Category: Security

Source: US FBI

HOUSTON – The final man charged in a large-scale conspiracy to commit wire fraud in relation to the sale of hundreds of thousands of fraudulent Texas paper license plates has pleaded guilty, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.

Emmanuel Padilla Reyes, 35, was a fugitive until authorities apprehended him in September 2024. 

Reyes and co-conspirators used the internet, email and iMessage to sell fraudulent state-issued buyer tags and deliver them to buyers nationwide. As part of his plea, Reyes admitted to using at least two aliases, including another person’s name and Social Security number, to get used car dealer licenses. He used them in a scheme to fraudulently issue and sell at least 550,000 Texas temporary buyer tags without selling any vehicles. 

The illegal tags pose a danger to the public and law enforcement as buyers use them to avoid registration, safety inspections and liability insurance. They can also be used to conceal identities from law enforcement. The investigation revealed fake vehicle tags gave criminals the means to create ghost cars that were invisible to law enforcement and used to commit crimes ranging from driving with no insurance to committing robberies and drive-by shootings. 

In Texas, used car dealers must obtain an independent General Distinguishing Number (GDN) license via the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles’ online eLicensing portal to legally buy, sell or exchange vehicles. Licensed dealers can access the secure eTag portal to create temporary buyer tags and may add other users to their account. At the time of the original indictment in the case, there were no restrictions on the data entered into the portal. 

Reyes provided false information, such as fake identities, drivers licenses, lease agreements and business signs, in an online application portal to obtain GDN licenses for two fictitious dealerships “King’s Ranch Autoland” and “Texas Motor Company.” Reyes and his co-conspirators then advertised Texas buyer tags for sale on social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram.

U.S. District Judge George C. Hanks will impose sentencing July 23. At that time, Reyes faces up to five years in prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine.

He has been and will remain in custody pending sentencing.

Co-defendants Leidy Areli Hernandez Lopez, 44, Octavian Ocasio, 53, and Daniel Christine-Tani, 36, were also charged and convicted in the scheme and were sentenced to prison. Lopez, also in the United States illegally, failed to report to prison. A federal grand jury returned an indictment Feb. 20 charging her with failure to surrender. Lopez is considered a fugitive, and a warrant remains outstanding for her arrest. Anyone with information about her whereabouts is asked to contact the FBI at 713-693-5000.

The FBI conducted the investigation with assistance from Travis County Constable Office – Precinct 3, Houston Police Department, Texas Department of Public Safety, Harris County Sheriff’s Office, New York State Police and New York Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Belinda Beek and Adam Goldman are prosecuting the case.

Source: US FBI

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Richmond, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for receiving child pornography, after having a prior state conviction for possession of child pornography.

Derek Shain, 36, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Roseann Ketchmark to 25 years in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered Shain to serve supervised release for Life following his incarceration.

On January 16, 2025, Shain pleaded guilty to one count of receiving child pornography, after having a prior state conviction for possession of child pornography. According to court documents, Shain communicated with a 15-year-old minor female on a social media platform.  He requested and received an image of child pornography from the minor female.  A background investigation of Shain confirmed that Shain was a registered sex offender at the time of this offense. Shain also has prior state convictions for attempted child molestation in the first degree and age misrepresentation with intent to solicit a minor.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Maureen A. Brackett. It was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Sugar Creek, Missouri Police Department.

Project Safe Childhood

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc . For more information about Internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab “resources.”

Source: US FBI

Yakima, Washington – Acting United States Attorney Richard R. Barker announced that Leland James Vijarro, age 26, of Toppenish, Washington, pled guilty in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Washington to assault and firearm charges for shooting at federal officers.

Based on court documents and information presented at the change-of-plea hearing, at around 9 p.m. on February 10, 2024, law enforcement in Toppenish, Washington, responded to reports that two vehicles were chasing one another.  According to these reports, the vehicles’ occupants were firing gunshots at one another

When officers responded to the scene and stopped one of the vehicles involved, Vijarro, who was a passenger in the vehicle, got out and ran from the scene, armed with a .45 caliber pistol and ammunition. Vijarro then fled into a nearby home in attempt to hide from law enforcement. At this point, law enforcement set up a permitter around the home where Vijarro was apparently hiding.

Just before 11p.m., Vijarro walked into the backyard of the home and fired three shots at law enforcement. Vijarro then stood on top a pallet in the backyard, took up a shooting stance while aiming at law enforcement, and fired two more shots. Two Yakima County Sheriff’s Office vehicles were hit by bullets fired by Vijarro.

Vijarro eventually surrendered to law enforcement after breaking into a home next door and barricading himself inside. These events, including the shots fired at law enforcement, occurred on the Yakama Nation Indian Reservation. Mr. Vijarro is not an enrolled member of the Yakama Nation.

At the change-of-plea hearing, Vijarro admitted that he intentionally fired at law enforcement officers, who had set up a perimeter around the home he had barricaded himself in.

“Firing at law enforcement officers is an intolerable act of violence that puts lives at risk and undermines public safety,” stated Acting United States Attorney Rich Barker. Mr. Vijarro’s reckless and dangerous actions could have resulted in tragedy. I commend the officers involved for their professionalism and restraint.  The U.S. Attorney’s Office is committed to working closely with our federal, state, local, and Tribal partners to hold violent offenders accountable and protect our communities.”

“During Police Week, we are especially reminded of how law enforcement place themselves daily in harm’s way to protect us. FBI Seattle and our partners are committed to combatting violent crime to keep our communities safe, including on tribal lands,” said W. Mike Herrington, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Seattle field office. “From the vehicle chase to the hiding in houses, so many parts of this scenario were dangerous and could have resulted in far worse results than the damaged sheriff’s office vehicles. We are thankful no one was injured by Mr. Vijarro’s actions.”

United States District Judge Mary K. Dimke accepted Vijarro’s plea and set sentencing for August 11, 2025. 

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Bree R. Black Horse.

1:24-cr-02055-MKD

Source: US FBI

May 12, 2025 – Today, the Department of Justice announced the results of Operation Restore Justice, a coordinated enforcement effort to identify, track and arrest child sex predators.  The operation resulted in the rescue of 115 children and the arrests of 205 child sexual abuse offenders in the nationwide crackdown.  The coordinated effort was executed over the course of five days by all 55 FBI field offices, the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section in the Department’s Criminal Division, and United States Attorney’s Offices around the country. 

Two individuals were arrested in the Southern District of Georgia. To date, both have been charged federally. 

Michael Alexander James, 44, of Waynesboro, GA and Martin Lindner, 52, of Augusta, GA were both charged in newly unsealed federal indictments with one count of Possession of Child Pornography, said Tara M. Lyons, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia.

“The Department of Justice will never stop fighting to protect victims — especially child victims — and we will not rest until we hunt down, arrest, and prosecute every child predator who preys on the most vulnerable among us,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “I am grateful to the FBI and their state and local partners for their incredible work in Operation Restore Justice and have directed my prosecutors not to negotiate.”

“Every child deserves to grow up free from fear and exploitation, and the FBI will continue to be relentless in our pursuit of those who exploit the most vulnerable among us,” said FBI Director Kash Patel. “Operation Restore Justice proves that no predator is out of reach and no child will be forgotten. By leveraging the strength of all our field offices and our federal, state and local partners, we’re sending a clear message: there is no place to hide for those who prey on children.”

“Possessing child pornography perpetuates the victimization of child sexual abuse survivors,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Lyons. “As exemplified in Operation Restore Justice, we will continue to collaborate with our law enforcement partners to protect our most vulnerable citizens.”

Others arrested around the country are alleged to have committed various crimes including the production, distribution, and possession of child sexual abuse material, online enticement and transportation of minors, and child sex trafficking. In Minneapolis, for example, a state trooper and Army Reservist was arrested for allegedly producing child sexual abuse material while wearing his uniforms. In Norfolk, VA, an illegal alien from Mexico is accused of transporting a minor across state lines for sex. In Washington, D.C., a former Metropolitan Police Department Police Officer was arrested for allegedly trafficking minor victims.

In many cases, parental vigilance and community outreach efforts played a critical role in bringing these offenders to justice. For example, a California man was arrested eight hours after a young victim bravely came forward and disclosed their abuse to FBI agents after an online safety presentation at a school near Albany, N.Y.

This effort follows the Department’s observance of National Child Abuse Prevention Month in April, and underscores the Department’s unwavering commitment to protecting children and raising awareness about the dangers they face. While the Department, including the FBI, investigates and prosecutes these crimes every day, April serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of preventing these crimes, seeking justice for victims, and raising awareness through community education.

The Justice Department is committed to combating child sexual exploitation. These cases were brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and 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, visit www.justice.gov/psc.

The Department partners with and oversees funding grants for the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), which receives and shares tips about possible child sexual exploitation received through its 24/7 hotline at 1-800-THE-LOST and on missingkids.org.

The Department urges the public to remain vigilant and report suspected exploitation of a child through the FBI’s tipline at 1-800-CALL-FBI (225-5324), tips.fbi.gov, or by calling your local FBI field office.

Other online resources:

Electronic Press Kit

Violent Crimes Against Children

How we can help you: Parents and caregivers protecting your kids

An indictment is merely an allegation. The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Source: US FBI

I began my career as a special agent with the FBI in June 2021. I was assigned to the Brevard Resident Agency out of the Tampa Division. I currently work international and domestic terrorism matters.

Prior to the FBI, I worked as a task force officer on the same Joint Terrorism Task Force program while I was employed as a law enforcement officer with the Palm Bay Police Department.

What drew you to the FBI?

Throughout my prior career as a law enforcement officer, I spent six of my seven years investigating crimes as a detective. I loved working complex crimes and solving cases that required me to think broader and outside of the box. I knew that I would have the opportunity to continue the investigative lifestyle with the FBI. I wanted to be part of something bigger and have more resources available. I also wanted to receive more in-depth training and opportunities and expand my skills, all while continuing to learn.

What is the best career or life advice you have to give?

Some of the best advice I have received and would share is to be confident in whatever you do and do it wholeheartedly. Life, at times, will bring challenges and obstacles that may make us doubt ourselves on many levels.

Source: US FBI

Source: US FBI

I was a D.C.-based Department of Justice attorney at the time of 9/11. I volunteered to work at FBI Headquarters to assist with the response to the attack. It ignited a desire in me to get out of the courtroom and onto the front lines of law enforcement.

Describe your most memorable case or investigative success.

There are so many investigations that have impacted me over the years. I think, instead, what is memorable is the FBI’s mission. As an agent, I have been in a position to impact threats to civil society and individuals, whether that be corrupt heads of state, child predators, violent actors, or terrorists. I’ve been given the opportunity to hold those individuals responsible and to cast light on their often very dark and selfish acts.

Ultimately, it is the day-to-day work we do at the FBI, often unseen and unheralded, that means the most to me. The opportunity to serve: victims, their families, the community, my agency, this country. That is what is, and will always be, memorable to me.

What is the best career or life advice you’ve been given?

Two things: Your reputation and integrity are everything, and don’t do anything that would embarrass your mom if it made the news.

Source: US FBI

I joined the FBI in 1997 and was so fortunate to be assigned to the Richmond Division directly from Quantico. I chose to remain there for my entire 25-year career. I started off investigating bank robberies, fugitives, and crimes against children.

When the first of three daughters was born, I began investigating white-collar crimes. Although I spent the majority of my time working a wide array of white-collar crimes, I have had the opportunity to experience so much more—from being a member of the Richmond Evidence Response Team to interviewing potential FBI applicants and serving as a crisis management coordinator during critical incidents 
 
What drew you to the FBI?  

I grew up wanting to be a lawyer. After practicing family law and criminal defense for a few years, my husband read in a news article that the FBI was recruiting accountants, lawyers, women, and minorities to become special agents. My husband pointed out that I fit two of those categories. 

Until that conversation, I had never thought about becoming a special agent for the FBI. I was 29 and had never shot a gun before, but that conversation started me thinking: Why not become an FBI special agent?

What is the best career or life advice you have to give? 

After 25 years with the FBI, my career advice is to take advantage of the unique experiences and training presented to you as an employee who works for the FBI.

Source: US FBI

Though this was a devastating time for my mother, I realized I wanted to use my knowledge of the law to help others, the way the FBI and USAO helped my family. When considering a career, I was drawn to the FBI because I knew I could serve others while using my law degree.

Describe your most memorable case or investigative success.

The most memorable case of my career was as a member of the FBI Los Angeles Evidence Response Team responding to the San Bernardino terrorist attack in December 2015. At the time, it was the deadliest terrorist attack in the United States since 9/11. I will never forget the victims who had simply gone to a work holiday party only to be attacked by their coworker and his wife who had become homegrown violent extremists. I responded to searches of the mass shooting location, the terrorists’ home, and an accomplice’s home and to autopsies of the victims as well as the subjects themselves. The professionalism of my teammates and dedication to the FBI mission and country left a lasting impression on me. I was honored to serve among them to help bring answers to the victims’ families and intelligence community.

What is the best career or life advice you’ve been given?

Studies show that most men apply for jobs when they meet 60% of the requirements. Most women apply for jobs only when they meet 100% of the requirements. To compete, women need to put themselves forward when they think they can do the job, not just when they are completely confident they already meet every requirement.

Source: US FBI

As an FBI agent, I have seen horrific tragedy, but I’ve also seen the best in humanity. And I have faith that good will prevail.

I began my career working counterterrorism as an analyst with the FBI and with the National Counterterrorism Center. I later became an FBI agent, and my first assignment was working violent crime in North Carolina. I went back to FBI Headquarters in Washington, D.C., to work national security matters and was then promoted to supervisory special agent working national security matters in San Antonio, Texas.  

What is the best career or life advice you’ve been given?   

If your intuition and your instincts are telling you something, then it’s important to drill down and ask smart questions on what that is and why. This could save your life, save someone else’s life, or lead you in a new direction during an investigation.    

What is the best career or life advice you have to give?   

Live a good life and have a career where you have fun, do meaningful work, and make an impact on the world. Try your best to push yourself outside of your comfort zone. Why not? Why not experience what your life and career can offer you and then learn from it? But, pay it back by what you learn from those experiences.