Source: Europol
Europol today issues an Intelligence Notification calling attention on the rise of violent online communities dedicated to the serious harm of children. This strategic document focuses on online grooming cult groups dedicated to normalising violence and corrupting minors, advocating for the collapse of modern society through acts of terror, chaos and violence, and spreading ideologies that inspire mass shootings, bombings…
Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police
A man has been convicted of rape after a meticulous investigation by specialist detectives convinced the jury of his guilt.
Samsidi D’Souza-N’Gom, 31 (05.12.93), of Marshall Road, N17 was found guilty of rape at the Old Bailey Court on Wednesday, 19 February.
He will be sentenced at the same court on 21 March.
On Monday, 2 September 2019, the victim, a woman in her 20s at the time of the incident, contacted police to say she had been raped at an address in Osidge Lane, Barnet.
She was supported by specialist officers who immediately launched an investigation, led by detectives from the North West Rape & Serious Sexual Offences team.
On Sunday, 1 September both D’Souza-N’Gom and the victim were out at a bar with a wider group of friends in Hackney. In the early hours of the morning, they returned to D’Souza-N’Gom’s home address.
The victim told police she had been asleep when she was woken up by the defendant raping with her. She tried to fight him off but was unable to do so.
Officers gathered and analysed hours of CCTV to put together a timeline of events. This showed them leaving the venue together before making their way to the taxi office.
Detectives also spoke to a significant number of witnesses who provided further information which assisted with the investigation.
D’Souza-N’Gom denied the allegations and said everything had been consensual.
Detective Constable Alan Wong, who led the investigation, said: “I would like to commend the courage and bravery of the victim, who after enduring a traumatic incident, spoke with officers and found the strength to assist with our enquiries.
“We were also hugely supported by other witnesses who had seen or spent time with the victim and the defendant prior to the offence. Their accounts helped us to provide the jury with a clear chronology of the evening which was central to them reaching a guilty verdict.”
Speaking after the verdict, Detective Inspector Richard Lewsley said: “I hope that this outcome encourages victims of this type of offending to have faith that we take crimes of rape and sexual assault seriously.
“The circumstances of this offence are often not reported because victims feel there will be insufficient evidence to support a prosecution. We are trained to explore allegations in detail and to illicit details to understand what took place.
“I acknowledge this investigation has taken a long time but we are working hard to investigate and achieve positive outcomes for investigations regardless of the length of time that has passed. I thank the victim of this case for her fortitude and resilience in remaining engaged and positive throughout which has allowed us to finally achieve justice for the victim and put a predatory offender is behind bars.”
“We encourage any person who is a victim of rape or sexual assault, regardless of when it occurred, to report it to police. We will treat your allegations seriously, we will listen to you and we will support you throughout the process.”
Source: United States Navy (Logistics Group Western Pacific)
Issued by: on
SINGAPORE (Feb. 4, 2025) U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Todd F. Cimicata, center, Commander, Logistics Group Western Pacific/Task Force 73 (COMLOG WESTPAC/CTF 73), and Capt. John-Paul Tamez, left, Deputy Commander, COMLOG WESTPAC, meet with U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Gavin Gardner, third from right, 8th Theater Sustainment Command, and staff during a scheduled visit to Sembawang Naval Installation, Feb. 4, 2025. COMLOG WESTPAC supports deployed surface units and aircraft carriers, along with regional partners, to facilitate patrols in the South China Sea, participation in naval exercises and responses to natural disasters. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Jomark A. Almazan/Released)
| Date Taken: | 02.03.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 02.19.2025 23:42 |
| Photo ID: | 8877659 |
| VIRIN: | 250204-N-DB724-1015 |
| Resolution: | 8231×5487 |
| Size: | 4.51 MB |
| Location: | SG |
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This work, Maj. Gen. Gavin Gardner Visits COMLOG WESTPAC, Feb. 4, 2025 [Image 3 of 3], by PO1 Jomark Almazan, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
Source: Office of United States Attorneys
ST. LOUIS – U.S. District Judge Stephen R. Clark on Wednesday sentenced a doctor who ran two urgent care centers in the St. Louis area to 35 months in prison for defrauding Medicare and Missouri Medicaid and ordered him to repay $742,528.
Dr. Sonny Saggar, 57, will also be on supervised release for three years after he leaves prison.
Saggar pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in St. Louis in August to one count of conspiracy. He admitted that while operating St. Louis General Hospital (SLGH) locations in downtown St. Louis and near Creve Coeur, he and his office manager hired assistant physicians (APs) to see patients but billed Medicare and Missouri Medicaid as if Dr. Saggar had seen them, even when he was out of town. APs are medical school graduates who have not completed a residency program. To legally practice medicine in Missouri, they are required to be closely supervised by a licensed physician under written collaborative practice arrangements (CPAs) that restrict the AP’s ability to provide medical services and limit their practice areas to medically underserved rural or urban areas.
Dr. Saggar admitted hiring “numerous” APs from July 2018 to July 2023 to work at the SLGH locations, which he and office manager Renita Barringer advertised as both urgent and primary care facilities and as a “residency prep” program and a “stepping stone” for the APs. Dr. Saggar admitted that APs were not properly trained or supervised and that he and Barringer advised them to consult each other on their medical questions. One physician can legally supervise no more than six APs, so Dr. Saggar offered stipends of up to $480 per month to various physicians to induce them to sign up to be collaborating physicians, and then submitted CPA forms to the Missouri Board of Registration for the Healing Arts to falsely make it appear as if the APs were being properly supervised. He admitted that the Creve Coeur location is not medical underserved and thus APs are not permitted to work there.
Finally, Dr. Saggar admitted that in January of 2022, he hired a doctor who had been indicted in another case to be the sole collaborating physician at the Creve Coeur location but did not disclose to Medicaid that the co-conspirator was performing services there. That physician’s billing privileges with Medicaid had been suspended.
The conduct of Dr. Saggar and Barringer caused a loss to Medicare and Missouri Medicaid of $742,528.
“Today’s sentencing underscores our commitment to ensuring that providers are held accountable for submitting fraudulent claims for financial gain and for deliberately concealing critical information about healthcare professionals,” said Special Agent in Charge Linda T. Hanley of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). “HHS-OIG, in partnership with the U.S. Attorney’s Office and other law enforcement agencies, will continue working together to safeguard the integrity of the Medicare and Medicaid programs.”
“This crime went beyond bilking taxpayer funded healthcare programs. Dr. Sonny Saggar risked the well-being of patients with urgent medical needs. He knew his assistant physicians were not qualified to see patients without supervision,” said Special Agent in Charge Ashley Johnson of the FBI St. Louis Division. “To add further insult to injury, Dr. Saggar falsely claimed he was the one who saw the patients so he could bill Medicare and Medicaid.”
“Doctors are expected to follow a certain code of conduct and obey the laws and regulations put in place to protect their clients,” DEA St. Louis Division Special Agent in Charge Michael Davis said. “Our investigation shows that Dr. Saggar broke with protocol and endangered lives with his negligence. As a result of his misconduct, he was arrested, surrendered his DEA Certificate of Registration, can no longer prescribe controlled substances and faces nearly three years in federal prison.”
Barringer, 51, pleaded guilty in December to one count of conspiracy. She is scheduled to be sentenced on April 22.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General, the FBI, the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Missouri Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Amy Sestric is prosecuting the case.
Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND
This year’s main focus is the relationship of the U.S. Air Force, joint services, Japan Air Self Defense Force and Royal Australian Air Force fifth-generation aircraft and strengthening the interoperability of allies.
“Cope North 25 is an opportunity for the USAF, RAAF and JASDF to integrate at a level of training that you can’t accomplish anywhere else,” said U.S. Air Force Capt. Bobby Evans, 134th Fighter Squadron electronic combat pilot. “The airspace here is unrestrictive, and the amount of time we are able to spend tackling problems together is a fantastic experience.”
CN25 marks the first year where there are F-35A Lightning IIs from all three participating nations with the U.S. Marine Corps bringing in the F-35B Lightning II.
The F-35A Lightning II is the coalition forces’ latest 5th generation aircraft. This specific aircraft was designed to operate with its ability to survive in a contested environment, with its advanced avionics, situational awareness, aerodynamic performance and reduced vulnerability for the United States and partner nations.
“The number one goal of Cope North is the integration of the F-35 tactics between the three nations, Japan, Australia and the United States,” said U.S. Air Force Col. Charles Schuck, 3rd Wing commander. “We all use the F-35, so you would think that one airplane means that we do everything the same, but that’s an assumption we have to validate.” He went on to explain that each country operates in a unique way, which is why trilateral integration exercises such as CN25 are vital.
With a few days left of CN25, JASDF, RAAF, USAF and other joint nations continue to sharpen aerial warfighting integration, strengthening joint integration and partnership for a free and open Indo-Pacific.
Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND
It is only through robust cooperation between ROK and U.S. forces that defense against aggression on the Korean peninsula can be deterred or, if need be, repelled.
This interoperability is forged through joint trainings, exercises and drills. A prime example of this took place between the U.S. and ROK forces Feb. 12-13, 2025.
“A combined maneuver exercise took place with the 112th Mechanized Infantry Battalion, ROK Army Special Forces, the 25th Fighter Squadron and joint terminal attack controllers from the 607th Air Support Operations Group,” said U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Michael Murphy, 51st Fighter Wing ground liaison officer.
The purpose of training, from the ground perspective, was for the 112th MIB to train on establishing and executing a hasty defense in response to a simulated attack, said Murphy. Additionally, ROKA Special Forces exercised their targeting and terminal guidance operations in coordination with U.S. air assets.
“Opportunities to train in a combined environment can be limited, so training like this is incredibly important to the U.S.-ROK Alliance,” said Murphy. “The ability to work side by side increases our overall effectiveness by allowing one another to grow our understanding of our partners’ tactics and capabilities.”
This training was a new opportunity from the aerial perspective as well, providing valuable experiences for members of the 25th FS.
“This was really the only opportunity that I have seen that there has been actual live tanks out there playing as an opposition force that is postured against friendly infantry,” said U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Justin Davis, 25th Fighter Squadron commander. “It helped us practice how we would actually fight. If we get called for close air support it could be for a U.S. unit or a ROK unit. It helped them understand what support we can provide and it helped us understand what kind of support they might need.”
Increased tactical proficiency is crucial to effective mission completion, but is not the only benefit that was seen from this exercise.
“It makes us better at our job of close air support, but more than that it showcases that we have a strong alliance, that we put a lot of time and effort into maintaining the alliance and strengthening those bonds, even at the lowest tactical level,” said Davis. “From the 7th Air Force and U.S. Forces Korea, all the way down to the squadron level, we are integrating to improve our ability to support each other if war were to come.”
Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND
Many historic American military operations in the Pacific were set on steaming jungle islands, but the US Indo-Pacific Command Area of Responsibility includes some cold and snowy places. PACIFIC DAGGER, an exercise designed to test skills needed in an INDOPACOM contingency scenario, included a new desired learning objective for the 521st CRS “Hydras”: cold weather operations. The Westover’s 439th Airlift Wing “Dogpatch” training area hosted tents, generators, a forklift, and bundled-up Airmen.
“Our mission is simple, but complex. It’s to rapidly assess, open, operate, sustain, and defend expeditionary airfields and aerial ports. And the reason we’re out here today is we’re putting the Hydras through a pretty tough expeditionary test,” said Lt. Col. Ryan Frost, commander of the squadron. “We put the whole Contingency Response Element through these cold-weather paces while dealing with difficult force protection condition change injects and chemical and biological attack injects. And our airmen did the test.”
PACIFIC DAGGER was the first time the 521st CRS Senior Enlisted Leader, Chief Master Sgt. Mark Erwin, saw a Contingency Response Element in action. “The rate at which people accomplish their tasks, some of which were not inherent to their own Air Force Specialty, that’s what really impressed me. We have some professionals in certain AFSC’s that are knocking out some technical tasks, but they need extra hands of people pitching in. They looked for the task at hand, and everybody got after it. It was really cool to watch.”
Contingency Response Airmen routinely practice responding to chemical & biological threats as well as armed opposing forces. In the wooded winterscape at Westover, the Hydras found themselves scraping freezing rain off their gas masks and knocking ice from their weapons before they could engage the enemy during a firefight.
Tech. Sgt. David Cope, security forces assessor with the 621st Contingency Response Group, observed and coached the exercise participants. “Any exercise is valuable to be able to practice the ‘hub-and-spoke’ situation, coordinating with other squadrons to employ real-time intelligence updates. However, the weather puts many of us in a completely new situation. The cold and ice impacts everything from tent zippers to how we operate our generators. The team found out how important toe warmers are, and that [chemical, biological, and radiological] protective clothing also helps protect from the cold.”
“When you don’t operate in the cold, there are things you don’t know,” said Erwin. “Coming out here, we’re learning and getting that experience, so if we have to deploy somewhere cold, we’ve got lessons learned to overcome problems. That way we can focus on whatever new problems occur whenever they come up.”
Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND
During the visit, JGSDF Soldiers were provided an in-depth mission briefing on the sophisticated integrated air and missile defense systems of the brigade, which included insights into the capabilities of the mobile interceptor missile – 104 surface-to-air missile system Patriot and the terminal high altitude area defense systems. This knowledge-sharing initiative is pivotal to bolstering the interoperable defense architecture between the United States and Japan, showcasing a unified stance against a myriad of aerial threats.
As tensions and strategic interests heighten across the Indo-Pacific theater, such collaborations are pivotal to ensure shared understanding and interoperability among allies. The Co-Op Program, spanning nine compelling weeks, immerses JGSDF members in the nerve center of U.S. Army operations at Camp Zama, the heart of U.S. Army Japan’s mission to safeguard peace and security in the region.
During their stay, JGSDF soldiers did not only gain insights into the operational imperatives of the 38th ADA brigade but also engaged in intensive language training designed to facilitate seamless communication in mission-critical scenarios. Each participant is paired with a counterpart from a different unit at Camp Zama, who guides them through their daily responsibilities, promoting a hands-on experience of the U.S. Army’s rigorous duties and responsibilities.
This holistic approach to exchange and cooperation underscores the U.S. Army’s commitment to deepening ties with its Japanese partners. By fostering such interpersonal and professional relationships, the 38th ADA brigade and USARJ are paving the way for a resilient and responsive integrated defense force, ready to confront the challenges of the 21st century.
The 38th Air Defense Artillery Brigade is a key component of the 94th Army Air and Missile Defense Command, U.S. Army Pacific, strategically forward-deployed and tasked with the vital mission of integrated air and missile defense in Japan as well as across the Indo-Pacific region. With a focus on readiness, modernization, and integration, the brigade stands at the forefront of strategic defense operations, ensuring peace and stability through unwavering vigilance and strong alliances.
Source: Office of United States Attorneys
McALLEN, Texas – A 29-year-old local resident has been sentenced for enticement of a minor and production of child sexual abuse material, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.
Christian Hanks pleaded guilty Oct. 15, 2024.
U.S. District Judge Micaela Alvarez has now sentenced Hanks to 400 and 360 months for enticement and production of child pornography convictions, respectively. The court ordered the sentences will run concurrently. In handing down the prison terms, the court noted the repeat nature of the offenses and the degree of manipulation involved in them. Judge Alvarez also indicated Hanks’ behavior was consistent with that of a sexual predator. He was further ordered to serve 10 years on supervised release following completion of his prison terms. During that time, he will have to comply with numerous requirements designed to restrict his access to children and the internet. Hanks will also be ordered to register as a sex offender.
“As the court found, the defendant’s behavior in this case was particularly abhorrent, and deserving of a significant sentence” said Ganjei. “Children deserve to grow up in a safe community, free from the predations of individuals like Hanks. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to ensure that similar predators are uncovered and prosecuted.”
“The conviction and sentencing of this individual today highlights our steadfast dedication to safeguarding our children,” said Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (ICE-HSI) Deputy Special Agent in Charge Mark Lippa. “With the sentence of production of child pornography, ICE-HSI sends a strong message that such reprehensible behavior will not be tolerated. We must remain united in our efforts to protect the safety and well-being of every child.”
Hanks recorded himself sexually abusing a minor victim in December 2023. The investigation revealed years of communication between himself and the minor regarding further sexual abuse, and requests to abuse the minor and other minor children.
The investigation also revealed Hanks had engaged in grooming behavior with another minor victim in the Western District of Louisiana to entice her to engage in sexual conduct with him. The investigation revealed he also engaged in sexual intercourse with the second minor victim.
He will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
Homeland Security Investigations in Texas and Louisiana conducted the investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Cahal P. McColgan and Earl M. Campbell prosecuted the case, which was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood (PSC), a nationwide initiative the Department of Justice (DOJ) launched in May 2006 to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section leads PSC, which marshals federal, state and local resources to locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children and identifies and rescues victims. For more information about PSC, please visit DOJ’s PSC page. For more information about internet safety education, please visit the resources link on that page.
Source: Office of United States Attorneys
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – RENIC PALMER, JR. (“PALMER”), age 25, of New Orleans, Louisiana, was sentenced on February 13, 2025, before United States District Judge Carl J. Barbier. PALMER previously pled guilty to making or using false writings or documents to the United States Small Business Administration (SBA), in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1001(a)(3), announced Acting U.S. Attorney Michael M. Simpson.
According to court documents, PALMER submitted false writings and documents to the SBA, to obtain a Payroll Protection Program (“PPP”) Loan. In his application, among other things, PALMER falsely represented that he was the owner of a merchant wholesale hair supply company formed in 2017, and that he was eligible for PPP funds. As a result of these false representations, PALMER obtained $20,832.00 from the SBA.
Judge Barbier sentenced PALMER to three years of probation, restitution of $20,832 to the SBA, and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee.
Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
For more information on the Department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus.
Acting U.S. Attorney Simpson commended the Special Agents of the Coast Guard Investigative Service for their work on this case. Assistant United States Attorney Andre J. Lagarde of the Public Integrity Unit is in charge of the prosecution.
Source: Office of United States Attorneys
WASHINGTON – Saki Frost, 18, and Azhari Graves, 18, both of Washington, D.C., were indicted today on charges of assault with intent to kill while armed and other charges stemming from a shooting that occurred on May 3, 2024, near Dunbar High School. The charges were announced by U.S. Attorney Edward R. Martin, Jr. and Chief Pamela Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department. Both defendants are to be arraigned on February 20, 2025, before the Honorable J. Michael Ryan.
Frost and Graves were indicted by a grand jury in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia on charges of assault with intent to kill while armed, aggravated assault while armed, assault with a dangerous weapon, and related firearms charges. Frost, who was 17 at the time of the shooting, was charged as an adult under Title 16, and was also indicted on charges of assault with intent to murder while armed.
According to the government’s evidence, at approximately 9:53 am, on May 3, 2024, Graves and Frost opened fire on a sedan that was driving down Kirby Street, NW, near Dunbar High School. A witness to the shooting reported hearing machine gun fire. Surveillance video captures Frost and Graves running down an alleyway holding firearms prior to the shooting. Surveillance video also captures the shooting, in which an individual appearing to be Frost fires a gun toward the sedan. Surveillance footage also captures Graves after the shooting holding a firearm with the slide locked to the rear of the weapon, indicating that the weapon had been fired and the magazine emptied. Graves and Frost then fled the area in a vehicle. Later that day, MPD officers located the defendants’ vehicle and arrested Graves and Frost. Investigators recovered a total of 29 shell casings from the scene of the shooting and numerous fragments from the exterior of Dunbar High School, as well as classrooms inside the school. Investigators also observed at least six bullet strikes to the N Street side of Dunbar. During the shooting, one Dunbar student suffered a graze wound to the head from the gunfire.
This case is being investigated by the Metropolitan Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Benjamin Helfand and Christian Natiello of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia.
An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Source: Office of United States Attorneys
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Devere Williams, age 36, of Troy, New York, was charged last week by indictment for possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Acting United States Attorney Daniel Hanlon and Craig L. Tremaroli, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), made the announcement.
The charges filed against Williams carry a prison term of at least 5 year and up to life in federal prison, a fine of up to $1 million, and a supervised release term of up to 5 years. The charges in the indictment are merely accusations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statutes the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.
Williams was arraigned today in Albany before United States Magistrate Judge Paul J. Evangelista, and will continue to be detained pending a hearing on February 21. The FBI is investigating this case. Assistant United States Attorneys Joseph S. Hartunian and Nicholas Walter are prosecuting this case.
Source: Office of United States Attorneys
ALBUQUERQUE – A Casamero Lake woman faces federal charges for involuntary manslaughter following a fatal car crash on tribal lands in New Mexico last summer.
According to the indictment, on August 6, 2024, Debbie Rojack, 45, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, killed John Doe by operating a motor vehicle with disregard for human life when she knew and should have known that her conduct imperiled the lives of others.
Rojack will remain in third party custody on conditions of release pending trial, which has not been set. If convicted, Rojack faces up to 8 years in prison.
Acting U.S. Attorney Holland S. Kastrin and Raul Bujanda, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office, made the announcement today.
The Gallup Resident Agency of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Navajo Police Department and Navajo Department of Criminal Investigations and the New Mexico State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brittany DuChaussee is prosecuting the case.
Source: Office of United States Attorneys
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Enrique Diaz-Perez, age 38, a Guatemalan national, was sentenced to serve 14 months federal prison yesterday for illegally reentering the United States after previously being convicted of illegal reentry in 2024. Acting United States Attorney Daniel Hanlon and Thomas P. Brophy, Field Office Director, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Enforcement and Removal Operations, (ICE-ERO) Buffalo, NY made the announcement.
As a part of his earlier plea, Diaz-Perez admitted that he was removed from the United States in 2009 following his conviction in Massachusetts for assault with a dangerous weapon. Diaz-Perez was again removed from the United States in February 2024, following his conviction in federal court in Syracuse for illegal reentry. On August 27, 2024, Diaz-Perez was located in Syracuse and arrested. At the time, Diaz-Perez was working in Little Falls, New York. Diaz-Perez will be subject to deportation again at the conclusion of his prison sentence.
In addition to the 14-month federal prison sentence, Diaz-Perez was also sentenced to a consecutive 4-month term of imprisonment for violating the conditions of his supervised release from his prior illegal reentry offense.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security-ICE-ERO investigated the case. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul Tuck prosecuted the case.
Source: Office of United States Attorneys
SANTA ANA, California – A former Newport Beach gynecologist pleaded guilty today to federal criminal charges for possessing child sexual abuse material (CSAM) across multiple personally owned devices.
Mark Albert Rettenmaier, 72, of Laguna Hills, pleaded guilty to two counts of possession of child pornography. He is free on $600,000 bond.
According to his plea agreement, on June 7, 2020, Rettenmaier uploaded 15 images of CSAM to an Adobe cloud-based storage system. At least four of the images Rettenmaier uploaded depicted two minors, one under the age of 12, engaging in sexually explicit conduct.
On July 22, 2020, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant of Rettenmaier’s residence and seized his cellphone and a laptop. Upon review of the cellphone, law enforcement identified at least two additional images of CSAM. Review of the laptop revealed at least one video and 209 images of minors engaged in sexual activity.
Rettenmaier admitted that he knowingly downloaded the images and video of CSAM from the internet and stored them on his personal devices.
United States District Judge Sherilyn Peace Garnett scheduled an August 6 sentencing hearing at which time Rettenmaier will face a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison for each count. Prosecutors have agreed to recommend that Rettenmaier be sentenced to no more than five years in federal prison.
Rettenmaier will also be required to pay a mandatory minimum of $3,000 restitution to each of six victims named in this case, for a total of at least $18,000.
The FBI investigated this matter.
Assistant United States Attorney Melissa Rabbani of the Orange County Office is prosecuting this case.
Source: Office of United States Attorneys
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – A Fredericksburg man was sentenced today to 10 years in prison for his role in a conspiracy to receive and distribute thousands of fentanyl pills.
According to court documents, Khalil Elijah Williams, 25, obtained counterfeit oxycodone pills that contained fentanyl from out-of-state suppliers and redistributed them in Virginia. The pills were imprinted “M30” to appear as legitimate oxycodone, but instead contained fentanyl. Williams then distributed those pills to his co-conspirators, including Alhagi Gassim Conteh, 30, of Alexandria, and others.
Williams obtained the fentanyl from co-conspirators who shipped packages containing thousands of counterfeit pills from Arizona and other states. For example, in August 2024, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) in Phoenix seized a parcel destined to Williams at an apartment in Woodbridge. USPIS inspectors in Arizona obtained and executed a search warrant and seized approximately a kilogram of counterfeit pills from the parcel. USPIS seized another shipment of counterfeit pills shipped from Phoenix that month that contained approximately 1,077.28 grams (gross weight) of fentanyl, or approximately 10,000 counterfeit pills. This shipment was also destined for Williams.
Between March and August 2024, Williams sold counterfeit pills totaling approximately 910.51 net grams to Conteh and others in transactions arranged by law enforcement. For example, on July 1, 2024, Williams sold 2,500 fentanyl pills at a location in Fredericksburg.
Conteh was arrested On April 12, 2024, and pled guilty on July 16, 2024, to conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and distribution of fentanyl. On Oct. 22, 2024, Conteh was sentenced to 10 years in prison.
On Aug. 14, 2024, law enforcement conducted enforcement operations that resulted in the arrest of Williams and the recovery of two handguns and miscellaneous ammunition from his residence.
Erik S. Siebert, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Ibrar A. Mian, Special Agent in Charge for the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Washington Division, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Leonie M. Brinkema.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristin S. Starr and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher M. Carter prosecuted the case.
Assistance was provided by the Washington/Baltimore High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:24-cr-236.
Source: Office of United States Attorneys
Marc H. Silverman, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that ANDY MARTE, also known as “AD,” 31, of Bridgeport, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden in New Haven to 51 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for his role in a drug robbery conspiracy.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on April 28, 2023, Marte, Kareem Porter, and Tyrone Allen drove to a Bridgeport apartment building where they intended to carry out a robbery at an apartment they believed contained a substantial quantity of drugs and drug proceeds. Marte separately contacted Jermaine Bethel, who arrived to participate in the robbery. Marte instructed Bethel, Porter, and Allen, who had a crowbar, to carry out the robbery, while Marte remained in the car, with two handguns, to serve as a getaway driver. After failing to enter the apartment, Bethel, Porter, and Allen returned to the vehicle where they were encountered by law enforcement. Investigators learned of the scheme by monitoring Marte’s phone, which was subject to a court-authorized wiretap related to alleged drug trafficking activity. Officers searched the vehicle and its occupants and seized the two handguns and the crowbar.
Marte’s criminal history includes convictions for multiple firearms offenses and a violent robbery.
Marte has been detained since his arrest on April 28, 2023. On March 28, 2024, he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act Robbery.
Porter, Allen, and Bethel pleaded guilty to the same charge. On October 28, 2024, Porter was sentenced to 24 months of imprisonment. On December 2, 2024, Bethel was sentenced to 12 months and one day of imprisonment. Allen awaits sentencing.
This investigation was conducted by FBI’s Bridgeport Safe Streets Task Force and the Bridgeport Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ross Weingarten and Karen Peck.
Source: Office of United States Attorneys
Matthew Podolsky, the Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that RAUL SILVA was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge P. Kevin Castel to 12 years in prison for selling thousands of doses of deadly narcotics, including fentanyl, acetyl fentanyl, and heroin, the use of which resulted in the July 2019 death of a 66-year-old woman (the “Victim”), to whom SILVA had sold drugs for years.
Acting U.S. Attorney Matthew Podolsky said: “Raul Silva made a career of endangering lives by distributing illegal narcotics, some of which were laced with deadly fentanyl and acetyl. Silva’s disregard for others eventually caused the tragic and untimely death of a 66-year-old woman, who overdosed on a laced dose supplied by Silva. I thank our career prosecutors and agency partners for their determination and vigilance in holding Silva, and dealers like him, accountable.”
As reflected in the Indictment, court filings, the evidence presented in court, and the Court’s determinations at the sentencing hearing:
Between February 2019 and July 2019, SILVA and his co-defendant conspired to sell to an undercover New York City Police Department (“NYPD”) officer, on eight separate occasions, more than 4,000 glassines containing varying combinations of fentanyl, acetyl fentanyl, heroin, and other drugs. These repeated drug sales followed years of narcotics trafficking and other criminal activity by SILVA, which resulted in 14 prior criminal convictions, including 10 prior narcotics convictions dating back to 1987.
In addition, SILVA was the longtime drug supplier of the Victim, a 66-year-old woman residing in the Chelsea area of Manhattan. On July 11, 2019, SILVA met the Victim near her residence to sell her several glassines containing fentanyl, acetyl fentanyl, and heroin. The Victim died in her apartment shortly thereafter, after consuming the narcotics sold to her by SILVA. The Victim’s body was discovered two days later by her daughter, who was completing her medical residency in Virginia at the time, and who traveled to the Victim’s apartment on the evening of July 13, 2019, after being repeatedly unable to reach her mother.
* * *
In addition to the prison term, SILVA, 55, of New York, New York, was sentenced to five years of supervised release.
Mr. Podolsky praised the outstanding investigative work of the NYPD.
The prosecution of this case is being handled by the Office’s Narcotics Unit. Assistant United States Attorneys Jonathan L. Bodansky and Matthew Weinberg are in charge of the prosecution, with assistance from Paralegal Specialist Owen Foley.
Source: Office of United States Attorneys
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – A Centerville woman pled guilty today to wire fraud relating to her embezzlement of $550,000 from her employer.
According to court documents, Paula Sue Leventhal, 64, was the Chief Executive Secretary to the Chief Executive Officer for a farmer-owned cooperative headquartered in Herndon. Leventhal’s duties included arranging travel for cooperative executives. Leventhal used credit cards issued by the cooperative to make travel arrangements, often using travel websites.
On Nov. 30, 2015, Leventhal created a merchant account on Square, a point-of-sale platform that small businesses and other merchants can use to accept credit and debit card payments. Square allows users to change the name of the merchant account that appears to the customer when making a payment.
From December 2015 through July 2022, Leventhal used cooperative-issued credit cards to send money to herself via Square by charging fraudulent transactions. Leventhal disguised the transactions by changing the merchant name associated with her Square account so the charges would appear as cooperative-authorized business expenses in bank statements. Leventhal often changed the merchant name associated with her Square account to mimic travel providers and other seemingly authorized businesses.
After the funds were available in the Square account, Leventhal would transfer the money to her personal bank accounts. From Dec. 14, 2015, until July 6, 2022, Leventhal used her Square account to fraudulently charge cooperative-issued credit cards 506 times for a total of $550,000 and transferred that amount from her Square account to her personal bank accounts in 373 increments.
Leventhal is scheduled to be sentenced on May 28 and faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Erik S. Siebert, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Matt McCool, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Secret Service’s Washington Field Office, made the announcement after U.S. District Judge Rossie D. Alston Jr. accepted the plea.
Special Assistant U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul III and Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Hood are prosecuting the case. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Kyle Finnegan provided substantial assistance to the investigation.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:25-cr-26.
Source: Office of United States Attorneys
MADISON, WIS. – Timothy M. O’Shea, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Bee Her, 45, Wausau, Wisconsin, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge William M. Conley to 8 years in federal prison for distributing 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. The prison term will be followed by 5 years of supervised release. Her pleaded guilty to this charge on November 26, 2024.
In 2023, investigators with the Central Wisconsin Narcotics Task Force identified Bee Her as a multi-pound methamphetamine dealer operating out of Wausau. On October 13, 2023, a confidential informant purchased one pound of methamphetamine from Her at Her’s residence. On October 23, 2023, a confidential informant received two ounces of methamphetamine from Her at Her’s residence.
On February 8, 2024, Her was arrested on an active supervision warrant. Information obtained during the investigation suggests that Her was working for the cartels to traffic methamphetamine and that the cartels were trying to establish a line and system near Wausau. Her told investigators that he obtained 5 pounds of methamphetamine every two to three weeks to distribute.
During this time, Her was on state supervision for two felony cases, one involving a conviction for Child Enticement-Sexual Contact and the other involving convictions for Possession of Methamphetamine and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Her’s supervision on the child sex crime was not revoked. His supervision on the drug case was revoked and he was sentenced to one year in jail.
At sentencing, Judge Conley said Her was identified as a large-scale trafficker of methamphetamine in Wausau with connections to Minnesota and Mexico and weighed the seriousness of Her’s conduct against his addiction to methamphetamine.
The charge against Her was the result of an investigation conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Central Wisconsin Narcotics Task Force comprised of investigators from the FBI, Wisconsin State Patrol, Wisconsin Department of Criminal Investigation, Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, Marathon County Sheriff’s Office, Portage County Sheriff’s Office, Mountain Bay Police Department, Wausau Police Department and Wisconsin National Guard Counter Drug Program. Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven P. Anderson prosecuted this case.
Source: United States Attorneys General 1
An indictment was unsealed today charging Cory Lloyd, 46, of Stuart, Florida, and Steven Strong, 42, of Mansfield, Texas, in connection with their alleged participation in a scheme to submit fraudulent enrollments to fully subsidized Affordable Care Act insurance plans (ACA plans) in order to obtain millions of dollars in commission payments from insurance companies.
ACA plans offer tax credits to eligible enrollees. These tax credits, or “subsidies,” could be paid by the federal government directly to insurance plans in the form of a payment toward the applicable monthly premium. According to court documents, Lloyd and Strong conspired to enroll consumers in ACA plans that were fully subsidized by the federal government by submitting false and fraudulent applications for individuals whose income did not meet the minimum requirements to be eligible for the subsidies. Lloyd allegedly received commission and other payments from an insurance company in exchange for enrolling consumers in the ACA plans. In turn, Lloyd allegedly paid commissions to Strong in exchange for consumer referrals.
As alleged in the indictment, Lloyd and Strong targeted vulnerable, low-income individuals experiencing homelessness, unemployment, and mental health and substance abuse disorders, and, through “street marketers” working on their behalf, sometimes offered bribes to induce those individuals to enroll in subsidized ACA plans. Marketers working for Strong’s company allegedly coached consumers on how to respond to application questions to maximize the subsidy amount and provided addresses and social security numbers that did not match the consumers purportedly applying. As a result of being enrolled in subsidized ACA plans for which they did not qualify, some of these consumers experienced disruptions in their medical care.
The indictment alleges that Lloyd and Strong used misleading sales scripts and other deceptive sales techniques to convince consumers to state that they would attempt to earn the minimum income necessary to qualify for a subsidized ACA plan, even when the consumer initially projected having no income. Lloyd and Strong also allegedly conspired to bypass the federal government’s attempts to verify income and other information. Lloyd and Strong allegedly engaged in the scheme to maximize the commission payments they received from insurers, resulting in their companies’ receiving millions of dollars in commissions.
As alleged in the indictment, Lloyd and Strong’s scheme caused the federal government to pay at least $161,900,000 in subsidies.
Cory Lloyd and Steven Strong are each charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, three counts of wire fraud, conspiracy to defraud the United States, and two counts of money laundering. If convicted, each faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison on each count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and wire fraud, five years in prison for conspiracy to defraud the United States, and 10 years in prison for each count of money laundering.
Supervisory Official Antoinette T. Bacon of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, Acting Special Agent in Charge Justin Fleck of the FBI Miami Field Office, Acting Special Agent in Charge Isaac Bledsoe of the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG) Miami Regional Office, and Special Agent in Charge Emmanuel Gomez of the IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) Miami Field Office made the announcement.
The FBI, HHS-OIG, and IRS-CI are investigating the case.
Assistant Chief Jamie de Boer and Trial Attorney D. Keith Clouser of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section are prosecuting the case.
The Fraud Section leads the Criminal Division’s efforts to combat health care fraud through the Health Care Fraud Strike Force Program. Since March 2007, this program, currently comprised of nine strike forces operating in 27 federal districts, has charged more than 5,800 defendants who collectively have billed federal health care programs and private insurers more than $30 billion. In addition, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, working in conjunction with HHS-OIG, are taking steps to hold providers accountable for their involvement in health care fraud schemes. More information can be found at www.justice.gov/criminal-fraud/health-care-fraud-unit.
An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Source: Office of United States Attorneys
PITTSBURGH, Pa. – A resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of conspiracy to commit sex trafficking by force, threats of force, fraud, or coercion, Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.
Philip Walker, 39, pleaded guilty to one count before United States District Judge Cathy Bissoon.
In connection with the guilty plea, the Court was advised that, from in and around November 2019 through in and around April 2022, in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Florida, and Texas, Walker conspired to recruit and entice persons—namely adult females—knowing and in reckless disregard of the fact that means of force, threats of force, fraud, coercion, or any combination of such means would be used to cause those persons to engage in commercial sex acts.
Judge Bissoon scheduled sentencing for May 29, 2025. The law provides for a total sentence of up to life in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, or both. Under the federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney DeMarr W. Moulton is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation, with the assistance of the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police Narcotics Division, conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Walker.
This prosecution is part of Operation T.E.N. (Trafficking Ends Now), an umbrella coalition for law enforcement, community, and non-profit partners in the 25 counties in the Western District of Pennsylvania. This coordinated effort aims to end human trafficking through education and improved cooperation across agencies and service providers, thereby enhancing the office’s ability to empower victims of human trafficking to become thriving survivors.
Source: Office of United States Attorneys
BOSTON – The United States Attorney’s Office filed a civil forfeiture action to recover 7.23918814 BTC (bitcoin), 14,120 USDT (Tether), 105.75351403 ETH (Ethereum) and several other cryptocurrencies, alleged to be proceeds of an online investment fraud scheme. The cryptocurrency currently has an estimated value of more than $170,579.
In March 2024, an investigation began into a cryptocurrency investment fraud scheme that targeted a Massachusetts resident. In such fraud schemes, often called “pig-butchering” schemes, scammers obtain funds from victims using manipulative tactics. The scammer establishes a level of trust with a victim in online communications and then entices the victim into investing in a fraudulent cryptocurrency scheme. Often the victim is enticed to make additional payments before realizing they are a victim of fraud. The victim’s funds are stolen by the criminal, or criminals, ultimately causing the victim financial and emotional harm. Perpetrators behind these cryptocurrency investment schemes are often located overseas.
As alleged in court documents, a Massachusetts resident joined a Facebook Group called “Financial Independence Forum” that purported to be a “community dedicated to assist individuals achieve financial independence and early retirement through reliable investment.” After being shown screenshots showing “profit gains” and receiving message claiming expertise in investments and effective trading strategies, the victim followed instructions to create an account and transfer funds to a new trading platform that law enforcement believes was fraudulent.
During the investigation, three additional victims were identified from across the United States who sent funds to the same allegedly fraudulent trading platform. Some victim funds were traced to a cryptocurrency account, which was seized in October 2024.
It is a violation of federal law to use wire communications as part of a scheme to defraud or to obtain money or property by means of false or fraudulent pretenses. It is also a violation of federal law to conduct a financial transaction knowing that the transaction is designed to conceal the nature, location, source, ownership, or control of criminal proceeds. A civil forfeiture action allows third parties to assert claims to property, which must be resolved before the property can be forfeited to the United States and returned to victims.
This is one of several civil forfeiture actions the U.S. Attorney’s Office has filed seeking to forfeit cryptocurrency traced to fraud schemes targeting Massachusetts victims.
Members of the public who believe they are victims of a cybercrime – including cryptocurrency scams, romance scams, investment scams and business email compromise fraud scams – should contact USAMA.CyberTip@usdoj.gov.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Andrew Murphy, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Secret Service, Boston Field Office made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Carol E. Head, Chief of the Asset Recovery Unit is prosecuting the civil forfeiture action.
The details contained in the civil forfeiture complaint are allegations. The United States Attorney’s Office has not filed a corresponding criminal action in the matter.
Source: Office of United States Attorneys
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – Acting U.S. Attorney Michael M. Simpson announced that MACEO ROBERTS (“ROBERTS”), age 25, from Memphis, Tennessee, was sentenced on February 12, 2025 before United States District Judge Susie Morgan for conspiring to commit sex trafficking, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1594(c).
According to court documents, in about Summer 2020, ROBERTS told his co-conspirators, Dominique Peeples and Jeremy Talbert, that he was making a lot of money acting as a pimp, and offered to teach them how to be pimps, as well. After Peeples and Talbert agreed, ROBERTS “gave” Minor Victim 2, a minor female born in 2003 who had previously performed commercial sex acts under ROBERTS’s direction, to Peeples. Thereafter, Minor Victim 2 introduced Talbert to Minor Victim 3, a minor female born in 2003, who began performing commercial sex acts under Talbert’s direction.
During Summer 2020, ROBERTS, Peeples, and Talbert travelled throughout the southern United States, including the New Orleans area, with multiple females, including Minor Victim 2, Minor Victim 3, and Adult Victim 1, for the purpose of having the females engage in commercial sex acts. ROBERTS taught Peeples and Talbert techniques to oversee and advertise a prostitution operation, including the amount to charge. ROBERTS also reminded them to keep all of the proceeds. During this time period, including while in New Orleans, Adult Victim 1 engaged in commercial sex acts at the direction and supervision of ROBERTS, while Minor Victim 2 worked for Peeples and Minor Victim 3 worked for Talbert.
In about October 2020, ROBERTS assumed control over Minor Victim 3, and required her, not only, to work approximately fifteen hours per day performing commercial sex acts, but also to give him all the money she earned. ROBERTS beat Adult Victim 1 in front of Minor Victim 3 to show Minor Victim 3 the consequences for not following his instructions. ROBERTS also provided drugs and alcohol to the victims to control their behavior.
In about October 2020, Talbert recruited Minor Victim 1, a fourteen-year-old female, to engage in commercial sex acts under his direction. In about late October 2020, ROBERTS, Peeples, Talbert, Adult Victim 1, Minor Victim 1, and Minor Victim 2 travelled to New Orleans, where they stayed for several months. During this time, ROBERTS, Peeples, and Talbert supervised the commercial sex work of Adult Victim 1, Minor Victim 2, and Minor Victim 1, respectively. ROBERTS imposed rules and quotas that Adult Victim 1 had to follow and, when she did not meet those quotas or expressed reluctance, ROBERTS threatened to beat and shoot her.
In January 2021, ROBERTS beat Adult Victim 1 so badly that she required hospitalization in a New Orleans area facility. After Adult Victim 1’s hospital discharge, ROBERTS and Peeples told Adult Victim 1 and Minor Victim 2 that they would bring them home to Memphis. Instead, ROBERTS and Peeples drove them to Houston and forced them to engage in commercial sex acts until they finally escaped. ROBERTS and Peeples then returned to Memphis to look for Adult Victim 1 and Minor Victim 2 to punish them for escaping. ROBERTS located Adult Victim 1, hiding in a hotel bathtub, and choked her. He also threatened Minor Victim 2.
Additionally, in about late January 2021, ROBERTS met and began recruiting Adult Victim 2 to perform commercial sex acts under his direction. Adult Victim 2 did so until about April 2022. During that time, ROBERTS repeatedly beat, threatened, and victimized Adult Victim 2, including in November 2021 at a New Orleans area hotel. In about April 2022, shortly before his arrest, ROBERTS punched Adult Victim 2 so hard that he shattered her front teeth.
U.S. District Judge Susie Morgan sentenced ROBERTS to 270 months’ imprisonment. Judge Morgan ordered that this sentence be run consecutively to any sentence imposed on a pending case for attempted murder and robbery in Marion County Superior Court in Indianapolis, Indiana. Judge Morgan imposed a fifteen year term of supervised release following imprisonment. ROBERTS was ordered to pay $666,000 in restitution to the victims. ROBERTS must also participate in the sex offender registration and notification program. In addition, Judge Morgan imposed a $100 mandatory special assessment fee.
Peeples and Talbert previously pleaded guilty to sex trafficking offenses. Peeples’s sentencing is set for April 9, 2025, before Judge Sarah S. Vance, and Talbert’s sentencing is set for March 12, 2025, before Judge Lance M. Africk.
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 the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. For more information about internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab “resources.”
The U.S. Attorney’s Office would like to acknowledge the assistance of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the New Orleans Police Department, and the Memphis Police Department with this matter. The prosecution of this case is being handled by Assistant United States Attorneys Maria Carboni of the Financial Crimes Unit and Jordan Ginsberg, Supervisor of the Public Integrity Unit.
Source: Office of United States Attorneys
PHILADELPHIA – Acting United States Attorney Nelson S.T. Thayer, Jr., announced that Daniel Pinos, 30, of Ecuador, was sentenced today to one year of non-reporting probation and a $100 special assessment by United States District Court Judge John M. Gallagher for conspiracy to introduce misbranded drugs into interstate commerce.
Pinos pleaded guilty last week to a one-count information charging him with that offense.
Since in or about 2022, Pinos, an Ecuadorian dentist, made regular trips to the United States to provide dental care and prescription drugs in return for payment. Pinos did so even though he was not licensed to practice dentistry or prescribe drugs in the United States. Some of the drugs he dispensed while in the United States were shipped from Ecuador.
On September 10, 2024, law enforcement encountered Pinos and seized misbranded drugs and medical and dental equipment.
“In the U.S., we regulate health care and medications, to keep people safe,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Thayer. “Pinos understood that he wasn’t licensed to practice dentistry or provide prescription drugs here, but did so, nonetheless. This office and the FBI will continue to investigate such medical malfeasance and hold those who commit it accountable.”
“The FBI remains steadfast in our commitment to protect our citizens and safeguard the integrity of our healthcare systems,” said Wayne A. Jacobs, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Philadelphia. “We applaud the hard work of the Allentown Resident Agency and our partners in this case and in their efforts to keep our communities safe.”
The case was investigated by FBI Philadelphia’s Allentown Resident Agency and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney John J. Boscia.
Source: Office of United States Attorneys
Marc H. Silverman, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that LUIS DeJESUS, 30, of Hartford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to 132 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release, for narcotics distribution and firearm possession offenses.
According to court documents and statements made in court, DeJesus’s criminal history includes felony convictions in state court for criminal possession of a firearm and burglary in the third degree.
According to court documents and statements made in court, in 2022, members of the Connecticut State Police’s Statewide Narcotics Task Force – North Central Office conducted a series of controlled purchases of narcotics from DeJesus. DeJesus was arrested on state charges on December 16, 2022, and, on that date, a court-authorized search of his Hartford residence revealed approximately 460 grams of fentanyl, approximately 90 grams of crack cocaine, nearly a kilogram of marijuana, drug processing and packaging materials, a loaded Glock 45 9mm handgun, a loaded 9mm magazine, and $52,579 in cash.
The case was adopted for federal prosecution and, on March 7, 2023, a grand jury returned an indictment charging DeJesus with one count of possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl and a quantity of cocaine, and one count of unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon.
After his federal arrest, DeJesus was released on a $100,000 bond and into home confinement at residence of a family member on Warren Street in Hartford. On November 20, 2023, DeJesus was again arrested after law enforcement executed a search warrant at the residence. As investigators entered the residence, DeJesus threw fentanyl out of a window. A search of the residence revealed an additional quantity of fentanyl, a small quantity of cocaine, and drug processing and packaging materials. In total, DeJesus possessed more than 490 grams of fentanyl on that date.
On February 20, 2024, the grand jury returned a superseding indictment charging DeJesus with an additional count of possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl.
DeJesus has been detained since November 20, 2023. On October 17, 2024, he pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl, and unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon.
This matter was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Hartford Resident Office and the Connecticut State Police’s Statewide Narcotics Task Force – North Central Office, with the assistance of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney A. Reed Durham.
Source: Office of United States Attorneys
LOS ANGELES – A Palmdale man is scheduled to be arraigned today on a 12-count federal grand jury indictment alleging he coerced two minors into producing and sharing with him sexually explicit content of themselves and enticed one minor to have sex with him.
Darius Desean Edwards, 21, of Palmdale, is charged with five counts of production of child pornography, five counts of receipt of child pornography, and two counts of enticement of a minor to engage in criminal sexual activity.
Edwards, who was employed by Palmdale’s Department of Parks and Recreation until his recent termination, was arrested this morning and is scheduled to be arraigned this afternoon in United States District Court in downtown Los Angeles.
According to the indictment, from October 2023 until December 2023, Edwards engaged in sexual conversations with a then 16-year-old girl and requested her to produce and share with him child sexual abuse material (CSAM) of herself. Edwards received at least one video from this victim depicting CSAM.
In March 2024, Edwards communicated with a then 15-year-old girl and requested that she produce and share with him CSAM of herself. Edwards received at least one photo and three videos from this victim depicting CSAM.
An indictment contains allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.
If convicted, Edwards would face a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in federal prison for each count of receipt of child pornography, a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in federal prison for each count of production of child pornography, and a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in federal prison and a statutory maximum of life in prison for each count of enticement of a minor to engage in criminal sexual activity.
The FBI is investigating this matter.
Assistant United States Attorney Lyndsi Allsop with the Violent and Organized Crime Section is prosecuting this case.
Source: Office of United States Attorneys
CLEVELAND – Angela Frase, 60, of Sterling, Ohio, has been sentenced to 24 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Dan Aaron Polster after pleading guilty to four counts of mail fraud for accepting insurance checks after she knowingly submitted false claims. Frase was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $327,072.
Frase pleaded guilty to devising a scheme that took place from July 2 to Aug. 23, 2019, to defraud a homeowner’s insurance company. According to court documents, the scheme began when Frase called fire emergency services on July 2, 2019, and again on July 3, 2019, to report a fire in her home. Fire marshals were unable to determine the cause of the fire at the time. The insurance company then housed Frase and her husband at an extended stay hotel. An investigation later conducted by insurance company experts determined no evidence of electrical failure as the cause of the fire.
On the morning of Aug. 6, 2019, the fire department responded to a natural gas leak at the Frase residence. Home remodeling employees entered the home to work on the damage caused by the fire but were forced to evacuate due to the strong smell of natural gas. The fire marshal later determined that the stove was turned on, filling the residence with explosive-causing levels of natural gas. Frase and her husband were the last people in the home prior to the discovery of gas and claimed to have locked the doors. There was no sign of forced entry.
On Aug. 6, 2019, at approximately 10:43 p.m., Frase left her extended stay hotel room, drove to her home on Spruce Street in Seville, Ohio, and started a fire. Investigators later learned through her cellphone location data that she remained in the area of her home from 10:54 p.m. until 11:39 p.m. and then returned to her hotel room. On Aug. 7, 2019, at approximately 12:36 a.m., the Sterling Fire Department and Wayne County Sheriff’s Office responded to the home in reference to a fire and explosion. The Ohio State Fire Marshal later determined the cause of the fire was incendiary in nature. In addition to starting the fire, Frase spray-painted what appeared to be racial disparities on her own garage and vandalized her neighbor’s vehicle.
On Aug. 11, 2019, between 9:30 and 10 p.m., Frase returned to her home and again spray-painted hate speech on her own garage. When a sheriff’s deputy responded and discovered the words, Frase told the deputy that she saw two suspicious individuals running through the field behind her property. Three days later, on Aug. 14, Frase called authorities again after she placed a stuffed doll painted black with a noose tied around its neck in her own mailbox. On Aug. 23, she once again contacted law enforcement to report that she found an envelope at her residence while walking around the property that had a racial slur written on it and inside was a plastic bag filled with an unknown white substance and the word “die.”
From Nov. 1, 2019 to June 17, 2020, the insurance company mailed four checks to Frase for property losses and damages which she accepted. She was later charged with four counts of mail fraud for attempting to swindle money from the homeowner’s insurance company through intentionally deceptive actions.
This case was investigated by the FBI Cleveland Division, Wayne County Sheriff’s Office, and Ohio’s Division of State Fire Marshal. Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott Zarzycki for the Northern District of Ohio prosecuted the case.
Source: Office of United States Attorneys
Marc H. Silverman, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that OVIDALIS JIMINEZ PUJOLS, 39, a citizen of the Dominican Republic last residing in New York, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Vernon D. Oliver in Hartford to 48 months of imprisonment for a fentanyl trafficking offense.
According to court documents and statements made in court, in February 2023, the Drug Enforcement Administration arranged the controlled purchase of two kilograms of fentanyl from a wholesale supplier of narcotics with multiple distribution points in the northeastern U.S. Jiminez Pujols and his co-defendant, Winifer Acosta Jiminez, were arrested on February 22, 2023, after they transported the two kilograms of fentanyl from New York to a meeting location in Milford, Connecticut.
Jiminez Pujols has been detained since his arrest on February 22, 2023. On November 26, 2024, he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl.
Jiminez Pujols faces immigration proceedings when he completes his prison term.
Acosta Jiminez, who was released on $100,000 bond after federal arrest on January 31, 2024, removed her GPS monitoring equipment on July 31, 2024, and absconded. She is currently being sought by law enforcement.
As to Acosta Jiminez, Acting U.S. Attorney Silverman stressed that an indictment is not evidence of guilt. Charges are only allegations, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
This matter is being investigated the Drug Enforcement Administration, with the assistance of the Connecticut State Police and the West Haven Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Stephanie T. Levick and Nathan J. Guevremont through the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Program. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations through a prosecutor-led and intelligence-driven approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
Source: United States Navy
Thomas Hudner will deploy to the U.S. Southern Command Area of Responsibility (USSOUTHCOM AOR) to support bilateral and multinational maritime operations with partners in the region and conduct Theater Security Cooperation (TSC) port visits.
“The crew of the USS Thomas Hudner is proud to answer the call for presence in USSOUTHCOM AOR,” said Cmdr. Cameron Ingram, USS Thomas Hudner Commanding Officer. “Our Team is ready to ensure maritime freedom of action in the Caribbean, protect our interests throughout the region and strengthen maritime partnerships.”
Thomas Hudner returned to Mayport, Florida after an eight-month deployment to the U.S. Naval Forces Europe – Africa area of operations, Jan. 4, 2024. Thomas Hudner was assigned to the Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group (CSG). During the deployment, Thomas Hudner served as an air defense unit for the strike group off the coast of Israel, and worked closely with Allies and Partners on a variety of missions. Additionally, Thomas Hudner led a Surface Action Group comprised of Allied and Partner nations in the English Channel, designed to flex advanced Surface Warfare and Subsurface Warfare tactics.
U.S. 4th Fleet employs maritime forces in cooperative maritime security operations in order to maintain access, enhance interoperability, and build enduring partnerships that foster regional security in the USSOUTHCOM AOR.
USSOUTHCOM AOR encompasses 31 countries and 16 dependencies and areas of special sovereignty, including the land mass of Latin America south of Mexico, waters adjacent to Central and South America, and the Caribbean Sea. The region represents about one-sixth of the landmass of the world assigned to regional unified commands.
U.S. Fleet Forces Command is responsible for manning, training, equipping, and providing combat-ready forces forward to numbered fleets and combatant commanders around the globe.