Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division
U.S. Attorney Robert Frazer announced today that Joyce M. Malliet has been appointed First Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey. As First Assistant, Malliet will serve as the Office’s second-ranking official and assist in leading the Office’s operations and mission throughout the District of New Jersey.
Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division
United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jay Clayton, announced that JOVANNY CONCEPCION pled guilty today before U.S. District Judge Lewis J. Liman to making false statements relating to healthcare matters in connection with use of force incidents that took place within Rikers Island.
Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division
Last week, the U.S. District Court for the District of Montana upheld the Forest Service’s Mud Creek Project in the Bitterroot National Forest in southwest Montana. Continuing over the course of several years, the project will reduce the threat of catastrophic wildfire affecting nearby communities through prescribed burns and other noncommercial fuel reduction treatments and by providing up to 13,700 acres of commercial timber harvest. The Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation and Ravalli County, Montana, joined the federal government in the case to defend the project.
In upholding the project, the district court ruled that it complied with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), National Forest Management Act (NFMA), and Endangered Species Act (ESA). The court found 1) that the Forest Service has adequately considered the project’s potential effects on carbon stocks in the forest; 2) that the NFMA claim was procedurally barred and even if it were not, that it would not prevent the project from going forward because no forest stands from old growth status will be removed; and 3) that the project has sufficient mitigation measures to offset impacts to species listed under the ESA. The decision is subject to appeal in the Ninth Circuit.
“Responsible forest management prevents wildfires, saves lives, produces timber we need to increase the supply of housing, and makes homes more affordable,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Adam Gustafson of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division (ENRD). “The Environment and Natural Resources Division is successfully combating efforts to weaponize procedural statutes against the responsible use of America’s vast natural resources. The District Court rightly held that the Forest Service’s assessment of environmental effects for a forest can apply to a particular project within that forest.”
In March 2025, President Donald J. Trump issued an executive order to expand American timber production. One of the purposes of the executive order is to save American lives and communities through forest management and wildfire risk reduction projects.
Senior Trial Attorney Shaun Pettigrew of ENRD’s Natural Resources Section handled the case, with support from the Wildlife and Marine Resources Section.
Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division
Greenbelt, Maryland – A Maryland man is headed to federal prison for more than two decades for committing child sex abuse crimes. U.S. District Judge Lydia Kay Griggsby sentenced Isaiah Poole, 25, of Suitland, to 25 years in prison, followed by 20 years of supervised release, for one count of producing child sexual abuse material.
Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division
Ocala, Florida – Levelle Joseph Harris (40, Kissimmee) has been sentenced by Senior United States District Judge John Antoon II to 21 months in federal prison for wire fraud. As part of his sentence, Harris is required to forfeit $640,911.85 to the United States, which represents the total amount of proceeds obtained by Harris from his scheme. Harris pleaded guilty on July 30, 2025. United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe made the announcement.
Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division
Ocala, Florida – Karen Torres (50, St. Cloud) has been sentenced by United States District Judge Thomas P. Barber to one year and one day in federal prison for receiving a bribe as a public official. As part of her sentence, Torres is required to forfeit $43,550 to the United States, which represents the proceeds of her criminal offense. She pleaded guilty on February 4, 2026. United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe made the announcement.
Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division
Ocala, Florida – Jimmy Deon Lofton (46, Ocala) has pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute controlled substances. He faces a minimum penalty of 5 years, up to 40 years, in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been scheduled. United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe made the announcement.
Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – ERLIN JOVANY GAMEZ MALDONADO (“GAMEZ-MALDONADO”) , age 29, a native of Honduras, was indicted on May 28, 2026, for being an illegal alien in possession of a firearm, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(5)(A) and 924(a)(8), announced United States Attorney David I. Courcelle.
Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division
Tallahassee, Florida – In celebration of Freedom 250 and America’s upcoming 250th birthday, the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida proudly conducted a charitable donation drive to support local Career Closets charities throughout the district. In total, nearly 180 articles of professional attire were donated in Tallahassee and Pensacola.
Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division
Orlando, Florida – Terrence Denard Perkins (46, Sanford) has been sentenced by U.S. District Judge Paul G. Byron to 25 years in federal prison for possession with intent to distribute cocaine, possession of firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. The court also ordered Perkins to forfeit hundreds of rounds of ammunition and more than a dozen firearms, including AR-style rifles, handguns, and a machinegun. U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe made the announcement.