Updates, News & Articles

Rock Hill Cartel-Connected Kingpin Sentenced to 25 Years in Federal Prison for Trafficking Hundreds of Kilograms of Fentanyl, Cocaine

COLUMBIA, S.C. — Timothy Markee Gayton, 34, of Rock Hill, has been sentenced to 25 years in federal prison for his role in two drug trafficking schemes. Source: U.S. Department of Justice
Read more: Rock Hill Cartel-Connected Kingpin Sentenced to 25 Years in Federal Prison for Trafficking Hundreds of Kilograms of Fentanyl, Cocaine
Department of Justice Commemorates National Crime Victims’ Rights Week

HAMMOND- The United States Attorney’s Office in Northern Indiana will commemorate National Crime Victims’ Rights Week (NCVRW) from April 19-25, 2026.This year’s NCVRW theme— “Listen. Act. Advocate. Protect victims, serve communities.” —recognizes that shared humanity drives vital connections to services, rights, and healing.United States Attorney Adam L. Mildred said, “This week is a time to…
Read more: Department of Justice Commemorates National Crime Victims’ Rights Week
New Orleans Man Guilty of Fentanyl and Methamphetamine Distribution and Committing Federal Firearms Offense

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA –LIONEL WINDING, JR. (“WINDING”), age 20, pleaded guilty on April 14, 2026 before Chief U.S. District Judge Wendy B. Vitter to seven federal drug and gun offenses, announced U.S. Attorney David I. Courcelle. Source: U.S. Department of Justice
Read more: New Orleans Man Guilty of Fentanyl and Methamphetamine Distribution and Committing Federal Firearms Offense
Richland County Man Pleads Guilty to Illegally Possessing Gun

Columbia, S.C. — Carlos Antwon Lewis, of Columbia, has pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm. Source: U.S. Department of Justice
Read more: Richland County Man Pleads Guilty to Illegally Possessing Gun
North Charleston Man Sentenced to 15 Months in Federal Prison for Bribing Public Officials

CHARLESTON, S.C. — Aaron Charles-Lee Hicks, 38, of North Charleston, has been sentenced to 15 months in federal prison for his role in two schemes to bribe North Charleston City Councilmen. Source: U.S. Department of Justice
Read more: North Charleston Man Sentenced to 15 Months in Federal Prison for Bribing Public Officials
Jacksonville Man Indicted for Possessing More than a Pound of Fentanyl

Jacksonville, Florida – Issac Darnell Henderson (32, Jacksonville) has been charged by federal indictment with possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, including more than a pound and a half of fentanyl. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of life imprisonment. The indictment also notifies Henderson that the United States intends to forfeit assets, which are alleged to be traceable…
Read more: Jacksonville Man Indicted for Possessing More than a Pound of Fentanyl
Pensacola Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Threatening a Pensacola Police Department Detective

Pensacola, Florida – Tamal W. Jenkins, 20, of Pensacola, Florida, was sentenced to 20 months in federal prison for interstate threatening communication with intent to extort. Source: U.S. Department of Justice
Read more: Pensacola Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Threatening a Pensacola Police Department Detective
Former North Charleston Councilmember Sentenced to Two Years Probation in North Charleston Bribery Scheme

CHARLESTON, S.C. — Sandino Savalas Moses, 51, a former North Charleston City Councilmember, has been sentenced to two years of probation for misprision of a felony. Source: U.S. Department of Justice
Read more: Former North Charleston Councilmember Sentenced to Two Years Probation in North Charleston Bribery Scheme
Former Pharmacy President Sentenced to 24 Months in Prison for Health Care Fraud and Kickback Scheme Involving Compounded Medications

On April 1, 2026 Adam Brosius, 61, of Delray Beach, Florida, was sentenced to 24 months in prison for his role in a $33 million health care fraud and kickback scheme. Source: U.S. Department of Justice
Read more: Former Pharmacy President Sentenced to 24 Months in Prison for Health Care Fraud and Kickback Scheme Involving Compounded Medications
Orlando Man Sentenced to Over Three Years in Federal Prison for Opening and Operating Bank Accounts in International Fraud Scheme

Orlando, FL – Joseph Elegele, Jr. (41, Orlando) has been sentenced by U.S. District Judge Julie S. Sneed to 3 years and 10 months in federal prison for conspiracy to commit money laundering. As part of his sentence, the court also entered an order of forfeiture in the amount of $801,559.33, the proceeds of his criminal conduct. U.S.…
Read more: Orlando Man Sentenced to Over Three Years in Federal Prison for Opening and Operating Bank Accounts in International Fraud Scheme
California man sentenced for making fake ID’s for delivery drivers

U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Miguel Angel Guevara-Murillo, 35, of Stockton, California, who was convicted of possession of device-making equipment, was sentenced to time served (approximately nine months) by U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo. Source: U.S. Department of Justice
Read more: California man sentenced for making fake ID’s for delivery drivers
U.S. Attorney’s Office Commemorates National Crime Victims’ Rights Week (April 19-25)

U.S. Attorney's Office Commemorates National Crime Victims' Rights Week (April 19-15) Source: U.S. Department of Justice
Read more: U.S. Attorney’s Office Commemorates National Crime Victims’ Rights Week (April 19-25)
U.S. Attorney Moore Capito to Lead Tuesday Ceremony for National Crime Victims’ Rights Week

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – United States Attorney Moore Capito will join with crime victim survivors and advocates tomorrow, Tuesday, April 21, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. for a Ribbon Tree Ceremony as part of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week.WHO: U.S. Attorney Moore CapitoWHAT: Ribbon Tree CeremonyWHEN: Tuesday, April 21, 2026, at 11:00 a.m.WHERE: Green space outside the Kanawha County Courthouse, corner…
Read more: U.S. Attorney Moore Capito to Lead Tuesday Ceremony for National Crime Victims’ Rights Week
Tallahassee Pair Federally Indicted for Mail Theft

Tallahassee, Florida – Christy Cody Holgate, 49, and Kim Demetrius Benson, 52, have been indicted in federal court. Both were charged with one count of conspiracy to commit mail theft. Also, Holgate was charged with four counts of theft of mail and Benson was charged with one count of theft of mail. Source: U.S. Department of…
Read more: Tallahassee Pair Federally Indicted for Mail Theft
El Salvadoran Alien Charged With Reentry of Deported Alien

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JOSE ANTONIO LARIO SALMERON (“SALMERON”), age 33, a native of El Salvador, was charged via Bill of Information on April 15, 2026, for reentry of a removed alien, in violation of Title 8, United States Code, Section 1326(a), announced United States Attorney David I. Courcelle. Source: U.S. Department of Justice
Read more: El Salvadoran Alien Charged With Reentry of Deported Alien
Former CFO of Chicago-Area Company’s Subsidiary Convicted of Embezzlement

TINA FEUERSTEIN, 53, of Hanover, Penn., was convicted of eight counts of wire fraud. Source: U.S. Department of Justice
Read more: Former CFO of Chicago-Area Company’s Subsidiary Convicted of Embezzlement
Natchez Trace Parkway Ranger Recognized for Outstanding Work with Victims

U.S. Attorney Scott Leary is proud to have recognized Law Enforcement Ranger Dylan Romine from the National Park Service for his outstanding work and service on behalf of crime victims in the Northern District of Mississippi. Ranger Romine was given the Carolyn Clayton Victims’ Service Award as part of the District’s recognition of National Crime…
Read more: Natchez Trace Parkway Ranger Recognized for Outstanding Work with Victims
Florida Man Working as a Ransomware Negotiator Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Deploy Ransomware and Extort U.S. Victims

A Florida man, formerly employed as a ransomware negotiator, pleaded guilty to conspiring to commit ransomware attacks against U.S. companies in 2023. Source: U.S. Department of Justice
Read more: Florida Man Working as a Ransomware Negotiator Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Deploy Ransomware and Extort U.S. Victims
Sacramento Man Sentenced to 25 Years in Prison for Sexually Exploiting a Minor

Joshua David Price, 36, of Sacramento, was sentenced today to 25 years in prison for sexual exploitation of a child. Source: U.S. Department of Justice
Read more: Sacramento Man Sentenced to 25 Years in Prison for Sexually Exploiting a Minor
Fentanyl and Methamphetamine Dealers Sentenced

Three people have been sentenced to federal prison for selling fentanyl and methamphetamine in the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew L. Harvey. Demarkco Canty, 23, of Parkville, Maryland was sentenced to 115 months in prison for working with others to sell approximately 200,000 lethal doses of fentanyl. Source: U.S. Department of…
Read more: Fentanyl and Methamphetamine Dealers Sentenced
Canyon Country Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Charges, Including Facilitating Crime Tourism Group that Burgled Its Way Through U.S.

A Santa Clarita Valley man pleaded guilty today to federal criminal charges, including facilitating a crime tourism group of South Americans and other individuals who committed burglaries and other crimes throughout the United States, causing at least $23.9 million in losses. Source: U.S. Department of Justice
Read more: Canyon Country Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Charges, Including Facilitating Crime Tourism Group that Burgled Its Way Through U.S.
Fourteen New Indictments Returned for Immigration Offenses in March

Pensacola and Gainesville – Today, United States Attorney John P. Heekin announced that 14 previously deported illegal aliens have been separately indicted by a federal grand jury for illegal reentry into the United States in the month of March. Source: U.S. Department of Justice
Read more: Fourteen New Indictments Returned for Immigration Offenses in March
Chandler Man Sentenced to Life in Prison for First Degree Murder

PHOENIX, Ariz. – On April 17, 2026, Francisco Juan Acevedo, 35, of Chandler, Arizona, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Susan M. Brnovich to two consecutive life sentences plus additional prison time related to the shooting of three victims. Source: U.S. Department of Justice
Read more: Chandler Man Sentenced to Life in Prison for First Degree Murder
Land O’Lakes Man Working as a Ransomware Negotiator Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Deploy Ransomware and Extort U.S. Victims

A Land O’Lakes man, formerly employed as a ransomware negotiator, pleaded guilty to conspiring to commit ransomware attacks against U.S. companies in 2023. Source: U.S. Department of Justice
Read more: Land O’Lakes Man Working as a Ransomware Negotiator Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Deploy Ransomware and Extort U.S. Victims
New Yorker Sentenced for Supplying Kilogram Quantities of Cocaine to D.C. -Area Distribution Ring

Daryl Smith-Winfree, 44, a New York-based cocaine supplier, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court to 96 months in prison for his role in a large-scale narcotics distribution conspiracy that funneled multi-kilogram quantities of cocaine from New York into the Washington metropolitan area. Source: U.S. Department of Justice
Read more: New Yorker Sentenced for Supplying Kilogram Quantities of Cocaine to D.C. -Area Distribution Ring
Hardy, Iowa, Man Pleads Guilty to Possession of Child Pornography

Scott Devries, 57, from Hardy, Iowa, pled guilty April 20, 2026, to one count of possession of child pornography in federal court in Sioux City.At the plea hearing, Devries admitted that between January 2021 and August 2022, he possessed and received visual depictions of child pornography, which included prepubescent minors or a minor under the…
Read more: Hardy, Iowa, Man Pleads Guilty to Possession of Child Pornography
Chatham County men sentenced to prison for stealing mail from postal collection boxes

Two Chatham County men have been sentenced to prison after investigators caught them stealing mail from blue collection boxes. Source: U.S. Department of Justice
Read more: Chatham County men sentenced to prison for stealing mail from postal collection boxes
Sex Offender Caught with Child Pornography at Halfway House Sentenced to More than 11 Years in Prison

Leslie B. Clark was uploading child pornography files through a social media messaging service. Source: U.S. Department of Justice
Read more: Sex Offender Caught with Child Pornography at Halfway House Sentenced to More than 11 Years in Prison
Op Sweet Silence Ends Zohannon Gang, Seizes Guns and Drugs in Columbus

COLUMBUS, Ga. – Federal authorities and law enforcement today announced the sweeping takedown of the Zohannon Gang and its associates in Columbus, the result of Operation Sweet Silence, a campaign targeting violent crime and drug trafficking tied to criminal organizations, including Mexican cartels, in the region. Source: U.S. Department of Justice
Read more: Op Sweet Silence Ends Zohannon Gang, Seizes Guns and Drugs in Columbus
Hedge Fund Manager Pleads Guilty to Tax Evasion in Austin

Justin Ryan Schmidt, a Cayman national who renounced his U.S. citizenship, pleaded guilty to evading payment of more than $1.5 million of federal income tax liabilities Source: U.S. Department of Justice
Read more: Hedge Fund Manager Pleads Guilty to Tax Evasion in Austin

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