News from 2023


Rochester Woman Pleads Guilty To Making Internet Threats And Firearms Possession

News Release: ROCHESTER, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Gabygayl Cruz, 21, of Rochester, NY, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Charles J. Siragusa to transmitting a threat in interstate commerce and possessing and discharging a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence. The charges carry a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison, a maximum of life, and a fine of $250,000.


Clackamas Man Arrested on Child Pornography Charges Three Months After Release from Federal Custody

News Release: PORTLAND, Ore.-A Clackamas, Oregon man appeared in federal court today after he was arrested on child pornography charges less than three months after completing a federal prison sentence for similar conduct.


Greenwood Village Psychiatrist Pleads Guilty to Illegal Distribution of Controlled Substances and Financial Crimes

Howard Weiss of Greenwood Village pleaded guilty on March 8, 2023 to distributing a controlled substance outside the usual course of professional practice and for no legitimate medical purpose, structuring financial transactions in a way to evade reporting requirements, and engaging in monetary transactions greater than $10,000 in property derived from specified unlawful activity.


Indiana Man Sentenced to 10 Years for Drug Trafficking, Gun Crimes

Alfred A. Cooke, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of Drug Enforcement Administration-Merrillville, Indiana, and U.S. Attorney Clifford D. Johnson for the Northern District of Indiana announced that Calvin Brantley, age 25, of Fort Wayne, was sentenced before U.S. District Court Judge Holly A. Brady after pleading guilty to possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and heroin along with possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.


Local Banker Sent to Prison for Money Laundering Conspiracy

A former Wells Fargo branch manager has been ordered to federal prison for helping a drug trafficking ring launder their money through his bank, announced Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent in Charge Daniel C. Comeaux, Houston Division and U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.


6 Traffickers Convicted for Smuggling Meth for Michoacan Cartel

Five U.S. citizens and one Mexican national have been convicted of conspiring to possess with the intent to distribute a total of approximately 75 kilograms of meth associated with an independent drug cartel located in Michoacan, Mexico, announced Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent in Charge Daniel C. Comeaux, Houston Division and U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.


Local Trafficker gets Substantial Sentence for Distributing Meth

A 24-year-old Houston resident has been ordered to federal prison for his role in trafficking drugs in the metro area, announced Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent in Charge Daniel C. Comeaux, Houston Division and U.S Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.


Illinois Man Sentenced to 7 Years for Drug, Gun Crimes

Todd C. Smith, Assistant Special Agent in Charge at Drug Enforcement Administration-Chicago, and U.S. Attorney for the Central District of Illinois announced that Alonzo Hampton, 50, of Springfield, was sentenced on March 9, 2023, by Senior U.S. District Judge Sue E. Myerscough to 84 months in prison, to be followed by a six-year term of supervised release, for possession with the intent to distribute heroin and for illegally possessing a firearm as a convicted felon.


Nurse at St. Louis County Hospital Sentenced to Four Years of Probation for Fraudulently Obtaining Fentanyl

U.S. District Judge Stephen R. Clark on Thursday sentenced a former nurse at a St. Louis County, Missouri, hospital to four years of probation for fraudulently obtaining fentanyl for her own use.


U.S. Attorney Announces Arrest Of Yonkers Man For Threatening To Kill Yonkers Police Officers

News Release: Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Michael J. Driscoll, Assistant Director in Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI"), Keechant L. Sewell, the Commissioner of the New York City Police Department (“NYPD"), and Christopher...


Nurse at St. Louis County Hospital Sentenced to Four Years of Probation for Fraudulently Obtaining Fentanyl

U.S. District Judge Stephen R. Clark on Thursday sentenced a former nurse at a St. Louis County, Missouri, hospital to four years of probation for fraudulently obtaining fentanyl for her own use.


Washington Man Sentenced to 12 Years in Prison for Shooting in Tri-Cities and Conspiring to Distribute Fentanyl-Laced Pills

On March 8, 2023, Senior United States District Judge Edward F. Shea sentenced Jonathan Scott Ard, 30, of Richland, Washington, to 12 years in in federal prison after his guilty plea to federal fentanyl and gun charges.


Wisconsin Man Sentenced to 5 Years for Meth Trafficking

John G. McGarry, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of Drug Enforcement Administration-Wisconsin, and U.S. Attorney Timothy M. O’Shea for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Richard Skramstad, 60, Prescott, Wisconsin, was sentenced March 9 by U.S. District Judge William M. Conley to 60 months in federal prison for distributing 50 grams or more of methamphetamine


Alleged Drug Trafficking Members Indicted on Multiple Drug Charges

United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announced the unsealing of an indictment charging Marcus Jamar Fowler (32, Tarpon Springs) a/k/a “Drastic,” and Abelardo Torres (36, Tampa) with conspiracy to distribute narcotics and possession with the intent to distribute a controlled substance.


Armed Fentanyl Trafficker Sentenced to Life in Prison for Causing Fatal Overdose

U.S. District Judge Charlene Edwards Honeywell has sentenced Justin Kelly (36, New Port Richey) to concurrent terms of life in prison for conspiracy to distribute 40 grams of fentanyl resulting in death and distribution of fentanyl resulting in death, and 15 years’ imprisonment for three counts of possession/distribution of fentanyl and possessing a firearm as a convicted felon


Desoto County Career Criminal Sentenced to More Than Twenty Years in Federal Prison for Drug Trafficking

U.S. District Judge Sheri Polster Chappell has sentenced Robert Steven Harrelson (45, Arcadia) to 21 years and 10 months in federal prison for possessing with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine.


Defendants Convicted and Sentenced in Long-Term Methamphetamine and Oxycodone Drug Trafficking Investigation in Bay County

A federal judge sentenced the seventh defendant in a large-scale methamphetamine and oxycodone trafficking organization operating primarily in Bay County.


11 Charged with Drug Trafficking for Chicago Street Gang

For allegedly conspiring to distribute crack cocaine for the La Familia Stones street gang, primarily in the Albany Park neighborhood on Chicago’s North Side


Source of Supply for Carrollton Fentanyl Trafficker Charged

A Flower Mound man who supplied fentanyl to a trafficker linked to at least one juvenile overdose has been federally charged, announce Eduardo A. Chávez.


Kent, Washington, Resident Indicted for Dealing Fentanyl While Illegally Possessing a Firearm

A 36-year-old Kent, Washington, resident was indicted by a grand jury for trafficking narcotics while illegally possessing a firearm, announced U.S. Attorney Nick Brown.