Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division
Orlando, Florida – U.S. District Judge Paul G. Byron has sentenced Island Thi Truong (40, Orlando) to five years in federal prison for conspiracy to commit money laundering. The court also ordered Truong to forfeit two real properties and two luxury watches, all of which were purchased with proceeds of drug distribution activities and were used to conceal the origin of those funds. Truong pleaded guilty in August 2025.
Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – United States Attorney David I. Courcelle announced that ZOE MARIE FRANCIS (“FRANCIS”), age 47, of New Orleans, pled guilty on January 7, 2026, to theft concerning programs receiving federal funds, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 666(a)(1)(A).
Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division
Today, the Justice Department announced criminal charges against Luis Nino-Moncada, an illegal alien and known Tren de Aragua (TdA) associate living in the Portland, Oregon area for violently striking a federal law enforcement vehicle. During a targeted enforcement operation, Nin0-Moncada is alleged to have repeatedly struck a federal law enforcement vehicle, placing Border Patrol agents in harm’s way and resulting in significant damage to federal property. Nino-Moncada is in the country illegally, having previously been ordered removed by an immigration judge in 2024.
“Anyone who crosses the red line of assaulting law enforcement will be met with the full force of this Justice Department,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “This man — an illegal alien with ties to a foreign terrorist organization — should NEVER have been in our country to begin with, and we will ensure he NEVER walks free in America again.”
Nino-Moncada has been charged with aggravated assault of a federal officer with a deadly or dangerous weapon and depredation of federal property in excess of $1,000. Nino-Moncada is scheduled to make his Initial Appearance today at 1:30 PM PST.
According to the complaint, Border Patrol agents initiated a targeted immigration enforcement operation on a vehicle believed to belong to a female involved in a TdA prostitution ring. The female was sitting in the passenger-side seat of the vehicle at the time of the enforcement operation. This female had previously been arrested by Border Patrol in El Paso, Texas and later failed to report to immigration authorities. According to law enforcement reports, the female is believed to have been involved in a shooting stemming from a bad prostitution deal.
After commanding Nino-Moncada to exit the vehicle, Nino-Moncada is alleged to have placed his vehicle in reverse, colliding with an unoccupied Border Patrol vehicle with enough speed and force to cause significant damage. Nino-Moncada continued the forward and reverse maneuver multiple times, striking the Border Patrol vehicle multiple times. A Border Patrol agent interviewed by FBI special agents described being fearful that Nino-Moncada could strike them and other Border Patrol agents with the target vehicle. After the attack, Nino-Moncada and the female passenger fled the scene in the target vehicle.
Damage to the border patrol vehicle was significant. Serious damage was sustained to the front bumper, resulting in the bumper being torn from the vehicle, both headlights being destroyed, the front driver-side quarter panel being dented, including the fender liner being detached, and the driver side rear-passenger door and quarter panel being dented.
Damaged Border Patrol Vehicle
In an interview following the incident, Nino-Moncada admitted to intentionally ramming the Border Patrol vehicle in an attempt to flee and stated that he knew it was an immigration enforcement vehicle.
Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division
Jacksonville, Florida – United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announces that Richard Lynn Simmons, Jr. (36, Sopchoppy) has been arrested and charged by criminal complaint with using his cellphone and the internet to attempt to entice an 11-year-old child to engage in sexual activity. If convicted, Simmons faces a minimum penalty of 10 years, up to life, in federal prison and a potential lifetime term of supervised release. Pursuant to his appearance in federal court on January 9, 2026, Simmons was detained pending further proceedings in this case.
Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division
Jacksonville, Florida – Senior United States District Judge Timothy J. Corrigan has sentenced Alexander James Koby (40, Jacksonville) to 15 years in federal prison for receiving child sexual abuse materials (CSAM) over the internet. Koby was also ordered to serve a 15-year term of supervised release and pay $45,000 in restitution to child victims. Koby pleaded guilty on August 15, 2025. Koby has been in federal custody since September 2024 when he was transported from state prison where he was serving a sentence for failing to register as a sex offender.
Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division
Tampa, Florida – Senior U.S. District Judge Steven Merryday has sentenced Benjamin Crawford (47, Brandon) to six years and six months in federal prison, followed by 25 years of supervised release, for distributing child sexual abuse material. Crawford pleaded guilty in June 2025. The court also ordered Crawford to forfeit a cellphone and laptop, which were used in the commission of the offense. Crawford is also required to register as a sex offender.
Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – The United States Department of Justice and the U.S. Attorney’s Office District of Puerto Rico, in collaboration with the Puerto Rico Department of Justice, have been working arduously in the prevention and education efforts to raise public awareness to combat human trafficking, announced W. Stephen Muldrow, United States Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico.
Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division
TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – Gabriel Michael Stoelzel, 26, of Port St. Lucie, Florida, was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison for attempting to entice or persuade a minor to engage in sexual activity, distribution of child pornography, and receipt of child pornography after previously pleading guilty in federal court.
Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division
The Justice Department announced today that the owner and property manager of residential rental properties in Davenport, Iowa, have agreed to pay $325,000 to resolve a lawsuit alleging that the property manager sexually harassed female tenants in violation of the Fair Housing Act.
Source: United States Spaceforce
Air Education and Training Command hosted an arrival ceremony Jan. 9, 2026, for the T-7A Red Hawk, the U.S. Air Force’s next-generation trainer aircraft, marking a significant milestone in the service’s effort to modernize pilot training.