News from April 2023


Weaponization Select Subcommittee Releases Staff Report on FTC Harassment of Twitter

The Select Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government released an interim staff report titled, “The Weaponization of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC): An Agency’s Overreach to Harass Elon Musk’s Twitter.” The report details recently obtained new, nonpublic information that reveals how the federal government weaponized its authority against Twitter in the wake of Elon Musk’s acquisition of the company.


WTAS | Weaponization Select Subcommittee Report on FTC's Targeting of Twitter

What They Are Staying | Weaponization Select Subcommittee Report on FTC's Targeting of Twitter


Jordan, Cruz Send Bicameral Letter Demanding Info on FTC's Actions Against Twitter

Following an alarming report about the Federal Trade Commission's (FTC) harassment of Twitter, House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan (R-OH) and Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation Ted Cruz (R-TX) sent a bicameral letter to the FTC raising questions about the agency's conduct.


Rep. Stewart and Chairman Jordan Launch Investigation into Unauthorized Disclosure of Servicemembers’ Private Records

Representative Chris Stewart (R-UT) and Chairman Jim Jordan (R-OH) just sent a letter to U.S. Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall demanding information on the serious breach of servicemembers’ personal information without their knowledge or consent.


Hale County Man Pleads Guilty to $4 Million PPP Fraud

News Release: A Plainview man admitted to defrauding pandemic-era financial programs out nearly $4 million, announced U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Leigha Simonton.


Drug Trafficker Sentenced to 120 Months Imprisonment Following Exchange of Gunfire With SWAT and Seizure of Narcotics

News Release: Salt Lake City, Utah - A Utah man was sentenced today to 10 years’ imprisonment for possessing and intending to distribute methamphetamine and possessing a firearm during a drug trafficking crime, where a SWAT officer and the defendant were shot and injured in the District of Utah.


ATF Posts Results of Federal Firearm Licensee Compliance Inspections Involving Violations of the Department of Justice’s Enhanced Regulatory Enforcement Policy

News Release: WASHINGTON - Today, for the first time ever, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives began publicly posting information, available on the ATF website, regarding the results of certain compliance inspections of federal firearms licensees (FFL) completed between July 2021 and December 2022.


Meridian Man Pleads Guilty to Possession of Firearms by a Convicted Felon

News Release: Jackson, Miss. - A Meridian, Mississippi man pleaded guilty today to possession of firearms by a convicted felon, announced U.S. Attorney Darren J. LaMarca of the Southern District of Mississippi and Special Agent in Charge Kurt H. Thielhorn of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).


Illinois Man Sentenced to 188 Months in Prison

News Release: FORT WAYNE - Adam Henry, 33 years old, of Naperville, Illinois, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Holly A. Brady after pleading guilty to possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.


Nine-Time Convicted Felon Federally Indicted for Possession of a Firearm

News Release: Ocala, Florida -United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the return of an indictment charging Brady Williams (27, Ocala) with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. If convicted, Williams faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in federal prison.


Man Sentenced to 18 Months in Prison

News Release: HAMMOND- Antonio Joel Ortiz, 25 years old, was sentenced by United States District Court Chief Judge Jon E. DeGuilio after pleading guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.


Jury Convicts Colonie Pimp of Sex Trafficking Minors

News Release: ALBANY, NEW YORK - Christopher Thomas, age 39, of Colonie, New York, was convicted today of 16 counts of sex trafficking and related offenses, following a five-day jury trial.


Maryland Man Sentenced for Trafficking Firearms with Obliterated Serial Numbers

News Release: ALEXANDRIA, Va. - A Maryland man was sentenced today to 25 months in prison for trafficking firearms with obliterated serial numbers.


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 an Unregistered Firearm. The sentencing took place on March 24, 2023.


Convicted Felon Indicted for Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition

News Release: Tampa, FL - United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the return of an indictment charging Jojuan Lindsey (27, St. Petersburg) with one count of possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon. If convicted, Lindsey faces up to 15 years in federal prison.


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.


Madison Man Charged With Firebombing Building

News Release: MADISON, WIS. - A Madison, Wisconsin man was arrested today on a charge related to the May 2022 firebombing of a Madison office building.


Justice Department Announces Arrest of the Founder of One of the World’s Largest Hacker Forums and Disruption of Forum’s Operation

News Release: ALEXANDRIA, Va. - The founder of BreachForums made his initial appearance today in the Eastern District of Virginia on a criminal charge related to his alleged creation and administration of a major hacking forum and marketplace for cybercriminals that claimed to have more than 340,000 members as of...


Ithaca Man Pleads Guilty to Drug Charges

News Release: SYRACUSE, NEW YORK - Odell, Tindley, age 30, of Ithaca, New York pled guilty today being a member of a conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances in Watertown, New York.


Rapid City Man Indicted for Illegal Possession of Firearm

News Release: RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced that a federal grand jury has indicted a Rapid City, South Dakota, man for Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition by a Prohibited Person.