Stoneham Man Indicted for Using an Explosive to Damage Bank ATM

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

BOSTON – A Stoneham man was indicted by a federal grand jury on Nov. 20, 2025 for allegedly using an explosive to damage an ATM in Woburn, Mass.

Christopher Silva, 43, was indicted on one count of maliciously damaging by means of an explosive real property used in and affecting interstate commerce. Silva was arrested and charged by complaint in October 2025 and remains in custody pending trial. He will be arraigned in federal court in Boston on Dec. 9, 2025.

According to the charging documents, shortly after 4:00 a.m. on Sept. 4, 2025, Silva, wearing a blue balaclava over his face and a black jumpsuit, allegedly approached an ATM at Eastern Bank in Woburn. It is alleged that Silva then placed an explosive device on the ATM and ran away. Several seconds later, the device exploded, causing significant damage to the frame and lower right section of the ATM. Silva was allegedly identified through DNA evidence and surveillance footage.

The charge of maliciously damaging by explosive property used in and affecting interstate commerce provides for a sentence of at least five years in prison, up to three 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 that govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; and Colonel Geoffrey D. Noble, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Woburn and Stoneham Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorney Allegra Flamm of the Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.

The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

St. Louis Man Sentenced to 84 Months in Prison on Child Pornography Charge

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

ST. LOUIS – U.S. District Judge Sarah E. Pitlyk on Monday sentenced a St. Louis man who was one of the moderators of an online child sexual abuse material chat group to 84 months in prison and ordered him to pay $10,000 to victims.

David Korte Daues, 37, pleaded guilty in September in U.S. District Court in St. Louis to one count of possession of child pornography. He admitted that he was in about 25 groups that shared CSAM on the messaging app Kik and five on the Wire platform. He said he distributed CSAM in these groups. He also possessed images and videos containing CSAM on two cell phones.

The FBI investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jillian Anderson prosecuted the case.

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 the Department of Justice 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 exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.

Indiana Man Sentenced to 50 Years for Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

INDIANAPOLIS- Bryan Lee Fish, 33, of Mitchell, Indiana, has been sentenced to 50 years in federal prison, followed by a lifetime of supervised release, after pleading guilty to three counts of sexual exploitation of a child and one count of possession of child sexual abuse material.

According to court documents, between June 2022 and September 2023, Fish sexually abused three children under the age of 12, including a toddler, photographed the abuse, and distributed the images online. The victims, all related to Fish, were in his custody and care at the time.

On September 29, 2023, the Indiana State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force received alerts from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children indicating that an X (formerly known as Twitter) account linked to Fish was sharing newly produced child sexual abuse material. A search of his residence uncovered two cell phones containing folders labeled with the victims’ names, explicit images of the children, and more than 3,000 files of child sexual abuse material involving other unidentified minors, including infants and toddlers, as well as CGI and Anime.

Following his arrest, another relative disclosed that Fish had sexually abused her as a child, beginning at age five.

“This predator not only exploited three young children entrusted to his care, but he also preserved and shared that abuse. Distributing these images is especially insidious because it fuels further exploitation, encourages other offenders to create more material through abuse, and ensures the victims are haunted by the knowledge that their worst experiences live on indefinitely for predators’ gratification,” said Tom Wheeler, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. “I am deeply grateful to the ICAC Task Force, NCMEC, and our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners who work tirelessly to protect the most vulnerable in our communities and bring the most heinous offenders to justice.”

“Children should be nurtured and cherished, not victimized and exploited by deranged adults. Let this sentence be a warning to all child sexual predators: You will be caught, and you will be punished for your crimes,” said Special Agent in Charge Ike Barnes, of the U.S. Secret Service’s Indianapolis Field Office. “The U.S. Secret Service is committed to using its resources to protecting children from this type of abuse and to pursuing their abusers. Thank you to our state and federal law enforcement partners and the U.S. Attorney’s Office of the Southern District of Indiana for bringing justice in this case.”

“Child exploitation is among the most heinous and damaging crimes we investigate, and this abhorrent conduct represents a profound betrayal of basic human decency,” said FBI Indianapolis Special Agent in Charge Timothy J. O’Malley. “This 50-year sentence reflects the seriousness of his offenses and ensures he will remain far from any child he could victimize. The FBI is relentless in pursuing offenders who exploit the vulnerable, and we will bring every tool we have to bear to identify them, stop them, and deliver justice for their victims. The message is simple: if you harm a child, we will find you, stop you, and hold you fully accountable.”

“This investigation stands as a powerful testament to Indiana ICAC’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding vulnerable children and bringing offenders to justice,” said Lieutenant Christopher Cecil, commander of the Indiana State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.

The U.S. Secret Service, FBI, Indiana State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office, and Lawrence County Prosecutor’s Office investigated this case. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Court Judge Tanya Walton Pratt.

U.S. Attorney Wheeler thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys MaryAnn T. Mindrum and Carolyn Haney, who prosecuted this case.

This investigation was conducted by the Indiana Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, a multiagency task force led by the Indiana State Police that investigates and prosecutes persons who use the internet to sexually exploit or entice children. Each year, Indiana ICAC investigators evaluate thousands of tips, investigate hundreds of cases, and rescue dozens of children from ongoing sexual abuse. Visit https://www.internetcrimesagainstkids.com to learn more about their efforts.

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 U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, 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.

If you are a victim of child sexual exploitation, please contact your local police department. Resources for victims of child exploitation can be found on our website at https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdin/project-safe-childhood

 

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Alexandria Man Indicted for Bomb Threat to Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – Acting United States Attorney Michael M. Simpson announced that COREY JOHNSON (“JOHNSON”), age 35, a resident of Alexandria, Louisiana, was indicted on November 20, 2025, for willfully conveying a bomb threat, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 844(e).

According to court documents, on November 7, 2025, JOHNSON was arrested at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport after making bomb threats to airport operations following a dispute over unpaid parking fees. JOHNSON called AVCOM twice to announce the presence of a bomb in the airport. Additionally, he threatened to harm the AVCOM operator. This action prompted an investigation by the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation that identified JOHNSON as the caller from the earlier parking lot incident.

If convicted, JOHNSON faces a maximum penalty of up to ten years of imprisonment, up to a $250,000 fine, up to three years of supervised release, and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee.

Acting U.S. Attorney Simpson reiterated that an indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

Acting U.S. Attorney Simpson praised the work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, and the Saint Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Spiro G. Latsis of the General Crimes Unit oversees the prosecution.

This case is 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 Department 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.

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Jacksonville Man Sentenced To 270 Years In Federal Prison For Producing, Distributing, And Possessing Child Sexual Abuse Material

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

Orlando, Florida – U.S. District Judge Paul G. Byron has sentenced Joshua Keith Davis (53, Jacksonville) to 270 years in federal prison for production, distribution, and possession of child sexual abuse material (CSAM). A federal jury found Davis guilty on August 12, 2025.

According to court documents, between 2011 and 2013, Davis produced CSAM depicting infants. He distributed the material to several individuals online. Davis was also found in possession of CSAM in 2022.

This case was investigated by Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Noah P. Dorman and Special Assistant United States Attorney Rachel S. Lyons.

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.

Palmetto Man Sentenced To Over 17 Years In Federal Prison For Distributing Fentanyl While On Supervised Release

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle has sentenced Traveous Anderson (39, Palmetto) to 17 years and 6 months in federal prison for conspiracy and possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl. Anderson pleaded guilty on August 27, 2025. 

According to court documents, agents from the Drug Enforcement Administration conducted three controlled transactions for fentanyl – totaling approximately 28 grams – from Anderson between April and May 2024. On May 22, 2024, Anderson was arrested after bringing an additional 55.9 grams of fentanyl to a hotel in Sarasota. At the time, Anderson was serving a term of federal supervised release in connection with a prior conviction for distributing fentanyl. 

Anderson’s co-defendant, Alexis Soto Escalante, was sentenced to 5 years and 10 months in federal prison on June 18, 2025.

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jeff Chang. 

Defense News in Brief: Update on recent DAF efforts

Source: United States Spaceforce

In a memorandum to commanders, the SecAF and CSAF said: “The Air Force must be prepared to fly and fix so we can fight and win. We will maintain this posture through increased focus on readiness and modernization in a commander-focused service.”

Honduran National Charged With Illegal Reentry

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – Acting U.S. Attorney Michael M. Simpson announced that JOSE LUIS PAZ-BONILLA, age 47, a citizen of Honduras, was charged on November 21, 2025 by bill of information with illegal reentry of a previously removed alien, in violation of 8 U.S.C. ‘ 1326(a).

According to the indictment, JOSE LUIS PAZ-BONILLA reentered the United States on or about November 3, 2025, after having been previously removed on or about September 21, 2000.   

If convicted, JOSE LUIS PAZ-BONILLA faces a maximum term of imprisonment of two years, a fine of up to $250,000.00, up to three years of supervised release after imprisonment, and a $100 mandatory special assessment.

Acting U. S. Attorney Simpson reiterated that a bill of information is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.   

Acting U.S. Attorney Simpson praised the work of the United States Border Patrol in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Irene González is in charge of the prosecution.

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 (OCDETF) and Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN).

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Citizen of the Dominican Republic Sentenced to Prison for Fraud and Immigration Offenses

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that KELVIN PRADO-ROBLES, also known as FRANKELY ROBLES-GUZMAN, 49, a citizen of the Dominican Republic, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Alvin W. Thompson in Hartford to 57 months of imprisonment for fraud and immigration offenses.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Prado-Robles has never held legal immigration status in the U.S.  In January 2008, he was sentenced in the District of Delaware to 24 months of imprisonment for false representation of citizenship, passport fraud, and identity theft offenses.  He was deported to the Dominican Republic in February 2009.  In February 2011, Prado-Robles was arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Newark, New Jersey.  He was again deported in September 2011.

Prado-Robles illegally reentered the U.S. and, beginning in late 2017, conspired with Domingo St. Hilaire Rosario and Jamie Pinto to use stolen identities to obtain vehicles and motorcycles at dealerships in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New Jersey.  As part of the scheme, Rosario arranged for a car or motorcycle to be purchased or leased from a dealership in the name of an identity theft victim, and Prado-Robles or Pinto impersonated the identity theft victim at the dealership to complete the paperwork.  Rosario supplied his co-conspirators with fraudulent identification documents bearing the victim’s personal identifying information, and with a fraudulent photo identification that contained the identifying information of the victim and a photograph of a co-conspirator.  The conspirators intended to sell or export the vehicles.

Through this scheme, they acquired at least 13 vehicles and attempted to acquire at least two more.  Some of the vehicles were recovered by law enforcement and returned to the dealers.  The thefts caused more than $200,000 in losses to the dealerships.

Rosario and Prado-Robles fled to the Dominican Republic in approximately 2018.

Prado-Robles was arrested in New Mexico in June 2023 and, under the name “Kelvin Prado-Roble,” was charged in the District of New Mexico with illegal reentry.  He pleaded guilty to the offense and, in November 2023, was sentenced to 10 months of imprisonment.  He was transferred to the District of Connecticut in June 2024 and is currently detained.

On August 8, 2025, Prado-Robles pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and one count of reentry of a removed alien.

Rosario was extradited from the Dominican Republic in May 2020, pleaded guilty to fraud and identity theft offenses and, on October 20, 2021, was sentenced to 65 months of imprisonment. 

Pinto pleaded guilty to conspiracy, fraud and identity theft offenses and, on October 27, 2021, was sentenced to 60 months of imprisonment.

This matter was investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), with substantial assistance from the Vernon Police Department.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Anastasia E. King.

Former Corrections Officer Sentenced to 168 Months in Federal Prison for Sexual Assault of Female Inmate

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

Spokane, Washington – United States District Judge Mary K. Dimke sentenced Darren Bowannie, age 35, to 168 months in federal prison after Bowannie pleaded guilty to Sexual Abuse of an Inmate in Federal Custody. Judge Dimke also ordered that, following his sentence, Bowannie be placed on a ten-year term of supervised release.

According to court documents, on February 9, 2024, Bowannie was working as a corrections officer for the Bureau of Indian Affairs in Wellpinit, Washington. Bowannie was assigned to transport a female inmate from Wellpinit to the Colville Tribal Correctional Facility in Nespelem, Washington. During the transport, Bowannie pulled the vehicle over and sexually assaulted the victim, who was bound by hand and foot restraints. After arriving at the Colville Tribal Correctional Facility, the victim immediately reported the sexual assault, resulting in an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Despite Bowannie lying about the sexual assault when interviewed by the FBI, Bowannie’s DNA was recovered on the victim’s person, thereby confirming and corroborating the victim’s account of what had happened.

“Every person taken into custody is entitled to the protection of their physical safety and civil rights. The Bureau of Indian Affairs is dedicated to rooting out sexual misconduct committed by any individuals entrusted with public safety and ensuring those individuals are held accountable,” said BIA Office of Justice Services Deputy Bureau Director Richard Melville. “The actions of Mr. Bowannie were a betrayal of that public trust, and we fully supported the investigation and prosecution of this intolerable act. The BIA remains steadfast in our commitment to protecting the rights and dignity of all individuals in our custody.”

“Every federal law enforcement officer takes an oath to protect the people of the United States, including inmates and defendants placed in their charge,” said W. Mike Herrington, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Seattle field office. “Mr. Bowannie broke that oath with a cruel and senseless act of sexual violence. The FBI remains committed in our mission to prosecute those who would abuse the power granted to them under the color of law.”

United States Attorney Pete Serrano, stated, “I commend the victim for coming forward and reporting the assault. Their bravery allowed the government to prosecute Mr. Bowanie and ensure he is no longer in a position of trust where he may try to commit similar conduct.” 

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the Colville Tribal Police Department, the Spokane Tribal Police Department, and the Washington State Patrol. This case was prosecuted by Michael J. Ellis and Timothy M. Durkin, Assistant United States Attorneys for the Eastern District of Washington.

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