News from May 2023


U.S. Attorney's Office Joins in Recognizing 42nd Annual National Crime Victims' Rights Week, April 23-29, 2023

Every April, the Justice Department’s Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) leads communities across the country in observing National Crime Victims’ Rights Week (NCVRW) to honor crime victims, promote their rights and recognize victim advocates.


Justice Department Seeks to Shut Down Florida Tax Return Preparer

The United States has filed a complaint in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida against Tyrone Johnson and TJ Professional Services, LLC.


New Jersey Accountant Pleads Guilty to Tax Fraud Scheme

A New Jersey certified public accountant (“CPA”) pleaded guilty today to conspiring to defraud the United States by promoting fraudulent tax shelters to high-income clients.


Former Mississippi Tax Return Preparer Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Defraud the United States

A former Mississippi tax preparer pleaded guilty today to conspiring to defraud the United States by preparing false tax returns.



Wisconsin Owner of Consulting Firm Pleads Guilty to Tax Scheme

A Wisconsin businessman who helped secure international business deals for his clients pleaded guilty today to willfully filing a false tax return.


Texas Tax Preparer Sentenced for False Returns

A Texas woman was sentenced today to 27 months in prison for willfully assisting clients in the preparation and filing of false tax returns with the IRS.



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.


Savage Life Gang Members Sentenced to Racketeering Charges

Two Davenport men were sentenced on Tuesday, April 25, 2023, in relation to a racketeering prosecution. Austin Zachary Ruiz, 28, was sentenced to 202 months in federal prison for assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering and use and carry a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.


Waterbury Man Admits Role in Kidnapping and Murder of Massachusetts Man Whose Body was Found in Hartford

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that CALVIN ROBERSON, also known as “Cutty,” 40, of Waterbury, pleaded guilty today in New Haven federal court to offenses related to the kidnapping and murder of a Massachusetts man in 2020.


Former Stoneham Police Officer Indicted for Wire Fraud

A former detective sergeant for the Stoneham Police Department has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Boston for allegedly concealing his history of evictions and using a family member’s credit report to obtain an apartment lease and then defrauding his landlord by intentionally withholding rent payments.


New Orleans Woman Sentenced for Theft of More than $86,000 in Social Security Funds

U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that DANIELLE COLEMAN, age 39, of New Orleans, Louisiana, was sentenced on April 27, 2023 after previously pleading guilty to Theft of Government Funds, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 641.


Honduran Woman Charged with Illegally Using Social Security Number to Obtain Employment

ENNA SERRANO-CRUZ, age 31, a native of Honduras, was sentenced on April 27, 2023 for illegally using a social security number to qualify for employment, in violation of Title 42, United States Code, Section 408(a)(7)(B), announced United States Attorney Duane A. Evan


Denver Woman Pleads Guilty to $3.3 Million Covid Fraud

The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado announces DeJane Reaniece Lattany, age 32, of Denver, pleaded guilty to wire fraud for receiving more than $3.3 million of fraudulent COVID-19 loans.


Mishawaka Man Sentenced to 46 Months in Prison

Erskine Jones, 31 years old, of Mishawaka, Indiana, 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.


U.S. Attorney’s Office Honors Law Enforcement Partners in Fourth Annual “Excellence in the Pursuit of Justice” Awards Ceremony

News Release: MINNEAPOLIS - The United States Attorney’s Office recognized members of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies at its fourth annual “Excellence in the Pursuit of Justice" Awards ceremony. The ceremony, held on April 25, 2023, honored law enforcement professionals who have gone above and beyond their duties to safeguard Minnesota’s communities.


New Orleans Man Pleads Guilty to Multiple Federal Firearm and Drug Trafficking Charges

U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that DEVONTE SMITH, age 22, of New Orleans, pled guilty to seven counts of an eight-count indictment, that charged him with multiple federal firearms and drug trafficking violations stemming from a March 30, 2022 shootout, on the corner of Orleans and Rocheblave Street that was captured on NOPD crime cameras, and the subsequent search of a Touro Street residence


Charleston Man Sentenced to Serve 12 Years in Federal Prison for Selling Methamphetamine

The United States Attorney's Office announced that Darwin L. Craig, 34, of Charleston, Missouri, was sentenced to serve 12 years in federal prison for distributing methamphetamine.


Fouad K. Zeton Pleads Guilty to Federal Conspiracy for Role in Insurance Fraud and Bribery Scheme

The United States Attorney’s Office announced the guilty plea of FOUAD K. ZETON for conspiracy to commit wire fraud.