Category: MIL-OSI

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

Richard G. Frohling, Acting United States Attorney of the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that on October 1, 2025, David E. Dejanovich (age: 52) of Oshkosh, Wisconsin, was sentenced to 336 months in federal prison by Senior United States District Judge William C. Griesbach.

According to court records, Dejanovich is a lifetime registrant on the Wisconsin Sexual Offender Registry based on prior convictions in Dodge County, specifically two convictions for second degree sexual assault of a child and also for first degree sexual assault of a child conviction. In addition, Dejanovich was previously convicted in federal court in 2015 for possession of child pornography, for which he was sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment followed by 15 years of supervised release. While serving that term of supervised release, Dejanovich again was found to be in possession of child pornography after downloading it from the internet.      

At his sentencing hearing, Judge Griesbach said his crime was very serious and there was a strong need for deterrence. The judge cited Dejanovich’s disturbing history of abusing children as a factor that contributed to the need for a significant punishment. Upon completion of his federal prison sentence, the defendant will spend the remainder of his life on supervised release. He will continue to have to register as a sex offender under state and federal law.

This case was investigated by the Oshkosh Police Department and the Green Bay Office of United States Probation and Parole. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Daniel R. Humble.

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 U.S. Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood 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. 

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Public Affairs Officer Steve Caballero                                                                                    

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Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

BOSTON – A Wakefield, Mass. man has pleaded guilty to knowingly concealing the source of material support or resources intended for the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS).

Mateo Ventura, 20, pleaded guilty on Oct. 15, 2025 to one count of concealment of financing of terrorism. U.S. District Court Judge Denise Casper set sentencing for Jan. 8, 2026. Ventura was charged by complaint in June 2023 and was indicted by a federal grand jury in October 2023.

According to the charging documents, Ventura provided multiple gift cards to an individual he believed was an ISIS supporter, with the intention that they be sold on the dark web for a little less than face value, and with the profits being used to support ISIS. Ventura stated that he wanted the proceeds to go to ISIS “for war on kuffar,” (disbelievers). In total between January and May 2023, Ventura made donations totaling $705.

The charge of attempting knowingly concealing the source of material support or resources to a foreign terrorist organization provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Assistant Attorney John A. Eisenberg for the Justice Department’s National Security Division; and Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy H. Kistner of the National Security Unit is prosecuting the case. Valuable assistance was provided by Trial Attorney Michael Dittoe of the Justice Department’s National Security Division.

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

BOSTON – A Lexington, Mass. attorney was sentenced on Oct. 8, 2025 in federal court in Boston for defrauding multiple Massachusetts victims, including two relatives.

David Smerling, 75, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Richard G. Stearns to nine years in prison, three years of supervised release, restitution of $3,534,316 and forfeiture.  In June 2025, Smerling pleaded guilty to four counts of wire fraud, two counts of money laundering and one count of aggravated identity theft.

Smerling was sentenced in connection with three separate schemes. Between January 2016 and May 2020, Smerling worked as a bookkeeper for three Massachusetts companies and embezzled more than $2.8 million from the companies and their owners. He did so by transferring funds first to a bank account owned by one of the victims that Smerling controlled before moving the money to bank accounts in his own name, or directly from the companies’ accounts to bank accounts in his own name. Smerling concealed his scheme by changing the mailing address on victims’ bank statements to his home address and refusing to share the online banking password for the victims’ accounts. In April 2020, a victim discovered Smerling had transferred $350,000 from one of the companies to himself without authorization. After these funds were returned, Smerling changed the banking passwords and again transferred $350,000 from the company to himself.  

Between May 2020 and August 2021, Smerling embezzled more than $475,000 from a trust established for the benefit of a relative with special needs for which Smerling served as the trustee. Smerling transferred trust funds to bank accounts he controlled before sending the funds to bank accounts in his wife’s name or using the funds to pay for personal expenses. He concealed his scheme by making lulling payments to the beneficiary so he would not discover the trust had been depleted.  

Between May 2023 and April 2025, Smerling embezzled more than $175,000 from a relative with dementia for whom Smerling served as the financial power of attorney, including while he was on pretrial release after his January 2025 arrest in this matter. Smerling transferred funds from the victim’s accounts to accounts he controlled, used a credit card in the victim’s name for personal purchases and took out a loan in the victim’s name. To conceal this scheme, Smerling misrepresented the purpose of the transfers to the financial institutions in which the victim’s accounts were held.  

U.S. Attorney Leah B. Foley and Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division, made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristen A. Kearney of the Securities, Financial & Cyber Fraud Unit prosecuted the case.

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

ALBUQUERQUE – A Hobbs man was sentenced to 180 months in prison following the discovery of fentanyl, methamphetamine, and weapons during two traffic stops in July 2023.

There is no parole in the federal system.

According to court documents, during a traffic stop on July 4, 2023, Lea County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrested Mark Liges, 34, on an outstanding warrant. A police canine alerted deputies to narcotics in the vehicle which was then towed pending a search warrant.

The following day, the LCSO and Lea County Drug Task Force executed the warrant on the vehicle. Inside, officers found 679.4 net grams of fentanyl and 199 net grams of pure methamphetamine. Authorities also found loaded two handguns, along with a digital scale and empty baggies. Further investigation using a search warrant for Liges‘ cellphone revealed text messages corroborating his drug distribution activities.

Just eight days after his initial arrest on July 12, 2023, Liges was arrested again in Hobbs, NM, this time for driving with a suspended license. During this arrest, Liges informed officers he was carrying another firearm, stating he knew it was illegal but claimed he needed it for protection. Liges has a history of felony offenses, including distribution of marijuana in 2010 and possession of a firearm by a felon in 2013, which legally prohibits him from possessing firearms.

Liges subsequently pled guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, using and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime, and being a felon in possession of a firearm. Upon his release from prison, Liges will be subject to five years of supervised release.

Acting U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Omar Arellano, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s El Paso Division, made the announcement today.

The DEA’s El Paso Division investigated this case with assistance from the Lea County Sheriff’s Office, 5^th Judicial District Attorney’s Office, and the Lea County Drug Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kirk Williams is prosecuting the case.

This press release was posted November 13, after the end of the federal government shutdown.

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

ALBUQUERQUE – An Artesia man was sentenced to 240 months in prison for selling pure methamphetamine and fentanyl pills to an undercover agent.

There is no parole in the federal system.

According to court records, on April 3, 2024, Sammie Joe Peralta, 49, sold 859 grams of pure methamphetamine and fentanyl pills to an undercover Homeland Security Investigations agent at a gas station in Artesia, New Mexico. When Peralta was arrested, he was found with three handguns and an additional 126 grams of pure methamphetamine.

Peralta pled guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Upon his release from prison, Peralta will be subject to five years of supervised release.

Acting U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Jason T. Stevens, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations – El Paso, made the announcement today.

Homeland Security Investigations investigated this case with assistance from Pecos Valley Drug Task Force, and the Eddy County Sherrif’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Kirk Williams is prosecuting the case.

This press release was posted November 13, after the end of the federal government shutdown.

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

BOSTON – A Dominican national unlawfully residing in Dorchester pleaded guilty on Oct. 17, 2025 to trafficking thousands of fentanyl pills.

Waner Bernabel Presinal, 38, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl and distribution of 40 grams or more of fentanyl. U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani scheduled sentencing for Jan. 13, 2026. In September 2024, Bernabel Presinal was charged with three co-conspirators.

On April 12, 2024, an undercover agent allegedly ordered 2,000 pressed fentanyl pills and a sample of methamphetamine from Andujar Echavarria for $4,000. It is alleged that Bernabel Presinal delivered the fentanyl pills and methamphetamine to Andujar Echavarria at his home in Dorchester. Andujar Echavarria then proceeded to Medford where he delivered the fentanyl pills and sample of methamphetamine to the undercover agent. It was later confirmed that the bags Andujar Echavarria handed the undercover allegedly contained 222 grams of fentanyl and 1.8 grams of methamphetamine.

In May 2025, Guerro Soto was sentenced to 30 months in prison and six years of supervised release. Andujar Echavarria has pleaded not guilty and is awaiting trial.

The charge of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl and distribution of 40 grams or more of fentanyl carry a sentence of at least five years and up to 40 years in prison; at least four years of supervised release; and a fine of up to $5 million. The defendant is subject to deportation proceedings upon completion of an imposed sentence. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Jarod A. Forget, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Pohl of the Criminal Division is prosecuting the case.

The remaining defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

BOSTON – A Tewksbury man has been arrested and charged on Oct. 7, 2025 with distribution, possession, and receipt of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) allegedly containing images of children between five and seven years old.

Brian McCarthy, 52, was indicted by a federal grand jury on Nov. 4, 2025 on one count of distribution of child pornography; one count of possession of child pornography; and one count of receipt of child pornography. McCarthy was arrested at home on Oct. 7, 2025 on a criminal complaint and was released on conditions following an initial appearance in federal court in Boston.

According to the charging documents, on or about Oct. 6, 2025, McCarthy allegedly exchanged messages with another user on Telegram and knowingly distributed to that user 10 files appearing to depict CSAM. The children in at least two of these videos appeared to be between approximately five and seven years old. On Oct. 7, 2025, McCarthy was allegedly found to knowingly possess files appearing to depict child pornography.

The charge of distribution of child pornography provides for a sentence of at least five years and up to 20 years in prison, at least five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of possession of child pornography provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, at least five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of receipt of child pornography provides of at least five years and up to 20 years in prison, at least five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Michael J. Krol, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by HSI Columbus, Massachusetts State Police and Tewksbury Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Allegra Flamm of the Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.

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. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.

The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

ALBUQUERQUE – A Laguna man was sentenced to 24 months in prison for violent assault.

There is no parole in the federal system.

According to court records, on August 18, 2023, Kenzie Alonzo, 26, an enrolled member of the Pueblo of Laguna, physically assaulted Jane Doe during a verbal altercation. As a result, Jane Doe sustained serious bodily injury, including a concussion, severe bruising, and bite marks, requiring emergency medical transport and hospitalization.

Alonzo pled guilty to assault resulting in serious bodily injury. Upon his release from prison, Alonzo will be subject to three years of supervised release.

Acting U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison made the announcement today.

The Bureau of Indian Affairs investigated this case with assistance from the Zia Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Jesse Pecoraro is prosecuting the case.

This press release was posted November 13, after the end of the federal government shutdown.

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

ALBUQUERQUE – A man was charged with assaulting a Bureau of Indian Affairs officer who responded to a report of property damage on the Mescalero Apache Reservation.

According to court documents, on May 29, 2025, Dominic James Isaac Sandoval Peralta, 23, an enrolled member of the Mescalero Apache Tribe, assaulted and resisted an officer from the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Office of Justice Services when the officer arrived at a residence on the Mescalero Apache Reservation in response to reports of a male breaking windows. When the officer approached Peralta, he was acting erratic and yelling. Peralta then advanced on the officer, leading to a physical confrontation during which Peralta punched the officer in the head several times, forcing the officer to stun Peralta with a taser in order to place him under arrest.

Peralta is charged with assault, resistance and opposition of an officer of the U.S. resulting in physical contact and will remain in custody pending trial, which has not been scheduled. If convicted of the current charges, Peralta faces eight years in prison.

Acting U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Justin A. Garris, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office, made the announcement today.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Office of Justice Services. Assistant U.S. Attorney James Dickens is prosecuting the case.

A criminal complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

This press release was posted November 13, after the end of the federal government shutdown.

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

BOSTON – The former office manager for a Franklin environmental services business pleaded guilty on Oct. 15, 2025 in federal court in Boston to embezzling more than $400,000 from her employer.  

Marie Hobson, 54, of Attleboro, pleaded guilty to two counts of wire fraud and one count of filing a false tax return. U.S. District Court Chief Judge Denise J. Casper scheduled sentencing for Jan. 22, 2026. Hobson was charged on Oct. 1, 2025.

Between December 2019 and March 2025, Hobson inflated her own payroll by adding approximately $268,046 in phony expense reimbursements, such as uniform costs even though Hobson did not wear a uniform in her position. To conceal the thefts, Hobson manipulated her employer’s accounting software to make it appear she was only receiving her weekly salary. Hobson also misused her company-issued credit card to pay for country club memberships, vacations, cruises, timeshares and personal residence costs totaling more than $105,000.

To further conceal her scheme, Hobson failed to report the funds that she embezzled on her federal income tax filings for tax years 2021 through 2024, resulting in a tax loss to the government of approximately $81,000.

The charge of wire fraud provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, a fine of up to $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, restitution and forfeiture. The charge of filing a false tax return provides for a sentence of up to three years in prison, one year of supervised release and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

U.S. Attorney Leah B. Foley; Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; and Thomas E. Demeo, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigations in Boston made the announcement today. The Franklin Police Department provided valuable assistance with the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Rilwan Adeduntan of the Securities, Financial & Cyber Fraud Unit is prosecuting the case.