News published on Federal Newswire in February 2025

News from February 2025


Harrison County doctor admits guilt in drug distribution case

A doctor from Harrison County, Michael Gainey, aged 70, has admitted to seven counts of unlawfully distributing controlled substances.


Charlotte man sentenced for illegal firearm possession

Osco Lothario Jackson, a 37-year-old resident of Charlotte, North Carolina, received a sentence of 64 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for illegal possession of a firearm.


Missouri woman sentenced for wire fraud after embezzling over $400K

Michelle L. Bernskoetter, a 37-year-old resident of Wheeling, Missouri, has been sentenced to 27 months in prison by United States District Court Chief Judge Holly Brady.


Missoula accountant pleads guilty to defrauding clients and obstructing IRS

A Missoula accountant has admitted to defrauding clients and obstructing the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).


Ardmore man sentenced for illegal firearm dealings after investigation

David Haskell Moore, a 69-year-old resident of Ardmore, Oklahoma, has been sentenced to five years of probation and 12 months of home detention for dealing firearms without a license.


Houston man sentenced to over 60 years for fast-food restaurant robberies

A Houston man, Caleb Pickens, 25, has been sentenced to over 60 years in federal prison for a series of armed robberies at fast-food restaurants in the Houston area. U.S. Attorney Nicholas Ganjei announced the sentence following Pickens'...


California man sentenced for meth distribution and money laundering

A man from Los Angeles, California, has been sentenced to 5 years and 10 months in federal prison for his involvement in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and money laundering.


Global Encryption Coalition opposes UK's call for Apple encryption backdoor

The Center for Democracy & Technology (CDT), along with over 100 civil society organizations, companies, and cybersecurity experts, has joined the Global Encryption Coalition (GEC) in submitting a letter to British Home Secretary Yvette Cooper.


Guide released on tech transparency and First Amendment implications

The intersection of technology governance and the First Amendment is a complex area that requires careful navigation by policymakers.


Sacramento woman pleads guilty in $2.6 million COVID-19 benefit fraud

Tabitha Leigh Markle, a 53-year-old resident of Sacramento, has admitted guilt to charges of mail fraud and aggravated identity theft related to a scheme that defrauded the unemployment insurance benefit program during the COVID-19 pandemic.


Sex offender sentenced for failing to register while living secretly in Beaumont

A sex offender in Beaumont, Texas, has been sentenced to federal prison for failing to register in the Eastern District of Texas.


Guatemalan national charged with illegal reentry into the United States

A Guatemalan man living in Medford has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Boston for allegedly reentering the United States illegally after being deported.


Muskogee man sentenced for illegal firearm possession

Deland Ray Sam, a 62-year-old resident of Muskogee, Oklahoma, has been sentenced to 31 months in prison for the federal offense of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.


CTA comments on Trump's reciprocal tariff plans

Gary Shapiro, CEO and Vice Chair of the Consumer Technology Association (CTA), has issued a statement regarding the Trump Administration's plan to implement reciprocal tariffs on other countries.


Crypto influencer: 'America needs Bitcoin'

Simon Dixon, a cryptocurrency investor and influencer, expressed his views on the relationship between Bitcoin and the United States.


U.S. senators introduce bipartisan bill to regulate stablecoins

United States Senators Bill Hagerty, Tim Scott, Kirsten Gillibrand, and Cynthia Lummis have introduced the Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for U.S. Stablecoins (GENIUS) Act.


Founder of KRAIN AI on Brian Quintez as CFTC chair:  'This appointment is crucial for clearer crypto regulations'

Jared Stauffer, Founder and CEO of KRAIN AI, commented on Brian Quintenz's potential appointment as the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) chair, describing it as a move towards clearer cryptocurrency regulations.


MARA CEO: U.S. crypto industry has been 'singled out and subjected to unprecedented actions'

Fred Thiel, CEO of Bitcoin mining firm Marathon Digital Holdings (MARA), has expressed concerns regarding the treatment of the U.S. digital asset industry.


CBP intercepts $1.3 million in cocaine at Texas international bridges

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers have seized cocaine worth over $1.3 million at the Anzalduas and Hidalgo International Bridges in Texas, according to an official announcement.


EPA announces five-year reviews for Connecticut Superfund sites

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced plans to conduct thorough reviews of cleanup efforts at three Superfund sites in Connecticut during 2025.