News from April 2023


Fentanyl Dealer Sentenced to Eight Years in Federal Prison

News Release: TAMPA, Fla. - U.S. District Judge Thomas P. Barber sentenced Ivon Javier Cobbs, Sr. (41, Clearwater) to eight years in federal prison for distribution of fentanyl. Cobbs had pleaded guilty on January 5, 2023.


Wives of Convicted Drug Traffickers Plead Guilty to Laundering Drug Proceeds

News Release: CHICAGO - The wives of convicted drug traffickers Pedro Flores and Margarito Flores have each pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering.


Great Falls Man Sentenced to Four Years in Prison for Illegal Possession of Firearms

News Release: GREAT FALLS - A Great Falls man who admitted to illegally possessing firearms while on supervision for prior felony convictions was sentenced today to four years in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.


Orlando Felon Sentenced to More Than 7 Years on Firearm Charges in Connection With Shooting

News Release: Orlando, Florida - U.S. District Judge Wendy W. Berger today sentenced Darrius Jaques Garrett (33, Orlando) to seven years and six months in federal prison for possessing a firearm and ammunition as a convicted felon. The court also ordered Garrett to forfeit a Glock pistol and ammunition, which were used in this case. Garrett had pleaded guilty on Nov. 30, 2022.


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 ...


North Country Drug Operation Results in Arrests of 31 Individuals

News Release: CONCORD, N.H. - 31 individuals have been arrested as part of a coordinated drug enforcement operation in Coos and Grafton counties, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces.


Mother and Son Found Guilty of Charges for Actions During January 6 Capitol Breach

News Release: WASHINGTON - A mother and son, from Tennessee, have been found guilty in the District of Columbia of 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 presidential election.


Middleburg Felon Pleads Guilty to Illegally Possessing Ammunition

News Release: Jacksonville, Florida - United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that Cody Mack McCormick (35, Middleburg) today pleaded guilty to possession of ammunition as a convicted felon. McCormick faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been scheduled.


Brevard County Man Sentenced to 15 Years in Federal Prison for Drug Offense

News Release: ORLANDO, Fla. - U.S. District Judge Roy B. Dalton, Jr. sentenced Anthony David Keels (61, Titusville) to 15 years in federal prison. In December 2022, Keels had pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute fentanyl and methamphetamine, as well as using a minor to distribute methamphetamine.


Metairie Man Sentenced to 87 Months in Federal Prison for Receiving Files Depicting the Sexual Victimization of Children

U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that MICHAEL GERALD MARCHESE, age 45, a resident of Metairie, Louisiana, was sentenced on April 18, 2023 by United States District Judge Wendy Vitter to 87 months in prison after previously being indicted for receiving images and videos depicting the sexual exploitation of children, including children as young as approximately one (1) year old, in violation of 18 U.S.C. ' 2252(a)(2).


Justice Department Issues Dear Colleague Letter to Courts Regarding Fines and Fees for Youth and Adults

The Justice Department today issued a Dear Colleague Letter for state and local courts and juvenile justice agencies regarding the imposition and enforcement of fines and fees for adults and youth.


Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General David Newman Delivers Remarks Announcing Transnational Repression Cases

I am David Newman, the Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General for National Security at the Department of Justice. Assistant Attorney General for National Security Matthew Olsen is attending to other important matters in Washington and could not be with us today.


Second Conspirator in Russia-Ukraine Sanctions Violation Case Arrested

Sergey Karpushkin, 46, of Miami and a citizen of Belarus, has been arrested and charged by a federal criminal complaint with engaging in a scheme to violate U.S. sanctions against oligarch Sergey Kurchenko and two related companies by purchasing over $150 million in steelmaking materials.


West Virginia Man Pleads Guilty to Export Fraud Violation

Rana Zeeshan Tanveer, 42, of Beckley, West Virginia, pleaded guilty today to the federal felony offense of committing an export fraud violation.



Justice Department Announces Major Milestones Achieved in Policing Reform Efforts for the City of Albuquerque and Albuquerque Police Department

The Justice Department announced today that it has joined with the City of Albuquerque in filing a motion seeking changes to the requirements of the consent decree regarding the Albuquerque Police Department (APD) after achieving compliance with a vast majority of the consent decree.



Justice Department Files Sexual Harassment Lawsuit Against Kentucky Rental Property Owner

The Justice Department announced today that it has filed a lawsuit against the owner and operator of rental properties in the Pulaski County, Kentucky, area for engaging in sexual harassment and retaliation in violation of the Fair Housing Act.



Justice Department Secures Agreement with General Motors and Announces a New Resource to Help Employers Avoid Immigration-Related Discrimination When Complying with Export Control Laws

The Justice Department announced today that it has secured a settlement agreement with General Motors (GM) to resolve the department’s determination that GM discriminated against non-U.S. citizens in violation of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). T