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Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

Memphis, TN – United States Attorney D. Michael Dunavant announced the federal criminal complaint of Marquis Davis, 18, charging him with business robbery and the discharge of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.   

On the early afternoon of October 31, 2025, Marquis Davis entered the Exotic Smoke Shop in the 1700 block of Germantown Parkway in Cordova, Tennessee. Shortly thereafter, Davis pulled out a firearm with an extended magazine and demanded money from the employee. The employee complied and opened the cash register; and Davis took approximately $400 from the register, before shooting her in the abdomen.  Davis then fled the building.

After Davis fled the building, he encountered four federal agents who had just finished eating at a nearby restaurant.  The agents saw Davis with a firearm and based on Davis’s actions at that point, federal agents fired their duty weapons, striking Davis.  Federal agents and a responding Memphis Police Department officer took Davis into custody. They located a black firearm with an extended magazine next to Davis and approximately $370 in U.S. currency in his clothing.

A bystander and a retired paramedic located the store clerk, who was suffering from a gunshot wound.  They provided aid until medical personnel arrived and transported the victim to the hospital where she underwent emergency surgery for the gunshot wound.

Davis was also rushed to the hospital and underwent surgery.  He survived and remains in state custody. Davis’s current federal charges carry a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and up to life imprisonment, and supplemental federal charges may be added after completion of the ongoing investigation. Davis has also been charged in state court with the felony offenses of Attempted First Degree Murder, Aggravated Robbery, and Employment of a Firearm During the Commission of a Dangerous Felony.

This case is set before District Judge Thomas L. Parker of the Western District of Tennessee.  

Assistant United States Attorneys Jermal Blanchard and Greg Wagner are prosecuting this case on behalf of the United States.

The charges and allegations contained in the criminal complaint are merely accusations of criminal conduct, not evidence.  The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt and convicted through due process of law.

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For more information, please contact the Media Relations Team at USATNW.Media@usdoj.gov. Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office on Facebook or on X at @WDTNNews for office news and updates.

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

TOPEKA, KAN. – A Kansas man was sentenced to 25 years in prison for five counts of transportation of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography.

According to court documents, Jeremy Weber, 47, of Topeka uploaded photographs of women and children he knew into a publicly available Artificial Intelligence platform. He then utilized AI to manipulate and merge their images into hundreds of depictions of child sexual abuse material (or CSAM).  Weber also uploaded previously trafficked images of CSAM to the same platform. Weber morphed the original CSAM image with the face of the adult or minor female, creating a new image of CSAM. 

The investigation identified approximately 32 women whose images were used to produce the new CSAM.  In addition, Weber utilized the same AI program to produce adult pornographic images of 50-60 women without their consent.  

The investigation into Weber began after an IT professional observed criminal activity on Weber’s computer and reported it to local law enforcement.  A subsequent search warrant led to a search of Weber’s residence and the discovery of an encrypted hard drive containing a folder titled “AI Swap.” In the folder was a large number of files organized into folders named after women. Each of the named folders contained anywhere from a handful to hundreds of newly manufactured sexually explicit images of each individual.

“While it is still an emerging technology, I believe there can be many wonderful and beneficial aspects of artificial intelligence, but there is also a dark side. Unfortunately, child predators are using AI for twisted and perverse activities,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan A. Kriegshauser. “The fact that Jeremy Weber was able to create realistic looking images of child pornography using the faces of children and adults should remind us that we are all vulnerable to this type of violation. Although the images were ‘fake’, the harm he inflicted on the victims and the consequences were very real.” 

“The FBI is grateful for the work of the U.S. Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners, including the Topeka Police Department for their work in this case,” said Special Agent in Charge Stephen A. Cyrus of the FBI Kansas City Field Office. “The sentencing reflects the severity of conduct the defendant has pled to and should send a message to anyone conducting this type of behavior: the FBI will not flinch to seek justice.”  

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Topeka Police Department investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Sara L. Walton prosecuted the case.

Project Safe Childhood
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 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, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.

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Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

ROME, Ga. – Shane Jacquces Barfield, a multi-convicted felon and domestic abuser, has been sentenced to federal prison for unlawfully possessing a firearm that he shot at local law enforcement.

“Dangerous felons like Barfield forfeit the right to bear arms,” said U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg. “Barfield broke the law when he possessed and discharged a stolen gun, endangering the safety of police officers and bystanders alike. Thanks to the brave, on-scene efforts of the Cartersville Police Department and subsequent collaboration with the FBI, Barfield will now serve a significant sentence in federal prison without the possibility of parole.”

“Shane Barfield knew he was not supposed to be in possession of a gun, much less fire one, but he violated the law,” said FBI Atlanta Special Agent in Charge Paul Brown. “His actions could have been deadly. Thankfully, no law enforcement nor citizens were hurt.”

“Not only was Barfield a threat to our officers that day, but a violent, convicted felon with an illegal firearm is a continual threat to our community,” said Cartersville Police Chief Frank McCann.  “A threat that the Cartersville Police Department will not tolerate. We appreciate the FBI for their assistance, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for their steadfast commitment to supporting the Cartersville Police Department in its public safety mission.”

According to U.S. Attorney Hertzberg, the charges, and other information presented in court: On September 17, 2023, Shane Barfield was driving through Cartersville, Georgia, with a stolen gun and methamphetamine in his vehicle. Barfield lost control of his vehicle, skidded through an intersection, and crashed into the side of the road. Bystanders called 911 to report the accident and told dispatchers that Barfield had walked away from his vehicle with a gun in his hand. 

Barfield returned to his vehicle with the gun, and the Cartersville Police Department (CPD) responded shortly thereafter.  Despite clear instructions to toss the firearm and exit his car, Barfield ignored law enforcement. As a CPD officer crossed in front of his vehicle, Barfield fired a shot. Three officers returned fire, striking Barfield’s vehicle multiple times.  Officers then arrested Barfield and seized a spent 9mm casing, a stolen pistol, and methamphetamine from his vehicle. A federal investigation requested by CPD determined that the spent casing had been expelled from the stolen firearm.   

On November 4, 2025, U.S. District Judge William M. Ray, II sentenced Shane Jacquces Barfield, 39, of Cartersville, Georgia, to 10 years in prison followed by three years of supervised release. Barfield was convicted of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession of a firearm by a person convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence on May 15, 2025, after he pleaded guilty.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Cartersville Police Department.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Katie Terry prosecuted the case.

For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

AUSTIN, Texas – A convicted felon from Kyle pleaded guilty in a federal court in Austin Tuesday to three charges stemming from three armed robberies he committed in June and July.

According to court documents, Yael Williams Jr., 38, used a firearm during robberies at a Subway restaurant and two 7-11 stores in Austin over the summer. In the presence of store employees, Williams took cash and other property by force and by threatening the employees with a .22 caliber revolver. During his robbery of the Subway restaurant, Williams fired several shots at two bystanders, one of whom was attempting to intervene and prevent the robbery.

Williams pleaded guilty to one count of discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence and two counts of brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. He faces a mandatory minimum of 24 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

U.S. Attorney Justin R. Simmons for the Western District of Texas the announcement.

The Austin Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are investigating the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Alan Buie is prosecuting the case.

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Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

The United States arrested five international fugitives at the request of the Federal Republic of Germany, which has charged the individuals for their roles in a network involving German payment service processors that defrauded thousands of victims of more than €300 million and created a shadow financial system in Germany. Pursuant to its treaty obligations, the United States located and arrested the fugitives in the Central District of California for ultimate extradition to Germany.

Four U.S. citizens residing in California — Medhat Mourid, of Woodland Hills, Andrew Garroni, of Los Angeles, Guy Mizrachi, of Agoura Hills, Ardeshir Akhavan, of Irvine — and Canadian National Tunde Benak, of Irvine, were arrested by the U.S. Marshals Service and made their initial appearances in federal court today.

Acting Assistant Attorney General Matthew Galeotti of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli of the Central District of California, and Director Gadyaces S. Serralta of the U.S. Marshals Service made the announcement.

Germany alleges that the fugitives defrauded victims in violation of German law by creating millions of recurring, fraudulent debit or credit card charges from fictitious merchants. According to German authorities, the defendants orchestrated a scheme in which they deliberately kept monthly charges on credit cards to below €50, to avoid suspicion among victims about the nature of the charges.  These charges were linked to fictitious companies using fictitious websites that were only accessible via direct links or URL’s.  

The operators of the network then colluded with German payment service processors – including their executives and compliance officers – to process these payments.  Former employees and executives of German payment processors are among those arrested yesterday. German authorities allege that this complex scheme resulted in the creation of a shadow financial system in Germany.

In the United States, the Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs (OIA), the U.S. government’s central authority in criminal matters, worked closely with German officials and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California to provide legal guidance and coordinate the successful arrest of the U.S.-based defendants. OIA participated in coordination meetings related to the takedown and worked directly with the German prosecutor to ensure Germany met U.S. legal requirements to arrest these fugitives with a view toward extradition.

The U.S. Marshals Service for the Central District of California arrested the fugitives in the United States contemporaneously with arrests and/or searches in Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Spain, Cyprus, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Canada and Singapore.

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

ROCHESTER, N.Y. – A federal jury has convicted Ji Wang, 63, of Painted Post, NY, of two counts of economic espionage, one count of theft of trade secrets, one count of attempted economic espionage, and one count of attempted theft of trade secrets.  Assistant Attorney General for National Security John A. Eisenberg, together with U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo for the Western District of New York, announced the verdict.

“This conviction demonstrates the importance of protecting trade secrets developed in the United States, especially those with military applications,” stated U.S. Attorney DiGiacomo. “My office will continue pursue and prosecute those that steal such information.”

“Yesterday, a federal jury found Wang guilty of stealing sensitive defense research from his employer and attempting to use it to pursue personal profit at the expense our national security. We are committed to combating economic espionage and holding accountable those who disregard our export-control laws and the security of U.S. technology,” said Assistant Attorney General for National Security John A. Eisenberg. “This verdict reaffirms that such betrayals of trust will not go unpunished.”

“This conviction underscores the FBI’s dedication to exposing those who steal U.S. trade secrets for foreign benefit,” said Philip Tejera, Special Agent-in-Charge of the FBI’s Buffalo Field Office. “Any theft of valuable intellectual property is a threat to American businesses. When stolen trade secrets stand to benefit a foreign economic rival; it threatens our national security. The FBI remains committed to investigating individuals who trade American security for their own selfish greed.”

“The Bureau of Industry and Security remains committed to working alongside our law enforcement and industry partners to prevent the unlawful transfer of sensitive technologies,” said Special Agent-in-Charge Jonathan Carson.

Wang was born in China and immigrated to the United States in 1998 to work for Corning Incorporated.  Between 2002 and 2007, Wang was assigned to work on a joint research and development project funded by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (“DARPA”) and Corning.  The goal of the 5-year, $11.4 million project was to develop optical fibers for high-powered lasers with military and commercial applications.  DARPA and Corning aimed to increase the power of fiber lasers by more than a factor of 1000.  DARPA sought to develop this technology to create laser weapons capable of shooting down drones and missiles.

On or about July 1, 2016, Wang stole hundreds of files that contained non-public data generated during the DARPA project, including trade-secret manufacturing technology that would have enabled him to fabricate all manner of specialty optical fibers, including for fiber lasers.

Ten days before Wang stole the trade secret files, he had applied for China’s Thousand Talents Plan Award.  The Thousand Talents Plan Award was an initiative by the Chinese government aimed at people who were born in China and immigrated to the United States, to study or work in science and technology fields.  The Thousand Talents Plan Award incentivized these people to return to China by promising millions of dollars of investment to award recipients who returned to China.  Two months after Wang stole the trade secret files, he was selected to receive a Thousand Talents Plan Award.

Wang was negotiating with Chinese government entities to start a specialty fiber business in China from at least 2014 through 2017.  Wang was negotiating to receive tens of millions of dollars in investment from Chinese government entities, who would have been shareholders in his new venture.  Wang’s business plans showed that he was planning to use the stolen trade-secret files to start this business in China. Wang’s business plans also touted the military applications of the technology.  In one such business plan, which Wang submitted to a Chinese government entity, he advertised that specialty fibers “can also be installed on military vehicles,” including “tanks.”  Wang claimed that such use of the technology on military vehicles could “be key to deciding victory or defeat.” Ultimately, law enforcement disrupted Wang’s efforts before he was able to start a new business and exploit the technology he stole.

The verdict is the result of an investigation by Special Agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, acting under the direction of Special Agent In-Charge Philip Tejera, and Special Agents of the Department of Commerce, Office of Export Enforcement, New York Field Office acting under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Jonathan Carson.  Additional assistance was provided by Homeland Security Investigations in Detroit, Michigan.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Meghan K. McGuire of the Western District of New York and Trial Attorneys Nicholas Hunter and Brendan Geary of the Counterintelligence and Export Control Section of the National Security Division.

Economic espionage carries a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison and theft of trade secrets carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.  Sentencing is scheduled for April 15, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. before U.S. District Judge Frank P. Geraci, Jr., who presided over the trial.

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Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

DETROIT, Mich – Three research scholars from the People’s Republic of China (PRC) were charged today in a criminal complaint with conspiracy to smuggle biological materials into the United States and for making false statements to U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officers, announced United States Attorney Jerome F. Gorgon, Jr. These are the latest charges in a long string of cases stemming from University of Michigan (UM) international research activities.

“Allegedly attempting to smuggle biological materials under the guise of ‘research’ is a serious crime that threatens America’s national and agricultural security,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “We will remain vigilant to threats like these from foreign nationals who would take advantage of America’s generosity to advance a malicious agenda.”

“At some point, pattern becomes practice. And, apparently, these three men are part of a long and alarming pattern of criminal activities committed by Chinese Nationals under the cover of the University of Michigan. This is a threat to our collective security. We are thankful for the vigilance of our elite federal partners—ICE HSI, FBI, and CBP—as a counterweight against this threat,” said United States Attorney Gorgon.

Charged were Xu Bai, 28, Fengfan Zhang, 27 and Zhiyong Zhang, 30. Bai and F. Zhang were charged with conspiracy to smuggle biological materials into the United States and Z. Zhang was charged with making false statements to federal agents.  All three men were research scholars holding J-1 visas who were conducting research at the UM laboratory of Xianzhong Xu, commonly referred to as the Shawn Xu laboratory.

According to the criminal complaint, in 2024 and 2025, Bai and F. Zhang were the recipients of multiple shipments containing concealed biological materials related to round worms which had been sent from the PRC to the United States by Chengxuan Han, a citizen of the PRC. Han was pursuing a Ph.D. from the College of Life Science and Technology in the Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST) in Wuhan, PRC and in June 2025, traveled to the United States to work in the laboratory at UM.  Han recently pleaded no contest to three counts of smuggling and one count of false statements, was sentenced and then removed from the United States.

After Han’s arrest and removal from the United States, UM initiated an internal investigation into the Shawn Xu laboratory. All three defendants refused to attend a mandatory meeting or participate in the investigation and so were terminated. This termination made them eligible for removal by the Department of Homeland Security.

The defendants purchased airline tickets to depart the United States from Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW) to the PRC on October 20, 2025. On October 10, 2025, federal agents attempted to locate the defendants at their home and elsewhere but were unsuccessful. That same day, the defendants rebooked their flights for October 15, 2025. They also booked flights to the PRC departing from John F. Kennedy International Airport for 2:00 a.m. on October 16, 2025. The defendants did not cancel or show for their DTW flight on October 15, 2025. Defendants instead traveled to New York and attempted to board the early morning JFK flight to the PRC on October 16. During an inspection by CBP, Z. Zhang made false statements about Han. Bai and F. Zhang told CBP officers they had received packages from Han including after her arrest or removal from the United States.

“This case underscores the vital importance of safeguarding the American people and addressing vulnerabilities within foreign student and exchange visitor programs,” stated acting ICE Director Todd M. Lyons. “Educational institutions must enhance their admissions procedures to prevent exploitation, which can pose risks to national security, as demonstrated in this instance. I commend the ICE HSI agents and officers who work tirelessly to protect our nation and uphold the rule of law every day.”

“These charges show the FBI and our partners will aggressively investigate and hold accountable those who violate our laws, and that academic research cannot excuse illegal activity,” said FBI Director Kash Patel. “The Chinese nationals charged today allegedly were involved in smuggling biological materials into the U.S. on several occasions. The FBI and our partners are committed to defending the homeland and stopping any illegal smuggling into our country.”

“ICE HSI remains steadfast in its mission to protect the homeland from malicious foreign actors,” said ICE HSI Detroit acting Special Agent in Charge Matthew Stentz. “These cases impact both the safety of Michigan communities and our national security. Our agents, in collaboration with law enforcement partners, are dedicated to preventing our communities and educational institutions from being exploited against the American people.”

“The actions taken by the FBI and law enforcement partners reflect our firm commitment to protecting the American people, defending the homeland and prioritizing national security,” said Jennifer Runyan, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Detroit Field Office. “The FBI will not tolerate any attempt to exploit our nation’s institutions, whether higher learning or otherwise, for unlawful purposes. We will continue to work with our partners at ICE HSI and CBP to ensure the safety and strength of Michigan and our nation.”

“This case exemplifies the critical role of collaboration among our federal partners in defending our national security interests,” said CBP Director of Field Operations Marty C. Raybon. “Foreign actors continue to seek ways to exploit vulnerabilities, including within our nation’s higher education system to advance their agendas. I commend the tireless efforts of our officers and federal partners in identifying and neutralizing these threats to ensure the safety and security of our great nation.”

ICE HSI, the FBI, and CBP investigated this case with significant assistance from ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Detroit.

A criminal complaint is merely a formal charge and is not evidence of guilt.  Every defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.  It is the burden of the government to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

A federal jury has convicted Ji Wang, 63, of Painted Post, N.Y., of two counts of economic espionage, one count of theft of trade secrets, one count of attempted economic espionage, and one count of attempted theft of trade secrets.  Assistant Attorney General for National Security John A. Eisenberg, together with U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo for the Western District of New York, announced the verdict.

“Yesterday, a federal jury found Wang guilty of stealing sensitive defense research from his employer and attempting to use it to pursue personal profit at the expense our national security,” said Assistant Attorney General for National Security John A. Eisenberg. “We are committed to combating economic espionage and holding accountable those who disregard our export-control laws and the security of U.S. technology. This verdict reaffirms that such betrayals of trust will not go unpunished.”

“This conviction demonstrates the importance of protecting trade secrets developed in the United States, especially those with military applications,” said U.S. Attorney DiGiacomo. “My office will continue pursue and prosecute those that steal such information.”

Wang was born in China and immigrated to the United States in 1998 to work for Corning Incorporated.  Between 2002 and 2007, Wang was assigned to work on a joint research and development project funded by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (“DARPA”) and Corning.  The goal of the 5-year, $11.4 million project was to develop optical fibers for high-powered lasers with military and commercial applications.  DARPA and Corning aimed to increase the power of fiber lasers by more than a factor of 1000.  DARPA sought to develop this technology to create laser weapons capable of shooting down drones and missiles.

On or about July 1, 2016, Wang stole hundreds of files that contained non-public data generated during the DARPA project, including trade-secret manufacturing technology that would have enabled him to fabricate all manner of specialty optical fibers, including for fiber lasers.

Ten days before Wang stole the trade secret files, he had applied for China’s Thousand Talents Plan Award.  The Thousand Talents Plan Award was an initiative by the Chinese government aimed at people who were born in China and immigrated to the United States, to study or work in science and technology fields.  The Thousand Talents Plan Award incentivized these people to return to China by promising millions of dollars of investment to award recipients who returned to China.  Two months after Wang stole the trade secret files, he was selected to receive a Thousand Talents Plan Award.

Wang was negotiating with Chinese government entities to start a specialty fiber business in China from at least 2014 through 2017.  Wang was negotiating to receive tens of millions of dollars in investment from Chinese government entities, who would have been shareholders in his new venture.  Wang’s business plans showed that he was planning to use the stolen trade-secret files to start this business in China. Wang’s business plans also touted the military applications of the technology.  In one such business plan, which Wang submitted to a Chinese government entity, he advertised that specialty fibers “can also be installed on military vehicles,” including “tanks.”  Wang claimed that such use of the technology on military vehicles could “be key to deciding victory or defeat.”  Ultimately, law enforcement disrupted Wang’s efforts before he was able to start a new business and exploit the technology he stole.

“Mr. Wang stole sensitive technology that Corning, Inc. and DARPA spent millions of dollars developing so he could line his own pockets and help our adversaries undermine U.S. national security,” said Assistant Director Roman Rozhavsky of the FBI’s Counterintelligence Division. “For years, China’s government has waged a vast economic espionage campaign designed to put our nation at risk and American companies out of business. This conviction makes clear that the FBI and our partners will continue to hold accountable anyone looking to steal U.S. innovation for our enemies.” 

“The Bureau of Industry and Security remains committed to working alongside our law enforcement and industry partners to prevent the unlawful transfer of sensitive technologies,” said Jonathan Carson, Special Agent-in-Charge of the New York Field Office of the Department of Commerce Bureau of Industry and Security, Office of Export Enforcement.

The verdict is the result of an investigation by Special Agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, acting under the direction of Special Agent In-Charge Philip Tejera, and Special Agents of the Department of Commerce, Office of Export Enforcement, New York Field Office acting under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Jonathan Carson. Additional assistance was provided by Homeland Security Investigations in Detroit, Michigan.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Meghan K. McGuire of the Western District of New York and Trial Attorneys Nicholas Hunter and Brendan Geary of the Counterintelligence and Export Control Section of the National Security Division.

Economic espionage carries a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison and theft of trade secrets carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.  Sentencing is scheduled for April 15, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. before U.S. District Judge Frank P. Geraci, Jr., who presided over the trial.

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

ATLANTA – Former mail carrier Vershun Weaver has pleaded guilty to stealing U.S. Government treasury checks from recipients on his U.S. Postal Service mail route and fraudulently obtaining a pandemic-era Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan.

“Weaver abused his position and undermined the work of honest public servants,” said U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg. “Citizens should have absolute confidence that their mail is being handled, and delivered, by carriers of impeccable integrity. We will continue to work with our federal partners to root out and hold accountable government employees who compromise their integrity and violate the public’s trust.”

“This case sends a strong message to any U.S. Postal Service employee who decides to violate the public’s trust in this manner,” said Special Agent in Charge Jonathan Ulrich of the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General. “Our special agents, along with our law enforcement partners, will aggressively investigate these federal crimes to protect the sanctity of the U.S. Mail and maintain the public’s trust.”

According to U.S. Attorney Hertzberg, the charges, and other information presented in court: In 2023, Vershun Weaver worked as a mail carrier with the U.S. Postal Service. In July 2023, a postal employee who borrowed Weaver’s mail delivery truck found Weaver’s wallet and turned it in to a supervisor. The supervisor looked inside the wallet for identification and saw two U.S. treasury checks addressed to customers on Weaver’s delivery route. One check was for approximately $2,500, and the other was for $1,500. 

During a subsequent investigation, federal agents located in Weaver’s personal vehicle several additional pieces of mail addressed to other victims on Weaver’s delivery route. Agents also discovered that Weaver had fraudulently obtained a PPP loan. To support his application for the loan, Weaver submitted a fake income tax document that he knew had not been filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Weaver spent the proceeds of his PPP fraud on clothes and other personal items that were prohibited under the terms of the pandemic relief loan.

Vershun Weaver, 33, of Atlanta, Ga., pleaded guilty to a criminal information charging him with making a false statement to the Small Business Administration and two counts of theft of mail by a Postal Service employee. Sentencing is scheduled for February 9, 2026, before U.S. District Judge Tiffany R. Johnson.

This case is being investigated by the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General with valuable assistance from the Small Business Administration.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Dwayne A. Brown, Jr. is prosecuting the case.

On May 17, 2021, the Department of Justice established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the Department’s resources in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by, among other methods, augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the Department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus.

Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.

For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

DETROIT, Mich. – Today, the FBI arrested a third defendant, Ayob Nasser, 19, of Dearborn, Michigan, in connection with the alleged ISIS terrorism case from earlier this week against other two Dearborn men, Mohmed Ali and Majed Mahmoud. All three were charged in the amended complaint with conspiring to provide material support to ISIS—a radical Islamic terror group that has repeatedly killed Americans. All three are also charged with having firearms that would be used to commit an act of terrorism on behalf of ISIS. The amended complaint adds to the already chilling allegations of their radical Islamic terror plot involving AR-style rifles, shotguns, handguns, and other tools for a tactical assault.

“We will not stop. We will follow the tentacles where they lead. We will continue to stand guard with the FBI against terrorism,” said U.S. Attorney Jerome F. Gorgon, Jr.

“FBI Detroit and its Joint Terrorism Task Force will continue to investigate, arrest, and disrupt all attempts or plots to do harm to our residents or to anyone within the United States,” said Jennifer Runyan, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Detroit Field Office. “Nothing will stop us from working with our law enforcement partners, including the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan, to accomplish our mission of defending the homeland and upholding the constitution.”

The investigation is ongoing.

A criminal complaint is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.  A copy of the amended complaint can be found on our website at https://www.justice.gov/usao-edmi under News or click here