Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

Spokane, Washington – United States Attorney Pete Serrano announced that on November 13, 2025, Chief District Court Judge United States District Judge Stanely Bastain, sentenced Joshua Isaac Stine, age 40, of Moses Lake, Washington, to 120 months of incarceration following his guilty plea to Distribution of 40 Grams or More of Fentanyl. Judge Bastain ordered Stine’s sentence to commence after he finishes serving his current 20-year federal prison sentence, which was imposed for his previous for significant drug trafficking in the Moses Lake area. Stine will be on 8 years of supervised release upon his release from this sentence.

Evidence shows that Stine engaged in this conduct to facilitate the criminal activities of a national prison gang called “La Nuestra Familia” or “NF”. NF is attempting a targeted push to bring their “hardcore” principles and teachings to Washington State. NF doctrine dates back to the late 1960s and is encapsulated in multiple written documents, including an NF “constitution”. The rules of this criminal organization are mandatory and non-negotiable. NF leadership asserts they are engaged in this struggle for the betterment of Norteños – better known as “La Causa” or the “NF Movement”. Many individuals who have left the gang stated that La Causa is a ruse as its just about making money to perpetuate the criminal organization, which does not hesitate to use violence to achieve their objectives.

This persistent prison gang is purposely targeting minors to recruit into the gang and then indoctrinates them into their myopic way of life. These children are taught that if they are worthy Norteños, they will commit crimes and will end up in prison – so they need to follow the NF rules to be in “good standing” to comfortably serve their inevitable prison sentence. To advance further, these children will “owe a body” to advance their lifelong “careers”.

Stine’s conduct shows his clear desire to be selected by NF for membership. Stine is a member of the Moses Lake Norteño set East Side Familia. His criminal history dates back to 2000 and this is his 3rd federal conviction. In 2012, Stine was sentenced to 20 months for being a felon in possession of a firearm while on Washington State Department of Corrections supervision. Following his term of incarceration, Stine was on federal supervised release, and he participated in the STEP Program, which is intensive supervision to help drug addicts gain and maintain their sobriety. Shortly after his completed the program, Stine engaged in significant drug trafficking activity in the greater Moses Lake area in 2018-2019. He was ultimately sentenced to 20 years in federal prison for his conduct in 2021. (Case No: 2:19-CR-111-WFN-2).

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

BOSTON – A Brazilian national unlawfully residing in Marlborough pleaded guilty today in federal court in Boston to trafficking firearms.

Guilherme Fernandes-Tavares, 32, pleaded guilty to one count of dealing firearms without a license. U.S. Senior District Court Judge Patti B. Saris scheduled sentencing for Feb. 26, 2026. Fernandes-Tavares was charged by criminal complaint in March 2025 and subsequently indicted by a federal grand jury in July 2025.

Between December 2023 and May 2024, Fernandes-Tavares sold 11 firearms and ammunition across 10 different dates and offered others for sale. Specifically, the firearms Fernandes-Tavares sold were pistols, some of which were privately manufactured firearms without serial numbers and one of which had an obliterated serial number. One of the firearms was sold with a large capacity magazine that could hold 28 rounds of ammunition. In addition, a package intended for Fernandes-Tavares sent from Florida was intercepted and found to contain an additional firearm.

The charge of engaging in the business of dealing firearms without a license provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Thomas Greco, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Boston Field Division; Michael J. Krol, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England; and Patricia H. Hyde, Field Office Director, Boston, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service; Massachusetts State Police; and the Westborough Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney John J. Reynolds III of the Organized Crime & Gang Unit is prosecuting the case.

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

PIERRE – United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced today that U.S. District Judge Eric C. Schulte has sentenced a man from Lower Brule, South Dakota, convicted of Assaulting, Resisting, and Impeding a Federal Officer. The sentencing took place on October 9, 2025.

Leighton Laroche, Jr., age 42, was sentenced to five months in federal prison, followed by two years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Laroche was indicted by a federal grand jury in March 2024. He pleaded guilty on July 9, 2025.

The conviction stems from an incident that occurred on January 19, 2024, when Laroche was in custody at the Lower Brule Detention Center. Laroche engaged in a physical struggle with a Bureau of Indian Affairs correctional officer after he refused to return to his cell as directed.

This case was investigated by Bureau of Indian Affairs, Office of Justice Services – Lower Brule Agency.

Laroche was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service. 

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

Today, the Department of Justice released the 2025 Annual Report to Congress on Department of Justice Activities to Combat Elder Fraud and Abuse, which details the Department’s progress in protecting older Americans and holding perpetrators of elder fraud accountable.

Over the reporting period, criminal and civil litigators across the Department pursued more than 280 enforcement actions against over 600 defendants — including many in the United States illegally or located overseas and extradited to be charged in U.S. courts. These offenders, both domestic and transnational, attempted to steal, or did steal, more than $2 billion from more than one million older Americans. The Department also successfully held multiple nursing home operators accountable for providing grossly substandard care to vulnerable Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries.

To strengthen its response to elder fraud and abuse, the Department continued to invest in capacity building for law enforcement, prosecutors, and judges. It held the first National Elder Abuse Multidisciplinary Team Summit, which brought together nearly 400 elder abuse multidisciplinary team members from around the country to share best practices for coordinated enforcement and improved services for older Americans.

Department reporting confirms that older adults lose billions of dollars every year to elder fraud schemes. During the reporting period, the Department recovered or froze millions of dollars stolen from older victims. The Department — through Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) formula grants to states — also supported more than 4,000 victim assistance organizations, which provided services to nearly 200,000 older victims nationwide. Additionally, the Department supported the first National Elder Abuse Victim Services Needs Assessment, a resource that will enable the Department and others to address and close identified gaps in services for older victims in the years ahead.

Recognizing the devastating consequences of elder fraud and abuse, all components within the Department engaged in some form of public awareness to promote prevention. In total, the Department held nearly 1,200 elder-focused public awareness and training events, reaching nearly 15 million Americans with information about prevention, intervention, and available resources.

The Department is committed to using every tool available — enforcement, victim services, capacity building, and public outreach — to combat the scourge of elder fraud and abuse, and it will continue to prioritize elder justice in the year ahead, building on these accomplishments.

For more information on elder fraud and abuse, visit the Department’s Elder Justice Initiative website. If you or someone you know has been the victim elder fraud, please call the National Elder Fraud Hotline at 833–FRAUD–11or or 833–372–8311.

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

Clarkston, Washington – United States Attorney Pete Serrano announced that Loyal Otis Dickson, III, age 40, of Clarkston, Washington was sentenced on firearm and drug trafficking charges. United States District Judge Thomas O. Rice sentenced Dickson to 15 years in federal prison, to be followed by 5 years of supervised released.

Based on court documents and argument presented through the pendency of the case, a search warrant was executed on Dickson’s residence on November 6, 2024 based on prior observations of distributions of drugs and possession of large amounts of methamphetamine. At the residence, law enforcement located in total approximately 2 pounds of methamphetamine shards, along with multiple firearms, including the components of a AR-style semiautomatic rifle consistent with a “ghost gun” which lacked markings or a serial number. Dickson was initially arrested and then subsequently released on state charges. Following his federal indictment, local law enforcement in Clarkston attempted to contact Dickson. Dickson fled into Idaho and engaged in a short foot pursuit with officers before being arrested.

United States Attorney Pete Serrano said fighting the drug epidemic is an important part of building a safe and strong foundation for Eastern Washington: “We are working tirelessly to combat the plague of controlled substances. We appreciate the work of our law enforcement partners who work to arrest and prosecute those, like Mr. Dickson, who are introducing these deadly substances into our communities.”

“Loyal Dickson helped fuel the addiction crisis and violence that has devastated too many lives,” said Special Agent in Charge Robert Bohls of the Salt Lake City FBI. “When meth traffickers arm themselves with illegal firearms and try to run from law enforcement, they put everyone in danger. This sentence underscores the FBI and our partners’ commitment to keeping our communities safe.”

This case was investigated by the FBI and the Quad Cities Drug Task Force. The Quad Cities Drug Task Force is a multi-jurisdiction task force involving the numerous law enforcement agencies including the Lewiston Idaho Police Department, Clarkston Washington Police Department, and the Whitman County Sheriff’s Office. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Rebecca R. Perez.

2:24-cr-167-TOR

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

PIERRE – United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced today that U.S. District Judge Eric C. Schulte has sentenced a man from Eagle Butte, South Dakota, convicted of Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person. The sentencing took place on October 8, 2025.

Cecil Addison, age 27, was sentenced to two years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Addison was indicted by a federal grand jury in June 2024. He pleaded guilty on July 10, 2025.

On April 14, 2024, a traffic stop was conducted on a vehicle in which Addison was a passenger. During a search of the vehicle, officers located a handgun with an extended magazine with Addison’s name written in red letters on it. Addison had two small baggies of marijuana and a methamphetamine pipe on his person when arrested. Addison is prohibited from possessing firearms due to his unlawful use of marijuana and methamphetamine.

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). Through PSN, the District of South Dakota seeks to bring together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce gun violence and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. 

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) and the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services.

Addison was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service. 

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

This release was issued following the 43-day government shutdown during which the sentencing occurred.

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – A resident of Altoona, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court on October 21, 2025, to charges of violating federal sex offense laws and was sentenced to 108 months in prison, to be followed by 10 years of supervised release, First Assistant United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced.

Jonathan Hunt, 44, pleaded guilty before United States District Judge Stephanie L. Haines.

In connection with the guilty plea, the Court was advised that, on or about February 16, 2021, in the Western District of Pennsylvania, Hunt distributed images of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct using materials that were shipped or transported in interstate or foreign commerce. Further, on or about October 19, 2021, Hunt possessed images of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct, which were produced using prepubescent minors.

Assistant United States Attorney Maureen Sheehan-Balchon prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

First Assistant United States Attorney Rivetti commended Homeland Security Investigations for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Hunt.

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 better 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

Orlando, Florida – U.S. District Judge Paul G. Byron has sentenced Charles William Maitski (60, St. Cloud) to life in federal prison for producing child sexual abuse material (CSAM) and enticing children to engage in sexual activity. Maitski pleaded guilty on July 8, 2025.

According to court documents, after following up on a tip in June 2024, law enforcement discovered that Maitski had been sexually exploiting children using the internet since at least 2012. Through a series of search warrants and victim interviews, law enforcement learned that Maitski hid behind an online persona of a 14-year-old boy named “Chuck.” He met his young victims online and then groomed them using the social media platforms Instagram and Discord.

To build trust with his victims, Maitski sent his victims hundreds of messages a day, including explicit images and videos of the young teenaged boy he had adopted as his persona. In return, Maitski demanded that his victims perform for him on video calls and record and send him increasingly graphic and degrading CSAM. Maitski also attempted to convince a victim to molest children she was babysitting. Between 2023 and 2024, Maitski exchanged more than 50,000 messages with his victims, contacted nearly 300 minors and suspected minors on Instagram and Discord, and sent, received, or directed the production of hundreds of images and videos of CSAM.

This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the St. Cloud Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Richard Varadan.

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 United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), 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

Victim Was Defending a Young Woman and Her Infant Son When Defendant Assaulted Her on a Sidewalk

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

TUCSON, Ariz. – Jorge J. Jimenez, 54, of Nogales, Arizona, was sentenced on October 30, 2025, by United States District Judge Rosemary Marquez to 78 months of custody, with a fine of $15,000, and a $100 Special Assessment. Jimenez was previously convicted by a jury of Conspiracy to Commit Honest Services Wire Fraud.

“Law enforcement officers who aid cartels for their own profit betray their oaths and the United States” said United States Attorney Timothy Courchaine. “While this is the rare exception, border corruption allows dangerous drugs into the country and decreases public trust in the many outstanding men and women serving in law enforcement.  This sentence demonstrates that anyone, regardless of authority, will be held accountable if they seek to profit from drug trafficking. I am proud of the District of Arizona and the many United States Border Patrol Agents who protect our southern border everyday.”

“U.S. Border Patrol officers take an oath to protect our Homeland Security. Today’s sentencing makes a clear statement that corruption within those ranks will be identified, and those individuals will be held accountable. We are grateful for the cooperation from our law enforcement partners,” said DHS Inspector General Joseph V. Cuffari, Ph.D.

“When an officer shrugs off his sworn oath and harms those they promised to protect, he betrays not only the people of his community, but those who also wear the badge,” said FBI Phoenix Special Agent in Charge Heith Janke. “The FBI remains committed to working with our partners and investigate such cases to protect the American people and preserve public trust in law enforcement.”

Jimenez was employed as a United States Border Patrol Agent since 2010. At trial, the government showed that, between June 2024 and early October 2024, Jimenez was assigned to the I-19 Checkpoint, and conspired with at least two individuals located in Mexico, to allow previously agreed-upon “load” vehicles to pass through his designated checkpoint lane without inspection. The individuals in Mexico handled arrangements and the receipt of payment, and Jimenez allowed the vehicles to pass through his assigned lane and provided information about activities at the checkpoint to his coordinators. Jimenez expected to be paid approximately $20,000, with the money exchanged in Mexico.

Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General and the Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation in this case. The United States Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, Tucson, handled the prosecution.

CASE NUMBER:            4:24-cr-08599-RM-JR
RELEASE NUMBER:    2025-159_Jimenez

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For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/
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