Category: Legal Issues

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PENSACOLA MAN SENTENCED FOR POSSESSION OF A FIREARM AND AMMUNITION BY A CONVICTED FELON

Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)

PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – Brandon Martez Black, 27, of Pensacola, Florida, was sentenced to 100 months in prison after previously pleading guilty to possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon. The sentence was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

On June 8, 2024, Black, a felon with prior drug trafficking convictions, fled in a vehicle from the Florida Highway Patrol (“FHP”) after an attempted traffic stop. FHP was able to disable Black’s vehicle after performing a Precision Immobilization Technique.  Black fled on foot and threw a loaded Glock .40 caliber pistol over a fence into a residential backyard, which was later recovered by law enforcement.

U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “Operation Take Back America is a promise by President Donald J. Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi that we will do everything in our power to stop those who pose a danger to our communities, and keeping a repeat offender like this one off the streets is exactly what they meant. I am proud of the work of our brave state and federal law enforcement partners who investigated this case, and my office will continue to aggressively prosecute these offenders to keep our communities safe.”

The conviction and sentence were the result of a joint investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol, Escambia County Sherriff’s Office, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jeffrey M. Tharp.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America (https://www.justice.gov/dag/media/1393746/dl?inline) a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General.  To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.

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Final week of July sees Southern District of Texas charge 247 defendants in continuing effort to secure Southern border

Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)

HOUSTON – In support of Operation Take Back America, the Southern District of Texas has filed another 245 cases in immigration and border security-related matters from July 25-31, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei. 

Among those cases are 21 defendants charged with human smuggling, 119 charged with illegally entering the country, and another 107 charged with felony reentry to the United States after prior removal. Most of those individuals have prior felony convictions, including offenses related to narcotics, violent crime, immigration violations, and more. Additional cases filed this week involve other immigration-related crimes.

Of the new illegal reentry cases, four involve Mexican nationals who were removed after prior felony convictions, according to court documents. Juan Carlos De Alejandro-Rosales was previously convicted of possessing more than 50 pounds but less than 2,000 pounds of marijuana before he was removed from the United States on Oct. 22, 2018.

Mario Alberto Almazan-Mata, Bertoldo Lopez-Varillas and Luciano Martinez-Rios, also charged with illegal reentry, are alleged to have prior felony convictions before being removed, to include possession of a controlled substance and evading arrest, as well as multiple convictions for driving while intoxicated. Despite their prior removals from the United States between 2005 and 2025, in the last week, authorities allegedly found all four men in the McAllen area without legal authorization to be in the United States. If convicted, each illegal alien faces up to 20 years in federal prison.  

Another person charged with illegal reentry after removal this week is Jose Santos Diaz-Valenzuela, a Honduran national.  According to the charges, he has a prior conviction for assault on a federal officer and was previously removed from the United States on Dec. 4, 2018. Authorities allegedly encountered him again near La Grulla. If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in federal prison.

Criminal complaints further allege Hugo Armando Esquivel-Castro and Jose Armando Wong-Lopez with illegally reentering the United States after they were previously removed from the United States in 2022 and 2025, respectively, after each was convicted for harboring illegal aliens. Authorities allegedly encountered and arrested the men near Mission this week.      

In addition to the new cases, Jonathan Ray Balderas, of San Antonio, Texas, was sentenced this week in Laredo to 41 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release for attempting to smuggle 10 illegal aliens. Authorities stopped his truck near the 29-mile marker checkpoint on Interstate 35 and found eight individuals hidden under a tarp in the bed and two more inside. The court cited the risk of serious harm, a loaded pistol on Balderas’s waistband, and his alleged involvement in other smuggling events as factors in the sentence.

Also this week, a repeat felon and illegal alien was sentenced to serve over three years in federal prison for unlawfully reentering the United States for the fourth time. Rafael Cortez-Gonzalez, of San Luis Potosí, Mexico, had two previous felony convictions for illegal reentry, as well as a conviction for transporting an illegal alien within the United States. He was first removed from the United States in November 2000 and subsequently illegally returned three times. Authorities encountered him again on Feb. 12, 2025, in Kenedy County. In handing down the 39-month sentence, the court noted the punishment was intended to serve to deter him from continuing to commit these crimes.

These cases were referred or supported by federal law enforcement partners, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) – Homeland Security Investigations, ICE – Enforcement and Removal Operations, United States Border Patrol, Drug Enforcement Administration, FBI, U.S. Marshals Service and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives with additional assistance from numerous state and local law enforcement partners.

The cases are part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces and Project Safe Neighborhood.

Under current leadership, public safety and a secure border are the top priorities for this district. Enhanced enforcement both at the border and in the interior of the district have yielded aliens engaged in unlawful activity or with serious criminal history, including human trafficking, sexual assault and violence against children.  

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas remains one of the busiest in the nation. It represents 43 counties and more than nine million people covering 44,000 square miles. Assistant U.S. Attorneys from all seven divisions including Houston, Galveston, Victoria, Corpus Christi, Brownsville, McAllen and Laredo work directly with our law enforcement partners on the federal, state and local levels to prosecute the suspected offenders of these and other federal crimes. 

An indictment or criminal complaint is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.

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Fultonville Man Indicted in 2013 Arson that Killed Three Children and Their Father

Source: Office of United States Attorneys

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Edward Leon, age 53, of Fultonville, New York, was charged on Tuesday with malicious use of fire to destroy property resulting in death.  Acting United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III and Bryan Miller, Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), made the announcement.

The indictment alleges that on May 2, 2013, Leon used fire to maliciously damage and destroy a rental property at 438 Hulett Street in Schenectady, resulting in the deaths of David Terry and three of his children, Michael Terry, Layah Terry, and Donovan Duell. The fire also seriously injured a fourth child. The charges in the indictment are merely accusations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Leon was arraigned on Thursday, July 31, 2025, in Albany, before United States Magistrate Judge Mitchell J. Katz. A detention hearing is scheduled for August 6, 2025, at 3:30 p.m.

Upon conviction, the charge filed against Leon carries a minimum term of 7 years in prison, a maximum penalty of life imprisonment or the death penalty, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release of up to 5 years.  A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is convicted of violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors.

ATF is investigating the case with assistance from the Schenectady Police Department, Schenectady Fire Department, New York State Office of Fire Prevention & Control, New York State Police, Rotterdam Police Department, U.S. Secret Service, St. Johnsville Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the U.S. Secret Service. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alexander Wentworth-Ping, Richard D. Bellis, and Mikayla Espinosa are prosecuting the case.

Anyone with knowledge or information about this case is encouraged to contact the ATF Albany Field Office at 518-431-4182.

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Manhattan Man Pleads Guilty to Drug Offense

Source: Office of United States Attorneys

SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Sean Christianson, age 45, of Manhattan, New York, pled guilty on Wednesday to possessing cocaine with the intent to distribute it.  United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III and Frank A. Tarentino III, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), New York Division, made the announcement.

Christianson admitted that on February 25, 2025, he traveled from the New York City area to Liverpool, New York, with twenty-two one-kilogram bricks of cocaine in his vehicle.  Christianson intended to sell the cocaine in the Syracuse area.  Law enforcement apprehended Christianson as he arrived in Liverpool.

Acting United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III stated: “Thanks to the investigative efforts of the DEA and our other law enforcement partners, another drug dealer and a huge quantity of narcotics are off the streets.  Drug dealers will not get away with selling narcotics in the Northern District of New York.”

“Illicit drugs have no place in our communities,” stated DEA New York Special Agent in Charge Frank Tarentino. “DEA New York remains steadfast in our commitment to working alongside our law enforcement partners to target those who poison our neighborhoods with dangerous narcotics.” 

At sentencing, Christianson faces a prison term of at least 10 years and up to life, and a supervised release term of at least 4 years and up to life.  A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statutes the defendant is convicted of violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors.

DEA investigated the case with assistance from the New York Drug Enforcement Task Force, Syracuse Police Department, and City of New York Office of the Special Narcotics Prosecutor.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Ben Gillis is prosecuting the case.

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Indictment Unsealed Charging a U.S. Navy Sailor Stationed in Georgia with Multiple Child Sex Crimes After Enticing a Teen Via Social Media

Source: Office of United States Attorneys

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – An indictment was unsealed charging a U.S. Navy service member with multiple federal crimes after he allegedly manipulated a minor victim over social media for months and exchanged sexually explicit photos and videos of her.  

Bryce Lucas Stimka, 24, currently stationed in Augusta, Georgia, was arrested on July 30, 2025.

According to court documents, between July 17, 2024 and March 30, 2025, Stimka allegedly began communicating with a 14-year-old girl he met and began manipulating her on social media. Over the course of their communication, more than 15,000 texts were exchanged between Stimka and the minor victim discussing various sex acts, the victim’s age, and their potential relationship. Additionally, sexually explicit images and videos of the victim were exchanged. The social media account was linked to Stimka by subscriber information (including IP addresses) matching Stimka, and photos of himself in his social media account.

Stimka is charged with production of child pornography, coercion and enticement for illegal sexual activity, and receipt of child pornography. His initial appearance in Utah has yet to be scheduled.

Acting United States Attorney Felice John Viti for the District of Utah made the announcement.

The case is being investigated by an Officer with the West Valley Police Department assigned to the FBI’s Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force. Special assistance was provided the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) and the FBI Atlanta Field Office, Augusta Resident Agency.

Assistant United States Attorney Carol A. Dain of the District of Utah is prosecuting the case.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit Justice.gov/PSC.

An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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Jamestown man going to prison for 30 years for producing child pornography

Source: Office of United States Attorneys

BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Roberto Millan, 36, of Jamestown, NY, who was convicted of production of child pornography, was sentenced to serve 360 months in prison and 20 years supervised release by U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Maeve E. Huggins, who handled the case, stated that between December 28, 2021, and February 8, 2022, Millan engaged in sexually graphic conversations with a 15-year-old victim over TextNow, a mobile phone application. The conversations included demands and instructions from Millan that the victim take sexually explicit videos and images and send them to him. In addition, the messages exchanged between Milan and the victim indicate that they engaged in sexual contact.

The sentencing is the culmination of an investigation by the Jamestown Police Department, under the direction of Chief Timothy Jackson and Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Mark Grimm.

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Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche Visits The Western District of North Carolina

Source: Office of United States Attorneys

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Today, United States Attorney Russ Ferguson was honored to host Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of North Carolina (WDNC).

During his visit, Deputy Attorney General Blanche met with U.S. Attorney Ferguson and the leadership team to discuss key issues and significant cases impacting the district. Deputy Attorney General Blanche also spoke with prosecutors and personnel from the office. In his remarks, he outlined Department of Justice priorities and expressed his appreciation for the office’s work implementing Operation Take Back America, dismantling cartels and transnational criminal organizations, addressing immigration and violent crime, and protecting vulnerable populations, including children and the elderly. He also thanked the team for their service and their commitment to justice.

Deputy Attorney General Blanche also met with law enforcement representatives to highlight the important role of partnerships in enforcing the rule of law and enhancing public safety.

“It was an honor to welcome Deputy Attorney General Blanche, a veteran of the Department, to the Western District of North Carolina,” said U.S. Attorney Ferguson. “The Deputy Attorney General got into the weeds and discussed the details of the work we are doing to protect our communities. We are very grateful for his attention to what is important to us here in North Carolina.”

For more information about the U.S. Attorney’s Office, and important programs and initiatives please visit: https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdnc.

 

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Niagara Falls man going to prison on drug charges

Source: Office of United States Attorneys

BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Jermaine McQueen, 47, of Niagara Falls, NY, who was convicted of possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl, was sentenced to serve 106 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara. 

Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy C. Lynch, who handled the case, stated that on August 28, 2024, investigators executed search warrants at several locations associated with McQueen. They seized approximately 405 grams of cocaine, approximately 300 grams of fentanyl, and approximately six grams of crack cocaine, drug packaging materials, $10,625 in cash, and several pieces of jewelry, which constitute proceeds of narcotics trafficking. During the investigation, law enforcement made controlled purchases of fentanyl and cocaine from McQueen.

The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Mark Grimm, the Niagara Falls Police Department, under the direction of Superintendent Nick Ligammari, the Niagara County Sheriff’s Department, under the direction of Sheriff Michael Filicetti, the North Tonawanda Police Department, under the direction of Chief Keith Glass, the New York State Police, under the direction of Major Amie Feroleto, and the Erie County Sheriff’s Department, under the direction of Sheriff John Garcia.

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Final defendants plead guilty in Alaska fentanyl, heroin trafficking conspiracy

Source: Office of United States Attorneys

Three of the defendants are known California gang members.

ANCHORAGE, Alaska – The final two defendants in a six-defendant drug trafficking ring pleaded guilty yesterday to conspiring to traffic large amounts of fentanyl and heroin to Alaska.

According to court documents, Semaj Brown, 34, and Brandon Garrett, 46, both of Anchorage, pleaded guilty to conspiring with Julio Juarez, 32, of Anchorage, Marcelino Juarez, 30, of Anchorage, Shane Murphy, 43, of Wasilla, and Gustavo Sebastian Lopez-Chavez, 24, a Mexican national illegally residing in the U.S., to purchase fentanyl and heroin in California and transport the substances to Alaska through the mail or in checked airline baggage. Marcelino Juarez, Julio Juarez, Brown and Murphy all traveled between Alaska and California on multiple occasions to obtain drugs and contributed money toward drug purchase trips.

Law enforcement’s investigation into the conspiracy culminated on Aug. 22, 2024, when agents with the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) identified a suspicious parcel destined for a residence in Anchorage. On Aug. 26, 2024, law enforcement officials executed a search warrant on the parcel and seized over two kilograms of fentanyl powder from the package. Later that day, law enforcement officials conducted a controlled delivery of the parcel at the destined location. Marcelino Juarez was observed entering the residence, which belonged to a third-party, and leaving with the package in a vehicle with Brown. Marcelino Juarez and Brown met with another vehicle at a local gas station before both vehicles were contacted by law enforcement through traffic stops. Marcelino Juarez was arrested during the traffic stop, and Garrett, who was an occupant in the other vehicle, was detained.

Through further investigation, law enforcement also discovered that Brown and Murphy flew from Anchorage to Los Angeles to purchase heroin and fentanyl from multiple sources between July 3 and 5, 2024. Law enforcement later determined that one of the sources was Lopez-Chavez.

On July 6, 2024, law enforcement at the Los Angeles International Airport seized roughly one kilogram of heroin and two kilograms of fentanyl powder from a checked bag destined for Anchorage. When Murphy and Brown arrived in Alaska, they noted that the suitcase did not arrive. 

The FBI arrested Lopez-Chavez in Los Angeles on Nov. 14, 2024. He was found to be in possession of roughly 23 kilograms of fentanyl, U.S. currency and counterfeit immigration documents.

In total, law enforcement has seized at least 36 kilograms of fentanyl and roughly 10 kilograms of heroin connected to the drug trafficking conspiracy.

Marcelino Juarez was charged by complaint in August 2024, and indicted along with Julio Juarez, Brown and Murphy in September 2024. Marcelino Juarez and Julio Juarez pleaded guilty in July 2025, and Murphy pleaded guilty in April 2025. Lopez-Chavez was charged by complaint and indicted in November 2024 and pleaded guilty in June 2025. Garrett was indicted in March 2025. The Juarez brothers and Brown were identified as known gang members by the Stockton, California, Police Department.

The defendants are scheduled to be sentenced within the next three months. Marcelino Juarez, Brown, Murphy, Lopez-Chavez and Garrett face between 10 years to life in prison. Julio Juarez faces between 15 years to life in prison due to a prior conviction in California for attempted murder, for which he served 11 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

U.S. Attorney Michael J. Heyman for the District of Alaska, Special Agent in Charge Rebecca Day of the FBI Anchorage Field Office, Alaska State Trooper Colonel Maurice Hughes and Inspector in Charge Anthony Galetti of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service Seattle Division made the announcement.

The FBI Anchorage Field Office and the Alaska High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Mat-Su Narcotics Team investigated this case. Special assistance was provided by HIDTA’s Southcentral Area-wide Narcotics Team (SCAN), Fairbanks Area-wide Narcotics Team (FANT), and Anchorage Airport Interdiction Team (AAIT); U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), FBI Los Angeles Field Office, FBI Sacramento Field Office, IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS CI), U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) Los Angeles Special Response Team, Los Angeles Police Department, Stockton Police Department, and California Highway Patrol. The Anchorage Police Department and Alaska State Troopers also provided assistance as part of the FBI’s Safe Streets Task Force.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Tom Bradley, Jack Schmidt, and Bill Reed are prosecuting the case.

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Previously Deported Alien Indicted for Illegal Reentry and Selling False Immigration Documents

Source: Office of United States Attorneys

A federal grand jury returned an 11-count indictment against Luis Eduardo Torres-Hernandez, 39, residing in Sacramento, charging him with 10 counts of transferring false identification documents, and one count of illegally reentering the United States after being previously removed, Acting U.S. Attorney Kimberly A. Sanchez announced.

According to court documents, between September and December 2024, Torres-Hernandez sold multiple sets of false identification documents to undercover agents. The documents included Permanent Resident (green) cards and Social Security cards that, while appearing to be issued by and under the authority of the United States, were instead false documents produced without lawful authority.

According to the indictment, on Aug. 29, 2014, Torres-Hernandez was deported from the United States after a previous conviction for transferring false identification documents in the Eastern District of California.

This case is the product of an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Dhruv M. Sharma is prosecuting the case.

If convicted, Torres-Hernandez faces a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine up to $250,000 on each false documents count and 10 years in prison and a fine up to $250,000 on the illegal reentry count. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. The charges are only allegations; the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.