Federal Executive Branch
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Third Individual Pleads Guilty in Scheme to Steal Funds From COVID-19 Support Program
GREENSBORO, North Carolina, Dec. 3 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of North Carolina posted the following news release on Dec. 1, 2025:
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Third Individual Pleads Guilty in Scheme to Steal Funds from COVID-19 Support Program
WILLIE LEE MOORE, a Montgomery County man, pleaded guilty today to theft of government property in connection with a scheme to steal money from a COVID-19 support program, announced Dan Bishop, United States Attorney for the Middle District of North Carolina.
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security ("CARES") Act established the Coronavirus
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GREENSBORO, North Carolina, Dec. 3 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of North Carolina posted the following news release on Dec. 1, 2025:
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Third Individual Pleads Guilty in Scheme to Steal Funds from COVID-19 Support Program
WILLIE LEE MOORE, a Montgomery County man, pleaded guilty today to theft of government property in connection with a scheme to steal money from a COVID-19 support program, announced Dan Bishop, United States Attorney for the Middle District of North Carolina.
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security ("CARES") Act established the CoronavirusRelief Fund which provided payments to states and eligible units of local government to be used on certain expenses in response to the COVID-19 emergency. The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services ("NC DHHS"), using the federal CARES Act funding provided to North Carolina, established the COVID-19 Support Services Program to support individuals in targeted counties who needed care and resources in order to successfully quarantine and isolate. NC DHHS contracted with regional partners to provide and deliver support on the ground in designated counties. Available support services included nutrition services such as home-delivered meals and groceries to individuals in isolation and quarantine, as well as provision of COVID-related over-the-counter supplies, such as face masks, hand sanitizer, and cleaning supplies.
According to court documents, MOORE, Jamie Ewings, and Navonne Moore were associated with a not-for-profit community organization called Brutonville Concerned Citizens ("BCC"). BCC was subcontracted to provide support services, including the delivery of healthy food boxes and COVID-related supplies to qualifying individuals. Although BCC provided some food boxes to the community, the three individuals submitted inflated and fraudulent invoices and receipts so that BCC would be reimbursed more money than it was entitled to receive. MOORE, Ewings, and Navonne Moore agreed to divide the reimbursement money among themselves. In total, BCC received about $1,144,649 over five payments between November 2020 and February 2021. Of that money, MOORE received about $369,000, Ewings received about $384,000, and Navonne Moore received about $180,000. The rest of the money was left in BCC's bank account.
Sentencing is scheduled to take place on February 24, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. in Greensboro, North Carolina, before Chief/Senior United States District Judge Catherine C. Eagles. At sentencing, MOORE faces a maximum sentence of up to ten years in prison, a period of supervised release of up to three years, restitution, and other monetary penalties.
Jamie Ewings previously pleaded guilty to theft of government property and was sentenced to 13 months of imprisonment. Navonne Moore pleaded guilty to one count of misdemeanor theft of government property and was sentencing to four years of probation.
The case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ashley Waid.
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Original text here: https://www.justice.gov/usao-mdnc/pr/third-individual-pleads-guilty-scheme-steal-funds-covid-19-support-program
RECORD OF DECISION(S) FOR HAWAII-CALIFORNIA TRAINING, TESTING ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT/OVERSEAS ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT NOW AVAILABLE
JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii, Dec. 3 -- Navy Region Hawaii issued the following news:
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RECORD OF DECISION(S) FOR THE HAWAII-CALIFORNIA TRAINING AND TESTING ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT/OVERSEAS ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT NOW AVAILABLE
The Department of the Navy (including both the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Marine Corps), jointly with the U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Army, and U.S. Air Force, announce their decision to conduct military readiness activities, comprised of training, testing, and modernization and sustainment of ranges, as identified in Alternative 1 (Preferred Alternative)
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JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii, Dec. 3 -- Navy Region Hawaii issued the following news:
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RECORD OF DECISION(S) FOR THE HAWAII-CALIFORNIA TRAINING AND TESTING ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT/OVERSEAS ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT NOW AVAILABLE
The Department of the Navy (including both the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Marine Corps), jointly with the U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Army, and U.S. Air Force, announce their decision to conduct military readiness activities, comprised of training, testing, and modernization and sustainment of ranges, as identified in Alternative 1 (Preferred Alternative)in the Hawaii-California Training and Testing (HCTT) Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)/Overseas EIS (OEIS). The Final EIS/OEIS was released for public viewing Oct. 3, 2025, on the project website and at information repositories.
Record of Decision(s) have been prepared by each military service and will be available for viewing on the project website at www.nepa.navy.mil/hctteis/.
After carefully weighing the strategic, operational, and environmental consequences of the Proposed Action, and considering public, stakeholder (including Native Hawaiian Organizations), and tribal input, Alternative 1 was selected as it best meets the current and future military readiness needs to meet national defense missions. This alternative reflects a representative level of annual activities to account for fluctuations in training, testing, and deployment schedules. The military services committed to the maximum level of mitigation measures that are beneficial and practical to implement under the Proposed Action and that are intended to avoid, minimize, or mitigate potential environmental effects during military readiness activities.
Record of Decision(s) Availability
The Record of Decision documents for the HCTT EIS/OEIS will be available on the project website at www.nepa.navy.mil/hctteis/. For additional information, please visit www.nepa.navy.mil/hctteis/.
Media seeking further information should contact the Commander Navy Region Southwest Public Affairs Office at sergio.j.hernandez.civ@us.navy.mil or 619-705-5242 or U.S. Pacific Fleet Command Public Affairs Officer at CPF-Environmental-PA@us.navy.mil or 808-471-3769.
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ID# EISX-007-17-USN-1724283453
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Original text here: https://cnrh.cnic.navy.mil/News/News-Detail/Article/4346492/media-release-record-of-decisions-for-the-hawaii-california-training-and-testin/
MICC Fiscal Year 2026 Command Message
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas, Dec. 3 -- The U.S. Army Contracting Command issued the following news:
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MICC Fiscal Year 2026 Command Message
By Tish Williamson, Mission and Installation Contracting Command Public Affairs
The Command Team for the Mission and Installation Contracting Command shared a message of congratulations to the workforce for their accomplishments in fiscal year 2025 during a December Golden Sword video message released Dec. 1, 2025. The message highlighted not only the scope of the command's achievements but also the extraordinary circumstances under
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JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas, Dec. 3 -- The U.S. Army Contracting Command issued the following news:
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MICC Fiscal Year 2026 Command Message
By Tish Williamson, Mission and Installation Contracting Command Public Affairs
The Command Team for the Mission and Installation Contracting Command shared a message of congratulations to the workforce for their accomplishments in fiscal year 2025 during a December Golden Sword video message released Dec. 1, 2025. The message highlighted not only the scope of the command's achievements but also the extraordinary circumstances underwhich they were accomplished.
MICC Commanding General Brig. Gen. Freddy Adams, Deputy to the Commander Clay Cole and Command Sgt. Maj. JennyAnne Bright indicated that the annual message was delayed because of the U.S. government shutdown that began at midnight Oct. 1--just minutes after the MICC completed its FY 2025 contracting closeout.
"Despite a very successful fiscal year 2025 close out, the start of the new fiscal year came with some unexpected challenges," Cole said.
"As we all begin to get back to normal, we wanted to take a moment to extend our heartfelt congratulations and sincere thanks to every member of the Mission and Installation Contracting Command Family -and the mission partners we support, for all that you do to keep Army contracting moving in the right direction."
During the 43-day lapse in federal funding, MICC operations were sustained by a small cadre of military and excepted Department of the Army Civilian personnel who ensured contracts supporting Army readiness and installation functions continued without interruption. Their efforts kept the command operational while the majority of the MICC workforce was furloughed. The command team explained that they purposefully waited to share the closeout message until the contracting organization was back to normal operations.
"Collectively, we closed out over 22,000 contract actions in FY 2025 valued at $5.5 billion," Adams said. "This remarkable effort includes nearly 312,000 Government Purchase Card transactions valued at over $476 million, and over $3 billion awarded through small business contracts--a testament to our efforts in fostering innovation and supporting the nation's entrepreneurs."
As the command transitions into fiscal year 2026, the Army Transformation Initiative--designed to modernize processes and structures across the service--remains a priority, requiring MICC personnel to continue adapting to new tools, processes and organizational changes.
Bright said, "Despite these complexities, you continue to adapt with resilience and steadfast focus, embracing new processes and turning them into opportunities and capabilities that position MICC to excel in a rapidly evolving acquisition environment."
The message concluded with a forward-looking emphasis on the command's role in shaping the future of Army contracting across the Army as an important subordinate command of the Army Contracting Command and Army Materiel Command. Adams thanked his team while underscoring that the command remains well-positioned to build on its success in 2026 in a meaningful way.
"Looking ahead, the command is poised to continue leading the way--delivering innovative contracting solutions that empower our Soldiers, strengthen our Army, and support mission readiness worldwide," Adams said. "Our people are the gifts we are most thankful for this holiday season. There's exciting work to be done in the new year--and we rely on each of you to ensure MICC's continued success."
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About the MICC
Headquartered at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston, Texas, the Mission and Installation Contracting Command consists of about 1,500 military and civilian members who are responsible for contracting goods and services in support of Soldiers as well as readying trained contracting units for the operating force and contingency environment when called upon. As part of its mission, MICC contracts are vital in feeding more than 200,000 Soldiers every day, providing many daily base operations support services at installations, facilitating training in the preparation of more than 100,000 conventional force members annually, training more than 500,000 students each year, and maintaining more than 14.4 million acres of land and 170,000 structures.
Visit army.mil/micc to stay up to date on the latest information about MICC transformation initiatives.
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Original text here: https://www.army.mil/article/289316/micc_fiscal_year_2026_command_message
Justice Department Seizes Unlawful 7-OH Products at Three Warehouses
SPRINGFIELD, Missouri, Dec. 3 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Missouri posted the following news release on Dec. 2, 2025:
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Justice Department Seizes Unlawful 7-OH Products at Three Warehouses
The Justice Department, together with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), announced today that recent actions targeting illegal products containing 7-hydroxymitragine, commonly known as 7-OH, resulted in the seizure of approximately 73,000 units of product at three warehouses.
In seizure complaints and accompanying court papers filed in the U.S. District Court
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SPRINGFIELD, Missouri, Dec. 3 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Missouri posted the following news release on Dec. 2, 2025:
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Justice Department Seizes Unlawful 7-OH Products at Three Warehouses
The Justice Department, together with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), announced today that recent actions targeting illegal products containing 7-hydroxymitragine, commonly known as 7-OH, resulted in the seizure of approximately 73,000 units of product at three warehouses.
In seizure complaints and accompanying court papers filed in the U.S. District Courtfor the Western District of Missouri, the government alleged that two firms in the Kansas City area received warnings from FDA that 7-OH products were illegal under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. According to the seizure complaints, recent FDA inspections showed that the firms continued to distribute unlawful 7-OH products after receiving the warnings.
The seizures were carried out by the U.S. Marshals Service, with support from FDA. The products were seized from facilities operated by Shaman Botanicals LLC and Relax Relief Rejuvenate Trading LLC.
"Products containing 7-OH are illegal under federal law," said Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate of the Justice Department's Civil Division. "We have seen numerous reports of harmful health consequences in consumers, including children, who have taken 7-OH products. Working with our partners at FDA, we will take action against anyone participating in the illegal distribution of these products."
"The 7-OH products seized are illegal under federal law and pose risks to consumers, including children," said U.S. Attorney R. Matthew Price for the Western District of Missouri. "We are committed to helping American consumers protect themselves from dangerous chemicals posing as health products. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to ensure illegal products never enter the stream of commerce and pursue all possible civil and criminal remedies against those who violate federal laws."
The FDA has recognized 7-OH products as dangerous and potentially addictive, recommending in July 2025 that a scheduling action be taken to control certain 7-OH products under the Controlled Substances Act. FDA also issued warning letters to multiple firms stating that their 7-OH products appeared to be unlawful.
7-OH products were not marketed in the United States until recent years. Under a bipartisan law passed by Congress in 1994, a dietary supplement may not contain a "New Dietary Ingredient," meaning a dietary ingredient that was not marketed in the United States prior to October 15, 1994, if there is inadequate information available to provide a reasonable assurance that the ingredient does not present a significant or unreasonable risk of illness or injury. Because there is inadequate information available to provide a reasonable assurance that 7-OH does not present a significant or unreasonable risk of illness or injury, it is illegal to sell dietary supplement products containing it as an ingredient. In each of the seizure actions, the clerk of court issued a warrant authorizing the seizure of specified illegal 7-OH products.
Assistant Director Patrick Runkle, Senior Litigation Counsel David Sullivan, and Senior Trial Attorney James T. Nelson of the Justice Department's Civil Division's Enforcement and Affirmative Litigation Branch are handling the cases under the leadership of Sarmad Khojasteh, Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Division. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Stephanie Bradshaw and Leigh Farmakidis in the Western District of Missouri provided critical support, along with attorneys at the Department of Health and Human Services' Office of General Counsel and FDA's Office of the Chief Counsel.
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Original text here: https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdmo/pr/justice-department-seizes-unlawful-7-oh-products-three-warehouses
Joaquin Guzman Lopez - Son of 'El Chapo' and a Leader of Sinaloa Cartel - Pleads Guilty to Federal Drug Charges in Chicago
SAN DIEGO, California, Dec. 3 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of California posted the following news release on Dec. 2, 2025:
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Joaquin Guzman Lopez -- Son of 'El Chapo' and a Leader of Sinaloa Cartel -- Pleads Guilty to Federal Drug Charges in Chicago; Joint Prosecution with San Diego
Joaquin Guzman Lopez, who succeeded his father, Joaquin Guzman Loera, also known as "El Chapo," as one of the leaders of the Sinaloa Cartel in Mexico, pleaded guilty yesterday to federal drug charges.
"The Sinaloa Cartel is a terrorist organization that has spent decades destroying
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SAN DIEGO, California, Dec. 3 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of California posted the following news release on Dec. 2, 2025:
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Joaquin Guzman Lopez -- Son of 'El Chapo' and a Leader of Sinaloa Cartel -- Pleads Guilty to Federal Drug Charges in Chicago; Joint Prosecution with San Diego
Joaquin Guzman Lopez, who succeeded his father, Joaquin Guzman Loera, also known as "El Chapo," as one of the leaders of the Sinaloa Cartel in Mexico, pleaded guilty yesterday to federal drug charges.
"The Sinaloa Cartel is a terrorist organization that has spent decades destroyingAmerican families through brutal violence and deadly drug trafficking," said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. "Yesterday's guilty plea from El Chapo's son is a major victory against the Sinaloa Cartel and underscores the Trump Administration's historic, aggressive campaign to dismantle terrorist organizations that target the American people."
"Under the Chapitos' leadership, the Sinaloa Cartel has fueled the deadliest drug crisis in our nation's history, manufacturing poison and profiting from the destruction of American lives," said DEA Administrator Terrance Cole. "DEA stands committed to dismantle Sinaloa Cartel's command and control, expose their criminal networks, and deliver justice for the hundreds of thousands of lives lost to their greed. Joaquin Guzman Lopez's guilty plea marks another blow to the cartel's ruthless operations. We will not stop until these narco-terrorists are held accountable and the American people are protected."
"After the United States successfully prosecuted El Chapo, his son, Joaquin Guzman Lopez, took up his father's mantle and jointly led the 'Los Chapitos' faction of the Sinaloa Cartel -- one of the world's most notorious drug trafficking organizations -- in its efforts to flood the United States with deadly fentanyl, heroin, and cocaine," said Acting Assistant Attorney General Matthew R. Galeotti of the Justice Department's Criminal Division. "Under the leadership of Guzman Lopez and his associates, the Sinaloa Cartel spread violence and bribed public officials to protect its illicit business. The Criminal Division and our partners will not rest until we have fully dismantled the criminal cartels whose ruthless violence and lethal narcotics distribution threaten the safety and health of the American people."
"For decades, the Chicago U.S. Attorney's Office has been at the forefront of the U.S. government's relentless pursuit of drug cartels, such as the Sinaloa Cartel, as well as their top leaders," said U.S. Attorney Andrew S. Boutros for the Northern District of Illinois. "Yesterday, because of this Administration's leadership, the U.S. State Department has designated many of these cartels as foreign terrorist organizations -- a fact that has only further stiffened our resolve to track down and hold accountable transnational criminal organizations and their highest-ranking members and associates. Joaquin Guzman Lopez's guilty plea is the latest step in our efforts to bring to justice drug lords and other dangerous criminals who poison the American public with illegal and harmful drugs and who otherwise engage in violence and corruption to carry out their and their enterprises' wide-reaching criminal activities."
"Two down, two to go," said U.S. Attorney Adam Gordon for the Southern District of California.
"The Guzman's have made a family business out of trafficking fentanyl and other dangerous drugs," said Acting Assistant Director Gregory Heeb of the FBI's Criminal Investigative Division. "Protecting Americans from the Sinaloa and other criminal cartels terrorizing and poisoning our communities is one of the FBI's highest priorities and we will continue to work relentlessly to dismantle and disrupt these dangerous international criminal networks."
"Yesterday's guilty plea by Joaquin Guzman Lopez is another example of how HSI is taking on the cartels and their transnational criminal networks and sending a clear message that we are going to hold them accountable," said Acting Special Agent in Charge Ray Rede for Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Arizona. "Dismantling the Sinaloa cartel one arrest at time has taken countless hours but together HSI and our federal partners in the Homeland Security Task Force relentlessly focused efforts to stop this transnational criminal organization scourge by removing leaders from the helm. Yesterday's announcement exemplifies a whole-of-government approach to protecting our homeland that is yielding results."
Guzman Lopez, 39, pleaded guilty to one count of drug conspiracy and one count of engaging in a continuing criminal enterprise. The convictions carry a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison and a maximum penalty of life in prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set. Guzman Lopez has been detained in U.S. custody since his arrest in July 2024.
Guzman Lopez and his three brothers, collectively known as "the Chapitos," assumed leadership roles of the Sinaloa Cartel following El Chapo's arrest in 2016 and subsequent conviction in the Eastern District of New York. Guzman Lopez coordinated the transportation of drugs and precursor chemicals for the manufacture of drugs into Mexico, and the transportation of those drugs, including cocaine, heroin, and fentanyl, to the United States border, at times in shipments of hundreds or thousands of kilograms. He used a network of couriers affiliated with the cartel to smuggle the drugs into the United States using vehicles, rail cars, tunnels, aircraft, submersible vessels, and other means.
After the drugs were distributed throughout the United States, individuals working for Guzman Lopez and others laundered and transferred the illicit proceeds from the United States to Mexico and elsewhere. To protect the Sinaloa Cartel's operation, Guzman Lopez and his associates bribed corrupt public officials and perpetrated violence against law enforcement officials, rival drug traffickers, and members of their own drug trafficking organization.
In addition to the drug offenses, Guzman Lopez also stipulated to committing an international kidnapping offense. Guzman Lopez admitted to coordinating and committing the kidnapping in the hopes of receiving cooperation credit from the United States. As stated in the plea agreement, the United States did not induce or condone the kidnapping, and Guzman Lopez will not receive any cooperation credit for it.
As part of his plea agreement, Guzman Lopez agreed to the entry of a personal money judgment in the amount of $80 million, which represents proceeds traceable to his offenses. Guzman Lopez also acknowledged that the crimes to which he is pleading guilty involved more than 36 kilograms of fentanyl, 90 kilograms of heroin, 450 kilograms of cocaine, 45 kilograms of methamphetamine, and 90,000 kilograms of marijuana.
Guzman Lopez's three brothers -- Ivan Archivaldo Guzman Salazar, Jesus Alfredo Guzman Salazar, and Ovidio Guzman Lopez -- are also charged with drug trafficking in U.S. indictments. On July 11, Ovidio Guzman Lopez pleaded guilty to federal drug charges in the Northern District of Illinois. He is awaiting sentencing. Ivan Archivaldo Guzman Salazar and Jesus Alfredo Guzman Salazar are charged in both the Northern District of Illinois and Southern District of New York. They are fugitives. The U.S. State Department has issued rewards of up to $10 million for information leading to their arrests and convictions. See the reward information here (https://www.ice.gov/most-wanted/guzman-salazar-ivan?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery) and here (https://www.ice.gov/most-wanted/guzman-salazar-jesus?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery).
Trial Attorney Kirk Handrich of the Justice Department's Money Laundering, Narcotics and Forfeiture Section (MNF), Assistant U.S. Attorneys Andrew Erskine, Michelle Parthum, and Michael Maione for the Northern District of Illinois, and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew Sutton and Robert Miller for the Southern District of California are prosecuting the case.
HSI and the FBI investigated the case.
The guilty plea was announced as part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to achieve various law enforcement goals -- including the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs) -- 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 (OCDETFs).
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The charges against Ivan Archivaldo Guzman Salazar and Jesus Alfredo Guzman Salazar are merely allegations. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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Original text here: https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdca/pr/joaquin-guzman-lopez-son-el-chapo-and-leader-sinaloa-cartel-pleads-guilty-federal-drug
Former Federal Employee Sentenced To 41 Months In Prison After Pleading Guilty To Defrauding U.S. Government For More Than $1 Million
DENVER, Colorado, Dec. 3 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the District of Colorado posted the following news release on Dec. 2, 2025:
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Former Federal Employee Sentenced To 41 Months In Prison After Pleading Guilty To Defrauding U.S. Government For More Than $1 Million
The United States Attorney's Office for the District of Colorado announces that James Montoya, 55, of Lakewood, Colorado, was sentenced to 41 months in federal prison, three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $1,122,009.47 after pleading guilty to one count of wire fraud.
According
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DENVER, Colorado, Dec. 3 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the District of Colorado posted the following news release on Dec. 2, 2025:
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Former Federal Employee Sentenced To 41 Months In Prison After Pleading Guilty To Defrauding U.S. Government For More Than $1 Million
The United States Attorney's Office for the District of Colorado announces that James Montoya, 55, of Lakewood, Colorado, was sentenced to 41 months in federal prison, three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $1,122,009.47 after pleading guilty to one count of wire fraud.
Accordingto the plea agreement, Montoya worked as a federal employee at the United States Geological Survey (USGS) office in Lakewood. USGS is part of the United States Department of the Interior (DOI). During a routine initiative to identify misuse, DOI identified numerous questionable transactions on Montoya's government charge card. An investigation revealed that Montoya successfully concealed improper purchases for years by submitting altered receipts, and fictitious invoices and other documentation to USGS claiming that these purchases were for IT-related items or services. In fact, the defendant did not provide any IT-related items or services to USGS and many of these purchases were for personal items including, but not limited to, vintage and collectible toys as well as car parts.
The alleged actions defrauded the government of approximately $1,122,009.47 over approximately fifteen years beginning around December of 2008 and continuing through at least November 2023.
"Stealing from the federal government is stealing from hard-working American taxpayers," said United States Attorney for the District of Colorado Peter McNeilly. "Our office will vigorously prosecute these types of crimes on behalf of American taxpayers."
"Our investigative staff used data analytics and ingenuity to identify this longstanding, ongoing scheme, which defrauded American taxpayers out of over $1 million over many years," said U.S. Department of the Interior Office of Inspector General Special Agent in Charge Katherine Balestra. "The judgment in this case is a strong deterrent for others looking to perpetuate this type of scheme."
United States District Judge Philip A. Brimmer presided over the sentencing.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Department of the Interior Office of Inspector General. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Sonia Dave.
Case Number: 24-cr-248-PAB
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Original text here: https://www.justice.gov/usao-co/pr/former-federal-employee-sentenced-41-months-prison-after-pleading-guilty-defrauding-us
Court Sentences Mobile County Man to 14 Years in Prison for Methamphetamine Trafficking
MOBILE, Alabama, Dec. 3 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Alabama posted the following news release on Dec. 1, 2025:
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Court Sentences Mobile County Man to 14 Years in Prison for Methamphetamine Trafficking
On December 1, 2025, United States District Court Chief Judge Jeffrey U. Beaverstock sentenced Charlie Alexander Hall to 168 months' imprisonment for Conspiracy to Traffic Methamphetamine after Hall agreed to sell undercover agents approximately 8.5 ounces of methamphetamine for $2000 in May 2024.
Court documents show that law enforcement surveilled Hall
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MOBILE, Alabama, Dec. 3 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Alabama posted the following news release on Dec. 1, 2025:
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Court Sentences Mobile County Man to 14 Years in Prison for Methamphetamine Trafficking
On December 1, 2025, United States District Court Chief Judge Jeffrey U. Beaverstock sentenced Charlie Alexander Hall to 168 months' imprisonment for Conspiracy to Traffic Methamphetamine after Hall agreed to sell undercover agents approximately 8.5 ounces of methamphetamine for $2000 in May 2024.
Court documents show that law enforcement surveilled Hallat his home in Semmes, Alabama, where he placed a 5-gallon bucket containing the methamphetamine he was planning to sell in his vehicle. Surveillance continued after Hall left his residence with the methamphetamine. Officers attempted to stop Hall for a traffic infraction, and he accelerated, driving through a residential area at speeds greater than 100 MPH. Hall threw the 5-gallon bucket containing the methamphetamine out of his car and the bucket opened, spreading the methamphetamine across the road.
The chase continued at speeds over 100 MPH until Hall stopped and was apprehended with the assistance of a canine. Law enforcement recovered the bucket and approximately 1,275 grams of methamphetamine from the roadway. The same day, law enforcement also executed a search warrant at Hall's home and recovered approximately 1 more kilogram of methamphetamine in a similar 5-gallon bucket behind the home.
U.S. Attorney Sean P. Costello of the Southern District of Alabama made the announcement.
The Drug Enforcement Administration, Department of Homeland Security - Homeland Security Investigations, and the Mobile County Sherriff's Office - Narcotics Unit investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys George May prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.
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 (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
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Original text here: https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdal/pr/court-sentences-mobile-county-man-14-years-prison-methamphetamine-trafficking
