News from 2023


Illegal Possession of a Firearm Sends Ruston Man to Prison

News Release: MONROE, La. - United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that Howard Demartae Jackson, 27, of Ruston, Louisiana, has been sentenced by United States District Judge Terry A. Doughty to 170 months in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release, for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.


South Beloit Woman Found Guilty of Bail-Jumping Conspiracy

A South Beloit woman was convicted on Friday for her participation in a bail jumping conspiracy following a five-day jury trial in federal court in Rockford.


Jury Convicts Ionia Man of Meth Conspiracy

An Ionia, Mo., man was convicted at trial today for his role in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine in Pettis County, Mo.


Two Orlando Women Sentenced For Preparing Fraudulent Tax Returns For Three Years

U.S. District Judge Roy B. Dalton, Jr. has sentenced Erotida Natasha Harden Ortiz to eight years in federal prison and Aida Cortes to four years and six months in federal prison. A federal jury had found Harden and Cortes guilty in October 2022.


Clay County Man Indicted For Fraud Scheme Using Stolen Identities To Obtain Paycheck Protection Program Loans, Filing A False Tax Return, And Stolen Property

United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the return of an indictment charging Christopher Leo Daragjati (33, Middleburg) with seven counts of wire fraud, ten counts of aggravated identity theft, one count of theft of government property over $1,000, and two counts of false representation of a Social Security number (SSN)


Haverhill Man Pleads Guilty to Drug Conspiracy

A Haverhill man pleaded guilty yesterday to distributing cocaine, methamphetamine and fentanyl and to conspiring to distribute fentanyl and cocaine.


Yakima Man Sentenced to 48 Months in Federal Prison for Firearm Offense

United States District Judge Mary K. Dimke sentenced James Duane Deckard, age 25, of Yakima, Washington, to 48 months in federal prison after Deckard had pleaded guilty on November 15, 2022 to being an Unlawful User of Controlled Substances and Person Convicted of Domestic Violence in Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition


North Sioux City Man Sentenced for Tax Returns Charges

United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier has sentenced a North Sioux City, South Dakota, man convicted of one count of False Income Tax Return and three counts of Willful Failure to File Tax Returns


Sioux Falls Man Charged with Failure to Register as a Sex Offender

United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced that a federal grand jury has indicted a Sioux Falls, South Dakota, man for Failure to Register as a Sex Offender.


Sioux Falls Man Charged with Production of Child Pornography and Kidnapping

United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced that a federal grand jury has indicted a Sioux Falls, South Dakota, man for two counts of Production of Child Pornography and two counts of kidnapping.


Rapid City Man Indicted for Attempted Enticement of a Minor

United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced that a federal grand jury has indicted a Rapid City, South Dakota, man for Attempted Enticement of a Minor Using the Internet.


Rapid City Man Sentenced for Illegal Possession of a Firearm

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.


Pittsburgh Felon Indicted on Firearms Charges in Project Safe Neighborhoods Case

A resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of violating federal firearms laws, Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.


South Carolina Man Arrested on Felony Charges for Actions During Jan. 6 Capitol Breach

A South Carolina man has been arrested on felony charges, including assaulting a law enforcement officer, for his actions during the breach of the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021.


Connecticut Man Sentenced to 16 Years in Prison for Role in Murder for Hire

A Connecticut man was sentenced today to 192 months in prison for his role in a murder for hire scheme in which a New Jersey-based political consultant paid him and another man to kill a longtime associate, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced.


Ponte Vedra Beach Contract Postal Carrier Pleads Guilty To Theft Of Mail

United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that Kori Ann Moreno (26, Ponte Vedra Beach) has pleaded guilty to theft of mail. She faces up to five years in prison and payment of restitution to the victims in the case.


North Sioux City Man Sentenced for Tax Returns Charges

United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier has sentenced a North Sioux City, South Dakota, man convicted of one count of False Income Tax Return and three counts of Willful Failure to File Tax Returns.


District’s First Fentanyl Conspiracy Case Ends In 85 Months Sentence Of St. Thomas Man

United States Attorney Delia L. Smith announced today that Elijah Hakim, 35, of St. Thomas, was sentenced to 85 months of imprisonment in the District’s first prosecution of fentanyl possession.


Claremore Man Pleads Guilty After Being Found with 500+ Images of Child Pornography

A Claremore man found with more than 500 images of child sexual abuse material on his electronic devices pleaded guilty Tuesday in federal court, announced U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson.


Repeat Sex Offender Sentenced To Life In Prison For Producing Child Pornography

Brian Wittke, 51, a previously convicted sex offender who shared child pornography online and produced child pornography of two children under age two, was sentenced to life in prison today, announced Dena J. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. Wittke, of Wilkes County, was also ordered to serve a lifetime of supervised release and will be required to register as a sex offender should he ever be released from prison.