Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division
BOSTON – A Stoughton, Mass. woman pleaded guilty today in federal court in Boston to charges relating to thousands of injections she performed using counterfeit Botox and dermal fillers imported from China and Brazil. The defendant, who was not licensed to perform injections, received more than $1 million in client payments for these procedures.
Source: United States Department of Justice
A California man and co-founder of the Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generacion, one of the world’s most prolific cartels and a designated foreign terrorist organization, pleaded guilty today to federal narcotics charges.
According to court documents, Erick Valencia-Salazar, also known as “El 85,” 49, of Santa Clara, California, is a co-founder of the Mexico-based drug trafficking organization, the Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generacion (CJNG), which the State Department in February 2025 designated as a foreign terrorist organization. As a leader of CJNG, Valencia-Salazar recruited new CJNG members. He also used information about rival cartels to locate and kill CJNG’s enemies and gain control of all drug trafficking operations in particular territories in Mexico. Valencia-Salazar also conspired to send thousands of kilograms of cocaine to the United States for the CJNG.
Before forming the CJNG, Valencia-Salazar was a member of the Milenio Cartel, another Mexico-based drug trafficking organization. In the Milenio Cartel, Valencia-Salazar regularly distributed pistols and rifles, including AK-47 and AR-15 rifles, to the cartel’s gunmen, also known as “sicarios,” to use in battles with rival cartels. In doing so, Valencia-Salazar supported the Milenio Cartel’s efforts to send multi-ton shipments of cocaine from South America into Mexico each year and then import most of that cocaine into the United States for further distribution.
“Erick Valencia-Salazar co-founded the CJNG, one of the most violent drug trafficking organizations in Mexico, which shipped tons of cocaine into the United States and inflicted immeasurable damage on our country,” said Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “Valencia-Salazar was also responsible for furthering the rampant violence in Mexico, at the expense of people’s lives and the safety of communities, that helped destabilize the region and allow crime to flourish. Today’s conviction is yet another example of the Criminal Division’s efforts in disrupting and dismantling transnational drug trafficking organizations that harm the American people.”
“Erick Valencia-Salazar helped build CJNG into a ruthless organization that uses violence as a business model — murdering for control in Mexico while flooding the United States with poison,” said DEA Administrator Terrance Cole. “CJNG is a designated terrorist organization. They do not just traffic deadly drugs — including fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine — they spread violence, fear, and instability on both sides of the border. This guilty plea marks another step in holding its leadership accountable. DEA will continue to target the leaders, financiers, and enablers of these organizations until they are brought to justice and their networks are dismantled.”
Valencia-Salazar pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine for unlawful importation into the United States. He is scheduled to be sentenced on July 31 and faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison and a maximum penalty of life in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The DEA’s Special Operations Division Bilateral Investigations Unit Los Angeles is investigating the case. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs provided valuable assistance to Salazar’s February 2025 transfer from Mexico to the United States pursuant to Mexico’s National Security law.
Trial Attorneys Kaitlin Sahni, Lernik Begian, Douglas Meisel, and Nicole Lockhart of the Criminal Division’s Money Laundering, Narcotics and Forfeiture Section are prosecuting the case.
The Money Laundering, Narcotics and Forfeiture Section’s (MNF) mission is to take the profit out of crime, eliminate drug cartels, and protect the U.S. financial system. MNF pursues criminal prosecutions and criminal and civil asset recovery actions involving: financial facilitators who launder profits for criminals; financial institutions and their officers and employees whose actions threaten the U.S. financial system and financial institutions; international money launderers who support transnational organized crime; and the top command and control of international drug trafficking organizations.
MNF’s Narcotic and Dangerous Drug Unit investigates and prosecutes the top command and control elements of international drug cartels, drug trafficking organizations and related transnational criminal organizations.
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 and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Homeland Security Task Force and Project Safe Neighborhoods.
Source: United States Navy
U.S. Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) successfully launched three advanced experimental payloads aboard the Department of War (DoW) Space Test Program’s (STP) Satellite-7 mission at approximately 4:33 a.m. PDT on April 7 from Vandenberg U.S. Space Force (USSF) Base, Calif.
Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division
Earlier today, at the federal courthouse in Brooklyn, Jose Douglass Castellano, also known as “Chino,” a high-ranking member of the 18th Street gang, was sentenced by United States District Judge LaShann DeArcy Hall to more than 35 years’ imprisonment for racketeering conspiracy in connection with his participation in the October 25, 2017 murder of 20-year-old Jonathan Figueroa in Saugerties, New York. Castellano is the third and final gang leader to be sentenced under a seventh superseding indictment in connection with a sprawling racketeering conspiracy that also involved the September 12, 2016 murder of 15-year-old Joshua Guzman in Hempstead, New York; the February 2, 2018 murder of 20-year-old Oscar Antonio Blanco Hernandez in Queens; and multiple shootings and other gang activity. Junior Zelaya Canales, also known as “Terco,” a Queens-based regional gang leader, and Walter Fernando Alfaro Pineda, also known as “Clever,” a Texas-based national gang leader, were each sentenced to 40 years’ imprisonment in February and March 2026, respectively. Co-defendants Yanki Misael Cruz Mateo, also known as “Doggy” and “Wino,” Israel Mendiola Flores, also known as “Chapito,” Yoni Alexander Sierra, also known as “Arc Angel” and “Wasson,” Jose Jimenez Chacon, also known as “Little One,” Carolina Cruz, also known as “La Fiera,” and Eric Chavez, also known as “Lunatico,” were also previously sentenced.
Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division
Tallahassee, Florida – Laquinton Montral Harris, 36, of Tallahassee, Florida, has been charged by federal criminal complaint with one count of Hobbs Act robbery; carrying, brandishing, and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence; and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division
BOSTON – A New York man has been indicted for allegedly conspiring to steal hundreds of thousands of dollars’ worth of cargo and sell the items for illicit profit. The goods allegedly stolen include beer worth approximately $35,200; 33,750 pounds of frozen snow crabs worth approximately $325,000; pallets of blueberries; and more than $430,000 worth of designer cologne.
Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division
A complaint was unsealed today in U.S. District Court charging Zabdiel Aaron Rothschild, 26, of the District of Columbia. with Production of Child Pornography, Coercion and Enticement of a Minor, Receipt of Child Pornography, and Transfer of Obscene Material to a Minor.
Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division
Tampa, Florida – Frank Jude Petrone, Sr. (56, Parrish) has been sentenced by U.S. District Judge William F. Jung to three years and one month in federal prison for trafficking in firearms and selling firearms and ammunition to a convicted felon. Petrone pleaded guilty on August 26, 2025. United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe made the announcement.
Source: United States Army
HONOLULU — The Oahu Veterinary Network continues to demonstrate how an integrated system of care can simultaneously enhance military readiness and provide high-quality, accessible services to the military community. By linking multiple veterinary treatment facilities (VTFs) across the island, the network creates a dynamic training platform for active-duty personnel while reducing reliance on civilian specialty care for military families and their pets.
That capability was recently demonstrated through the case of Trixie, a family dog that presented to the Schofield Barracks Veterinary Treatment Facility with acute abdominal distress. Clinical signs and diagnostic imaging quickly raised concern for gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV), a life-threatening condition requiring immediate surgical intervention.
“Trixie came in with classic symptoms that made us highly concerned for a stomach torsion,” said Maj. Perri Salazar, veterinarian at Schofield Barracks. “Her radiographs supported that assessment, and we knew time was critical.”
Rather than referring Trixie to a civilian emergency hospital, the Schofield team leveraged the Oahu Veterinary Network to transfer her to the Hickam Veterinary Treatment Facility, which provides advanced surgical and specialty care capabilities. This internal referral system ensured continuity of care while maximizing training opportunities for Army veterinary personnel.
“The network allowed us to move quickly and keep the case within our system,” said Maj. Luigi Topacio, veterinary officer at Hickam. “That means better coordination for the patient, cost savings for the family, and, most importantly, invaluable surgical experience for our team.”
At Hickam, the surgical team prepared for what they expected to be a GDV correction. Upon exploration, they confirmed a severe gastric condition requiring immediate intervention. The surgery was successful, and Trixie made a full recovery under the care of the Army veterinary team.
Cases like Trixie’s highlight the dual benefit of the Oahu Veterinary Network. For military families, it reduces the financial burden often associated with off-base specialty care. For active-duty veterinarians and technicians, it provides critical exposure to complex, high-acuity cases essential for maintaining clinical proficiency.
“As Army veterinary professionals, we have to be ready to operate in austere and unpredictable environments,” said Maj. Luigi Topacio, Veterinary Corps officer. “Having access to complex surgical cases in garrison directly translates to readiness downrange.”
The network model also enhances collaboration across installations, fostering a shared standard of care and improving overall efficiency. By distributing workload and aligning capabilities across clinics, the system ensures that each facility contributes to both patient care and professional development.
“The Oahu Veterinary Network is more than just a referral system — it’s a deliberate training strategy,” said Lt. Col. Lauren Hamlin, commander of Veterinary Readiness Activity, Hawaii. “We are building confident, capable veterinary teams who can manage everything from routine wellness to life-saving surgical interventions, all while supporting the military community we serve.”
Through innovative integration of resources and a focus on readiness, the Oahu Veterinary Network continues to set the standard for Army veterinary services — where every case is not only an opportunity to care, but an opportunity to train.
Source: United States Army
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Guardsmen from the Tennessee National Guard’s 278th Cavalry Regiment became the state’s first licensed drivers on the Army’s new Infantry Squad Vehicle during training at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, March 31–April 2, marking a key step in the unit’s transition to a faster, more deployable force.
The certification comes as the 278th begins converting from an Armored Brigade Combat Team to a Mobile Brigade Combat Team — a shift aligned with the Army’s transformation efforts to field lighter, more agile units capable of rapid deployment in combat and domestic response missions.
Select Soldiers from across the state completed Infantry Squad Vehicle Operator New Equipment Training, hosted by the 101st Airborne Division, and will now return to their units to train others.
“I was thrilled to finally be able to get hands-on with these new vehicles so I can begin teaching my Soldiers about them,” said Staff Sgt. Albert Ziss, training noncommissioned officer for Lebanon’s 3rd Battalion. “Everyone at my unit has been looking forward to getting and operating these new ISVs since they were first announced.”
Last May, the 278th learned it would be among the first National Guard units to transition to the Mobile Brigade Combat Team structure. MBCTs are designed to be lighter, faster and more lethal than traditional armored formations, while also being more cost-effective and deployable more quickly.
“For decades, the 278th has been Armored Cavalry and we pride ourselves on being the best at what we do,” said Ziss. “So being one of the first National Guard units to transform into this new, more lethal structure is only fitting and we’re proud to do it.”
The Infantry Squad Vehicle is central to that transformation, enabling infantry Soldiers to move faster with their equipment, reach objectives more quickly and operate with greater flexibility on the battlefield.
“When we heard that we were getting these new ISVs as replacements to our current tactical vehicles, everyone was excited,” said Ziss. “Now, after training with one, I see how incredibly easy they are to use and drive, and how much more versatile they are than our current vehicles. The ISV is so much better than we could’ve hoped for.”
The nine-passenger ISV, built by GM Defense and based on the Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 platform, is lightweight and designed for rapid deployment, including airdrop and helicopter sling-load operations.
“One of the many great things about these vehicles is that they are light, easy to work on, and can be configured to perform countless missions required by Soldiers,” said Staff Sgt. Robert Mines, master driver for the 101st Airborne Division and course instructor. “Also, 90 percent of the parts required for maintaining the ISV are commercial, off-the-shelf. These vehicles are much easier to maintain and repair than their predecessors.”
Because the ISV is based on a commercial platform, it is also easier for Soldiers to operate.
“It is not very difficult to drive or maintain these vehicles,” said Mines. “They handle, maneuver, and run like a typical truck, so most Soldiers are very comfortable with that already. The dashboard and layout were kept like a traditional civilian car or truck, making it very intuitive to operate.”
Despite those similarities, the ISV is built for combat and can transport nine Soldiers with full combat loads across rugged terrain. Its modular design allows units to configure the vehicle for a variety of mission sets.
“Staff Sgt. Mines gave all of us detailed training on all of the possible uses and capabilities of the ISVs and how to operate them safely while getting the most benefit from them,” said Ziss. “I thought that one of the most interesting features was the ability to lock a rescue litter into the back to rapidly evacuate a wounded Soldier if needed. I hope I never have to use it, but glad to know it’s there.”
Units across Tennessee have begun receiving the new vehicles and will continue transitioning in the coming months. The newly certified operators are expected to accelerate fielding and help the 278th build a more agile and lethal force.
“These vehicles are just what we needed, and I look forward to getting them at our armories,” said Ziss.
Related Links
The Official Website of the National Guard | NationalGuard.mil
State Partnership Program | NationalGuard.mil
The National Guard on Facebook | Facebook.com/TheNationalGuard
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The National Guard on X | X.com/USNationalGuard
The National Guard on YouTube | YouTube.com/TheNationalGuard