Category: MIL-OSI

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

A Minnesota man pleaded guilty yesterday to filing a false claim with the IRS.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Philip Nelson Green filed false individual income tax returns with the IRS for the years 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022. Each of these tax returns reported multiple false or fraudulent items, including false wage information, itemized deductions, withholding amounts and child and dependent care expenses. For the years 2021 and 2022, Green filed false tax returns that collectively sought more than $500,000 in refunds he was not entitled to receive.

Green pleaded guilty to one count of making a false claim. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Jan. 28, 2027 and faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison. He also faces a period of supervised release, restitution and monetary penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Assistant Attorney General Colin M. McDonald of the Justice Department’s National Fraud Enforcement Division and U.S. Attorney Daniel N. Rosen for the District of Minnesota made the announcement.

IRS Criminal Investigation is investigating the case.

Trial Attorneys Charles A. O’Reilly and Daniel R. Glenn of the National Fraud Enforcement Division’s Tax Section are prosecuting the case.

On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the Fraud Division. The Fraud Division is laser-focused on investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against the American people. The Department’s work to combat fraud supports President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

Tampa, FL – Kenneth Blair (54, Clermont) has been sentenced by U.S. District Judge John L. Badalamenti to 30 months in federal prison for bank fraud. Blair pleaded guilty on May 15, 2024. As part of his sentence, the court also entered an order of forfeiture in the amount of $15,475, the proceeds of the charged criminal conduct. U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe made the announcement.

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a federal grand jury has indicted three Sioux Falls, South Dakota, men for Conspiracy to Murder in Aid of Racketeering; Attempted Murder in Aid of Racketeering and Aiding and Abetting; Assault with a Dangerous Weapon in Aid of Racketeering and Aiding and Abetting; Possession, Brandishing, and Discharge of a Firearm During and in Furtherance of a Crime of Violence; and Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person. The indictment was filed in August 2026.

Source: United States Department of Justice

Kleider Enrique Garcia Ochoa, age 31, of Venezuela, who is present in the United States without authorization, was sentenced to 120 months in federal prison following his conviction for attempted coercion and enticement of a minor, announced U.S. Attorney Kurt L. Wall. 

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

Tampa, FL – Mahmoud Mehdi has been sentenced by U.S. District Judge Virginia M. Hernandez Covington to three years and ten months in federal prison for conspiracy to commit wire fraud and making and subscribing a false tax return. As part of his sentence, the court also entered an order of forfeiture in the amount of $137,931.33, the proceeds of his criminal conduct, and ordered Mehdi to pay restitution in the amount of $732,521.18. United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe made the announcement.

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a federal grand jury has indicted three Sioux Falls, South Dakota, men for Conspiracy to Murder in Aid of Racketeering; Attempted Murder in Aid of Racketeering and Aiding and Abetting; Assault with a Dangerous Weapon in Aid of Racketeering and Aiding and Abetting; Possession, Brandishing, and Discharge of a Firearm During and in Furtherance of a Crime of Violence; and Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person. The indictment was filed in August 2026.

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

Ocala, Florida – Samantha Calvente (44, Winter Haven) has pleaded guilty to possession of 5 grams or more of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute it. She faces a minimum penalty of 5 years, up to 40 years, in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set. U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe made the announcement.

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

Ocala, Florida – Christopher Carl Brown (43, of Mississippi) has pleaded guilty to possession of 5 grams or more of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute it. Brown faces a minimum sentence of 5 years, up to 40 years, in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been scheduled. U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe made the announcement.

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

U.S. Attorney Matthew L. Harvey is encouraging schools, youth organizations, athletic programs, and other community groups across the Northern District of West Virginia to take advantage of free training and prevention resources offered by the Department of Justice to help keep children safe online.

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced that Jason Goodsell, 41, of Wellsville, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo to distribution of child pornography, which carries a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison, a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, and a $250,000 fine.