Source: United States Department of Justice
BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that James R. Muench Jr., 47, of Depew, NY, who was convicted of entering aircraft or aircraft area, was sentenced to serve five years’ probation and ordered to pay a $5,000 fine by U.S. Magistrate Judge H. Kenneth Schroeder, Jr.
Source: United States Department of Justice
Somerset Lifesciences Inc. (Somerset) has agreed to pay $4 million to resolve common law claims for causing Medicare Part D (Medicare) to pay for its prescription-only (Rx-only) generic drug Olopatadine when it was no longer eligible for Medicare coverage. Medicare does not cover drugs that can be purchased by retail customers over-the-counter (OTC) without a prescription. In 2020, the brand name version of Olopatadine switched from Rx-only to OTC, and Somerset was required to change Olopatadine’s label from Rx-only to OTC as well. Instead, Somerset continued to label and sell Olopatadine as Rx-only and caused Medicare to wrongfully pay claims for an OTC drug.
“Today’s resolution underscores the Department’s commitment to safeguarding federal healthcare programs,” said Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “When companies cause Medicare to pay for products that are not eligible for coverage, the Department will act decisively to remedy that misconduct.”
Olopatadine (olopatadine hydrochloride ophthalmic solution USP, 0.1%) is the generic drug version of the brand name eyedrop Pataday Twice Daily Relief (olopatadine hydrochloride) ophthalmic solution, 0.1% (Pataday). Before February 2020, Pataday and Olopatadine were covered by Medicare and only available with a prescription. In February 2020, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the sale of Pataday OTC. Generally, a generic drug’s label must mirror the label for its brand name drug. When Pataday’s label switched from Rx-only to OTC, Somerset was required to change Olopatadine’s label to OTC as well. Somerset, however, did not and continued to label and sell Olopatadine as Rx-only. By continuing to label and sell Olopatadine as Rx-only, Somerset caused Medicare to pay for Olopatadine claims by mistake. This action unjustly enriched Somerset.
This year the Administration launched the Task Force to Eliminate Fraud and the National Fraud Enforcement Division to enhance the administration’s war on fraud, waste, and abuse in federal programs. When unscrupulous actors exploit these programs for their own financial gain, they defraud the government, harm the people these programs are designed to aid and protect, and undermine American businesses that play by the rules. The Civil Division’s False Claims Act (FCA) enforcement plays a critical role in combatting such fraudulent schemes, recovering billions of dollars for the American taxpayers, and holding wrongdoers accountable. FCA matters will continue to be on the forefront of the battle against fraud, and the Civil Division’s FCA work will support and advance the mission of the Task Force to Eliminate Fraud and the National Fraud Enforcement Division.
The investigation and resolution of this matter illustrate the government’s emphasis on combating healthcare fraud. One of the most powerful tools in this effort is the FCA. Tips and complaints from all sources about potential fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement, can be reported to the Department of Health and Human Services at 800-HHS-TIPS (800-447-8477).
This matter is being handled by Fraud Section Trial Attorney Vince Vaccarella.
Except for the admissions contained in the settlement agreement, the claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only and there has been no determination of liability.
Source: United States Department of Justice
HONOLULU – United States Attorney Ken Sorenson announced that Heidi Cafirma, 46, of Waipahu, Hawaii, was sentenced on September 30, 2026, by United States District Judge Shanlyn A.S. Park to 24 months in prison followed by 3 years of supervised release for filing false tax returns and wire fraud.
Source: United States Department of Justice
On October 13 and 14, 2026, Vikki Bradt, age 51, a British National, of Ballston Spa, NY, Samantha Merkle, age 55, a British National of Glens Falls, NY, Suad Sasic, age 30, a Bosnian National of Clifton Park, NY, Jacques Patry, age 64, a Canadian National of Tupper Lake, NY, and Paula Stitt, age 57, a Canadian National of Albany, NY, appeared on charges of voting by aliens. All defendants are lawful permanent residents. First Assistant United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III and Anthony Patrone, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Buffalo Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) made the announcement.
Source: United States Department of Justice
HONOLULU – United States Attorney Ken Sorenson announced that Sean Sakaida, 44, of Honolulu, Hawaii, was indicted on October 15, 2026, and charged with four counts of production of child pornography, four counts of distribution of child pornography, one count of receipt of child pornography, four counts of possession of child pornography, and one count of child sex trafficking.
Source: United States Department of Justice
Somerset Lifesciences Inc. (Somerset) has agreed to pay $4 million to resolve common law claims for causing Medicare Part D (Medicare) to pay for its prescription-only (Rx-only) generic drug Olopatadine when it was no longer eligible for Medicare coverage. Medicare does not cover drugs that can be purchased by retail customers over-the-counter (OTC) without a prescription. In 2020, the brand name version of Olopatadine switched from Rx-only to OTC, and Somerset was required to change Olopatadine’s label from Rx-only to OTC as well. Instead, Somerset continued to label and sell Olopatadine as Rx-only and caused Medicare to wrongfully pay claims for an OTC drug.
“Today’s resolution underscores the Department’s commitment to safeguarding federal healthcare programs,” said Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “When companies cause Medicare to pay for products that are not eligible for coverage, the Department will act decisively to remedy that misconduct.”
Olopatadine (olopatadine hydrochloride ophthalmic solution USP, 0.1%) is the generic drug version of the brand name eyedrop Pataday Twice Daily Relief (olopatadine hydrochloride) ophthalmic solution, 0.1% (Pataday). Before February 2020, Pataday and Olopatadine were covered by Medicare and only available with a prescription. In February 2020, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the sale of Pataday OTC. Generally, a generic drug’s label must mirror the label for its brand name drug. When Pataday’s label switched from Rx-only to OTC, Somerset was required to change Olopatadine’s label to OTC as well. Somerset, however, did not and continued to label and sell Olopatadine as Rx-only. By continuing to label and sell Olopatadine as Rx-only, Somerset caused Medicare to pay for Olopatadine claims by mistake. This action unjustly enriched Somerset.
This year the Administration launched the Task Force to Eliminate Fraud and the National Fraud Enforcement Division to enhance the administration’s war on fraud, waste, and abuse in federal programs. When unscrupulous actors exploit these programs for their own financial gain, they defraud the government, harm the people these programs are designed to aid and protect, and undermine American businesses that play by the rules. The Civil Division’s False Claims Act (FCA) enforcement plays a critical role in combatting such fraudulent schemes, recovering billions of dollars for the American taxpayers, and holding wrongdoers accountable. FCA matters will continue to be on the forefront of the battle against fraud, and the Civil Division’s FCA work will support and advance the mission of the Task Force to Eliminate Fraud and the National Fraud Enforcement Division.
The investigation and resolution of this matter illustrate the government’s emphasis on combating healthcare fraud. One of the most powerful tools in this effort is the FCA. Tips and complaints from all sources about potential fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement, can be reported to the Department of Health and Human Services at 800-HHS-TIPS (800-447-8477).
This matter is being handled by Fraud Section Trial Attorney Vince Vaccarella.
Except for the admissions contained in the settlement agreement, the claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only and there has been no determination of liability.
Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division
An indictment was unsealed today in the District of Delaware charging Jamar Geeter, 39, of San Francisco, California, Kalvin Carter Jr., 44, of Waldorf, Maryland, and Jada Hasty, 29, of Coatesville, Pennsylvania, with conspiracy to commit sex trafficking of a minor by force, fraud, and coercion, sex trafficking, and coercion and enticement of a minor. Geeter and Hasty are also charged with producing child sexual abuse material (CSAM).
“These three individuals are alleged to have exploited and abused four victims — including three children — for their financial gain,” said Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “Human trafficking is a serious crime that strips people of their dignity and safety. Anyone who engages in this heinous conduct will be investigated and prosecuted.”
“Human-trafficking schemes don’t stop at state lines, and neither does our work to investigate them,” said U.S. Attorney Benjamin L. Wallace for the District of Delaware. “Alongside the Criminal Division and the FBI, my office will pursue anyone charged with exploiting minors in Delaware, no matter where the perpetrators reside.”
“According to court documents, Jamar Geeter, already a convicted sex trafficker, continued directing abuse from behind bars with Jada Hasty and Kalvin Carter Jr. as his willing accomplices,” said Special Agent in Charge Jimmy Paul of FBI Baltimore. “I am proud of the work done by our agents, analysts and victim specialists who handled this case with urgency and care. Their investigation spanned coast- to-coast, rescuing three children and one woman from the clutches of human trafficking and guaranteeing their alleged abusers will feel the full weight of the federal justice system.”
According to court documents, Geeter is currently serving a 97-year sentence in California for unrelated state sex trafficking convictions. It is alleged that Geeter used contraband cell phones to engage in some of the alleged criminal conduct while incarcerated.
It is also alleged that the defendants conspired to compel three minors and one adult to engage in commercial sex acts in Delaware and elsewhere. Geeter and Hasty recruited, enticed, harbored, transported, provided, obtained, and maintained two minors knowing or in reckless disregard of the fact that they were under the age of 18 and would be caused to engage in commercial sex acts. Geeter and Hasty also used facilities of interstate commerce, including cell phones and the internet, to induce and entice three minors to engage in prostitution. Geeter and Hasty produced CSAM images of two of the minor victims as well. The defendants involved in the scheme used force, threats of force, fraud, or coercion to compel the victims to engage in commercial sex acts.
All three defendants are charged with conspiracy to traffic a minor and by force, fraud, and coercion and sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion. Geeter and Hasty are also charged with sex trafficking of a minor and by force, fraud, or coercion, coercion and enticement of a minor, and production of CSAM materials. Geeter is charged with additional counts of production and receipt of CSAM materials. If convicted, all three defendants face a minimum penalty of 15 years in prison and a maximum penalty of life in prison on the sex trafficking by force, fraud, and coercion charges.
In addition, Geeter and Hasty face a minimum penalty of 15 years in prison and a maximum penalty of life in prison for sex trafficking of a minor charges and coercion and enticement of a minor. Geeter faces a minimum penalty of 25 years in prison and a maximum penalty of 50 years in prison while Hasty faces a minimum penalty of 15 years in prison and a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison on the CSAM charges.
The FBI’s Delaware Violent Crime and Safe Streets Task Force and Delaware State Police are investigating the case.
Trial Attorney Nicole Raspa of the Criminal Division’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Claudia Pare for the District of Delaware are prosecuting the case.
Anyone who has information about human trafficking should report that information to the National Human Trafficking Hotline toll-free at 1-888-373-7888, which is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For more information about human trafficking, please visit www.humantraffickinghotline.org. Information on the Department of Justice’s efforts to combat human trafficking can be found at www.justice.gov/humantrafficking.
An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division
Fort Myers, Florida – Olivier Emanuel Fevrier-Sildor (27, North Fort Myers) has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine, possession with intent to distribute cocaine, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and three counts of distribution of cocaine. He faces up to life imprisonment, a mandatory minimum term of 5 years, consecutive to any other sentence, as well as a $1,000,000 fine. Fevrier-Sildor remains detained pending sentencing.
Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division
HONOLULU – United States Attorney Ken Sorenson announced that Shalom Tuimalealiifano, 44, of Honolulu, Hawaii, was indicted on October 15, 2026 with possessing with intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, and unlawful possession of ammunition as a convicted felon.
Source: United States Department of Justice
Jacksonville, Florida – Jamal Jason James (40, Jacksonville) has been sentenced by Chief U.S. District Judge Marcia Morales Howard to 10 years in federal prison for participating in a drug trafficking conspiracy and possessing MDMA with the intent to distribute it. James pleaded guilty on December 12, 2025.