Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Sean Christianson, 45, of Manhattan, New York, was sentenced today to 151 months in federal prison for possessing with intent to distribute cocaine.  Acting United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III and Frank A. Tarentino III, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), New York Division, made the announcement.

As part of his guilty plea, Christianson admitted that on February 25, 2025, he traveled from the New York City area to Liverpool, New York, with twenty-two one-kilogram bricks of cocaine in his vehicle. Christianson intended to sell the cocaine in the Syracuse area.  Law enforcement apprehended Christianson as he arrived in Liverpool. At the sentencing hearing, the evidence also established that Christianson maintained a New York City apartment for the purpose of drug distribution and illegally possessed firearms in connection with his drug activity.

Acting United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III stated: “Thanks to the investigative efforts of the DEA and our other law enforcement partners, another drug dealer and a huge quantity of narcotics have been put away for a long time.  Drug dealers will not get away with selling narcotics in the Northern District of New York.”

“Today’s sentencing of Sean Christianson sends a clear message to those individuals who are looking to flood our upstate communities with illicit narcotics and violence” stated DEA New York Special Agent in Charge Frank Tarentino. “The DEA and our law enforcement partners understand the harmful effects dangerous drugs have on our communities and we will continue do everything we can to make sure justice is delivered.”

United States District Judge Anthony J. Brindisi also imposed a 5-year term of supervised release to begin after Christianson is released from prison.

DEA investigated the case with assistance from the New York Drug Enforcement Task Force, Syracuse Police Department, and City of New York Office of the Special Narcotics Prosecutor.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Ben Gillis prosecuted the case.

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Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

DEL RIO, Texas – A Uvalde man was sentenced in a federal court to 120 months in prison for possession of child pornography.

According to court documents, on Feb. 3, 2021, Gabriel Garcia, 38, used the messaging app known as Kik to upload a video containing prepubescent child sexual abuse material (CSAM). An investigation revealed the account belonged to Garcia, and on Nov. 14, 2022, agents executed a federal search warrant on his home in Uvalde. A forensic analysis of Garcia’s cell phone revealed 67 images and six video files containing prepubescent CSAM that he had received using the Kik messenger app.

Garcia was arrested Nov. 14, 2022, and pleaded guilty June 26, 2023. He was sentenced by Chief U.S. District Judge Alia Moses.

U.S. Attorney Justin R. Simmons for the Western District of Texas made the announcement.

Homeland Security Investigations investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Nallely Duarte prosecuted the case.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.

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Source: United States Department of Justice

ALBUQUERQUE – A Zuni man has been indicted on federal charges for sexually abusing two individuals over a two-year period.

According to court documents, between May 2017 and October 2019, Kyle Whiteeagle, 42, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, engaged in and attempted to engage in sexual acts with two different victims.

Whiteeagle is charged with four counts of aggravated sexual abuse and will remain in custody pending trial, which has not yet been scheduled. If convicted, Whiteeagle faces a minimum of 30 years and up to life in prison.

Acting U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Justin A. Garris, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office, made the announcement today.

The Gallup Resident Agency of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with the assistance of the Navajo Nation Police Department and the Navajo Department of Criminal Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Amy Mondragon is prosecuting the case as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit Justice.gov/PSC.

An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Source: United States Department of Justice

ALBUQUERQUE – A Pojoaque man pleaded guilty to a count of sexually abusing a child over a period of several months.

According to court documents, between December 2021, and February 2022, Alexander John Duran, 31, an enrolled member of the Pueblo of Pojoaque, engaged in a sexual act with a child under the age of 12.

Duran pleaded guilty to abusive sexual contact and upon conviction will receive 14 years in federal prison. Upon his release from prison, Duran will be subject to no less than five years of supervised release up to life and must register as a sex offender.

Acting U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Justin A. Garris, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office, made the announcement today.

The Santa Fe Resident Agency of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with the assistance of the Pueblo of Pojoaque Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark A. Probasco is prosecuting the case as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit Justice.gov/PSC.

Source: United States Department of Justice

GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA – Khadim Rassol Gueye, 26, a citizen of Senegal, was sentenced to 21 months in federal prison and three years of supervised release after previously pleading guilty to attempted transmission of obscene material to a minor. The sentence was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “Our federal law enforcement partners are relentless in their work to keep our children safe from sexual predators, like this criminal alien, and my office stands ready to aggressively prosecute these offenses to ensure the most vulnerable members of our community won’t be victimized.”

According to court records, the defendant used a popular cloud-based messaging app to engage in conversation with a person he believed was a 13-year-old female. During the conversation, which lasted for months, the defendant expressed his sexual desires and sent obscene material depicting himself to the purported minor, who was an undercover special agent with Homeland Security Investigations. Following his release from prison, Gueye will be required to register as a sex offender.

“This sentence reinforces our commitment to protecting children from those who use digital platforms to exploit them,” said Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Assistant Special Agent in Charge Nicholas G. Ingegno.  “Transmitting obscene material to a minor is a serios crime with lasting consequences for its victims.  This outcome reflects the hard work of our investigators and prosecutors and serves as a clear warning that anyone who targets children online will be held fully accountable.”

This conviction was the result of an investigation by the U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Adam Hapner.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice and led by the U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Divisions Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), it marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.

Source: United States Department of Justice

TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – Lisa M. Ezell, Jr., 39, of Crawfordville, Florida, was sentenced to serve 78 months in prison, followed by a 10-year term of supervised release, after previously pleading guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense. The sentence was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “Our state and federal law enforcement partners are committed to eradicating drug traffickers from our communities, and my office will continue to back up excellent investigations like this one with successful prosecutions to send these peddlers of poisonous drugs to federal prison. The residents of the Northern District of Florida deserve safe streets and drug-free communities, and that is exactly what we will deliver.”

According to court records, the defendant sold narcotics from her residence in Crawfordville, Florida. Law enforcement executed a search warrant in July 2025 at the defendant’s residence and located more than 400 grams of methamphetamine, 18 firearms, and over $7,000 in cash. The defendant had a prior federal conviction in the Northern District of Florida for conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. 

“This sentence underscores the strong partnership between the Wakulla County Sheriff’s Office, Federal Agencies, and Prosecutors from the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Methamphetamine and the unlawful possession of firearms while trafficking drugs harm individuals, families, and entire neighborhoods. We remain committed to protecting our community and fostering a safer future for everyone.”

“This conviction sends a clear message: those who choose to traffic dangerous drugs while possessing illegal firearms will be held fully accountable,” said Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Assistant Special Agent in Charge Nicholas G. Ingegno. “The combination of methamphetamine distribution and an arsenal of more than a dozen firearms posed a serious threat to the safety of the community.  Thanks to the thorough work of the Wakulla County Sheriff’s Office, HSI, and the Northern District of Florida United States Attorney’s Office, we have removed both a criminal element and a dangerous narcotics and weapons from our streets.”

The conviction and sentence were the result of a joint investigation by the Wakulla County Sheriff’s Office and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Harley W. Ferguson.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America (https://www.justice.gov/dag/media/1393746/dl?inline ) a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. 

The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General.  To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.

Source: United States Department of Justice

PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – John J. Schugmann, 53, of Niceville, Florida, was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison for the receipt of online child pornography.  The sentence was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “I deeply appreciate the tireless vigilance of our state and federal law enforcement partners who monitor the online activity of sick individuals, like this defendant, who peddle in disgusting child sexual abuse material. This substantial prison sentence should serve as a warning to others who prey upon and exploit our children: my office will aggressively prosecute such crimes to the fullest extent of the law.”

Court documents reflect that in December 2024, an investigation began when law enforcement discovered the defendant was uploading child pornography to an online search engine. Following a search of his residence by law enforcement pursuant to a warrant, the defendant admitted to viewing and downloading child pornography. Law enforcement seized dozens of electronic devices, which contained thousands of illegal images and videos. Some of the images and videos contained the sexual exploitation of victims well under 12 years of age. The defendant is a registered sex offender who spent time in Florida State Prison for a prior child pornography conviction.

“This sentence reflects the seriousness of exploiting children online,” said Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Assistant Special Agent in Charge Nicholas G. Ingegno.  “Crimes committed behind a screen cause real-world harm, and this outcome demonstrates our commitment to protecting the most vulnerable and pursuing those who use the digital space to abuse our children.  We will continue to work with our partners to ensure those who engage in this conduct are brought to justice.”

“It’s incredibly rewarding to see partnerships like this one be able to remove this individual from our community,” said Sheriff Eric Aden. “Every successful outcome like this one is a clear reminder that collaboration is our greatest tool in the fight against those who exploit and harm children.”

The defendant’s imprisonment will be followed by a lifetime term of supervised release, meaning if he violates any of the conditions of his supervision, he will potentially face an additional period of incarceration. Additionally, the defendant was ordered to pay restitution to victims, and he will be required to continue to register as a sex offender.  

The case involved a joint investigation by the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David L. Goldberg.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice and led by the U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Divisions Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), it marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General.  To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.

Source: United States Department of Justice

Harrisburg -The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Juan Ramos-Abarca, age 49, a citizen of Mexico, was sentenced on November 20, 2025 to seven months in prison by United States District Judge Jennifer P. Wilson for illegally reentering the country after having previously been removed. 

According to United States Attorney Brian D. Miller, Ramos-Abarca was indicted by a federal grand jury after being arrested for various driving offenses in Franklin County, Pennsylvania, in September 2021. Ramos-Abarca had previously been removed from the United States on several occasions and, in 2011, was convicted of illegal reentry. Last month, Ramos-Abarca pleaded guilty to illegal reentry prior to being sentenced.

An ICE detainer is lodged against Ramos-Abarca for deportation proceedings.

The case was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO). Assistant U.S. Attorney Ravi Romel Sharma prosecuted the case.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America (https://www.justice.gov/dag/media/1393746/dl?inline) a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).          

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Source: United States Department of Justice

PITTSBURGH, Pa. – A resident of Russellton, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced in federal court to 10 years of incarceration, to be followed by 10 years of supervised release, on his conviction of violating federal law regarding the sexual exploitation of a minor, First Assistant United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.

United States District Judge Robert J. Colville imposed the sentence on Michael Rearick, 44, on November 25, 2025, also ordering Rearick to pay $20,000 in restitution to his victim.

According to information presented to the Court, from on or about April 21, 2023, until on or about April 23, 2023, Rearick transported a minor from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to Canada with intent that the minor engage in criminal sexual activity.

Assistant United States Attorney Heidi M. Grogan prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

First Assistant United States Attorney Rivetti commended Homeland Security Investigations-Pittsburgh, the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, and the West Deer Township Police Department for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Rearick.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.

Source: United States Department of Justice

SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Sean Christianson, 45, of Manhattan, New York, was sentenced today to 151 months in federal prison for possessing with intent to distribute cocaine.  Acting United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III and Frank A. Tarentino III, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), New York Division, made the announcement.

As part of his guilty plea, Christianson admitted that on February 25, 2025, he traveled from the New York City area to Liverpool, New York, with twenty-two one-kilogram bricks of cocaine in his vehicle. Christianson intended to sell the cocaine in the Syracuse area.  Law enforcement apprehended Christianson as he arrived in Liverpool. At the sentencing hearing, the evidence also established that Christianson maintained a New York City apartment for the purpose of drug distribution and illegally possessed firearms in connection with his drug activity.

Acting United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III stated: “Thanks to the investigative efforts of the DEA and our other law enforcement partners, another drug dealer and a huge quantity of narcotics have been put away for a long time.  Drug dealers will not get away with selling narcotics in the Northern District of New York.”

“Today’s sentencing of Sean Christianson sends a clear message to those individuals who are looking to flood our upstate communities with illicit narcotics and violence” stated DEA New York Special Agent in Charge Frank Tarentino. “The DEA and our law enforcement partners understand the harmful effects dangerous drugs have on our communities and we will continue do everything we can to make sure justice is delivered.”

United States District Judge Anthony J. Brindisi also imposed a 5-year term of supervised release to begin after Christianson is released from prison.

DEA investigated the case with assistance from the New York Drug Enforcement Task Force, Syracuse Police Department, and City of New York Office of the Special Narcotics Prosecutor.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Ben Gillis prosecuted the case.

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