Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

This case was investigated by the Marion County Sheriff’s Office and Homeland Security Investigations. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Sarah Janette Swartzberg.

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

Scheme involved foreign IT workers in China, posing as U.S. citizens, obtaining remote IT positions at more than a dozen U.S. companies

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

Ocala, Florida – United States District Judge Thomas P. Barber has sentenced Jose Raul Andreu Rodriguez (23, Gainesville) to 10 years in federal prison for attempted enticement of a minor to engage in sexual activity and attempted transfer of obscene material to a minor. Andreu Rodriguez pleaded guilty on May 23, 2025.

According to court documents, an undercover agent from Homeland Security Investigations posed online as a 13-year-old girl on a social media platform. Andreu Rodriguez contacted the undercover agent’s account. On November 14, 2024, after learning the girl’s age, Andreu Rodriguez engaged in a graphic sexual conversation and sent multiple explicit videos of himself. Andreu Rodriguez then arranged to meet the minor for sexual activity at a predetermined location in Marion County. When Andreu Rodriguez traveled to that location, he was arrested by law enforcement.

This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the Marion County Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Sarah Janette Swartzberg.

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

ANCHORAGE, Alaska – An Anchorage man was sentenced today to 15 years in prison for trafficking large quantities of illicit narcotics in Anchorage and for possessing a firearm in furtherance of his drug trafficking crimes.

According to court documents, in February 2024, Thurman Reed, 67, sold roughly six grams of fentanyl analogue and six grams of heroin. In March 2024, Reed also sold over 27 grams of a mixture containing methamphetamine. One week later, Reed sold over 49 grams of heroin. In May 2024, Reed also sold over 311 grams of methamphetamine.

In late May 2024, the FBI and Anchorage Police Department (APD) executed a search warrant on Reed’s residence and a storage unit, recovering a cumulative total of over 10 kilograms of pure methamphetamine, 245 grams of fentanyl, 485 grams of heroin and 15 grams of cocaine.

The FBI and APD also recovered a firearm at Reed’s residence during the search. The firearm was found inside a backpack that contained distribution quantities of dangerous drugs and a digital scale. At the time of the search, Reed had seven prior felony convictions.

On Aug. 14, 2025, Reed pleaded guilty to one count of possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. 

“Mr. Reed was clearly undeterred by his seven prior felony convictions and chose to stockpile and distribute large quantities of dangerous drugs in Alaska, putting our communities at significant risk,” said U.S. Attorney Michael J. Heyman for the District of Alaska. “My office is resolute in its commitment to target and prosecute drug traffickers for the crimes that are devastating our communities.”

“Over the course of our investigation, the FBI and APD seized a stockpile of deadly drugs, including over 22 pounds of methamphetamine that this seven-time convicted felon had intended for distribution in Alaska,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Brandon Waddle of the FBI Anchorage Field Office. “Now, Reed’s days of menacing our community are over. We will continue working with our partners at every level to hold drug traffickers accountable.”

“I want to thank the FBI and the Anchorage High-Intensity Drug Tracking Area (HIDTA) Unit for their steadfast dedication in the aggressive pursuit of those trafficking deadly drugs within Alaska.  I also want to thank the U.S. Attorney’s office for prosecuting these cases so there is accountability for outrageous acts in our community.  This case is a very clear example of our commitment to reducing the drugs in this community that have had such a devastating impact. People involved in this level of distribution should be investigated, prosecuted, and placed in jail for long periods of time so they will not continue to cause harm,” said Chief Sean Case of the Anchorage Police Department.

The FBI Anchorage Field Office and APD investigated the case as part of the Anchorage High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Unit.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Ainsley McNerney prosecuted the case.

###

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

Ocala, Florida – United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announces the return of an indictment charging Reshawn Graham (36, Ocala) and Tyrone Pierson (29, Ocala) with possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. If convicted, each faces a minimum sentence of 10 years, up to life, in federal prison.  

According to court documents, on October 7, 2025, an undercover law enforcement officer negotiated the purchase of a pound of methamphetamine with Graham. Later that day, Pierson met with the undercover officer and told her the source of supply was delayed. The next day, Graham again reached out to the undercover officer and stated that Pierson now had the methamphetamine. Afterward, Graham and Pierson were arrested by law enforcement at a predetermined meeting location. Pierson was wearing a bag that contained approximately 438 grams of methamphetamine.

An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.

This case was investigated by the Marion County Unified Drug Enforcement Strike Team and the Drug Enforcement Administration. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Sarah Janette Swartzberg.

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

CLEVELAND – A Cuyahoga County man has been sentenced to prison for his role in a large-scale drug trafficking operation that mass produced thousands of illegal pills which were then distributed throughout Ohio.

Thomas Taylor, 43, of Cleveland, was sentenced to 210 months (17.5 years) in prison by U.S. District Judge Donald C. Nugent after pleading guilty in July to the following charges as outlined in the second superseding indictment:

• Conspiracy to Distribute and to Possess with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance.
• Distribution of a Controlled Substance.
• Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance.
• Maintaining Drug Premises.
• Felon in Possession of Firearms and Ammunition; prior convictions include Felon in Possession of a Firearm in 2019; and Drug Trafficking in 2013 and 2007.

Taylor was also ordered to serve 10 years of supervised release after imprisonment and pay $10,000 in fines. Judge Nugent imposed the sentence Dec. 3.

According to court documents and evidence presented in court, Taylor led a major drug trafficking operation in northern Ohio. He recruited numerous individuals to help run his manufacturing operation to make fentanyl pills using ingredients he sourced from contacts in Mexico. Taylor maintained pill pressing equipment at several residences throughout the Greater Cleveland area that could make hundreds of thousands of fentanyl pills each day. During the investigation agents seized several firearms and ammunition, large sums of cash, and drug paraphernalia such as scales and plastic bags. In total, more than 3 kilograms of fentanyl, 2 kilograms of methamphetamine, and ½ kilogram of cocaine was also seized.

Co-defendant Noreece Young, 53, also of Cleveland, previously pleaded guilty to his role in the conspiracy and is currently serving a 180-month (15 year) prison sentence.

This case was investigated by the FBI Cleveland Division and the Southeast Area Law Enforcement Narcotics Task Force.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Payum Doroodian for the Northern District of Ohio.

Source: United States Department of Justice

Note: View settlement here.

Clinical laboratory NEXT Bio-Research Services LLC, doing business as NEXT Molecular Analytics (NEXT), of Chester, Virginia, has agreed to pay at least $758,000 to the United States to resolve False Claims Act allegations involving illegal kickbacks to doctors and marketers. NEXT has agreed to cooperate with the Department of Justice’s investigations of, and litigation against, other participants in the alleged schemes.

“This settlement shows DOJ’s commitment to rooting out illegal kickback schemes that have no place in our federal health care programs,” said Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “The Department is committed to pursuing these important investigations and health care fraud enforcement across the board.”

“Physicians should make decisions based the best interests of their patients, not their own personal financial interests,” said U.S. Attorney Eric Grant for the Eastern District of California. “This settlement demonstrates my office’s commitment to taking all appropriate action to prevent improper inducements that can corrupt the integrity of physician-patient relationships.”

“Violations of the Anti-Kickback Statute are not victimless crimes — they compromise the integrity of medical decision-making and betray the trust patients place in their providers,” stated Deputy Inspector General for Investigations Christian J. Schrank of the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). “When health care decisions are shaped by hidden financial motives, patients may be misled, unnecessary services may be rendered, and taxpayer-funded programs may be manipulated for personal gain. HHS-OIG is resolutely committed to holding participants in federal health care programs fully accountable to the law.”

The Anti-Kickback Statute prohibits offering, paying, soliciting, or receiving remuneration to induce referrals of items or services covered by Medicare, Medicaid, and other federally funded health care programs. It is intended to ensure that medical providers’ judgments are not compromised by improper financial incentives and are instead based on the best interests of their patients.

Under the settlement with the United States, NEXT has agreed to pay $758,000, plus additional amounts if certain financial contingencies occur. The settlement resolves allegations that NEXT knowingly and willfully paid kickbacks to induce laboratory testing referrals. NEXT allegedly paid doctors in Texas and Arkansas thousands of dollars in kickbacks, which were disguised as consulting fees and medical director fees but actually were offered to induce the doctor to order NEXT laboratory tests. NEXT also allegedly paid commissions based on the volume and value of referrals to certain independent contractor marketers to arrange for and recommend that doctors order NEXT laboratory tests. The settlement resolves allegations that NEXT billed Medicare, Medicaid, and TRICARE for the laboratory tests despite knowing of these kickbacks.

The settlement resolves certain allegations in a lawsuit originally filed by Sunil Wadhwa and Ken Newton under the whistleblower provisions of the False Claims Act, which permit private parties to sue on behalf of the government and receive a share of any recovery. Relators will receive $113,700 of the proceeds from the settlement. The qui tam case is captioned United States ex rel. Wadhwa and Newton v. Admera Health LLC, et al. (E.D. Cal.).

The settlement announced today was the result of a coordinated effort between the Civil Division’s Commercial Litigation Branch, Fraud Section and the U.S. Attorney’s Offices for the District of New Jersey and the Eastern District of California, with assistance from HHS-OIG. It was handled by Trial Attorneys Christopher Terranova and Elizabeth J. Kappakas in the Civil Division’s Commercial Litigation Branch, Fraud Section, Assistant U.S. Attorney Kruti Dharia for the District of New Jersey, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Catherine J. Swann for the Eastern District of California. The United States previously settled related allegations with NEXT’s National Sales Director and NEXT’s independent contractor marketers OC Genetic Consultants Inc. and Ralston Health Group Inc.

The government’s pursuit of these matters illustrates its emphasis on combating health care fraud. One of the most powerful tools in this effort is the False Claims Act. 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 1-800-HHS-TIPS (800-447-8477).

The claims resolved by the settlements are allegations only, and there has been no determination of liability.

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

SIOUX FALLS – United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced today that Chief Judge Roberto A. Lange, U.S. District Court, has sentenced a Sioux Falls, South Dakota, man convicted of Failure to Register as a Sex Offender.  The sentencing took place on December 1, 2025.

Willard Menard, 61, was sentenced to nine months in federal prison to be served consecutively to a state prison sentence of two years, followed by five years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Menard was indicted Failure to Register as a Sex Offender by a federal grand jury in May 2025.  He pleaded guilty on September 2, 2025.

Menard was previously convicted of a federal sex offense.  Because of his prior conviction, he was required to register as a sex offender. Menard was aware of his obligation to register and to keep his registration current with officials within the county in which he resided.  From early January through April 2025, Menard knowingly failed to register and update his registration.

This case was investigated by the U.S. Marshals Service.  Assistant U.S. Jeremy Jehangiri prosecuted the case.

Menard was immediately returned to state custody to continue serving a state sentence.  Following that term of imprisonment, he will be remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service to serve his federal sentence.

This case was brought as a 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 the U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Unit prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – An Overland Park, Ks., man pleaded guilty in federal court today to illegally possessing a fully automatic pistol.

Verdell D. Mays, 30, of Overland Park, Ks. pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Stephen R. Bough to one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm and possession of a machinegun.

By pleading guilty today, Mays admitted on June 28, 2025, he possessed a Glock, Model 22C, .40 caliber fully automatic pistol and that the Glock pistol had a rear slide plate that was modified to produce automatic fire. Mays is prohibited from possessing firearms because he has prior felony convictions, including a prior conviction in federal court for being an unlawful user of a controlled substance in possession of a firearm.

Under federal statutes, Mays is subject to a sentence of up to 25 years in federal prison without parole.  The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors.  A sentencing hearing is scheduled for April 2, 2026, after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica Jennings. It was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Cass County, Missouri Sheriff’s Office.

Operation Take Back America

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

Earlier today, in federal court in Brooklyn, Marcus Pittman, also known as “Nacho” and “Cheese,” pleaded guilty to discharging a firearm and causing a death through the use of a firearm in connection with the kidnapping, robbery, and murder of a marijuana dealer on July 25, 2024.  When sentenced, he faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years’ imprisonment and up to life in prison.  Today’s proceeding was held before United States District Judge Kiyo A. Matsumoto. 

Joseph Nocella, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York; Christopher G. Raia, Assistant Director in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI); and Jessica S. Tisch, Commissioner, New York City Police Department (NYPD) announced the guilty plea.

“Today, the defendant pleaded guilty to an execution-style, drug-related killing carried out in the rear of a U-Haul van in brutal fashion,” stated United States Attorney Nocella.  “Marcus Pittman was the trigger man of this robbery crew that traveled to our District for the purpose of kidnapping and robbing marijuana dealers.  I commend our excellent prosecutors, the FBI Special Agents, and NYPD detectives whose outstanding work has brought all six defendants to justice for their brutal crimes.”

“With five other defendants, Marcus Pittman orchestrated a kidnapping and armed robbery of two local marijuana dealers before executing a restrained captive in the back of a U-Haul,” stated FBI Assistant Director in Charge Raia.  “Pittman demonstrated an utter disregard for human life by shooting a defenseless rival in cold blood.  May today’s plea send a message that the FBI and our law enforcement partners will hold accountable anyone who travels to our city to wage unnecessary violence and death.”

According to court filings and statements by the defendant at the guilty plea proceeding, during the night of July 24, 2024 and into July 25, 2024, Marcus Pittman and his co-defendants carried out a violent armed robbery and kidnapping plot that resulted in the defendant shooting and killing John Doe #1 inside of a U-Haul van in Bayside, Queens.

Specifically, Marcus Pittman and his co-defendants drove up from Maryland to New York for the purpose of robbing John Doe #1 and John Doe #2, who were both drug dealers.  Once in New York, co-defendants Jerome Waters and William Barnett met with John Doe #1 and John Doe #2 at a stash house in Queens under the guise of purchasing marijuana.

Moments later, Waters and Barnett pulled out their weapons and held up John Doe #1 and John Doe #2.  They then brought Marcus Pittman and his brother Delonta Pittman into the stash house to assist in the robbery and kidnapping.  While in the stash house, Marcus Pittman and his co-defendants restrained John Doe #1 and John Doe #2 with zip ties and forced them outside and into the back of a Jeep and a U-Haul van.  At the same time, Marcus Pittman and his co-defendants stole approximately 30 pounds of marijuana from the stash house.

Marcus Pittman and his co-defendants drove John Doe #1 and John Doe #2, who were still restrained, through Queens at gunpoint, demanding drugs and money.  Co-defendant Jalon Garrett held a gun to John Doe #2 in one vehicle while Marcus Pittman held John Doe #1 at gunpoint in the back of a U-Haul van driven by Calvin Israel. Soon thereafter, Marcus Pittman shot John Doe #1 to death in the rear compartment of the U-Haul van.  After the shooting, the defendants returned to Maryland. When John Doe #1’s body was later found by first responders, he still had a zip tie binding one of his hands and was surrounded by bags of marijuana.    

Co-defendants Barnett, Delonta Pittman, Waters, Garrett, and Israel all previously pleaded guilty for their roles in the crime, and are awaiting sentencing.

This case was brought as 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 make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.  As part of the program, U.S. Attorneys’ Offices work in partnership with federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement and their local communities to develop effective, locally based strategies to reduce violent crime. 

The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s International Narcotics and Money Laundering Section.  Assistant United States  Attorneys Chand Edwards-Balfour and Adam Amir are in charge of the prosecution.

Defendant:

MARCUS PITTMAN (also known as “Nacho” and “Cheese”)
Age:  30
Baltimore, Maryland

Defendants Who Previously Pleaded Guilty:

DELONTA PITTMAN (also known as “D Lo”)
Age:  31
Maryland

JEROME WATERS (also known as “the Engineer” and “Rome”)
Age:  23
Baltimore, Maryland

CALVIN ISRAEL
Age:  23
Baltimore, Maryland

WILLIAM BARNETT
Age:  27
Baltimore, Maryland

JALON LENNY GARRETT
Age: 20
Baltimore, Maryland

E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 24-CR-413 (S-2) (KAM)