Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division
Baltimore, Maryland – A federal jury convicted a Baltimore man in connection with drug trafficking and firearm crimes. The jury found Wayne Lee, 36, guilty of possession of a firearm and ammunition by a prohibited person; possession with the intent to distribute controlled substances; and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.
Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division
United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jay Clayton, announced today that EDSON BROWN, a Bronx resident, pled guilty to an 18-count indictment, charging him with crimes in connection with a firearms trafficking scheme spanning more than a year and involving at least two straw purchasers.
Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division
Tampa, Florida – Brandon Dutch Mendenhall (46, Brandon, FL) has been charged by indictment with one count of mail fraud. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison. The indictment also notifies Mendenhall that the United States intends to forfeit a house, which is alleged to be traceable to proceeds of the offense. United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe made the announcement.
Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division
A Brooklyn man was charged today with threatening to assault and murder a U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement (ICE) officer outside an ICE detention facility.
Nicholas Matthew Scelfo, 27, of Brooklyn, New York, was arrested for influencing, impeding, and retaliating against a federal officer by threat. Scelfo is scheduled to appear today before a U.S. Magistrate Judge in Newark federal court.
“Federal law enforcement officers face danger with great courage, and they should be able to do their jobs without being threatened and fearing for their families’ lives,” said Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche. “We take such threats very seriously and will prosecute those who make them to the fullest extent of the law.”
“This individual allegedly threatened violence toward one of our federal law enforcement officers and their family — and by using facial recognition technology, within 24 hours this FBI got him,” said FBI Director Kash Patel. “In particular, I want to thank Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche who moved extremely quickly to locate, pursue, and bring the subject to justice — as well as our FBI Newark team who executed brilliantly. Let this be a message to any criminal actor who may try something similar: you touch a cop, and this FBI will put you down.”
“This violent rioter who allegedly threatened to murder an ICE law enforcement officer and his family is being brought to justice,” said Secretary Markwayne Mullin of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). “Our ICE officers are facing an 8,000% increase in death threats against them as they put their lives on the line to arrest murderers, rapists, pedophiles, gang members, and terrorists. Our officers have been assaulted, doxxed, their families threatened. This violence against law enforcement must end. President Trump and I will always stand with our law enforcement officers.”
“As alleged, the defendant threatened a federal law enforcement officer and members of that officer’s family with violence and death,” said U.S. Attorney Robert Frazer for the District of New Jersey. “Threats against federal officers and their families are serious crimes and will not be tolerated. Federal officers serve our communities every day, often in difficult circumstances, and this office is committed to holding accountable those who, as alleged here, threaten violence against them or their loved ones.”
“There is no place for the violent threats Scelfo allegedly screamed at law enforcement. Instead of protesting peacefully, there are groups and individuals targeting federal law enforcement agents who are carrying out their duties,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Stefanie Roddy for the Newark Field Office. “We will follow the law and hold anyone who chooses to break the law accountable.”
“Calling for the murder of a federal law enforcement officer and his family is not speech safeguarded by the Constitution; it is a grave criminal offense that will not be tolerated,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Spiros Karabinas of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Newark. “Homeland Security Investigations remains resolute in ensuring that individuals who threaten or attack law enforcement face the full force of the law. We are grateful to our partners at the FBI for their outstanding work in helping us identify and locate this defendant so he can face justice.”
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court, on or about May 27, during a demonstration outside an ICE detention facility in Newark, Scelfo threatened to assault and murder an ICE officer. According to a video posted to social media and other evidence obtained by law enforcement, Scelfo screamed toward the ICE officer: “I’ll kill your whole f—— family! Your whole f—— family is dead! Your children, your wife, all dead! I have your face, motherf—–! You’re dead! Dead!” During an interview with law enforcement after his arrest on or about May 29, Scelfo admitted to threatening to kill an officer and his family at the demonstration and that he later saw in the media a video of him making statements to law enforcement at the demonstration.
If convicted, the threat charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
The FBI and task force officers of the Joint Terrorism Task Force, HSI Newark, and the New York Police Department investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Camila A. Garces and Casey S. Smith for the District of New Jersey are prosecuting the case.
The charge and allegations contained in the complaint are merely accusations. All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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.