Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

Baltimore, Maryland – Today, U.S. Attorney Kelly O. Hayes announced convictions, indictments, plea agreements and sentencings that the District of Maryland secured in connection with several cases the office prosecuted during the recent lapse in federal appropriations.

“During the recent lapse in appropriations, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland continued to steadfastly carry out its essential mission,” Hayes said. “Our Assistant U.S. Attorneys and staff remained unwavering in pursuing cases that protected public safety, upheld the rule of law, and served the interests of justice.  I am grateful for their professionalism and dedication during this period, and we look forward to continuing to carry out our responsibilities with the same diligence and commitment now that normal operations are restored.”

A summary of several notable cases is below.

October 2025

 David Donnell Fulton, 32, of York, Pennsylvania, pled guilty to one count of Sexual Exploitation of a Child. During a search of Fulton’s home, law enforcement seized several devices and found Fulton with an image of a 7-year-old victim, as well as multiple images of commercially available child sex abuse material. 

U.S. District Judge Deborah K. Chasanow sentenced Mehul Ramesh Khatiwala, 43, aka “Mike Khatiwala,” of Voorhees, New Jersey, to seven years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, in connection with his role supervising a multi-million-dollar bank fraud conspiracy. This is Khatiwala’s second federal conviction and sentencing for bank fraud charges. 

A federal grand jury returned an indictment against Jamari James David Leverett, 22, of Baltimore, Maryland, charging him with sexual exploitation of a child and possession of child sexual abuse material.  According to the eight-count indictment, Leverett used multiple online profiles on various social media and gaming platforms to meet and extort minors across the U.S.

A federal jury convicted Fode Sitafa Mara, 40, of Takoma Park, Maryland, on four counts of aggravated sexual abuse perpetrated against two minors, one count of coercion and enticement, and one count of obstruction. According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Mara, on multiple occasions, forcibly raped two teenage Burkinabé girls at his Embassy-leased residence in Ouagadougou.

U.S District Judge Paula Xinis sentenced Lester Massey, Jr., 42, of Oxon Hill, Maryland, to 30 months in federal prison for being a prohibited person in possession of ammunition. According to the evidence presented at trial, on August 11, 2023, ATF agents, with the assistance of PGPD officers, executed a court-ordered search-and-seizure warrant at Massey’s residence. During the search, law enforcement located and recovered 243 live rounds of ammunition throughout the apartment.

Lawrence Earl Smith, Jr., 51, of Perry Hall, Maryland, pled guilty to federal wire fraud and tax evasion charges. While serving as a Baltimore City School Police Officer and Dunbar High School football coach, Smith created and executed a scheme to submit fraudulent overtime slips. Smith received overtime payments, totaling more than $200,000, for time that he never worked. He also evaded paying more than $60,000 in federal income taxes for 2017, 2019, and 2020.

Duane Watts, 46, and Donna Jones, 59, both of Baltimore, pled guilty to Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud and Aggravated Identity Theft in connection with an unemployment insurance (UI) fraud scheme. According to both guilty pleas, beginning in May 2020, and continuing through at least May 2021, Watts, Jones, and other co-conspirators, engaged in a conspiracy and scheme to defraud and obtain money by means of materially false and fraudulent pretenses, representations, and promises, in connection with an UI fraud scheme.

November 2025

U.S. District Judge Lydia K. Griggsby sentenced Donzell Lernard Campbell, 44, of Laurel, Maryland, to 110 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release. On February 27, 2024, Campbell pled guilty to federal possession of a machine gun, possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and felon in possession of ammunition charges.

U.S. District Judge Matthew J. Maddox sentenced Jayre Reaves, 48, of Ellicott City, Maryland, to 27 months in federal prison, followed by two years of supervised release, in connection with a mail fraud scheme.  Judge Maddox also ordered Reaves to forfeit $615,000 and pay $614,000 in restitution.

U.S. District Judge Adam B. Abelson sentenced Jennifer Tinker, 42, of Ellicott City, Maryland, to 70 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for wire fraud, in connection with Tinker’s embezzlement of more than $1.1 million from two separate employers. Tinker used the funds that she stole from Real Estate Agency 1 to pay for luxury goods and personal expenditures such as vacations, Taylor Swift tickets, and five different vehicles.

Jackson Traylor, 27, of Dania Beach, Florida, pled guilty to one count of utilizing a telecommunications device without disclosing his identity with the intent to abuse, threaten, or harass.  According to public filings, between July 9, 2024, and April 10, 2025, Traylor — using a series of different phone numbers — sent more than 10 Antisemitic and harassing messages to a Jewish individual who is originally from Maryland. 

For more information about the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, please visit justice.gov/usao-md  and justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach.

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

BILLINGS – A Billings man who distributed child pornography was sentenced today to 108 months in prison to be followed by 5 years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.

Kole David Kuntz, 41, pleaded guilty in July 2025 to two counts of distribution of child pornography.

U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided.

The government alleged in court documents that on November 16, 2024, law enforcement created an undercover online persona on a social media site posing as an adult male with a minor daughter. Soon after establishing the account, another account, later attributed to Kuntz, reached out and inquired about the fictious daughter.

The conversations became increasingly sexual. For example, when Kuntz learned the “daughter” was 12 years old, he indicated he “could have a lot of fun with her.”

On November 21, 2024, Kuntz recommended they switch to a more secure application and both parties did so. Then, to ensure he was “serious,” Kuntz sent a roughly 45-second video of a female, between the ages of 12 and 14, removing her swimsuit and exposing her vagina to the camera. On November 22, 2024, and after additional communications during which Kuntz indicated that “6-14 is the money range I think,” he distributed a roughly 56-second video of a minor female performing oral sex on an adult.

Law enforcement connected the communications to Kuntz and searched his residence in Billings. A subsequent review of his electronic media led to the discovery of the communications referenced above as well as the possession of additional child pornography.

Kuntz was interviewed by law enforcement and admitted he was the individual referenced in the communications he had previously shared images and videos.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Zeno Baucus prosecuted the case. The FBI conducted the investigation.

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 Justice.gov/PSC.

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Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

PROVIDENCE – A British national from Northern Ireland illegally in the United States who admitted in one case to participating in a multi-state construction and money laundering fraud scheme that netted more than a million dollars, and in a separate case to using false information to enter the United States, has been sentenced to federal prison, announced Acting United States Attorney Sara Miron Bloom.

Elijah Gavin, 29, was sentenced today by U.S. District Court Judge Mary S. McElroy to 48 months imprisonment, forfeiture of $4885.57, a forfeiture money judgment of $1,000,000, a restitution order of $1,109,500, and $300 in special assessments in one case, and one day imprisonment and a $100 special assessment in the other case, to run concurrently.  Gavin pleaded guilty on June 12, 2025, to charges of wire fraud conspiracy, wire fraud, money laundering, and false statement in a document used to gain entry into the United States.

In pleading guilty to wire fraud conspiracy, wire fraud, and money laundering, Elijah Gavin admitted to the following:

• Gavin used various names when he approached and defrauded property owners in Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and New York by, among other things, misrepresenting to property owners’ construction needs or repairs required on their properties.
• Gavin and his co-conspirators formed multiple construction businesses and falsely represented the business’ status, experience, and quality of work; falsely represented their identities and skills to homeowners; and made false representations to property owners regarding the condition of their properties, work they would perform, and the machinery, materials, and equipment needed to perform work.
• Between October 2022 and January 2025, Gavin and his co-conspirators defrauded property owners of over one million dollars, including a Rhode Island widow who was defrauded of $850,000, as well as other elderly victims in Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey, and a church in New York.
• Gavin sent checks to money launderers in New York and California representing funds that were fraudulently obtained from his victims.
• Gavin is a fugitive from justice in the United Kingdom who entered the United States illegally. Gavin used a false Electronic System for Travel Authorization application to gain entry into the United States without a visa.  Gavin’s ESTA application contained materially false information with respect to Gavin’s criminal history in the United Kingdom.

According to the FBI’s Terrorist Screening Center, Conmen Travelers are groups of Irish or U.K. nationals who entered the United States on pleasure or tourist visas and overstayed their visits or, more commonly, entered the United States illegally. Once in the United States, they go to different cities and states, soliciting construction work. The members often quote a low price, and then, after further inspection, demand much more money and/or convince the homeowner that their homes or business need major repairs. Conmen Travelers often hire day laborers; do not have work authorization documents or pull permits; and do low quality, unnecessary, or incomplete work, sometimes damaging homeowners’ residences.

Gavin has been detained in federal custody since his arrest in New Jersey on January 29, 2025.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Sandra R. Hebert and Taylor A. Dean.

The matter was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, Rhode Island State Police, and U.S Diplomatic Security Service.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America 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).

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

U.S. Attorney Eric Grant announces actions taken during the recent lapse in appropriations when public affairs functions at the U.S. Attorney’s Office were significantly curtailed. This press release contains just a few examples of indictments, trial verdicts, and sentences that took place from Oct. 1 to Nov. 12, 2025.

“I extend my gratitude to the dedicated men and women of the U.S. Attorney’s Office who have remained on duty throughout this government shutdown,” said U.S. Attorney Grant. “Many employees continued the unseen daily work that protects our communities. And those who were not permitted to work eagerly sought a return to service. Their steadfast commitment under challenging conditions exemplifies true public service.”

Sentences

Dakota Jeremiah Pevino, aka Dakota Jeremiah Viggiano, 37, of Sacramento, was sentenced on Oct. 21, to 30 years in prison for sexual exploitation of a child. In 2022, Pevino took explicit photographs of a minor and distributed them along with video recordings of child sexual abuse. Pevino pleaded guilty on Aug. 20, 2024. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Druv Sharma and Kevin Khasigian prosecuted the case. The FBI is still seeking to identify potential victims of Pevino. Anyone with relevant information is asked to email the FBI at Pevinovictims@fbi.gov.

Andrew Michael Alonso, 36, of Fresno, was sentenced on Oct. 27, to 35 years in prison and a lifetime of supervised release for sexual exploitation of a minor, receipt of a visual depiction of a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct, and committing a felony offense involving a minor while being a registered sex offender, in addition to being on California parole supervision with GPS location monitoring. In 2021, Alonso repeatedly asked a 13-year-old victim to create and send to him images of the victim engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Assistant U.S. Attorney David Gappa prosecuted the case.

On Nov. 10, Jamaine Barnes, 43, of Stockton, was sentenced to 31 years in prison for running a continuing criminal enterprise and related drug trafficking, firearms, and international money laundering offenses. Barnes was the lead defendant of a large organization who for years brought in fentanyl and other opioids from China, pressed them into counterfeit prescription pills, and sold them throughout Stockton, Sacramento, and elsewhere. He also made and sold meth-laced pills made to look like ecstasy pills. Assistant U.S. Attorney David Spencer prosecuted the case.

Trial Verdicts

On Oct. 15, a jury found Ranvir Singh, 42, of Sacramento, guilty of conspiracy to distribute cocaine and ketamine and one count of distribution of cocaine. According to court documents, in April 2021, Singh and two others were indicted for their involvement in a drug trafficking organization based in Sacramento and extending to the greater Toronto Area in Canada. Between October 2020 and March 2021, they arranged multiple kilogram-level drug deals with a Canadian undercover officer, both in Canada and California, using encrypted applications on their cellphones. Singh faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison and a maximum statutory penalty of life in prison and a $10 million fine. Assistant U.S. Attorneys David Spencer and Haddy Abouzeid are prosecuting the case.

On Oct. 30, a jury found Christopher Guilford, 54, formerly of Sacramento, guilty of one count of making a false claim against the United States and eight counts of filing a false tax return. Guilford had filed nine false tax returns with the IRS in which he reported false income and false tax withholdings. For one of the tax return filings, Guilford received a refund of $1,172,446. The charges against Guilford stem from his use of a convoluted “redemption” scheme, used by tax protestors and sovereign citizens that has been repeatedly rejected by the courts. For the one count of making a false claim against the United States, Guilford faces a maximum statutory sentence of five years in prison and a fine up to $250,000. For each of the eight counts of filing a false tax return, Guilford faces a maximum statutory sentence of three years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brittany Gunter and Arelis Clemente are prosecuting the case.

On Oct. 31, a jury found Stanislav Yelizarov, 35, guilty of threatening the family of a federal law enforcement officer during a recorded telephone call he placed while an inmate in U.S. Penitentiary, Atwater. According to evidence presented at trial, Yelizarov threatened to kill the “whole family” of a federal law enforcement office in Maryland during a phone call to his mother and in threatening letters sent to the victim. Yelizarov faces a maximum statutory penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Robert Veneman-Hughes and Joshua Banister are prosecuting the case.

Indictments

On Oct. 2, Anibal Hernandez Santana, 63, of Sacramento, was indicted for incidents involving the discharge and possession of a firearm. On Sept. 18, 2025, Santana allegedly discharged a 9 mm handgun within 1,000 feet of the grounds of a high school and an elementary school. On Sept. 19, 2025, while standing on the sidewalk around the block from the KXTV/ABC 10 station, in front of 2555 3rd Street, Hernandez Santana fired into the air in the direction of the station. He then drove to the front of the station and fired three shots directly into the building’s lobby. No one was injured. If convicted, he faces up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. Santana is also facing state charges. His next federal appearance, a status conference, is scheduled for June 1, 2026. Assistant U.S. Attorney Elliot Wong is prosecuting the case.

On Oct. 23, Fresno restaurant operator Robert “Bobby” Salazar, 63, was charged in two indictments. The first indictment charges Salazar, Thomas Qualls, 40, and Shylo Badiali, 43, with engaging in a scheme to defraud an insurance company by setting fire to a commercial property. On April 2, 2024, a fire broke out at the vacant Bobby Salazar’s restaurant on Blackstone Avenue in Fresno. According to court documents, Salazar’s hired Qualls and Badiali to set the fire and then claimed to his insurance company that he had nothing to do with the arson. He was ultimately paid out more than $900,000 for his insurance claim. The second indictment charges Salazar with possession of a handgun with an obliterated serial number that was found during the execution of a search warrant at Salazar’s residence. A status conference is scheduled for the three defendants on Jan. 21, 2026. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Robert Veneman-Hughes and Brittany Gunter are prosecuting the case.

The charges in an indictment are only allegations; the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

PITTSBURGH, Pa. – A former resident of South Pittsburg, Tennessee, has been sentenced in federal court to 12 years of imprisonment, to be followed by 10 years of supervised release, on his conviction of coercion and enticement of a minor to engage in illegal sexual activity, First Assistant United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.

Senior United States District Judge Arthur J. Schwab imposed the sentence on Terron Slatton, 26.

According to information presented to the Court, in late December 2022, Slatton used a messaging application to contact and persuade and entice a 10-year-old girl from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to engage in sexual activity. During their subsequent online conversations, Slatton discussed sex with the child and solicited the minor to send him sexually explicit images of herself. Slatton then suggested they meet in person to engage in sex. Slatton was arrested at his residence in Tennessee following the issuance of federal arrest and search warrants.

Assistant United States Attorney V. Joseph Sonson prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

First Assistant United States Attorney Rivetti commended Homeland Security Investigations–Pittsburgh and the Pennsylvania State Police for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Slatton.

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 Criminal Division

The Justice Department announced today that it has filed a lawsuit against Thomas Ray Kelso, the former owner and manager of rental properties formerly known as Briarwood Apartments in Searcy, Arkansas, for engaging in sexual harassment and retaliation in violation of the Fair Housing Act. The lawsuit also names as a defendant Avatar Investments LLC, which owned the rental properties during Kelso’s management and sexual harassment of female tenants.

The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas, alleges that Kelso sexually harassed female tenants beginning in 2001, until his arrest, in 2023, and conviction for federal sex trafficking charges in 2025. According to the complaint, Kelso made repeated and unwelcome sexual comments to female tenants, touched female tenants’ bodies without their permission, requested sexual contact, offered reduced or free rent in exchange for sexual contact and took retaliatory actions against female tenants who refused his sexual advances, including threatening to cut electricity or denying laundry access.

“No one should have to endure sexual harassment to keep a roof over his or her head,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “This lawsuit reinforces the Justice Department’s commitment to holding landlords and housing providers accountable for illegally harassing and retaliating against tenants.”

“This defendant intentionally lured and threatened vulnerable victims, forcing them to perform sexual acts in exchange for some of life’s essentials — shelter and electricity. He was rightfully sentenced to serve 20 years in federal prison,” said U.S. Attorney Jonathan D. Ross for the Eastern District of Arkansas. “Just as Kelso continues to be held accountable for his reprehensible acts, the housing provider, Avatar Investments, LLC, should also be held accountable for its total lack of oversight of its property.”

The lawsuit seeks monetary damages to compensate persons harmed by the alleged harassment, civil penalties to vindicate the public interest, and a court order barring future discrimination.

If you are a victim of sexual harassment by another landlord or property manager or have suffered other forms of housing discrimination, call the Justice Department’s Housing Discrimination Tip Line at 1-800-896-7743 or submit a report online. More information about the Civil Rights Division and the laws it enforces is available at www.justice.gov/crt. This settlement is part of the Justice Department’s Sexual Harassment in Housing Initiative. The initiative, which the Department launched in October 2017, seeks to address and raise awareness about sexual harassment by landlords, property managers, maintenance workers, loan officers and other people who have control over housing. Since launching the initiative, the department has filed 51 lawsuits alleging sexual harassment in housing and recovered nearly $16.2 million for victims of such harassment.

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

CHARLESTON, S.C. — A federal grand jury returned a 10-count indictment against Marvin Rashad Pendarvis, 36, of Charleston, for wire fraud, aggravated identity theft, and money laundering.

The indictment alleges that Pendarvis, who was a personal injury attorney licensed by the State of South Carolina and member of the South Carolina House of Representatives, pursued claims, filed lawsuits, and negotiated settlements on behalf of his clients and, in some instances, would forge client signatures and not pay clients any portion of the settlement funds. Through the scheme, Pendarvis received at least $532,000 in settlement funds to which he did not pay his clients any portion of the funds.

Pendarvis faces a maximum penalty of 20 years for the wire fraud and money laundering counts. Further, for each count of aggravated identity theft, Pendarvis faces a mandatory two-year term of imprisonment.

Pendarvis was arraigned by United States Magistrate Judge Molly Cherry on Nov. 18 and released on a $50,000 personal recognizance bond. 

This case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Amy Bower and Whit Sowards are prosecuting the case.

All charges in the indictment are merely accusations and defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

Moultrie Convicted Felon Illegally Possessed Four Firearms in Armed Drug Trafficking Investigation; Pelham Repeat Offender Distributed Meth in Undercover Operation

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

LOS ANGELES – A San Gabriel Valley woman was sentenced today to 121 months in federal prison for orchestrating a large-scale international money laundering conspiracy that funneled more than $11.6 million in fraud proceeds from hundreds of victims – many of them elderly – who were conned by criminals pretending to be law enforcement, government officials, or computer support representatives.    

Cynthia Song, 43, a.k.a. “Iris Song” and “Xin Wang,” of Arcadia, was sentenced by United States District Judge Stanley Blumenfeld Jr., who also ordered her to pay $10,069,518 in restitution.

Song pleaded guilty on June 10 to one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering. She has been in federal custody since October 2024.

From December 2022 to October 2024, Song conspired to launder millions of dollars in proceeds derived from various fraudulent schemes. Victims were conned via impersonation and technical support scams, in which fraudsters – often operating overseas – posed as government officials, law enforcement, or computer support representatives. The perpetrators deceived victims, typically elderly individuals, into sending large payments – sometimes their entire life savings – to bank accounts in the United States controlled by Song and her co-conspirators.

Song first joined the scheme by personally money laundering fraud proceeds in her accounts. For example, in December 2022, multiple victims were induced to wire at least $170,850 into an account controlled by Song under the business name SW Prosperity Real Estate Development LLC. Within days, nearly all the funds were withdrawn and transferred abroad.

Soon afterward, Song became a manager of money launderers and recruited at least 15 money launderers into the global scheme. Song and her network of recruited money launderers then opened dozens of business bank accounts to receive and transfer fraudulent funds. Once the victims’ funds were received, Song directed her associates to withdraw or transfer the money, taking a 5% to 10% cut before sending the remaining proceeds to fraud organizers overseas, primarily in China and Hong Kong.

Throughout the scheme, Song directed the recruited money launderers on how to deceive banks that questioned the suspicious transfers, and she provided them with cover stories for the transfers, victims’ driver’s licenses, and other information in order to deceive the banks into believing the transfers were legitimate and therefore to not freeze the accounts or funds.  Song and her co-conspirators continued to launder money through various bank accounts until the banks froze the accounts for fraud, at which point, Song and her co-conspirators would switch to different bank accounts and co-conspirators. 

Song admitted in her plea agreement that she knew the funds were criminal proceeds and she warned her recruited co-conspirators that the money they handled was not “clean.” 

Song and her co-conspirators laundered at least $11,692,931 in fraud proceeds from approximately 180 victims across the United States. Of that amount, approximately $2,736,240 was frozen or recovered by financial institutions.

“The harm these crimes caused the victims cannot be understated,” prosecutors argued in a sentencing memorandum. “Some lost their entire life savings, others continue to experience shame, regret, and depression. Many dreamed to enjoy their golden years of retirement, but are now confronted with the harsh realities of lost savings and shattered dreams. Many have had to materially change their standard of living and most will never financially recover from these life-changing financial losses given their age.”

IRS Criminal Investigation and Homeland Security Investigations investigated this matter.

Assistant United States Attorney Andrew M. Roach of the General Crimes Section prosecuted this case.

If you or someone you know is age 60 or older and has been a victim of financial fraud, help is available at the National Elder Fraud Hotline: 1-833-FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311). This Department of Justice hotline, managed by the Office for Victims of Crime, is staffed by experienced professionals who provide personalized support to callers by assessing the needs of the victim and identifying relevant next steps. Case managers will identify appropriate reporting agencies, provide information to callers to assist them in reporting, connect callers directly with appropriate agencies, and provide resources and referrals, on a case-by-case basis. Reporting is the first step. Reporting can help authorities identify those who commit fraud and reporting certain financial losses due to fraud as soon as possible can increase the likelihood of recovering losses. The hotline is staffed seven days a week from 3 a.m. to 8 p.m. Pacific Time. English, Spanish, and other languages are available.

Information about the Department of Justice’s Elder Fraud Initiative is available at www.justice.gov/elderjustice. 

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

Editor’s Note: This matter occurred on date indicated but not published at that time due to the government shutdown. Press release posted and made available following the return to normal operations.