Source: United States Airforce
The Air Force wrapped up the second Decision Advantage Sprint for Human-Machine Teaming, known as DASH 2, a fast-paced experiment exploring how AI can help operators make faster, smarter decisions in complex battlespaces.
Source: United States Department of Justice
Co-sponsored by the National Clearinghouse on Abuse in Later Life, the Office on Violence Against Women (OVW), and AEquitas
The National Institute on the Prosecution of Elder Abuse (NIPEA) is a three-and-a-half day course designed to challenge prosecutors to reevaluate their approach to prosecuting elder abuse cases. Participants receive training on the dynamics of elder abuse as well as practical skills to successfully prosecute these cases, balancing offender accountability with the impact of criminal prosecution on victims. Using a problem-based, interactive format, NIPEA explores the complex issues faced by prosecutors. Topics covered include:
Attendees may qualify for approximately eighteen (18) continuing legal education credit hours including at least one (1) hour of ethics credit.
Interested prosecutors may apply to attend this event by completing the application. Submission of an application does not guarantee a spot in the Institute; please DO NOT make travel arrangements unless and until you have been notified that you are accepted for the course. OVW approval of this event is still pending.
This event is open to prosecutors only. Preference will be given to prosecuting agencies participating in the OVW Training and Services to End Abuse in Later Life Program. All other applicants will be considered in the order in which they apply.
If you need assistance completing the application form, please contact Ann Laatsch at alaatsch@ncall.us. The application deadline is October 21, 2025.
There is no tuition fee for the institute. A limited number of scholarships for travel and lodging expenses are available for prosecutors from communities not currently receiving an OVW Training and Services to End Abuse in Later Life grant. Individuals requesting scholarship funding can do so when they complete the NIPEA application form.
A block of hotel rooms has been reserved at the federal room rate. Information about accessing the room block will be sent to participants upon approval of their application.
Participant comments from past institutes highlight the practical value and outstanding quality of this program:
Please contact Ann Laatsch at alaatsch@ncall.us for more information about this program.
This project is supported by Grant No. 15JOVW-24-GK-03047-ALLX awarded by the Office on Violence Against Women, U.S. Department of Justice. The opinions, findings, conclusions, and recommendations expressed in this publication/program/exhibition are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women.
National Clearinghouse on Abuse in Later Life • www.ncall.us
Source: United States Department of Justice
BOSTON – A Mexican national unlawfully residing in Hudson, Mass. was sentenced in federal court in Boston for illegally reentering the United States after deportation.
Fredi Rios-Nolasco, 34, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Myong J. Joun to six months in prison. The defendant is subject to deportation upon completion of the imposed sentence. In June 2025, Rios-Nolasco pleaded guilty to one count of unlawful reentry of a deported alien. In April of 2025, Rios-Nolasco was indicted by a federal grand jury.
On March 6, 2025, immigration authorities lodged a detainer against Rios-Nolasco after he was arrested by the Hudson Police Department and charged in Marlborough District Court for trafficking 200 grams or more of cocaine. Fingerprints taken during his arrest matched biometrics from his prior removals.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Patricia H. Hyde, Acting Field Office Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations in Boston made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Luke A. Goldworm of the Major Crimes Unit prosecuted the case.
Source: United States Airforce
The visit allowed USTRANSCOM and AMC the opportunity to highlight how the commands are ready to project, maneuver and sustain the joint force anytime, anywhere in support of national objectives.
Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Matthew Dundas, age 26, of Petersburgh, New York, pled guilty on Tuesday to money order fraud. Acting United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III and Matthew M. Modafferi, Special Agent in Charge of the Northeast Area Field Office of the United States Postal Service, Office of Inspector General (“USPS-OIG”), made the announcement.
Dundas admitted that between January 2023 and September 2024, while he was employed with the USPS, he fraudulently issued 105 money orders to himself without paying for them, and stole $76,976.61 from the United States.
Acting United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III stated: “Stealing from the government is a serious crime under any circumstance, but it is especially shocking when the perpetrator is a public servant engaged in self-dealing. We thank the Office of Inspector General for its continued efforts to root out fraud from within.”
USPS-OIG Special Agent in Charge Matthew M. Modafferi stated, “The Special Agents of the United States Postal Service Office of Inspector General will continue to maintain the integrity of the U.S. Postal Service and its personnel. Our office will continue to vigorously investigate Postal Service employees who violate the public’s trust. This case serves as an excellent example of the successful collaboration between the USPS OIG and the U.S Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of New York to pursue and prosecute Postal Service employees involved in criminal activity. The USPS OIG is thankful for the great longstanding relationships we have with the U.S. Attorney’s Office to combat fraud.”
Sentencing is scheduled for January 14, 2026, before U.S. District Judge Anne M. Nardacci. Dundas faces a maximum term of 5 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release of up to 3 years. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is convicted of violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors.
The USPS-OIG is investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander Wentworth-Ping is prosecuting the case.
Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division
LAS VEGAS – A Las Vegas resident was arrested Tuesday and made her initial court appearance today for allegedly assaulting a flight attendant and intimidating other flight attendants during a flight to Las Vegas, Nevada.
According to allegations contained in the criminal complaint and statements made in court, on September 16, 2025, Ketty J. Dilone was a passenger aboard an American Airlines flight from Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, to Las Vegas, connecting through Charlotte, North Carolina. On the flight from Charlotte to Las Vegas, Dilone was walking down the aisle and yelling. She allegedly started to verbally threaten multiple flight attendants. Due to Dilone’s disruptive and threatening behavior, she had to be restrained in her seat with zip ties and duct tape. She allegedly kicked a flight attendant causing the flight attendant to fall. When the flight arrived at Las Vegas Harry Reid International Airport, Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department officers responded and took Dilone into custody.
Dilone is charged with one-count of interference with a flight crew and one-count of assault by striking, beating, or wounding.
United States Magistrate Judge Elayna J. Youchah scheduled a preliminary hearing for October 1, 2025.
If convicted, the maximum statutory penalty is 20 years of imprisonment. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Acting United States Attorney Sigal Chattah for the District of Nevada and Special Agent in Charge Christopher S. Delzotto for the FBI Las Vegas Division made the announcement.
The FBI and the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Tina Snellings is prosecuting the case.
If you’ve been the victim of a crime committed aboard an aircraft or have witnessed one take place, report it to your flight crew, airport authority police, and the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (225-5324) or tips.fbi.gov.
A complaint is merely an accusation, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
###
Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division
George Thomas, 72, formerly of Fresno and Clovis, was sentenced today to 10 years in prison for selling thousands of stolen catalytic converters for millions of dollars in profits and conducting financial transactions to conceal those illicit profits, U.S. Attorney Eric Grant announced today.
“George Thomas fueled a black market for stolen catalytic converters that victimized hardworking people who were forced to either pay thousands of dollars to replace their converters or go without their vehicles,” said U.S. Attorney Grant. “Thomas thought that he could cover his tracks, lie to the jury, and get away with it. Not so. Today’s sentencing shows that there will be significant consequences for such behavior. My Office will continue to partner with law enforcement to take out organized criminal networks like this one.”
“This case was truly a team effort. When local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies work together, we can eradicate crime in the communities we serve,” Special Agent in Charge Sid Patel of the FBI Sacramento Field Office explained. “Catalytic converter theft was a pervasive problem in the greater Fresno area, largely because of George Thomas’s multi-million-dollar criminal scheme. Together, justice was served.”
“Clovis Police Department detectives worked diligently on this lengthy investigation,” said Clovis Police Detective Corporal Kedric Anderson. “After Thomas’ arrest, we observed immediate results, leading to a significant reduction in catalytic converter thefts throughout our community. We extend our gratitude to the FBI for their valuable partnership in this investigation. The Clovis Police Department remains committed to protecting the community through proactive investigations and strong partnerships with federal agencies.”
A jury convicted Thomas of dealing in stolen converters and engaging in unlawful financial transactions on March 27, 2025, following a four-day trial that included over 120 exhibits and testimony from more than 15 witnesses. The evidence showed that, from January 2021 through November 2022, Thomas purchased stolen converters from a group of recurring thieves in the Fresno area who cut the converters off people’s vehicles. The sales occurred in the parking lots of motels, gas stations, and similar places at all hours of the day and night.
Thomas gave the thieves instructions on the types of converters he was looking for and how to best cut the converters off vehicles. He also loaned the thieves money to pay for their motel rooms, saws, and bail. The loans were contingent on the thieves continuing to steal for him.
After law enforcement officers executed an initial search at Thomas’ home and storage unit in mid-2021, Thomas continued with the illegal activities and tried to cover up the illegal activity by taking photographs of the thieves and their IDs each time he made the sales, requesting Vehicle Identification Numbers (VIN) for the vehicles from which the converters were supposedly cut, and having the thieves sign pieces of paper stating that the converters were not stolen.
But Thomas did not actually change anything. For example, he continued conducting sales in the same places with the same thieves. He allowed the thieves to use fake and stolen IDs and provide him with false VINs. In some instances when the thieves did not provide VINs, he went out on his own after the sales were completed and collected VINs from random vehicles. Thomas also completed sales to undercover law enforcement where he said that he did not care where the VINs or converters came from.
The following are examples of photographs of Thomas purchasing stolen converters from thieves, along with the stolen converters that were found at his home and storage unit.
Thomas drove the stolen converters to Oregon where he sold them to a metal recycling company for more than $2.7 million. The recycling company paid Thomas by wire transfer. He then withdrew the money from his bank accounts through hundreds of cash withdrawals that were under the $10,000 reporting threshold. The jury found that these transactions were designed to conceal his illegal activities.
After Thomas was arrested in April 2023, reports of converter theft in the Fresno area decreased by more than 90 percent.
This case was the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Clovis Police Department, and the Fresno Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joseph Barton and Justin Gilio prosecuted the case.
Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division
OAKLAND – A federal jury today convicted former Antioch police officer Devon Wenger of one count of conspiracy against rights. The jury’s verdict follows a seven-day trial before Senior U.S. District Judge Jeffrey S. White.
Wenger, 33, was previously employed as a police officer with the Antioch Police Department. According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Wenger conspired with other Antioch Police Department officers to use unreasonable force to injure, oppress, threaten, or intimidate residents of Antioch, California.
“Public trust must be at the forefront of the duty to protect. By using unnecessary and unreasonable force under the guise of law enforcement, Wenger betrayed the community he was entrusted to protect. Officers who hold themselves above the law and dishonor their oath of office will be held to account. The people of Antioch deserve no less,” said United States Attorney Craig H. Missakian.
“Today’s conviction makes clear that when an officer violates the civil rights of those he was sworn to protect, it will not be overlooked or excused. This marks the second time a jury has held Devon Wenger accountable, and it reflects the FBI’s commitment to pursuing justice in every instance where authority is abused. We will continue working with our partners to ensure that those who betray the public’s trust face consequences,” said FBI Acting Special Agent in Charge Agustin Lopez.
According to the evidence at trial, Wenger and two other Antioch Police Department officers, Morteza Amiri and Eric Rombough, communicated with each other and others about using and intending to use excessive force against individuals in and around Antioch. The uses of excessive force included deployment of a K9, deployment of a 40mm “less lethal” launcher, and other unnecessary violence. The evidence showed that Wenger and others deployed uses of force as punishment to subjects beyond any punishment appropriately imposed by the criminal justice system. Wenger also withheld details about uses of excessive force from police reports and other official documents.
The jury convicted Wenger of one count of conspiracy against rights in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 241. The court dismissed a second count that charged Wenger with deprivation of rights under color of law in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 242.
Wenger was previously convicted of conspiracy to distribute steroids and obstruction of justice following a jury trial in April 2025.
The Court ordered Wenger remanded to custody pending sentencing, which is scheduled for Dec. 2, 2025. He faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison. Any sentence will be imposed by the Court only after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of a sentence, 18 U.S.C. § 3553.
The case is being prosecuted by the National Security & Special Prosecutions Section and the Oakland Branch of the United States Attorney’s Office. This prosecution is the result of an investigation by the FBI and the Office of the Contra Costa County District Attorney.
* * *
These civil rights charges against Wenger were brought as part of an investigation into the Antioch and Pittsburg police departments that resulted in multiple charges against 10 current and former officers and employees of these two police departments for various crimes ranging from the use of excessive force to fraud. The status of these cases, all of which are before Senior U.S. District Judge Jeffrey S. White, is below:
| Case Name and Number | Statute(s) |
Defendant (Bold: multiple case numbers) |
Status |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Fraud 23-cr-00264 |
18 U.S.C. §§ 1349 (Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud; 1343 (Wire Fraud) | Patrick Berhan | Sentenced to 30 months custody, 2 years supervised release concurrent with 24-cr-157 on 9/5/24 |
| Morteza Amiri | Sentenced to 84 months custody, 3 years supervised release concurrent with 23-cr-269 on 6/24/25 | ||
| Amanda Theodosy a/k/a Nash | Sentenced to 3 months custody, 3 years supervised release 11/15/24 | ||
| Samantha Peterson | Sentenced to time served, 3 years supervised release 4/24/24 | ||
| Ernesto Mejia-Orozco | Sentenced to 3 months custody, 3 years supervised release on 9/19/24 | ||
| Brauli Jalapa Rodriguez | Sentenced to 3 months custody, 3 years supervised release on 10/25/24 | ||
|
Obstruction 23-cr-00267 |
18 U.S.C. §§ 1519 (Destruction, Alteration, and Falsification of Records in Federal Investigations); 1512(c)(2) (Obstruction of Official Proceedings); 242 (Deprivation of Rights Under Color of Law) | Timothy Manly Williams | Pleaded guilty 11/28/23, status conference 10/7/25 |
|
Steroid Distribution 23-cr-00268 |
21 U.S.C. §§ 846 (Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute Anabolic Steroids), 841(a)(1), and (b)(1)(E)(i) (Possession with Intent to Distribute Anabolic Steroids) | Daniel Harris | Pleaded guilty 9/17/24, status conference 10/7/25 |
|
21 U.S.C. §§ 846, 841(a)(1), and (b)(1)(E)(i) (Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute Anabolic Steroids); 18 U.S.C.§ 1519 (Destruction, Alteration, and Falsification of Records in Federal Investigations) |
Devon Wenger | Convicted at trial 4/30/25, sentencing pending | |
|
Civil Rights 23-cr-00269 |
18 U.S.C. §§ 241 (Conspiracy Against Rights), 242 (Deprivation of Rights Under Color of Law); § 1519 (Destruction, Alteration, and Falsification of Records in Federal Investigations) | Morteza Amiri | Sentenced to 84 months custody, 3 years supervised release concurrent with 23-cr-264 on 6/24/25 |
| 18 U.S.C. §§ 241 (Conspiracy Against Rights), 242 (Deprivation of Rights Under Color of Law) | Eric Rombough | Pleaded guilty 1/14/25, status conference 10/7/25 | |
| 18 U.S.C. §§ 241 (Conspiracy Against Rights), 242 (Deprivation of Rights Under Color of Law) | Devon Wenger | Convicted at trial 9/18/25, sentencing 12/2/25 | |
|
Steroid Distribution 24-cr-00157 |
21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(E)(i) (Possession with Intent to Distribute Anabolic Steroids) | Patrick Berhan | Sentenced to 30 months custody, 2 years supervised release concurrent with 23-cr-264 on 9/5/24 |
|
Bank fraud 24-cr-00502 |
18 U.S.C. § 1344(1), (2) (Bank fraud) | Daniel Harris | Pleaded guilty 9/17/24, status conference 10/7/25 |
Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division
HOUSTON – A 21-year-old Houston man has been sentenced for his role in multiple gunpoint robberies, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.
Danial Starr pleaded guilty March 20 to two counts of aiding and abetting robbery and two counts of aiding and abetting the brandishing of a firearm during the commission of the crimes.
U.S. District Judge David Hittner has now ordered Starr to a 70-month-term of imprisonment for his involvement in a series of robberies. He also received 168 months for the firearms charges, which must be served consecutively to the other sentence imposed. The total 238-month prison term will be immediately followed by three years of supervised release. The court also imposed $1,960 in restitution to the victims for all the money he and his accomplices stole.
“Hard-working, law-abiding people should be able to go about their day without having their lives threatened in armed robberies,” said Ganjei. “This sentence was richly deserved. A difficult childhood is not an excuse for committing crime-plenty of people with similar upbringings manage to lead productive lives and not stick guns in other people’s faces. If you are thinking about committing robbery in the Southern District of Texas, you’d better think twice.”
At the hearing, the court heard additional evidence describing Starr’s challenging upbringing as an orphan in the foster care system. Despite this background, the court emphasized that the victims had experienced significant trauma during the robberies and would carry those memories with them.
On Jan. 27, 2024, Starr robbed three Houston-area smoke shops and a liquor store along with three other men, former high school classmates and peers. Calvin Deshazo and others distracted store employees by pretending to be customers, Starr entered the stores wearing a mask and brandishing a firearm, demanding cash.
Approximately two days later, Starr targeted the Spring Smoke Shop on Veteran’s Memorial Drive, one of the same locations he had robbed earlier. Patrick Norman acted as a lookout while Starr once again threatened an employee with a firearm, swiftly stealing cash and smoke products.
Deshazo, 19, previously pleaded guilty to his role in the robberies and was ordered to serve a total sentence of 112 months in federal prison July 11.
Norman, 20, was convicted after a three-day trial by jury of aiding and abetting the smoke shop robbery on Jan. 29, 2024, and sentenced to 33 months in federal prison July 24.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Harris County Sheriff’s Office and Texas Department of Public Safety conducted the joint investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Francisco J. Rodriguez and Anh-Khoa Tran prosecuted the case.
Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division
A federal grand jury returned an indictment today against Cole Bradley Martin, 39, of Vallejo, charging him with being a felon in possession of firearm, U.S. Attorney Eric Grant announced.
According to court documents, on Aug. 14, 2025, Martin possessed a Springfield XD 9 mm pistol and a KelTec P32 .32‑caliber pistol. Martin is prohibited from possessing firearms because of prior felony convictions in Solano County including, possessing a controlled substance and robbery in the first degree.
This case is the product of an investigation by the Solano County Sheriff’s Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Zulkar Khan is prosecuting the case.
If convicted, Martin faces a maximum statutory penalty of 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. The charges are only allegations; the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
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).
This case is also part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the U.S. Department of Justice launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit Justice.gov/PSN