U.S. Attorneys
Here's a look at documents from U.S. attorneys
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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
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
Man Unlawfully Living in Oregon Charged With Assaulting FBI Agents and Distributing Controlled Substances
PORTLAND, Oregon, Oct. 4 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon posted the following news release on Oct. 3, 2025:
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Man Unlawfully Living in Oregon Charged with Assaulting FBI Agents and Distributing Controlled Substances
A man made his first appearance in federal court today after assaulting two Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) agents following his arrest on federal drug distribution charges.
Ezequiel Ramos Hernandez, 28, has been charged by criminal complaint with multiple felony crimes including Assaulting Federal Agents and Possession with Intent to Distribute
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PORTLAND, Oregon, Oct. 4 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon posted the following news release on Oct. 3, 2025:
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Man Unlawfully Living in Oregon Charged with Assaulting FBI Agents and Distributing Controlled Substances
A man made his first appearance in federal court today after assaulting two Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) agents following his arrest on federal drug distribution charges.
Ezequiel Ramos Hernandez, 28, has been charged by criminal complaint with multiple felony crimes including Assaulting Federal Agents and Possession with Intent to DistributeControlled Substances.
According to court documents, on October 1, 2025, the FBI, along with the Woodburn and Salem Police Departments, executed a search warrant at Ramos Hernandez's Woodburn hotel room. Agents seized distributable quantities of cocaine, fentanyl, and methamphetamine. FBI agents arrested Ramos Hernandez and began driving him to be lodged on federal drug distribution charges. During the transport, Ramos Hernandez managed to escape from the moving vehicle while handcuffed. Two FBI agents chased Ramos Hernandez who actively resisted and was observed kicking one of the FBI agents in the face multiple times. Ultimately, FBI agents were able to subdue Ramos Hernandez with the assistance of multiple civilian witnesses. Ramos Hernandez later told an FBI agent that he tried to escape from agents because he thought he was being deported.
Defendant Ramos-Hernandez made his first appearance in federal court today before a U.S. Magistrate Judge. He was detained pending further court proceedings.
Assaulting 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/man-unlawfully-living-oregon-charged-assaulting-fbi-agents-and-distributing-controlled
Defendant Pleads Guilty to Felony Intimidation of a Federal Officer and Resisting Arrest
PORTLAND, Oregon, Oct. 4 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon posted the following news release on Oct. 3, 2025:
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Defendant Pleads Guilty to Felony Intimidation of a Federal Officer and Resisting Arrest
Defendant Julie Winters, 47, of Portland, pleaded guilty yesterday to Felony Intimidation of a Federal Officer and Resisting Arrest.
According to court documents, on June 24, 2025, Winters brandished a large knife and swung it back and forth at officers in an attempt to intimidate the officers when they engaged with Winters at the Immigration and Customs Enforcement
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PORTLAND, Oregon, Oct. 4 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon posted the following news release on Oct. 3, 2025:
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Defendant Pleads Guilty to Felony Intimidation of a Federal Officer and Resisting Arrest
Defendant Julie Winters, 47, of Portland, pleaded guilty yesterday to Felony Intimidation of a Federal Officer and Resisting Arrest.
According to court documents, on June 24, 2025, Winters brandished a large knife and swung it back and forth at officers in an attempt to intimidate the officers when they engaged with Winters at the Immigration and Customs Enforcement(ICE) office in South Portland.
On August 20, 2025, Winters reported to the Pretrial Services Office after violating the conditions of her pretrial release. As federal law enforcement attempted to arrest Winters on a federal warrant, she resisted arrest by causing forcible contact with U.S. Deputy Marshals after the U.S. Marshals attempted to place the defendant under arrest.
Winters will be sentenced in December 2025 before a U.S. District Court Judge.
These cases were investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Federal Protective Service, ICE, and the United States Marshals Service. These cases are being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Oregon.
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Original text here: https://www.justice.gov/usao-or/pr/defendant-pleads-guilty-felony-intimidation-federal-officer-and-resisting-arrest
14 Members of a Transnational Criminal Organization Known as La V Charged With Drug Trafficking and Firearms Crimes - Two Remain Fugitives
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico, Oct. 4 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico posted the following news release on Oct. 3, 2025:
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14 Members of a Transnational Criminal Organization known as La V Charged with Drug Trafficking and Firearms Crimes--Two Remain Fugitives
A federal grand jury issued a superseding indictment on September 25, 2025, charging 14 members of a transnational criminal organization from the municipality of Camuy with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, possession, and distribution of controlled substances, firearms violations, and money
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SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico, Oct. 4 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico posted the following news release on Oct. 3, 2025:
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14 Members of a Transnational Criminal Organization known as La V Charged with Drug Trafficking and Firearms Crimes--Two Remain Fugitives
A federal grand jury issued a superseding indictment on September 25, 2025, charging 14 members of a transnational criminal organization from the municipality of Camuy with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, possession, and distribution of controlled substances, firearms violations, and moneylaundering, announced W. Stephen Muldrow, United States Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico. This investigation was led by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), the United States Postal Service Office of Inspector General (USPS-OIG), United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
Defendants [3] Victor Hernandez and [9] Yamil Gonzalez-Vargas remain at large and are considered fugitives. Members of the public with information concerning their whereabouts may contact HSI's sector San Juan communication center at (787) 729-6969 or HSI's Tip Line at (866) 347-2423 and https://www.ice.gov/webform/ice-tip-form.
"One of our top priorities continues to be the disruption and dismantling of violent drug trafficking organizations, at every level," said U.S. Attorney Muldrow, U.S. Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico. "The result of this joint operation, with the collaboration of our state counterparts, shows our commitment to making our communities safer."
"We will not allow drug smugglers, money launderers, and weapons traffickers, to threaten the safety of our communities. HSI is focused in identifying criminal networks that fuel violence, destabilize neighborhoods, and prey on our children and families. The message is clear, we will continue to strike at every level these organizations, cutting off their profits, seizing their weapons and ensuring that those responsible face justice," said Rebecca Gonzalez-Ramos, Special Agent in Charge, HSI San Juan (Puerto Rico & U.S. Virgin Islands).
The superseding indictment alleges that from 2021 through September 25, 2025, [1] Emilio Lopez-Vargas led a continuing criminal enterprise, responsible for the importation and distribution of hundreds of kilograms of cocaine for substantial profit. As set forth in the superseding indictment and other court filings, "La V" was a large-scale drug trafficking organization directed by [1] Emilio Lopez-Vargas based out of Camuy, Puerto Rico, that operated in coordination with Dominican Republic sources of supply (the "La V" or the "Lopez-Vargas Drug Trafficking Organization"). La V used boats to import multi-kilogram shipments of cocaine from the Dominican Republic into Puerto Rico. Some of the boats that were utilized by La V had hidden compartments designed to conceal the cocaine. Upon the arrival of the cocaine shipments to Puerto Rico, portions of the cocaine would be distributed and sold throughout Puerto Rico. Other portions of the cocaine shipments would be shipped to the continental United States via a global logistics company and the United States Postal Service. La V utilized employees of the United States Postal Service and a global logistics company to protect the shipments of cocaine sent to the continental United States. Once the cocaine was transported to the continental United States members of the organization would cut the cocaine with adulterants and repackage it for greater profit. Members of the organization would then provide samples of cocaine to end users to test the quality of the cocaine. Finally, La V would distribute the cocaine to end users. In Puerto Rico, members of the drug organization would store fentanyl and cocaine at residences where it was packaged for distribution and finally distributed to end users. Members of the La V also transported firearms from Puerto Rico to the Dominican Republic via vessels generating substantial income and profit. The drug proceeds were then laundered back to Puerto Rico.
Defendants [1] Emilio Lopez-Vargas and [2] John Lopez-Peralta were responsible for the coordination and the importation of cocaine into the United States from their contacts in the Dominican Republic. They procured boats with hidden compartments and [1] Emilio Lopez- Vargas also shipped firearms to the Dominican Republic.
Members of La V, including [1] Emilio Lopez-Vargas, [4] Axel Manuel Cardec-Lugo,[5] Richard Romero-Rodriguez, [10] Jeiric Gilberto Ramos-Rodriguez, and [14] Whilhelm Lopez-Afanador shipped packages containing cocaine through the mail to members of the organization located the continental United States. The packages would contain kilogram quantities of cocaine. Members of the organization would store the proceeds of the cocaine sales in various stash houses and make periodic commercial flights returning to Puerto Rico with large sums of United States currency stored in suitcases, or the proceeds would be laundered back into the organization. [4] Axel Manuel Cardec-Lugo was an employee of a global logistics company and would provide information to [1] Emilio Lopez-Vargas about shipments. Members of law enforcement seized approximately 203 kilograms from packages in which [4] Axel Manuel Cardec-Lugo was the courier.
The defendants charged in the drug trafficking conspiracy are:
[1] Emilio Lopez-Vargas, also known as "Macanita" and "La M",
[2] John Lopez-Peralta, also known as "Macana",
[3] Victor Omar Hernandez, also known as "El Indio" and "Vic",
[4] Axel Manuel Cardec-Lugo, also known as "Axel Carde-Lugo" and "Maquina",
[5] Richard Romero-Rodriguez, also known as "Riche",
[6] Owen Alexander Roman-Ramos, also known as "La O",
[7] Kevin Orlando Collazo-Fernandez, also known as "Maluma",
[8] Noel Mercado-Rosa, also known as "Sangre",
[9] Yamil Yaniel Gonzalez-Vargas, also known as "Yamo",
[10] Jeiric Gilberto Ramos-Rodriguez,
[11] Carlos Ramon Santiago-Velazquez, also known as "Gordo"
[12] Hector Armando Roa-Ramos,
[13] Jovanni Perez-Garcia, also known as "Jova" and "Jomo",
[14] Whilhelm Lopez-Afanador, also known as "Wille Bombe",
Nine defendants are charged in Count twelve with conspiracy to possess firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
Assistant U.S. Attorney (AUSA) and Chief of the Asset Recovery, Money Laundering, and Transnational Organized Crime Section Myriam Y. Fernandez-Gonzalez, Deputy Chief of the Asset Recovery, Money Laundering, and Transnational Organized Crime Section Maria L. Montanez-Concepcion and AUSA Ryan R. McCabe are prosecuting the case.
If convicted of the drug charges, the defendants face a minimum sentence of 10 years, and up to life in prison. The defendants charged with possession of machineguns in furtherance of drug trafficking face a sentence of thirty years to life in prison, consecutive to the sentence imposed on the drug charges.
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.
All defendants charged in the drug conspiracy are facing a narcotics forfeiture allegation of $11,000,000. The property to be forfeited includes, but is not limited to, the properties listed in the Continuing Criminal Enterprise Forfeiture Allegation of the superseding indictment.
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An indictment is merely an allegation and 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-pr/pr/14-members-transnational-criminal-organization-known-la-v-charged-drug-trafficking-and