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Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – Willie Curtis Slack Jr., 49, of Milton, Florida, pleaded guilty in federal court to two counts of possession of firearms and ammunition by a convicted felon. The plea was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “Thanks to the excellent work of the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, supported by our federal law enforcement partners, this violent career criminal has been removed from our streets.  My office stands ready to aggressively prosecute these repeat offenders to keep our communities safe.”

Court documents reflect that during a traffic stop in October 2023, law enforcement officers found and seized a loaded pistol and marijuana from the defendant’s waistband. Then, in December 2024, law enforcement seized two additional firearms and matching bulk ammunition that the defendant had knowingly possessed earlier that year. Prior to these incidents, the defendant had been convicted of numerous felonies, including batteries, resisting officer with violence, aggravated assault by threat, and multiple drug sale and trafficking convictions. As a result, under the Armed Career Criminal Act, the defendant faces a minimum mandatory term of 15 years in prison up to a maximum term of life on each count.

Sentencing is currently set for January 13, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. at the United States Courthouse in Pensacola before United States District Judge T. Kent Wetherell, II.

The plea was the result of investigations by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Alicia Forbes.

This case is 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.

The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

Press Release

Updated November 25, 2025

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Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA – United States Attorney John P. Heekin announced today that 12 individuals were indicted across three divisions of the Northern District of Florida.

The following indictments were filed in the Gainesville division:

• Patrick Johnson, of Gainesville, Florida, indicted for bank burglary and bank larceny.
• Stephen Jones, of Gainesville, Florida, indicted for a possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
• Tyrese Jones, of Gainesville, Florida, indicted for possession of firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon.

The following indictments were filed in the Panama City division:

• Jose Alvarado-Lopez, a citizen of Honduras, indicted for illegal reentry after deportation or removal.
• Maynor Esquivel-Amador, a citizen of Guatemala, indicted for illegal reentry after deportation or removal.
• Eugenio Hernandez-Vargas, a citizen of Mexico, indicted for illegal reentry after deportation or removal.

The following indictments were filed in the Tallahassee division:

• Jose Escobar, a citizen of Honduras, indicted for illegal reentry after deportation or removal.
• Abraham Flores-Tercero, a citizen of Honduras, indicted for illegal reentry after deportation or removal.
• Kelveont’a Lamar Dennis, of Tallahassee, Florida, indicted for one count of possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime, and one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
• Rashaad Huggins, of Tallahassee, Florida, indicted for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
• Brandon Mahaffey, of Tallahassee, Florida, indicted for enticement of a minor.
• Perry Walker II, of Tallahassee, Florida, indicted for one count of sexual exploitation of children, one count of receipt of child pornography, one count of transfer of obscene material to minors, and one count of possession of child pornography

Law enforcement agencies conducting the investigations included the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations; the Federal Bureau of Investigation; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; with assistance from Bay County Sheriff’s Office; Leon County Sheriff’s Office; Alachua County Sheriff’s Office; and Tallahassee Police Department.

The cases are being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Adam Hapner, James A. McCain, Eric K. Mountin, Harley W. Ferguson, Justin M. Keen, Meredith L. Steer, and Christie S. Utt.

An indictment is merely an allegation by a grand jury that a defendant has committed a violation of federal criminal law and is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial, during which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.

Nine cases 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.

Two cases are 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 and led by the U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Divisions Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), it 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.

The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General.  To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

Vermont Man Pleads Guilty To Failure To Register As A Sex Offender

 

CONCORD – A Vermont man pleaded guilty today in federal court for his failure to register as a sex offender as required by the federal Sexual Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA), U.S. Attorney Erin Creegan announces.

David Courtemarche, age 45, pleaded guilty to one count of failing to register as a sex offender. U.S. District Court Judge Paul J. Barbadoro scheduled Courtemarche’s sentencing for March 2, 2026.

According to the charging documents and statements made in court, in 2003 the defendant was convicted in Vermont of sexual assault involving a victim under 16 years of age. Due to this conviction, SORNA and related state laws required the defendant to register in each state where he resides or is employed. SORNA gives an individual three days in which to register. The defendant’s Vermont registration paperwork notified him of these requirements and the defendant claimed he lived in Vermont. However, by at least August of 2022, he began working in New Hampshire and, by at least November 2023, he began living in New Hampshire. Though the defendant lived and worked in New Hampshire and knew that state and federal law required him to register as a sex offender in New Hampshire, he did not do so.

The charging statute provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, at least 5 years of supervised release, and a fine of $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.

The United States Marshals Service investigated this case. Valuable assistance was provided by the New Hampshire State Police, the Littleton Police Department, and the Lancaster Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Hunter 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.

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

The ATF is seeking more information.

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

ALBUQUERQUE – Three individuals have been indicted on federal charges related to the murder of Zachariah Juwaun Shorty that occurred in Nenahnezad, New Mexico, on July 21, 2020.

Zachariah Shorty was found deceased on July 25, 2020, on a dirt pathway in a field in Nenahnezad, New Mexico, on the Navajo Nation. Mr. Shorty had sustained multiple gunshot wounds. The case remained unsolved for years before Special Agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation made a recent breakthrough.

According to court documents, Austin Begay, 31, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, used a semiautomatic pistol to shoot and kill Mr. Shorty, also an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, with malice aforethought and premeditation. Begay is charged with first-degree murder in Indian Country. Jaymes Fage, 38, another enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, is alleged to have aided and abetted the crime. Begay is also charged with knowingly using and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, and discharging that firearm, thereby causing Mr. Shorty’s death.

Begay, Fage, and Joshua Watkins, 40, are additionally charged with crimes related to concealing the murder.  All three are charged with misprision of a felony in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 4. That statute makes it a federal crime to have knowledge of a federal felony that has been committed but fail to report the crime to authorities as soon as possible. Fage and Begay are charged with making materially false statements to federal investigators on December 21, 2021, regarding the events that occurred on July 21, 2020. Fage is further charged with being an accessory after the fact. It is alleged that Fage attempted to help conceal the murder when he lied to investigators.

“The MMIP Regional Outreach Program was created to ensure that cases like Zachariah Shorty’s never fade into the background and to show the impact that focused federal attention can have,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison. “By strengthening coordination among federal, Tribal, and local partners, the program continues to enhance our ability to address unresolved violent crime in Indian Country.”

“Operation Not Forgotten deployed additional resources to New Mexico’s Indian Country, bolstering the dedicated agents and analysts striving each day to advance these cases toward resolution,” said Justin A. Garris, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Albuquerque Division. “Together with our local and tribal partners, we are committed to confronting crime and safeguarding the community.”

If convicted, Begay and Fage face a maximum of life in prison. Watkins faces up to three years in prison. Begay and Fage will remain in custody pending trial, which has not been scheduled.

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 Farmington Resident Agency of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with the assistance of the Navajo Police Department, Navajo Department of Criminal Investigations and Farmington Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Eliot Neal and Aaron O. Jordan are prosecuting the case.

This case is part of the Department of Justice’s Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons (MMIP) Regional Outreach Program, which aims to aid in the prevention and response to missing or murdered Indigenous people through the resolution of MMIP cases and communication, coordination, and collaboration with federal, Tribal, state, and local partners.  The Department views this work as a priority for its law enforcement components.  Through the MMIP Regional Outreach Program, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify MMIP cases and issues in Tribal communities and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. This prosecution upholds the Department’s mission to the unwavering pursuit of justice on behalf of Indigenous victims and their families. 

This case was brought forth through Operation Not Forgotten, an FBI established operation that focuses resources on seeking justice for Tribal community members who have been victims of unresolved crimes. The goal of Operation Not Forgotten is to move cases closer to resolution, provide services for victims, and to bring offenders to justice, who had so far escaped it. The FBI has partnered with the Bureau of Indian Affairs’ Missing and Murdered Unit to surge resources including FBI special agents, intelligence analysts, staff operations specialists, and victim specialists as well as BIA intelligence and investigative support.

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

PORTLAND, Ore.—A Portland, Oregon, man made his initial appearance today after allegedly making violent threats at the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) building in South Portland.

John Paul Cupp, 45, has been charged by criminal complaint with Threats Made Against a Federal Law Enforcement Officer.

“Threats of violence against the brave members of law enforcement and their families will not be tolerated, said U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon Scott E. Bradford. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office remains committed to holding those accountable who threaten and intimidate those who protect our communities, and we will continue to prosecute criminal threats of violence to the fullest extent of the law.”    

“Threats to law enforcement personnel have absolutely no place in our community,” said Acting Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Portland Special Agent in Charge Matt Torres. “Attempts to intimidate those sworn to protect the American people and uphold our Constitution degrade efforts to keep all of us safe. The FBI will use all investigative means available to us to seek out and arrest anyone using violent rhetoric to express themselves.” 

According to court documents, on October 14, 2025, Cupp began yelling insults at law enforcement officers as they were approaching a crowd. Cupp threatened to kill law enforcement officers and sexually assault their wives.  

On November 3, 2025, Cupp posted a video online reiterating the same threats to federal agents and their wives. On November 13, 2025, Cupp continued posting violent threats online to officers and their family.

Cupp is a prolific producer of online content and regularly posts aggressive rhetoric, calls for war against the United States, antisemitic threats, and threats of violence.

Since June 13, 2025, the United States Attorney’s Office has charged 40 defendants with federal crimes for offenses committed near ICE facilities, including assaulting federal officers, failure to comply, and depredation of government property.

Cupp made his first appearance in federal court today before a U.S. Magistrate Judge. He was ordered detained pending further court proceedings.

The FBI is investigating the case. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon is prosecuting the case.

A criminal complaint is only an accusation of a crime, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that DONALD OGMAN, also known as “Mainey-O” and ”Manny O,” 44, of New Haven, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Vernon D. Oliver in Hartford to 252 months of imprisonment, followed by eight years of supervised release, for methamphetamine and cocaine distribution offenses and for violating the conditions of his supervised release that followed a prior federal conviction.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Ogman has been a leader of the Grape Street Crips (GSC), a violent New Haven gang.  In 2012, the FBI arrested Ogman for offenses related to his role in GSC, including drug trafficking.  He pleaded guilty to narcotics offenses and, on March 10, 2015, was sentenced to 188 months of imprisonment and five years of supervised release.  In August 2022, a federal judge granted Ogman’s motion for compassionate release, reduced Ogman’s sentence to time served, and he was released from prison. 

Ogman resumed his drug trafficking activity while on federal supervised release, distributing multi-colored pills containing methamphetamine marketed as ecstasy and crack cocaine in and around New Haven.  The investigation included surveillance, trash pulls, and controlled purchases of methamphetamine pills and crack cocaine from Ogman from November 2023 through April 2024.

Ogman was arrested on May 9, 2024.  On that date, searches of his person and residence revealed additional quantities of methamphetamine, as well as crack cocaine.  A loaded firearm was also located at a stash location that was searched on the same date.

Ogman has been detained since his arrest.  On April 16, 2025, he pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, methamphetamine; three counts of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, 50 grams or more of methamphetamine; and one count of possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and a quantity of cocaine. 

Judge Oliver sentenced Ogman to 228 months of imprisonment for the new offenses, and a consecutive 24 months of imprisonment for violating the conditions of his supervised release.

This matter was investigated by the DEA New Haven District Office (NHDO) Task Force, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), the New Haven Police Department and the Hamden Police Department.  The NHDO Task Force includes members from the DEA, U.S. Marshals Service, Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division, Connecticut State Police and the New Haven, Waterbury, East Haven, Branford, West Haven, Ansonia, Meriden, Naugatuck, and Shelton Police Departments.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Stephanie T. Levick and Nathan J. Guevremont through the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Program. 

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Scott Burd, 59, of Huntington, pleaded guilty today to aiding and abetting the distribution of fentanyl.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on March 6, 2025, Burd sold approximately 29 grams of fentanyl to a confidential informant in exchange for $1,000. As part of his guilty plea, Burd admitted that his co-defendant, Adrian Demetrius Ludaway, arranged the transaction beforehand and met with the confidential informant at Burd’s Huntington residence, where Burd distributed the fentanyl to the confidential informant.

Burd is scheduled to be sentenced on March 2, 2026, and faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, at least three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $1 million.

United States Attorney Moore Capito made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Huntington Violent Crime and Drug Task Force.

United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Stephanie Taylor is prosecuting the case.

Ludaway, also known as “A1,” 35, of Wayne, Michigan, pleaded guilty on August 19, 2025, to distribution of fentanyl and a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine and is scheduled to be sentenced on December 1, 2025.

This case was prosecuted as part of Operation Synthetic Opioid Surge (SOS), an enforcement surge that has sought to reduce the supply of deadly synthetic opioids in high impact areas.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:25-cr-103.

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Quenin Owen Brown, 34, of Shady Spring, was sentenced today to eleven years and four months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, for being a felon in possession of a firearm.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on December 28, 2024, law enforcement officers encountered Brown at a gas station in Nitro. Officers arrested Brown on a warrant alleging a parole violation and found he possessed a loaded HS Produkt (Springfield) model Hellcat 9mm pistol in a belly holster. Officers searched his vehicle and found a loaded Glock model 43 9mm pistol and a loaded Taurus model G3 9mm pistol. Officers determined all three firearms were reported stolen.

Federal law prohibits a person with a prior felony conviction from possessing a firearm or ammunition. Brown knew he was prohibited from possessing a firearm because of his prior felony convictions for unlawful wounding on February 6, 2012, and for fleeing with reckless indifference to the safety of others and possession with intent to deliver methamphetamine on November 13, 2018, all in Kanawha County Circuit Court.

United States Attorney Moore Capito made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Nitro Police Department.

United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorney JC MacCallum prosecuted the case.

This case is 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.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:25-cr-84.