News from April 2023


High-Ranking Member of the Sinaloa Cartel Extradited from Mexico to the United States to Face International Drug Trafficking and Firearm Charges

News Release: A Mexican national made his initial appearance in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia yesterday to face international drug trafficking and firearms charges.


Zachary Louisiana Man Indicted for Gun Offense

News Release: NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - TERRANCE PICKETT, age 27, a resident of Zachary, Louisiana, was charged on March 24, 2023, in a one-count indictment for violating the Federal Gun Control Act, announced United States Attorney Duane A. Evans.


Six Additional Oath Keepers Members and Affiliates Found Guilty of Charges Related to Capitol Breach

Five Defendants Found Guilty of Conspiracy to Obstruct of the Certification of the 2020 Presidential Election


Virginia Man Sentenced For Assaulting Officers During Jan. 6 Capitol Breach

Defendant Was Among Those Who Clashed With Officers on Lower West Terrace


Second ex-U.S. soldier sentenced to prison for plotting murder of Fort Stewart servicemember stabbed to death in installation housing

A former U.S. Army soldier has been sentenced to 20 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to his role in a plot that led to the stabbing death of a fellow soldier in his Fort Stewart barracks.


Local man pleads guilty to receiving child pornography via Kik

A 27-year-old McAllen resident has admitted to receiving child pornography approximately nine times, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.


Rhode Island Man Sentenced to 14 Months for Cyberstalking

A Rhode Island man was sentenced today in federal court for cyberstalking.


Former Florida State Representative Pleads Guilty To Wire Fraud, Money Laundering, And Making False Statements In Connection With Covid-19 Relief Fraud

Joseph Harding, 35, of Williston, Florida, plead guilty today to wire fraud, money laundering, and making false statements in connection with COVID-19 relief fraud


Center Line Resident Sentenced in Unemployment Fraud Scheme

A Center Line woman was sentenced to 18 months in prison today based on her conviction for stealing over $300,000 as part of a wire fraud scheme targeting pandemic unemployment assistance benefits, announced United States Attorney Dawn N. Ison.



FBI Conducts Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at the FBI Alpine Resident Agency Building

FBI El Paso Field Office along with numerous law enforcement partners and federal, state, county, and city officials participated in a ribbon cutting ceremony to commemorate the opening of its Alpine Resident Agency.


Central Illinois Employee Pleads Guilty to Defrauding Maui Jim

A Bradford, Illinois, woman, Erica Hornof, 36, of the 300 block of Enterprise Drive, pleaded guilty on March 20, 2023, to three counts of mail fraud and three counts of wire fraud in connection with a scheme to defraud Maui Jim, a sunglasses manufacturer.


Second Illinois Prison Guard Sentenced to 20 Years of Imprisonment Following Conviction for Civil Rights Deprivation Resulting in Bodily Injury and Death and Obstruction Charges

Todd Sheffler. 54, a former lieutenant at the Western Illinois Correctional Center in Mt. Sterling, Illinois, was sentenced today to an aggregate 20 years’ imprisonment, to be followed by five years of supervised release, for civil rights deprivation resulting in bodily injury and death and obstruction of justice in connection with the death of Larry Earvin, an inmate at the facility.


Serial Bank Robber Pleads Guilty

James Valentine Siehien, 53, of Tucson, Arizona, pleaded guilty last week to one count of Bank Robbery and two counts of Armed Bank Robbery.


Repeat Sacramento Sex Offender Sentenced to Over 11 Years in Prison for Possessing Child Pornography

Joshua Klomp, 48, of Sacramento, was sentenced today to 11 years and two months in prison for possession of child pornography following a prior sex offense conviction and while on supervised release for a prior child pornography conviction, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.


Georgia Man Found Guilty of Felony and Misdemeanor Charges Related to Capitol Breach

Defendant, a PracticingAttorney, Illegally Entered Capitol Within Minutes of the Initial Breach



Aurora Man Pleads Guilty to Meth Conspiracy, Illegal Firearm

News Release: SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - An Aurora, Mo., man pleaded guilty in federal court today to his role in a conspiracy to distribute large amounts of methamphetamine in Barry County, Mo.


New Orleans Man Sentenced for Carjacking and Firearms Offenses

News Release: NEW ORLEANS, LA - MERVIN BAILEY, age 20, of New Orleans, Louisiana, was sentenced today for carjacking and attempted carjacking in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2119 and brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c)(1)(A)(ii) announced United States Attorney Duane A. Evans.


Petersburg Armed Drug Trafficker Convicted by Federal Jury

News Release: RICHMOND, Va. - A federal jury convicted a Petersburg man today of possessing 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and cocaine hydrochloride, possession of firearms in furtherance of that drug trafficking crime, and possession of firearms by a convicted felon.