Category: MIL-OSI

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – Sean Eric Thompson, 44, formerly of Pace, Florida, pleaded guilty in federal court to five counts of wire fraud, three counts of making a false statement, six counts of money laundering, and three counts of bankruptcy fraud in connection with a scheme to defraud the Small Business Administration and the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Florida. The plea was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “My office is hard at work with our federal law enforcement partners to track down and prosecute every single instance of fraud against the U.S. Government during the COVID-19 pandemic. We will continue to aggressively prosecute these crimes and will use every available means to recover the U.S. taxpayer monies stolen by the fraudsters to enrich themselves.”

Court documents reflect that in May 2021, the defendant, who was a partial owner of a business that owned a brewery and restaurant, electronically submitted a fraudulent Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF) application and supporting documents to the Small Business Administration (SBA). The RRF was created to provide funding for restaurants, bars, and similar businesses that served food and drink to keep their doors open during the COVID-19 pandemic. The application and supporting documents electronically submitted by the defendant falsely stated that the business had sustained $1,128,233 in COVID-19 related losses, and on May 25, 2021, the SBA paid $1,128,233 in RRF funds into an account designated by the defendant.

The defendant then spent the RRF funds on personal expenses, including transferring substantial funds to his personal investment account. Specifically, between August and November, 2021, the defendant transferred $150,000 in RRF funds to his personal investment account.

Finally, in August 2023, the defendant filed a Chapter 7, Voluntary Petition in bankruptcy. The petition and schedules submitted by the defendant contained a number of material, false statements and omissions, including failing to disclose the RRF funds and the defendant’s interest in a second, unrelated business. In connection with his bankruptcy proceeding, the defendant then testified falsely under oath during a September 2023 meeting of his creditors. During that meeting, the defendant falsely testified that his petition and associated forms were true and correct and also specifically denied that his second business had ever had any assets, which was false. Finally, in February 2024, the defendant caused to be submitted to the trustee administering his bankruptcy estate fraudulently altered financial statements.

Thompson faces up to 20 years’ imprisonment and three years of supervised release as to each wire fraud count. He also faces up to five years’ imprisonment and one year of supervised release as to each false statement count, and up to ten years imprisonment and three years of supervised release as to each money laundering count. Finally, he faces up to five years’ imprisonment and three years of supervised release on each bankruptcy fraud count when he is sentenced.

The case involved a joint investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the SBA. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Eric W. Welch.

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 theU.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

CHARLOTTE, N.C. –Anil Dabydeen, 40, of Charlotte, appeared in federal court today and pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon for shooting at vehicles on I-485, announced Russ Ferguson, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina.

Alicia Jones, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Charlotte Field Division, and Chief Estella Patterson of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD), join U.S. Attorney Ferguson in this announcement.

According to court documents and today’s court hearing, on January 8, 2025, at 3:49 p.m., CMPD officers were dispatched to I-485 at the South Tryon Street exit for a reported shooting. Court documents show that CMPD received several 911 calls describing a male operating a white Honda sedan on the highway who was shooting at passing vehicles. Law enforcement arrived on the scene and located two victims who had been struck by gunfire. The victims told the officers that they were traveling south on I-485 when their vehicle was struck by gunfire. While on the scene, the officers reviewed a video shot by a witness. The video showed a white sedan stopped on the side of the highway, and an individual, later identified as Dabydeen, walking around the vehicle brandishing a firearm and pointing it at passing vehicles.

Court records show that, while the officers were investigating the incident, they observed a white Honda sedan traveling south at a high rate of speed. The officers recognized the vehicle as the one observed during the shooting and began to pursue the vehicle. After a brief pursuit, Dabydeen stopped the vehicle, and he was taken into custody. Officers recovered from Dabydeen a live round of 9mm ammunition, and a Taurus, Model G3c, 9mm pistol that had been reported stolen. Dabydeen has a prior felony conviction for 1^st Degree Manslaughter in New York, and he is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition.

“The violent shootings in Charlotte have gotten out of hand,” said U.S. Attorney Ferguson.  “Where we can, the federal government will step in and put the most violent offenders behind bars.”

Dabydeen remains in federal custody. A sentencing date has not been set.

The ATF and CMPD led the investigation.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Alfredo De La Rosa of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte is prosecuting the case. 

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Two individuals have been charged with obstructing the use of entrances on federal property, announced Russ Ferguson, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. William Stanley, 25, and Heather Morrow, 44, both of Charlotte, are also charged with impeding and disrupting the performance of official duties of government employees, failure to comply with the lawful direction of an authorized individual, and assaulting, resisting, opposing, impeding, intimidating, and interfering with persons performing official duties. Morrow was previously charged by a federal criminal complaint, which the Court dismissed at the government’s request upon the filing of the formal charges.

According to allegations in the criminal bill of information, on November 16, 2025, Morrow and Stanley, aiding and abetting one another, did willfully enter federal property, specifically, the grounds of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement/Enforcement and Removal Operations (ICE/ERO) building in Charlotte. While there, Stanley and Morrow allegedly engaged in disorderly conduct and other actions that unreasonably obstructed the usual use of the building’s entrances and parking lots. It is further alleged that Stanley and Morrow’s conduct impeded and disrupted ERO Deportation Officers in the performance of their official duties. Stanley and Morrow also allegedly failed to comply with the lawful direction of ERO Deportation Officers and forcibly assaulted, resisted, opposed, impeded, and intimidated ERO Deportation Officers who were engaged in the performance of their official duties, with such acts constituting simple assault.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office is joined in making today’s announcement by Homeland Security Investigations, ICE/ERO, and the FBI.

The charges in the bill of information are allegations only. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – David Blackman III, 39, of Pensacola, Florida was sentenced to 15 years in prison after previously pleading guilty to possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, and a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl, cocaine, and cocaine base. The sentence was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “In launching Operation Take Back America, President Donald J. Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi made a promise to devote the full resources of the Justice Department toward stopping the flood of deadly drugs plaguing our streets, and this successful prosecution is yet another step toward fulfilling that promise. Along with our dedicated state and federal law enforcement partners, my office stands ready to continue delivering on that promise until our streets are safe and our communities are drug-free.”

According to court records, the defendant sold narcotics from his residence in Pensacola, Florida. Law enforcement executed a search warrant in December of 2023 at the defendant’s residence. During the search, agents located over $8,500 in cash, more than 850 grams of methamphetamine, and other narcotics including, fentanyl, cocaine, and cocaine base.

“Removing this polydrug distributor from the streets is another step toward making our communities safer,” said DEA Miami Field Division Special Agent in Charge Deanne L. Reuter. “This joint investigation was the result of great work between our agents and law enforcement partners.”

The conviction and sentence were the result of a joint investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jessica Etherton.

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 for the Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

Today, the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida announced that they have launched an investigation into United Parks & Resorts Inc. to determine whether it violates Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) by discriminating against guests with disabilities. United Parks & Resorts is a global theme park and entertainment company that owns or licenses seven brands including SeaWorld Orlando, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, and Aquatica Orlando.

The ADA prohibits discrimination based on disability by public accommodations, including theme parks.

The Department opened this investigation after receiving complaints from members of the public with disabilities who allege that three of its parks violate the ADA by banning guest use of certain walkers, known as “rollator walkers.” Complainants allege that they cannot access the parks without their rollators and the only alternative the parks offer would require them to use mobility aids that are inappropriate for their individual disabilities and to incur additional charges, among other allegations.

“The ADA protects every American from disability-based discrimination in places of public accommodation, including theme parks,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon for the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “We are committed to upholding our federal civil rights laws so that no guest is denied access or charged more because of a disability.”

“Every year, millions of people from around the world travel to Florida to visit our theme parks,” said U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe for the Middle District of Florida. “No one should ever be denied equal access to public accommodations based on disability. Our office remains steadfast in our commitment to ensuring that all individuals with disabilities are guaranteed their rights under the ADA.”

Trial Attorney David K. Gardner from the Civil Rights Division’s Disability Rights Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexandra N. Karahalios from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida are handling this case.

If you believe you have been a victim of disability discrimination by United Parks & Resorts Inc., including parks such as SeaWorld Orlando, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, and Aquatica Orlando, please file a complaint with the Civil Rights Division online at www.civilrights.justice.gov, or by calling the Department’s toll-free ADA Information Line at 1-800-514-0301 (1-833-610-1264 (TTY)). For more information on the ADA and the Civil Rights Division, please visit www.ada.gov or www.justice.gov/crt.

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

Defendant allegedly committed at least 20 hands-on offenses, sent letters to 7-year-old victim with code words for sexual activity

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

SCRANTON- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that on November 24, 2025, Senior United States District Judge Malachy E, Mannion sentenced Naquan Simmons, age 31, of Bronx, New York, to 120 months’ imprisonment for false statements in the acquisition of firearms.

According to United States Attorney Brian D. Miller, on September 22, 2022, Naquan Simmons travelled to a gun store in Wilkes-Barre Township, Luzerne County, with a woman suffering from opioid use disorder. The woman purchased two guns in her name on behalf of Simmons, who was legally prohibited from purchasing firearms. Simmons provided the woman with heroin in exchange for the two firearms. One of the firearms was later located in Bronx, New York. Thereafter, on August 15, 2023, Simmons entered a gun store in Plains Township, Luzerne County, with a man who Simmons was supplying with crack cocaine. The man attempted to purchase the firearm in his name on behalf of Simmons but never received the firearm due to law enforcement intervention. At the time of these offenses, Simmons was on federal supervised release in the Southern District of New York for conspiracy to commit racketeering and use of a firearm in relation to a crime of violence. 

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Luzerne County Drug Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jenny P. Roberts prosecuted the case.

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Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

ST. LOUIS – U.S. District Judge Henry E. Autrey on Tuesday sentenced a convicted felon who shot and wounded another man to 71 months in prison.

Lamaar Pearson, 37, pleaded guilty in August in U.S. District Court in St. Louis to one count of being a felon in possession of ammunition. He admitted that on March 29, 2024, he shot a man twice during a dispute, injuring the victim in the lower back and hip. After the shooting, St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department officers recovered a firearm magazine that Pearson had hidden and 10 spent cartridge casings.

The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Szczucinski prosecuted the case.

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

PORTLAND, Ore.— Scott E. Bradford has taken the oath of office to remain as the chief federal law enforcement officer for the District of Oregon.

Senior U.S. District Judge Michael W. Mosman administered the oath of office before staff, court personnel, and family. The moment was especially meaningful because Judge Mosman previously served as U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon, and Bradford also clerked for him.

“Being chosen to lead the District of Oregon is a privilege I do not take lightly. I am deeply humbled by the district court’s vote of confidence in me, and I am committed to serving our community alongside remarkable colleagues and agency partners, who dedicate themselves to the mission every day,” said Scott E. Bradford, U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon. “My focus remains on the Department’s priorities: keeping our country safe, upholding the rule of law, and protecting civil rights.”

Attorney General Pamela Bondi previously appointed Bradford as U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon on July 28, 2025.

Bradford has been a federal prosecutor for more than 18 years and has handled all manner of criminal cases, including violent crime, narcotics trafficking, child exploitation, fraud, cyber, and national security.

Bradford joined the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon in 2009 as an Assistant U.S. Attorney and served in a variety of leadership roles within the office, including Chief of the White Collar Unit, Chief of the Economic, National Security, and Cyber Crimes Unit, and Deputy Chief of the Criminal Division.

In 2022, Bradford served as the U.S. Department of Justice’s Regional Cybercrime Attaché in Southeast Asia where he trained justice sector partners within the region to combat cybercrime. Before becoming the U.S. Attorney, Bradford was the Acting Chief of the Counterintelligence and Export Control Section in the National Security Division in Washington, D.C.

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

Spokane, Washington – United States Attorney Pete Serrano announced today that Jason Foster Frank, age 54, was sentenced for one count each of Attempted Online Enticement, Possession of Child Pornography, and Commission of a Felony Sex Offense by an Individual Required to Register as a Sex Offender. Frank pleaded guilty to the first two crimes on March 25, 2025, and was convicted after a trial on the third crime. United States District Judge Mary K. Dimke sentenced Frank to 35 years in prison, followed by a life term of supervised release. Judge Dimke also ordered $10,000 in restitution be paid to one of Frank’s victims.

According to court documents, Frank responded to an advertisement posted by undercover law enforcement in June 2023, in which two young girls were stated to be available for sex. Frank expressed sexual interest in the minors during various communications with an undercover officer posing as the mother of the girls. For a week, Frank engaged with undercover officers, arranged to meet for the purpose of sex with the two minor girls. Frank was ultimately arrested after he arrived at a prearranged meeting location in Stevens County.

In Frank’s vehicle, law enforcement agents found two phones. One phone Frank used to communicate with his probation officer; on the other, law enforcement agents observed child pornography images and videos of very young children.

Frank was previously convicted in 2008 in Virginia of two counts of Carnal Knowledge of a Child Between 13 and 15 Years of Age, one count of Attempted Carnal Knowledge of a Child Between 13 and 15 years of age, and three counts of Use of Communications Systems to Facilitate Certain Offenses Involving Children. As a result of these convictions, Frank was required to register as a sex offender under federal and state law.

Mr. Serrano expressed gratitude for the 35-year sentencing, stating, “Today’s sentence of 35 years of a 54-year-old man demonstrates the seriousness of Mr. Frank’s actions. It also shows our office’s efforts to ensure that Mr. Frank will not have a chance harm another child. We’re thankful to our partner agencies for their great investigation and to the Judge for sentencing Mr. Frank in a way that protects the children of our communities.”

“Cases such as this are a perfect example of what cooperation between local, State, and Federal partners can yield,” said Stevens County Sheriff Brad Manke. “Coming together as a team, we were able to take a potentially dangerous predator off the streets. The Stevens County Sheriff’s Office values the relationship we have with all our law enforcement and prosecutorial partners.”

“Frank’s 35-year sentence ensures he can no longer act upon his disturbing sickness and harm children,” said HSI Seattle acting Special Agent in Charge April Miller. “This case proves our team of law enforcement professionals and partners will relentlessly pursue anyone who targets the innocent.”

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 CEOS, 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 https://www.justice.gov/psc. 

This case was investigated jointly by Homeland Security Investigations and the Stevens County Sheriff’s Office, resulting in charges filed by the Stevens County Prosecutor’s Office as well as federal charges. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ann T. Wick.

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