News and reports from the Department of Justice.

The former mayor of the Municipality of Trujillo Alto, Puerto Rico, José Luis Cruz-Cruz, was sentenced today to 24 months in prison for his involvement in a bribery scheme in which he received cash payments in exchange for directing municipal employees to execute municipal contracts for the benefit of an asphalt and paving company and a trash removal company.

Hi, I’m United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York Breon Peace. Thank you all for joining us today.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that MARK ROMAN, 54, of East Windsor, waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty today in Hartford federal court to production and possession of child pornography.

Fontaine Akeem Nelson, 26, of Charleston, pleaded guilty today to being a felon in possession of a firearm.

An Independence, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for his role in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and for illegally possessing several firearms.

Justice Department has taken several significant enforcement actions to disrupt large-scale illegal gun and drug trafficking operations,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland.

Timothy M. O’Shea, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Rayshawn Earl Motley, 32, Rochester, Minnesota was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge William M. Conley to two years in federal prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm. Motley pleaded guilty to this charge on September 20, 2022.

The United States Attorney’s Office announced that former Louisiana State Senator and Chair of State Political Party “A,” KAREN CARTER PETERSON, age 53, from New Orleans, Louisiana, was sentenced today by United States District Judge Sarah S. Vance to 22 months imprisonment after previously pleading guilty to a one-count bill of information charging her with wire fraud, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 1343 and 2.

Timothy M. O’Shea, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Marcus Payton, 38, Beloit, Wisconsin, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge William M. Conley to 6 years in prison, to be followed by 3 years of supervised release, for distributing crack cocaine.

A federal grand jury in Boise returned an indictment charging Catherine Skidmore, 55, of Meridian, with 25 counts of wire fraud and 24 counts of money laundering, U.S. Attorney Josh Hurwit announced today.

A 29-year-old Laradoan has been ordered to federal prison for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.

U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Joshua Massey, 32, of Rochester, NY, pleaded guilty before Chief U.S. District Judge Elizabeth A. Wolford to possession of firearm by a convicted felon, which carries a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison and a fine of $250,000.

U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Carlton Nemec, 50, who was convicted of production of child pornography and possession of child pornography involving a prepubescent minor, was sentenced to serve 26 years in prison by U.S. District Judge John L. Sinatra, Jr.

U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Benjamin Bolton, 38, of Getzville, NY, who was convicted of using social media to threaten to kill Amherst Police officers, was sentenced to serve 33 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo.

U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Devon Clark a/k/a Booski, 33, of Kenmore, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara to possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl, which carries a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison, a maximum of 40 years, and a fine of $5,000,000.