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Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Defendant, Cecilio Wareham, age 48 of Queens, New York, pled guilty in October to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine.

The announcement was made by Acting United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III; William S. Walker, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), New York; and Ulster County Sheriff Juan Figueroa, whose office leads the Ulster Regional Gang Enforcement Narcotics Team (URGENT).

In April 2025, ten defendants, including Wareham, were indicted for their roles in drug trafficking organizations that distributed large quantities of cocaine and crack cocaine in and around Kingston, New York and other areas of Ulster County. The organizations are alleged to have distributed over 11 kilograms of cocaine and hundreds of grams of cocaine base. Through the execution of search warrants in Ulster County and additional enforcement actions, law enforcement seized over five kilograms of cocaine and 270 grams of cocaine base.

As part of his guilty plea, Wareham admitted to supplying his co-conspirator, Greg Tejada, with quantities of cocaine for redistribution, including over 2 kilograms of cocaine that were seized from Tejada in October 2024. 

Acting United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III stated: “This guilty plea sends a clear and unequivocal message: we will aggressively dismantle the drug-trafficking networks that threaten the safety of our communities. Our work is far from finished, but this case proves that those who choose to spread dangerous narcotics will face decisive accountability. I strongly commend our federal, state, and local partners for their unwavering dedication and coordination throughout this investigation.”

HSI New York Special Agent in Charge Ricky J. Patel stated: “This plea is the result of a sustained, collaborative investigation aimed at dismantling criminal networks that traffic dangerous drugs into our communities. HSI New York and our law enforcement partners will continue to target the supply chains, distributors, and organizations responsible for fueling addiction and violence. Our efforts will remain relentless as we work to safeguard the public.”

Ulster County Sheriff Juan Figueroa stated: “URGENT and our partnering agencies remain committed to protecting Ulster County from the destructive impact of narcotics trafficking. This case highlights the strength of interagency cooperation and the dedication of our investigators. We will continue to pursue those who bring illegal drugs into our neighborhoods and ensure they are brought before the justice system.”

Sentencing is scheduled for February 26, 2026, before United States District Judge Mae A. D’Agostino. Wareham faces a prison term of at least 10 years and up to life, a fine of up to $10 million, and a supervised release term of at least 5 years and up to life. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is convicted of violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors.

The remaining defendants, all of whom are charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance, would face the following minimum and maximum terms of imprisonment upon conviction:

Name	Age	Residence	Minimum Term of Imprisonment	Maximum Term of Imprisonment
Damon Dunn, aka “Moe”	48	Tilson, New York	10 years	Life
Greg Tejada, aka “Bear,	48	Highland Lakes, New Jersey	10 years	Life
Richard Johnson	35	New York, New York	10 years	Life
Kevin Dunn	52	New York, New York	5 years	40 years
Aidan White	23	Kingston, New York	5 years	40 years
Kristine Scibelli	41	Middletown, New York	5 years	40 years
Xavier Patterson, aka “Xay”	28	New York, New York	5 years	40 years
Allen McGraw, aka “Snoop”	44	Utica, New York	None	20 years
Raymond Robinson	53	Kingston, New York	None	20 years

Additionally, Damon Dunn, Raymond Robinson, Greg Tejada, Kristine Scibelli, Xavier Patterson, and Richard Johnson are charged with Distribution of a Controlled Substance, and Aidan White and Damon Dunn are charged with Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance. 

The charges in the indictments are merely accusations.  The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. 

This case is being investigated by HSI; the Ulster County Sheriff’s Office in conjunction with URGENT (the Ulster Regional Gang Enforcement and Narcotics Team); Federal Bureau of Investigation, and New York State Police Special Investigations Unit, Valhalla.

Assistant United States Attorney Ashlyn Miranda is prosecuting the case.

These prosecutions are part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States.

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

WILMINGTON, N.C. – A federal jury convicted Saheed Sunday Owolabi, 34, from Nigeria on charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering for his role in several cyber fraud schemes.

“Fraud schemes like this drain millions from hardworking people in our communities,” said U.S. Attorney Ellis Boyle. “We will continue to work with our federal partners to identify, investigate, and prosecute those who abuse the anonymity of the internet to enrich themselves by stealing from our citizens.”

According to court records and trial evidence, Owolabi pretended to be a woman to build online relationships with men in the United States, a scheme known as a romance scam. He and his co-conspirators used these fake relationships to convince victims to send money and personal information. Owolabi and others used bank accounts provided by the victims to launder money from other fraudulent operations. Owolabi joined a scheme that stole and laundered more than $120,000 from a victim in the Eastern District of North Carolina and defrauded hundreds of others. During the COVID-19 pandemic, fraudsters gained unauthorized access to information about a pending home closing and sent spoofed emails instructing the victim to transfer funds to a bank account they controlled. When the victim complied, the money went to accounts linked to Owolabi and his associates. Owolabi then directed others on how to move and distribute the money, including sending portions to himself. Investigators recovered chat messages in which Owolabi admitted he was running a romance scam until he realized he was actually communicating with another fraudster. That individual mocked Owolabi’s efforts and told him to “learn how to do a clean job.”

Owolabi faces up to 40 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release when sentenced in January 2026.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Brad DeVoe is prosecuting the case, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation is investigating the case.

Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:22-CR-137-M.

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

SAN DIEGO – Erick Alexander Granados Garcia, who is believed responsible for trafficking large amounts of cocaine into the United States from Colombia, Ecuador and Mexico, appeared in federal court yesterday following his extradition from Guatemala.

Granados Garcia was indicted by a federal grand jury in the Southern District of California in June 2017 for Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute Cocaine on Board a Vessel. Granados Garcia was apprehended by Guatemalan authorities on August 21, 2017, and Guatemala granted the United States’ extradition request on October 29, 2025. The defendant arrived in San Diego on Monday.

At yesterday’s hearing, Granados Garcia was arraigned and entered a not-guilty plea before U.S. Magistrate Judge Allison H. Goddard.

This case stemmed from a long-term investigation targeting high-level organizations operating Colombian, Ecuadorian, and Guatemalan-based cocaine production and transportation organizations. These organizations historically transported cocaine into Guatemala and Mexico and then to locations in San Diego and Los Angeles. From there, traffickers delivered the drugs to distributors throughout California and the East Coast of the United States. Investigators learned that the targets use commercial and private airplanes, fishing vessels, go-fast boats, and maritime containers for the illicit movement of narcotics and narcotics proceeds. Agents coordinated the interdiction of at least 45 bulk cocaine shipment events conducted in multiple jurisdictions and multiple foreign countries. Thus far, these operations have resulted in the seizure of approximately $4.7 million and 60,230 kilograms of cocaine from 93 bulk seizure events.

The Justice Department extends its gratitude to the Government of Guatemala and its prosecutorial and law enforcement authorities for making the extradition possible. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs, the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Embassy in Guatemala provided significant assistance in securing the defendant’s arrest and extradition from Guatemala. The U.S. Marshals Service assisted in bringing the defendant back to the United States. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kyle B. Martin.

DEFENDANT                                                                               Case Number 17-cr-01465-JES     

Erick Alexander Granados Garcia                                         Age: 46                       Guatemala

SUMMARY OF CHARGES

Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute Cocaine on Board a Vessel – Title 46, U.S.C., Sections 70503 and 70506(b). Term of custody including a mandatory minimum 10 years and up to life imprisonment, $10 million fine.

INVESTIGATING AGENCIES

Drug Enforcement Administration

Federal Bureau of Investigation

Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation

United States Marshals Service

United States Coast Guard

Customs and Border Protection

United States Border Patrol

The charges and allegations contained in an indictment or complaint are merely accusations, and the defendants are considered innocent unless and until proven guilty.

This case is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF San Diego comprises agents and officers from FBI, Homeland Security Investigations, DEA, ATF, U.S. Marshals, Department of Defense, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Naval Criminal Investigative Service, IRS Criminal Investigation, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Customs and Border Protection and Interpol, with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of California.

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

Jedrek Upton, 45, of Lincoln, pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud and one count of money laundering, U.S. Attorney Eric Grant announced.

According to court documents, between January 2021 and May 2022, Upton repeatedly lied on applications for COVID-19 disaster relief funds that he submitted on behalf of his businesses. The misrepresentations included false statements regarding the number of employees or payroll and that he would spend the money to alleviate economic injury caused by COVID-19. In support of these applications, Upton also submitted falsified IRS documents.

In reality, some of the businesses had no employees or payroll, and Upton spent much of the money received on personal expenses. Upton received nearly $1.5 million in ill-gotten loans from the United States, a large portion of which was ultimately forgiven after Upton falsely claimed that he had spent it on payroll. Instead of legitimate business expenses, the money that Upton received allowed him to fund a lavish lifestyle. He paid off personal credit cards, transferred money to other people, leased a Ferrari and a Lamborghini, and made a large down payment on a $2.7 million, 10-acre property.

In addition to pleading guilty, Upton agreed to forfeit his interest in the property he purchased and pay nearly $1.5 million in restitution to the United States.

This case is the product of an investigation by the IRS Criminal Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Dhruv M. Sharma is prosecuting the case.

Upton is scheduled to be sentenced by Senior U.S. District Judge John A. Mendez on March 24, 2026. Upton faces a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine on the wire fraud count, and 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine on the money laundering count. The actual sentence, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

NEWARK, N.J. – A New Jersey doctor was arrested on November 4, 2025, for unlawfully prescribing Adderall, a Schedule II controlled substance, and Xanax, a Schedule IV controlled substance, Acting U.S. Attorney and Special Attorney Alina Habba announced.

David Holbrook, 70, of Bloomsbury, New Jersey was charged by Indictment with nine counts of unlawfully distributing and dispensing controlled substances, each in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(C). Holbrook appeared on November 4, 2025, for his initial appearance and arraignment in federal court before U.S. Magistrate Judge André M. Espinosa. The defendant was released on a $100,000 unsecured bond.

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

On nine occasions between or around January 2021 and September 2022, Holbrook, a licensed psychiatrist, prescribed Adderall and Xanax to multiple patients outside the usual course of professional practice and not for a legitimate medical purpose.  If convicted, Holbrook faces a statutory maximum sentence of twenty years in prison and a $1 million fine on each count.

Acting U.S. Attorney and Special Attorney Habba credited special agents, task force officers, and diversion investigators with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Cheryl Ortiz in Newark, New Jersey, with the investigation.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jake A. Nasar of the Office’s Health Care Fraud and Opioid Enforcement Unit.                                                 

Victims with any information regarding Dr. David Holbrook may contact the DEA New Jersey Field Division at 571-362-3700.

The charges and allegations contained in the complaint are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

                                                           ####

Defense counsel:         Jay Surgent, Esq.

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Alexander J. Weidner, 35, of Buffalo, NY, who was convicted of possession of child pornography involving a prepubescent minor, was sentenced to serve five years in prison and 35 years supervised release by U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Douglas A.C. Penrose, who handled the case, stated that on February 28, 2023, a federal search warrant was executed at Weidner’s residence as a result of child pornography uploaded to Snapchat and Instagram accounts, both associated with Weidner. Investigators seized two cellular telephones, which contained approximately 4,843 images and 371 videos of child pornography. Some of the images depicted minors under the age of 12 engaged in sexually explicit conduct. In addition, on two occasions, Weidner used the Session application to upload and share a video file containing child pornography with another Session user.

The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Philip Tejera, the New York State Police, under the direction of Major Amie Feroleto, and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.   

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Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Kansas City, Mo., woman was sentenced yesterday to federal prison and ordered to pay restitution for a fraud scheme in which she embezzled hundreds of thousands of dollars from her employer.

Jennifer L. Cabral, 52, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Stephen R. Bough, to 60 months in federal prison on for one count of bank fraud and one count of money laundering to run concurrently and ordered her to pay restitution in the amount of $306,034.28 to her former employer and to forfeit $1,393.50.

As part of her plea, Cabral admitted that she stole money from the checking account of her employer and used those funds for her personal benefit, including purchasing a 2019 Mazda CX-9 automobile, in which she has since agreed to forfeit all interests.

According to information presented in court, Cabral made unauthorized Automated Clearing House (ACH) payments to herself using her employer’s online account at a local financial institution.  Cabral accessed her employer’s accounting software and directed payments to her personal bank accounts at two other financial institutions. Once those funds were deposited in her personal accounts, she used them for various personal benefits including vehicle payments toward the purchase of her car.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rudolph R. Rhodes IV. This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Grandview, Mo. Police Department.

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

OKLAHOMA CITY – KANTRELL DAWAN HENDERSON, 34, of Oklahoma City, has been sentenced to serve 18 months in federal prison for assault on a federal officer or employee, announced U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester.

According to public record, on October 19, 2024, Oklahoma City Police Department (OCPD) officers responded to a metro neighborhood regarding an assault on a U.S. Postal Service Mail Carrier. Witnesses reported that, while the Mail Carrier was delivering mail on his route, Henderson confronted and placed the Mail Carrier in a chokehold. A passerby pulled Henderson off the Mail Carrier, which allowed him to escape. Officers located and arrested Henderson following a brief confrontation.

On August 6, 2025, Henderson was charged by Superseding Information with assault on a federal officer or employee. He pleaded guilty on August 13, 2025, and admitted he assaulted a federal employee who was engaged in their official duties.

At the sentencing hearing on November 25, 2025, U.S. District Judge David L. Russell sentenced Henderson to serve 18 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release. In announcing his sentence, Judge Russell noted the seriousness of the offense and Henderson’s criminal history. Public record reflects that Henderson has felony convictions for Arson in the Second Degree in Oklahoma County District Court case number CF-2016-9248 and Possession of a Controlled Substance in Oklahoma County District Court case number CF-2016-9100. He was under 10-year suspended sentences in these cases at the time of the assault.

This case is the result of an investigation by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Oklahoma City Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney David Nichols, Jr., prosecuted the case.

Reference is made to public filings for additional information.

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

RAPID CITY – United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced today that District Court Judge Camela C. Theeler has sentenced a man from Rapid City, South Dakota, convicted of Distribution of a Controlled Substance Resulting in Death.  The sentencing took place on November 24, 2025.

Anthony Sorensen, 37, was sentenced to life in federal prison, followed by six years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Sorensen was indicted for Distribution of a Controlled Substance Resulting in Death by a federal grand jury in June 2024.  He was found guilty after a three-day jury trial in March 2025.

The indictment stemmed from a fatal fentanyl overdose that occurred in Rapid City on June 5, 2023.  During the investigation, law enforcement obtained messages between Sorensen and the victim that indicated Sorensen had agreed to sell the victim a fentanyl pill in the early morning hours of June 5, 2023.  Security camera footage from nearby businesses showed the victim arrive at the apartment that Sorensen was living in at the time.  The victim was found unresponsive approximately one block from Sorensen’s home just a few hours after the victim had been seen arriving at Sorensen’s residence. An autopsy later confirmed that the victim consumed a lethal amount of fentanyl.

“So much death, misery, and pain has been caused by fentanyl dealers,” said U.S. Attorney Parsons.  “I am so grateful to our law enforcement partners that this dealer is now out of business for good.”

This case was investigated by the Unified Narcotics Enforcement Team, which is comprised of investigators from the Rapid City Police Department, Pennington County Sheriff’s Office, South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, South Dakota Highway Patrol, and the National Guard Counter-Drug Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorney Edward C. Tarbay prosecuted the case.

Sorensen was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service. 

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

PIERRE – United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced today that Chief Judge Roberto A. Lange, U.S. District Court, has sentenced a man from Fort Thompson, South Dakota, convicted of Failure to Register as a Sex Offender. The sentencing took place on November 25, 2025.

Michael Lovejoy, Jr., age 43, was sentenced to time served in custody through January 2, 2026, equal to approximately ten months in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Lovejoy was indicted by a federal grand jury in June 2025. He pleaded guilty on August 14, 2025.

Lovejoy was convicted of Third Degree Rape in Pennington County, South Dakota, in August 2005. As a result of his conviction, he is required to register as a sex offender and update his registration within three business days of relocation or change in employment or student status. In November 2024, Lovejoy began a period of supervised release, and he updated his sex offender registration to reflect that he was residing at a residence in Fort Thompson. Lovejoy did not thereafter reside at the residence. An arrest warrant was subsequently issued, and on March 13, 2025, Lovejoy was arrested in Fort Thompson.

This case was brought as a 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. Attorney’s Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Unit 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.

This case was investigated by the United States Marshals Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberly Zachrison prosecuted the case.

Lovejoy was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.