News published on Federal Newswire in March 2022

News from March 2022


Fentanyl Kingpin Sentenced to Life Sentence

Gerald Hunter, 56, of Los Angeles, appeared today before U.S. District Judge John A. Ross and was sentenced to life in federal prison. Hunter was convicted of conspiracy to distribute more than 400 grams of fentanyl, possession with intent to distribute more than 400 grams of fentanyl, conspiracy to distribute over five kilograms of cocaine, and two counts of money laundering.


House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure to Hold Markup

House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure to Hold Markup



Drug Trafficker Who Distributed Narcotics While on State Bond Sentenced to 15 Years in Federal Prison

Jarran Riley (37, Clearwater) was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison for distributing narcotics. Riley had pleaded guilty on December 9, 2021.


Trafficker of Cocaine, Methamphetamine, Fentanyl, and Marijuana Sentenced to Federal Prison

Raymond Malara (38, Tampa) was sentenced to nine years in federal prison for trafficking cocaine, fentanyl, and marijuana.


Aurora Drug Dealer Sentenced to 23 Years in Federal Prison

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado announces that Candelaria Vallejo-Gallo, age 43, of Aurora, Colorado, was sentenced to 23 years in federal prison for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, cocaine, fentanyl, and heroin.


News Release: King Salmon, AK - Katmai National Park and Preserve (Katmai) is pleased to announce that Brooks Camp Campground will open at 100% capacity for the 2022 season. Katmai program managers are closely monitoring the COVID-19 pandemic and using a phased approach to increase access.


T&I Committee Introduces Bipartisan Legislation to Prevent Sexual Assault and Harassment at Sea—Protect Survivors

T&I Committee Introduces Bipartisan Legislation to Prevent Sexual Assault and Harassment at Sea—Protect Survivors


Huntsville Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison for Carjacking

A federal judge on Friday sentenced a Huntsville man for carjacking, announced U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona and Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge Johnnie Sharp, Jr.


News Release: Washington - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) issued a complaint against Gregg Ebner Jr. (Ebner), Wichita Falls, Texas, on Feb. 15, 2021, for alleged violations of the Packers and Stockyards (P&S) Act.


U.S. DOT Volpe Center Releases New Publications, Including Annual Project Accomplishments

The U.S. Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT) Volpe National Transportation Systems Center (Volpe Center) has recently released three new publications in support of its mission to advance transportation innovation for the public good.


FBI Charlotte Offering Cash Reward for Tips Leading to Drug Trafficking Seizures

The FBI Charlotte Field Office is offering cash rewards for tips that help agents intercept drug trafficking shipments through Charlotte.


Kingdom of Bahrain Signs the Artemis Accords

Release: On Wednesday, March 2, the Kingdom of Bahrain became the 17th nation, and the third nation in the Middle East, to sign the Artemis Accords. After approval from the Cabinet, National Space Science Agency (NSSA) CEO Dr. Mohamed Al Aseeri signed the Accords on behalf of Bahrain, demonstrating his nation’s commitment to the peaceful, safe, and responsible exploration and utilization of outer space.


Federal Jury Convicts Kissimmee Man Of Sexually Exploiting A Minor Child Using A Cell Phone Camera

United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that a federal jury has found Rafael Antonio Bracero-Navas (50, Kissimmee) guilty of seven counts of sexually exploiting a minor child. Bracero-Navas faces a maximum penalty of 30 years in federal prison on each count and will be required to register as a sex offender. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for June 1, 2022. Bracero-Navas had been indicted on August 4, 2021.


McLaughlin Man Indicted for Sexual Abuse of Children and Witness Tampering

United States Attorney Dennis Holmes announced that a McLaughlin, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Aggravated Sexual Abuse of a Child and Witness Tampering.Jerome Moses Goodhouse, Jr., age 30, was indicted on January 12, 2022.



FBI Impersonator Guilty of Wire Fraud, Stalking

On Friday, March 4, 2022, after a four–day trial, a federal jury found Ivan Isho, 44, of Peoria, Arizona, guilty of two counts of wire fraud, one count of false impersonation of a federal officer, and stalking, United States Attorney Phillip A.



Center for Biological Diversity: Lawsuit pressures EPA over use of pesticides

The Center for Biological Diversity, which filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service last month, said in a news release that the move is intended to pressure the EPA over the pesticides chlorpyrifos and diazinon.


Georgia man who used COVID relief funds to buy Pokemon card sentenced to prison

A Laurens County, Georgia man has been sentenced to federal prison after admitting he lied to obtain a COVID-19 disaster relief loan, then used a large portion of the money to buy a collectible trading card.Vinath Oudomsine, 31, of Dublin, Ga., was sentenced to 36 months in prison after pleading guilty to one count of Wire Fraud, said David H.