U.S. Attorney for the District of Arizona
Recent News About U.S. Attorney for the District of Arizona
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Francisco Juan Acevedo received two consecutive life sentences after being convicted for murder at a family event held within the Gila River Indian Community near Chandler, Arizona. Authorities highlighted ongoing efforts between federal agencies and tribal partners following this high-profile prosecution.
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Federal prosecutors have charged Esteban Yanez with aiding illegal gun purchases and failing to report large cash sales at his stores Virtus Armament and The Armory. If convicted on all counts outlined by an April grand jury indictment in Phoenix, he faces significant prison time and fines.
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Leslie Victor Gentry from Peoria has pleaded guilty to submitting fraudulent tax returns totaling over $1.8 million in COVID-related credits. He faces up to five years in prison at sentencing this July as authorities continue efforts against federal benefit fraud.
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Ivan Wilbur Seales has been convicted in Tucson for laundering nearly $1 million tied to scams targeting elderly Americans nationwide. Authorities say he moved funds through cryptocurrency and offshore channels after elaborate phishing schemes deceived victims out of their savings.
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Mutoh America has agreed to pay $900,000 after admitting material misrepresentations in Paycheck Protection Program applications. Federal officials say this case reflects ongoing efforts against misuse of pandemic relief funds.
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The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona has charged over two hundred people with immigration-related crimes following recent enforcement actions in early April. The prosecutions target illegal entry, re-entry offenses, and smuggling activities under Operation Take Back America.
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A Puerto Rican man has been sentenced in Arizona federal court for his involvement in a methamphetamine distribution conspiracy. Authorities say Jefte Monell Diaz received five years in prison after pleading guilty as part of an interagency drug investigation.
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Wyatt Op Maloney has been sentenced to twelve years in prison for voluntary manslaughter following a fatal assault in Tuba City. Both Maloney and his victim were members of the Navajo Nation. Federal authorities investigated and prosecuted this case.
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A Peoria-based tax preparer has been indicted by a federal grand jury for allegedly filing false returns between 2019 and 2023. Authorities say Butoyi Mechack faces multiple felony charges but has pleaded not guilty.
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A federal grand jury has indicted two men following an alleged attempt by one suspect to shoot DEA agents during a major fentanyl bust in Phoenix. The pair face multiple felony charges connected with drug trafficking activities involving tens of thousands of pills.
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The U.S. Attorney’s Office for Arizona charged over two hundred fifty people last week for immigration-related crimes including smuggling offenses. Federal partners assisted in these operations under Operation Take Back America targeting unlawful entry into the country.
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An Arizona gun store owner has been indicted on charges involving attempts to support two Mexican cartels now classified as foreign terrorist organizations. Authorities allege he tried supplying them with firearms in violation of federal law. If convicted on all counts, he faces significant prison time.
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The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona has charged 185 people with immigration-related offenses during recent enforcement operations. The charges include illegal entry, re-entry after removal, and smuggling activities. These actions are part of Operation Take Back America.
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The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona has charged 197 people with immigration-related crimes during recent enforcement operations in March. Cases include allegations of illegal entry, re-entry after removal, and alien smuggling as part of Operation Take Back America.
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Tri-City Cardiology in Phoenix will pay $4.75 million after being accused of performing unnecessary vein ablations billed to federal programs. Federal officials say some procedures did not meet accepted standards or were improperly documented.
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A Tucson man received a ten-year prison sentence after pleading guilty to charges stemming from a fatal human smuggling crash near Arivaca in August 2024. Authorities say one person died and three were seriously injured when Samuel Lopez-Ozuna fled law enforcement and crashed his vehicle.
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Luis Donaldo Garcia Lopez was convicted by a federal jury for possessing a firearm while unlawfully present in Arizona after overstaying his visa. Authorities discovered the weapon during a traffic stop as part of broader efforts targeting illegal immigration-related offenses.
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During the week of February 28 through March 6, 2026, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona charged 177 individuals with immigration-related crimes.
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Three men from the Phoenix area have been sentenced for their involvement in a fraud scheme targeting Amazon.
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A man from Albuquerque, New Mexico, has been sentenced to 27 months in prison after admitting to posting threats online against President Joseph Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris.