Source: United States Department of Justice
Greenbelt, Maryland – A former Prince George’s County police officer received a federal-prison sentence for his role in an auto-insurance fraud scheme. Judge Lydia Griggsby sentenced Michael Anthony Owen, Jr., 37, of Accokeek, Maryland, to six months in federal prison, followed by two years of supervised release, with the first six months served on home detention, for the falsification of records in connection with the scam.
Source: United States Department of Justice
Earlier today, in federal court in Brooklyn, Marcus Pittman, also known as “Nacho” and “Cheese,” was sentenced by United States District Judge Kiyo A. Matsumoto to 27 years in prison for causing death through use of a firearm, in connection with his participation in an armed robbery and kidnapping of two marijuana dealers in Queens, New York, during which Marcus Pittman murdered one of the dealers. Marcus Pittman pleaded guilty to the charge in December 2025.
Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division
Associate Attorney General Stanley E. Woodward Jr. of the U.S. Department of Justice issued the following statement today in connection with the closing of the Antitrust Division’s investigation into the proposed merger between Seismic Software, Inc. (Seismic) and Highspot Inc. (Highspot):
“After a targeted review of key competitive questions, the Antitrust Division made the decision to close its investigation, reducing the Second Request compliance burden on the merging companies. The resolution of this matter using a targeted approach is an excellent example of the Antitrust Division efficiently reviewing a proposed merger with an expedited focus on key dispositive issues.”
On Feb. 12, Seismic and Highspot announced that they had signed a definitive agreement to merge. Both firms offer sales enablement software platforms to businesses. The Antitrust Division opened an investigation and issued Second Requests to the merging companies.
“Merging companies often claim that AI is a disruptive force and rationale for consolidation among close competitors in industries subject to historically high barriers to entry,” said Deputy Assistant Attorney General G. Charles Beller of the Justice Department’s Antitrust Division. “The Division critically evaluates such claims based on the facts in each individual case, including reviewing whether ordinary-course documents and data from the merging companies and third parties substantiate such claims.”
Based on the particular facts surrounding Seismic and Highspot’s proposed merger, the Division and the merging parties entered into a timing agreement that prioritized the production of evidence the Division considered to be relevant to AI entry and repositioning. The Division used this and other material to evaluate its concerns and the merging companies’ arguments.
Over the course of the following three months, the Division conducted a thorough investigation, reviewing documents, analyzing data, and interviewing industry participants. In particular, the Division analyzed whether the proposed merger may harm competition for sales enablement software platforms. Although the merging companies and other legacy providers have competed in this space without meaningful entry from larger, more diversified tech companies operating in adjacent markets, the Division considered whether entry from newer, AI-native firms may be timely, likely, and sufficient to make any risk of harm to competition unlikely. Multiple types of evidence indicated that AI-native firms are growing quickly to win sales enablement software platform customers and are increasing competitive pressure on legacy providers.
Following this review, the Division decided that its investigation could be closed.
Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – Today, United States District Court Judge Pedro A. Delgado sentenced José Julio Rodríguez-Cumba, a.k.a. “Chambi/Chembi/Josué/Chambo/Patrón,” to 360 months (30 years) of imprisonment followed by 5 years of supervised release for running a continuing criminal enterprise. Rodríguez-Cumba was arrested in the District of Puerto Rico on October 4, 2021, and pleaded guilty on April 14, 2026.
Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division
TUCSON, Ariz. – Moises Gabriel Castillo, Jr., 40, of Weatherford, Texas, was sentenced last week by United States District Judge Rosemary Márquez to 57 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. Castillo previously pleaded guilty to Transportation of Illegal Aliens for Profit Placing in Jeopardy the Life of Any Person, Causing Serious Bodily Injury and Resulting in Death.
Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division
United States Attorney Ron Parsons, announced today that U.S. District Eric C. Schulte has sentenced a Cherry Creek, South Dakota man convicted of Assault Resulting in Substantial Bodily Injury to an Intimate Partner and Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person. The sentencing took place on August 17, 2026.
Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division
Katie Shameka Williams, 33, and Kenneth Darnell Smith Jr., 32, both of the District of Columbia, were arrested yesterday after being charged in an indictment in connection with running an alleged fentanyl trafficking operation from their apartment in the District’s Congress Heights neighborhood, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro.
Source: United States Spaceforce
Despite having no aircraft assigned to its unit authorization document, the 913th Airlift Group is training maintainers as if an entire fleet is at its fingertips. Inside its newly established virtual reality training center, logistical limitations have given way to immersive, mission-ready instruction.
Source: United States Department of Justice
United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced today that U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier has sentenced a Rapid City, South Dakota, man convicted of Distribution of Child Pornography, Receipt of Child Pornography, and Possession of Child Pornography. The sentencing took place on August 14, 2026.
Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division
MACON, Ga. – U.S. Attorney William R. “Will” Keyes is urging every citizen in the Middle District of Georgia to join the fight for a fentanyl-free America and Georgia ahead of National Fentanyl Prevention and Awareness Day this Friday, August 21, through a newly launched public service announcement.