News and reports from the Department of Justice.

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Jesus Bracero, 29, of Bowmanstown, Pennsylvania, was sentenced to 121 months and 18 days in prison for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute more than 500 grams of methamphetamine and over 40 grams of fentanyl.
Justice

Jay man pleads guilty to drug distribution and illegal firearm possession

A Jay man has pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Bangor to charges of distributing narcotics and illegally possessing a firearm.
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Houston doctor settles for $2 million over alleged false Medicare billing

A Houston-based anesthesiologist and pain medicine specialist, Dr. Ajay Aggarwal, has agreed to pay more than $2 million to settle allegations of submitting false claims to federal health care programs.
Justice

Bridgeport gang member receives 40-year sentence for racketeering conspiracy

Lorenzo Carter, also known as “Zo” and “Skiii,” age 30, of Bridgeport, was sentenced to 40 years in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley for his role in a violent Bridgeport street gang.
Justice

Judgment entered against Maryland doctor for fraudulent Medicare billing

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland has secured a judgment of over $1.4 million against Dr. Richard Akoto, M.D., and his medical practice in Takoma Park, Maryland.
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Madison man indicted for methamphetamine distribution in federal court

Willie Frank Hicks, Jr., 42, of Madison, Florida, has been indicted in federal court on a charge of distributing methamphetamine.
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Former correctional officer receives over 20 years for drug distribution causing death

Santino Bellucci, a former correctional officer from Dickson City, Pennsylvania, was sentenced to 252 months in prison on August 8, 2025.
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Romanian nationals indicted for alleged $600K wire fraud targeting farm equipment buyers

A federal grand jury has indicted Romanian nationals Bogdan Alexandru Gherghevici, 26, and Viorel Cristea, 33, on sixteen counts of federal wire fraud and aggravated identity theft.
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Founder of Blueacorn pleads guilty in PPP loan fraud case

A founder of Blueacorn, a lender service provider, has pleaded guilty to participating in a scheme to fraudulently obtain COVID-19 relief funds through the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP).
Justice

Charleston man receives prison sentence for fentanyl distribution

Jaron Andrew O'Neal, 39, of Charleston, has been sentenced to six months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.
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Justice Department announces takedown against BlackSuit ransomware group

The Justice Department has announced coordinated actions targeting the BlackSuit (Royal) Ransomware group, including the takedown of four servers and nine domains on July 24.
Justice

Eric Grant sworn in as interim U.S. attorney for Eastern District of California

Eric Grant has been sworn in as the Interim United States Attorney for the Eastern District of California.
Justice

Marathon man indicted for seaman’s manslaughter after fatal parasailing incident

A federal grand jury has indicted Daniel Gavin Couch, 52, on a charge of seaman’s manslaughter.
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Panama City man indicted on drug distribution and firearm charges

A federal grand jury has indicted Marlow Level Allen, 46, of Panama City, Florida, on charges related to drug possession with intent to distribute and illegal firearm possession.
Justice

Career offender sentenced for threats against federal judge and prosecutor

Nathanael Michael West, 28, has been sentenced to 96 months in federal prison and three years of supervised release for threatening a federal judge and a federal prosecutor.
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Greenville man indicted for robbing TD Bank while on supervised release

A Greenville resident has been indicted for allegedly robbing a TD Bank branch in New Ipswich while on federal supervised release.
Justice

Booneville man sentenced to five years for distributing child sexual abuse material

A Booneville, Mississippi resident, Austin Thompson, was sentenced to five years in federal prison for distributing child sexual abuse material.
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Shiprock man receives probation for armed assault on two adults

A Shiprock man has been sentenced to three years of probation for a violent assault that took place in July 2024, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Mexico.
Justice

Three Louisiana men indicted on federal fentanyl distribution charges

Three men from Louisiana have been indicted on federal charges related to fentanyl distribution, according to an announcement by Acting U.S. Attorney Michael M. Simpson for the Eastern District of Louisiana.
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