News published on Federal Newswire in February 2022

News from February 2022


Former Amtrak Employee Pleads Guilty to Wire Fraud

News Release: NEW ORLEANS - U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced today that KENYA BUTLER-SMALL pleaded guilty on Feb. 23, 2022 to two counts of wire fraud for conduct that occurred while she was employed by Amtrak as an On-board Services Train Attendant.


Seventh Hanford Reactor Building “Cocoon” Foundation Taking Shape

The Richland Operations Office (RL) and cleanup contractor Central Plateau Cleanup Company (CPCCo) are off to a strong start on one of EM’s key construction priorities for 2022, with workers preparing to safely enclose, or “cocoon,” the seventh of nine former reactors on the Hanford Site.


Metro East Man Sentenced to Prison for Bank Fraud Scam

News Release: EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. - Lagardo Wright, 21, of Fairview Heights, Illinois, was sentenced to 27.


Additional General License Involving Afghanistan or Governing Institutions in Afghanistan

Release: The United States took action today to facilitate a broad range of commercial activity in Afghanistan that will benefit the Afghan people.


Release: Phoenix, Az - The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is recruiting individuals interested in an exciting new federal career as a Transportation Security Officer (TSO) at Arizona Airports - to include Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX), Tucson International Airport (TUS), Show Low Regional Airport (SOW) and Flagstaff Pulliam Airport (FLG).


Bloomsburg Woman Sentenced To 12 Months’ Imprisonment For $430,000 Fraud Scheme, Including $300,000 In Covid Relief Fraud

News Release: SCRANTON- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Vicki Hackenberg, age 57, of Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania, was sentenced by United States Chief District Judge Matthew W. Brann, to 12 months of imprisonment for perpetrating a bank fraud and money laundering scheme that included nearly $300,000 in COVID-19 relief guaranteed by the Small Business Administration through the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP).


Previously convicted felon sentenced to 14 years in prison for gun, drug crimes

News Release: CINCINNATI - Da’Quan Payne, 30, of Cincinnati, was sentenced in U.S. District Court to 170 months in prison for committing five federal crimes related to firearms and narcotics.


Nashville Man Convicted Of Federal Firearm & Drug Offenses After Killing Another During Drug Deal

A federal jury in Nashville yesterday found a local man guilty of federal firearm offenses following the shooting death of another man during a drug deal in 2019, announced U.S.


International Women Leaders in STEM Connect in Silicon Valley and the San Francisco Bay Area for TechWomen Spring 2022

Release: The U.S. Department of State will welcome 112 leaders in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields from Africa, the Middle East, and South and Central Asia to participate in the hybrid TechWomen Program. Through mentorships with U.S. women leaders in STEM fields, the TechWomen...


Transportation and Related Equipment Technical Advisory Committee; Notice of Partially Closed Meeting discussed on Feb. 25 by Commerce Department

The US Commerce Department published a two page notice on Feb. 25, according to the U.S. Government Publishing Office.


Syracuse Entrepreneur Pleads Guilty to Tax Fraud

News Release: SYRACUSE, NEW YORK - Dean Whittles, 61, formerly of Syracuse, New York, waived indictment and pled guilty yesterday in federal court in Utica to one felony count of willful failure to pay federal payroll taxes, announced United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Thomas Fattorusso, Executive Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation Division (IRS-CI), New York Field Office.


Man Sentenced to 14 Years in Prison for Child Exploitation

Today, U.S. District Judge Aida Delgado-Colón sentenced Mario Torres-Rodríguez to a term of 168 months (14 years) in prison and 10 years of supervised release for transportation of a minor to engage in illegal sexual activity, announced W. Stephen Muldrow, United States Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico.


Release: The U.S. Department of State will welcome 112 leaders in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields from Africa, the Middle East, and South and Central Asia to participate in the hybrid TechWomen Program. Through mentorships with U.S. women leaders in STEM fields, the TechWomen...



Union Springs Man Sentenced for Being a Felon in Possession of a Firearm

On February 23, 2022, Christopher Lee Smith, a 24-year-old man from Union Springs, Alabama, was sentenced to 21 months in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced U.S.


More than 200 Firearms Seized in ATF, Burrillville Police Department Project Safe Neighborhoods Investigation

News Release: PROVIDENCE, RI - A Burrillville, RI, man was arrested on Thursday following a Project Safe Neighborhoods investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosive (ATF) and the Burrillville Police Department that resulted in the overnight seizure of 211 firearms and pounds of ammunition during a court-authorized search of his home, announced United States Attorney Zachary A. Cunha.


News Release: CHARLOTTE, N.C. - A federal jury in Statesville has convicted Da Lee, 37, of Lawrenceville, Georgia, of trafficking methamphetamine and marijuana in Western North Carolina, announced Dena J. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina.


Transportation Department discusses Notice of Funding Opportunity on Feb. 25

The US Transportation Department published a five page notice on Feb. 25, according to the U.S. Government Publishing Office.


DOS-IDN offers new grant application process starting Feb. 25

U.S. Consulate General Surabaya Public Affairs Section (PAS) Annual Program Statement grant opened on Feb. 25.


News Release: Washington, D.C. - Energy and Commerce Committee Republican Leader Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) released the following statement in response to Russia’s renewed invasion of Ukraine.