DOJ Newswire Report News


Unlicensed Vancouver, Washington, tax preparer pleads guilty to aiding and assisting with preparing false tax returns

The owner of a Vancouver, Washington business that sought to assist immigrants with a variety of services has pleaded guilty to tax fraud charges, announced U.S. Attorney Nick Brown. Saul Valdez was an unlicensed tax preparer who led his immigrant customers to believe he was filling out their tax forms correctly.


Former Physician to Pay More than $1.1 Million to Resolve Allegations He Performed Medically Unnecessary Procedures

Former physician Jason A. Dreyer has agreed to pay $1,174,849 to resolve allegations that he performed medically unnecessary neurosurgery procedures that Dreyer caused to be billed to Medicare, Medicaid, and other federal health care programs, announced Vanessa R. Waldref, the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington.


Department of Justice Commemorates National Crime Victims’ Rights Week

Every April, the Justice Department’s Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) leads communities across the country in observing National Crime Victims’ Rights Week (NCVRW) to honor victims, promote their rights and recognize victim advocates.


Columbus Convicted Felon Pleads Guilty to Federal Firearms Charge

A Columbus man with an extensive criminal history pleaded guilty to illegally possessing two pistols he tossed into the backyard of a home while fleeing deputies on foot through a residential area of the city.


Rapper “Desiigner” Charged with Indecent Exposure on an Aircraft

A California man has been charged in a federal criminal complaint with indecent exposure on an aircraft, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger.


The U.S. Attorney's Office Observes National Crime Victims' Rights Week

The Office Will Host An Award Ceremony to Recognize Individuals for Their Contributions to Crime Victims’ Rights


2 men sentenced to prison for domestic terrorist plans to attack power grids

Two men were sentenced in federal court here today for conspiring to attack power grids throughout the United States to promote their white supremacy ideology.


Baton Rouge Man Charged in Federal Court with Numerous Counts of Drug and Gun Charges

United States Attorney Ronald C. Gathe, Jr. announced that a federal grand jury has returned a seven-count indictment charging Hakeem Allen, age 27, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, with distribution and possession with the intent to distribute fentanyl, heroin, clonazepam, methamphetamine, cocaine, and marijuana, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.


Beaufort Man Sentenced to 14 Years in Federal Prison for Possession of Child Pornography

Leonardo Rubio, 23, of Beaufort, South Carolina, was sentenced to 14 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to possession of child pornography.


Charleston Man Sentenced to Ten Years in Federal Prison for Sexual Exploitation of a Minor Through Social Media App

Samer Refaat Selwanes, 48, of Charleston, was sentenced to ten years in federal prison for sexual exploitation of a minor.


South Carolina Inmate Sentenced to Federal Prison for Role in Military Sextortion Scheme

Dexter Lawrence, 37, was sentenced to 70 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering for his role in a scheme to extort and defraud military members that was operated out of the South Carolina Department of Correction (SCDC).


Honduran Man Sentenced to Two Years in Prison for Illegal Possession Ammunition

A federal judge on Tuesday sentenced a Honduran man illegally residing in Birmingham for illegal possession of ammunition, announced U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent in Charge Katrina W. Berge


Tennessee Corrections Officer Convicted of Obstructing Investigation Into Allegations of Sexual Misconduct with an Inmate

A Tennessee man was found guilty yesterday of obstructing an investigation into allegations that he sexually abused an inmate in his custody.


Justice Department Announces National Human Trafficking Coordinator and National Coordinator for Child Exploitation Prevention and Interdiction

The Justice Department today announced the designation and appointment of a National Human Trafficking Coordinator and a National Coordinator for Child Exploitation Prevention and Interdiction.


Former West Virginia Parole Officer Sentenced for Witness Tampering

A former West Virginia regional director of parole for the West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation in Parkersburg, West Virginia, was sentenced yesterday in federal court in the Southern District of West Virginia to 87 months’ imprisonment and three years’ supervised release for witness tampering.


Readout of Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke’s Trip to Little Rock and Pine Bluff, Arkansas

Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division traveled to Little Rock and Pine Bluff, Arkansas, on April 24 and 25 to continue the Civil Rights Division’s tour to engage with stakeholders in underserved communities and reaffirm the department’s commitment to protecting the civil rights of all Americans. U.S. Attorney Jonathan Ross for the Eastern District of Arkansas joined her for the meetings and events on both days.


Former Mississippi Department of Corrections Official Pleads Guilty to Using Excessive Force Against an Inmate

A former case manager with the Mississippi Department of Corrections pleaded guilty yesterday before U.S. District Court Judge Tom Lee for using excessive force against an inmate, involving the use of a dangerous weapon and resulting in bodily injury.


Ohio Man Pleads Guilty to Setting Fire to a Church

An Ohio man pleaded guilty today to violating the Church Arson Prevention Act for setting fire to a house of worship.


Justice Department Challenges Tennessee Law that Bans Critical, Medically Necessary Care for Transgender Youth

The Justice Department today filed a complaint challenging Tennessee Senate Bill 1 (SB 1), a recently enacted law that denies necessary medical care to youth based solely on who they are.


Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division Joins Officials from CFPB, EEOC and FTC Pledging to Confront Bias and Discrimination in Artificial Intelligence

The Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division and officials from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) jointly pledged today to uphold America’s commitment to the core principles of fairness, equality and justice as emerging automated systems, including those sometimes marketed as “artificial intelligence” or “AI,” become increasingly common in our daily lives – impacting civil rights, fair competition, consumer protection and equal opportunity.