News from May 2025
Federal charges in April up under Make D.C. Safe Again initiative
The U.S. Attorney’s Office has charged 24 defendants with federal firearms offenses in April, as part of the ongoing Make D.C. Safe Again initiative. U.S. Attorney Edward R. Martin Jr. reported that this number more than doubles the average...
Baltimore pharmacy owner pleads guilty to false tax return
Moshe Gabay, a Baltimore pharmacy owner, has entered a guilty plea to one count of filing false tax returns with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
Guatemalan national faces indictment for illegal reentry into the US
A Guatemalan national has been indicted in a federal court in Boston for unlawfully reentering the United States after being deported.
Santa Clarita man charged in Disney employee data hack and threat case
A Santa Clarita resident has agreed to plead guilty to hacking into a Disney employee's computer and downloading confidential data.
Convicted drug trafficker receives 46 months in prison for methamphetamine distribution
Kelly Woodrow Ross, a 64-year-old resident of Waynesville, North Carolina, was sentenced to 46 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release.
Attorney General Clark urges Trump administration to reinstate Title X funding
Attorney General Charity Clark, along with 21 other attorneys general, has expressed concern over the recent decision by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to withhold substantial amounts of Title X funding.
Sun Prairie resident receives 4-year sentence for illegal firearm possession
Timothy M. O’Shea, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, has announced the sentencing of Curtis White III, a 21-year-old from Sun Prairie, Wisconsin.
Mexican national sentenced to five years for methamphetamine conspiracy
Armando Puentes-Melendez, a 38-year-old Mexican national, has been sentenced to 60 months in prison by United States District Judge Scott H. Rash.
Mercer County man sentenced for armed drug trafficking and firearm possession
A Harrodsburg man, Wayne Jerome Johnson, has received a 300-month prison sentence, as determined by U.S. District Judge Gregory Van Tatenhove.
Joseph Sarmiento sentenced to maximum term for Luzerne County motel murder
HARRISBURG — Attorney General Dave Sunday has announced the sentencing of Joseph Sarmiento to a prison term of 20 to 40 years for the murder of Helena Johnson.
St. Louis man receives 130-month sentence for 2023 carjacking
U.S. District Judge Stephen R. Clark sentenced Ahdaejay Britton to 130 months in prison for his involvement in a violent carjacking in 2023.
Cincinnati man convicted of drug trafficking, faces up to life in prison
A man from Cincinnati, Devante Garrett, was found guilty of drug trafficking by a federal jury in Covington, Kentucky.
California AG responds to House efforts against state's clean vehicle policies
California Attorney General Rob Bonta has issued a statement regarding the U.S. House of Representatives' attempts to repeal California's clean vehicles program.
Christine Thalken named new Clerk Magistrate for Saunders County Court
Christine Thalken, formerly the assistant courtroom clerk of Saunders County, has been appointed as the Clerk Magistrate for the Saunders County Court in Wahoo.
Arizona man sentenced to four years for COVID loan and tax fraud
Roy Lane, a 44-year-old resident of St. David, Arizona, has been sentenced to four years in prison for fraudulently obtaining COVID-19 relief funds and committing tax fraud.
Justice Department challenges Illinois law on workforce verification practices
On May 1, 2025, the United States filed a complaint against Illinois, targeting the state's implementation of SB0508, a law amending Illinois's "Right to Privacy in the Workplace Act."
Ashland man sentenced for meth trafficking on Northern Cheyenne Reservation
An Ashland man received a 151-month prison sentence for methamphetamine trafficking on the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation, followed by a four-year supervised release, as announced by U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme.
Rochester man sentenced to 15 years for drug trafficking and firearm offenses
U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced that Shawnle McClary, 49, from Rochester, NY, has been sentenced to 15 years in prison.
Arizona Attorney General’s Office recognized for successful drug trafficking investigation
Last month in Phoenix, the Arizona Attorney General's Office (AGO) and its agents and prosecutors received recognition from the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) during the 2025 National HIDTA Awards ceremony.