Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division
United States Attorney Kurt L. Wall announced that U.S. District Court Judge John W. deGravelles sentenced Thanh Hoa Thi Bui, also known as Xena Bui, age 43, formerly of Valdosta, Georgia, to serve an additional twelve months in federal prison following her conviction for failing to surrender for service of a previously-imposed federal sentence.
Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division
Following a one-week trial, a federal jury in Memphis convicted two members of the Unknown Vice Lords (UVL) – a violent Memphis street gang – yesterday for murdering by gunshot a fellow gang member who they suspected of betraying the gang.
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Edward Allen, also known as E-Money, 42, and Deandre Rodgers, also known as Dre, 29, both of Memphis, were high-ranking members of a criminal enterprise that controlled territory throughout the entire city of Memphis and extended beyond to Arkansas and Mississippi. Members of UVL committed murders, robberies, assaults, human trafficking, and drug trafficking on behalf of the enterprise. When the gang’s Supreme Elite Chief, the leader for the entire state of Tennessee, was murdered, the gang sought retaliation against anyone thought to be involved.
“Members of this gang carried out a calculated and merciless killing, leaving the victim in public to send a chilling message about the consequences of disloyalty,” said Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “Their repeated acts of violence, including shootings in broad daylight and in residential neighborhoods, demonstrate a profound indifference to human life and pose a clear danger to our communities. We will continue to stand with our law enforcement partners and relentlessly pursue those who bring violence into our communities – street-level violence has no place in this country, and those who engage in it will be identified, arrested, prosecuted.”
“This successful federal prosecution has significantly disrupted the leadership of the UVL street gang here in Memphis, and E-Money, Dre, and V-Slash are no longer unknown,” said U.S. Attorney D, Michael Dunavant for the Western District of Tennessee. “If you are a member of a criminal gang committed to a lifestyle of lawlessness, no matter your role or nickname — your days are numbered — there will be a reckoning.”
“Violent street gangs such as these that show a blatant disregard for public safety must be held accountable”, said Special Agent in Charge Jamey VanVliet of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) Nashville Field Division. “Through aggressive investigation, coordinated enforcement, and sustained collaboration, we will relentlessly continue to pursue, disrupt, and dismantle these violent criminal networks. The ATF, along with our local, state, and federal partners, will not rest until the safety and security of our communities are restored.”
As shown at trial, on Jan. 10, 2019, the Supreme Elite Chief and his girlfriend were murdered in broad daylight in a residential neighborhood. The gang immediately sought retaliation that same night against a rival gang, the Traveling Vice Lords, who they initially believed may have been responsible. Multiple Unknown Vice Lord members drove to a known Traveling Vice Lord hangout and committed a drive-by shooting where at least one person was shot. During the next few days, UVL conducted its own internal investigation and came to believe that a fellow UVL member was responsible for their Chief’s murder.
Five days after the Chief was murdered, on Jan. 15, 2019, the implicated Unknown Vice Lord member, the victim for this trial, was murdered at the hands of Allen, Rodgers, and other UVL members. On Jan. 14, 2019, co-defendant Vincent Grant, also known as V-Slash, a keeper of guns for the gang, provided guns to multiple gang members for the purpose of going on a “demo” which is their term for committing violent acts. Early the next morning around 1:00 a.m., Allen, Rodgers, Grant, and another gang member drove the victim to the back of a rundown apartment complex, where Allen and Rodgers took the victim behind one of buildings and executed him with guns provided by Grant.
The jury convicted Allen and Rodgers of causing death by use of a firearm during a racketeering murder. Sentencing is scheduled to be held on May 11. Allen and Rodgers face a maximum penalty of life in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Grant was previously convicted at trial for his involvement in the murder and sentenced to more than 24 years in prison.
The ATF investigated the case, with significant assistance from The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, The FBI, Memphis Police Department, and U.S. Secret Service.
Trial Attorneys Lisa M. Thelwell and Sarah J. Rasalam of the Criminal Division’s Violent Crime and Racketeering Section are prosecuting the case with substantial assistance from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Tennessee.
This case is part of the Criminal Division’s Violent Crime Initiative to prosecute violent crimes in Memphis, Tennessee. The Criminal Division and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Tennessee have partnered, along with local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies, to confront violent crimes committed by gang members and associates through the enforcement of federal laws and use of federal resources to prosecute the violent offenders and prevent further violence.
Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division
A Charles Town, West Virginia man was sentenced for selling fentanyl that resulted in an overdose death, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew L. Harvey. Clark Grove Corbin, 50, was sentenced to 240 months in federal prison for possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.
Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division
Baltimore, Maryland – U.S. District Judge James K. Bredar sentenced a California man to prison in connection with a federal investigation that led to law enforcement seizing more than 100 kilograms of cocaine. Mario Valencia-Birruetta, 35, of Corning, California, received a 121-month sentence for conspiracy to distribute cocaine. Valencia-Birruetta’s sentence also covers a possession with intent to distribute cocaine charge.
Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division
PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – Clarence Penny, 40, of Pace, Florida, was indicted by a federal grand jury charging him with eight counts of bank fraud, one count of embezzlement of labor union funds, and three counts of falsification of labor union reports.
Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division
Note: View complaint here.
The Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division (DOJ) filed a lawsuit yesterday against Harvard University (Harvard), accusing Harvard of unlawfully withholding from the United States admissions data information necessary to determine whether Harvard is continuing to discriminate in its admissions process, even after the Supreme Court’s 2023 ruling in Students for Fair Admissions v. President and Fellows of Harvard College.
“Under President Trump’s leadership, this Department of Justice is demanding better from our nation’s educational institutions,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “Harvard has failed to disclose the data we need to ensure that its admissions are free of discrimination — we will continue fighting to put merit over DEI across America.”
“The Justice Department will not allow universities to flout our nation’s federal civil rights laws by refusing to provide the information required for our review,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “Providing requested data is a basic expectation of any credible compliance process, and refusal to cooperate creates concerns about university practices. If Harvard has stopped discriminating, it should happily share the data necessary to prove it.”
The lawsuit alleges that Harvard repeatedly slow-walked the pace of production and refused to produce pertinent data and documents requested by the DOJ, including individualized applicant admissions data, admissions policies, and correspondence related to race; ethnicity; diversity, equity, and inclusion; and Students for Fair Admissions. The suit alleges that Harvard — a recipient of DOJ funding — violated Title VI by failing to comply with the DOJ’s request for sufficient document production for compliance review. The suit also notes that by failing to make timely and complete document productions or otherwise permitting the DOJ to access Harvard’s applicant-level admissions data, Harvard breached a material term of DOJ federal financial assistance.
The lawsuit seeks only to compel Harvard to produce documents related to any consideration of race in admissions and does not accuse Harvard of racial discrimination.
Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – On February 12, 2026, United States District Court Judge María Antongiorgi Jordan sentenced Melvin E. Rivera-Oliveras to 57 months in prison and five years of supervised release, and restitution for his role in a bank fraud scheme involving fraudulent point of sales (POS) transactions. Rivera-Oliveras utilized a company called Rossy Sport Bar Panorámico, LLC to further the bank fraud scheme. Rossy Sport Bar Panorámico, LLC pleaded guilty and was sentenced on January 15, 2026.
Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Justin Floyd Qualls, a/k/a Jay Qualls, age 40, of Muldrow, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 360 months in prison for one count of Aggravated Sexual Abuse of a Minor in Indian Country.On August 7, 2025, Qualls was found guilty of the charge by a federal jury at trial.At trial, the United States presented evidence that in May of 2024, Qualls knowingly engaged in a sexual act with a child who had not attained 12 years of age.
Source: United States Army
BAUMHOLDER, Germany – USAG Rheinland-Pfalz Child and Youth Services (CYS) sports and fitness program delivered an exceptional year expanding opportunities for youth and strengthening connections across the military community. Through the dedication of staff and volunteer coaches, the program delivered high-quality programming to military families across the Rheinland-Pfalz footprint, with a strong focus on the Baumholder community.
Led by new volunteer instructors, CYS introduced additional activities and hosted large-scale events that energized the community. The program added Jiu Jitsu to its sports catalog, providing Baumholder youth with a new and engaging athletic outlet. CYS also launched signature events, including the “Youth Spartan Challenge,” an obstacle course competition that attracted more than 200 participants and spectators from Baumholder and Kaiserslautern.
In the fall, the program welcomed the NFL’s Indianapolis Colts Cheer team, drawing more than 250 community members to an interactive clinic and high-energy performance that provided young athletes with a unique engagement opportunity. Participants also had the opportunity for a meet-and-greet with the famous mascot “Blue.”
Marcel Fisher, CYS youth and sports fitness director, said the sports program plays an important role in supporting military families and overall readiness.
“Our youth sports and fitness program provides young athletes a positive outlet beyond school and home,” Fisher said. “It gives them opportunities to build confidence, develop friendships and grow through competition, while families connect and support one another.”
Fisher emphasized that volunteers remain essential to the program’s success, noting their leadership and mentorship shape both athletic ability and character development.
Volunteer coaches reinforced that message.
“Balancing my responsibilities as an active duty along with coaching this season provided a sense of stability amidst the intense operational demands of 2025,” said Sgt. 1st Class Eric Blue, volunteer coach and active-duty Soldier. “Mentoring these young athletes allowed me to step away from the rigors of active duty and rediscover a sense of peace through their pure enthusiasm for the game.”
Parents and coaches echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the role of sports in fostering life skills and building community in a small, remote overseas location.
“It can be challenging to live in a small community, but youth sports have helped my kids stay active and involved,” said Julia Powell, a volunteer coach and parent. “Sports teachreally great life skills like consistency, confidence, perseverance, and resilience that carry over into everyday life.”
Bryce Pappas, a volunteer coach, added that youth sports create meaningful opportunities for connection.
“In a small and remote community like Baumholder, youth sports give parents and children a chance to meet others and stay active in a safe, structured environment,” Pappas said.
USAG Rheinland-Pfalz’s Directorate of Family Morale Welfare and Recreation’s Child and Youth Services deliver high-quality programs designed to benefit military children, youth, and students while simultaneously aiding the Army Family by mitigating conflicts that can arise between mission readiness and parental responsibilities.
For more information on Baumholder CYS Sports and Fitness programs, visit https://baumholder.armymwr.com/programs/youth-sports-fitness.
U.S. Army Garrison Rheinland-Pfalz sets, serves and secures the total force community, enabling power projection for the European Theater.
Connect with us: https://linktr.ee/usag_rp
Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division
U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Omar Vazquez-Baez, a/k/a Tutu, 33, of Buffalo, NY, who was convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and distribution of, five kilograms or more of cocaine, was sentenced to serve a total of 146 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo. Vazquez-Baez received 120 months for his drug conviction and 46 months for failing to appear in court for his original sentencing.