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Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

A naturalized U.S. citizen from Bosnia and Herzegovina pleaded guilty on Nov. 10 to criminal charges related to her lying about her prior criminal conduct to obtain U.S. citizenship.

“The defendant obtained the privileges of U.S. citizenship through lies and deceit, concealing the violent crimes she committed in Bosnia and Herzegovina,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Matthew R. Galeotti of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “The Department is fully committed to holding accountable those who exploit our immigration system and pose a threat to public safety.”

“Covering up past human rights abuses to attain U.S. citizenship is an egregious  offense, and I thank our law enforcement partners both here in the U.S. and in Bosnia and Herzegovina for investigating this matter to ensure that justice is done,” said U.S. Attorney David X. Sullivan for the District of Connecticut. 

“Individuals who lie on their naturalization documents undermine the process for all who justly apply to be a part of our great nation,” said Special Agent in Charge P.J. O’Brien of the FBI New Haven Field Office. “Tomanic’s admissions of fraud are detestable because of her history of targeting people based on their ethnicity and religion. The FBI, along with our partners at the the Department of Homeland Security’s Human Rights Violators and War Crimes Center, and the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Office of Fraud Detection and National Security will continue to investigate crimes of this nature to ensure the sanctity of the immigration process for all who righteously apply for U.S. Citizenship.”

According to court documents, Nada Radovan Tomanic, 53, served with the Zulfikar Special Unit of the Army of Bosnia and Herzegovina in the 1990s, during the armed conflict in the region. Along with other Zulfikar Special Unit soldiers, Tomanic participated in the physical and psychological abuse of Bosnian Serb civilian prisoners.

When applying for U.S. naturalization in 2012, Tomanic falsely denied having served in a detention facility or in any other situation involving the detention of others. She also falsely denied having committed a crime for which she had not been arrested – specifically, the crime of inflicting serious bodily harm under the Criminal Law of the Socialist Republic of Yugoslavia.

Tomanic’s deception extended beyond her written naturalization application. During her interview with a U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services officer, she was placed under oath and legally obligated to answer questions truthfully. Despite that obligation, she again lied about her service in a detention facility and her past criminal conduct.

Tomanic pleaded guilty to one count of procuring citizenship contrary to law. She is scheduled to be sentenced on Feb. 3, 2026. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. The defendant faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.

Trial Attorney Elizabeth Nielsen of the Criminal Division’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section (HRSP) and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Anastasia King and Angel Krull for the District of Connecticut are prosecuting the case, with assistance from HRSP historians. The Criminal Division’s Office of International Affairs also provided assistance.

The FBI is investigating the case, with coordination provided by the Department of Homeland Security’s Human Rights Violators and War Crimes Center (HRVWCC) and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services’ Office of Fraud Detection and National Security (FDNS), along with the FBI’s International Human Rights Unit (IHRU). The Justice Department thanks authorities from Bosnia and Herzegovina, to include the Ministry of Justice of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Republic of Srpska Ministry of Interior, Serbian authorities, and the United Nations International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals, who were instrumental in providing assistance that aided in furthering the investigation.

Members of the public who have information about human rights violators in the United States are urged to contact the FBI at 1-800-CALLFBI (1-800-225-5324) or through the FBI’s online tip form at www.tips.fbi.gov/, or Homeland Security Investigations at 1-866-DHS-2-ICE (1-866-347-2423) or through ICE’s online tip form at www.ice.gov/webform/ice-tip-form.

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

HARRISBURG – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Diego Edgardo Aleman-Lozano, age 25, a Mexican national, was sentenced on October 2, 2025, to 24 months in prison to be followed by one year on supervised release by United States District Judge Jennifer P. Wilson for possession of a firearm by an alien.

According to United States Attorney Brian D. Miller, Aleman-Lozano was pulled over by Pennsylvania State Police in 2021 for violations of the Pennsylvania Motor Vehicle Code. State Troopers saw a 5.56 caliber green-tipped rifle cartridge on the front passenger seat. Because Aleman-Lozano was an alien on a nonimmigrant visa and was therefore not permitted to possess a firearm or ammunition, law enforcement obtained a search warrant for the car. Upon executing the warrant, Troopers recovered a 9mm polymer semiautomatic pistol with no serial number.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America (https://www.justice.gov/dag/media/1393746/dl?inline) 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).

This matter was investigated by the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). Assistant United States Attorney Michael Scalera prosecuted the case.

This matter occurred on date indicated but not issued at that time due to the government shutdown.  Press release posted and made available following the return to normal operations.

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Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

WILLIAMSPORT – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced Victor Manuel Mazariegos-Palacios, age 46, citizen of Guatemala, pled guilty to illegal reentry into the United States and was sentenced on October 15, 2025, to time-served, approximately four months in prison by Chief United States District Judge Matthew W. Brann.

According to United States Attorney Brian D. Miller, on or about February 8, 2023, Mazariegos-Palacios was found in Columbia County, Pennsylvania, after previously having been removed from the United States. Mazariegos-Palacios was removed from the United States in 2006 and reentered without first obtaining legal permission to do so. Mazariegos-Palacios will be deported to his native country.

The case was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs and Enforcement and Removal Operations and the Pennsylvania State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alisan Martin prosecuted the case.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America (https://www.justice.gov/dag/media/1393746/dl?inline), 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).

This matter occurred on date indicated but not issued at that time due to the government shutdown.  Press release posted and made available following the return to normal operations.

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Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

Telephone scam claimed victim had won millions, but had to pay taxes and fees in advance – repeatedly demanded the mailing of more money

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

WILLIAMSPORT – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Edelicio Castillo-Ramos, age 34, a citizen of Mexico, received a time-served sentence of nearly four months in prison after pleading guilty to illegal reentry on October 15, 2025, by Chief United States District Judge Matthew W. Brann.  Castillo-Ramos was transferred to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (“ICE”) custody for immediate deportation.

According to United States Attorney Brian D. Miller, Castillo-Ramos faced one count of Illegal Reentry following his arrest in Clinton County on June 20, 2025, after previously being removed from the United States.  Castillo-Ramos had been removed from the United States on July 12, 2012, through Calexico, California, and reentered without first obtaining legal permission to do so.

This case was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Removal Operations.  Assistant United States Attorney Robin Zenzinger prosecuted the case.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America (https://www.justice.gov/dag/media/1393746/dl?inline) 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).

This matter occurred on date indicated but not issued at that time due to the government shutdown.  Press release posted and made available following the return to normal operations.

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Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

WILLIAMSPORT – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Justo Melendez-Morales, age 45, from Milton, Pennsylvania, was sentenced on October 15, 2025, to 41 months’ imprisonment and six years of supervised release by Chief United States District Judge Matthew W. Brann after pleading guilty to distribution of cocaine.

According to United States Attorney Brian D. Miller, on or about February 26, 2025 through May 9, 2025, Melendez-Morales sold and possessed approximately 38 grams of cocaine in his Milton apartment, which he maintained as a premises for drug trafficking.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  Assistant United States Attorney Robin Zenzinger prosecuted the case.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America (https://www.justice.gov/dag/media/1393746/dl?inline) 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).   

This matter occurred on date indicated but not issued at that time due to the government shutdown.  Press release posted and made available following the return to normal operations 

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Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

Fort Myers, FL – U.S. District Judge Sheri Polster Chappell has sentenced Lester John Parker, Jr. (55, Lehigh Acres) to ten years and one month in federal prison for his role in a multi-million-dollar COVID-19 relief fraud scheme. Parker pleaded guilty on July 9, 2025, to conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, conspiracy to commit money laundering, access device fraud, and aggravated identity theft.

According to court records, between 2020 and 2021, Parker orchestrated and carried out a scheme to defraud the United States Small Business Administration (SBA) and various SBA-approved lenders by submitting fraudulent Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan applications on behalf of himself and numerous other individuals and businesses. Forgivable PPP loans—which were 100% guaranteed by the federal government—were one of the sources of economic relief provided by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act.

The fraudulent applications submitted by Parker included false documents such as forged bank statements and bogus IRS records, as well as fraudulent representations regarding the PPP applicant’s average monthly payroll, in an effort to deceive the SBA and various SBA-approved lending institutions into approving large PPP loans for applicants who did not qualify for such loans. Altogether, more than 100 fraudulent PPP applications were linked to Parker’s conspiracy, which resulted in over $3 million in fraudulent loan proceeds being disbursed. 

Aside from filing fraudulent PPP applications, Parker’s conspiracy also included an intricate scheme to launder fraud proceeds to bogus employees of sham businesses controlled by Parker. In some instances, stolen identities were used by conspirators in furtherance of the fraud.

This case was investigated by the United State Secret Service and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Simon Eth.

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

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

WILLIAMSPORT – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that James Casher, age 40, of Tioga, Pennsylvania was sentenced on October 16, 2025, to 10 years in prison by Chief United States District Judge Matthew W. Brann for child enticement.

According to United States Attorney Brian D. Miller, Casher entered a guilty plea in June 2025, to enticing a minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct.  Casher had contact with a Minnesota woman in 2023 and attempted to arrange a meeting with the woman’s 12-year-old daughter to have sexual relations with her. 

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  Assistant United States Attorney Geoffrey MacArthur prosecuted the case.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit  www.usdoj.gov/psc.

This matter occurred on date indicated but not issued at that time due to the government shutdown.  Press release posted and made available following the return to normal operations.

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Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

Isaiah McCoy, 37, of Honolulu, Hawaii, was sentenced yesterday to life in prison after a jury found McCoy guilty in April of four counts of sex trafficking three adults and one minor, two counts of obstructing a sex trafficking investigation, seven counts of interstate and foreign travel or transportation in aid of racketeering enterprises, and one count of interstate travel for prostitution purposes. Additionally, the court ordered McCoy to pay the victims $1,017,241.00 in restitution.

“The significant sentence imposed by the court reflects the egregiousness of the defendant’s conduct in abusing and preying on multiple women and girls,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “The defendant targeted each victim’s vulnerabilities and used physical force, threats, sexual violence, and psychological coercion to compel the victims to engage in commercial sex for his own profit. The Justice Department is committed to fully enforcing our federal human trafficking statutes to hold offenders accountable and to seek justice for survivors of these heinous crimes.”

“The sentencing of Mr. McCoy is a testament to HSI’s zero tolerance for those who engage in sex trafficking in Hawaii,” said Special Agent in Charge Lucy Cabral-DeArmas of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Hawaii. “McCoy is a predator who left countless victims in his path while he sought to enrich himself at their expense. HSI will aggressively pursue those, like McCoy, who seek to exploit vulnerable women and girls and mute their voices while believing they will not be held accountable.”

The evidence presented at the 12-day trial earlier this year showed that McCoy compelled victims to commit hundreds of commercial sex acts between 2019 and 2021. McCoy made promises of a romantic relationship, a luxurious lifestyle, and financial security to women and girls struggling with low self-esteem, a difficult upbringing, and/or financial trouble. McCoy’s promises ended up hollow and false, designed to provide him with the opportunity to learn about a victim’s vulnerabilities while misrepresenting himself as caring and empathetic. McCoy’s feigned romantic interest and claimed wealth led him to emotionally manipulate his victims.

After luring the victims into his orbit with his false promises, McCoy turned violent and abusive if the victims did not provide him with enough money or otherwise violated one of his many rules,  which included requiring the victims to call him “Daddy” or “Zeus,” requiring the victims to share their cell phone location, and requiring the victims to provide him an update on the amount of money earned through commercial sex work. Evidence presented in court detailed the extensive violence to which McCoy subjected his victims. For example, McCoy repeatedly burned one of the victims on her arms when she did not provide him with enough money. On other occasions, McCoy threw victims to the ground before repeatedly stomping on their head, stomach, or hands with his feet. McCoy even smashed a victim’s head against a car door before carrying her unconscious body through a hotel lobby and into an elevator. McCoy inflicted violence against multiple victims that caused them to seek treatment at local hospitals. All of McCoy’s actions contributed to the creation of a climate of fear where the victims felt they had no way out because McCoy promised them that he had eyes and ears everywhere monitoring the victims’ every move.

McCoy required his victims to work all hours of the day and night even when they were sick or hungry. Afterwards, McCoy required the victims to turn over all the proceeds from his commercial sex business to himself because he felt that the money belonged to him. McCoy then spent the money on high-end designer shoes, belts, clothing, and other accessories. In contrast, although McCoy would intermittently buy items for the victims as “rewards,” the victims were ultimately left with nothing.

HSI investigated the case with assistance from the Honolulu Police Department.

Trial Attorney Elizabeth Hutson and former Trial Attorney Maryam Zhuravitsky of the Civil Rights Division’s Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit prosecuted the case.

Anyone who has information about human trafficking should report that information to the National Human Trafficking Hotline toll-free at 1-888-373-7888, which is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For more information about human trafficking, please visit www.humantraffickinghotline.org. Information on the Justice Department’s efforts to combat human trafficking can be found at www.justice.gov/humantrafficking.

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announces that a federal jury has found Armoni Tyree Moody (24, Davenport) guilty of carjacking, brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a violent crime, and possessing ammunition as a convicted felon. Moody faces a minimum penalty of seven years, up to life, in federal prison. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for January 21, 2026.

According to evidence presented at trial, Moody arranged over social media to meet an individual to purchase marijuana. Moody entered the passenger seat of the individual’s car, brandished a loaded handgun, and pressed it against the individual’s head. Moody then forced the victim to hand over the victim’s two cellphones and told the victim to get out of the car or he would shoot the victim, before driving away with the victim’s car.

The following day, a search warrant was obtained for Moody’s residence. The victim’s belongings and the loaded firearm were recovered from Moody’s bedroom, and the victim’s car was found parked nearby. Upon further investigation, detectives recovered text messages from Moody’s cellphone where he discussed his intent to commit the robbery a few hours beforehand and videos of Moody in possession of the same firearm on his social media account. 

Prior to this offense, Moody had been convicted of robbery with a weapon for which he was still serving a term of probation at the time of the carjacking. As a convicted felon, Moody is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition under federal law.  

This case was investigated by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jeff Chang.

This case is 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 Neighborhoods (PSN).

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.