News from March 2022


Attorney General Merrick B. Garland Announces Launch of Task Force KleptoCapture

News Release: Attorney General Merrick B. Garland Announces Launch of Task Force KleptoCapture


Shelby County Woman Charged with Stealing from HOAs and Employer

News Release: BIRMINGHAM, Ala. Federal prosecutors have charged a Shelby County woman for wire fraud for embezzling from her employer and the homeowners associations they managed, announced U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona and FBI Special Agent in Charge Johnnie Sharp Jr.


New Jersey Man Sentenced to 80 Months in Prison for Stealing more than $450,000 in Unemployment Insurance Benefits

News Release: NEWARK, N.J. A Union, New Jersey, man was sentenced today to 80 months in prison for illegally obtaining more than $450,000 in unemployment insurance benefits, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced.


Vista Man Pleads Guilty to Fraudulently Obtaining More than $300,000 in Unemployment Benefits

News Release: SAN DIEGO - Darris Cotton of Vista pleaded guilty in federal court today to a fraud charge, admitting that he submitted false applications for unemployment benefits to Californias Employment Development Department.


21 Alleged Gang Members and Associates Charged in RICO Indictment

News Release: Defendants Charges Include Murder, Assault, Drug Trafficking, and Money Laundering


Co-conspirators Sentenced for Drug and Firearm Offenses

News Release: United States Attorney Jan Sharp announced that Pablo Leyva, age 28, of South Sioux City, Nebraska, and Chrystian Townsley, age 34, of Sioux City, Iowa, were both sentenced today in federal court in Omaha for conspiring to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl and for carrying a firearm during a drug ...


Romanian Extradited to the United States, Charged With Selling Stolen Credit Card Information Obtained via Malware

News Release: A Romanian hacker has been charged with selling millions of stolen credit card numbers obtained through the use of malware, announced U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Chad E. Meacham.


Romanian National, Part of ATM-Skimming Conspiracy, Sentenced to 30 Months in Prison

News Release: ROANOKE, Va. A Romanian national, who traveled to the United States and participated in an ATM skimming conspiracy, was sentenced today to 30 months in prison.


Nigerian National Sentenced to Prison for Role in Romance Fraud Scheme

News Release: HUNTINGTON, W.Va. Augustine Amechi, 24, a Nigerian national, was sentenced today to one year and a day in federal prison for receipt of stolen money. Amechi pleaded guilty to the charge in November 2021 and as part of his plea agreement agreed to pay at least $192,762.19 in restitution.


New Jersey Man Convicted of Threatening Federal Law Enforcement Officers

News Release: NEWARK, N.J. A New Jersey man was convicted by a federal jury today of threatening to assault and murder federal law enforcement officers, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced.


San Antonio Man Sentenced for Bank Fraud

News Release: SAN ANTONIO A San Antonio man was sentenced today to 30 months in prison for stealing mail and cashing fraudulent checks.


Sodinokibi/REvil Ransomware Defendant Extradited to United States and Arraigned in Texas

News Release: A man charged with conducting ransomware attacks against multiple victims, including the July 2021 attack against Kaseya, made his initial appearance and was arraigned today in the Northern District of Texas.


Presque Isle Woman Sentenced for Passing Counterfeit Money

News Release: BANGOR, Maine:A Presque Isle woman was sentenced today in federal court for passing counterfeit money, U.S. Attorney Darcie N. McElwee announced.


Two Indicted in East Texas Cryptocurrency Money Laundering Scheme

News Release: TYLER, Texas A 75-year-old woman and a 33-year-old man have been indicted for their roles in a cryptocurrency money laundering scheme in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Brit Featherston.


James G. Huse Named Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Secret Service Los Angeles Field Office

News Release: Los Angeles James G. Huse has been named special agent in charge (SAIC) of the U.S. Secret Service Los Angeles Field Office. With more than 25 years of experience with the Secret Service, Mr. Huse most recently served as the deputy special agent in charge (DSAIC) of the Los Angeles Field Office and its three subordinate offices.


Ghanaian National Pleads Guilty to Role in Romance Fraud Scheme

News Release: HUNTINGTON, W.Va. A Ghanaian national pleaded guilty to his role in a romance fraud scheme.


Man Sentenced to Prison for Leading Counterfeiting Conspiracy

News Release: A New Jersey man was sentenced today to 5 years in prison for manufacturing counterfeit currency.


Lehigh Acres Couple Pleads Guilty To COVID Relief Fraud

News Release: Fort Myers, Florida United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that Amber Rewis Bruey (35, Lehigh Acres) today pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, conspiracy to commit money laundering, and illegal monetary transactions. Her husband and co-conspirator, Anthony James Bruey, previously pleaded guilty to the same charges on February 4, 2022. A sentencing date has not yet been set.


Former Government Official In The Dominican Republic Sentenced To 15 Years For Conspiring To Import Cocaine Into The United States

News Release: Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York announced that the Dominican Republics former Consul General to Jamaica, JEREMIAS JIMENEZ CRUZ, was sentenced today to 179 months in prison for using his position and contacts in the government of the Dominican Republic ...


U.S. Attorney Announces New COVID-19 Fraud Strike Force

News Release: Spokane Resident Indicted for Fraudulently Obtaining COVID-19 Relief Loan