Source: United States Department of Justice
HONOLULU – United States Attorney Ken Sorenson announced that John Junior Fritz, 48, of Waimanalo, Hawaii, was sentenced yesterday by Senior United States District Judge J. Michael Seabright to 120 months in federal prison for possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine, followed by 5 years of supervised release.
Source: United States Department of Justice
HONOLULU – United States Attorney Ken Sorenson announced that David Yamamoto, 28, of Waipahu, Hawaii, was sentenced yesterday by United States District Judge Shanlyn A.S. Park to 264 months in federal prison for the production of child pornography, followed by 10 years of supervised release.
Source: United States Department of Justice
SAN DIEGO – Ricky Jesus Rodriguez and his daughter, Jasmine Rodriguez, pleaded guilty in federal court today, admitting they participated in a months-long conspiracy to smuggle banned refrigerants from Mexico into the United States on behalf of American air conditioning companies. Ricky Rodriguez admitted that he was paid tens of thousands of dollars to coordinate the smuggling of R-22, a hydrochlorofluorocarbon long banned from production and import in the United States. He admitted that he recruited others, including his daughter, to join the smuggling ring, and helped coordinate her role as well.
Source: United States Department of Justice
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – DAVID MOREL (“MOREL”), age 43, of New Orleans, was sentenced on October 14, 2026, for Possession of Materials Involving the Sexual Exploitation of Minors, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 2252(a)(4)(B) and (a)(2), announced U.S. Attorney David I. Courcelle.
Source: United States Department of Justice
U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Michael Herrera, 45, of the Bronx, NY, who was convicted of conspiracy to commit bank fraud and aggravated identity theft, was sentenced to serve 54 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara.
Source: United States Department of Justice
U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Patrick Kerwin, 43, of Java Center, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge John L. Sinatra, Jr. to possession of child pornography involving a prepubescent minor. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Source: United States Department of Justice
BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that James R. Muench Jr., 47, of Depew, NY, who was convicted of entering aircraft or aircraft area, was sentenced to serve five years’ probation and ordered to pay a $5,000 fine by U.S. Magistrate Judge H. Kenneth Schroeder, Jr.
Source: United States Department of Justice
Somerset Lifesciences Inc. (Somerset) has agreed to pay $4 million to resolve common law claims for causing Medicare Part D (Medicare) to pay for its prescription-only (Rx-only) generic drug Olopatadine when it was no longer eligible for Medicare coverage. Medicare does not cover drugs that can be purchased by retail customers over-the-counter (OTC) without a prescription. In 2020, the brand name version of Olopatadine switched from Rx-only to OTC, and Somerset was required to change Olopatadine’s label from Rx-only to OTC as well. Instead, Somerset continued to label and sell Olopatadine as Rx-only and caused Medicare to wrongfully pay claims for an OTC drug.
“Today’s resolution underscores the Department’s commitment to safeguarding federal healthcare programs,” said Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “When companies cause Medicare to pay for products that are not eligible for coverage, the Department will act decisively to remedy that misconduct.”
Olopatadine (olopatadine hydrochloride ophthalmic solution USP, 0.1%) is the generic drug version of the brand name eyedrop Pataday Twice Daily Relief (olopatadine hydrochloride) ophthalmic solution, 0.1% (Pataday). Before February 2020, Pataday and Olopatadine were covered by Medicare and only available with a prescription. In February 2020, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the sale of Pataday OTC. Generally, a generic drug’s label must mirror the label for its brand name drug. When Pataday’s label switched from Rx-only to OTC, Somerset was required to change Olopatadine’s label to OTC as well. Somerset, however, did not and continued to label and sell Olopatadine as Rx-only. By continuing to label and sell Olopatadine as Rx-only, Somerset caused Medicare to pay for Olopatadine claims by mistake. This action unjustly enriched Somerset.
This year the Administration launched the Task Force to Eliminate Fraud and the National Fraud Enforcement Division to enhance the administration’s war on fraud, waste, and abuse in federal programs. When unscrupulous actors exploit these programs for their own financial gain, they defraud the government, harm the people these programs are designed to aid and protect, and undermine American businesses that play by the rules. The Civil Division’s False Claims Act (FCA) enforcement plays a critical role in combatting such fraudulent schemes, recovering billions of dollars for the American taxpayers, and holding wrongdoers accountable. FCA matters will continue to be on the forefront of the battle against fraud, and the Civil Division’s FCA work will support and advance the mission of the Task Force to Eliminate Fraud and the National Fraud Enforcement Division.
The investigation and resolution of this matter illustrate the government’s emphasis on combating healthcare fraud. One of the most powerful tools in this effort is the FCA. Tips and complaints from all sources about potential fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement, can be reported to the Department of Health and Human Services at 800-HHS-TIPS (800-447-8477).
This matter is being handled by Fraud Section Trial Attorney Vince Vaccarella.
Except for the admissions contained in the settlement agreement, the claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only and there has been no determination of liability.
Source: United States Department of Justice
On October 13 and 14, 2026, Vikki Bradt, age 51, a British National, of Ballston Spa, NY, Samantha Merkle, age 55, a British National of Glens Falls, NY, Suad Sasic, age 30, a Bosnian National of Clifton Park, NY, Jacques Patry, age 64, a Canadian National of Tupper Lake, NY, and Paula Stitt, age 57, a Canadian National of Albany, NY, appeared on charges of voting by aliens. All defendants are lawful permanent residents. First Assistant United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III and Anthony Patrone, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Buffalo Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) made the announcement.
Source: United States Department of Justice
HONOLULU – United States Attorney Ken Sorenson announced that Heidi Cafirma, 46, of Waipahu, Hawaii, was sentenced on September 30, 2026, by United States District Judge Shanlyn A.S. Park to 24 months in prison followed by 3 years of supervised release for filing false tax returns and wire fraud.