News published on Federal Newswire in February 2025

News from February 2025


Las Vegas woman pleads guilty in $100M COVID-19 tax fraud scheme

A Nevada woman has admitted to conspiring to defraud the United States by submitting false claims for COVID-19-related employment tax credits.


McAllen man sentenced for firearm possession as a felon

A 34-year-old McAllen resident, David Michael Saenz, has been sentenced to 60 months in federal prison for possessing firearms as a felon.


Seventeen OMB gang members sentenced for extensive criminal activities

On February 26, 2025, the last defendant in a case involving the Only My Brothers (OMB) street gang was sentenced to federal prison.


San Diego woman sentenced for drug trafficking via Bible deliveries

U.S. District Court Judge Todd Robinson sentenced Lucresia Stone-Rojas from San Diego to 86 months in prison.


Starr County felon sentenced for illegal firearm possession

A 46-year-old man from Starr County has been sentenced to prison for illegally possessing firearms, as announced by U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.


Mexican national sentenced for methamphetamine trafficking

Pedro Cerna Arias, a 62-year-old Mexican national living in Milpitas, has been sentenced to five years and ten months in prison. U.S. District Judge Daniel J. Calabretta handed down the sentence for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent...


Gang member pleads guilty to drug conspiracy charges

A member of the Boston-based gang H-Block, Jason Bly, 44, from Quincy, has pleaded guilty in federal court to charges related to drug conspiracy.


Mexican national extradited to face drug trafficking charges

A federal grand jury in Florence has indicted Rafael Contreras, 38, of Mexico, on charges of distributing cocaine and heroin and money laundering.


CBP officers in Atlanta provide critical aid during traveler's medical emergency

On February 14, 2025, a family from Charleston, South Carolina, expressed gratitude for the quick actions of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers in Atlanta who helped save their mother during a medical emergency.


Merced man charged with trafficking large quantities of methamphetamine

An indictment has been unsealed in Fresno, California, charging Jesus Magana Mellin, also known as "Compadre," a 34-year-old resident of Merced, with multiple drug trafficking offenses.


Trinitarios gang members face federal charges for racketeering conspiracy

Federal authorities have unveiled charges against 22 individuals linked to the Trinitarios gang, a transnational criminal organization.


Founder of CluCoin sentenced for wire fraud involving investor funds

The founder of CluCoin, a cryptocurrency project based in Miami, has been sentenced to 27 months in prison.


Guatemalan citizen charged with firearm offenses after fraudulent ID attempt

A federal criminal complaint and arrest warrant have been issued for Manuel Antonio Xante-Ajanel, a 25-year-old Guatemalan citizen.


Florida man convicted as unlawful alien with firearms possession

A man from Martin County, Florida, was found guilty by a federal jury in Fort Pierce for possessing firearms while being an unlawful alien.


Lowell man admits guilt in meth pill trafficking linked to Asian Boyz gang

A Lowell man, Bill Phim, also known as "Bonez," has pleaded guilty to trafficking methamphetamine pills in a case involving the Asian Boyz gang.


Middle school teacher arrested for possession of child pornography

Matthew Podolsky, Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced the arrest of Ross Lanvin on charges of possessing child pornography.


Arkansas man sentenced for illegal money transmission using pandemic funds

A Northwest Arkansas man has been sentenced to 51 months in federal prison for operating an illegal money transmitting business.


Impact of PCLOB firings on EU-US data privacy framework

The Trump Administration's recent dismissal of three Democratic members from the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board (PCLOB) has raised significant concerns regarding U.S. surveillance practices and their alignment with EU data protection...


St. Louis man faces charges for alleged child sex trafficking

A man from Northwoods, St. Louis County, Missouri, has been charged with child sex trafficking.


St. Bernard man pleads guilty to federal gun and drug charges

A St. Bernard Parish resident, Abe Jyles, aged 44, has pled guilty to federal gun and drug charges in New Orleans.