Category: MIL-OSI

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

PHOENIX, Ariz. – During the week of enforcement operations from December 6, 2025, through December 12, 2025, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona brought immigration-related criminal charges against 173 individuals. Specifically, the United States filed 93 cases in which aliens illegally re-entered the United States, and the United States also charged 73 aliens for illegally entering the United States. In its ongoing effort to deter unlawful immigration, the United States filed 7 cases against individuals responsible for smuggling illegal aliens into and within the District of Arizona.

These cases were referred or supported by federal law enforcement partners, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ICE ERO), ICE Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), U.S. Border Patrol, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS), and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).

Recent matters of interest include:

United States v. Mario Alberto Herrera Jr:  On December 11, 2025, Mario Alberto Herrera Jr. was charged by complaint with Transportation of an Illegal Alien. An AZ DPS trooper observed Herrera driving on I-10 Westbound. The trooper conducted a vehicle registration check, which confirmed that the car’s registration was suspended, and the trooper initiated a traffic stop. The trooper observed Herrera in the driver’s seat and two passengers in the backseat of the car.  Agents determined Herrera was paid to transport his two passengers to Phoenix, and that he was on probation for a prior, separate conviction for Transportation of an Illegal Alien in the United States District Court, District of Arizona. Immigration checks confirmed that the two passengers in the car are citizens of Guatemala, unlawfully present in the United States. Case number: 25-3484MJ

United States v. Miguel Hernandez-Cortez: On December 8, 2025, Miguel Hernandez-Cortez was charged by complaint with Re-entry of Removed Alien. Hernandez-Cortez was previously removed from the United States in March 2015 after being convicted of Aggravated Sexual Assault, a felony, in the 287th Judicial District Court, Bailey County, Texas. In that case, Hernandez-Cortez was sentenced to five months of imprisonment.  Case number 25-3466MJ

A criminal complaint is a formal accusation of criminal conduct. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

RELEASE NUMBER:    2025-176_December 12 Immigration Enforcement

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For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/
Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, on X @USAO_AZ for the latest news.

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

SAN ANTONIO – United States Attorney Justin R. Simmons for the Western District of Texas announced today that federal prosecutors in the district filed 316 new immigration and immigration-related criminal cases from Dec. 5 to Dec. 11. Charges were brought against illegal aliens with past convictions for violent crimes and DWIs, as well as alleged human smugglers and aliens with prior removals.

Francisco Javier Navarro-Ramirez, a Legal Permanent Resident born in Mexico, was arrested near Tornillo and charged with human smuggling. A criminal complaint alleges Navarro-Ramirez was the driver of a vehicle travelling at high speeds with multiple individuals inside. Navarro-Ramirez allegedly did not yield to U.S. Border Patrol emergency lights and was eventually stopped by a tire deflation device deployed by a Texas Department of Public Safety trooper. The complaint alleges that Navarro-Ramirez was quickly apprehended after he attempted to flee on foot, and five illegal aliens were found inside the vehicle.

A Salvadoran national was arrested by USBP agents near Maverick for being illegally present in the U.S. Douglas Alexis Bautista-Arevalo was removed to El Salvador for the second time on Sept. 4 and has been previously convicted for two DWIs. In March, he was convicted for assault causing bodily injury to a family member.

In Austin, Mexican nationals Juan David Barajas-Armas and Noe Mendez-Salazar were each charged with illegal re-entry. Barajas-Armas has two prior removals and has been convicted of three DWIs and obstructing a highway/passageway. Mendez-Salazar has also been removed twice before and has three DWI convictions.

These cases were referred or supported by federal law enforcement partners, including ICE, U.S. Border Patrol, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the FBI, the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS), and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), with additional assistance from state and local law enforcement partners.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Texas comprises 68 counties located in the central and western areas of Texas, encompasses nearly 93,000 square miles and an estimated population of 7.6 million people. The district includes three of the five largest cities in Texas—San Antonio, Austin and El Paso—and shares 660 miles of common border with the Republic of Mexico.

These cases are 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 (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

Indictments and criminal complaints are merely allegations and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney David Metcalf announced that Donte Samuel Brown, 45, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was charged by superseding indictment with two counts of robbery interfering with interstate commerce (Hobbs Act robbery), one count of using and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, and one count of bank robbery.

The indictment alleges that Brown robbed a Family Dollar store in Delaware County on August 15, 2024; robbed at gunpoint a Sunoco gas station in Montgomery County on January 28, 2025; and robbed a TD Bank branch in Delaware County on February 19, 2025, stealing a total of over $8,000 cash in these robberies. The defendant was initially indicted in July of this year for the bank and gas station robberies.

If convicted, the defendant faces a maximum possible sentence of life imprisonment.

The case was investigated by FBI Philadelphia’s Newtown Square Resident Agency, the East Norriton Township Police Department, Ridley Township Police Department, and Upper Darby Township Police Department and is being prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorneys Sandra Urban and Brian Doherty.

The charges and allegations contained in the indictment are merely accusations. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

PHOENIX, Ariz. – Kevin Darren Blackhorse, 37, of Tsaile, Arizona, was sentenced on December 8, 2025, by United States District Judge Michael T. Liburdi to 13 years of imprisonment followed by three years of supervised release. Blackhorse previously pleaded guilty to Voluntary Manslaughter.

On January 8, 2024, while engaged in a physical fight with the victim, Blackhorse stabbed the victim in the chest and back multiple times resulting in his death. Blackhorse and the victim are enrolled members of the Navajo Nation.

Navajo Nation Department of Criminal Investigations and the FBI Phoenix division’s Gallup office conducted the investigation in this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kiyoko Patterson, District of Arizona, Phoenix, handled the prosecution.

CASE NUMBER:            CR-24-01247-MTL
RELEASE NUMBER:    2025-175_Blackhorse

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For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/
Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, on Twitter @USAO_AZ for the latest news.

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

      LITTLE ROCK—Marcus Abeyta will spend 15 years in federal prison for production of child pornography after victimizing a minor he met while playing an online video game. Jonathan D. Ross, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, announced the sentence, which was handed down today by Chief United States District Judge Kristine G. Baker.

      On June 4, 2024, Abeyta, 32, of Emporia, Kansas, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one count of production of child pornography. On February 26, 2025, Abeyta pleaded guilty to the count in the Indictment. Chief Judge Baker sentenced Abeyta to 180 months in federal prison and 10 years of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.

      An investigation revealed that on December 4, 2023, the U.S. Air Force Office of Special Investigations in Arkansas was notified by a parent, who is an active member of the Air Force, that they found sexually explicit and inappropriate conversations on their minor child’s iPad. The subsequent investigation revealed that on December 5, 2023, while the minor was interacting with others on an online game, Abeyta sent the minor an internet link inviting the minor to leave the current game and join him on another platform, Discord. The minor accepted the invitation and began communicating with Abeyta who made comments to the minor such as how “sexy” the minor was. During the interaction with the minor, Abeyta asked them to send him pictures of their private body parts, which the minor did. Abeyta offered money and game currency to the minor if they would send naked pictures. Abeyta knew the victim was a minor when he was communicating with the victim.

      This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice and led by the U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Divisions Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), it marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov. Parents are encouraged to always monitor your children’s online activity.

      The investigation was conducted by Homeland Security Investigations, with assistance from the U.S. Air Force, Office of Special Investigations and the FBI. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kristin Bryant.

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Additional information about the office of the

United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, is available online at

https://www.justice.gov/edar

X (formerly known as Twitter):

@USAO_EDAR 

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

Good afternoon, I’m Jay Clayton.  It is special to be here among many old and new friends.  And most of all, so many who every day are committed to the quality of life and the safety of our fellow New Yorkers.

Congratulations to the women and men who so deservedly received awards today.  On behalf of all members of the Southern District, and our partners in the Eastern District and other Justice Department offices, it is an honor to accept this award – I do so, not as an individual, but as a member of a great team.  

I have three items.

First, the Foundation, this event, and our role as your partner.  The commitment of the Foundation to the women and men of law enforcement is – like New York – strong, unique and a true melting pot.  The Foundation strengthens the bonds among law enforcement and our communities and transcends our social, economic, religious, ethnic, and racial folds.  

This event, gives us an opportunity – and I’m Using the words of Louis Armstrong – to shake hands, and say “how do you do” when – knowing the sacrifices we make for each other, we are “really saying, I love you.”   I’ll pause here – I’m going to speak for all members of law enforcement and the people of New York: John Catsimatidis, we love you!  In that vein, I want you all to know that we at the Southern District are proud to be your partners and we are here to – in the best traditions of our legal system – help you do your job and make your cases.  We know you’re committed to getting gun-toting criminals off our streets and freeing our parks, our subways, our public housing, and our streets of drugs and gangs.  Our women and men will work 365 – 24/7 to support you in that mission.  

Second item.  Results matter.  The women and men we honor today delivered results for the people of New York.  While crime remains too high, it is down.  We need to continue to bring it down, including by getting gun totting criminals off our streets and by breaking up the gangs and drug cartels.  And, as DEA Special Agent in Charge Frank Tarentino just noted in the case of the targeted DEA agent KiKi Camarena, never giving up. 

Third item.  We have the best in New York and we do the most – all your offices and our friends at the NYPD are best in class, second to none.   A key to that, a big key, are those who came before us.  The past leaders of the Southern District built a tradition of effort, excellence, and importantly results – and it’s not close – a tradition that is the best in the world.  

Today, I’m going to close by discussing one of those leaders, the great Bob Fiske.  Bob was U.S. Attorney from 1976 to 1980.  New York is four times safer today than it was 50 years ago, and Bob Fiske was instrumental in that turn.  He also mentored — and was a role model — for many hundreds of prosecutors and public servants – me included.  Bob passed away last night at 94.  He was unwaveringly optimistic and – every day – contributed to New York and our country, and his work and legacy will be a tail wind for us all for many, many years to come.  However you pray for, or give thanks for, or recognize, those who have served the public selflessly, please take a few moments for Bob and his family. He was one of us.

Finally, Merry Christmas, Happy Hannukah, Happy Holidays and I look forward to working with all of you to improve the quality of life of all New Yorkers.

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

TUCSON, Ariz. – Daniel Roberto Auz-Vasquez, 28, of Imuris, Sonora, Mexico, was sentenced on December 5, 2025, by Chief United States District Judge Jennifer G. Zipps to 78 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Auz-Vasquez was convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine.  

As part of this conspiracy, on July 1, 2024, in Phoenix, Arizona, Auz-Vasquez and his co-conspirators possessed approximately 100 pounds of methamphetamine, which they intended to deliver to another individual that evening.  

This investigation is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. This HSTF Tucson led investigation comprises agents and officers from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and the Arizona Department of Public Safety (AZDPS) with the prosecution being led by Assistant United States Attorney David Petermann of the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona-Tucson.

CASE NUMBER:          CR24-5415-JGZ-1
RELEASE NUMBER:    2024-174_Auz-Vasquez

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For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/
Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, on Twitter @USAO_AZ for the latest news.
 

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

OKLAHOMA CITY – DESHANE GANARRO JEFFERSON, 35, of Oklahoma City, has been sentenced to serve 110 months in federal prison for illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition after a previous felony conviction, announced U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester.

According to public record, on April 2, 2025, officers with the Oklahoma City Police Department (OCPD) attempted a traffic stop on a car near SE 15th and South Sunnylane Avenue. The driver failed to stop and a high-speed chase ensued. During the chase, Jefferson, who was a passenger, threw a loaded magazine out of the window, which was later recovered by law enforcement. OCPD then successfully stopped the vehicle, arrested the driver and Jefferson, and seized a firearm belonging to Jefferson.

On May 6, 2025, a federal Grand Jury charged Jefferson with being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. Jefferson pleaded guilty on August 5, 2025, and admitted he possessed both the firearm and ammunition despite his previous felony convictions.

At the sentencing hearing on December 9, 2025, U.S. District Judge Joe Heaton sentenced Jefferson to serve 110 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release. In announcing the sentence, the Court noted the danger Jefferson poses to the community and his extensive criminal history.

Public record reflects that Jefferson has previous felony convictions that include conspiracy to commit felony assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, possession of firearms after conviction, and knowingly concealing stolen property in Jackson County District Court case number CF-2016-225; larceny from a person at night in Oklahoma County District Court case number CF-2014-8652; and second-degree burglary in Oklahoma County District Court case number CF-2013-6923.

This case is the result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and OCPD. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney (SAUSA) Laney Ellis prosecuted the case. SAUSA Ellis is an attorney with City of Oklahoma City whose position is funded by a federal Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) grant awarded to the City of Oklahoma City to enhance efforts to address and reduce violent crime. PSN is a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.

Reference is made to public filings for additional information.

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – A Newport News man was sentenced today to 40 years in prison following his conviction relating to a Hampton Roads-based drug trafficking conspiracy.

According to court records and evidence presented at trial, Cortez Dayshawn Bumphus, 33, and his co-conspirators used Lux Auto in Newport News as a base of operations, storing illegal drugs in vehicles throughout the parking lot of the business. Members of the organization were frequently armed with handguns and other weapons. Between August 2020 and August 2023 at major airports in the Mid-Atlantic area, law enforcement seized almost $400,000 in drug proceeds and 1,000 pounds of marijuana and contraband relating to the conspiracy.

“Cortez Bumphus led a massive drug trafficking organization, armed himself, and operated from the organization’s base of operations,” said Lindsey Halligan, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. “The substantial sentence imposed today reflects Bumphus’ central role in the conspiracy and the sheer scope of the organization’s criminal conduct. This prosecution underscores our commitment to protecting Virginians and deterring violent and organized criminal activity.”

“This sentence removes a career criminal from our streets and reinforces the FBI’s commitment to protecting Hampton Roads,” said Dominique Evans, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Norfolk Field Office. “If you traffic drugs or use violence to protect your territory, we will find you, shut down your operation, and hold you fully accountable. Today’s result reflects the relentless work of the FBI Norfolk Safe Streets Peninsula Task Force, Virginia State Police, Newport News Police Department, and the Hampton Police Division.”

Members of the organization had varying roles and responsibilities. The leaders, including Bumphus, engaged with the sources of supply outside Virginia and arranged for the purchase of large loads of marijuana. They also instructed other members of the organization to arrange for couriers to fly to the sources of supply, deliver money to them, and return to Virginia with the marijuana. The leaders further arranged for midlevel members to receive marijuana from couriers and distribute it to customers or have subordinate dealers sell the marijuana. Thirty-seven defendants were charged in a 127-count superseding indictment returned on Sept. 11, 2023.

On July 30, Bumphus was convicted at trial of continuing a criminal enterprise; conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribution of marijuana; conspiracy to launder money; being a felon in possession of a firearm; possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime; maintaining a drug-involved premises; and use of a communication facility in furtherance of drug trafficking.

In addition to the 40-year sentence, a $6,396,000 money judgment was ordered against Bumphus.  The Court also ordered Bumphus to forfeit $62,198 in currency, designer shoes and accessories, and four firearms.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Eric M. Hurt, Alyson C. Yates, and Luke Bresnahan prosecuted the case.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 4:23-cr-54.