News from 2022


Local man sentenced for $317 million N95 mask scam

News Release: HOUSTON A 56-year-old Houston resident has been ordered to federal prison for scheming to fraudulently sell 50 million non-existent N95 facemasks to the Australian government, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.


Georgia Man Sentenced in Bank Fraud Scheme that Exploited Homeless Rhode Islanders

News Release: PROVIDENCE, R.I. A Georgia man convicted for his role in a scheme in which Providence area homeless and transient individuals were recruited to cash hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of counterfeit business checks in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Maine, in exchange for cash payments, was sentenced today to 41 months in federal prison.


U.S. Secret Service Launches Cryptocurrency Awareness Hub

News Release: Washington The U.S. Secret Service has launched a cryptocurrency public awareness hub featuring a new public service announcement video and information on the security of digital assets and cryptocurrencies.


Three Sentenced for Conspiracy to Commit Bank and Wire Fraud

News Release: PHILADELPHIA United States Attorney Jennifer Arbittier Williams announced that Malan Doumbia, 38, and Souleymane Diarra, 36, both of Philadelphia, PA, were convicted after trial of nine counts including conspiracy to commit wire fraud, access device fraud, aggravated identity theft, and conspiracy to ...


Boston Man Sentenced for Fraud Conspiracy

News Release: BOSTON A Boston man was sentenced today on fraud conspiracy charges in connection with the processing of fraudulent applications for store credit accounts using stolen identities.


Three Sentenced for Conspiracy to Commit Bank and Wire Fraud

News Release: RALEIGH, N.C. Shawn Franklin, Sabrina Wiggins Branch and Anthony Maryland were each sentenced today to terms of imprisonment for conspiring with one another to commit bank and wire fraud. Franklin, currently residing in Georgia, was sentenced today to 126 months in prison for organizing and leading a ...


Eastern Panhandle woman admits to bank fraud

News Release: MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA Ana Amesquita, of Kearneysville, West Virginia, has admitted to bank fraud, United States Attorney William Ihlenfeld announced.


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.