Category: Office of United States Attorneys

Source: Office of United States Attorneys

            WASHINGTON – Michael Pittman, 30, of the District of Columbia, was sentenced today to 84 months in federal prison in connection with trafficking more than 200 illegal firearms from Georgia and North Carolina to the Washington D.C. area where he sold many of them to convicted felons, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro.

            Pittman pleaded guilty on April 14, 2025, to conspiracy to commit firearms trafficking.

            In addition to the 84-month prison term, U.S. District Court Judge Tanya S. Chutkan ordered Pittman to serve three years of supervised release.

            Joining in the announcement was Special Agent in Charge Anthony Spotswood of the Washington Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and Chief Pamela A. Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department.

            According to court documents, from at least April 2023 through May 2024, Pittman rented cars and drove to Georgia and North Carolina where he purchased guns from illegal firearm suppliers. Pittman re-sold the firearms in the D.C. area, advertising them through different means. He took photos of the firearms displayed on his bed with prices.

            Between April 2023 through May 2024, Pittman obtained, advertised, or sold 200 or more firearms.

            On May 30, 2024, Virginia State Police arrested Pittman in Mecklenburg County, Virginia, as he was returning to D.C. from a buying trip. Pittman fled from a traffic stop before he crashed and ran into the nearby woods. Police recovered Pittman’s backpack which contained 16 firearms, an additional firearm he had dropped, and two firearms he had left in his vehicle.

            Law enforcement subsequently obtained a warrant and searched Pittman’s residence. In Pittman’s home, law enforcement recovered hundreds of rounds of ammunition, firearm cleaning and repair tools, firearm magazines, and three additional firearms. Law enforcement also observed the same red-and-black patterned bed spread observed in the images from Pittman’s phone.

            Pittman has one prior felony conviction for second degree assault in Prince George’s County, Maryland, for which he was sentenced to two years in prison suspended as to all but 30 days.

            This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Washington Field Division with valuable assistance from the Virginia State Police. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Cameron A. Tepfer and Sarah Martin.

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Source: Office of United States Attorneys

ALBUQUERQUE – A Hogback man is facing federal charges after an argument escalated into violence in front of multiple witnesses

According to court documents, on June 19, 2025, Renaldo Descheny, 43, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, assaulted Jane Doe by strangling her and striking her in the face with a firearm. The assault resulted in a laceration requiring hospital treatment. During the altercation, Descheny also pointed the firearm at multiple individuals and discharged the weapon several times, including firing towards the vehicle as the victims attempted to flee.

Descheny is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon and using and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence and will remain in custody pending trial, which has not yet been scheduled. If convicted of the current charges, Descheny faces up to 10 years in prison.

U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Philip Russell, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office, made the announcement today.

The Farmington Resident Agency of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Navajo Nation Police Department and Navajo Department of Criminal Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Amy Mondragon is prosecuting the case.

A criminal complaint 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

David Pastorello was Pending Sentencing on State Charges for Disseminating Indecent Material to a Minor

Source: Office of United States Attorneys

Hagåtña – SHAWN N. ANDERSON, United States Attorney for the Districts of Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands, announces that, Raymond T. Tammed, age 30, from Piti, Guam, was sentenced to 120 months imprisonment in the U.S. District Court of Guam for Attempted Enticement of a Minor, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2422(b).  The Court also ordered five years of supervised release and a $100 mandatory assessment fee.  Under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act, Tammed must register in every jurisdiction he resides, works, and goes to school.

In May of 2024, federal investigators conducted an internet-based operation to identify and arrest individuals seeking to engage in sexual activity with minors on Guam. During that operation, Tammed contacted an undercover agent posing as a 13-year-old girl. Despite believing that he was conversing with an underage girl, Tammed sent sexually explicit messages, sought to arrange a sexual encounter, and sent the undercover agent a selfie and a picture of his genitals. Tammed later arranged to meet the undercover agent at the Andersen Air Force Base Visitors Center, where Tammed was arrested upon arrival.

“This case demonstrates the dangers faced by our children during online activity,” stated United States Attorney Anderson. “We will continue these undercover operations to protect our communities from sexual predators.  I applaud the efforts of law enforcement in bringing Tammed to justice.”

​​“Keeping our children safe from ​exploitation and ​​abuse is the highest priority.  By taking predators like ​Tammed off the street, we are ensuring the safety of the most vulnerable members of our community,” said Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent in Charge Lucy Cabral-DeArmas.  “HSI will continue to seek justice to keep our children safe with zero tolerance for this heinous crime.”

Investigation was conducted by Homeland Security Investigations and Air Force Office of Special Investigations Service, Detachment 602.

This case was prosecuted by Benjamin K. Petersburg, Assistant United States Attorney in the District of Guam.

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.

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Source: Office of United States Attorneys

PITTSBURGH, Pa. – Jorge Luis Guerrero, of Socorro, Texas, was found guilty by a federal jury in Pittsburgh of possessing with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine, Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today. The jury returned its verdict on July 29, 2025, after deliberating for five-and-a-half hours following a six-day trial.

Guerrero, 39, was tried before Senior United States District Judge Joy Flowers Conti.

The evidence presented at trial established that Guerrero transported five kilograms of cocaine to the Western District of Pennsylvania hidden in a secret compartment in the bumper of a vehicle registered to his wife. Accessing the cocaine required removing the bumper cover and bumper of the vehicle and then additional metal plates that concealed the compartment housing the cocaine.

Judge Conti scheduled sentencing for December 10, 2025. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of not less than five years and up to 40 years in prison, a fine of up to $5 million, or both. Under the federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based on the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorneys Robert C. Schupansky and V. Joseph Sonson prosecuted this case on behalf of the United States.

Agents and task force officers from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, as well as personnel from the Socorro Police Department, United States Customs and Border Protection, and the United States Drug Enforcement Administration, assisted in the trial.

This prosecution is a result of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles high-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten communities throughout the United States. OCDETF uses a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.

Source: Office of United States Attorneys

SAN JOSE – A criminal complaint was unsealed today charging Richard Tillman with the federal crime of malicious destruction by fire of a U.S. post office in San Jose.  Tillman made his initial appearance in federal district court in San Jose today.  

According to the criminal complaint, in the early hours of July 20, 2025, Tillman, 44, set fire to the Almaden Valley United States Post Office located on Crown Boulevard in San Jose.  Tillman allegedly purchased “instalogs” and lighter fluid and drove to the U.S. post office.  The complaint describes that Tillman then placed the instalogs throughout his vehicle, poured lighter fluid over the instalogs, backed his vehicle into the lobby of the U.S. post office, exited the vehicle, and lit the vehicle on fire with a match.

Tillman then allegedly began spray painting the words “Viva La Me” on the outside of the building after starting the fire, but did not finish the graffiti because the heat from the fire was too intense.  

The Almaden Valley United States Post Office was partially destroyed by the fire, as depicted below:

The San Jose Fire Department and the San Jose Police Department responded to the fire.  Tillman allegedly told law enforcement officers that he set the fire to make a statement to the U.S. government and that he livestreamed the event on YouTube using his phone.  

United States Attorney Craig H. Missakian, U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), San Francisco Division Inspector in Charge Stephen M. Sherwood, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF) Acting Special Agent in Charge Robert Topper, and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Special Agent in Charge Sanjay Virmani made the announcement.

Tillman is currently in federal custody.  He is next scheduled to appear in district court on Aug. 6, 2025, for a status conference before U.S. Magistrate Judge Nathanael Cousins.    

A criminal complaint merely alleges that crimes have been committed, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.  If convicted, the defendant faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, a minimum sentence of five years in prison, and a fine of $250,000 for the charge of malicious destruction of government property by fire in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 844(f)(1).  Any sentence following conviction would be imposed by the court after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of a sentence, 18 U.S.C. § 3553.  

Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael G. Pitman is prosecuting the case with the assistance of Sahib Kaur.  The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the USPIS, ATF, FBI, and the San Jose Police Department.  The U.S. Attorney’s Office appreciates the assistance of the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office. 

Tillman Complaint

Source: Office of United States Attorneys

TUCSON, Ariz. – This afternoon, a federal grand jury in Tucson returned a five-count indictment against Julio Cesar Aguirre, 42, of Mexico, for Attempted Carjacking Resulting in Death, Use or Carrying of a Firearm During a Crime of Violence Causing Death, Possession of a Firearm by an Illegal Alien, Reentry of a Removed Alien, and Felon in Possession of a Firearm.

The first two counts carry a maximum penalty of life in prison or death.

According to court filings, Aguirre shot and killed a male driver with a 9mm caliber handgun, while attempting to carjack the victim’s Toyota Tundra on the morning of June 30, in Tucson, Arizona.

Shortly after the attempted carjacking, Tucson Police Department (TPD) officers found Aguirre hiding in a nearby shed. Aguirre, a Mexican citizen, who was previously removed from the United States in 2013, was living in the country illegally at the time of the shooting. When he was arrested, TPD officers discovered a Smith & Wesson 9mm caliber pistol within Aguirre’s reach. As a convicted felon and as an illegal alien, Aguirre was prohibited from possessing a firearm.

“The focus in this case should be on the senseless loss of the victim and the pain that loss creates for his family and friends. Our criminal laws exist to protect our community, and the United States has an obligation to enforce those laws,” said United States Attorney Timothy Courchaine. “The alleged series of crimes in the indictment, starting with illegal immigration, escalating to prohibited possession of a firearm, and culminating in the death of an innocent individual, is why the United States Attorney’s Office takes this matter so seriously.”

“This indictment represents a meaningful step toward accountability and justice for the victim, their loved ones, and all those affected by the tragic events in early July,” said FBI Phoenix Special Agent in Charge Heith Janke. “The allegations in this case involve a senseless act of violence that claimed an innocent life and deeply impacted our community. Carjacking resulting in death is a serious federal offense. The FBI, in partnership with the Tucson Police Department and the U.S. Attorney’s Office, remains dedicated to pursuing justice and ensuring public safety.”

A conviction for Illegal Alien in Possession of a Firearm or Felon in Possession of a Firearm each carries a maximum penalty of up to 15 years in prison. A conviction for Illegal Reentry carries a maximum penalty of up to 10 years in prison.

The federal prosecution of this case is 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 (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 Neighborhoods (PSN).

TPD and the FBI Phoenix Division’s Tucson office conducted the investigation in this case, with assistance from the Southern Arizona Violent Crime and Gang Task Force. The United States Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, Tucson, is handling the prosecution.

An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

CASE NUMBER:           CR-25-3393-TUC-RM-MAA
RELEASE NUMBER:    2025-128_Aguirre Indictment

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For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/
Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, on Twitter @USAO_AZ for the latest news.

Source: Office of United States Attorneys

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – Acting U.S. Attorney Michael M. Simpson announced that RUBEN URIZAR-BETETA, age 49, a citizen of Guatemala, pled guilty and was sentenced on July 15, 2025, for illegal re-entry of a removed alien, in violation of Title 8, United States Code, Section 1326(a).

Acting U.S. Attorney Simpson praised the work of the United States Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in investigating this matter.  Assistant United States Attorney Irene González of the General Crimes Unit is in charge of the prosecution.

Source: Office of United States Attorneys

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – Acting United States Attorney Michael M. Simpson announced that ERNEST X. TAYLOR, JR. (“TAYLOR”), age 40, a resident of LaPlace, Louisiana, was charged on July 30, 2025 in a superseding bill of information with Bank Fraud, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1344(2).

According to court documents, between 2019 and 2022, TAYLOR applied for over $400,000 in loans from credit unions and falsely claimed that the funds would be utilized to purchase vehicles. TAYLOR fraudulently applied for loans under other people’s names and did not disclose to the credit unions that the loan proceeds would go to TAYLOR. In furtherance of his scheme, TAYLOR presented materially false documentation to the credit unions, including fraudulent vehicle titles and falsified pay stubs. After receiving the loan proceeds, TAYLOR defaulted on the loans.

If convicted, TAYLOR faces up to thirty years imprisonment, up to five years of supervised release, a fine of up to $250,000, and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.

Acting U.S. Attorney Simpson reiterated that the superseding bill of information is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the United States Secret Service. Assistant United States Attorneys Maria M. Carboni and Edward Rivera of the Financial Crimes Unit are handling the prosecution.

 

Source: Office of United States Attorneys

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – MICHAEL PENN (“PENN”), age 24, a resident of Tangipahoa Parish, pleaded guilty on July 24, 2025, to three counts of distributing fentanyl, in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1); 841(b)(1)(A); and 841(b)(1)(B), before United States District Judge Nannette Jolivette Brown.

As to Count One, PENN faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 5 years, up to 40 years imprisonment, a fine of up to $5,000,000, and at least 4 years of supervised release. As to Counts Two and Three, PENN faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years, up to life imprisonment, a fine of up to $10,000,000, and at least 5 years of supervised release.

According to court records, on February 2, April 4, and April 18, 2024, PENN distributed large quantities of fentanyl pills, with net weights of 259.86 grams, 516.2 grams and 541.2 grams, respectively, in the Eastern District of Louisiana.

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration. The prosecution is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Lauren Sarver of the Narcotics Unit.

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