Category: Office of United States Attorneys

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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Source: Office of United States Attorneys

At the sentencing hearing, United States District Judge Nannette Jolivette Brown, sentenced GAMA to twelve months of imprisonment and one year of supervised release.

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 Neighborhood (PSN).

Acting U.S. Attorney Simpson praised the work of Immigration and Customs Enforcement in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Paul J. Hubbell of the General Crimes Unit oversees the prosecution.

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Source: Office of United States Attorneys

BOSTON – A Leominster, Mass. man was sentenced today for attempting to open an emergency exit door while aboard a United Airlines flight from Los Angeles to Boston and then attempting to stab a flight attendant in the neck with a broken metal spoon.

Francisco Severo Torres, 35, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Patti B. Saris to time served (approximately 26 months in prison) to be followed by five years of supervised release, during which the defendant is prohibited from flying on a commercial aircraft. In May 2025, Torres pleaded guilty to one count of interference and attempted interference with flight crew members and attendants using a dangerous weapon. Torres was charged by criminal complaint in March 2023 following his arrest at Boston Logan International Airport. He was subsequently indicted by a federal grand jury in September 2023.

On March 5, 2023, Torres was a passenger aboard a United Airlines flight from Los Angeles to Boston. Approximately 45 minutes prior to landing, the flight crew received an alarm in the cockpit that a starboard side door located between the first class and coach sections of the aircraft was disarmed. Upon inspection, a flight attendant found that the door’s locking handle had been moved out of the fully locked position – approximately a quarter of the way towards the unlocked position – and that the emergency slide arming lever had been moved to the “disarmed” position. The flight attendant reported this to the captain and flight crew after securing the door and emergency slide.

In subsequent discussions, a fellow flight attendant reported that he had observed Torres near the door and believed Torres had tampered with the door. A flight attendant then confronted Torres about tampering with the door, to which he responded by asking if there were cameras showing that he had done so. The flight attendant then notified the captain that they believed Torres posed a threat to the aircraft and that the captain needed to land the aircraft as soon as possible.  

Shortly thereafter, Torres got out of his seat and approached the starboard side door where two flight attendants were standing in the aisle. One of the flight attendants saw Torres mouthing something that he could not hear. Video taken by a passenger depicts Torres yelling at points that he would “kill every man on this plane” and “I’m taking over this plane.” Torres then thrust towards one of the flight attendants in a stabbing motion with a broken metal spoon, hitting the flight attendant on the neck area three times. Passengers then tackled and restrained Torres with the assistance of flight crew. Torres was immediately taken into custody upon the flight’s arrival to Boston.  

During subsequent interviews, passengers who were aboard the flight reported that Torres asked a fellow passenger where on the safety card it showed where the door handle was located prior to takeoff and that Torres was seen pacing in a galley before attacking the flight attendant.

United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; Colonel Geoffrey D. Noble, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; and Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Elianna J. Nuzum of the Criminal Division prosecuted the case.

Source: Office of United States Attorneys

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A 53-year-old man from San Luis Potosi, Mexico, has been ordered to federal prison for unlawfully reentering the country for the 4^th time, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.

Rafael Cortez-Gonzalez pleaded guilty May 1.

U.S. District Judge David Morales has now ordered him to serve 39 months in federal prison. Not a U.S. citizen, he is expected to face removal proceedings following his imprisonment. At the hearing, the court heard about Cortez-Gonzalez’s prior criminal record, including three prior felony convictions. In handing down the sentence, the court noted this sentence will hopefully serve as a deterrence.

Cortez-Gonzalez had two previous felony convictions for illegal reentry as well as for transporting an illegal alien within the United States.

He was first removed in November 2000 and illegally returned three times. Authorities discovered him again Feb. 12 in Kenedy County with no authorization to be there.

Cortez-Gonzalez will remain in custody pending transfer to a Federal Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.

Border Patrol conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Yasmine K. Tucker prosecuted the case.

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 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.

Source: Office of United States Attorneys

BEAUMONT, Texas – A Jefferson County couple have been sentenced to federal prison for attempting to rob a convenience store in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.

Cole Ethan Schroeder, 21, of Beaumont pleaded guilty to Hobbs Act robbery and brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence and was sentenced to a total of 114 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Marcia A. Crone on May 21, 2025.

Carley Melana Fowler, 21, of Nederland, pleaded guilty to Hobbs Act robbery and was sentenced to 63 months in federal prison by Judge Crone on July 29, 2025.

According to information presented in court, on September 2, 2024, Schroeder and Fowler were captured on surveillance video entering a Citgo Food Mart convenience store/gas station in Nederland wearing face masks. Fowler, who was carrying a bag, positioned an object in the doorway that prevented the door from closing completely.  She stood next to Schroeder with the bag held open as Schroeder brandished an AR-style rifle and ordered a store employee to put money in the bag Fowler was holding.  A physical struggle began between the store employee and the defendants, resulting in Schroeder striking the employee several times with the rifle, causing injuries.  Schroeder and Fowler fled without obtaining any money from the convenience store and were located by law enforcement and arrested at a nearby RV park.     

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 Neighborhood (PSN).

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office and the Nederland Police Department.  This case was prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Tommy Coleman.

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Source: Office of United States Attorneys

            WASHINGTON – Kevin Hopkins, 39, a resident of the District of Columbia, pleaded guilty on July 25, 2025, in U.S. District Court, on a firearms charge. The plea, which comes as part of the “Make D.C. Safe Again” initiative, was announced by U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro.

            This case is being prosecuted under the Make D.C. Safe and Beautiful initiative. Make D.C. Safe Again is a law enforcement initiative in support of President Trump’s Executive Order to make D.C. Safe and Beautiful. Make D.C. Safe Again aims to crack down on gun violence, prioritize federal firearms violations, pursue tougher penalties for offenses, and seek detention for federal firearms violators.

            Hopkins pleaded guilty to the indictment before U.S. District Judge Jia M. Cobb on count of unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon. Judge Cobb set a sentencing hearing for November 7, 2025.

            As part of his plea, Hopkins admitted to possessing a 9mm handgun, which MPD officers had recovered from the sofa cushions in an apartment during the execution of a residential search warrant. Hopkins also admitted to possessing 14 rounds of ammunition, which had been loaded  in the magazine of the 9mm handgun.

            Hopkins is a previously convicted felon and was on supervised release after being convicted of assault, burglary, and stalking.

            Joining in the announcement was Special Agent in Charge Special Agent in Charge Ibrar A. Mian of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Washington Division, Special Agent in Charge Anthony Spotswood of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and Chief Pamela Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).

            This case is being investigated by the DEA Washington Division, the ATF Washington Field Office and the Metropolitan Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Mark Levy and Kate Naseef are prosecuting this case. 

Source: Office of United States Attorneys

David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that ANTRUM COSTON, 42, of New Haven, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to 36 months of imprisonment for unlawfully possessing a firearm while released on bond in another criminal case.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on September 18, 2023, Judge Underhill sentenced Coston to 37 months of imprisonment and three years of supervised release for pandemic relief fraud, money laundering, and drug offenses.  Judge Underhill ordered Coston, who was released on bond, to surrender for service of his sentence on November 29, 2023.  On October 25, 2023, New Haven Police arrested Coston after they found him in possession of a loaded Taurus G3 9mm handgun with an extended magazine.

The 36-month sentence will run consecutively to Coston’s 37-month sentence from 2023.

Coston has been detained since his arrest.  On October 28, 2024, he was convicted after trial of unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon, and possessing it while on federal release.

Coston’s criminal history includes multiple felony convictions, including two federal convictions for firearm offenses.

This investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) and the New Haven Police Department.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nathaniel J. Gentile and Sean P. Mahard through the Justice’s Department’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) program, a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce gun violence and other violent crime, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.  For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit www.justice.gov/psn.

Source: Office of United States Attorneys

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Mexican National pleaded guilty in federal court yesterday to his role in a racketeering conspiracy to transport aliens, harbor aliens, encourage and induce aliens to reside in the United States, and falsify Form I-9 documentation.

Lorenzo Castro-Manzanarez, 43, a Mexican National living in Springfield, Mo., admitted that he was part of a RICO (racketeer influenced and corrupt organizations) conspiracy from Jan. 1, 2018, to Aug. 10, 2021, that, amongst other things, transported and harbored aliens not authorized to live or work in the United States. Castro-Manzanarez admitted that as part of the conspiracy he also encouraged and induced aliens to reside in the United States in violation of the law by providing them with employment and allowing them to work under fraudulent identification documentation. Castro-Manzanarez took these actions in furtherance of keeping multiple Mexican restaurants across the Midwest staffed and profitable, thereby gaining an illegal competitive business advantage. Castro-Manzanarez also admitted that as part of the conspiracy he falsely claimed and attested to be a United States citizen on a Form I-9 and utilized a counterfeit Social Security card as part of the Form I-9 process.

Castro-Manzanarez also admitted that after being indicted in this case—and while on bond—he continued to break federal law by employing aliens, providing aliens with housing at residences in his name, and allowing aliens to work at his restaurants utilizing fraudulent identification documentation, including counterfeit Social Security cards. Castro-Manzanarez further admitted that he took these illegal actions to ensure his restaurants in Springfield, Mo., Columbia, Mo., and Jefferson City, Mo., remained staffed and profitable.

Castro-Manzanarez was taken into custody at the conclusion of his plea hearing and will remain in custody pending sentencing.

Under federal statutes, Castro-Manzanarez is subject to a sentence of up to 20 years in federal prison without parole. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of Castro-Manzanarez will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Rudolph R. Rhodes IV, Nicholas P. Heberle, David Wagner, and Leigh Farmakidis. It was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations with assistance from the United States Postal Inspection Service; Social Security Administration, Office of the Inspector General; Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigations; Kansas Bureau of Investigation; Kansas Department of Labor; Missouri State Highway Patrol; Kansas Highway Patrol; and Butler Police Department. 

Operation Take Back America

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 Neighborhood (PSN).