Seventh Defendant Pleads Guilty in Atlanta to Milledgeville Meth Trafficking Case

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

MACON, Ga. – The final of seven defendants involved in a methamphetamine trafficking network sourcing methamphetamine from Atlanta for distribution in Milledgeville, Georgia, has been brought to justice resulting from an Operation Take Back America investigation led by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office.

Investigations into Cryptocurrency Scams Result in Seizure of More Than $25 Million 

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia, together with the U.S. Secret Service Washington Field Office announced today that multiple investigations conducted by its Cyber Fraud Task Force have resulted in the seizure of more than $25 million in cryptocurrency tied to international fraud schemes targeting residents of the United States and Canada. The seizures represent part of the more than $800 million recovered through the Scam Center Strike Force, launched in 2025 by U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro. 

Justice Department Releases $25M in Law Enforcement Grants and Resources

Source: United States Department of Justice

The Justice Department announced that the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office) has just released $25 million in new grant Notices of Funding Opportunities (NOFOs) to support law enforcement. Today’s NOFOs are in addition to the nearly $700 million in NOFOs the COPS Office released last month in June.

The recently released NOFOs include the Safer Outcomes: Enhancing Crisis Response Training for Law Enforcement Program and other grant programs that:

  • Produce products and resources to advance crime fighting, support common sense policing efforts, and uplift the image of the law enforcement profession;
  • Provide technical assistance resources to help law enforcement agencies and the communities they serve in identifying and implementing improvements through training, consultation, peer-based learning, analysis, and assessments; and
  • Establish new and support existing accreditation bodies in states or territories to increase the number of accredited law enforcement agencies nationwide.

“The Department of Justice is investing in strategies that reduce crime, hold offenders accountable, and give law enforcement the tools they need to do their jobs,” said Associate Attorney General Stanley E. Woodward Jr. “These additional funding programs are another example of our commitment to safer neighborhoods, smarter strategies, and stronger partnerships across the country.”

Safer Outcomes: Enhancing Crisis Response Training for Law Enforcement Program supports agency-wide deescalation training, including train-the-trainer and overtime costs, while partnering with academies, academic institutions, and POST commissions to institutionalize best-practice training nationwide. Up to $13 million will be available. 

Community Policing Development (CPD) Law Enforcement Products and Resources supports the development of products and resources that provide guidance on promising practices; develop and test innovative strategies; build knowledge about effective practices and outcomes; and support new, creative approaches to preventing crime and promoting safe communities and a positive image of policing. Products and resources must specifically be designed for national distribution and offer creative ideas to uplift the image of the law enforcement profession, advance crime fighting, or support common sense policing efforts. Up to $6 million will be available. High priority areas include the following topics: 

  • Detecting and Investigating Human Trafficking 
  • Gang Violence Enforcement and Investigations 
  • Immigration and Border Security 
  • Investigating and Interrupting Child Exploitation 
  • Investigating and Interrupting Cybercrime 
  • Investigating and Interrupting Opioids and Drug Markets 
  • Officer Recruitment, Hiring, and Retention 
  • Preventing and Investigating Domestic Terrorism 
  • Unmanned Aerial Systems and Drones 
  • Vagrancy and Squatting 
  • Violent Crime Enforcement and Investigations 

The Collaborative Reform Initiative (CRI) offers a suite of services designed to highlight best practices of law enforcement agencies and the many ways they protect Americans, enhance officer safety and wellness, build agencies’ capacity for self-improvement and effectiveness, and promote community policing practices nationwide. CRI consists of programs meant to complement one another that range in time and complexity. This year’s Collaborative Reform program has two funding opportunities. The first funding opportunity has two subcategories: Collaborative Reform Technical Assistance Center (CRI-TAC) and Critical Response (CR). The second funding opportunity is invitational and only open to applicants that receive an invitation to apply. Up to $4.2 million will be available.

Community Policing Development (CPD) Accreditation Program is seeking to establish new and support existing accreditation bodies in states or territories throughout the United States. Funding will focus on activities such as providing technical assistance to agencies, defraying or underwriting accreditation costs for local agencies, improving customer service and marketing, and developing user-friendly policy templates. Up to $2.5 million will be available. 

The COPS Office is the component of the U.S. Department of Justice responsible for advancing the practice of community policing and the Administration’s priority of Making America Safe Again by supporting the nation’s state, local, territorial and Tribal law enforcement agencies through information and grant resources.

For more information on COPS Office NOFOs, please visit https://cops.usdoj.gov/grants.

Hacienda Employee and Business Owner Plead Guilty to Wire Fraud Conspiracy Involving Loss Over $650,000

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – On July 20, 2026, Harry E. Mueriel-Falero, a Puerto Rico Department of Treasury (Departamento de Hacienda or “PRDT”) employee pleaded guilty to his intentional participating in a wire fraud conspiracy involving the loss of approximately $665,693 in Puerto Rico tax revenue, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1349. Business owner Gabrielle López-Berríos, pleaded guilty to participating in the same wire fraud conspiracy and a conspiracy to bribe a separate Hacienda employee, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 666. The defendants were indicted on October 23, 2025, and arrested on October 29, 2025. 

Convicted Felon Sentenced for Possessing Loaded Firearm with Extended Magazines After Fleeing Traffic Stop

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

Robert D’Angelo Poteat, 40, a previously convicted felon residing in the District of Columbia, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court to 33 months in prison in connection with illegally possessing a loaded firearm and high-capacity magazines that were recovered after he fled from a police traffic stop, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro. 

Security News: Convicted Felon Sentenced for Possessing Loaded Firearm with Extended Magazines After Fleeing Traffic Stop

Source: United States Department of Justice

Robert D’Angelo Poteat, 40, a previously convicted felon residing in the District of Columbia, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court to 33 months in prison in connection with illegally possessing a loaded firearm and high-capacity magazines that were recovered after he fled from a police traffic stop, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro. 

Twelve Indicted in National Cargo Theft Conspiracy Targeting Nike in West Tennessee

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

Memphis, TN – Twelve people have been indicted in the Western District of Tennessee and are facing federal charges for their involvement in an organized cargo theft conspiracy targeting Nike’s North American Logistics Center in Memphis, Tennessee according to recently unsealed indictments. The charges are the culmination of a multi-year investigation by FBI’s Cargo Theft Task Force. D. Michael Dunavant, United States Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee, announced…

Security News: The Museum: A New Look

Source: United States Department of Justice

The U.S. Department of Justice Museum opened its doors on July 20, 2026, as part of America’s 250th anniversary celebration. This milestone represented years of careful planning, research, and dedication to preserving and sharing the remarkable history of justice in America. Watch this timelapse video for a first look at the Museum’s fabrication, construction, and installation!

Former Jail Official Pleads Guilty to Accepting Bribes

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

Tampa, Florida – Justin Harvey (50, Inverness) has pleaded guilty to acceptance of a bribe by a public official. He faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set. U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe made the announcement.