Category: Security

Source: US FBI

HOUSTON – A 39-year-old Manvel resident who used his veteran status to perpetuate several financial crimes has been ordered to federal prison, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.

Antonio Jackson Jr. pleaded guilty Feb. 4.

U.S. District Judge Lee Rosenthal has now ordered Jackson to serve 120 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by three years of supervised release. The court also ordered Jackson to pay a total of $1,974,145.63 in restitution to four different victims.     

At the hearing, the court heard additional evidence about the various methods Jackson used to exploit his victims, including creating fake companies, submitting bogus tax records and even faking signatures of government officials and copying official government seals and emblems. In handing down the sentence, Judge Rosenthal highlighted Jackson’s wide-ranging criminal conduct and his ongoing commitment to defrauding both public and private victims. The court also noted that Jackson exploited his brief stint in the U.S. Army, which ended in a court-martial, as a way to deceive others under the guise of service.  

From July 2020 to May 2021, Jackson submitted four false Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan applications. He claimed his business earned millions in revenue and paid hundreds of thousands in wages to more than 20 employees. In reality, Jackson fabricated tax returns, bank statements and other business records to support his false claims. The scheme resulted in losses of approximately $480,000.

While awaiting trial, authorities uncovered three additional schemes Jackson committed. As part of his plea agreement, he admitted to defrauding a Washington D.C.-based federal credit union through a series of scam home improvement loans. Jackson also made false statements to obtain a Department of Veteran’s Affairs (VA)-backed loan. In addition, he defrauded Brazoria County taxpayers by falsely claiming disabled veteran status to receive property tax relief on his Manvel residence.

He will remain in custody pending transfer to a Federal Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.

The Small Business Administration and the Department of Veteran’s Affairs- Office of Inspector General conducted the investigation with the assistance of several local police departments. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Andrew Swartz and Thomas Carter prosecuted the case.

Source: US FBI

Defendant Used Discord to Purchase Sexual Content from at Least Ten Teenage Girls

Source: US FBI

Richard G. Frohling, Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that on April 23, 2025, Jamal White (age 34) was sentenced to 16 years in federal prison for his role in five armed robberies in southeastern Wisconsin.

According to court records, White robbed five commercial businesses between May 19 and May 21, 2023. During each robbery, White brandished a firearm and demanded money from the store cashiers. White robbed a West Allis Speedway gas station, a West Allis BP gas station, a Milwaukee Walgreens, a Greenfield Speedway gas station, and a Kenosha Kwik Trip. At his sentencing hearing, Chief United States District Judge Pamela Pepper also considered White’s role in two uncharged robberies in northern Illinois on May 21, 2023, which occurred at a Waukegan Walgreens and a Chicago Walgreens. At the time of the robberies, White was on parole with the Illinois Department of Corrections after serving approximately six years in Illinois state prison for armed robbery. White also had outstanding warrants for armed robbery in Indiana. Following his term of imprisonment, White will spend three years on supervised release. He was also ordered to pay restitution. 

This case was investigated by the FBI’s Milwaukee Area Violent Crimes Task Force, Milwaukee Police Department, Greenfield Police Department, West Allis Police Department, Kenosha Police Department, Waukegan Police Department, and Chicago Police Department.

It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Abbey M. Marzick and Michael C. Schindhelm.

 

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For additional information contact:

Public Information Officer Kenneth Gales               

(414) 297‑1700

Source: US FBI

MADISON, WIS. – A federal grand jury in the Western District of Wisconsin, sitting in Madison, returned the following indictments yesterday. You are advised that a charge is merely an accusation, and a person named as defendant in an indictment is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

WAUSAU MAN CHARGED WITH POSSESSING FENTANYL AND METHAMPHETAMINE FOR DISTRIBUTION

Christopher Harter, 49, Wausau, Wisconsin is charged in a two-count indictment with possessing fentanyl and methamphetamine for distribution. The indictment alleges that on March 7, 2025, Harter possessed 40 grams or more of fentanyl and 50 grams or more of methamphetamine with intent to distribute.

If convicted, Harter faces a mandatory minimum of 5 years in prison and a maximum penalty of 40 years in prison on each count.

The charge against him is the result of an investigation conducted by Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Central Wisconsin Narcotics Task Force comprised of agents from the FBI, Wisconsin State Patrol, Wisconsin Department of Criminal Investigation, Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, Marathon County Sheriff’s Office, Portage County Sheriff’s Office, Mountain Bay Police Department, Wausau Police Department and Wisconsin National Guard Counter Drug Program.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Taylor L. Kraus is handling the case.

JACKSON COUNTY MAN CHARGED WITH POSSESSING METHAMPHETAMINE FOR DISTRIBUTION

Elvin Amundson, 39, Sparta, Wisconsin is charged with possessing more than 500 grams of methamphetamine for distribution.  The indictment alleges that he possessed the methamphetamine on April 14, 2021.

If convicted, Amundson faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison and a maximum penalty of life.

The charge against Amundson is the result of an investigation conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven P. Anderson is handling the case.

ROTHSCHILD MAN CHARGED WITH ILLEGALLY POSSESSING A FIREARM

Edward L. Jackson III, 28, Rothschild, Wisconsin, is charged with possessing a firearm as a felon. The indictment alleges that on May 20, 2024, Jackson possessed a loaded Sig Sauer pistol. If convicted, Jackson faces a maximum penalty of fifteen years in prison.

The charge against him is the result of an investigation conducted by the Wausau Police Department, the Wausau Police Department’s Community Resource Unit, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Central Wisconsin Narcotics Task Force (CWNTF), with assistance from the ATF Madison Crime Gun Task Force and the Marathon County District Attorney’s Office. The CWNTF is comprised of agents from the FBI, Wisconsin State Patrol, Wisconsin Department of Criminal Investigation, Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, Marathon County Sheriff’s Office, Portage County Sheriff’s Office, Mountain Bay Metro Police Department, Wausau Police Department and Wisconsin National Guard Counter Drug Program. The ATF Madison Crime Gun Task Force consists of federal agents from ATF and Task Force Officers (TFOs) from state and local agencies throughout the Western District of Wisconsin. Assistant U.S. Attorney Julie Pfluger is handling the case.

MEXICAN CITIZEN FOUND IN EAU CLAIRE CHARGED WITH ILLEGALLY REENTERING UNITED STATES

Mario Govea-Monarca, 23, a citizen of Mexico found in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, is charged with reentering the United States after having been previously removed. The indictment alleges that on November 29, 2023, Govea-Monarca was found in the Western District of Wisconsin after having previously been removed and without having obtained the express consent of the United States Attorney General or the Secretary of Homeland Security to reapply for admission to the United States.

If convicted, Govea-Monarca faces a maximum penalty of two years in prison.

The charge against him is the result of an investigation conducted by the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Remington is handling the case.

All cases involving illegal immigration and firearms 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).

Source: US FBI

BEAUMONT, Texas – A Jasper man has been sentenced to 22 years in federal prison for drug trafficking violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Abe McGlothin, Jr.

Jeremy O’Quinn Brown, 34, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and was sentenced to 264 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Marcia A. Crone on April 17, 2025.

According to information presented in court, in October 2023, Brown was identified by law enforcement as a drug trafficker distributing large amounts of methamphetamine, cocaine, and marijuana in Newton County. A search warrant was executed at Brown’s residence resulting in the discovery of methamphetamine; cocaine; $94,997 in U.S. currency; and two firearms.  Brown is believed to have been responsible for distributing 497.44 grams of “actual” methamphetamine.

This case was investigated by the FBI, Texas Department of Public Safety, Jasper Police Department, Newton County Sheriff’s Office and U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.  This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan Lee.

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Source: US FBI

WASHINGTON – A federal grand jury in Florence, South Carolina returned an indictment on Tuesday, April 22, charging Nasir Ullah, 28, and Naim Ullah, 32, both of Sumter, South Carolina, and Puquan Huang, 49, of Buford, Georgia, with conspiring to launder millions of dollars of proceeds derived from drug trafficking.

“As alleged in the indictment, the defendants laundered tens of millions of dollars in drug proceeds from the United States through China and the Middle East, enabling a continuous flow of fentanyl and other dangerous drugs into our country from Mexico,” said Matthew R. Galeotti, Head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “Dismantling transnational criminal organizations and Chinese Money Laundering Organizations that support them is a critical priority for the Department. Alongside DEA and our local law enforcement partners, we will continue to prosecute the financial networks that fuel illegal drug trade and profit from the sale of deadly substances.”

“We are committed to dismantling criminal organizations that seek to profit through the distribution of dangerous drugs like cocaine and fentanyl across South Carolina and beyond,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Brook B. Andrews for the District of South Carolina. “This $30 million money laundering operation, which has international ties, was conducted in multiple communities in our state. We will continue to work tirelessly with our law enforcement partners to trace these illicit funds, disrupt these networks, and hold those involved accountable for the harm they present.”

“Cases like this exemplify the value of partnerships,” said Jae W. Chung, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Division. “The volume of dangerous drugs, including deadly fentanyl, impacts our communities beyond comprehension. This investigation and subsequent arrests demonstrate DEA’s commitment to protecting our community by destroying these drug trafficking and money laundering organizations.”

According to court documents, unsealed today, Ullah, Ullah, and Huang allegedly worked for a money laundering organization that laundered at least $30 million in proceeds related to the distribution of illegal drugs, including cocaine and fentanyl, which were unlawfully imported into the United States, typically through Mexico. Ullah, Ullah, Huang, and their co-conspirators allegedly traveled throughout the United States to collect drug proceeds. They communicated with co-conspirators in China to arrange for the laundering of these proceeds through transactions designed to conceal the illegal source of the proceeds, including disguising the source of the drug proceeds by moving money through the shipment of electronic goods to China and the Middle East.

Ullah, Ullah, and Huang are charged with conspiracy to commit money laundering. If convicted, they each face a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.

The DEA’s Charleston, South Carolina Resident Office is investigating the case, with assistance from the DEA’s Special Operations Division, Bilateral Investigations Unit; DEA’s Office of Special Intelligence, Document and Media Exploitation Unit; DEA’s offices in Columbia, South Carolina and Atlanta, Georgia; the FBI’s offices in Charleston and Columbia, South Carolina; the U.S. Air Force, Office of Special Investigations; the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division; the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office; the South Carolina Highway Patrol; the Fort Mill Police Department; the York County Sheriff’s Office; the North Charleston Police Department; the Mount Pleasant Police Department; and the Richland County Sheriff’s Department.

Trial Attorneys Mary K. Daly and Jasmin Salehi Fashami of the Criminal Division’s Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Everett E. McMillian for the District of South Carolina are prosecuting the case.

The Third and Fifth Judicial Circuit Solicitor’s Offices of South Carolina provided assistance in this case.

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

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Source: US FBI

SAN ANTONIO – A San Antonio woman was sentenced in federal court to 50 months in prison for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute five kgs or more of cocaine.

According to court documents, Gisselle Cabrera Rodriguez, 25, was pulled over by Bexar County Sheriff’s Office deputies on Feb. 6, 2024, for committing multiple traffic violations. A search of her vehicle resulted in the discovery of 1.2 kgs of cocaine located in the front passenger compartment. Two cell phones were also seized in the search. Rodriguez was arrested and a federal search warrant was executed on her residence, leading to the discovery of another 2.3 kgs of cocaine packaged in two bundles. Agents also located $45,700 in cash, which was determined to be proceeds from Rodriguez’s drug trafficking activity. Rodriguez also admitted to trafficking at least five kgs of cocaine per week during the five to six months leading up to her arrest.

Rodriguez pleaded guilty to one count of a two-count indictment. In addition to the imprisonment, Rodriguez was ordered to forfeit the $45,700 located in the search warrant.

Acting U.S. Attorney Margaret Leachman for the Western District of Texas made the announcement.

The FBI investigated the case with valuable assistance from BCSO and the San Antonio Police Department.

Assistant U.S. Attorney John Fedock prosecuted the case.

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Source: US FBI

Source: US FBI

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

During my time in the police department, my mentor wisely told me: “[Fill in the blank] is like dust, dishes, and laundry. It’ll always be there. Sometimes you have to let it go.” That “blank” could be fear, anxiety, or whatever limitations you may have. Since they probably aren’t going away on their own, push through.

Who made a difference in your career? How?

Early in my career I worked with “Louie,” who was at the end of a 37-year career with his department and as an FBI task force officer. He always answered late phone calls to help his squad mates on a case. He was patient in helping newcomers learn the details of the work, and he inspired me to always pursue the right answer—even if it was not the one I wanted. He was a detective—to his very last day on the job. He knew everyone, and everyone knew him. If you needed something, Louie had someone he could call. I saw the dedication to work, his commitment to family, and how he upheld the highest values of being a law enforcement officer and investigator for the FBI. I still try to follow the example he set.

Source: US FBI

Astronauts may take five personal items to commemorate a mission, and Steve knew one item he wanted to take.

“To express my gratitude—not only to my sister for her great influence as a trailblazer and a person with grit and fortitude, but also to thank this great organization, the FBI—I decided to fly this FBI flag,” he said. 

Paula worked at the Office of the General Counsel at FBI Headquarters at the time, and a colleague who ran the FBI Tour got a large flag for Paula to give Steve.  

“Everyone thought it would be really cool,” said Paula.  

On February 11, 1997, the Space Shuttle Discovery launched from Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the FBI flag safely in tow. Steve spent nearly 20 hours in space during the spacewalk—an experience he called “magical.” 

The shuttle landed on February 21. Tradition holds that every astronaut autographs each personal item that traveled on the flight after landing. The signed flag was originally placed in a special section of the FBI Tour. Today, the flag hangs in the Director’s corridor at Headquarters, next to a certificate of authenticity and images from Steve’s flight.