News from April 2021


U.S. Relations With Central African Republic

U.S. Relations With Central African Republic

Release: More information about Central African Republic is available on the Central African Republic Page and from other Department of State publications and other sources listed at the end of this fact sheet.


Search of Shreveport Residence Exposes Illegal Possession of Drugs and Firearm

Search of Shreveport Residence Exposes Illegal Possession of Drugs and Firearm

News Release: SHREVEPORT, La. - Acting United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that Treveon T. Carter, 25, of Shreveport, Louisiana, has been sentenced by United States District Judge Donald E. Walter to 74 months (6 years, 2 months) in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for illegal possession of a firearm.


New Durham Man Sentenced to 69 Months for Drug Trafficking and Firearm Charges

News Release: CONCORD - Cowin Hillsgrove, 45, of New Durham, was sentenced to 69 months in federal prison for possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, Acting United States Attorney John J. Farley announced today.


Miami-Based CareCloud Health, Inc. Agrees to Pay $3.8 Million  to Resolve Allegations that it Paid Illegal Kickbacks

Miami-Based CareCloud Health, Inc. Agrees to Pay $3.8 Million to Resolve Allegations that it Paid Illegal Kickbacks

News Release: MIAMI - CareCloud Health, Inc. f/k/a CareCloud Corporation (CareCloud), a Miami-based developer of electronic health records (EHR) software products and related services, has agreed to pay $3,806,966.70 to resolve allegations that it paid unlawful kickbacks to generate sales of its EHR products.


FEMA Provides an Additional $250 Million to Colorado for COVID-19 Response

News Release: DENVER - The Federal Emergency Management Agency has provided more than $250 million in additional Public Assistance funding for the COVID-19 response in Colorado. The assistance was made available under a major disaster declaration issued March 28, 2020. FEMA has provided a total of $829 million for the Colorado COVID-19 response to date.


Gretna Resident Pleads Guilty to Possessing 66 Kilograms of Cocaine and $3.9 Million In Drug Proceeds Seized at His Stash House and Home

Gretna Resident Pleads Guilty to Possessing 66 Kilograms of Cocaine and $3.9 Million In Drug Proceeds Seized at His Stash House and Home

News Release: NEW ORLEANS, LA - U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced today that DORIAN WILLIAMS, age 47, of Gretna, Louisiana, pled guilty to possessing with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine and engaging in money laundering of profits from his drug trafficking. Agents seized approximately 66 kilograms of cocaine and about $3.9 million in drug proceeds hidden inside his Gretna stash house and home.


Chairman David Scott Statement in Support of Funding for HBCUs, Tribal Colleges, Minority-Serving Institutions in American Families Plan

Chairman David Scott Statement in Support of Funding for HBCUs, Tribal Colleges, Minority-Serving Institutions in American Families Plan

News Release: WASHINGTON - House Agriculture Committee Chairman David Scott issued the following statement regarding the provisions in the American Families Plan to support Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs), and Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs)...


DEA and partners announce results of 20th National Prescription Drug Take Back Day

News Release: NEWARK, N.J. - DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day collected 829,543 pounds (419.7 tons) of unused, expired, and unwanted medications across the country. The New Jersey Field Division collected 16,576 pounds of that grand total. Americans once again showed their dedication toward helping prevent...


Briefing With State Department Coordinator for Global COVID Response and Health Security Gayle E. Smith On Efforts To Support the Global Pandemic Response

Release: MR PRICE: Good afternoon. Thanks everyone for joining this call. As you know, this is an on-the-record briefing with the State Department coordinator for global COVID-19 response and health security - that’s Gayle Smith. As President Biden has made clear, the United States will continue to lead the world...


Honduran National Sentenced for Illegal Re-entry

News Release: Defendant illegally entered the country five times.


Informational: Federal Court arraignments

News Release: The U.S. Attorney’s Office announced that the following persons were arraigned or appeared this week before U.S. Magistrate judges on indictments handed down by the Grand Jury or on criminal complaints. The charging documents are merely accusations and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.


Reclamation and U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service to modernize Leavenworth hatchery, improving habitat for fish

Reclamation and U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service to modernize Leavenworth hatchery, improving habitat for fish

News Release: LEAVENWORTH, Wash. - The Bureau of Reclamation and U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service today signed a joint record of decision selecting the preferred alternative proposed for the Leavenworth National Fish Hatchery Surface Water Intake Fish Screens and Fish Passage Project to improve conditions for anadromous and resident fish and their habitats. The project is designed to rehabilitate, replace, and modernize the hatchery's water intake and delivery system on Icicle Creek.


DEA and Partners Announce Results of 20th National Prescription Drug Take Back Day

News Release: SAN FRANCISCO - DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day collected 829,543 pounds (419.7 tons) of unused, expired, and unwanted medications across the country. The San Francisco Division collected 26,215 pounds of that grand total. Americans once again showed their dedication toward helping prevent...


Barrasso Op-Ed: China's Goal is Domination, Not Cooperation. It's Playing Biden and America for Fools.

Barrasso Op-Ed: China's Goal is Domination, Not Cooperation. It's Playing Biden and America for Fools.

News Release: By: U.S. Senator John Barrasso April 30, 2021 USA Today China has a well-deserved reputation for deceit. That’s what makes a recent statement from China’s Vice Foreign Minister Le Yucheng so remarkable: It is honest. He said it’s “not realistic" to expect China to make a new pledge to reduce greenhouse ...


La Crosse Man Sentenced to 12 Years for Drug & Gun Crimes

News Release: MADISON, WIS. - Timothy M. O’Shea, Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Kong Vang, 31, La Crosse, Wisconsin, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge William M. Conley to 144 months in federal prison for conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of...


DEA and Partners Announce Results of 20th National Prescription Drug Take Back Day

News Release: LOUISVILLE - DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day collected 829,543 pounds (419.7 tons) of unused, expired, and unwanted medications across the country. The Louisville Division collected 35,325 pounds of that grand total. Americans once again showed their dedication toward helping prevent addiction...


Uniform Global National Interest Exceptions to COVID-19 Travel Restrictions: India

Release: In keeping with the Department of State’s commitment to facilitate legitimate travel to the United States, Secretary Blinken decided today to apply the same set of National Interest Exceptions to India that he had previously applied to all other regional travel restrictions currently in effect as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. These Exceptions are detailed on our website here and here.


Former Spa Owner Pleads Guilty for Using Cosmetic Fillers Not Approved for Distribution in the United States

Former Spa Owner Pleads Guilty for Using Cosmetic Fillers Not Approved for Distribution in the United States

News Release: A woman who operated a Tulsa spa pleaded guilty today in federal court for using medical devices, also known as cosmetic fillers, on patients that were not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), announced Acting U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson.


Shoshone County Facing Probation from the National Flood Insurance Program

News Release: BOTHELL, Wash. - Shoshone County, Idaho, will be placed on probationary status by the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) on July 1, 2021, due to deficiencies and violations with the county’s floodplain management program unless the County can either remediate all outstanding violations or prepare a compliance plan approved by FEMA.


Harrisburg Man Indicted For Possession Of A Firearm As A Convicted Felon

Harrisburg Man Indicted For Possession Of A Firearm As A Convicted Felon

News Release: HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that on April 28, 2021, James Patterson, age 40, of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, was indicted by a federal grand jury with possession of a firearm as a convicted felon.