Category: MIL-OSI

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

CHRISTOPHER ZIOGAS, 74, of Bristol, pleaded guilty today in New Haven federal court to offenses related to interference with a state audit into a Medicaid provider who engaged in health care fraud, as well as a separate bank fraud offense.

According to court documents and statements made in court, between January and June 2020, Ziogas, who served as a State Representative for Connecticut’s 79th Assembly District, engaged in a scheme in which Konstantinos Diamantis, a senior official in the State’s Office of Policy and Management (“OPM”), solicited and received corrupt payments and benefits from Ziogas’s fiancée, Helen Zervas, an optometrist and owner of Family Eye Care in Bristol, in exchange for official acts concerning a state audit of Zervas’s and Family Eye Care’s Medicaid overbilling.

As part of the scheme, in January 2020, an official with Connecticut’s Department of Social Services (DSS) provided notice that it would perform an audit of Zervas’s and Family Eye Care’s Medicaid billing.  Zervas, who knew that she had fraudulently overbilled Medicaid for medical services that she had not provided, or that were not medically necessary, sought assistance from Ziogas to prevent the DSS audit from proceeding.  Ziogas, in turn, sought help from Diamantis in his role as a senior OPM official.  In exchange for payments from Ziogas and Zervas, Diamantis undertook official acts and pressured other state officials to undertake official acts aimed at favorably resolving Zervas’s DSS audit.

On March 4, 2020, Ziogas made a $20,000 bribe payment to Diamantis.  On that date, Zervas’s attorney emailed a DSS official with a settlement offer to resolve DSS’s audit.  The next day, Zervas reimbursed Ziogas with a $25,000 check from Family Eye Care.  On March 12, 2020, Ziogas made a $10,000 bribe payment to Diamantis, and was subsequently reimbursed by Zervas.  After having been advised and pressured directly by Diamantis and indirectly by him through officials at OPM and DSS, the DSS official cancelled the DSS audit and, on May 1, 2020, accepted Zervas’s settlement proposal.

On May 12, 2020, Ziogas and Diamantis delivered a settlement check from Family Eye Care in the amount of $599,810 to DSS.  On May 15, 2020, Ziogas, through Zervas, made a final bribe payment of $65,000 to Diamantis.

Ziogas made a false statement when interviewed by federal agents during the investigation of this matter.

Ziogas also separately committed bank fraud.  Ziogas was the trustee of a client trust, identified in court documents as “Trust-1.”  In November 2019, Ziogas prepared and caused to be negotiated a check from Trust-1 in the amount of $5,500 made out to Diamantis.

Ziogas pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit extortion under color of official right, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years, making false statements, which carries maximum term of imprisonment of five years, and bank fraud, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 30 years.

Ziogas is released on a $500,000 bond pending sentencing, which is currently scheduled for February 18 before U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport.

Zervas previously pleaded guilty to related charges and is awaiting sentencing.

Diamantis has been charged by indictment and is awaiting trial in this matter, which is scheduled for January 30 in Bridgeport.  The U.S. Attorney’s Office stressed that an indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt.  Charges are only allegations, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

This investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jonathan N. Francis and Paul A. Riley.

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

SAN DIEGO – El Cajon-based San Diego Powder & Protective Coatings and the company’s hiring manager, Karli Buxton, pleaded guilty in federal court today to engaging in a pattern or practice of hiring undocumented immigrants without authorization to work in the United States. The plea follows a worksite enforcement action which occurred on March 27, 2025, at San Diego Powder & Protective Coatings’ facility.

The company, a government contractor, also agreed to forfeit $230,000 that it gained from engaging in the practice. 

As part of the plea agreement, the company admitted that its operations manager, John Washburn, and others recruited undocumented immigrants who did not have authorization to work in the United States. Washburn pleaded guilty in June.

Since 2023, Buxton was responsible for verifying that new employees were eligible to work in the United States. As part of her plea agreement, she admitted that she was aware certain employees were presenting fraudulent documents to show their authorization to work in the United States, but she accepted the documents and hired them for employment at the company.

The company further admitted that it had frequently sent employees to work in secure locations such as military bases or ports of entry and avoided sending any employees working illegally to these secure locations where they would be subject to further screening. The company also admitted the aliens it employed in its warehouses often had access to military equipment such as components for submarines or aquatic vehicles used by the United States Navy.

As part of its plea agreement, the company agreed to participate in the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Mutual Agreement between Government and Employers (IMAGE) program. The IMAGE program serves the business community by strengthening hiring and employment verification practices by providing guidance on topics such as the use of fraudulent documents and forced labor. IMAGE program participants agree to submit to an audit of their Form I-9s (Employment Eligibility Verification Form) to ensure the integrity of their workforce and that they are only employing individuals authorized to work in the United States. As part of its plea agreement, the company also agreed to use the E-Verify system to check the eligibility of all new employees for the next two years.

“Here’s my advice to the business community and to the lawyers who advise them: enroll in IMAGE,” said U.S. Attorney Adam Gordon, “There are numerous tangible benefits to enrolling your company in IMAGE and ensuring the integrity of your workforce. The Department of Justice has and will continue to prioritize investigations into businesses that are employing individuals without authorization to work in the United States.”   

“Worksite enforcement operations like these deter illegal immigration, ensure employer accountability, and protect the US Workforce,” said HSI Acting Special Agent in Charge Kevin Murphy. “HSI is committed to investigations that hold companies like SDPC accountable for their criminal actions.”

“Bypassing required vetting processes and exposing Department of the Navy resources and information to individuals with insufficient or fraudulent documentation threatens warfighter safety,” said Special Agent in Charge Greg Gross, NCIS Economic Crimes Field Office. “NCIS and our partners remain dedicated to safeguarding Department of Navy installations, personnel, and assets against any threat to our national security.”

These cases are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Henry F.B. Beshar and Michael A. Deshong.

DEFENDANT                                                         Case Number 25 CR 4519

BJS & T Enterprises Inc.,

Dba San Diego Powder & Protective Coating

Karli Buxton                                                              Age: 41            

SUMMARY OF CHARGES

Engaging in a Pattern or Practice of Employing Aliens, in violation of Title 8 U.S.C. § 1324a(a)(1)(A) and (f); Maximum Penalty: Six months in prison; $3,000 fine per alien.

INVESTIGATING AGENCIES

Homeland Security Investigations

Naval Criminal Investigative Service

U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Office of Inspector General

General Services Administration, Office of Inspector General

Small Business Administration, Office of Inspector General

Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General

Enforcement and Removal Operations, Department of Homeland Security

Drug Enforcement Administration

Bureau Alcohol, Tobacco Firearms and Explosives

U.S. Border Patrol

U.S. Customs and Border Protection

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.

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – Zanntayfey Yohoun Bennett, 42, of Quincy, Florida was sentenced to a total of 157 months in federal prison after previously pleading guilty to possession with intent to distribute cocaine base and marijuana, and for violation of the terms of his supervised release for 2019 federal convictions for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and organized dog fighting. The sentence was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “Thanks to the excellent investigative work of our state and federal law enforcement partners, this repeat offender has been removed from our streets and will serve a lengthy sentence in federal prison. President Donald J. Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi promised to Take Back America from the drug traffickers and career criminals who have terrorized our communities for far too long, and this successful prosecution is yet another step toward achieving that goal.”

According to court records, in February 2025, law enforcement developed information indicating that the defendant, who is a multi-convicted felon serving a five-year term of federal supervised release, was involved in drug trafficking. After a series of controlled operations, during which illegal drugs were purchased from the defendant, law enforcement executed a search warrant at the defendant’s residence.  During the search, law enforcement seized cocaine base, also known as “crack” cocaine, suspected synthetic cathinones, and marijuana. The defendant had multiple prior federal and state felony drug trafficking convictions, which qualified him as a career offender under federal sentencing rules.

“I’m proud of the great work our agents and local police officers did to remove this career criminal and multiple-time felon from North Florida streets,” said DEA Miami Field Division Special Agent in Charge Deanne L. Reuter. “This effort will greatly benefit the communities in and around Tallahassee.”

The conviction and sentence were the result of a joint investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Tallahassee Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Eric K. Mountin.

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.

The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General.  To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website.  For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

WILMINGTON, N.C. – A federal jury convicted Saheed Sunday Owolabi, 34, from Nigeria on charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering for his role in several cyber fraud schemes.

“Fraud schemes like this drain millions from hardworking people in our communities,” said U.S. Attorney Ellis Boyle. “We will continue to work with our federal partners to identify, investigate, and prosecute those who abuse the anonymity of the internet to enrich themselves by stealing from our citizens.”

According to court records and trial evidence, Owolabi pretended to be a woman to build online relationships with men in the United States, a scheme known as a romance scam. He and his co-conspirators used these fake relationships to convince victims to send money and personal information. Owolabi and others used bank accounts provided by the victims to launder money from other fraudulent operations. Owolabi joined a scheme that stole and laundered more than $120,000 from a victim in the Eastern District of North Carolina and defrauded hundreds of others. During the COVID-19 pandemic, fraudsters gained unauthorized access to information about a pending home closing and sent spoofed emails instructing the victim to transfer funds to a bank account they controlled. When the victim complied, the money went to accounts linked to Owolabi and his associates. Owolabi then directed others on how to move and distribute the money, including sending portions to himself. Investigators recovered chat messages in which Owolabi admitted he was running a romance scam until he realized he was actually communicating with another fraudster. That individual mocked Owolabi’s efforts and told him to “learn how to do a clean job.”

Owolabi faces up to 40 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release when sentenced in January 2026.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Brad DeVoe is prosecuting the case, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation is investigating the case.

Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:22-CR-137-M.

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Defendant, Cecilio Wareham, age 48 of Queens, New York, pled guilty in October to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine.

The announcement was made by Acting United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III; William S. Walker, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), New York; and Ulster County Sheriff Juan Figueroa, whose office leads the Ulster Regional Gang Enforcement Narcotics Team (URGENT).

In April 2025, ten defendants, including Wareham, were indicted for their roles in drug trafficking organizations that distributed large quantities of cocaine and crack cocaine in and around Kingston, New York and other areas of Ulster County. The organizations are alleged to have distributed over 11 kilograms of cocaine and hundreds of grams of cocaine base. Through the execution of search warrants in Ulster County and additional enforcement actions, law enforcement seized over five kilograms of cocaine and 270 grams of cocaine base.

As part of his guilty plea, Wareham admitted to supplying his co-conspirator, Greg Tejada, with quantities of cocaine for redistribution, including over 2 kilograms of cocaine that were seized from Tejada in October 2024. 

Acting United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III stated: “This guilty plea sends a clear and unequivocal message: we will aggressively dismantle the drug-trafficking networks that threaten the safety of our communities. Our work is far from finished, but this case proves that those who choose to spread dangerous narcotics will face decisive accountability. I strongly commend our federal, state, and local partners for their unwavering dedication and coordination throughout this investigation.”

HSI New York Special Agent in Charge Ricky J. Patel stated: “This plea is the result of a sustained, collaborative investigation aimed at dismantling criminal networks that traffic dangerous drugs into our communities. HSI New York and our law enforcement partners will continue to target the supply chains, distributors, and organizations responsible for fueling addiction and violence. Our efforts will remain relentless as we work to safeguard the public.”

Ulster County Sheriff Juan Figueroa stated: “URGENT and our partnering agencies remain committed to protecting Ulster County from the destructive impact of narcotics trafficking. This case highlights the strength of interagency cooperation and the dedication of our investigators. We will continue to pursue those who bring illegal drugs into our neighborhoods and ensure they are brought before the justice system.”

Sentencing is scheduled for February 26, 2026, before United States District Judge Mae A. D’Agostino. Wareham faces a prison term of at least 10 years and up to life, a fine of up to $10 million, and a supervised release term of at least 5 years and up to life. 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 remaining defendants, all of whom are charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance, would face the following minimum and maximum terms of imprisonment upon conviction:

Name	Age	Residence	Minimum Term of Imprisonment	Maximum Term of Imprisonment
Damon Dunn, aka “Moe”	48	Tilson, New York	10 years	Life
Greg Tejada, aka “Bear,	48	Highland Lakes, New Jersey	10 years	Life
Richard Johnson	35	New York, New York	10 years	Life
Kevin Dunn	52	New York, New York	5 years	40 years
Aidan White	23	Kingston, New York	5 years	40 years
Kristine Scibelli	41	Middletown, New York	5 years	40 years
Xavier Patterson, aka “Xay”	28	New York, New York	5 years	40 years
Allen McGraw, aka “Snoop”	44	Utica, New York	None	20 years
Raymond Robinson	53	Kingston, New York	None	20 years

Additionally, Damon Dunn, Raymond Robinson, Greg Tejada, Kristine Scibelli, Xavier Patterson, and Richard Johnson are charged with Distribution of a Controlled Substance, and Aidan White and Damon Dunn are charged with Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance. 

The charges in the indictments are merely accusations.  The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. 

This case is being investigated by HSI; the Ulster County Sheriff’s Office in conjunction with URGENT (the Ulster Regional Gang Enforcement and Narcotics Team); Federal Bureau of Investigation, and New York State Police Special Investigations Unit, Valhalla.

Assistant United States Attorney Ashlyn Miranda is prosecuting the case.

These prosecutions are part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States.

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

Jedrek Upton, 45, of Lincoln, pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud and one count of money laundering, U.S. Attorney Eric Grant announced.

According to court documents, between January 2021 and May 2022, Upton repeatedly lied on applications for COVID-19 disaster relief funds that he submitted on behalf of his businesses. The misrepresentations included false statements regarding the number of employees or payroll and that he would spend the money to alleviate economic injury caused by COVID-19. In support of these applications, Upton also submitted falsified IRS documents.

In reality, some of the businesses had no employees or payroll, and Upton spent much of the money received on personal expenses. Upton received nearly $1.5 million in ill-gotten loans from the United States, a large portion of which was ultimately forgiven after Upton falsely claimed that he had spent it on payroll. Instead of legitimate business expenses, the money that Upton received allowed him to fund a lavish lifestyle. He paid off personal credit cards, transferred money to other people, leased a Ferrari and a Lamborghini, and made a large down payment on a $2.7 million, 10-acre property.

In addition to pleading guilty, Upton agreed to forfeit his interest in the property he purchased and pay nearly $1.5 million in restitution to the United States.

This case is the product of an investigation by the IRS Criminal Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Dhruv M. Sharma is prosecuting the case.

Upton is scheduled to be sentenced by Senior U.S. District Judge John A. Mendez on March 24, 2026. Upton faces a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine on the wire fraud count, and 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine on the money laundering count. The actual sentence, however, will 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.

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

SAN DIEGO – Erick Alexander Granados Garcia, who is believed responsible for trafficking large amounts of cocaine into the United States from Colombia, Ecuador and Mexico, appeared in federal court yesterday following his extradition from Guatemala.

Granados Garcia was indicted by a federal grand jury in the Southern District of California in June 2017 for Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute Cocaine on Board a Vessel. Granados Garcia was apprehended by Guatemalan authorities on August 21, 2017, and Guatemala granted the United States’ extradition request on October 29, 2025. The defendant arrived in San Diego on Monday.

At yesterday’s hearing, Granados Garcia was arraigned and entered a not-guilty plea before U.S. Magistrate Judge Allison H. Goddard.

This case stemmed from a long-term investigation targeting high-level organizations operating Colombian, Ecuadorian, and Guatemalan-based cocaine production and transportation organizations. These organizations historically transported cocaine into Guatemala and Mexico and then to locations in San Diego and Los Angeles. From there, traffickers delivered the drugs to distributors throughout California and the East Coast of the United States. Investigators learned that the targets use commercial and private airplanes, fishing vessels, go-fast boats, and maritime containers for the illicit movement of narcotics and narcotics proceeds. Agents coordinated the interdiction of at least 45 bulk cocaine shipment events conducted in multiple jurisdictions and multiple foreign countries. Thus far, these operations have resulted in the seizure of approximately $4.7 million and 60,230 kilograms of cocaine from 93 bulk seizure events.

The Justice Department extends its gratitude to the Government of Guatemala and its prosecutorial and law enforcement authorities for making the extradition possible. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs, the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Embassy in Guatemala provided significant assistance in securing the defendant’s arrest and extradition from Guatemala. The U.S. Marshals Service assisted in bringing the defendant back to the United States. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kyle B. Martin.

DEFENDANT                                                                               Case Number 17-cr-01465-JES     

Erick Alexander Granados Garcia                                         Age: 46                       Guatemala

SUMMARY OF CHARGES

Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute Cocaine on Board a Vessel – Title 46, U.S.C., Sections 70503 and 70506(b). Term of custody including a mandatory minimum 10 years and up to life imprisonment, $10 million fine.

INVESTIGATING AGENCIES

Drug Enforcement Administration

Federal Bureau of Investigation

Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation

United States Marshals Service

United States Coast Guard

Customs and Border Protection

United States Border Patrol

The charges and allegations contained in an indictment or complaint are merely accusations, and the defendants are considered innocent unless and until proven guilty.

This case is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF San Diego comprises agents and officers from FBI, Homeland Security Investigations, DEA, ATF, U.S. Marshals, Department of Defense, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Naval Criminal Investigative Service, IRS Criminal Investigation, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Customs and Border Protection and Interpol, with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of California.

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

NEWARK, N.J. – A New Jersey doctor was arrested on November 4, 2025, for unlawfully prescribing Adderall, a Schedule II controlled substance, and Xanax, a Schedule IV controlled substance, Acting U.S. Attorney and Special Attorney Alina Habba announced.

David Holbrook, 70, of Bloomsbury, New Jersey was charged by Indictment with nine counts of unlawfully distributing and dispensing controlled substances, each in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(C). Holbrook appeared on November 4, 2025, for his initial appearance and arraignment in federal court before U.S. Magistrate Judge André M. Espinosa. The defendant was released on a $100,000 unsecured bond.

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

On nine occasions between or around January 2021 and September 2022, Holbrook, a licensed psychiatrist, prescribed Adderall and Xanax to multiple patients outside the usual course of professional practice and not for a legitimate medical purpose.  If convicted, Holbrook faces a statutory maximum sentence of twenty years in prison and a $1 million fine on each count.

Acting U.S. Attorney and Special Attorney Habba credited special agents, task force officers, and diversion investigators with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Cheryl Ortiz in Newark, New Jersey, with the investigation.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jake A. Nasar of the Office’s Health Care Fraud and Opioid Enforcement Unit.                                                 

Victims with any information regarding Dr. David Holbrook may contact the DEA New Jersey Field Division at 571-362-3700.

The charges and allegations contained in the complaint are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

                                                           ####

Defense counsel:         Jay Surgent, Esq.

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

RAPID CITY – United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced today that District Court Judge Camela C. Theeler has sentenced a man from Rapid City, South Dakota, convicted of Distribution of a Controlled Substance Resulting in Death.  The sentencing took place on November 24, 2025.

Anthony Sorensen, 37, was sentenced to life in federal prison, followed by six years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Sorensen was indicted for Distribution of a Controlled Substance Resulting in Death by a federal grand jury in June 2024.  He was found guilty after a three-day jury trial in March 2025.

The indictment stemmed from a fatal fentanyl overdose that occurred in Rapid City on June 5, 2023.  During the investigation, law enforcement obtained messages between Sorensen and the victim that indicated Sorensen had agreed to sell the victim a fentanyl pill in the early morning hours of June 5, 2023.  Security camera footage from nearby businesses showed the victim arrive at the apartment that Sorensen was living in at the time.  The victim was found unresponsive approximately one block from Sorensen’s home just a few hours after the victim had been seen arriving at Sorensen’s residence. An autopsy later confirmed that the victim consumed a lethal amount of fentanyl.

“So much death, misery, and pain has been caused by fentanyl dealers,” said U.S. Attorney Parsons.  “I am so grateful to our law enforcement partners that this dealer is now out of business for good.”

This case was investigated by the Unified Narcotics Enforcement Team, which is comprised of investigators from the Rapid City Police Department, Pennington County Sheriff’s Office, South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, South Dakota Highway Patrol, and the National Guard Counter-Drug Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorney Edward C. Tarbay prosecuted the case.

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

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

OKLAHOMA CITY – KANTRELL DAWAN HENDERSON, 34, of Oklahoma City, has been sentenced to serve 18 months in federal prison for assault on a federal officer or employee, announced U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester.

According to public record, on October 19, 2024, Oklahoma City Police Department (OCPD) officers responded to a metro neighborhood regarding an assault on a U.S. Postal Service Mail Carrier. Witnesses reported that, while the Mail Carrier was delivering mail on his route, Henderson confronted and placed the Mail Carrier in a chokehold. A passerby pulled Henderson off the Mail Carrier, which allowed him to escape. Officers located and arrested Henderson following a brief confrontation.

On August 6, 2025, Henderson was charged by Superseding Information with assault on a federal officer or employee. He pleaded guilty on August 13, 2025, and admitted he assaulted a federal employee who was engaged in their official duties.

At the sentencing hearing on November 25, 2025, U.S. District Judge David L. Russell sentenced Henderson to serve 18 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release. In announcing his sentence, Judge Russell noted the seriousness of the offense and Henderson’s criminal history. Public record reflects that Henderson has felony convictions for Arson in the Second Degree in Oklahoma County District Court case number CF-2016-9248 and Possession of a Controlled Substance in Oklahoma County District Court case number CF-2016-9100. He was under 10-year suspended sentences in these cases at the time of the assault.

This case is the result of an investigation by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Oklahoma City Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney David Nichols, Jr., prosecuted the case.

Reference is made to public filings for additional information.