DOJ Newswire News


Network of Transnational Fraudsters Charged in Racketeering Scheme to Steal Millions from American Consumers’ Bank Accounts

News Release: LOS ANGELES - Authorities have arrested five defendants - including several Southern California residents - for their alleged participation in a years-long scheme to steal millions of dollars from American consumers’ bank accounts, the Justice Department announced today.


Man Sentenced to Almost Six Years in Prison For Illegally Distributing Fentanyl

News Release: WASHINGTON - Gary Vaughn, 55, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced today to 70 months in prison for Unlawful Distribution of Fentanyl, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves, and Chief Robert J. Contee, III, of the Metropolitan Police Department. In addition to the prison term, U.S. District Court Judge Trevor N. McFadden ordered 36 months of supervised release.


Pine Ridge Man Sentenced for Drug Distribution

News Release: RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced that a Pine Ridge, South Dakota, man convicted of Distribution of a Controlled Substance to an Individual Under 21 Years of Age, was sentenced on May 1, 2023, by Judge Jeffrey L. Viken, U.S. District Court.


Missouri Man Sentenced to Twenty Years for Drug and Gun Offenses following Interstate Traffic Stop in Montgomery County

News Release: SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - A Park Hills, Missouri, man, Thomas J. Wilkinson, IV, 56, was sentenced on May 1, 2023, to 240 months in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release, for possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and possessing a firearm as a convicted felon.


Tampa Man Pleads Guilty To Distributing And Possessing Child Sex Abuse Material

News Release: Tampa, Florida - United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that Jeffrey Charles Thomas (41, Lithia) has pleaded guilty to distribution and possession of child sex abuse material. Thomas faces a mandatory minimum term of 5 years, up to 20 years, in federal prison. He will be required to forfeit the electronic devices used in the offense.


Justice Department Strengthens Efforts to Address the Crisis of Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons

News Release: DETROIT -- The Justice Department joins its partners across the federal government, as well as people throughout American Indian and Alaska Native communities, in recognizing May 5, 2023 as National Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons Awareness Day. Responding to the unacceptable levels of violence that have led to the crisis of Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons (MMIP) is a priority of the Department of Justice every day.


Leader of Large-Scale Methamphetamine Distribution Conspiracy Sentenced to 490 Months in Prison

News Release: LEXINGTON, Ky. - A Lexington man, Craig Dupree Robertson, 34, was sentenced on Monday to 490 months in federal prison, by Chief U.S. District Judge Danny Reeves for his role in a large-scale methamphetamine and fentanyl trafficking conspiracy.


U.S. Attorney’s Office Commemorates National Police Week 2023

News Release: INDIANAPOLIS - In honor of National Police Week 2023, U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Myers recognizes the service and sacrifice of federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement officers who made the ultimate sacrifice, as well as the family members, friends, and fellow officers they left behind.


Seattle man sentenced to four years in prison for dealing fentanyl in downtown Seattle while armed with a handgun

News Release: Seattle - A 37-year-old Seattle man was sentenced this week to four years in federal prison and three years of supervised release for Possession of Controlled Substances with Intent to Distribute, announced U.S. Attorney Nick Brown. Joseph Johnson was prosecuted federally as part of Seattle’s Operation New Day - a concerted effort by Seattle Police and federal partners to remove open air drug markets in key hotspots in the city of Seattle.


N.C. Couple and N.Y. Woman Sentenced on Felony Charges For Actions During Jan. 6 Capitol Breach

News Release: WASHINGTON - Three people - two from North Carolina and one from New York - were sentenced today on felony charges for their actions during the breach of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. Their actions and the actions of others disrupted a joint session of the U.S. Congress convened to ascertain and count the electoral votes related to the 2020 presidential election.


Three Waterloo Fentanyl Dealers Sentenced to Federal Prison

News Release: Three Waterloo fentanyl dealers were sentenced to federal prison this week.


Brooklyn Man Sentenced to 21 Years for Sex Trafficking

News Release: Earlier today, at the federal courthouse in Brooklyn, Joseph Harris, also known as “Luis Santana," and “Joey Moscato," was sentenced by United States District Judge LaShann DeArcy Hall to 21 years in prison for sex trafficking multiple victims by force, fraud, and coercion.


Marijuana Vending Machine Owner Pleads Guilty to Unlawfully Possessing Firearm

News Release: DETROIT - A man who owned and operated a marijuana vending machine in Detroit has pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm, United States Attorney Dawn N. Ison announced today.


Missouri Man Indicted for Bank Robbery

News Release: KANSAS CITY, KAN. - A federal grand jury in Kansas City returned an indictment charging a Missouri man with robbing a bank in Kansas.


Kalamazoo Man Convicted At Trial Of Federal Drug And Gun Crimes

News Release: Case Represented the Largest Seizure of Fentanyl in the Kalamazoo Area.


California Gang Member Pleads Guilty to Drug Trafficking, Firearm Possession Charges

News Release: ALPINE, Texas - A California man pleaded guilty in a federal court in Alpine Wednesday to charges related to drug trafficking.


Jury Convicts Priest of Sex Trafficking Three Victims in Northern Ohio

News Release: A federal jury in Northern District of Ohio convicted Michael J. Zacharias, a priest, of five counts of sex trafficking. The charges related to three victims, two of whom Zacharias trafficked when they were minors and as adults. The evidence presented to the jury detailed how Zacharias paid the victims to engage in sex acts with him using the victims’ fear of serious harm to compel their compliance.


Previously Convicted Felon Sentenced to More Than 5 Years in Prison for Possessing Firearm

News Release: CINCINNATI - Markeith Ford, 32, of Cincinnati, was sentenced in U.S. District Court to 66 months in prison for illegally possessing a firearm.


Tampa Convicted Felon Sentenced To More Than Four Years In Federal Prison For Possessing A Firearm

News Release: Tampa, Florida - U.S. District Judge James Moody, Jr. has sentenced Christian Joel Andujar Rivera (25, Tampa) to four years and four months in federal prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, for being a felon in possession of firearms. The court also ordered him to forfeit a Glock firearm and assorted ammunition associated with the offense. Andujar Rivera had pleaded guilty on Feb. 2, 2023.


Former Louisville Metro Police Department Officer Pleads Guilty to Using Excessive Force During 2020 Protest

News Release: A former Louisville Metro Police Department officer pleaded guilty to violating an individual’s rights by using excessive force while acting as a police officer.