News published on Federal Newswire in February 2025

News from February 2025


Zuni woman receives 18-year sentence for fatal kidnapping

A Zuni woman has been sentenced to 18 years in federal prison for her role in a 2019 kidnapping that led to the victim's death.


US Secretary congratulates Sri Lanka on National Day, highlights bilateral partnership

On February 3, 2025, Secretary of State Marco Rubio extended his congratulations to the people of Sri Lanka on behalf of the United States as they celebrate their National Day on February 4.


Delaware County man convicted of defrauding pandemic relief programs

Francis J. Battista, a 39-year-old resident of Aston, Pennsylvania, has been convicted on multiple charges for defrauding federal COVID-19 relief programs of $8.4 million.


Alleged carjacker charged after armed incident in Northeast D.C

Parren Hawkins, a 33-year-old resident of Washington, D.C., faces charges in Superior Court for armed carjacking.


CFPB activities halted by acting director amid privacy protection concerns

President Trump's new acting director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, has issued an order to halt indefinitely "all rulemaking, communications, litigation, and other activities" at the agency.


United States signs nuclear cooperation agreement with El Salvador

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Foreign Minister Alexandra Hill Tinoco of El Salvador have signed a Memorandum of Understanding Concerning Strategic Civil Nuclear Cooperation (NCMOU).


CFPB halts operations under new acting director Scott Bessent

President Trump's new acting director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, has issued an order to indefinitely halt "all rulemaking, communications, litigation, and other activities" at the agency.


US pauses tariffs on Mexican goods amid border crisis

On February 1, 2025, a decision was made to address the challenges posed by Mexican drug trafficking organizations and other related threats.


Apple supports tech-focused courses at Ellis Marsalis Center in New Orleans

On a rainy afternoon in New Orleans' Ninth Ward, the Ellis Marsalis Center for Music (EMCM) comes alive as students arrive for classes.


Iowa man sentenced to federal prison for meth distribution and gun offenses

Oscar Navarro-Zepeda, a 43-year-old resident of Spencer, Iowa, received a 17-year federal prison sentence on January 31, 2025.


Texas Public Policy Foundation backs bill on Mexican cartel FTO status

On Friday, Representative Chip Roy reintroduced the Drug Cartel Terrorist Designation Act.


Ohio man receives 100-month sentence for methamphetamine trafficking

Stephan G. Ward, a 32-year-old resident of Akron, Ohio, has been sentenced to 100 months in federal prison for methamphetamine distribution.


Columbus man pleads guilty in child exploitation sting

A Columbus man has admitted to attempting to send obscene material to a minor during an undercover investigation, according to U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich.


Honduran national sentenced for illegal re-entry into the US

A Honduran national, Juan Jose Arriaga-Moreno, also known as "Jaime Garcia Matamoros," has been sentenced for illegal re-entry into the United States.


Canadian charged with stealing $65M in crypto from DeFi platforms

An indictment was unsealed in a Brooklyn federal court charging Andean Medjedovic with wire fraud, computer hacking, and attempted extortion.


Texas Public Policy Foundation criticizes school spending in new video series

The Texas Public Policy Foundation (TPPF) has released a new video that scrutinizes school district spending in Texas.


Hamilton man sentenced for receiving narcotics through mail

Joshua M. Riley, a 46-year-old resident of Hamilton, Ohio, received a 15-year prison sentence for narcotics and firearms offenses in the U.S. District Court.


Andrew Hollins sentenced for pandemic fraud and narcotics trafficking

Burlington, Vermont - Andrew Hollins, also known as Andrew Jones, has been sentenced to 62 months in prison following guilty pleas to charges of narcotics trafficking, wire fraud, and money laundering.


Former SCDC captain pleads guilty in $279K bribery scheme

Christine Mary Livingston, a former captain at the South Carolina Department of Corrections (SCDC), has admitted to her involvement in a bribery conspiracy.


U.S. pauses tariffs on Canadian goods amid border security talks

On February 1, 2025, a determination was made regarding Canada's handling of drug trafficking organizations and related criminal activities.