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.
Source: United States Department of War
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth met with Philippine Secretary of National Defense Gilberto Teodoro, Jr., to reaffirm their ironclad commitment to the U.S.-Philippine Mutual Defense Treaty and shared determination to ensure a stable peace in the Indo-Pacific.
Source: United States Department of War
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth met with U.K. Secretary of State for Defense John Healey and Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defense Richard Marles at the U.S. Embassy in Singapore and re-affirmed their commitment to delivering the AUKUS partnership.
Source: United States Army
SAN ANTONIO – The Texas Military Department participated in the 2026 Search and Rescue Exercise (SAREX) May 18-21, marking twelve years of interagency partnership.
SAREX focuses on disaster response preparedness for search and rescue organizations to better prepare for natural disasters and improve interagency coordination between state and federal partners. This year’s exercise integrated rotary-wing rescue assets with unmanned aircraft systems teams to improve situational awareness and communication between agencies.
“One of the rescue sites, Camp Bullis, provided a realistic disaster environment that first responders could face including power lines, trees, roof extractions and more,” said Chief Warrant Officer 4 Rob Meischen, a SAREX planner from the 36th Combat Aviation Brigade. “Collectively this training is exactly what aircrews, hoist personnel, ground teams, and UAS operators need to help validate training and processes so we are better prepared for the next Kerrville or Hurricane Harvey.”
There were 22 aircraft from 13 different agencies, including the U.S. Air Force 41st Rescue Squadron, National Guard units and Helicopter Aquatic Rescue Teams (HART) from Arkansas and Indiana, and the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office. With over 335 attendees, there were 275 hoists, 339 personnel moved, and over 84 hours flown.
“Last year, SAREX was held less than two months before the catastrophic flooding in the Texas Hill Country and central Texas during the July Fourth weekend, which claimed the lives of 136 people,” said Brett Dixon, the assistant chief of Texas A&M Task Force 1 and SAREX director. “The local, state, and federal aviation coordination that rescued and evacuated flooding victims is a testament to the training at SAREX. Our goal is to make sure that all aviation resources in Texas are ready to respond in a coordinated way to help Texans on their worst day.”
SAREX 2026 enables local, state and federal government search-and-rescue aviation to develop better coordination mechanisms for responding to hurricanes and natural disasters in real-world scenarios. The Texas Military Department plays a critical role in disaster response exercises by providing rapid aerial response, personnel transport, and coordinated aviation support alongside civilian emergency agencies, strengthening interagency partnerships that are essential to lifesaving operations.
Related Links
The Official Website of the National Guard | NationalGuard.mil
State Partnership Program | NationalGuard.mil
The National Guard on Facebook | Facebook.com/TheNationalGuard
The National Guard on Flickr | Flickr.com/TheNationalGuard
The National Guard on Instagram | Instagram.com/us.nationalguard
The National Guard on X | X.com/USNationalGuard
The National Guard on YouTube | YouTube.com/TheNationalGuard
Source: United States Department of Justice
A New Jersey man was arrested yesterday and charged with assaulting federal officers and causing bodily injury.
Brendan John Geier, 26, of Madison, New Jersey, was charged by complaint today and appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Cari Fais.
“Peaceful protest doesn’t translate to violently attacking federal law enforcement officers,” said Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche. “Federal officers are protecting United States’ property and facilities. With virtually no local law enforcement support from New Jersey, rioters are regrouping and attacking. We will not tolerate the vicious attacks we have seen in Newark the last few days, and we will make arrests and hold people accountable for criminal conduct.”
“As alleged in the Justice Department’s complaint, this violent rioter savagely bit an ICE law enforcement officer outside of Delaney Hall. The Trump Administration will always stand with our law enforcement officers,” said Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin. “Anyone who assaults a law enforcement officer will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
“As alleged, this defendant responded to lawful orders from federal officers by kicking one and biting two others who were performing their official duties,” said U.S. Attorney Robert Frazer for the District of New Jersey. “Assaulting law enforcement officers is unacceptable. Period. Federal officers must be able to carry out their responsibilities without being subjected to violence, intimidation, or obstruction. This Office will continue to prosecute those who, as alleged here, assault officers and interfere with the lawful execution of their duties.”
“To be clear, peaceful protest does not mean biting, kicking, or punching law enforcement officers,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Spiros Karabinas of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Newark. “The repeated assaults on federal officers at Delaney Hall are criminal acts — not protected speech. Homeland Security Investigations is unwavering in its commitment to hold those who attack law enforcement fully accountable under the law.”
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court, on May 28, officers of the U.S. Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE) were engaged in official duties relating to security and crowd-control operations during a demonstration near the ICE Delaney Hall Detention Facility in Newark, New Jersey. Certain ICE deportation officers were assigned to conduct perimeter enforcement for the facility, which included clearing the road leading to and from the facility for vehicles.
At approximately 10:30 p.m., a large group of demonstrators was blocking that road. Deportation officers, in an attempt to clear the road, formed into a line and began to move towards the group of demonstrators, which included Geier. The deportation officers issued commands to the demonstrators to “move back,” but the demonstrators, including Geier, ignored those commands and refused to clear the road. Geier instead engaged in a struggle with deportation officers, kicking officers and ultimately biting an officer’s forearm, and another’s knuckle. Both victims received treatment at a local hospital.
Source: United States Army
FORT HOOD, Texas — Fort Hood held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the brand new Barrack 101 on May 19, the latest addition to the improvements to housing and quality of life for Soldiers at The Great Place.
The barrack is part of a project authorized and funded by Congress in fiscal year 2022. Congress appropriated $80 million, but the barrack was completed under budget at $65.5 million.
“It’s incredibly rewarding to deliver this first-class facility for the Soldiers of 69th Air Defense Artillery Brigade,” said Brian Dosa, director of the Directorate of Public Works. “We had about 50 Soldiers in formation at the ceremony. When complete, they all made a beeline for the barracks, kind of like kids on Christmas morning! Their excitement and appreciation were evident and that’s why we serve. We now have 101 barracks on post, and this is the very best one.”
Sgt. Ramiro Soto Gomez, narrator for the ceremony and Soldier assigned to 69th ADA Bde., thanked the partners who assisted in the construction of the barrack during his remarks.
“We appreciate the hard work and dedication of U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Cerris Builders, Dominion Energy and American Water to deliver this new facility for our Soldiers, on time and below budget,” he said.
The new barrack will house Soldiers assigned to 69th ADA Bde. It can house 248 Soldiers in 124 rooms. Each room features two separate bedrooms with their own walk-in closets, and a shared bathroom and kitchenette. The kitchenette features a convection microwave, along with an electric stovetop with two burners.
There are three floors, each with its own laundry rooms and communal lounge rooms. Additionally, the first floor features a pool table, foosball table and a fully equipped fitness room while the second and third floors offer balconies.
In addition to the new barrack, there are also seven covered areas nearby complete with a grill and an outdoor fitness area for Soldiers to use.
Command Sgt. Maj. Javier Casanova, command sergeant major of 1st Battalion, 44th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, 69th ADA Bde., noted Soldiers have expressed significant satisfaction regarding the transition into Barrack 101. Pfc. Kiresten Smith, 69th ADA Bde., agreed.
“It makes me feel more comfortable mentally,” she said of the updated rooms. “It puts me in a better space because I can make this more of my home space.”
The amenities provide a variety of new opportunities, convenience and boost morale, Smith expressed.
“It gives us the opportunity to meet other people and to talk to other people in the lounge room,” she said. “Then I like the built-in weight room; that’s nice. It saves us time, gas, money from going to the gym. We could just go downstairs and work out.”
The upgraded amenities significantly improve support for unaccompanied Soldiers’ quality of life, Casanova said.
“The completion of the new barrack facility has driven an immediate increase in morale across 1-44 ADAR, positively impacting both the Soldiers residing in the building and unit leadership,” Casanova, said. “Furthermore, its placement within the Lightning Brigade’s footprint facilitates greater leader presence and enables more effective barracks oversight.”
Barrack 101 is far from the last of the improvements to housing for Soldiers. Dosa said the next project is a 224-bed barrack planned in the 10000 block, near the 1st Cavalry Division Artillery Headquarters.
Source: United States Department of Justice
Jeffrey Lee, a member of the Fully Blooded Felons gang, 25, of Cleveland, was sentenced today to 12 years in prison after pleading guilty to Racketeering Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) conspiracy, drug offenses, including fentanyl distribution, and possessing a firearm during a drug trafficking crime.
“This defendant, now a fully convicted and sentenced felon, will spend the next 12 years in prison because of his drug dealing and firearm crimes,” said Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “The long sentence handed down by the court underscores the danger that drugs and guns bring to a community, and the seriousness of crimes like this. The Criminal Division will continue to seek lengthy sentences for gang members who commit drug and gun crimes.”
“We will not tolerate violent drug traffickers like Mr. Lee who devastate our communities and hurt people with the drugs they peddle,” said U.S. Attorney David M. Toepfer for the Northern District of Ohio. “We want to acknowledge the investigators with the Cleveland FBI and the Cleveland Division of Police for their successful efforts which helped our prosecutors put this dangerous criminal behind bars.”
“We are steadfast in our resolve to bring justice to the families whose loved ones have been impacted by the actions of Jeffrey Lee and the Fully Blooded Felons,” said Special Agent in Charge Joshua DelManzo of the FBI Cleveland Field Office. “For too long, these gang members have poisoned our communities through their illicit drug, gun, and criminal activities. This case and subsequent sentencing highlights the power of partnership, combining federal and local resources to identify gang members and drug traffickers leading to well-investigated cases. The FBI and its partners will continue to aggressively investigate individuals to dismantle their criminal network and eradicate violence and crime from our neighborhoods.”
As the defendant admitted during his plea hearing and in other court documents, the Fully Blooded Felons have been in existence in Ohio since approximately 2012, operating primarily out of the eastside of Cleveland, as well as Akron, Youngstown, and elsewhere. They are also active in the Ohio prison system.
The Fully Blooded Felons’ structure includes a “Commission,” which is a group of members tasked with maintaining the structure and organization of the enterprise through physical discipline and by determining which illicit means the organization would use to make money.
The Fully Blooded Felons had rules that members were required to follow. The rules were sent to members online, by text message, and in face-to-face communications. Members were required to abide by “omerta,” or the code of silence, and were required to memorize and recite at meetings the “Fully Five,” a set of rules that included following all orders issued by the Commission. If a member did not know the “Fully Five,” they were punished.
To further their drug trafficking, Fully Blooded Felons members used two separate stash-houses at a local apartment complex. During the execution of search warrants, law enforcement recovered close to three-quarters of a pound of fentanyl, as well as cocaine, methamphetamine, and seven firearms. In addition to the two stash houses, gang members also sold drugs in an open-air drug market that operated in the space adjacent to the apartment building where the two stash houses were located. Jeffrey Lee was an enforcer and regularly distributed fentanyl and other drugs on behalf of the gang. In one text message exchange, Lee asked another gang member where a .380 caliber handgun was hidden. Lee was also present at one of the trap houses when it was searched by police, who found over a half-pound of fentanyl, as well as methamphetamine, and cocaine, along with packing and other items used in drug trafficking.
The FBI investigated this case, with substantial assistance from the Cleveland Police Department.
This case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorney Brian W. Lynch from the Violent Crime and Racketeering Section (VCRS) and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Paul E. Hanna, Robert F. Corts, and Margaret A. Sweeney for the Northern District of Ohio.