Latest News from DOJnewswire

United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that Clayton Everett Colborn (31, Wesley Chapel) has pleaded guilty to two counts of enticement and coercion of a minor to engage in sexual activity, five counts of using minors to produce child sexual abuse images and videos, and one count of possessing child sexual abuse material. Colborn faces a minimum mandatory penalty of 15 years, and up to life, in federal prison and mandatory court-ordered restitution. Colborn has agreed to forfeit electronic devices and his black Chevrolet Corvette, which were used in the commission of the offense. A sentencing hearing has not yet been scheduled.

New Haven Woman Sentenced to Prison for Lying to Federal Grand Jury about Knowledge of Kidnapping and Murders

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that LAQUASIA SAMMS, also known as “Quasia,” 28, of New Haven, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport to 90 days of imprisonment, followed by two years of supervised release, for making false statements before a federal grand jury in connection with an investigation into the kidnapping and murder of two individuals, and the related murder of a third individual, in November 2015.

Van Zandt County Man Sentenced for Federal Drug Trafficking Violations

A Canton man has been sentenced to federal prison for drug trafficking violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Brit Featherston.

Newport News Man Sentenced for Unlawful Purchase of a Firearm Used in Three Local Shootings

A Newport News man was sentenced today to 5 years in prison for the unlawful purchase and possession of a firearm that was used in three community shootings.

Mark Ridley-Thomas Found Guilty of Bribery and Fraud Involving Benefits for Son in Exchange for Lucrative County Contracts

Long-time politician Mark Ridley-Thomas was found guilty by a jury today of bribery in a scheme in which his son received substantial benefits from the University of Southern California in exchange for Ridley-Thomas’ political support for lucrative county contracts and contract amendments with the university while he served on the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors.

Former U.S. Postal Service mail carrier sentenced for scheme to deliver drugs through the mail

Former mail carrier Robert Elliot Sheppard was sentenced to three years of prison for recruiting fellow mail carriers, and teaching them how to deliver packages of cocaine and marijuana while he was on disability leave.

Kentuckiana Physician and Nurse Practitioner Sentenced for Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances, Conspiracy to Commit Health Care Fraud, Health Care Fraud, and Conspiracy to Commit Money Laundering

A local physician and an advanced practice registered nurse were sentenced yesterday on conspiracy to unlawfully distribute and dispense controlled substances, conspiracy to commit health care fraud, health care fraud, and conspiracy to commit money laundering charges. The physician’s medical practice was also sentenced for conspiracy to unlawfully distribute and dispense controlled substances and conspiracy to commit health care fraud.

Morristown Man Faces Federal Drug Charge for Violation of the Controlled Substances Act

The Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont stated that on March 23, 2023, Michael Ulrich, 32, of Morristown, Vermont, was charged in an indictment with knowingly allowing his residence to be a drug-involved premises at which controlled substances were stored and distributed. The defendant was arraigned on the indictment on March 30, 2023, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Kevin J. Doyle, and is being held in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending further proceedings.

California Man Pleads Guilty to Nationwide Marijuana Trafficking Conspiracy

Sammy Olague, age 36, of Clovis, California, pled guilty today to conspiring to distribute marijuana.

Worcester Man Indicted for Receiving and Possessing Machinegun While Under Indictment

A Worcester man has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Worcester on two firearms charges.

Muskogee Resident Sentenced To Life For Sexually Abusing Child In Indian Country

The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Joseph Stanley Harjo, age 40, of Muskogee, Oklahoma, was sentenced to life in federal prison for Aggravated Sexual Abuse in Indian Country. Harjo was found guilty of the offense by a federal jury in November 2021.

Salem Drug Trafficker Sentenced to Federal Prison

On March 29, 2023, a Salem, Oregon man was sentenced to more than 12 years in federal prison after he was caught transporting several dozen pounds of methamphetamine.

Coon Rapids Man Sentenced to Prison for Threatening a U.S. Senator

A Coon Rapids man has been sentenced to one year and one day for making interstate threats against a U.S. Senator, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger.

Federal Search Warrants Executed

On Thursday, March 30, 2023, federal search warrants were executed at the following locations in Des Moines:

Ypsilanti Man Pleads Guilty to Lying About His Work on a Classified Naval Project for a Foreign Country During Application Process for a U.S. Navy Job

An Ypsilanti man pleaded guilty this week to making several false statements in his security clearance application for a job working with the United States Navy overseas, announced United States Attorney Dawn N. Ison.

Federal Inmate Pleads Guilty to Murdering Fellow Inmate

A federal inmate pleaded guilty today to murdering a fellow inmate at the Milan Correctional Institution in Milan, Michigan, announced United States Attorney Dawn N. Ison.

Burtonsville Man Sentenced to 17 Years in Federal Prison for the Armed Robberies of an Armored Truck, Two Banks and a Convenience Store

U.S. District Judge Theodore D. Chuang has sentenced Israel Ramirez, age 29, of Burtonsville, Maryland, to 17 years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for an armed robbery of an armored truck, two armed bank robberies and the armed robbery of a convenience store. In each of the armed robberies, Ramirez discharged his weapon. Ramirez discharged his handgun multiple times in the bank robberies.

Foreign National Pleads Guilty to Role in International Human Smuggling and Cocaine Distribution Scheme

A Honduran national pleaded guilty today to his role in a scheme to illegally bring Honduran nationals to, and to distribute cocaine in, the United States.

District Man Sentenced to 44 Months For Sexually Assaulting Three Women and Physically Assaulting a Fourth

Elvin Cruz (“Cruz”), 22, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced today to 44 months in prison for aggravated assault, third degree sexual abuse, two counts of misdemeanor sexual abuse, and assault, announced United States Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Chief Robert J. Contee, III, of the Metropolitan Police Department. Cruz pleaded guilty on September 1, 2022.

Justice Department and EPA File Complaint Against Norfolk Southern for Unlawful Discharge of Pollutants and Hazardous Substances in East Palestine Derailment