Antitrust Division Approves Department of Energy Defense Production Act Consortium’s Updated Voluntary Agreement and Plans of Action

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

Today, the Justice Department’s Antitrust Division, after consulting with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), published approvals for the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Defense Production Act (DPA) Consortium’s updated Voluntary Agreement and related Plans of Action.

“The Defense Production Act is a powerful tool for addressing issues related to our nation’s defense and preparedness programs. We look forward to working with our DOE colleagues to achieve the DPA Consortium’s goals of energy independence and reliable access to fuel America’s energy dominance,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Omeed A. Assefi of the Justice Department’s Antitrust Division. “We applaud the domestic nuclear energy companies involved in the DPA Consortium for their efforts to assist the United States in strengthening the nuclear industrial base while staying within the bounds of antitrust law.”

“The Consortium’s work comes at a pivotal time for nuclear energy growth in our country,” said Assistant Secretary of Nuclear Energy Ted Garrish. “I’m pleased with the dedication of the Committee and am looking forward to rapid progress on near term goals to achieve a robust American-made supply of nuclear fuel.”

In accordance with President Trump’s Executive Order, Reinvigorating the Nuclear Industrial Base, these agreements between U.S. nuclear energy companies take affirmative steps to increase domestic fuel availability, provide increased access to reliable power, and end America’s reliance on foreign sources of enriched uranium and critical materials. The agreements will allow America’s domestic industry to work together to ensure that the capacity for the nuclear fuel supply chain – including mining and milling, conversion, enrichment, deconversion, fabrication, recycling and reprocessing – is available to enable the continued reliable operation of the nation’s reactors.

DPA Section 708 authorizes industry to enter into agreements necessary to meet national defense requirements. There is a limited antitrust defense available for actions taken to develop or carry out these approved agreements. The Justice Department will be leading efforts with FTC and DOE to continue to monitor the DOE DPA Consortium in its implementation of the approved Voluntary Agreement and Plans of Action.

For more information, please visit DOE’s DPA Consortium project page.

43 Mexican Mafia Gangsters Arrested on Indictments Alleging Racketeering, Drug Trafficking, Kidnapping, Assault, and Murder

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

Twenty-five members and associates of the Mexican Mafia prison gang — out of a total of 43 defendants in custody — were arrested today on three federal indictments charging them with committing scores of crimes in Orange County, including kidnapping, extortion, trafficking fentanyl and methamphetamine, running illegal gambling businesses, and murdering a victim last year at a gang-controlled Anaheim motel.

Former Pre-Kindergarten Teacher Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal Prison for Attempting to Entice a 13-Year-Old Child to Engage in Sexual Activity

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

Jacksonville, Florida – Tony Leroy Bartley, Jr. (38, Jacksonville) has been sentenced by United States District Judge Jordan E. Pratt to 10 years in federal prison for using the internet to attempt to entice a 13-year-old child to engage in sexual activity. Bartley was also ordered to serve a 10-year term of supervised release and register as a sex offender. He pleaded on January 27, 2026. U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe made this announcement.

Jackson Man Sentenced to Over Six Years in Prison for Possession of Child Pornography

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

Jackson, TN – Anthony Flowers, 59, of Jackson, has been sentenced to 78 months in federal prison for possession of child pornography.  D. Michael Dunavant, United States Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee, announced the sentence today.In September 2025, an internal auditor with Gerdau Long Steel of North America discovered that an employee in its Jackson office was downloading large data files to his work computer.  Using data loss prevention software, the auditor was able to determine that Flowers was the employee in question.  The auditor found that Flowers had downloaded 90… 

Scam Center Strike Force Takes Major Actions Against Southeast Asian Scam Centers Targeting Americans

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

The Department of Justice, through U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro and Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Criminal Division, together with its partners, today announced a series of coordinated actions by the Scam Center Strike Force against Southeast Asian criminal organizations operating scam centers that have defrauded Americans of billions of dollars.  

Twice-Deported El Salvadoran National Charged with Illegal Reentry into the United States

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

Jacksonville, Florida – Jose Adilio Anaya-Alas (36, El Salvador) has been charged by federal indictment with illegal reentry into the United States by a previously deported alien. If convicted, Anaya-Alas faces up to two years in federal prison and subsequent deportation and removal from the United States. U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe made the announcement.

New York Man Indicted for Involvement in Stolen Identity and Access Device Fraud Ring

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

Pensacola, Florida – Dustin Lemmon Carpio, 33, of New York, New York, was indicted by a federal grand jury charging him with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, use of a counterfeit access device, possession of 15 or more counterfeit and unauthorized access devices, use of a false passport, and aggravated identity theft. 

Tallahassee Felon Indicted for Gun & Drug Crimes

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

Tallahassee, Florida – Christopher Lamar Daniels, 47, of Tallahassee, Florida, has been indicted in federal court for possession with intent to distribute multiple controlled substances, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

Justice Department Places FDA-Approved Marijuana Products and Products Containing Marijuana Subject to a Qualifying State-issued License in Schedule III, Strengthening Medical Research While Maintaining Strict Federal Controls

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

The Action Expands Access to Approved Therapies and Supports State-Regulated Medical Marijuana Programs

In accordance with President Trump’s December 18, 2025, Executive Order on Increasing Medical Marijuana and Cannabidiol Research, the Justice Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) today announced the issuance of an order immediately placing both FDA-approved products containing marijuana and marijuana products regulated by a state medical marijuana license in Schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act, as well as the initiation of an expedited administrative hearing process to consider the broader rescheduling of marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III. The new hearing, beginning June 29, 2026, will provide a timely and legally compliant pathway to evaluate broader changes to marijuana’s status under federal law. Together, these actions provide immediate and long-term clarity to researchers, patients, and providers alike while still maintaining strict federal controls against illicit drug trafficking.

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche is placing both FDA-approved drug products containing marijuana, and medicinal marijuana products subject to a qualifying state-issued license in Schedule III under his authority to reschedule drugs to carry out the United States’ obligations under the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs. This action recognizes the longstanding regulation of medical marijuana by state governments and the need for a common-sense approach to this reality.

“The Department of Justice is delivering on President Trump’s promise to expand Americans’ access to medical treatment options,” said Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche. “This rescheduling action allows for research on the safety and efficacy of this substance, ultimately providing patients with better care and doctors with more reliable information.”

“Under the direction of President Trump and Acting Attorney General Blanche, DEA is expeditiously moving forward with the administrative hearing process — bringing consistency and oversight to an area that has lacked both,” said DEA Administrator Terry Cole.  “Our men and women in law enforcement remain committed to fighting drug cartels, the fentanyl epidemic, and protecting American lives.”

Separately, the Department announced procedural updates to expedite the ongoing rulemaking process required to fully remove marijuana from Schedule I and place it into Schedule III under the Controlled Substances Act.

Under the prior administration, a notice of proposed rulemaking was published in the Federal Register on May 21, 2024, followed by a notice of hearing on August 29, 2024. Upon further review, the DEA is withdrawing the prior notice of hearing and terminating those proceedings in order to move more efficiently toward the completion of marijuana’s complete redesignation. This action will accelerate the administrative process, include firm deadlines, and allow DEA to proceed in the most expeditious manner consistent with federal law.

DEA will hold a new administrative hearing beginning June 29, 2026, regarding the proposed rescheduling of marijuana. A new notice of hearing is being published in the Federal Register to govern these proceedings and facilitate a timely resolution of the rulemaking.

Today’s order is reflective of the Department of Justice’s continued dedication to common-sense policies and the prioritization of the safety and well-being of all Americans.