News published on Federal Newswire in January 2025

News from January 2025


Methamphetamine trafficker receives over 11 years sentence

Russell Javon Linney, a 34-year-old resident of Statesville, North Carolina, has been sentenced to 135 months in prison for methamphetamine trafficking.


EPA partners with CDPHE for enhanced civil rights in Colorado

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have signed an Informal Resolution Agreement under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and other civil rights statutes.


US criticizes Belarusian elections under Lukashenka's regime

The United States has declared that the 2025 presidential election in Belarus cannot be considered free or fair under the current repressive conditions.


U.S. imposes sanctions on Republika Srpska actors undermining Dayton Agreement

The United States has imposed sanctions on eight individuals involved in organizing the Republika Srpska (RS) Day commemoration from January 8-10, 2024.


Department of Labor awards $46.5M in grants for youth opportunities

The U.S. Department of Labor has announced the allocation of $46.5 million in grants to assist young individuals in communities affected by violence and poverty.


Brownsville CBP intercepts heroin worth $158K at international bridge

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the Brownsville and Matamoros International Bridge have intercepted heroin valued at $158,145.


Dublin man sentenced for damaging former employer’s computers

Dublin resident Vamsikrishna Naganathanahalli has been sentenced to 18 months in federal prison for damaging computers belonging to his former employer, MedAmerica, Inc., part of the Vituity group of companies.


Commerce Department announces CHIPS incentives awards totaling millions

The U.S. Department of Commerce has finalized three awards under the CHIPS Incentives Program’s Funding Opportunity for Commercial Fabrication Facilities.


EPA orders C&H Sugar to comply with Clean Water Act for Carquinez Strait protection

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued an Administrative Order on Consent to C&H Sugar Company Inc. due to violations of the Clean Water Act at its sugar refinery in Crockett, California.


Law enforcement personnel receive public service awards from U.S. Attorney's Office

U.S. Attorney Rachelle Aud Crowe announced the recipients of the 2024 Law Enforcement Public Service Awards in Fairview Heights, Illinois.


CBP proposes new rules tightening duty exemptions for low-value imports

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has announced a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) to amend the de minimis duty exemption for low-value shipments entering the United States.


Department of Defense releases fiscal year 2024 strategic management plan

The Department of Defense has released its Fiscal Year 2024 Strategic Management Plan Annual Performance Report, approved by Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen H. Hicks.


Liberian ex-rebel pleads guilty to US immigration fraud charges

United States Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero, along with the Justice Department and Homeland Security Investigations, announced that Laye Sekou Camara, a 46-year-old resident of Mays Landing, New Jersey, has pleaded guilty to charges related to...


City of Corry agrees to replace wastewater plant after EPA violations

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has reached an agreement with the City of Corry and the Municipal Authority of the City of Corry to address violations related to their wastewater treatment plant.


Adair County resident sentenced for felony assault in Indian Country

Cody Wayne Tye, a 34-year-old resident of Watts, Oklahoma, has been sentenced to time served followed by three years of supervised release.


Former attorney receives prison sentence for fraud and tax evasion

Former Rhode Island personal injury attorney Peter P.D. Leach has been sentenced to nearly three years in federal prison for conducting a Ponzi scheme with his clients' settlement funds.


Conway residents sentenced for online enticement of minors

On January 15, 2025, Benjamin Coney and Emily Grace Brinley from Conway, Arkansas, were sentenced to a total of 378 months in prison without parole for the online enticement of a minor.


Former Oakland mayor Sheng Thao indicted on bribery charges alongside partner and businessmen

An indictment has been unsealed charging former Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao, her partner Andre Jones, and businessmen David Trung Duong and Andy Hung Duong with bribery offenses.


OSHA cites contractor for safety violations after fatal fall at theater

A construction worker's fatal fall at the Cutler Majestic Theater in Boston in August 2024 could have been prevented, according to a U.S. Department of Labor investigation.


Detroit man sentenced for trafficking fentanyl and methamphetamine

A Detroit man, Khari Smith, 21, has been sentenced to over 16 years in prison for his involvement in drug trafficking.