DOJ Press Release

Mexican man sentenced for illegal reentry

MISSOULA – A Mexican man who reentered the United States illegally was sentenced today to 18 months incarceration and 3 years of supervised release, Acting U.S. Attorney Tim Racicot said.Baldemar Duarte-Nieto, 47, pleaded guilty in November 2025 to one count of illegal reentry.U.S. District Judge Donald W. Molloy presided.The government alleged in court documents that on…
Man Indicted and Arrested for Kidnapping and Carjacking of a U.S. Postal Service Letter Carrier

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – On March 19, 2026, a federal grand jury in the District of Puerto Rico returned a four-count indictment charging a Guaynabo man with kidnapping and carjacking a United States Postal Service letter carrier. Source: U.S. Department of Justice
Former Placer County Resident Charged with Identity Theft and Fraudulently Obtaining More Than $110,000 in Social Security Benefits

A 12-count indictment was unsealed today following the arrest in Arizona of Richard Warren Ralston, 69, of Mesa, Arizona. He is charged with wire fraud, aggravated identity theft, and Social Security fraud. Source: U.S. Department of Justice
District of Arizona Charges 185 Individuals for Immigration-Related Criminal Conduct this Week

PHOENIX, Ariz. – During the week of enforcement operations from March 14 through March 20, 2026, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona brought immigration-related criminal charges against 185 individuals. Specifically, the United States filed 108 cases in which aliens illegally re-entered the United States, and the United States also charged 53 aliens…
Thomaston Resident Pleads Guilty to Border Patrol Assault

PORTLAND, Maine: A Thomaston resident pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Portland to assaulting a U.S. Border Patrol agent engaged in his official duties.According to court records, in August 2025, a United States Border Patrol agent responded to a one-vehicle crash in Washington, Maine. As law enforcement conducted a roadside investigation, Olivia Wilkins, 24,…
Florida Inmate Pleads Guilty to Distribution & Receipt of Child Pornography

Tallahassee, Florida – Edward G. Winn, 47, an inmate of the Florida Department of Corrections who is formerly of Sarasota, Florida, pleaded guilty in federal court to one count of distribution of child pornography and one count of receipt of child pornography. Source: U.S. Department of Justice
Federal Judge Sentences Suburban Chicago Man to Six and a Half Years in Prison for $3.3 Million Covid-Relief Fraud

U.S. Attorney Andrew S. Boutros is taking a fresh look at Covid-19 fraud. Source: U.S. Department of Justice
Los Angeles, California Man Sentenced to More Than 2 Years in Federal Prison for Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance

United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced today that Chief Judge Roberto A. Lange, U.S. District Court, has sentenced a Los Angeles, California, man convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance. The sentencing took place on March 16, 2026. Source: U.S. Department of Justice
Detroit Man Sentenced for Role in Drug Trafficking Organization

A Detroit, Michigan man was sentenced today for his role in a drug trafficking operation that distributed methamphetamine and fentanyl in Harrison County, West Virginia, U.S. Attorney Matthew L. Harvey announced. Malik Rashard Fikes, also known as “Face,” was sentenced to 78 months in federal prison. Source: U.S. Department of Justice
Owner of Now-Closed Milwaukee Prenatal Care Coordination Company Sentenced to 60 Months’ Imprisonment for Healthcare Fraud Scheme

Brad D. Schimel, First Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that on March 19, 2026, Lakia Jackson (age 36) was sentenced to 60 months’ incarceration for committing a healthcare fraud scheme through which she stole $2,655,463.63 from a Medicaid benefit meant to help at-risk pregnant women and women with young children.On…
Massachusetts Men Indicted for Conspiring to Distribute Methamphetamine and Fentanyl in New Hampshire

Massachusetts Men Indicted for Conspiring to Distribute Methamphetamine and Fentanyl in New Hampshire CONCORD – Two Massachusetts men were indicted for drug offenses, U.S. Attorney Erin Creegan announces.Francis Miguel Rodriguez, 27, and Roberto Ramon-Avalo, 26, were charged by indictment on March 18, 2026. Rodriguez was charged with one count of possessing methamphetamine and fentanyl with the…
Sioux Falls, South Dakota Man Sentenced to Six Months in Federal Prison for Defrauding a Local Credit Union

United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced today that Chief Judge Roberto A. Lange, U.S. District Court has sentenced a Sioux Falls, South Dakota man convicted of Bank Fraud. The sentencing took place on March 18, 2026. Source: U.S. Department of Justice
Florida Doctor Pleads Guilty to Making False Statements in Connection with Multi-Million-Dollar Health Care Fraud Scheme

BOSTON – A Florida-based doctor has pleaded guilty in federal court in Boston to making false statements in connection with a multi-million-dollar health care fraud scheme involving medically unnecessary genetic testing and durable medical equipment (DME). Source: U.S. Department of Justice
Manufacturing Company Agrees to Pay $887,234 to Resolve Improper Paycheck Protection Program Loan

LEXINGTON, Ky. – A Cold Spring-based manufacturer of custom screw machine parts, Segepo-FSM, Inc., agreed to pay $887,234 to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act, a federal law that prohibits the submission of false or fraudulent claims.Congress created the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) to provide emergency financial assistance to small American businesses struggling to…
Deplorable conditions and deceptive business practices lead to federal charges under the Animal Welfare Act for Hopkins County dog breeder

A Hopkins County woman has been indicted and charged with federal violations related to an unlicensed breeding facility in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.### Source: U.S. Department of Justice
Texas Woman Sentenced to 25 Years in Prison for Conspiracy to Sexually Abuse a Child in Mexico

Baltimore, Maryland – A Texas woman learned her fate in federal court for her role in conspiring with another person to sexually abuse a child outside the United States. U.S. District Judge Brendan A. Hurson sentenced Anika Bywater, 29, formerly of Gonzalez, Texas, to 25 years in prison, followed by 20 years of supervised release, for conspiracy to…
Brockton Man Pleads Guilty to Two Separate Cases Involving the Distribution of Large Quantities of Fentanyl and Cocaine

BOSTON – A Brockton man has pleaded guilty in federal court in Boston to two separately charged cases involving the distribution of kilograms of fentanyl and, in one case, cocaine. Source: U.S. Department of Justice
Farmington Woman Pleads Guilty to Methamphetamine Trafficking and Firearm Charges

Tasheena Hoskie pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and using, carrying, and possessing a firearm in connection with a drug trafficking crime. Source: U.S. Department of Justice
Tallahassee Man Sentenced for Drug Distribution Conspiracy & Illegal Weapons Charges

Tallahassee, Florida – Garret Culpepper, 25, of Tallahassee, Florida, was sentenced to seven years in federal prison after previously pleading guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute marijuana, and unlawful possession of firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking crimes. Source: U.S. Department of Justice
Sioux Falls, South Dakota Woman Sentenced to 20 Years in Federal Prison for Distribution of a Controlled Substance Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury

United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced today that Chief Judge Roberto A. Lange, U.S. District Court, has sentenced a Sioux Falls, South Dakota, woman convicted of Distribution of a Controlled Substance Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury. The sentencing took place on March 16, 2026. Source: U.S. Department of Justice
Texas Woman Sentenced to 25 Years in Prison for Conspiring to Sexually Abuse a Child in Mexico

A Texas woman was sentenced Friday to 25 years in prison and 20 years of supervised release for conspiring with another person to sexually abuse a child outside the United States. Source: U.S. Department of Justice
Motorcycle Gang Associated Sentenced to Over 12 Years in Prison for Role in Methamphetamine Trafficking Ring

BOSTON – A Byfield man was sentenced on Friday in federal court in Boston for his role in a conspiracy to distribute crystal methamphetamine. Source: U.S. Department of Justice
Final Defendant in Bowling Green Methamphetamine Conspiracy Sentenced to 18 1/2 Years in Prison

Bowling Green, KY – On March 17, 2026, Shantaja S. Hutchins, the final defendant in a six-person methamphetamine conspiracy centered in Bowling Green, Kentucky, was sentenced to serve 18 1/2 years in federal prison.First Assistant United States Attorney Brian Butler of the Western District of Kentucky, Special Agent in Charge John Nokes of the ATF Louisville…
Ohio Man Sentenced for Methamphetamine Trafficking

COVINGTON, Ky. – A Cincinnati man, Bryant Adams, 43, was sentenced on Thursday to 120 months by Chief U.S. District Judge David Bunning for possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. According to his plea agreement, law enforcement used a cooperating witness to purchase 55.9 grams of methamphetamine from Adams on August 28,…
Five Philadelphia Men Convicted at Trial of Conspiring to Commit at Least 29 Carjackings, Including the Murder of a Carjacking Victim, the Murder of a Potential Witness, and Related Offenses

PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney David Metcalf announced that five Philadelphia men were convicted today at trial of conspiring to commit armed carjackings in and around Philadelphia and sell the stolen cars to buyers, who would then ship the vehicles to Africa for resale.The defendants[1] were charged by superseding indictment in July 2024.Mikal McCracken, aka…
St. Cloud Man Indicted for Trafficking a Minor while Stationed at Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station in Antarctica

Orlando, Florida – Justin Vancott-Harnish (29, St. Cloud) has been charged by federal indictment for trafficking of a minor. If convicted, Vancott-Harnish faces a minimum sentence of 15 years, up to life, in federal prison. U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe made the announcement. Source: U.S. Department of Justice
Illegal Alien Convicted for Prior Sex Offense Sentenced to Three Years in Prison

Fort Myers, Florida – Arturo Sanchez-Morales (54, Mexico) has been sentenced by U.S. District Judge Sheri Polster Chappell to three years in federal prison for illegally reentering the United States after a prior deportation. Sanchez-Morales pleaded guilty on January 9, 2026. U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe made the announcement. Source: U.S. Department of Justice
South Carolina Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Civil Rights Crime for Racially Motivated Shooting

The Department of Justice announced that Jonathan Andrew Felkel, 34, entered a plea of guilty today before United States District Judge Mary Geiger Lewis for violating the housing rights of his Black neighbor, J.M., in violation of 42 U.S.C. §. 3631. Source: U.S. Department of Justice
Kanawha County Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Gun Crime

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Robert J. Thomas, 30, of St. Albans, pleaded guilty today to being a felon in possession of a firearm.According to court documents and statements made in court, on January 27, 2024, Thomas possessed a Glock Model 27 .40-caliber pistol in the Jefferson area of Kanawha County.Federal law prohibits a person with a…
Pittsburgh Attorney Charged with Embezzling More Than $1.3 Million From Incline Preservation Society for Which He Served as Board President

PITTSBURGH, Pa. – A Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, attorney has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of wire fraud and money laundering, United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.The 10-count Indictment named Christopher Furman, 53, of Pittsburgh, as the sole defendant.According to the Indictment, in 2020, Furman was selected President of the…