DOJ Newswire News


Natchitoches Man Convicted by Federal Jury of Drug and Firearms Charges

News Release: ALEXANDRIA, La. - Louis Vernon Jackson, 38, of Natchitoches, Louisiana, was convicted by a federal jury late yesterday, announced United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown. United States District Judge Terry A. Doughty presided over the four-day trial in Alexandria. Jackson was convicted of conspiracy ...


Cherry Hill Gang Member Sentenced to Over 21 Years in Federal Prison for Participating in Racketeering Conspiracy Including Murdering an Individual Believed To Be a Rival Gang Member

News Release: Baltimore, Maryland - U.S. District Judge George L. Russell, III, today sentenced Travis Alewine, a/k/a “Sticks," age 30, of Baltimore, Maryland, to 253 months in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release for conspiracy to participate in a racketeering enterprise in connection with his membership in the “Hillside" gang, operating in the Cherry Hill neighborhood of Baltimore. Alewine admitted that as part of his gang activities, he participated in a murder.


New Orleans Man Sentenced on Federal Carjacking and Weapons Charges

News Release: NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that defendant KEON ESTEEN, age 18, was sentenced on April 13, 2023 by U.S. District Court Judge Barry W. Ashe to a total term of 130 months. As to Count 1 the court sentenced ESTEEN to 46 months of imprisonment. As to Count 2, the court ...


ATF National Response Team Joins Commercial Fire Investigation

News Release: WASHINGTON - The Seattle Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives requested assets from ATF’s National Response Team join the investigation into a fire that broke out onboard the 276-foot commercial fishing vessel Kodiak Enterprises while docked in Tacoma, Washington.


Rapid City Man Sentenced for Illegal Possession of a Firearm

News Release: RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Jeffrey L. Viken has sentenced a Rapid City, South Dakota, man convicted of Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition by a Prohibited Person. The sentencing took place on April 28, 2023.


Former West Virginia Parole Officer Sentenced for Witness Tampering

News Release: 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.


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.


Red Lake Felon Sentenced to Over Five Years in Prison for Firearm Possession, Fentanyl Distribution

News Release: DULUTH, Minn. - A Red Lake man has been sentenced to 63 months in prison, followed by four years of supervised release, for possessing a firearm as a felon and possession with the intent to distribute fentanyl, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger.


ATF Investigates Weare Explosions

News Release: Boston - The Boston Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is leading the investigation of two separate explosions that occurred in a wooded area of Weare, New Hampshire.


Clay County Man Convicted of Unlawfully Possessing a Sawed-Off Shotgun

News Release: Jacksonville, FL - United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that Dylan Milton Jarvis (31, Orange Park) has been found guilty of unlawful possession of an unregistered National Firearms Act firearm (sawed-off shotgun), following a bench trial. Jarvis faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison and forfeiture of the sawed-off shotgun seized by law enforcement during their investigation. The case is set for sentencing on July 24, 2023.


Columbia County Convicted Felon Indicted on Narcotics and Firearms Charges

News Release: Jacksonville, Florida - United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the return of an indictment charging Kristofferson Farmer, Jr. (22, Lake City) with possessing with the intent to distribute alpha-PVP (a.k.a. flakka) and fentanyl, both controlled substances. Additionally, he was charged with ...


Pair Accused of More St. Louis Carjackings

News Release: ST. LOUIS - Two men from East St. Louis, Illinois who were already facing federal charges related to a carjacking in November have been accused of more.


Man Sentenced to Prison for Possessing Firearm at a Casino When He Shot a Security Guard

News Release: LAS VEGAS - A Henderson resident was sentenced to 46 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for being a felon in possession of a firearm in 2021, during which he shot a security guard.


Federal Jury Convicts Two Men for Conspiring To Transfer Unregistered Machinegun Conversion Devices Disguised as “Pen Holders”

News Release: Jacksonville, Florida - United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that a federal jury today found Kristopher Justinboyer Ervin (43, Orange Park) and Matthew Raymond Hoover (39, Wisconsin) guilty of conspiring to transfer unregistered machinegun conversion devices that they referred to as “Auto ...


New Orleans Man Pleads Guilty to Violations of the Federal Gun Control and Controlled Substances Acts

News Release: NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - On April 11, 2023, BURNEAL ELLIOTT, age 21, of New Orleans, pleaded guilty to a four-count indictment for possession of a machinegun, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and possession with intent to distribute cocaine, announced U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans.


California Man Sentenced for Assaulting Police Officers with Pepper Spray

News Release: WASHINGTON - A California man was sentenced today for felony and misdemeanor charges - including assaulting police officers - for his actions during the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol breach. His 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 presidential election.


FBI New York Searches for Possible Victims in Sexual Exploitation Investigation

News Release: NEW YORK, NY-On April 25, 2023, a federal complaint in the Southern District of New York charged Cameron McEwen with one count of sexual exploitation of a minor and one count of making extortionate interstate communications. The FBI’s New York Office believes there may be additional victims in this case.


Jacksonville Convicted Felon Guilty of Possessing a Firearm

News Release: Jacksonville, FL - United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that Thelonious Wayne Kirby (51, Jacksonville) has been found guilty of possessing a firearm as a convicted felon, following a bench trial. Kirby faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set. Kirby is currently in state custody and appeared in federal court on a writ. He is currently serving a state prison sentence for unrelated charges.


Joint Statement from 2023 US-Canada Cross Border Crime Forum (CBCF)

News Release: The United States and Canada have an enduring partnership guided by a shared commitment to security, prosperity, and advancing democratic values. Today, Canada’s Minister of Public Safety Marco Mendicino and Minister of Justice and Attorney General David Lametti hosted Attorney General of the United ...


Rochester Man Pleads Guilty to Four Home Invasions Targeting Drug Dealers

News Release: ROCHESTER, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Robert Forbes, Jr. a/k/a Ra Ra a/k/a Henny, 37, of Rochester, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Frank P. Geraci, Jr. to two counts of Hobbs Act Robbery and two counts of Attempted Hobbs Act Robbery. Each charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, and a $250,000 fine.