconsistent with IDOC use‑of‑force training. The force used was deemed so excessive that, after Edmonds submitted his incident report, a supervisory officer escorted him out of the facility. Edmonds was subsequently terminated from his position as a correctional officer. The Federal Bureau of Investigations investigated this case with assistance provided by the Indiana Department of Corrections. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Judge James R. Sweeney, II. “When a corrections officer takes the law into their own hands and inflicts punitive, excessive force on an inmate, they don’t just endanger that individual, they undermine the safety and integrity of the entire facility. This kind of conduct escalates tension, encourages resistance rather than cooperation, and puts fellow officers at greater risk,” said Tom Wheeler, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. “Sgt. Edmonds’ actions were not only reckless and cruel, but a blatant betrayal of IDOC training and standards. This sentence sends a clear message: such abuse of authority will not be tolerated.” "Every person, regardless of where they are, is entitled to the protections guaranteed by the Constitution," said Special Agent in Charge Timothy O'Malley of the FBI Indianapolis Field Office. "Those who misuse their authority under color of law to violate another person's civil rights will be held accountable. The FBI remains committed to protecting civil rights and ensuring public officials uphold the responsibilities entrusted to them." U.S. Attorney Wheeler thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Peter A. Blackett and Carolyn Haney who prosecuted this case. ###


title: Child Predator to Spend 14 More Years in Prison After Possessing Child Sexual Abuse Material and Attempt to Destroy Evidence

component: USAO - Indiana, Southern

body_text: INDIANAPOLIS- Jason Milano, 59, of Indianapolis, has been sentenced to 14 years in federal prison, followed by a lifetime of supervised release, after pleading guilty to possession of child sexual abuse material and attempted destruction of property to prevent search or seizure. According to court documents, Milano is a repeat sex offender with two separate federal convictions for child sexual abuse crimes. In 2010, he was convicted of conspiracy to advertise and distribute child sexual abuse material, two counts of advertising child sexual abuse material, and two counts of distributing child sexual abuse material. He was sentenced to ten years in federal prison, followed by a lifetime of supervised release. During his incarceration, Milano committed five disciplinary violations, including phone abuse and possession of unauthorized items. In 2021, while on supervised release for his original offenses, Milano was found with an unapproved smartphone he used to access child sexual abuse material and communicate with other sex offenders. He was sentenced to three years in prison and again ordered to a lifetime of supervised release. By January 2025, Milano was serving his second term of federal supervised release. Under the conditions of his release, probation officers were permitted to search any computers or electronic devices he possessed, and any unapproved devices could be seized. On January 22, 2025, a U.S. Probation Officer visited Milano’s home to inspect his approved cell phone, which was found to be missing a SIM card. When questioned, Milano provided a second, unapproved phone with internet access. A forensic analysis confirmed that both devices contained at least ten files depicting child sexual abuse. Investigators later discovered an additional unapproved device in Milano’s hotel room that also contained child sexual abuse material. Law enforcement also collected emails from Milano’s email account demonstrating that Milano attempted to reset his phone on the same date the device was seized in an apparent attempt to hinder investigators’ efforts to recover its contents. The U.S. Secret Service investigated this case. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Judge James P. Hanlon. “Milano remains a serious danger to children, undeterred by his past encounters with the criminal justice system. His repeated violations show no remorse and no desire to change his ways. The children of our community are much safer with his removal via this lengthy sentence,” said Tom Wheeler, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. “This case underscores the essential work of our federal probation officers, whose vigilance and thorough oversight were key to uncovering Milano’s latest offenses. Thanks to their diligence, and the swift action of our Secret Service partners, investigators were able to intervene early, despite Milano’s attempts to destroy incriminating evidence.” “This case serves as a stark reminder of the dangers sexual predators, especially repeat offenders, pose to innocent children every day,” said Special Agent in Charge Ike Barnes, of the U.S. Secret Service’s Indianapolis Field Office. “The U.S. Secret Service remains committed to protecting children from this kind of victimization and to holding sexual predators accountable. Thanks to our partners including federal probation, the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Indiana for their outstanding work and collaboration in stopping this defendant and making children safer in the process.” U.S. Attorney Wheeler thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Adam Eakman and Kyle Sawa, who prosecuted this case. 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 U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. If you are a victim of child sexual exploitation, please contact your local police department. Resources for victims of child exploitation can be found on our website at https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdin/project-safe-childhood ###


title: Maryland Woman and Ghanaian National Sentenced to 70 Months in Federal Prison for Role in Nationwide Romance Scam

body_text: DES MOINES, Iowa – A Maryland woman and Ghanaian national was sentenced on July 22, 2026, to 70 months in federal prison for money laundering, stemming from her participation in a nationwide romance scam. According to public court documents, Nana Takyiwa Adonu, 43, of Odenton, Maryland, played an integral role in an extensive romance scam conspiracy. As part of the scam, individuals create fake profiles on internet dating sites and other social media platforms to exploit victims for financial gain. Adonu operated “Han-Dak LLC,” a company that she used to receive money from victims. Adonu received over $1.6 million from victims, including over $55,000 from a victim living in the Southern District of Iowa. The victims sent Adonu money at the request of their purported romantic partners, believing it would be used to facilitate uniting them with their partner, among other things. Many victims drained their retirement accounts, sold their homes and vehicles, returned to work after retirement, and borrowed substantial sums from friends and family. When confronted by the FBI, Adonu claimed Han-Dak LLC was a legitimate garment production company producing clothing in China. Adonu subsequently produced false invoices, “customer” and “vendor” lists, and other documentation in response to a federal grand jury subpoena in an attempt to further obstruct the investigation. In addition to the 70-month term of imprisonment, Adonu was ordered to pay $1,655,640.76 in restitution. After completing her prison term, Adonu will serve a three-year term of supervised release. In March 2026 , Adonu’s co-defendant, Naabanyin Aniagyei-Cobbold was sentenced to 108 months’ imprisonment and a three-year term of supervised release and ordered to pay $1,554,442.46 in restitution. “Romance scammers exploit victims when they are at their most vulnerable,” said Eugene Kowel, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Omaha Field Office. “They prey on innocent people by convincing them a relationship is real, then slowly abuse that trust to steal their life savings. Some victims lost their entire retirement accounts. This case is an egregious example of the ruthless persistence exhibited by scammers who enrich themselves at the expense of vulnerable people. The FBI will continue using every tool at our disposal to apprehend these criminals and bring them to justice.” United States Attorney David C. Waterman of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Omaha Cyber Task Force and the Polk County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Joseph Lubben prosecuted the case. According to the FBI, in 2024, approximately 59,000 people fell victim to romance-related scams, losing over $672 million dollars. The FBI says that many times, once a victim realizes that they have been exploited, they feel embarrassed or ashamed, and do not want to let anyone know what happened to them, including law enforcement. However, the FBI encourages anyone who has been victimized by this fraud or unsuccessfully targeted to file a complaint. If you suspect an online relationship is a scam, stop all contact immediately. If you have already sent money, report any transfer of funds to your financial institution and contact law enforcement. If you or someone you know has been targeted by a scam, contact the Iowa Attorney General’s office at 1-888-777-4590 or file a complaint online: https://www.iowaattorneygeneral.gov/for-consumers/file-a-consumer-complaint . You can also report fraud complaints to your local FBI field office by calling 1 800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324), or visiting https://www.fbi.gov/how-we-can-help-you/scams-and-safety .


title: Healthcare Executive and Telemarketing Company Owner Sentenced to Prison for Exploiting Elderly Medicare Advantage Beneficiaries in $35 Million Fraud Scheme

component: USAO - Florida, Southern

body_text: MIAMI – Two South Florida men, a healthcare executive and a telemarketing company owner, have been sentenced to federal prison for their roles in a scheme that resulted in the submission of approximately $35 million in false and fraudulent claims to Medicare Advantage plans for medically unnecessary durable medical equipment, including back, knee, shoulder, and ankle braces. Senior U.S. District Judge Donald L. Graham sentenced Michael Kochen, 42, of Aventura, Florida, to 204 months in federal prison and Sandro Herek, 56, of Coral Springs, Florida, to 92 months in federal prison after they were convicted at trial. Kochen was found guilty of one count of conspiracy to commit health care and wire fraud, six counts of health care fraud, one count of conspiracy to pay and receive health care kickbacks, and three counts of payment of health care kickbacks. Herek was found guilty of one count of conspiracy to commit health care and wire fraud, one count of health care fraud, one count of conspiracy to pay and receive health care kickbacks, and three counts of receiving health care kickbacks. “These defendants targeted elderly Medicare Advantage beneficiaries with relentless telemarketing and unnecessary medical equipment, generating approximately $35 million in fraudulent claims and more than $19 million in payments,” said U.S. Attorney Jason A. Reding Quiñones for the Southern District of Florida. “Michael Kochen and Sandro Herek treated vulnerable seniors as profit centers and federal health care programs as personal bank accounts. These substantial prison sentences hold them accountable, and we will pursue the forfeiture and recovery of their ill-gotten gains.” “These sentencings underscore the commitment of HHS-OIG to protecting the integrity of federal health care programs as well as the health and well-being of the many Americans who rely on those programs,” said Special Agent in Charge Isaac M. Bledsoe of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). “Exploiting Medicare Advantage beneficiaries through deceptive telemarketing and fraudulent claims is not only illegal, it is reprehensible. These outcomes send a clear message: those who engage in health care fraud will be held accountable.” According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Kochen and Herek targeted Medicare Advantage beneficiaries through deceptive telemarketing practices, pressuring elderly individuals to accept medical equipment they did not need — and in some cases, did not want. Over the course of the scheme, Medicare Advantage plans paid more than $19 million on fraudulent claims. Kochen owned dozens of companies that sold durable medical equipment supplies, such as braces, and paid illegal kickbacks to Herek and others to recruit Medicare beneficiaries to receive these braces. Herek oversaw and directed overseas call centers, including in Egypt and other foreign jurisdictions, which aggressively cold-called Medicare beneficiaries without prior requests for services. Call-center representatives repeatedly contacted beneficiaries — often after initial refusals — and used high-pressure tactics to induce them to accept braces regardless of medical necessity. Evidence further showed that physicians frequently issued standardized or boilerplate medical authorizations for braces based solely on call recordings rather than individualized medical evaluations. In many instances, doctors did not speak with beneficiaries at all. When calls did occur, they were often brief, lasted only minutes, and did not include a meaningful assessment of medical necessity. Kochen paid kickbacks to telemedicine companies to obtain prescription orders for braces for Medicare Advantage beneficiaries, which were then used to submit claims for unnecessary equipment. U.S. Attorney Reding Quiñones; Acting Special Agent in Charge Isaac Bledsoe of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG), Miami Regional Office; and Special Agent in Charge Brett D. Skiles of the FBI, Miami Field Office, made the announcement. HHS-OIG Miami and FBI Miami investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Roger Cruz, David Turken, and Robert F. Moore prosecuted the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sandra Demici is handling asset forfeiture. On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the Fraud Division. The Fraud Division is laser-focused on investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against the American people. The Department’s work to combat fraud supports President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs. The Department of Justice, HHS-OIG, and the FBI encourage members of the public to remain vigilant against any signs of identity theft or suspicious claims submitted to their health insurance plans, including Medicare. Individuals should carefully review their explanation of benefits (“EOB”) documents, and if they see any sign of suspicious or unauthorized claims in their Medicare records, they should call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) or Report Medicare Fraud online at https://oig.hhs.gov/fraud/report-fraud/ . Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov , under case number 24-cr-20078. ###


title: Four Charged in $19 Million SNAP Fraud and Money Laundering Scheme

body_text: MIAMI – A grand jury in the Southern District of Florida returned an indictment charging four men for their alleged roles in a years-long scheme to defraud the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) by exchanging food assistance benefits for cash and fraudulently obtaining more than $19 million in federal funds. According to court records, from approximately July 2019 through May 2026, Rajaie Ahmad Ali, 63, residing in Miramar, who is subject to a final order of removal; Sami Jamhour, 43, residing in Hollywood; Cristian Giovanni Amaro, 27, residing in Miami; and Adel Amro, 23, residing in Fort Myers, allegedly conspired to traffic SNAP benefits through SNAP-authorized retail stores in Miami-Dade and Broward Counties. “Food stamps exist to help families put food on the table, not to make criminals rich,” said U.S. Attorney Jason A. Reding Quiñones for the Southern District of Florida. “As alleged, these defendants turned a neighborhood grocery store into a cash-for-food-stamps operation, trafficking more than $19 million in taxpayer-funded benefits for their own profit. Public benefits fraud steals twice: first from taxpayers who fund these programs, and again from the families who rely on them. Working alongside our federal, state, and local partners, we will continue to investigate, prosecute, and dismantle those who exploit programs designed to help our most vulnerable citizens.” “Criminals who conspire to steal food assistance dollars from needy Americans to enrich themselves are disgraceful and will be held to account. This was a years-long scheme that amounted to more than $19 million in taxpayer funds being stolen. Outrageous,” said Inspector General John Walk of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of Inspector General (USDA-OIG). “Working with our law enforcement partners, USDA OIG is a proud partner in the fight to end SNAP fraud.” “Government programs like SNAP support American families in need of assistance, ensuring that our citizens do not go hungry,” said Special Agent Charge Brett Skiles of FBI Miami. “For almost 7 years, these fraudsters allegedly targeted SNAP for illicit gains, stealing millions of dollars from Americans with no remorse to the harm they inflicted upon South Florida communities. This investigation should be a clear message to anyone who targets government programs for ill-gotten gains – the FBI and our local, state, and federal partners will always investigate and bring to justice those who undermine our government and exploit American citizens in need.” Ali owned Brown Sugar, Jamhour owned Kwik Stop, and Amaro owned Quickie Mini Market — retail stores authorized to accept SNAP benefits in Miami-Dade and Broward Counties. According to the charges, Ali and Amaro provided the SNAP point-of-sale (POS) terminals assigned to their stores for use at Kwik Stop, despite program rules prohibiting retailers from sharing terminals. Amro allegedly recruited SNAP recipients willing to exchange their electronic benefits for cash. Rather than conducting legitimate food purchases, employees allegedly processed fraudulent transactions through the POS terminals, charging recipients’ electronic benefit transfer cards for inflated amounts and then paying recipients approximately half of the value in cash. The retailers allegedly retained the remaining funds as profit. Ali is charged with conspiracy to commit SNAP trafficking, conspiracy to commit money laundering, money laundering, and structuring. Ali faces up to 65 years in prison. Jamhour is charged with conspiracy to commit SNAP trafficking, conspiracy to commit money laundering, three counts of money laundering, and four counts of structuring. Jamhour faces up to 50 years in prison. Amro is charged with conspiracy to commit SNAP trafficking, SNAP trafficking, and money laundering. Amro faces up to 30 years in prison. Amaro is charged with conspiracy to commit SNAP trafficking, conspiracy to commit money laundering, money laundering, and structuring. Amaro faces up to 55 years in prison. FBI Miami and the USDA-OIG, Southeast Region, are investigating the case, with assistance from the City of Miami Police Department and the West Palm Beach Sheriff’s Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel Rosenfeld is prosecuting the case. An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.sdfl.uscourts.gov or at http://pacer.sdfl.uscourts.gov , under case number 26-cr-20279. ###


title: CEO of Cross-Border Currency Exchange Business Arrested in Murder-for-Hire Plot

component: USAO - California, Southern

body_text: SAN DIEGO— Marcos Arturo Kleiman Tronllan, chief executive officer of MoneyFlip LLC, a registered Money Services Business (MSB) offering cross-border currency exchange services, was arrested in Miami this morning in connection with a federal complaint filed in San Diego alleging that Kleiman hired a hitman to murder someone over an unpaid debt. Kleiman, a Mexican citizen and lawful permanent resident of the United States who previously worked and lived in San Diego, was taken into custody by Homeland Security Investigations agents and Homeland Security Task Force partners. During an ongoing investigation into money exchange businesses in San Diego and Imperial counties, agents identified Kleiman as a suspected money launderer. According to the complaint, Kleiman previously owned and operated a licensed money service business known as MXN Financial LLC, which was an international wholesale currency dealer and currency exchange operating within the Southern District of California. In 2025, MXN Financial LLC changed its name to MoneyFlip LLC, where Kleiman remains the CEO. Investigators suspected that Kleiman used his business to engage in cross-border currency transactions that evaded Bank Secrecy Act filing requirements and to launder illicit proceeds from drug sales that were further placed and layered into the financial system through money service businesses near the U.S-Mexico border. Photograph depicting supposed murder victim lying dead in a field with a banner covering his body with the Spanish phrase “Por ser Rata,” which translates to “For being a thief.” In February of 2026, undercover Homeland Security Investigations agents contacted Kleiman, asking him to convert United States dollars into cryptocurrency. These undercover agents made representations to Kleiman that their dollars came from drug sales and among many statements Kleiman made indicating he understood the money’s source, he said “Give me the major details. I need to know if . . .what you have is clean or if it’s dirty. I mean, I don’t get scared, dude.” To facilitate the illicit financial transactions, Kleiman allegedly created a unique email account, shared its password with the undercover agents, and announced that they would communicate by leaving draft emails in the account so that no emails were ever sent. In total, Kleiman converted approximately $750,000 of United States currency into cryptocurrency and caused the transmission of those crypto coins into an undercover federal agent’s wallet. Kleiman charged a 10 percent fee. During the money laundering discussions, Kleiman allegedly asked undercover federal agents if they would help recover a debt from a Mexican businessman and kill the man. Kleiman agreed to pay $40,000 to kidnap and murder the businessman, with two $5,000 “deposits” to be paid in advance. In May 2026, Kleiman arranged for a third party to deliver a $5,000 cash “deposit” to one of the undercover agents in San Diego, the complaint said. Then, in early July of 2026, one of the undercover agents asked Kleiman for a second $5,000 deposit to “reserve the savages” and told Kleiman “whether [the victim] pays or not he will be left dead on the side of the road.” Kleiman responded by telling the undercover agent, “I will get those 5 ready for you in 2–3 weeks.” According to the complaint, Kleiman later paid the second “deposit” for the murder. On July 28, 2026, the undercover agents showed Kleiman three photographs and one video purporting to show the victim captured, tortured and killed. One of the agents then told Kleiman that “they already killed the guy, so those people need to get paid.” Kleiman responded, “Okay. Count on…count on it.” The next day, July 29, 2026, Kleiman delivered a $5,000 cash payment to the undercover agents and transmitted approximately 25,000 USDT into an undercover cryptocurrency wallet as the final payments for the victim’s murder. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael Deshong and Christopher Beeler, and Daniel Casillas contributed significantly to the case. DEFENDANT Case Number 26-MJ-4495 Marcos Arturo Kleiman Tronllan Age: 40 Miami, Florida SUMMARY OF CHARGES Murder-for-Hire—Title 18, U.S.C., Section 1958(a) Maximum penalty: Ten years in prison and $250,000 fine INVESTIGATING AGENCIES Homeland Security Investigations U.S. Postal Inspection Service Drug Enforcement Administration U.S. Customs and Border Protection Internal Revenue Service—Criminal Investigation Imperial County Sheriff’s Office Brawley Police Department *The charges and allegations contained in an indictment or complaint are merely accusations, and the defendants are considered innocent unless and until proven guilty. This investigation is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF San Diego comprises agents and officers from FBI, Homeland Security Investigations, DEA, ATF, U.S. Marshals, Department of Defense, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Naval Criminal Investigative Service, IRS Criminal Investigation, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Customs and Border Protection and Interpol, with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of California.


title: Faith, South Dakota Man Sentenced to 18 Months in  Federal Prison for First-Degree Burglary

component: USAO - South Dakota

body_text: PIERRE - United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced today that U.S. District Judge Eric C. Schulte has sentenced a Faith, South Dakota, man convicted of First-Degree Burglary. The sentencing took place on July 27, 2026. Dalton Hump, age 34, was sentenced to one year and six months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Hump was indicted by a federal grand jury in October 2025. He was found guilty following a two-day trial in April of 2026. The evidence presented at trial established that on the evening of July 10, 2024, Hump unlawfully entered a residence in Ziebach County within the Cheyenne River Sioux Indian Reservation. He assaulted two individuals inside the residence before being forced outside. This case was investigated by the FBI and the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services. Assistant U.S. Attorney Wayne Venhuizen prosecuted the case. This matter was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office because the Major Crimes Act, a federal statute, mandates that certain violent crimes alleged to have occurred in Indian Country be prosecuted in federal court as opposed to State court. Hump was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.


title: Eagle Butte Man Sentenced to Over 3 Years in Federal Prison for Sexually Abusing a Minor

body_text: PIERRE - United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced today that U.S. District Judge Eric C. Schulte has sentenced an Eagle Butte, South Dakota, man convicted of Sexual Abuse of a Minor. The sentencing took place on July 27, 2026. Christofer Sand, age 28, was sentenced to three years and 10 months in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Sand was indicted by a federal grand jury in May 2025. He pleaded guilty on August 27, 2026. The conviction stems from Sand having sexual intercourse with a minor child in Eagle Butte, South Dakota, in the Cheyenne River Sioux Indian Reservation. The crime occurred in March 2025, and, at the time, Sand was 27 years old and the victim was 13 years old. This case was investigated by the FBI and the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services. Assistant U.S. Attorney Wayne Venhuizen prosecuted the case. This matter was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office because the Major Crimes Act, a federal statute, mandates that certain violent crimes alleged to have occurred in Indian Country be prosecuted in Federal court as opposed to State court. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc . Sand was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.


title: Oregon Department of Corrections Officer Charged with Cyberstalking

body_text: PORTLAND, Ore. - A federal grand jury in Portland returned an indictment charging an Oregon Department of Corrections Officer with cyberstalking his ex-girlfriend from January 2024 to October 2024. According to court documents, following a breakup with the victim, Jack Daniel Rowlett, 46, created fake social media profiles on Facebook, posing as other men. Using the fake profiles, Rowlett posted offensive and degrading claims about the victim, including false claims about the victim’s sexual history with the men depicted in the fake accounts. The posts caused the victim significant emotional distress and reputational harm. When the victim sought a protective order in state court against Rowlett for making the harassing posts, Rowlett fought the protective order and denied responsibility for the conduct. Through the federal investigation Rowlett has now been linked to the posts he denied responsibility for. Rowlett made his initial appearance in federal court today before a U.S. magistrate judge. He was arraigned, pleaded not guilty, and ordered released pending further court proceedings. If convicted, Rowlett faces a maximum of five years in federal prison, one year of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000. The FBI investigated the case. The Oregon Department of Corrections cooperated in the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Arin C. Heinz and Natasha M. Geiling are prosecuting the case.


title: Henderson Woman Sentenced to Over Five Years in Prison for Embezzling Over $26 Million From Employer

component: USAO - Nevada

body_text: LAS VEGAS – A Henderson, Nevada, woman was sentenced yesterday to five years and 10 months in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release for embezzling over $26 million from her employer. She was also ordered to pay back the money she stole. The government requested a sentence of 57 months’ imprisonment. "This sentencing sends a clear message that financial fraud and the abuse of professional trust will carry severe consequences," said First Assistant United States Attorney Sigal Chattah for the District of Nevada. "Embezzlement harms not only the business owners but also the employees, clients, and community members who rely on the organization's financial stability. We remain committed to holding individuals fully accountable for exploiting their employers for personal gain." “Financial crimes of this scale inflict deep and lasting harm on victims and their families,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge for the IRS Criminal Investigation Phoenix Field Office Scott Brown. “Marabella’s $26 million fraud represented not only a staggering financial loss but also an extensive breach of trust. When an individual exploits their position to steal such a significant amount for personal gain, the fallout reverberates throughout the entire business, impacting everyone who depends on it for their livelihood. This announcement is a clear illustration of IRS Criminal Investigation’s commitment to protecting taxpayers from financial fraud and maintaining integrity within our financial system.” According to court documents, from January 1, 2018, to about February 28, 2025, Cynthia Marie Marabella and her boyfriend co-defendant William Keolanui Costa devised a scheme to defraud Marabella’s employer, a Las Vegas construction company. As part of the scheme, they: fraudulently duplicated bonus checks and deposited the checks into bank accounts controlled by Marabella and Costa; opened credit cards in other peoples’ names and made unauthorized charges then paid the credit cards’ bills with stolen funds; provided false accounting records to the employer; created forged and false bank statements; and sent fictitious invoices from merchant accounts then paid the invoices with stolen funds. Marabella and Costa used the stolen money to live in lavish mansions, to drive high-end cars, and to pay private school tuition. Marabella purchased high-end merchandise using the stolen funds and sold those items through an online consignment company. As a result of the fraud scheme, Marabella and Costa obtained more than $26 million from the employer. Marabella pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud and one count of monetary transactions in criminally derived property. This case was investigated by IRS Criminal Investigation and the Henderson Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Kimberly Frayn prosecuted the case. ###


title: Two Charged in Alleged Fraudulent Immigration Document Scheme

component: USAO - New Mexico

body_text: ALBUQUERQUE – A Hatch woman and a Texas man have been charged in federal court for allegedly conspiring to produce and distribute fraudulent immigration, identification, and employment authorization documents. According to court documents, in November 2025, Customs and Border Protection officers at the Columbus Port of Entry in New Mexico seized a fraudulent Lawful Permanent Resident card and Social Security card from an individual attempting to enter the United States. During a subsequent interview, the individual stated the documents had been obtained through Teodora Moreno Reyes , 46, of Hatch, New Mexico and a naturalized citizen, who allegedly charged $350 to produce fraudulent immigration and identification documents using customers' personal information. On April 29, 2026, Moreno Reyes was encountered at the Paso Del Norte Port of Entry in El Paso, Texas, where a border search of her cellphone allegedly revealed numerous images of fraudulent Social Security cards, Lawful Permanent Resident cards, and identification documents, along with messages from individuals seeking fraudulent documents. Investigators also found communications showing Moreno Reyes allegedly forwarded customers' photographs and biographical information to a supplier, who then returned images of completed fraudulent documents and U.S. Postal Service tracking information. A court-authorized forensic examination of the phone allegedly identified the supplier as Fernando Galvan , 39, of Fort Worth, Texas. Investigators allege that between January 2024 and April 2026, Moreno Reyes and Galvan coordinated the production and distribution of approximately 14 fraudulent Texas identification cards, 76 fraudulent Social Security cards, and 66 fraudulent Lawful Permanent Resident cards. Moreno Reyes and Galvan are charged with conspiracy and document fraud offenses related to the production and distribution of fraudulent immigration, identification, and employment authorization documents. If convicted of the current charge, they face up to 10 years in prison. First Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Acting Special Agent in Charge Ryan G. McRae of Homeland Security Investigations El Paso, made the announcement today. HSI Las Cruces investigated this case with assistance from the United States Border Patrol. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Saltman is prosecuting the case. A criminal complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.


title: New York Man Sentenced to Three Years in Federal Prison for Armed Robbery in Londonderry

body_text: CONCORD – A New York man has been sentenced to 36 months in prison and three years of supervised release for his role in a 2025 armed robbery in Londonderry, U.S. Attorney Erin Creegan announces. Zaire Braddock, 21, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Steven J. McAuliffe yesterday. According to the court documents and statements made in court, Braddock, along with four co-conspirators, traveled together from New York to Londonderry, New Hampshire, for the purpose of robbing a local business. Upon arriving at the business, the five individuals entered the premises, where Braddock threatened the victim with a box cutter and the crew restrained the victim. Braddock and his co-conspirators then proceeded to steal merchandise and goods from the business, placing those items in a truck driven by a sixth co-conspirator. Afterwards, Braddock and his co-conspirators fled the scene in their vehicle and returned to New York. “This individual traveled from New York to Londonderry to terrorize others with violence and threats,” said U.S. Attorney Creegan. “This sentence shows that actions have consequences, and we will continue to coordinate with our federal and state law enforcement partners to quickly and decisively investigate and prosecute violent crimes and hold lawbreakers accountable.” “Anyone willing to victimize another person by brandishing a boxcutter and threatening to kill them, in broad daylight. is a clear threat to our community. The FBI is grateful to see Zaire Braddock will spend the next three years behind bars for his role in this brazen act of violence,” said Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Boston Division. “No one who lives, works, or visits New Hampshire should have to fear violent criminals targeting them. That’s why the FBI and our partners will continue to work in lockstep to crush violent crime in our neighborhoods and bring the perpetrators to justice.” The Federal Bureau of Investigation led the investigation. The Londonderry Police Department, New Hampshire State Police, Massachusetts State Police, and New York Police Department provided valuable assistance. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew Vicinanzo, Michael Shannon, and former Assistant U.S. Attorney Anna Krasinski prosecuted the case.


title: Dominican National Sentenced for Possession  With Intent to Distribute Crack Cocaine and Fentanyl

body_text: CONCORD – Daris Rafael Melo Vittini, age 40, a citizen of the Dominican Republic, was sentenced in federal court yesterday to 18 months of imprisonment followed by 1 year of supervised release, for possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine and fentanyl, U.S. Attorney Erin Creegan announces. According to court documents and statements, on June 30, 2025, police stopped Vittini in Manchester in a car connected to a larger drug conspiracy. During a search of Vittini’s person, police found two plastic bottles containing approximately 60 plastic baggies of crack cocaine and fentanyl packaged for sale. Inside a hidden compartment in the car were approximately 60 more baggies crack cocaine and fentanyl packaged for sale and around $1,500 cash. The FBI’s Major Offender Task Force led the investigation with valuable assistance from the DEA and the Manchester Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mike Shannon prosecuted the case. This prosecution is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of 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 New Hampshire comprises agents and officers from FBI, HSI, IRS, DEA, ATF, USMS, and DSS with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of New Hampshire.


title: CyberTip Leads to 20-Year Federal Sentence for Wheeling Man

component: USAO - West Virginia, Northern

body_text: WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA - U.S. Attorney Matthew L. Harvey announced a major federal law‑enforcement action today after investigators traced a single CyberTip to a Wheeling man producing and distributing child sexual abuse material online. The rapid response from the Wheeling Police Department and the FBI’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force culminated in a 20‑year federal prison sentence for 22‑year‑old Gage Heckman. The case began when the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children flagged suspicious activity on an Instagram account. That alert set off an immediate, coordinated investigation by federal and local authorities. Search warrants were executed, electronic devices were seized from Heckman’s South Wheeling residence, and investigators uncovered evidence tying him directly to the illegal activity. “This outcome reflects the commitment of our office and our partners to track down those who exploit children and ensure they face the full force of federal justice,” said U.S. Attorney Matthew L. Harvey. Assistant U.S. Attorney David Perri prosecuted the case, presenting evidence built through the joint digital‑forensics effort. U.S. District Judge John Preston Bailey imposed the 240‑month sentence, underscoring both the severity of the crimes and the strength of the investigative collaboration. Federal officials say the case illustrates how quickly law enforcement can mobilize when a child is at risk—and how a single digital warning can lead straight to a decisive federal response.


title: Stephenville man pleads guilty to wire fraud and identity theft charges

body_text: FORT WORTH, Texas — United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas, Ryan Raybould, announced that Clayton Lloyd Iley, a 41-year-old Stephenville, Texas businessman, pleaded guilty to wire fraud and aggravated identity theft offenses on June 17. These offenses arose from a scheme wherein he illegally obtained credit cards and offered a scam loan program to victims. “My office will not stand by and allow criminals to scam Americans out of their hard-earned money without consequence,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould. “Fraud doesn’t just harm an individual — it disrupts families and communities across all 100 counties of the Northern District of Texas. Its effects are felt most deeply by those who are vulnerable, including elderly residents who are too often targeted by schemes designed to exploit their trust. Protecting every community in this district is my unwavering commitment, and we will aggressively pursue anyone who preys on the innocent and work to ensure victims receive the justice and restitution they deserve.” “This plea demonstrates the lengths these criminals will go to defraud members of our communities,” said FBI Dallas Special Agent in Charge R. Joseph Rothrock. “The FBI and our partners remain committed to identifying and investigating the perpetrators of these fraudulent schemes and encourage the public to notify the FBI if they suspect they are the victims of fraud.” According to court records, Iley operated an insurance brokerage business named Clayton Texas Legacy Insurance Group, LLC from its headquarters in Cross Plains, Texas and offered home, auto, life, health, farm & ranch, and commercial insurance policies to the public. Court documents show from January 2020 through May 2026, Iley used at least two entities he controlled, Texas Legacy Holdings and Enterprises, LLC and Spartan Global Security, LLC dba as “Black Eagle PMC,” to conduct financial transactions. Texas Legacy Holdings operated as a holding company and was used to conduct financial transactions. Spartan Global purported to offer private security services, commercial security services, corporate security services, and private military contracting services. Iley defrauded victims by, among other things: Falsely representing to victims that he could invest their funds in a “Bonded Note” loan program he claimed was provided by the U.S. Department of Defense to private military contractors, when in reality, Iley knew the relevant loan program did not exist. During the relevant time period, Iley collected over $2 million based on this misrepresentation and used the funds to pay his own personal expenses and to execute other parts of his fraudulent scheme Falsely representing to specific Texas Legacy Insurance clients that he would accept client funds and cause Texas Legacy Insurance to initiate requested insurance policies on their behalf, when in reality, Iley knew he would accept their insurance premium payment funds, fail to open requested insurance policies, and instead intended to use their funds to pay his own personal expenses and to fund the relevant fraudulent scheme Providing the victims’ personal identifying information (e.g., first name, last name, etc.) to financial institutions to fraudulently secure credit cards bearing the names of those specific victims without their knowledge or authority and then using the resulting credit cards to deposit funds into Spartan Global bank accounts and claim the transactions were gross receipts for the business; and charge personal expenses and payments towards the purchase of the vehicles. As part of his plea agreement, Iley agreed to forfeit property over 90 exotic collector vehicles obtained with funds from his fraudulent scheme. To date, federal investigators have seized the following vehicles, which will be sold to fund restitution owed to the victims of Iley’s fraud scheme: 1968 Pontiac Firebird 1969 Chevrolet Camaro 1973 Plymouth Coupe 1974 Chevrolet Camaro 1979 Pontiac Trans AM 1982 Chevrolet Camaro 1989 Humvee 1990 BMY M923A (military vehicle) 1993 AM General M923 (military vehicle) 2006 Dodge Viper 2012 Lamborghini Aventador 2013 Toyota 2014 Dodge Viper 2015 Lamborghini Huracan 2016 Ferrari 488 2016 Mercedes Benz AMG Coupe 2018 Ferrari 488 2021 Porsche Taycan 2022 Maserati Coupe 2022 Maserati MC20 2022 Maserati MC20 2024 Dodge Ram Iley was charged through an Information with one count of wire fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft. His sentencing is set for Oct. 1, before U.S. District Judge Mark T. Pittman. Iley faces a maximum penalty of up to 20 years in federal prison for the wire fraud offense and a mandatory sentence of two years in prison for the aggravated identity theft offense. The FBI’s Fort Worth Resident Agency, the Texas Rangers, the Texas Department of Public Safety, and the Stephenville Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mac McDonald is prosecuting the case.


title: Cole Manor Motel fentanyl dealer sentenced to 25 years in federal prison

component: Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)

body_text: DALLAS — United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas, Ryan Raybould, announced that Earnest Ray Miller a.k.a. “Q”, a 54-year-old Dallas man, was sentenced to 25 years in federal prison on drug and gun charges on July 24. Miller is a multi-convicted felon who operated a drug distribution business out of the Cole Manor Motel previously located near Dallas Love Field. The hotel was demolished on June 17, following the federal criminal investigation and a criminal nuisance lawsuit filed by the City of Dallas after the joint investigation revealed that the motel had become a notorious hub for drug trafficking, violent crime and prostitution. “This defendant contributed to the fentanyl crisis by running a distribution network primarily out of the Cole Manor Hotel,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould. “Let this 25-year sentence serve notice to anyone who thinks they can profit from selling this poison to Texans on my watch. This office will continue to stand up and use every tool in the tool chest to protect our communities. Earlier this year I was proud to work with DPD, FBI, and the city to help get the Cole Manor Hotel bulldozed for good. We will continue to charge people with crimes and go after businesses who harbor illegal conduct.” “Drug trafficking and its frequent companion, drug-related violence, threaten the health and safety of every single one of us,” said Joseph B. Tucker, Special Agent in Charge of DEA’s Dallas Field Division. “Mr. Miller’s sentence of 25 years holds him directly responsible for his intended actions and has undoubtedly saved lives, with a weapon off the streets and drugs that will never find a life to destroy.” According to court documents, Drug Enforcement Administration agents began investigating drug dealing activity at the Cole Manor Motel, formerly located at 7002 Harry Hines Boulevard in Dallas in December 2024. Miller admitted that the Cole Manor Motel was a location where persons habitually went to engage in criminal activity to include the distribution and purchase of controlled substances, unlawful possession of firearms, assaults, prostitution, and other crimes. Miller admitted that during the drug conspiracy he utilized multiple rooms within the motel, to cut, package, and distribute quantities of fentanyl, methamphetamine, marijuana, and other controlled substances to numerous customers daily. “Rules” were sometimes posted inside motel rooms that customers were expected to abide by. Court records further revealed that on Feb.19, 2025, law enforcement agents executed search warrants at multiple Cole Manor Motel rooms. In one of Miller’s rooms, agents recovered digital scales, baggies, and distribution quantities of fentanyl and methamphetamine as well as $19,372 in drug proceeds and multiple firearms. Firearms, drugs, and cash seized during the investigation at Cole Manor Motel. In October 2025, Miller pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance (fentanyl) and one count of possessing a firearm by a convicted felon. United States Federal District Judge Karen Gren Scholer sentenced him to 300 months in prison. The Drug Enforcement Administration Dallas Division conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Rick Calvert, Major Crimes Section Chief, prosecuted the case.


title: Owasso Man Sentenced for Receiving, Possessing, and Distributing Child Sexual Abuse Material

component: USAO - Oklahoma, Northern

body_text: TULSA, Okla. – An Owasso man was sentenced today for receiving, possessing, and distributing videos of children being sexually abused, announced U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson. U.S. District Judge Sara E. Hill sentenced Corey Michael John, 25, for Receipt and Distribution of Child Pornography and Possession of Child Pornography in Indian Country. John was ordered to serve 121 months imprisonment, followed by 10 years of supervised release. Further, John was ordered to pay $24,000 in restitution. Upon release, John will be required to register as a sex offender. In 2025, an agent with the Homeland Security Investigations Detroit office was on the social media application Kik, in an undercover capacity. The agent was in several groups that were discussing the sexual exploitation of minor children. Court documents show that the agent received a private message requesting to trade child sexual abuse material. The user, later identified as John, sent the undercover agent 10 videos that showed minor children being sexually abused. Agents obtained a search warrant to locate John and discovered that he lived in Owasso, Oklahoma. Agents served a search warrant at his home and seized his electronic devices. When agents interviewed John, he initially denied ever looking at child sexual abuse material. However, agents showed John the videos he possessed on his cellphone. He then admitted to talking with others online about child sexual abuse material, downloading it, and viewing it. Court documents show that John admitted to creating an alias username and attempting to frame someone else. The child sexual abuse material found on John’s devices was sent to the National Child Victim Identification System, managed by the NCMEC, for identification. They identified 88 children whose images were previously identified and reported to NCMEC for cataloging. Those victims live in the United States and various parts of the world. They were notified and allowed to submit victim impact statements to the court. Restitution paid by John will go directly to the victims who requested restitution. John will remain in custody pending transfer to the U.S. Bureau of Prisons. Homeland Security Investigations investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ashley Robert and Christopher Kelly prosecuted the case. 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 U.S. Attorneys' Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, local, and tribal resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit Justice.gov/PSC .


title: Unprecedented Fraud Enforcement Actions Across the Southeast Resulting from Federal-State Partnerships

component: National Fraud Enforcement Division

body_text: OXFORD, MS – U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Mississippi, Scott F. Leary, joined Assistant Attorney General Colin McDonald of the Justice Department’s National Fraud Enforcement Division, other DOJ leaders, and federal and state law enforcement partners for a press conference announcing a series of significant fraud enforcement actions across the Southeastern United States. These recent cases involve $350 million in losses of SNAP benefits, Small Business Administration (SBA) loans, housing benefits and tax fraud. The Division separately announced the formation of federal-state anti-fraud tasks forces in Mississippi, along with North Carolina and Florida. An existing case based out of the Northern District of Mississippi was U.S. v. Lakieth Faulkner et al . Faulkner was an attorney and an employee of the SBA. As a part of his actual job, he worked with borrowers to obtain loans. Faulkner was uniquely positioned to understand the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) approval process and devised a kickback scheme with co-conspirators to generate more than $11.5 million in fraudulent loan payments by the SBA. Co-conspirators included a former IRS employee. U.S. Attorney Leary stated, “We have $2.2 billion of PPP loans that took place in the Northern District of Mississippi, an estimated $1 billion of that was fraud. We are blessed to be able to work with our state’s Attorney General in putting together a task force because, frankly, we are overwhelmed by this reality and we all need additional assets to combat these crimes. I have been a fed for decades, so when I hear our administration say, ‘pin your ears back and go get them,’ it is so refreshing. That is what we are going to do.” “President Trump has challenged all of us to step up our efforts to fight fraud and protect American taxpayers from this grift,” said Mississippi Attorney General Lynn Fitch. “Partnerships like this one show we are bringing everything to the table in this work. In that spirit, with the support of the U.S. Department of Justice, my office is standing up Joint Task Force Vigilance with our two U.S. Attorneys and the FBI to surge resources and personnel to make Mississippi safer, protect Mississippi taxpayers, and restore law and order. This first-of-its-kind task force will bring the full authority of our offices to bear on con artists, grifters, fraudsters, and scammers.” 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.