News from 2023
Jury Convicts Former Harrisonville Man of Social Security Fraud in Second Trial
By DOJ Newswire | Mar 25, 2023
News Release: KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A former Harrisonville, Mo., man was convicted at trial today after his testimony in a previous trial for Social Security fraud resulted in an additional charge of perjury being filed against him.
CEO of Titanium Blockchain Sentenced for $21M Cryptocurrency Fraud Scheme
By DOJ Newswire | Mar 25, 2023
News Release: The CEO and founder of Titanium Blockchain Infrastructure Services Inc. (TBIS) was sentenced today to four years and three months in prison for his role in a cryptocurrency fraud scheme involving TBIS’s initial coin offering (ICO) that raised approximately $21 million from investors in the United States and overseas.
Former Financial Representative Is Sentenced To Seven Years In Prison For $1.1 Million Fraud Scheme
By DOJ Newswire | Mar 25, 2023
News Release: CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Sampson Pearson, 45, of Charlotte, was sentenced today to seven years in prison followed by two years of supervised release for defrauding his clients of more than a million dollars, announced Dena J. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. A federal jury previously convicted Pearson of wire fraud, tax fraud, and aggravated identity theft.
Bridgeport Gang Member involved in 2019 Murder Sentenced to More Than 21 Years in Federal Prison
By DOJ Newswire | Mar 25, 2023
News Release: ZIARE DEDRICK, also known as “Zi" and “Hb Zi," 21, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport to 255 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release, for his participation in a violent Bridgeport street gang, including his involvement the murder of Ty’Quess Moore in December 2019.
DEA Announces Completion of Foreign Operations Review
By DOJ Newswire | Mar 25, 2023
News Release: WASHINGTON - Today, the Drug Enforcement Administration released the final report of the Foreign Operations Review Team, which contains recommendations to improve the effectiveness and enhance the integrity of DEA’s foreign operations. In August 2021, DEA requested this comprehensive review, which was...
Former Florida State Representative Pleads Guilty to Wire Fraud, Money Laundering, and Making False Statements in Connection with COVID-19 Relief Fraud
By DOJ Newswire | Mar 25, 2023
News Release: GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA -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. Jason R. Coody, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida, announced the guilty plea.
Bulgarian Woman Charged for Role in Multi-Billion-Dollar Cryptocurrency Pyramid Scheme “OneCoin” and Extradited From Bulgaria to the United States
By DOJ Newswire | Mar 25, 2023
News Release: Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Michael J. Driscoll, the Assistant Director in Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI"), and Thomas Fattorusso, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal...
Former investment advisor pleads guilty to multimillion-dollar Ponzi scheme
By DOJ Newswire | Mar 25, 2023
News Release: ATLANTA - John J. Woods, the former President of Southport Capital and manager of Horizon Private Equity, III, LLC, has pleaded guilty to operating a Ponzi scheme that defrauded hundreds of investors out of more than $25 million.
Kansas Man Sentenced to 16+ Years for Meth Trafficking
By DOJ Newswire | Mar 25, 2023
News Release: KANSAS CIY, Kan. - A Kansas man who led police on a high-speed chase was sentenced to 16 years and three months in prison for drug trafficking.
Two Waterbury Residents Involved In Fentanyl And Heroin Trafficking Ring Sentenced To Prison
By DOJ Newswire | Mar 25, 2023
News Release: WATERBURY, Conn. - Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that two Waterbury residents were sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant in Hartford for their participation in a fentanyl and heroin trafficking organization. ELIAS SANCHEZ-MARTINEZ, 31, was sentenced to 135 months of imprisonment, and IMIRICI SOSA-ORTIZ, also known as “Mimi," 36, was sentenced to 94 months of imprisonment.
FBI Statement on Law Enforcement Activity Occurring in North Houston
By DOJ Newswire | Mar 25, 2023
News Release: FBI Statement on Law Enforcement Activity Occurring in North Houston.
Lowell Postal Carrier Sentenced for Attempting to Bribe Supervisor to Divert Packages of Cocaine
By DOJ Newswire | Mar 25, 2023
News Release: BOSTON - A Lowell postal worker was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for attempting to bribe a postal supervisor and sell them cocaine.
Grand Island Man Sentenced for Firearm and Drug Trafficking Crimes
By DOJ Newswire | Mar 25, 2023
News Release: United States Attorney Steven Russell announced that Mark A. Barraza Saenz, 22, of Grand Island, Nebraska, was sentenced today in federal court in Lincoln, Nebraska, for possessing with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and possessing a firearm in furtherance of that drug trafficking...
Pensacola Insurance Company Owner Sentenced to 168 Months in Prison for Wire Fraud and Money Laundering Offenses
By DOJ Newswire | Mar 25, 2023
News Release: PENSACOLA, FLORIDA - John Thomas, 52, of Pensacola was sentenced to 168 months in federal prison for wire fraud and money laundering charges related to selling fraudulent insurance policies. In addition to his prison sentence, he was ordered to pay $8,340,153.34 in restitution. Jason R. Coody, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida announced the sentence.
FBI Miami Warns of Grandparent Fraud Scheme
By DOJ Newswire | Mar 25, 2023
News Release: FBI Miami Warns of Grandparent Fraud Scheme.
Corpus Christi man arrested for selling fentanyl-laced pills causing death
By DOJ Newswire | Mar 25, 2023
News Release: CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas - A 21-year-old Corpus Christi man has been charged with delivery of fentanyl resulting in death and possession of fentanyl with the intent to distribute, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.
Justice Department Announces Arrest of the Founder of One of the World’s Largest Hacker Forums and Disruption of Forum’s Operation
By DOJ Newswire | Mar 25, 2023
News Release: 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 last week. In parallel ...
Drug Trafficking Investigation Yields Largest Methamphetamine Bust in West Virginia History
By DOJ Newswire | Mar 25, 2023
News Release: CHARLESTON, W.Va. - United States Attorney Will Thompson announced today that a major drug trafficking investigation has resulted in the largest methamphetamine seizure in West Virginia history, of well over 200 pounds.
Michigan Man Sentenced on Felony Charge for Actions During January 6 Capitol Breach
By DOJ Newswire | Mar 25, 2023
News Release: WASHINGTON - A Michigan man was sentenced on a felony charge for his actions during the breach of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. His actions and the actions of others disrupted a joint session of the U.S. Congress convened to ascertain and count the electoral votes related to the 2020 presidential election.
Portland Man Caught Transporting Drugs to Central Oregon Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal Prison
By DOJ Newswire | Mar 25, 2023
News Release: PORTLAND, Ore.-A Portland drug dealer with a lengthy criminal history was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison today after he was arrested transporting methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin, and counterfeit oxycodone pills containing fentanyl to Redmond, Oregon.