Category: United States of America

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Convicted Felon Admits to Illegally Possessing a Firearm

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

PROVIDENCE – A Providence man previously convicted and sentenced on state firearm, robbery, and drug trafficking charges, and a 2013 federal firearm charge, pleaded guilty today to a federal charge of felon in possession of a firearm, announced Acting United States Attorney Sara Miron Bloom.

According to information presented to the court, on March 30, 2024, a Providence Police patrol officer effected a traffic stop of a vehicle driven by Troy L. Antley, 56, for turning at an intersection without signaling. During the subsequent stop, the officer noticed a knife in plain view on the driver’s seat.

As the officer went to seize the knife, he noticed a round of ammunition in the driver’s side cupholder in the center console and a gun handle protruding from the space between the driver’s seat and center console. It was later determined that the firearm, a loaded 9mm Smith and Wesson semi-automatic pistol, was previously reported stolen out of Alabama.  The magazine in the firearm had a 16 round capacity and 14 rounds in it.  One round was chambered in the pistol.

Antley is scheduled to be sentenced on November 20, 2025. The sentence imposed in this matter will be determined by a federal district judge after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Stacey A. Erickson and Milind M. Shah.

The matter was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearm, and Explosives and the Providence Police Department

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Big Timber man sentenced to 3 years in prison on drug charges

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

BILLINGS – A Big Timber man who possessed methamphetamine was sentenced today to 36 months in prison to be followed by 5 years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.

James Karl Ellis, 38, pleaded guilty in February 2025 to one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.

U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided.

The government alleged in court documents that on or about November 26, 2023, law enforcement received a video that showed the garage of Ellis’s residence located in Big Timber, Montana. The video depicted Ellis obtaining something from a large safe in the garage and then providing a bag containing what appeared to be a white powdery substance to a female. Deputies recognized the female as a known narcotics user. A search warrant for Ellis’s residence was obtained.

Ellis’s residence was searched on November 27, 2023. In the safe in the garage as well as in a locked closet in Ellis’s bedroom, law enforcement found approximately 300 grams of methamphetamine.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case. The investigation was conducted by the Sweetgrass County Sheriff’s Office and ATF.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psn.

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Troy Health, Inc. Enters Non-Prosecution Agreement and Admits to Fraudulently Enrolling Medicare Beneficiaries and Identity Theft

Source: United States Attorneys General 1

Troy Health, Inc. (Troy), a North Carolina-based provider of Medicare Advantage, Medicare Part D, and Dual Eligible Special Needs Plans, has entered into a non-prosecution agreement with the Department of Justice to resolve a criminal investigation into a health care fraud and identity theft scheme involving the use of artificial intelligence and automation software to illegally obtain Medicare beneficiary information and fraudulently enroll beneficiaries into its Medicare Advantage plans.

“Troy told low-income Medicare beneficiaries that it would use new technologies, including its proprietary artificial intelligence platform, to improve patient health outcomes,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Matthew Galeotti of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “Instead, the company misused patient data to enroll beneficiaries in its Medicare Advantage plan without their consent. Today’s resolution reflects the Criminal Division’s emerging focus on corporate enforcement in the health care space and holding both individuals and companies accountable when they defraud our medical system to enrich themselves at the expense of the American taxpayer.”

“Health care providers that fraudulently enroll individuals in Medicare Advantage plans just to boost company profits undermine the integrity of the Medicare program and the well-being of Medicare enrollees,” said Special Agent in  Charge Kelly J. Blackmon with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). “Alongside  our law enforcement partners, HHS OIG will continue to protect the American public and ensure that the personal health information of Medicare beneficiaries remains secured.”

As part of the non-prosecution agreement, Troy admitted that, from approximately October 2020 through the end of 2022, Troy defrauded the Medicare program by enrolling beneficiaries in Troy’s Medicare Advantage plans without their knowledge or consent. Under a Troy executive’s direction, some of Troy’s Territory Managers used proprietary software developed by one of Troy’s executives to unlawfully access pharmacy records and customer lists containing sensitive personal information, including beneficiaries’ names, addresses, dates of birth, Medicare ID numbers, and insurance information. Troy used that information to make unsolicited sales calls to potential beneficiaries. During those sales calls, Troy’s sales personnel provided false and misleading information to Medicare beneficiaries. For example, Troy’s sales personnel told prospective enrollees that they were calling on behalf of the beneficiaries’ pharmacies and representing to beneficiaries that Troy’s Medicare Advantage plan was being offered as a supplement to their existing health care plans rather than as a new plan.

Troy also used an artificial intelligence-based health care management platform it developed and made available to participating pharmacies, known as Troy.ai, as part of the scheme.  As described by the company, Troy marketed Troy.ai as a product that would leverage data and machine learning to lower the cost of care and improve health outcomes. As part of its effort to obtain new enrollments, however, Troy misused the platform by offering pharmacies kickbacks for enrollment referrals submitted through Troy.ai.

Troy also admitted that it used information obtained from the customer lists to enroll beneficiaries in Troy’s Medicare Advantage plan without their consent. At the height of the scheme, during the Medicare Advantage open enrollment period between Jan. 1, 2022 and March 31, 2022, Troy enrolled over 2,700 new Medicare Advantage members, many through automatic or batch enrollments. For example, on March 2, 2022, Troy enrolled over 300 beneficiaries on one day, with the enrollments occurring approximately one minute apart. In addition, some Troy employees manually entered fraudulent enrollments through the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) website. This conduct followed a Troy executive’s announcement at a 2021 board meeting of an “aggressive but achievable” plan to triple Troy’s enrollment during the 2022 open enrollment period.

As part of the non-prosecution agreement, Troy admitted to and accepted responsibility for the acts of its officers, directors, employees, and agents in connection with the scheme. Troy has also agreed to continue cooperating with the Department in any ongoing or future criminal investigation relating to this conduct. As part of this agreement, Troy agreed to pay a criminal penalty of $1,430,008. This penalty has been adjusted based on Troy’s ability to pay.

The Department reached this resolution with Troy based on several factors, including Troy’s efforts to provide all relevant facts known to it, acceptance of responsibility for criminal conduct, extensive and timely remedial measures taken, commitment to continuing enhancement of compliance and internal control programs, absence of prior criminal history or regulatory actions, commitment to cooperation with federal agencies in any ongoing investigations, and the nature and seriousness of the offense. Troy did not receive voluntary self-disclosure credit, but did receive credit for its cooperation with the Department’s investigation and affirmative acceptance of responsibility, which included (i) self-reporting its 2022 batch member enrollment issue to CMS before it had come to the attention of the Department; (ii) providing timely updates on facts learned during its internal investigation; (iii) providing all relevant facts known to it, including information about individuals involved in the conduct. However, and particularly during the early phase of the Department’s investigation, Troy failed to preserve and produce certain documents and evidence in a timely manner and, at times, took actions that were inconsistent with full cooperation.

The FBI and HHS-OIG are investigating the case.

Trial Attorney Clayton P. Solomon of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Katherine Armstrong for the Western District of North Carolina are prosecuting the case.

The Criminal Division’s Fraud Section is responsible for investigating and prosecuting health care fraud (HCF) matters. Additional information about the Justice Department’s HCF enforcement efforts can be found at https://www.justice.gov/criminal/criminal-fraud/health-care-fraud-unit.

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WORST OF THE WORST: ICE Arrests Violent Criminal Alien with 38 Arrests and 15 Convictions

Source: US Department of Homeland Security

Other ICE arrests include pedophiles, drug traffickers, and violent criminals

WASHINGTON – Yesterday, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced the arrests of the worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens—including an illegal alien with 38 arrests and 15 convictions. Other worst of the worst arrested included pedophiles, drug traffickers, and violent criminal illegal aliens. 

“One of the worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens arrested by ICE yesterday had 38 prior arrests and 15 convictions, including sexual assault, aggravated assault, and burglary,” said Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. “Under the Biden Administration, serial criminal illegal aliens were allowed to terrorize Americans. We are restoring law and order and putting the safety of Americans first. No longer is America a safe haven for the world’s criminals.”

Yesterday’s arrests include:

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  • Jonatan Monzon-Olivares, a criminal illegal alien from Guatemala with 38 prior arrests and 15 convictions, including sexual assault, aggravated assault, burglary, larceny, possession of stolen property, and obstructing justice.

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  • Pedro Carrillo-Miranda, a criminal illegal alien from Mexico convicted of a sex offense against a child – fondling. 

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  • Lloyd Tinashe HweHwe, a criminal illegal alien from Zimbabwe convicted of intoxicated manslaughter

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  • Trong Ho Luong, a criminal illegal alien from Vietnam convicted of manufacturing and delivering cocaine and MDMA.

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  • Lamphay Syvongsa, a criminal illegal alien from Laos convicted of robbery with an imitation firearm, feloniously pointing a firearm, possession of a firearm after a felony conviction, and multiple traffic offenses.
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Ohio Resident Sentenced to 12.5 Years in Prison for Sex Trafficking of Minor and Coercion and Enticement of Adult Female for Commercial Sex

Source: United States Department of Justice (Human Trafficking)

PITTSBURGH, Pa. – A resident of Euclid, Ohio, has been sentenced in federal court to 150 months in prison, to be followed by 10 years of supervised release, on his conviction of sex trafficking of a minor and coercion and enticement of an adult for the purpose of commercial sex, Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.

United States District Judge William S. Stickman IV imposed the sentence on Donte Lashawn Cole on August 18, 2025. Cole also is required to comply with the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act and register as a convicted sex offender.

According to information presented to the Court, Cole transported a female minor from Ohio to a hotel in Monroeville, Pennsylvania, in May of 2023 to engage in commercial sex. Additionally, Cole enticed and coerced an adult female across state lines, also for the purpose of engaging in commercial sex. Cole used online advertisements to market the victims for commercial sex services in Western Pennsylvania and elsewhere from April 2023 to October 2023.

Prior to imposing sentence, Judge Stickman labeled Cole’s conduct as “evil” and noted that Cole “victimized minor girls, crossed state lines, and treated the girls like property for (his) own gain.”

“The United States Attorney’s Office is committed to working with our local, state, and federal partners to stand against human trafficking and the exploitation of children and hold sex traffickers such as Donte Cole accountable,” said Acting United States Attorney Rivetti. “We will remain vigilant in ensuring that anyone seeking to profit through the exploitation of any child or adult is identified, investigated, and brought to justice.”

“Human traffickers such as Donte Cole prey on the vulnerable, inflicting unimaginable suffering and robbing victims of their dignity and freedom,” said Special Agent in Charge of HSI Philadelphia Edward V. Owens. “This case spotlights the depravity of those who exploit others for profit. Homeland Security Investigations will never stop working to ensure these predators are held accountable. We remain relentless in our mission to rescue victims, dismantle trafficking operations, and bring justice to those who have endured such horrific abuse.”

“This predatory trafficker was calculated in how he selected his victims, choosing vulnerable individuals who he then manipulated into situations where their livelihood depended on being at his beck and call,” Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday said. “Human trafficking is dehumanizing—some of the most egregious conduct we encounter in society. I commend our federal partners for collaborating to reach a resolution that ensures Donte Cole will be far away, for many years, from anyone else he can exploit, manipulate, and abuse.”

Assistant United States Attorney Robert Schupansky and Special Assistant United States Attorney Summer Carroll (Assistant Chief Deputy Attorney General) prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

Acting United States Attorney Rivetti commended Homeland Security Investigations and the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Cole.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.

If you are the victim of human trafficking or may have information about a potential trafficking situation, please call the FBI, local law enforcement, or the National Human Trafficking Resource Center (NHTRC) at 1-888-373-7888. NHTRC is a national, toll-free hotline, with specialists available to answer calls from anywhere in the country, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, every day of the year related to potential trafficking victims, suspicious behaviors, and/or locations where trafficking is suspected to occur. To submit a tip to the NHTRC online, please visit https://humantraffickinghotline.org/report-trafficking.

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WORST OF THE WORST: ICE Arrests in Georgia Skyrocket under Trump Administration

Source: US Department of Homeland Security

367% increase in arrests of illegal aliens in the Peach State compared to Biden

WASHINGTON – Today, the Department of Homeland Security announced U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested 4,500 illegal aliens in Georgia between January 20 and July 31. These numbers reflect a 367% increase of illegal alien arrests compared to the 963 arrests during the same period in 2021 under the Biden administration. 

“Biden’s open border polices allowed Laken Riley’s killer to be in the country and gave him the opportunity brutally murder the young Georgia nursing student. President Trump promised to put Americans first and remove violent criminals from our country and that’s exactly what we are doing,” said Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. “Thanks to his and Secretary Noem’s leadership, ICE is once again empowered to remove the worst of the worst—including murderers, pedophiles, gang members, drug traffickers, and terrorists. In Georgia alone, arrests of illegal aliens have increased by 367%.”

Below are some of the worst of the worst arrested in Georgia under President Trump:

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Osvaldo Rodriguez-Padilla, a criminal illegal alien from Mexico, convicted of importing 20.9 kilograms of mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of cocaine.

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Flavio Delabra Rebollar, a criminal illegal alien from Mexico, convicted of distribution of methamphetamine, drug trafficking, multiple weapon offenses, and illegal entry. 

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Jacob Aguillon-Martinez, a criminal illegal alien from Mexico, arrested for homicide-negligent manslaughter-vehicle and hit and run. 

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Juan Carlos Mendoza-Gonzalez, a criminal illegal alien from Mexico, convicted of statutory rape and child molestation/aggravated child molestation. 

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Eduardo Garcia-Gonzalez, a criminal illegal alien from Mexico, arrested for two counts of child molestation and two counts of sexual battery against a child under 16, and possession of a schedule II-controlled substance and possession of drug related objects. 

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Robert Edward Matos-Madueno, a criminal illegal alien from Venezuela, arrested for child molestation, sexual battery against a child under 16, and false imprisonment. 

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Luis Alfredo Betancourth-Euceda, a criminal illegal alien from Honduras, convicted of two counts of sexual battery against a child under 16.

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Armando Garcia Ramos, a criminal illegal alien from Guatemala, whose criminal history includesattempted felony murder and use of a firearm during the commission of a felony, a conviction for possession of a firearm and ammunition by a prohibited person and an arrest for driving without a valid license. 

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Matilde Romero Sanchez, a criminal illegal alien from Mexico, arrested for incest and child molestation.

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Fernando Hernandez-Martinez, a criminal illegal alien from Mexico, convicted of two counts of child molestation.

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JUSTICE DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES RESULTS FROM COORDINATED OPERATIONS AIMED AT REDUCING VIOLENT CRIME

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

Acting United States Attorney Ellison C. Travis, together with federal, state, and local law enforcement officials, announced the successful outcomes of recent multi-agency operations aimed at reducing violent crime in Baton Rouge and surrounding communities.

Over the past several months, these coordinated efforts have resulted in 52 federal indictments charging 68 defendants in connection with drug trafficking, illegal firearm and other violent crime offenses, and the seizure of illegal firearms, narcotics, and other contraband that contribute to the cycle of violence.

Agencies announcing the results are the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Drug Enforcement Administration, U.S. Department of Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Marshal’s Service, Louisiana State Police, Louisiana Probation and Parole, East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office, Baton Rouge Police Department, and East Baton Rouge District Attorney’s Office.

Acting U.S. Attorney Ellison Travis stated, “These initiatives underscore the importance of collaboration among law enforcement agencies. Enhanced information-sharing and resource allocation among participating agencies are instrumental to effectively combat violent crime. I would like to thank the Department of Justice and Governor Landry for surging federal and state resources to help fight crime in Baton Rouge.”

“From the very beginning, I made a commitment to reduce crime across our state. We started that mission in New Orleans and achieved remarkable success. Now, thanks to the strong collaboration between our federal, state, and local partners, we are taking down violent criminal networks throughout the Capital Region,” said Governor Jeff Landry. “Operation Violent Crime Takedown was a huge success, made possible by the unwavering dedication of our law enforcement officers. This is just the beginning. Together, we are ushering in a new era of safety and opportunity for Baton Rouge and for communities across Louisiana.”

“The FBI was proud to be part of this mission, and we brought Agents and intelligence personnel from our Violent Crime Rapid Deployment Team from offices across the country, to Baton Rouge,” said Special Agent in Charge Jonathan Tapp of the FBI New Orleans Field Office. “The FBI is committed to crushing violent crime across Louisiana and looks forward to working with our partners and the public to achieve that goal.”

“This summer surge operation to address violent gun and narcotics crime demonstrates ATF’s expertise and shows ATF’s collaboration with federal, state and local partners to have meaningful impact on combating crime,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge Joshua Jackson. “Working in coordination with law enforcement partners to meet the collective objectives of political leaders, community leaders, and citizens to enhance public safety is the priority of ATF.”

“Today isn’t about one agency; it’s about a united front against crime,” said Special Agent in Charge Steven Hofer, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) New Orleans Division. “We fully support Governor Landry’s efforts to ensure those who pose a threat to our communities are held accountable. The DEA will continue to bring its resources to bear in support of this vital mission.”

“The Louisiana State Police is proud to have played a key role in this summer’s crime reduction operations, working closely with our local, state, and federal partners to target gangs and violent offenders in Baton Rouge,” said Colonel Robert P. Hodges, Louisiana State Police Superintendent. “Our collaborative efforts have contributed to a measurable reduction in violent crime in targeted areas, and we remain steadfast in our commitment to keeping our communities safe and holding offenders accountable.”

East Baton Rouge Sheriff Sid Gautreaux stated, “The East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office is proud to continue working hand-in-hand with our local, state, and federal partners in the fight against violent crime. This summer, our deputies worked tirelessly to make our community safer, focusing our efforts on taking high-level violent offenders and drug traffickers off our streets. We are especially grateful for the federal support that provided the financial resources necessary to sustain these operations and maximize our impact. Collaboration and shared commitment are key to protecting our citizens, and we remain steadfast in doing our part to ensure the people of East Baton Rouge Parish can live in a safer, stronger community.”

“A large-scale warrant apprehension operation involving multiple law enforcement agencies has led to numerous arrests, narcotics and firearms being recovered from Baton Rouge streets,” said Gary Westcott, Secretary, Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections. “I’m proud of the Department’s 41 Division of Probation and Parole (P&P) officers and Bravo Special Response Team members from five (P&P) district offices and headquarters who participated in the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Violent Gun Reduction and Interdiction Program. This strategic partnership was able to yield results that help make communities safer.”

Baton Rouge Police Chief T.J. Morse stated, “The Baton Rouge Police Department is grateful for the federal, state, and local partners that all came together to combat violent crime through shared resources, technology, and targeting of serious felon offenders over the last several months. Our department committed countless hours of manpower and professional work to this initiative in the efforts of public safety and strive to make the city of Baton Rouge a safer community. With more than a dozen officers assigned to federal task forces, we look forward to the ongoing partnerships and cooperation in future operations.”

The federal cases stemming from these investigations are being prosecuted by a team of Assistant U.S. Attorneys.

This initiative is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit Justice.gov/PSN.

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).

An indictment is an accusation by a grand jury. Defendants are presumed innocent until and unless adjudicated guilty at trial or through a guilty plea.  

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After Visiting Flood-Stricken New Mexico, Secretary Noem Announces Over $11 Million in Disaster Relief Funding

Source: US Department of Homeland Security

DHS rushed immediate disaster relief funding to New Mexico following deadly flooding 

RUIDOSO, NM – Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem announced another $11.4 million in disaster relief funding for disaster recovery projects in Ruidoso, New Mexico after floods in July that that killed three people.

Secretary Noem announced the additional funding during her visit to Ruidoso, which was most impacted by the floods. She had previously announced $3.1 million of upfront aid to the state, along with more than 160 emergency management staff who are to remain in the area. And, after President Trump signed an Emergency Disaster Declaration and a Major Disaster Declaration in response to the flooding, an additional $2.9 million in funding was unlocked to help families rebuild.

“Under the Trump Administration, FEMA is faster and more responsive than ever,” said Secretary Noem. “We’re seeing that in Ruidoso, and we will stand with New Mexico until full recovery is achieved.”

In July, sudden heavy rainfall caused the Rio Ruidoso to rise a record breaking 20 feet in only 30 minutes. The disaster claimed 3 lives and caused widespread damage to the impacted area.

This disaster funding will help New Mexico and the people of Ruidoso rebuild from this disaster by funding repairs to roads and bridges, clearing debris, and providing funding to families to rebuild what they lost.

This rapid response was made possible by President Trump’s and Secretary Noem’s efforts to make federal emergency management leaner, more effective, and more responsive by cutting red tape and eliminating waste, fraud, and abuse.

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U.S. Forces Conduct Strike Supporting Somali National Army, Targeting al Shabaab

Source: United States AFRICOM

U.S. Africa Command conducted an airstrike against al Shabaab southwest of Bariire in central Somalia on August 17. 

The airstrike was in support of operations led by partner forces against terrorists in the area. 

AFRICOM, alongside the Federal Government of Somalia and Somali Armed Forces, continues to take action to degrade al Shabaab’s ability to plan and conduct attacks that threaten the U.S. Homeland, our forces, and our citizens abroad.

Specific details about units and assets will not be released to ensure continued operations security.