U.S. Attorneys
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Florida Man Arrested on Federal Criminal Complaint Alleging He Maliciously Started What Became the Palisades Fire
LOS ANGELES, California, Oct. 9 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for Central District of California posted the following news release on Oct. 8, 2025:
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Florida Man Arrested on Federal Criminal Complaint Alleging He Maliciously Started What Became the Palisades Fire
A former Pacific Palisades resident now living in Florida has been arrested on a federal criminal complaint charging him with maliciously starting what eventually became the Palisades Fire of January 2025, one of the most destructive wildfires in Los Angeles history, the Justice Department announced today.
Jonathan Rinderknecht,
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LOS ANGELES, California, Oct. 9 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for Central District of California posted the following news release on Oct. 8, 2025:
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Florida Man Arrested on Federal Criminal Complaint Alleging He Maliciously Started What Became the Palisades Fire
A former Pacific Palisades resident now living in Florida has been arrested on a federal criminal complaint charging him with maliciously starting what eventually became the Palisades Fire of January 2025, one of the most destructive wildfires in Los Angeles history, the Justice Department announced today.
Jonathan Rinderknecht,29, a.k.a. "Jonathan Rinder," and "Jon Rinder," of Melbourne, Florida, is charged with destruction of property by means of fire. He was arrested Tuesday and is expected to make his initial appearance today in United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida.
"The complaint alleges that a single person's recklessness caused one of the worst fires Los Angeles has ever seen, resulting in death and widespread destruction in Pacific Palisades," said Acting United States Attorney Bill Essayli. "While we cannot bring back what victims lost, we hope this criminal case brings some measure of justice to those affected by this horrific tragedy."
"At the request of state and local authorities, ATF took the lead in this complex investigation utilizing techniques unique to our agency's capabilities," said Special Agent in Charge Kenny Cooper of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Los Angeles Field Division. "The horrific loss of life and property was significantly felt by ATF members, and we are honored to utilize our expertise to provide answers to this community. We remain committed to serving with integrity and distinction."
According to an affidavit filed with the complaint, law enforcement determined that the Palisades Fire was a "holdover" fire - a continuation of the Lachman Fire that began early in the morning on New Year's Day 2025. Although firefighters quickly suppressed the Lachman Fire, unbeknownst to anyone the fire continued to smolder and burn underground within the root structure of dense vegetation.
On January 7, heavy winds caused the underground fire to surface and spread above ground in what became known as the Palisades Fire, which caused widespread damage in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles.
Law enforcement determined - using witness statements, video surveillance, cellphone data, and analysis of fire dynamics and patterns at the scene, among other things - that Rinderknecht maliciously set the Lachman Fire just after midnight on January 1 on land owned by the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority (MRCA), an organization that received federal funding. A week later, the same fire - then known as the Palisades Fire - burned federal property.
On the evening of December 31, 2024, Rinderknecht was working as an Uber driver. Two passengers that he drove on separate trips between 10:15 p.m. and 11:15 p.m. that night later told law enforcement they remembered that Rinderknecht appeared agitated and angry.
After dropping off a passenger in Pacific Palisades, Rinderknecht - who once lived in that neighborhood - drove towards Skull Rock Trailhead, parked his car, attempted to contact a former friend, and walked up the trail. He then used his iPhone to take videos at a nearby hilltop area and listened to a rap song - to which he had listened repeatedly in previous days - whose music video included things being lit on fire.
At 12:12 a.m. on January 1, 2025, environmental sensing platforms indicated the Lachman Fire had begun. During the next five minutes, Rinderknecht called 911 several times, but didn't get through because his iPhone was out of cellphone range. When he finally connected with 911, he was at the bottom of the hiking trail and reported the fire. By that point, a nearby resident already had reported the fire to authorities.
Rinderknecht then fled in his car, passing fire engines driving in the opposite direction. He then turned around and followed the fire engines to the scene, driving at a high rate of speed. Rinderknecht walked up the same trail from earlier that night to watch the fire and the firefighters. At approximately 1:02 a.m., he used his iPhone to take more videos of the scene.
During an interview with law enforcement on January 24, 2025, Rinderknecht lied about where he was when he first saw the Lachman Fire. He claimed he was near the bottom of a hiking trail when he first saw the fire and called 911, but geolocation data from his iPhone carrier showed that he was standing in a clearing 30 feet from the fire as it rapidly grew.
A complaint contains allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.
If convicted, Rinderknecht would face a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in federal prison and a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison.
ATF is investigating this matter, with substantial assistance from the Los Angeles Police Department and the United States Forest Service.
Assistant United States Attorneys Mark A. Williams, Matthew W. O'Brien, and Danbee C. Kim of the Environmental Crimes and Consumer Protection Section, and Assistant United States Attorney Laura A. Alexander of the Public Corruption and Civil Rights Section are prosecuting this case.
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Original text here: https://www.justice.gov/usao-cdca/pr/florida-man-arrested-federal-criminal-complaint-alleging-he-maliciously-started-what
Social Media Provocateurs Charged With Threatening to Harm Federal Agent and His Wife
ATLANTA, Georgia, Oct. 8 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia posted the following news release on Oct. 7, 2025:
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Social Media Provocateurs Charged with Threatening to Harm Federal Agent and His Wife
A federal grand jury has charged two out-of-state men with knowingly transmitting threats to injure a U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) deportation officer and his wife.
"Federal agents deserve to perform their duties free of harassment from keyboard warriors and other agitators," said U.S. Attorney Theodore
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ATLANTA, Georgia, Oct. 8 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia posted the following news release on Oct. 7, 2025:
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Social Media Provocateurs Charged with Threatening to Harm Federal Agent and His Wife
A federal grand jury has charged two out-of-state men with knowingly transmitting threats to injure a U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) deportation officer and his wife.
"Federal agents deserve to perform their duties free of harassment from keyboard warriors and other agitators," said U.S. Attorney TheodoreS. Hertzberg. "Threatening law enforcement officers and their families is not only illegal--it's disgusting. My office will ensure that anyone who threatens a federal agent in North Georgia, or who hides behind a computer screen to intimidate that agent's immediate family, is found, arrested, prosecuted, and held accountable."
"Threats of violence against law enforcement officers and their families are not only reprehensible, but also a direct attack on the safety and integrity of our justice system," said Paul Brown, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. "These charges serve as a clear reminder that threats of this nature will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law."
According to U.S. Attorney Hertzberg, the charges, and other information presented in court: Frank Andrew Waszut allegedly posted a video on Instagram that identified and displayed photographs of an ICE deportation officer who resides and works in the Northern District of Georgia. With those images on the screen, Waszut said: "And he's an ICE agent. This is him unmasked . . . . So, go ahead and make him famous. And if you see this [expletive] out in public give him the cell block one treatment. You know, catch him when he's alone." "Cell block one treatment" allegedly refers to subjecting a detainee to physical violence.
Similarly, Anthony Patrick Noto allegedly posted a comment on Instagram under the picture of the same deportation officer's wife, with Noto saying: "Anybody wanna test the sites [sic] on their new A-R? There's a pretty good target right there!" "A-R" refers to a semiautomatic rifle.
Noto, 63, of Ronkonkoma, New York, was taken into federal custody and arraigned on his federal indictment. Waszut, 41, of Knoxville, Tennessee, is currently in the custody of state law enforcement officials in Texas, where he has been charged for making separate terroristic threats against Republican lawmakers there. Both defendants were indicted by a federal grand jury on September 23, 2025.
Members of the public are reminded that the indictments only contain charges. The defendants are presumed innocent of the charges, and it will be the government's burden to prove the defendants' guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.
This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brent Alan Gray and Eric White are prosecuting the case.
For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney's Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6185. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.
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Original text here: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga/pr/social-media-provocateurs-charged-threatening-harm-federal-agent-and-his-wife
Portland Man Charged With Felony Assault of a Federal Law Enforcement Officer Near Local ICE Office
PORTLAND, Oregon, Oct. 8 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon posted the following news release on Oct. 7, 2025:
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Portland Man Charged with Felony Assault of a Federal Law Enforcement Officer Near Local ICE Office
A Portland man made his first appearance in federal court today after assaulting a federal officer near a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) office in South Portland.
Alexander Jay Boyce, 38, has been charged by criminal complaint with the felony offense of assaulting a federal officer.
According to court documents, on the evening of October
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PORTLAND, Oregon, Oct. 8 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon posted the following news release on Oct. 7, 2025:
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Portland Man Charged with Felony Assault of a Federal Law Enforcement Officer Near Local ICE Office
A Portland man made his first appearance in federal court today after assaulting a federal officer near a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) office in South Portland.
Alexander Jay Boyce, 38, has been charged by criminal complaint with the felony offense of assaulting a federal officer.
According to court documents, on the evening of October5, 2025, Boyce was part of a group of individuals encroaching on the driveway of the ICE building in South Portland. Law enforcement officers gave multiple warnings to the group to stay off federal property and began to clear the driveway. Rather than comply as directed, Boyce spit on the officer's helmet. Federal officers immediately arrested Boyce.
"Nobody spits on the brave men and women of federal law enforcement and gets away with it. If you spit on a federal law enforcement officer, you will be hit with federal charges," said Scott E. Bradford, U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.
Since June 13, 2025, the United States Attorney's Office has charged 31 defendants with federal crimes for offenses committed at the ICE building, including assaulting federal officers, failure to comply, and depredation of government property.
Boyce made his first appearance in federal court today before a U.S. Magistrate Judge. He was released on conditions pending further court proceedings.
Felony assault of a federal officer is punishable by up to eight years in federal prison.
A criminal complaint is only an accusation of a crime, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
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Original text here: https://www.justice.gov/usao-or/pr/portland-man-charged-felony-assault-federal-law-enforcement-officer-near-local-ice
Gervais Man Charged With Felony Assault of Federal Law Enforcement Officer Near Local ICE Office
PORTLAND, Oregon, Oct. 8 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon posted the following news release on Oct. 6, 2025:
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Gervais Man Charged with Felony Assault of Federal Law Enforcement Officer Near Local ICE Office
A Gervais man made his first appearance in federal court today after assaulting a federal officer near a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) office in South Portland.
Jairin Anzaldua-Ervin, 29, has been charged by criminal complaint with the felony offense of assaulting a federal officer.
According to court documents, on October 4, 2025, Anzaldua-Ervin
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PORTLAND, Oregon, Oct. 8 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon posted the following news release on Oct. 6, 2025:
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Gervais Man Charged with Felony Assault of Federal Law Enforcement Officer Near Local ICE Office
A Gervais man made his first appearance in federal court today after assaulting a federal officer near a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) office in South Portland.
Jairin Anzaldua-Ervin, 29, has been charged by criminal complaint with the felony offense of assaulting a federal officer.
According to court documents, on October 4, 2025, Anzaldua-Ervinwas part of a group of individuals trespassing on the driveway of the ICE building in South Portland. Law enforcement officers gave multiple warnings to the group to clear the driveway. Rather than move as directed, Anzaldua-Ervin forcefully threw a water bottle at a law enforcement officer, hitting the officer in the chest. Anzaldua-Ervin was then taken into custody for assaulting a federal law enforcement officer.
"Throwing water bottles, or any object for that matter, at federal law enforcement officers is not protesting - it's a crime - and perpetrators will be arrested and federally prosecuted," said Scott E. Bradford, U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon. "I thank the brave members of federal law enforcement who have protected federal employees and the ICE building for more than 110 consecutive nights."
Since June 13, 2025, the United States Attorney's Office has charged 30 defendants with federal crimes for offenses committed at the ICE building, including assaulting federal officers, failure to comply, and depredation of government property.
Anzaldua-Ervin made his first appearance in federal court today before a U.S. Magistrate Judge. He was released on conditions pending further court proceedings.
Felony assault of a federal officer is punishable by up to eight years in federal prison.
A criminal complaint is only an accusation of a crime, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
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Original text here: https://www.justice.gov/usao-or/pr/gervais-man-charged-felony-assault-federal-law-enforcement-officer-near-local-ice-office
Illegal alien charged for throwing Texas law enforcement officer into fence during immigration arrest
HOUSTON, Texas, Oct. 7 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Texas posted the following news release:
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Illegal alien charged for throwing Texas law enforcement officer into fence during immigration arrest
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HOUSTON - A 36-year-old Mexican national who illegally resided in Houston has been charged for assaulting an officer which resulted in deep head wounds, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.
Javier Cornelio Cruz-Nava is now in custody pending further criminal proceedings.
On Oct. 1, federal and state authorities were conducting immigration enforcement
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HOUSTON, Texas, Oct. 7 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Texas posted the following news release:
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Illegal alien charged for throwing Texas law enforcement officer into fence during immigration arrest
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HOUSTON - A 36-year-old Mexican national who illegally resided in Houston has been charged for assaulting an officer which resulted in deep head wounds, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.
Javier Cornelio Cruz-Nava is now in custody pending further criminal proceedings.
On Oct. 1, federal and state authorities were conducting immigration enforcementactivities in Houston, according to the charges. They allegedly attempted to stop a vehicle Javier Cornelio Cruz-Nava was driving and activated their emergency lights, but he did not yield and began to evade. The charges allege they surrounded Cruz-Nava's vehicle, at which time he jumped out and fled on foot.
An agent with the Texas Department of Public Safety in uniform began to chase Cruz-Nava, according to the allegations. The charges allege the agent eventually caught up with him and attempted to grab his shirt, but Cruz-Nava slid out of the garment and continued to flee. The agent then allegedly attempted to secure Cruz-Nava by wrapping his arms around him, but Cruz-Nava lunged and threw him into a wrought iron fence.
The charges allege Cruz-Nava fled again, but authorities soon took him into custody.
The agent was injured during the scuffle and sustained two deep head wounds, according to the complaint.
"Those who attack law enforcement officers are attacking the American system of justice," said Ganjei. "The Southern District of Texas has a zero-tolerance policy towards anyone who does so. The message is clear--comply with officer directives and keep your hands to yourself."
If convicted of assaulting, resisting or impeding a person assisting a federal officer, Cruz-Nava faces up to 20 years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine.
FBI conducted the investigation with the assistance of Immigration and Customs Enforcement - Homeland Security Investigations and DPS. Assistant U.S. Attorney John S. Ganz is prosecuting the case.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department's Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces and Project Safe Neighborhood.
A criminal complaint is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.
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Original text here: https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdtx/pr/illegal-alien-charged-throwing-texas-law-enforcement-officer-fence-during-immigration
Federal Complaint Charges Two Individuals With Using Their Vehicles to Assault, Impede, and Interfere With the Work of Federal Agents in Chicago
ROCKFORD, Illinois, Oct. 7 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois posted the following news release on Oct. 5, 2025:
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Federal Complaint Charges Two Individuals with Using Their Vehicles to Assault, Impede, and Interfere with the Work of Federal Agents in Chicago
CHICAGO - Two individuals have been charged in federal court with using their vehicles to assault, impede, and interfere with the work of federal agents in Chicago.
According to a criminal complaint filed today in U.S. District Court in Chicago, MARIMAR MARTINEZ and ANTHONY IAN SANTOS RUIZ used
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ROCKFORD, Illinois, Oct. 7 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois posted the following news release on Oct. 5, 2025:
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Federal Complaint Charges Two Individuals with Using Their Vehicles to Assault, Impede, and Interfere with the Work of Federal Agents in Chicago
CHICAGO - Two individuals have been charged in federal court with using their vehicles to assault, impede, and interfere with the work of federal agents in Chicago.
According to a criminal complaint filed today in U.S. District Court in Chicago, MARIMAR MARTINEZ and ANTHONY IAN SANTOS RUIZ usedtheir vehicles to strike a vehicle being driven by an agent of U.S. Customs and Border Protection on Saturday morning near the intersection of West 39th Street and South Kedzie Avenue on Chicago's Southwest Side. Two other CBP agents were also in the government vehicle. After striking the agents' vehicle, the defendants' vehicles boxed in the agents' vehicle, the complaint states. The agent was unable to move his vehicle and exited the car, at which point he fired approximately five shots from his service weapon at Martinez, the complaint states.
Martinez drove off but paramedics discovered her and her vehicle at a repair shop about a mile away. Martinez was taken by ambulance to a hospital, where she received treatment for gunshot wounds, the complaint states.
Ruiz also drove away after the collisions, but law enforcement located him and his vehicle at a gas station about a half block away, the complaint states. Both defendants remain in law enforcement custody, pending initial appearances in federal court in Chicago.
The complaint charges Martinez, 30, and Ruiz, 21, both of Chicago, with forcibly assaulting, impeding, and interfering with a federal law enforcement officer.
The federal charges were announced by Andrew S. Boutros, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, and Douglas S. DePodesta, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Office of the FBI.
The public is reminded that a complaint contains only charges and is not evidence of guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
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View complaint here: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndil/media/1415966/dl?inline
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Original text here: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndil/pr/federal-complaint-charges-two-individuals-using-their-vehicles-assault-impede-and
Charles Neil Floyd Appointed Interim U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Washington
SEATTLE, Washington, Oct. 7 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Washington posted the following news release on Oct. 6, 2025:
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Charles Neil Floyd appointed interim U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Washington
Longtime Puget Sound area resident recently completed FBI detail to Washington DC
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Tacoma - Charles Neil Floyd was sworn in today as interim United States Attorney for the Western District of Washington. Chief U.S. District Judge David G. Estudillo administered the oath of office. U.S. Attorney Floyd was appointed by Attorney General Pam Bondi
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SEATTLE, Washington, Oct. 7 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Washington posted the following news release on Oct. 6, 2025:
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Charles Neil Floyd appointed interim U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Washington
Longtime Puget Sound area resident recently completed FBI detail to Washington DC
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Tacoma - Charles Neil Floyd was sworn in today as interim United States Attorney for the Western District of Washington. Chief U.S. District Judge David G. Estudillo administered the oath of office. U.S. Attorney Floyd was appointed by Attorney General Pam Bondion September 16, 2025.
"Like many Northwesterners, I first experienced the beauty and outdoor opportunities in Washington while stationed at JBLM in the late 1990's as part of the legal staff on the base," said U.S. Attorney Floyd. "In 2009, I was able to make Western Washington my home while continuing my legal service to my country as part of the Army JAG Corps, as an attorney with the Department of Homeland Security, and later as an Immigration Judge with the Department of Justice."
U.S. Attorney Floyd will lead an office of approximately 85 attorneys and 70 support staff. Assistant U.S. Attorneys (AUSAs) enforce the criminal laws of the United States by directing investigations and prosecuting cases developed by a network of federal law enforcement agencies. The office also fills a critical role as legal counsel for the United States government in civil litigation and affirmative civil enforcement.
U.S. Attorney Floyd is deeply familiar with the work of the Justice Department. Following law school and a judicial clerkship, U.S. Attorney Floyd served in various legal roles while on active duty with the U.S. Army. In 2004, Mr. Floyd joined the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia, and for over five years handled a wide range of federal criminal matters including violent crime, white-collar crimes, health care fraud, mail and wire fraud, bank embezzlement, child exploitation, immigration violations, and identity theft.
In 2009, U.S. Attorney Floyd and his family returned to Western Washington, and he served as Assistant Chief Counsel for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. In that role he handled detention and removal proceeding before the Immigration Court and worked closely with Federal and local law enforcement to provide training on criminal and Constitutional issues.
Even as he served his country with DHS and DOJ, Mr. Floyd continued to serve in the Army Judge Advocate General's Corps, as a reserve officer. In November 2015 he was deployed to Iraq for six months as part of Operation Inherent Resolve. He retired from the JAG Corps in 2023 at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.
In 2018, Mr. Floyd was appointed to be an Immigration Judge in the Executive Office of Immigration Review, presiding over asylum, removal, and bond hearings.
Most recently, in March 2025, U.S. Attorney Floyd was called back to Washington DC to serve as Special Counsel for Immigration Enforcement in the FBI Office of General Counsel. In that role he advised the General Counsel and FBI leadership on all aspects of immigration enforcement. Mr. Floyd coordinated with the Office of the Deputy Attorney General and all DOJ law enforcement components to provide guidance and training on the implementation of immigration enforcement priorities.
U.S. Attorney Floyd has a Masters of Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College, a law degree with honors from the University of Arkansas, and a Bachelor of Science in Public Administration from Harding University.
Contact
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Original text here: https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdwa/pr/charles-neil-floyd-appointed-interim-us-attorney-western-district-washington
