Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division
Baltimore, Maryland – U.S. District Judge James K. Bredar sentenced a California man to prison in connection with a federal investigation that led to law enforcement seizing more than 100 kilograms of cocaine. Mario Valencia-Birruetta, 35, of Corning, California, received a 121-month sentence for conspiracy to distribute cocaine. Valencia-Birruetta’s sentence also covers a possession with intent to distribute cocaine charge.
Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division
PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – Clarence Penny, 40, of Pace, Florida, was indicted by a federal grand jury charging him with eight counts of bank fraud, one count of embezzlement of labor union funds, and three counts of falsification of labor union reports.
Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division
Note: View complaint here.
The Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division (DOJ) filed a lawsuit yesterday against Harvard University (Harvard), accusing Harvard of unlawfully withholding from the United States admissions data information necessary to determine whether Harvard is continuing to discriminate in its admissions process, even after the Supreme Court’s 2023 ruling in Students for Fair Admissions v. President and Fellows of Harvard College.
“Under President Trump’s leadership, this Department of Justice is demanding better from our nation’s educational institutions,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “Harvard has failed to disclose the data we need to ensure that its admissions are free of discrimination — we will continue fighting to put merit over DEI across America.”
“The Justice Department will not allow universities to flout our nation’s federal civil rights laws by refusing to provide the information required for our review,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “Providing requested data is a basic expectation of any credible compliance process, and refusal to cooperate creates concerns about university practices. If Harvard has stopped discriminating, it should happily share the data necessary to prove it.”
The lawsuit alleges that Harvard repeatedly slow-walked the pace of production and refused to produce pertinent data and documents requested by the DOJ, including individualized applicant admissions data, admissions policies, and correspondence related to race; ethnicity; diversity, equity, and inclusion; and Students for Fair Admissions. The suit alleges that Harvard — a recipient of DOJ funding — violated Title VI by failing to comply with the DOJ’s request for sufficient document production for compliance review. The suit also notes that by failing to make timely and complete document productions or otherwise permitting the DOJ to access Harvard’s applicant-level admissions data, Harvard breached a material term of DOJ federal financial assistance.
The lawsuit seeks only to compel Harvard to produce documents related to any consideration of race in admissions and does not accuse Harvard of racial discrimination.
Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – On February 12, 2026, United States District Court Judge María Antongiorgi Jordan sentenced Melvin E. Rivera-Oliveras to 57 months in prison and five years of supervised release, and restitution for his role in a bank fraud scheme involving fraudulent point of sales (POS) transactions. Rivera-Oliveras utilized a company called Rossy Sport Bar Panorámico, LLC to further the bank fraud scheme. Rossy Sport Bar Panorámico, LLC pleaded guilty and was sentenced on January 15, 2026.
Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Justin Floyd Qualls, a/k/a Jay Qualls, age 40, of Muldrow, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 360 months in prison for one count of Aggravated Sexual Abuse of a Minor in Indian Country.On August 7, 2025, Qualls was found guilty of the charge by a federal jury at trial.At trial, the United States presented evidence that in May of 2024, Qualls knowingly engaged in a sexual act with a child who had not attained 12 years of age.
Source: United States Army
BAUMHOLDER, Germany – USAG Rheinland-Pfalz Child and Youth Services (CYS) sports and fitness program delivered an exceptional year expanding opportunities for youth and strengthening connections across the military community. Through the dedication of staff and volunteer coaches, the program delivered high-quality programming to military families across the Rheinland-Pfalz footprint, with a strong focus on the Baumholder community.
Led by new volunteer instructors, CYS introduced additional activities and hosted large-scale events that energized the community. The program added Jiu Jitsu to its sports catalog, providing Baumholder youth with a new and engaging athletic outlet. CYS also launched signature events, including the “Youth Spartan Challenge,” an obstacle course competition that attracted more than 200 participants and spectators from Baumholder and Kaiserslautern.
In the fall, the program welcomed the NFL’s Indianapolis Colts Cheer team, drawing more than 250 community members to an interactive clinic and high-energy performance that provided young athletes with a unique engagement opportunity. Participants also had the opportunity for a meet-and-greet with the famous mascot “Blue.”
Marcel Fisher, CYS youth and sports fitness director, said the sports program plays an important role in supporting military families and overall readiness.
“Our youth sports and fitness program provides young athletes a positive outlet beyond school and home,” Fisher said. “It gives them opportunities to build confidence, develop friendships and grow through competition, while families connect and support one another.”
Fisher emphasized that volunteers remain essential to the program’s success, noting their leadership and mentorship shape both athletic ability and character development.
Volunteer coaches reinforced that message.
“Balancing my responsibilities as an active duty along with coaching this season provided a sense of stability amidst the intense operational demands of 2025,” said Sgt. 1st Class Eric Blue, volunteer coach and active-duty Soldier. “Mentoring these young athletes allowed me to step away from the rigors of active duty and rediscover a sense of peace through their pure enthusiasm for the game.”
Parents and coaches echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the role of sports in fostering life skills and building community in a small, remote overseas location.
“It can be challenging to live in a small community, but youth sports have helped my kids stay active and involved,” said Julia Powell, a volunteer coach and parent. “Sports teachreally great life skills like consistency, confidence, perseverance, and resilience that carry over into everyday life.”
Bryce Pappas, a volunteer coach, added that youth sports create meaningful opportunities for connection.
“In a small and remote community like Baumholder, youth sports give parents and children a chance to meet others and stay active in a safe, structured environment,” Pappas said.
USAG Rheinland-Pfalz’s Directorate of Family Morale Welfare and Recreation’s Child and Youth Services deliver high-quality programs designed to benefit military children, youth, and students while simultaneously aiding the Army Family by mitigating conflicts that can arise between mission readiness and parental responsibilities.
For more information on Baumholder CYS Sports and Fitness programs, visit https://baumholder.armymwr.com/programs/youth-sports-fitness.
U.S. Army Garrison Rheinland-Pfalz sets, serves and secures the total force community, enabling power projection for the European Theater.
Connect with us: https://linktr.ee/usag_rp
Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division
U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Omar Vazquez-Baez, a/k/a Tutu, 33, of Buffalo, NY, who was convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and distribution of, five kilograms or more of cocaine, was sentenced to serve a total of 146 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo. Vazquez-Baez received 120 months for his drug conviction and 46 months for failing to appear in court for his original sentencing.
Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division
U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Jose Perez, 41, of Celeron, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo to possession of child pornography involving a prepubescent minor, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, and a fine of $250,000.
Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division
U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Reinaldo Sanchez Gonzalez a/k/a Delvis Mendoza, 51, a citizen of the Dominican Republic, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge John L. Sinatra, Jr. to possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl, which carries a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison, a maximum of 40 years, and a fine of $5,000,000.
Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division
U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Dominic Sprague, 42, of Greece, NY, who was convicted of conspiracy to transport stolen goods in interstate commerce, was sentenced to serve 60 months in prison by Chief U.S. District Judge Elizabeth A. Wolford.