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Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

U.S. Attorney Smith announced that three co-conspirators have recently been sentenced for conspiracy to distribute fentanyl in Cheyenne, Wyoming. Beginning in September of 2024, detectives with the Cheyenne Police Department Community Action Team began an investigation into the distribution of fentanyl in the Cheyenne area. All three convictions were obtained through plea agreements resulting in a minimum of 12 years in federal prison.

According to court documents, through surveillance and interviews, investigators were able to track Brady Ehlers and Ashley Haberman’s movements as they purchased fentanyl from Colorado and distributed it in Laramie County. Detectives obtained search warrants, resulting in the seizure of fentanyl and drug paraphernalia from Ehler’s vehicle and their shared hotel room. The investigation also revealed that they were redistributing the fentanyl for several months and that one redistributor, Stacy Scrak, sold the fentanyl to another person who overdosed. The Drug Enforcement Administration and the Cheyenne Police Department investigated the crime.

U.S. Attorney Smith said, “It is devastating to see the impact that this terrible drug has had across our nation. Knowing that fentanyl has a high rate of death, it makes it that much harder to understand how people can put profit over human life. I am grateful for the strong alliance between the Cheyenne Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration, and I commend their work on this case.”

Brady Joseph Ehlers, 35, of Evanston was sentenced to a total of 168 months’ imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release for conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and distribution of fentanyl. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mackenzie Morrison prosecuted the case. A criminal complaint was filed Nov. 16, 2024, and Ehlers pleaded guilty on Feb. 28. U.S. District Judge Alan B. Johnson imposed the sentence in Cheyenne on April 15. Case No. 25-CR-00026

Ashley Nicole Haberman, 40, of Cheyenne, Wyoming, was sentenced to a total of 144 months’ imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release for conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and distribution of fentanyl. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mackenzie Morrison prosecuted the case. A criminal complaint was filed Nov 26, 2024, and Haberman pleaded guilty on March 18. U.S. District Judge Scott W. Skavdahl imposed the sentence in Casper on June 5. Case No. 25-CR-00033.

Stacey Claire Scrak, 28, of Cheyenne, Wyoming, was sentenced to 144 months’ imprisonment with three years of supervised release to follow for the distribution of fentanyl. Assistant U.S. Attorney Z. Seth Griswold prosecuted the case. Scrak was arrested on complaint Feb. 19 and pleaded guilty on April 17. Chief U.S. District Court Judge Kelly H. Rankin imposed the sentence on Oct. 8 in Cheyenne. 

Case No. 24-CR-00067

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that KAREN GASTON, 45, of East Granby, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Sarah F. Russell in New Haven to three years of probation for defrauding COVID-19 pandemic relief programs of more than $1.1 million.  During her probation, Gaston was ordered to serve four weekends of incarceration, 10 months in home detention, and 500 hours of community service.

In March 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (“CARES”) Act provided emergency financial assistance to Americans suffering the economic effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.  One source of relief provided by the CARES Act was the authorization of forgivable loans to small businesses for job retention and certain other expenses through the Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”).  The PPP was overseen by the U.S. Small Business Administration (“SBA”), and individual PPP loans were issued by private lenders, which received and processed PPP applications and supporting documentation, and then made loans using the lenders’ own funds, which were guaranteed by the SBA.  The CARES Act also authorized SBA to distribute Economic Injury Disaster Loans (“EIDLs”), which provided working capital to eligible small businesses, including sole proprietors, to meet operating expenses.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in 2020, Gaston controlled certain entities including LNK, Elegant Clinical, Ruby Red LLC, and Diamond Shine LLC.  LNK and Diamond Shine LLC were operational, but shared resources and employees.  Ruby Red LLC had only one client and Gaston was its sole employee.   Elegant Clinical was no longer operational.  Beginning in approximately April 2020, Gaston submitted loan applications to the PPP and EIDL programs that falsely represented the status of the operations, resources, and employees of these entities.  She also filed loan applications at separate financial institutions in order to disguise the true nature of her criminal activity. 

Specifically, Gaston’s loan applications falsely represented that her businesses were all active and operating concerns; falsely represented the number of employees and the amount of wages purportedly paid by the businesses; included copies of fraudulent tax returns and tax related documents; and falsely represented that a family member, used as an applicant on an application, was a part owner of one of her entities.  As least one loan application was submitted after Gaston was arrested for state offenses related to a Medicaid fraud scheme.

Gaston received $1,163,910 in PPP and EIDL loan funds through this scheme.  Instead of using the funds for payroll or other operating expenses, she spent the money on personal expenditures, including, cares, travel, food, luxury home goods, expensive jewelry, and paying off her home mortgage.

Judge Russell ordered Gaston to pay full restitution.  She also forfeited a ring she purchased in July 2020 from the jeweler Harry Winston for $39,521.63.

On June 12, 2025, Gaston pleaded guilty to wire fraud and making illegal monetary transactions.

This investigation was conducted by the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael S. McGarry.

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

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

ALBUQUERQUE – An Albuquerque man has been charged with federal drug and weapons offenses after U.S. Marshals arrested him on a supervised release violation last month.

According to court documents, on September 8, 2025, Orlando Mario Jude Serrano, 44, was arrested by the U.S. Marshals Service on an active federal warrant for violating his supervised release. During the arrest in Albuquerque, agents recovered approximately 1,283 grams of fentanyl pills, 364 grams of methamphetamine, crack cocaine, and a Glock pistol equipped with a machinegun conversion device inside a camera bag and lunch bag Serrano was carrying and inside his vehicle.

Serrano was previously convicted in 2015 for drug trafficking and felon in possession of a firearm.

Serrano is charged with possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and methamphetamine, possession of a machinegun in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and felon in possession of a firearm. If convicted of the current charges, Serrano faces no less than 10 years and up to life in prison.

Acting U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Jason T. Stevens, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations El Paso, made the announcement today.

Homeland Security Investigations investigated this case with assistance from the U.S. Marshals Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Oliver Stephanz is prosecuting the case.

An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

This press release was posted November 13, after the end of the federal government shutdown.

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announces that Kevin Charles Luke (62, Parrish) has pleaded guilty to one count of unauthorized communication of information relating to the national defense. Luke faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set.

According to the plea agreement, Luke retired from the United States Army in June 2018 with the rank of Colonel. Thereafter, he worked as a contractor and civilian employee. Throughout his time in the Army, and thereafter as a civilian employee, he held a security clearance that authorized him to access classified information related to the national defense.

In October 2024, Luke was a government civilian employee at United States Central Command in Tampa, Florida. Luke met a woman online and began communicating with her via his personal cellphone and computer. On October 1, 2024, Luke sent that woman a text message stating, “sent to my boss earlier, gives you a peak at what I do for a living.” Luke then sent a photograph of a computer screen displaying a classified email message that he had authored and sent using a government email address intended for classified email communications. The email contained classified markings of SECRET//REL TO USA, FVEY that Luke had himself added. The photograph of the classified email that Luke sent to the woman discussed a then-future U.S. military operation. This information was classified at the time and remains classified. The photograph of the classified email also revealed the number of targets of the planned U.S. military operation as well as the future date of the operation, the means of executing the operation, and the goal of the operation. Luke knew that his personal cellphone was not authorized for storing or transmitting national defense information, and that the woman was not authorized to receive national defense information.

This case was investigated by the Air Force’s Office of Special Investigations and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Daniel J. Marcet and Lindsey Schmidt and Department of Justice National Security Division Counterintelligence and Export Control Section Trial Attorney Leslie Esbrook.

NOTE: This matter occurred on a previous date but not published at that time due to government shutdown. Press release posted and made available following the return to normal operations.

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

ALBUQUERQUE – A Shiprock man was sentenced to 37 months in prison after a drunk driving crash critically injured his passenger.

There is no parole in the federal system.

According to court documents, on January 11, 2018, Philbert Wayne Mark, 46, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, was driving at high rates of speed while highly intoxicated when he failed to navigate a turn. The vehicle flipped and rolled for 174 feet, ejecting and critically injuring his passenger. At the hospital, Mark had a blood alcohol content of .396.

Mark pled guilty to assault resulting in serious bodily injury. Upon his release from prison, Mark will be subject to three years of supervised release.

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’s Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Navajo Police Department and Navajo Department of Criminal Investigations. Assistant United States Attorney Amy Mondragon is prosecuting the case.

This press release was posted November 13, after the end of the federal government shutdown.

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

CLEVELAND – An Ohio man now faces additional charges—including attempted murder of a federal officer—in connection with an Oct. 15 incident that resulted as federal officers attempted to serve an arrest warrant.

On Oct. 29, a federal grand jury in Cleveland returned a four-count indictment charging Larry Leon Dwight Wiley, 55, of Cleveland, with:

• Count 1 – Attempted Murder of a Federal Officer
• Count 2 – Assault on Federal Officers with a Deadly Weapon
• Count 3 – Using, Carrying, and Discharging a Firearm During and in Relation to a Crime of Violence
• Count 4 – Felon in Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition, for prior convictions that include Felonious Assault in 2010; Domestic Violence in 2009; Aggravated Robbery with Firearm Specification in 2000; Burglary in 1999; and Assault on a Police Officer in 1998.

According to the criminal complaint affidavit, on Oct. 15, members of the U.S. Marshals Service Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force went to an apartment unit in Cleveland to execute an arrest warrant on Wiley, who was wanted for felonious assault. Officers announced their presence as law enforcement and breached the door of the unit. Wiley, who was inside, allegedly fired a handgun in the direction of the officers, striking a deputy U.S. Marshal in the arm with a .380 caliber round. The deputy U.S. Marshal was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital where he received treatment for his injuries. Wiley then barricaded himself in the apartment, leading to a standoff that lasted several hours until he surrendered and was taken into custody.

If convicted, Wiley faces up to 20 years in prison for Counts 1 and 2; up to life in prison for Count 3; and up to 15 years in prison on Count 4. The defendant’s sentence will be determined by the Court after a review of factors unique to the case, including prior criminal record, role in the offense, and characteristics of the violation.

This case is being investigated by the FBI Cleveland Division, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), and the Cleveland Division of Police. The Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Office also provided valuable assistance. The prosecution is being led by Assistant United States Attorneys Margaret A. Sweeney, Scott Zarzycki, and James P. Lewis for the Northern District of Ohio.

An indictment is merely an allegation. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

LOS ANGELES – The Justice Department announced today that it filed legal action against Governor Gavin Newsom and Secretary of State Shirley Weber for the State of California’s newly adopted redistricting plan enacted with the passage of Proposition 50.

The lawsuit alleges that the plan mandates racially gerrymandered congressional districts in violation of the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution.

Proposition 50 amends the California Constitution, allowing the legislature to draw a new congressional-district map. Substantial evidence, including that in the legislative record and public statements, indicate that the legislature created a new map in which Latino demographics and racial considerations predominated, in violation of the Equal Protection Clause.

“The race-based gerrymandered maps passed by the California legislature are unlawful and unconstitutional,” said First Assistant United States Attorney Bill Essayli of the Central District of California. “The U.S. Department of Justice is moving swiftly to prevent these illegal maps from tainting our upcoming elections. California is free to draw congressional maps, but they may not be drawn based on race.”

“California’s redistricting scheme is a brazen power grab that tramples on civil rights and mocks the democratic process,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “Governor Newsom’s attempt to entrench one-party rule and silence millions of Californians will not stand.”

“Race cannot be used as a proxy to advance political interests, but that is precisely what the California General Assembly did with Prop 50,” said Jesus A. Osete, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights. “Californians were sold an illegal, racially gerrymandered map, but the U.S. Constitution prohibits its use in 2026 and beyond.”

The Department’s motion to intervene in Tangipa, et al. v. Newsom, et al. is pending before the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.

Assistant United States Attorney Julie A. Hamill of the Civil Division’s Civil Rights Section and Trial Attorneys David Goldman, Joshua R. Zuckerman, and Greta Gieseke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division are representing the United States in this matter.

Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon has been recused from this case. Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Jesus A. Osete will represent the Department on this matter.

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

ALBUQUERQUE – A Farmington man was sentenced to 15 years in prison for engaging in sexual acts with a 14-year-old child.

There is no parole in the federal system.

According to court records, in February 2019, Daniel Washburn, 31, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, engaged in sexual act with a 14-year-old minor when he was 24 years old.

Washburn pled guilty to sexual abuse of a minor. Upon his release from prison, Washburn will be subject to ten years of supervised release and must register as a sex offender.

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 Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Navajo Police Department and Navajo Department of Criminal Investigations. Assistant United States Attorneys Jesse Pecoraro and Mia Ulibarri-Rubin are prosecuting the case.

This press release was posted November 13, after the end of the federal government shutdown.

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

CHEYENNE, WY – On September 29, 2025, the U.S. Department of Justice rescinded previous guidance concerning the prosecution of simple marijuana possession. U.S. Attorney Smith promptly notified federal law enforcement agencies that marijuana offenses occurring on federal land, such as national parks, will now be rigorously prosecuted.

This comes after President Biden pardoned certain U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents for offenses related to simple possession, attempted possession, or use of marijuana and directed U.S. Attorney’s not to prosecute those offenses. This significantly curtailed federal prosecutions of misdemeanor marijuana offenses.

U.S. Attorney Smith stated, “Marijuana possession remains a federal crime in the United States, irrespective of varying state laws. The detrimental effects of drugs on our society are undeniable, and I am committed to using every prosecutorial tool available to hold offenders accountable.”

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Wyoming remains steadfast in its mission to uphold the rule of law, including the enforcement of federal statutes prohibiting the possession of marijuana and other controlled substances.

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

WASHINGTON – The Justice Department announced today that it filed legal action against Governor Gavin Newsom and Secretary of State Shirley Weber for the State of California’s newly adopted redistricting plan enacted with the passage of Proposition 50. The suit alleges that the plan mandates racially gerrymandered congressional districts in violation of the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

Proposition 50 amends the California Constitution, allowing the legislature to draw a new congressional-district map. Substantial evidence, including that in the legislative record and public statements, indicate that the legislature created a new map in which Latino demographics and racial considerations predominated, in violation of the Equal Protection Clause.

“California’s redistricting scheme is a brazen power grab that tramples on civil rights and mocks the democratic process,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “Governor Newsom’s attempt to entrench one-party rule and silence millions of Californians will not stand.”

“Race cannot be used as a proxy to advance political interests, but that is precisely what the California General Assembly did with Prop 50,” said Jesus A. Osete, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights. “Californians were sold an illegal, racially gerrymandered map, but the U.S. Constitution prohibits its use in 2026 and beyond.”

“The race-based gerrymandered maps passed by the California legislature are unlawful and unconstitutional,” said First Assistant United States Attorney Bill Essayli of the Central District of California. “The U.S. Department of Justice is moving swiftly to prevent these illegal maps from tainting our upcoming elections. California is free to draw congressional maps, but they may not be drawn based on race.”

The Department’s motion to intervene in Tangipa et al v Newsom is pending before the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.

Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon has been recused from this case. Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Jesus A. Osete will represent the Department on this matter.