Updates, News & Articles

Kenton County Man Sentenced for Illegal Firearm Possession

COVINGTON, Ky. – A Crescent Springs, Ky., man, Quenton Abell, 22, was sentenced on Monday to 60 months in prison by Chief U.S. District Judge David Bunning for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. According to his plea agreement, law enforcement executed a search warrant on Abell’s residence in Kenton County on August 25, 2025,…
Read more: Kenton County Man Sentenced for Illegal Firearm Possession
Naples Man Pleads Guilty to $1.2 Million Fraud and Money Laundering Scheme Targeting Elderly Hurricane Ian Victim

Fort Myers, Florida – Luis Emilio Hernandez (45, Naples) today pleaded guilty to two counts of wire fraud and six counts of money laundering in connection with a scheme to defraud an elderly victim following Hurricane Ian. Hernandez faces up to 20 years in federal prison for each wire fraud count and up to 10 years for…
Read more: Naples Man Pleads Guilty to $1.2 Million Fraud and Money Laundering Scheme Targeting Elderly Hurricane Ian Victim
Amherst Man Sentenced to Four Years in Prison for Possessing Enormous Child Pornography Collection

BOSTON – An Amherst, Mass. man has been sentenced in federal court in Springfield, Mass. for possessing more than 100,000 files of sexual abuse material (CSAM). The defendant possessed disturbing images of violent acts including a female being shot in the head, a cat in a blender and a dog being beaten to death. Source:…
Read more: Amherst Man Sentenced to Four Years in Prison for Possessing Enormous Child Pornography Collection
Charlestown, Massachusetts Man Sentenced to 66 Months for Hobbs Act Robbery

Rutland, Vermont – The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Vermont stated that on March 27, 2026, Richard J. Vardenski, 57, of Charlestown, Massachusetts was sentenced by United States District Judge Mary Kay Lanthier to a term of 66 months’ imprisonment to be followed by a 3-year term of supervised release. Vardenski previously…
Read more: Charlestown, Massachusetts Man Sentenced to 66 Months for Hobbs Act Robbery
Treasurer for Maryland Candidate’s Political Campaigns Indicted on Embezzlement Charges

Baltimore, Maryland – Today, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland unsealed an indictment, charging a treasurer who works for several political candidates and organizations, in connection with an embezzlement scheme. James Appel, 58, of Annapolis, Maryland, is charged with wire fraud and money laundering. The indictment alleges that, in 2024, Appel stole approximately…
Read more: Treasurer for Maryland Candidate’s Political Campaigns Indicted on Embezzlement Charges
What First Step Act Credits Still Do After the Second Circuit’s New Decision

The short version: Rivera-Perez v. Stover is a major new First Step Act case, but it is not the end of the road for earned time credits. The Second Circuit said those credits can still move an eligible federal prisoner out of prison sooner into prerelease custody or supervised release. What they cannot do, at…
Read more: What First Step Act Credits Still Do After the Second Circuit’s New Decision
BOP Religious Beliefs and Practices Update 2022: Faith Access Behind Bars

BOP Religious Beliefs and Practices Update 2022: Faith Access Behind Bars — Prison Law Firm explains what this BOP update may mean for release, custody, ca…
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BOP Psychology Treatment Programs Update 2016: Why the CN-1 Matters

BOP Psychology Treatment Programs Update 2016: Why the CN-1 Matters — Prison Law Firm explains what this BOP update may mean for release, custody, care, or…
Read more: BOP Psychology Treatment Programs Update 2016: Why the CN-1 Matters
BOP Psychology Services Manual 2016: How Mental Health Operations Affect Daily Custody

BOP Psychology Services Manual 2016: How Mental Health Operations Affect Daily Custody — Prison Law Firm explains what this BOP update may mean for release…
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BOP Special Management Units Policy 2016: Security Housing and Oversight Questions

BOP Special Management Units Policy 2016: Security Housing and Oversight Questions — Prison Law Firm explains what this BOP update may mean for release, cu…
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BOP Visiting Regulations Update 2023: What Families and Counsel Should Watch

BOP Visiting Regulations Update 2023: What Families and Counsel Should Watch — Prison Law Firm explains what this BOP update may mean for release, custody…
Read more: BOP Visiting Regulations Update 2023: What Families and Counsel Should Watch
BOP Special Housing Units Policy 2024: A Primer on the New SHU Rules

BOP Special Housing Units Policy 2024: A Primer on the New SHU Rules — Prison Law Firm explains what this BOP update may mean for release, custody, care, o…
Read more: BOP Special Housing Units Policy 2024: A Primer on the New SHU Rules
BOP Special Housing Units Change Notice 2025: Extended Placement and Mental Health

BOP Special Housing Units Change Notice 2025: Extended Placement and Mental Health — Prison Law Firm explains what this BOP update may mean for release, cu…
Read more: BOP Special Housing Units Change Notice 2025: Extended Placement and Mental Health
Foreign National Charged with Orchestrating Health Care Fraud Scheme Targeting Medicare Advantage Programs

SAN FRANCISCO – United States Attorney Craig H. Missakian announced criminal charges against an individual for perpetrating a large-scale fraud targeting federal health care funds distributed through the Medicare Advantage program Source: U.S. Department of Justice
Read more: Foreign National Charged with Orchestrating Health Care Fraud Scheme Targeting Medicare Advantage Programs
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…
Read more: Mexican man sentenced for illegal reentry
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
Read more: Man Indicted and Arrested for Kidnapping and Carjacking of a U.S. Postal Service Letter Carrier
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
Read more: Former Placer County Resident Charged with Identity Theft and Fraudulently Obtaining More Than $110,000 in Social Security Benefits
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…
Read more: District of Arizona Charges 185 Individuals for Immigration-Related Criminal Conduct this Week
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,…
Read more: Thomaston Resident Pleads Guilty to Border Patrol Assault
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
Read more: Florida Inmate Pleads Guilty to Distribution & Receipt of Child Pornography
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
Read more: Federal Judge Sentences Suburban Chicago Man to Six and a Half Years in Prison for $3.3 Million Covid-Relief Fraud
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
Read more: Los Angeles, California Man Sentenced to More Than 2 Years in Federal Prison for Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance
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
Read more: Detroit Man Sentenced for Role in Drug Trafficking Organization
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…
Read more: Owner of Now-Closed Milwaukee Prenatal Care Coordination Company Sentenced to 60 Months’ Imprisonment for Healthcare Fraud Scheme
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…
Read more: Massachusetts Men Indicted for Conspiring to Distribute Methamphetamine and Fentanyl in New Hampshire
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
Read more: Sioux Falls, South Dakota Man Sentenced to Six Months in Federal Prison for Defrauding a Local Credit Union
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
Read more: Florida Doctor Pleads Guilty to Making False Statements in Connection with Multi-Million-Dollar Health Care Fraud Scheme
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…
Read more: Manufacturing Company Agrees to Pay $887,234 to Resolve Improper Paycheck Protection Program Loan
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
Read more: Deplorable conditions and deceptive business practices lead to federal charges under the Animal Welfare Act for Hopkins County dog breeder
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…
Read more: Texas Woman Sentenced to 25 Years in Prison for Conspiracy to Sexually Abuse a Child in Mexico

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