DOJ Newswire News


Gun/Gamecock Dealing Results in Guilty Plea

News Release: FRESNO, Calif. - Pedro Gavino, 27, of Orosi, pleaded guilty today to selling firearms without a license and conspiring to violate the Animal Welfare Act by selling gamecocks and participating in cockfighting events, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.


Jackson Lobbyist Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Defraud Investors

News Release: Jackson, Miss. - Jackson lobbyist Ted Brent Alexander pled guilty yesterday to conspiracy to defraud investors in a timber deed investment scheme, announced United States Attorney Darren J. LaMarca and Special Agent in Charge Jermicha Fomby of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Jackson Field Office.


Omaha Woman Sentenced to 72 Months After Jury Convicts Her of Being a Felon in Possession of a Firearm

News Release: United States Attorney Steven Russell announced that Kristen M. Patterson, 40, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced on May 3, 2023, in federal court in Omaha for unlawfully possessing a firearm as a felon. United States District Brian C. Buescher sentenced Patterson to 72 months’ imprisonment. She was also ordered to serve two years of supervised release after her release from prison. There is no parole in the federal system.


La Crosse Man Sentenced to 29 Months for Unlawfully Possessing Firearm

News Release: MADISON, WIS. - Timothy M. O’Shea, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Anthony James, 39, La Crosse, Wisconsin, was sentenced today by Chief U.S. District Judge James D. Peterson to 29 months in federal prison for possessing a firearm after previously being convicted of a felony. James pleaded guilty to this charge on Feb. 10, 2023.


Gang Leader Sentenced to Six Years in Prison for Possessing Firearms and Ammunition

News Release: Tampa, Florida - U.S. District Judge Thomas P. Barber has sentenced Micheal Hankerson (31, Poinciana) to six years in federal prison for possessing firearms and ammunition as a convicted felon. As part of his sentence, the court also ordered Hankerson to forfeit firearms and ammunition. Hankerson had been found guilty on Dec. 3, 2022.


Fort Myers Felon Convicted for Unlawfully Possessing Loaded Rifle

News Release: Fort Myers, FL - United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that a federal jury has found Javonte Keyon Whitfield (25, Fort Myers) guilty of possessing a firearm and ammunition as a previously convicted felon. Whitfield faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in federal prison. His sentencing date has not yet been scheduled. Whitfield had been indicted on February 9, 2022.


Construction Company Owner and Former Residential Facility Employee Indicted for Rigging Bids for Public Contracts

News Release: ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - Alexander M.M. Uballez, United States Attorney for the District of New Mexico, Jamie DePaepe, Special Agent in Charge of the Department of the Interior (DOI) Office of Inspector General, and Andy Tsui, Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation Denver Field Office, announced...


New Underwood Man Indicted for Child Pornography

News Release: RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced that a federal grand jury has indicted a New Underwood, South Dakota, man for Receipt of Child Pornography with a Prior Child Pornography Conviction and Possession of Child Pornography with a Prior Child Pornography Conviction.


Armed Career Criminal Sentenced to 30 Years in Federal Prison on Drug Trafficking and Firearm Offenses

News Release: GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA - Carlos Kentral Kerney, 43, of Gainesville, Florida, was sentenced to a total of 30 years in federal prison following his conviction for possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, carrying a firearm during and in relation to drug trafficking, and possession of a firearm by a felon. Jason R. Coody, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida announced the sentence.


Eight People Sentenced in Conspiracy to Distribute Crystal Methamphetamine

News Release: MIAMI - The last of eight defendants involved in a crystal methamphetamine distribution ring has been sentenced.


East Peoria Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison for Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine

News Release: PEORIA, Ill. - An East Peoria, Illinois, man, George L. Guynn, 61, of the 800 block of Meadow Avenue, was sentenced on April 27, 2023, to 10 years in prison, to be followed by four years of supervised release, for possession with intent to distribute at least 5 grams of methamphetamine.


Former Chief of Staff to Mayor of Lawrence Indicted for Child Pornography Offenses

News Release: BOSTON - The former Chief of Staff to the Mayor of Lawrence, Mass., has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Boston for transporting and possessing child sexual abuse material (CSAM).


Leader and others sent to federal prison for operating Houston stash house

News Release: HOUSTON - A total of five people, all illegally residing in Houston, have been sentenced in connection with the April 2021 discovery of nearly 100 undocumented aliens in a suburban Houston residence, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.


Boston Man Pleads Guilty to Firearm Trafficking and Straw Purchasing Conspiracy

News Release: BOSTON - A Boston man pleaded guilty today to conspiring to illegally traffic and straw purchase firearms.


Plymouth Man Sentenced to Ten Years in Federal Prison for Arson of Apartment Building

News Release: United States Attorney Gregory J. Haanstad of the Eastern District of Wisconsin announced that on May 10, 2023, Jonathan T. Lane (age: 32) of Plymouth, Wisconsin, was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for arson to a building.


Plymouth Man Arrested, Charged in Federal Complaint with Arson Following Fires at Two Minneapolis Mosques

News Release: MINNEAPOLIS - Jackie Rahm Little, aka Joel Arthur Tueting, has been arrested and charged in a federal criminal complaint with arson following fires at two Minneapolis mosques, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger.


River Ridge Man Pleads Guilty to Violations of the Federal Gun Control and Federal Controlled Substances Acts

News Release: NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - On Friday, May 11, 2023, TYRRIN BLUNT, age 27, a resident of River Ridge, Louisiana, pled guilty to a three-count indictment, announced U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans. In Count 1, BLUNT is charged with Possession with the Intent to Distribute Marijuana, in violation of 21 U.S.C.


Man Sentenced for Stealing Over 712 Bitcoin Subject to Forfeiture

News Release: An Ohio man was sentenced today to four years and three months in prison for stealing over 712 bitcoin that were the proceeds of the darknet bitcoin mixer Helix and subject to forfeiture in a then-pending criminal case.


Gangster Disciple Member Pleads Guilty to Racketeering Conspiracy Involving Firebombing and Drug Distribution

News Release: A member of the Gangster Disciples gang pleaded guilty today to a racketeering conspiracy involving his firebombing of a prison guard’s house and the distribution of more than 50 grams of methamphetamine.