Alabama Man Sentenced to One Year and One Day in Prison for Defrauding Jefferson County Retirement Plan

Source: US FBI

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – A federal judge on Monday sentenced an Alabama man for devising a scheme to defraud Jefferson County’s retirement plan, announced U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona and FBI Acting Special Agent in Charge Felix A. Rivera-Esparra.

U.S. District Court Judge Anna M. Manasco sentenced Gary Dean Gibbs, Jr., 52, to one year and one day for wire fraud. Gibbs was also ordered to pay $132,646.12 restitution to the General Retirement System for Employees of Jefferson County.  Gibb’s pleaded guilty to the charges in May.

According to the plea agreement, Gibbs’ father was a former employee of Jefferson County, Alabama, who was receiving benefits from The General Retirement System for Employees of Jefferson County (“GRS”). GRS is a retirement plan that provides benefits to retired and disabled employees of Jefferson County, Alabama. Beginning in September 2017 and continuing until February 2022, Gibbs concealed his father’s death from GRS and collected money from GRS to which he was not entitled. Gibbs used his father’s personal identifiers and forged his father’s signature on documents submitted to GRS to further his scheme. Additionally, Gibbs assumed his father’s identity during telephone calls with GRS employees. Gibbs collected approximately $132,646.12 to which he was not entitled.

“The defendant’s theft of money from the GRS was detrimental to the hard-working employees and retirees of Jefferson County, who contributed for years to the retirement plan, and was appropriately punished by time in federal prison.” U.S. Attorney Escalona said. “The United States Attorney’s Office appreciates the work of the FBI and Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, and the cooperation of the GRS during the investigation and prosecution of this matter.”

“Gibbs’ fraudulent scheme took money away from the Jefferson County retirement system intended for those who have saved for their later years,”. Acting SAC Rivera said. The sentence handed down today holds him accountable for his actions and allows for restitution to the victims. I want to express my thanks to the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office for their partnership and assistance in this investigation.”

The FBI investigated the case along with the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney George Martin  prosecuted the case.

Former Tacoma Resident Indicted for Damaging Six Different Energy Facilities in the South Sound and Southwest Washington

Source: US FBI

Seattle – A 33-year-old former Tacoma resident was indicted by a federal grand jury earlier this month for conspiracy to destroy energy facilities and six counts of destruction or attempted destruction of an energy facility, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Teal Luthy Miller. Zachary Rosenthal, who is currently incarcerated in the Washington State Department of Corrections for vehicular assault, was indicted in Oregon last July for damaging two energy facilities in Portland. The Oregon case is scheduled for trial on November 3, 2025.

According to the Western Washington indictment, between June and December 2022, Rosenthal conspired with others to damage six different power substations in western Washington: the Toledo substation in Lewis County on August 5, 2022; the Woodland 1 substation in Cowlitz County on November 17, 2022; the Woodland 2 substation on November 18, 2022; the Puyallup substation in Pierce County on November 20, 2022; and the Tumwater substation in Thurston County on November 22, 2022; and the attempted destruction to the Oakville substation in Grays Harbor County on December 5, 2022. The indictment charges five counts of destruction of an energy facility, and one count of attempted destruction of an energy facility for the Oakville substation attack.

The indictment calls for forfeiture of proceeds of the criminal scheme which appears to have been an attempt to burglarize businesses and ATMs when the power was out, and alarm systems might be down.

The attacks on the power stations resulted in power outages ranging from about 1,000 customers to 6,000 customers per substation.

Rosenthal and his coconspirators damaged the substations through a variety of means including gunshots, smashing equipment, or using heavy chains to cause short circuits.

The Oregon substation attacks occurred in the same timeframe as the Washington attacks, on November 24 and 28, 2022.

Damaging an energy facility with intent to cause a significant interruption and impairment of the function of the facility is punishable by up to 20 years in federal prison and three years’ supervised release.

The charges contained in the indictment are only allegations.  A person is presumed innocent unless and until he or she is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

The case is being investigated by the FBI. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Todd Greenberg.  

Winter Garden Man Sentenced to Three Years in Federal Prison for Conducting Series of Cyber Intrusions Against Former Employer

Source: US FBI

Orlando, Florida – U.S. District Judge Julie S. Sneed has sentenced Michael Scheuer (40, Winter Garden) to three years in federal prison for knowingly transmitting a program, code, or command to a protected computer and intentionally causing damage and for committing aggravated identity theft. The court also ordered Scheuer to forfeit his computer, which was used to commit the offenses, and to pay $687,776.50 in restitution to the victims of his crimes. Scheuer pleaded guilty on January 29, 2025.

According to court documents, Scheuer conducted a series of computer intrusions or attacks directed at his former employer following his termination. These intrusions included manipulating allergen information in restaurant menus to indicate that food items were safe for customers with certain allergies, when they were not. Scheuer also altered menu information related to wine regions to reflect locations of recent mass shootings. Additionally, Scheuer launched denial-of-service attacks designed to lock certain company employees out of their accounts.

“Formidable relationships with the private sector are a pillar of the FBI’s Cyber Strategy. Through the strength in our partnerships, our Cyber Task Force swiftly identified Mr. Scheuer and disrupted his ability to continue threatening the public,” said FBI Tampa Division Special Agent in Charge Matthew Fodor. “We are committed to safeguarding a robust Cyber Strategy to unmask malicious cyber

actors to ensure justice is served.”

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Tampa Division Orlando Resident Agency Criminal Intrusion Cyber Squad. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Robert D. Sowell.

Utah Charter School Director Charged for Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Material

Source: US FBI

Defendant allegedly possessed over 10,000 images of child sexual abuse material and is the lead director of multiple charter school’s grades K-6

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – A charter school director in northern Utah is in federal custody and charged in a federal criminal complaint after he allegedly possessed well over 10,000 images of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) and represented online that he could produce and distribute to others for profit.

Jared Dallan Buckley, 40, of West Point, Utah, is the Lead Director of both the Layton and Ogden, Utah, campuses for the Leadership Learning Academy, a charter school for grades kindergarten through six. Buckley is scheduled to make his initial appearance on the complaint Friday, April 25, 2025, at 9:45 a.m. in courtroom 8.4., before a U.S. Magistrate Judge at the Orrin G. Hatch United States District Courthouse in downtown Salt Lake City.

According to court documents, in October 2024, FBI agents began an on-line investigation of a person known only as “EMMA,” later identified as Buckley, who was using an application known to be used by people interested in child sexual abuse material. During the investigation, “EMMA” distributed a video of child sexual abuse materials and represented that he had original child sexual abuse material that he could produce and distribute to others for a price. Through the investigation, agents were able to connect “EMMA” to a telephone number that was associated to Buckley.

On April 22, 2025, FBI agents executed search warrants on Buckley’s residence in West Point, and his 2009 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD LT. FBI seized a cell phone in Buckley’s vehicle that was consistent with the make and model of the phone being utilized by the internet accounts associated with “EMMA.” During the forensic examination of the cell phone, agents found well over 10,000 images and videos of child sexual abuse material. The forensic examination of the cell phone also revealed evidence that Buckley has been distributing images of child sexual abuse material across multiple on-line platforms.

Acting U.S. Attorney Felice John Viti for the District of Utah made the announcement.

The case is being investigated by the FBI Salt Lake City Field Office.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah is prosecuting the case.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by 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.

A complaint is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. 
 

Documents: 

Prolific Fraudster Sentenced to 10 Years for Series of Schemes Costing Victims Millions

Source: US FBI

HOUSTON – A 39-year-old Manvel resident who used his veteran status to perpetuate several financial crimes has been ordered to federal prison, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.

Antonio Jackson Jr. pleaded guilty Feb. 4.

U.S. District Judge Lee Rosenthal has now ordered Jackson to serve 120 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by three years of supervised release. The court also ordered Jackson to pay a total of $1,974,145.63 in restitution to four different victims.     

At the hearing, the court heard additional evidence about the various methods Jackson used to exploit his victims, including creating fake companies, submitting bogus tax records and even faking signatures of government officials and copying official government seals and emblems. In handing down the sentence, Judge Rosenthal highlighted Jackson’s wide-ranging criminal conduct and his ongoing commitment to defrauding both public and private victims. The court also noted that Jackson exploited his brief stint in the U.S. Army, which ended in a court-martial, as a way to deceive others under the guise of service.  

From July 2020 to May 2021, Jackson submitted four false Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan applications. He claimed his business earned millions in revenue and paid hundreds of thousands in wages to more than 20 employees. In reality, Jackson fabricated tax returns, bank statements and other business records to support his false claims. The scheme resulted in losses of approximately $480,000.

While awaiting trial, authorities uncovered three additional schemes Jackson committed. As part of his plea agreement, he admitted to defrauding a Washington D.C.-based federal credit union through a series of scam home improvement loans. Jackson also made false statements to obtain a Department of Veteran’s Affairs (VA)-backed loan. In addition, he defrauded Brazoria County taxpayers by falsely claiming disabled veteran status to receive property tax relief on his Manvel residence.

He will remain in custody pending transfer to a Federal Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.

The Small Business Administration and the Department of Veteran’s Affairs- Office of Inspector General conducted the investigation with the assistance of several local police departments. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Andrew Swartz and Thomas Carter prosecuted the case.

Hillsville Man Arrested for Sexual Exploitation of Children

Source: US FBI

Defendant Used Discord to Purchase Sexual Content from at Least Ten Teenage Girls

ROANOKE, Va. – Michael Tibbs, 24, of Carroll County, Virginia, was arrested by FBI agents last week on a criminal complaint charging him with sexual exploitation of children. Earlier this week, Tibbs appeared before a U.S. magistrate judge who ordered him detained without bond.

Based on evidence presented at Tibbs’ detention hearing, in April 2023, a then-15-year-old minor victim submitted a tip to the FBI’s National Threat Operations Center, reporting that a man had been grooming her for approximately one year and continually requesting nude images.

FBI agents identified Tibbs as the victim’s groomer and obtained records of his Discord messages.  The Discord records revealed that beginning as early as November 2022, Tibbs engaged in sexual chats with several minor girls and paid them to record and send him sexually explicit images and videos. Agents were able to identify and interview some of the minor victims, who confirmed that Tibbs paid them to record sexually explicit content for him.

On July 18, 2024, agents executed a search warrant at Tibbs’ home and seized his phone, which contained many sexually explicit images and videos of women with indeterminate ages. Agents were able to identify one of the minor victims, 13 years old, depicted in two of those videos.  Tibbs’ phone also held hundreds of computer-generated and animated images of children, including toddlers, being graphically, sexually abused.

Agents interviewed Tibbs, who admitted to using Discord to purchase sexual content from minors.  He estimated that he purchased from 10 to 15 underage girls.  Tibbs explained that he developed an interest in purchasing sexual content from minors after viewing child pornography on TikTok.

Acting U.S. Attorney Zachary T. Lee and Stanley M. Meador, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Richmond Division, made the announcement.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation is investigating the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Drew Inman is prosecuting the case.

The case is brought as part of Project Safe Childhood. In 2006, the Department of Justice created Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identity and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov/.

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.

Illinois Man Sentenced to 16 Years in Federal Prison for Armed Robberies

Source: US FBI

Richard G. Frohling, Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that on April 23, 2025, Jamal White (age 34) was sentenced to 16 years in federal prison for his role in five armed robberies in southeastern Wisconsin.

According to court records, White robbed five commercial businesses between May 19 and May 21, 2023. During each robbery, White brandished a firearm and demanded money from the store cashiers. White robbed a West Allis Speedway gas station, a West Allis BP gas station, a Milwaukee Walgreens, a Greenfield Speedway gas station, and a Kenosha Kwik Trip. At his sentencing hearing, Chief United States District Judge Pamela Pepper also considered White’s role in two uncharged robberies in northern Illinois on May 21, 2023, which occurred at a Waukegan Walgreens and a Chicago Walgreens. At the time of the robberies, White was on parole with the Illinois Department of Corrections after serving approximately six years in Illinois state prison for armed robbery. White also had outstanding warrants for armed robbery in Indiana. Following his term of imprisonment, White will spend three years on supervised release. He was also ordered to pay restitution. 

This case was investigated by the FBI’s Milwaukee Area Violent Crimes Task Force, Milwaukee Police Department, Greenfield Police Department, West Allis Police Department, Kenosha Police Department, Waukegan Police Department, and Chicago Police Department.

It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Abbey M. Marzick and Michael C. Schindhelm.

 

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For additional information contact:

Public Information Officer Kenneth Gales               

(414) 297‑1700

Grand Jury Returns Four Indictments

Source: US FBI

MADISON, WIS. – A federal grand jury in the Western District of Wisconsin, sitting in Madison, returned the following indictments yesterday. You are advised that a charge is merely an accusation, and a person named as defendant in an indictment is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

WAUSAU MAN CHARGED WITH POSSESSING FENTANYL AND METHAMPHETAMINE FOR DISTRIBUTION

Christopher Harter, 49, Wausau, Wisconsin is charged in a two-count indictment with possessing fentanyl and methamphetamine for distribution. The indictment alleges that on March 7, 2025, Harter possessed 40 grams or more of fentanyl and 50 grams or more of methamphetamine with intent to distribute.

If convicted, Harter faces a mandatory minimum of 5 years in prison and a maximum penalty of 40 years in prison on each count.

The charge against him is the result of an investigation conducted by Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Central Wisconsin Narcotics Task Force comprised of agents from the FBI, Wisconsin State Patrol, Wisconsin Department of Criminal Investigation, Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, Marathon County Sheriff’s Office, Portage County Sheriff’s Office, Mountain Bay Police Department, Wausau Police Department and Wisconsin National Guard Counter Drug Program.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Taylor L. Kraus is handling the case.

JACKSON COUNTY MAN CHARGED WITH POSSESSING METHAMPHETAMINE FOR DISTRIBUTION

Elvin Amundson, 39, Sparta, Wisconsin is charged with possessing more than 500 grams of methamphetamine for distribution.  The indictment alleges that he possessed the methamphetamine on April 14, 2021.

If convicted, Amundson faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison and a maximum penalty of life.

The charge against Amundson is the result of an investigation conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven P. Anderson is handling the case.

ROTHSCHILD MAN CHARGED WITH ILLEGALLY POSSESSING A FIREARM

Edward L. Jackson III, 28, Rothschild, Wisconsin, is charged with possessing a firearm as a felon. The indictment alleges that on May 20, 2024, Jackson possessed a loaded Sig Sauer pistol. If convicted, Jackson faces a maximum penalty of fifteen years in prison.

The charge against him is the result of an investigation conducted by the Wausau Police Department, the Wausau Police Department’s Community Resource Unit, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Central Wisconsin Narcotics Task Force (CWNTF), with assistance from the ATF Madison Crime Gun Task Force and the Marathon County District Attorney’s Office. The CWNTF is comprised of agents from the FBI, Wisconsin State Patrol, Wisconsin Department of Criminal Investigation, Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, Marathon County Sheriff’s Office, Portage County Sheriff’s Office, Mountain Bay Metro Police Department, Wausau Police Department and Wisconsin National Guard Counter Drug Program. The ATF Madison Crime Gun Task Force consists of federal agents from ATF and Task Force Officers (TFOs) from state and local agencies throughout the Western District of Wisconsin. Assistant U.S. Attorney Julie Pfluger is handling the case.

MEXICAN CITIZEN FOUND IN EAU CLAIRE CHARGED WITH ILLEGALLY REENTERING UNITED STATES

Mario Govea-Monarca, 23, a citizen of Mexico found in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, is charged with reentering the United States after having been previously removed. The indictment alleges that on November 29, 2023, Govea-Monarca was found in the Western District of Wisconsin after having previously been removed and without having obtained the express consent of the United States Attorney General or the Secretary of Homeland Security to reapply for admission to the United States.

If convicted, Govea-Monarca faces a maximum penalty of two years in prison.

The charge against him is the result of an investigation conducted by the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Remington is handling the case.

All cases involving illegal immigration and firearms are part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

Jasper County Man Sentenced to 22 Years in Federal Prison for Drug Trafficking in Newton County

Source: US FBI

BEAUMONT, Texas – A Jasper man has been sentenced to 22 years in federal prison for drug trafficking violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Abe McGlothin, Jr.

Jeremy O’Quinn Brown, 34, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and was sentenced to 264 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Marcia A. Crone on April 17, 2025.

According to information presented in court, in October 2023, Brown was identified by law enforcement as a drug trafficker distributing large amounts of methamphetamine, cocaine, and marijuana in Newton County. A search warrant was executed at Brown’s residence resulting in the discovery of methamphetamine; cocaine; $94,997 in U.S. currency; and two firearms.  Brown is believed to have been responsible for distributing 497.44 grams of “actual” methamphetamine.

This case was investigated by the FBI, Texas Department of Public Safety, Jasper Police Department, Newton County Sheriff’s Office and U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.  This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan Lee.

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Three Members of an International Money Laundering Organization Charged with Laundering Millions of Dollars in Drug Proceeds

Source: US FBI

WASHINGTON – A federal grand jury in Florence, South Carolina returned an indictment on Tuesday, April 22, charging Nasir Ullah, 28, and Naim Ullah, 32, both of Sumter, South Carolina, and Puquan Huang, 49, of Buford, Georgia, with conspiring to launder millions of dollars of proceeds derived from drug trafficking.

“As alleged in the indictment, the defendants laundered tens of millions of dollars in drug proceeds from the United States through China and the Middle East, enabling a continuous flow of fentanyl and other dangerous drugs into our country from Mexico,” said Matthew R. Galeotti, Head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “Dismantling transnational criminal organizations and Chinese Money Laundering Organizations that support them is a critical priority for the Department. Alongside DEA and our local law enforcement partners, we will continue to prosecute the financial networks that fuel illegal drug trade and profit from the sale of deadly substances.”

“We are committed to dismantling criminal organizations that seek to profit through the distribution of dangerous drugs like cocaine and fentanyl across South Carolina and beyond,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Brook B. Andrews for the District of South Carolina. “This $30 million money laundering operation, which has international ties, was conducted in multiple communities in our state. We will continue to work tirelessly with our law enforcement partners to trace these illicit funds, disrupt these networks, and hold those involved accountable for the harm they present.”

“Cases like this exemplify the value of partnerships,” said Jae W. Chung, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Division. “The volume of dangerous drugs, including deadly fentanyl, impacts our communities beyond comprehension. This investigation and subsequent arrests demonstrate DEA’s commitment to protecting our community by destroying these drug trafficking and money laundering organizations.”

According to court documents, unsealed today, Ullah, Ullah, and Huang allegedly worked for a money laundering organization that laundered at least $30 million in proceeds related to the distribution of illegal drugs, including cocaine and fentanyl, which were unlawfully imported into the United States, typically through Mexico. Ullah, Ullah, Huang, and their co-conspirators allegedly traveled throughout the United States to collect drug proceeds. They communicated with co-conspirators in China to arrange for the laundering of these proceeds through transactions designed to conceal the illegal source of the proceeds, including disguising the source of the drug proceeds by moving money through the shipment of electronic goods to China and the Middle East.

Ullah, Ullah, and Huang are charged with conspiracy to commit money laundering. If convicted, they each face a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.

The DEA’s Charleston, South Carolina Resident Office is investigating the case, with assistance from the DEA’s Special Operations Division, Bilateral Investigations Unit; DEA’s Office of Special Intelligence, Document and Media Exploitation Unit; DEA’s offices in Columbia, South Carolina and Atlanta, Georgia; the FBI’s offices in Charleston and Columbia, South Carolina; the U.S. Air Force, Office of Special Investigations; the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division; the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office; the South Carolina Highway Patrol; the Fort Mill Police Department; the York County Sheriff’s Office; the North Charleston Police Department; the Mount Pleasant Police Department; and the Richland County Sheriff’s Department.

Trial Attorneys Mary K. Daly and Jasmin Salehi Fashami of the Criminal Division’s Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Everett E. McMillian for the District of South Carolina are prosecuting the case.

The Third and Fifth Judicial Circuit Solicitor’s Offices of South Carolina provided assistance in this case.

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

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