U.S. Attorneys
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Mexican Man Guilty of Federal Controlled Substances Act Violations and Money Laundering
NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana, Dec. 6 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Louisiana posted the following news release on Dec. 5, 2025:
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Mexican Man Guilty of Federal Controlled Substances Act Violations and Money Laundering
Acting U.S. Attorney Michael M. Simpson announced that RODOLFO AVILES-REYES a/k/a "Omar," ("AVILES-REYES"), age 38, a resident of Mexico, pled guilty on November 19, 2025, before United States District Judge Jane Triche Milazzo to a three-count superseding indictment. Count One charged AVILES-REYES with conspiracy to distribute, and possess with intent
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NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana, Dec. 6 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Louisiana posted the following news release on Dec. 5, 2025:
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Mexican Man Guilty of Federal Controlled Substances Act Violations and Money Laundering
Acting U.S. Attorney Michael M. Simpson announced that RODOLFO AVILES-REYES a/k/a "Omar," ("AVILES-REYES"), age 38, a resident of Mexico, pled guilty on November 19, 2025, before United States District Judge Jane Triche Milazzo to a three-count superseding indictment. Count One charged AVILES-REYES with conspiracy to distribute, and possess with intentto distribute, five kilograms or more of cocaine, one kilogram or more of heroin, and four hundred grams or more of fentanyl, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 846, 841(a)(1), and 841(b)(1)(A). Count Two charged AVILES-REYES with conspiracy to launder monetary instruments, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 1956(a)(2)(A) and 1956(h). Count Four charged AVILES-REYES with interstate travel in aid of racketeering, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 1952(a)(3).
According to court documents, AVILES-REYES, and other co-conspirators, distributed multi-kilogram quantities of cocaine, fentanyl, and heroin within the Eastern District of Louisiana. Additionally, AVILES-REYES, and other co-conspirators, traveled between New Orleans, and other states, in order to transport U.S. Currency and narcotics on behalf of a Drug Trafficking Organization, from Louisiana to Mexico.
As to Count One, AVILES-REYES faces a minimum term of imprisonment of ten years, up to life imprisonment, a fine of up to $10,000,000, at least five years of supervised release, and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100. As to Count Two, AVILES-REYES faces up to twenty years imprisonment, a fine of up to $500,000, up to three years of supervised release, and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100. As to Count Four, AVILES-REYES faces up to five years imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000, up to three years of supervised release, and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.
This prosecution is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF New Orleans comprises agents and officers from the Department of Homeland Security, Federal Bureau of Investigations, Drug Enforcement Administration and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Louisiana.
The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration - New Orleans Field Division Office, and assisted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the United States Border Patrol, the Gretna Major Crimes Task Force, the Kenner Police Department, the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office, the St. John's Parish Sheriff's Office, the Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office, and the New Orleans Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Lynn E. Schiffman of the Narcotics Unit is in charge of the prosecution.
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Original text here: https://www.justice.gov/usao-edla/pr/mexican-man-guilty-federal-controlled-substances-act-violations-and-money-laundering-0
Man Charged With Setting Fire To Train With Victim Inside
NEW YORK, Dec. 6 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York posted the following news release on Dec. 5, 2025:
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Man Charged With Setting Fire To Train With Victim Inside
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United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jay Clayton, Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Division of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives ("ATF"), Bryan DiGirolamo, Commissioner of the New York City Fire Department ("FDNY"), Robert S. Tucker, and Commissioner of the New York City Police Department ("NYPD"), Jessica S. Tisch, announced
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NEW YORK, Dec. 6 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York posted the following news release on Dec. 5, 2025:
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Man Charged With Setting Fire To Train With Victim Inside
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United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jay Clayton, Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Division of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives ("ATF"), Bryan DiGirolamo, Commissioner of the New York City Fire Department ("FDNY"), Robert S. Tucker, and Commissioner of the New York City Police Department ("NYPD"), Jessica S. Tisch, announcedthe filing of a Complaint charging HIRAM CARRERO with arson resulting in injury to another person in connection with a December 1, 2025, incident in Midtown Manhattan. CARRERO was presented today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert W. Lehrburger.
"As alleged, Hiram Carrero committed a horrific arson, starting a fire inside of a New York City subway car where a victim was sleeping," said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton. "As a result of that arson, the victim has suffered severe injuries. The New York City subway is the heart of our City, with millions of people who live and work here relying on it every day. New Yorkers have the right to be safe and feel safe when they ride the subway, and our Office is committed to that result."
"The swift arrest in this case demonstrates what is possible when our agencies work as one," said ATF Special Agent in Charge Bryan DiGirolamo. "ATF New York Special Agents, the NYPD Detectives, and FDNY Fire Marshals brought their unique strengths to bear to identify and locate the suspect responsible for this violent act. The ATF NY Arson and Explosives Task Force is dedicated to protecting this city, and we will continue working with our partners to bring justice to those who threaten public safety. Our partnership with the Southern District of New York remains central to seeking justice."
"This alleged outrageous and senseless attack received an immediate response from our elite joint task force," said FDNY Commissioner Robert S. Tucker. "Our Fire Marshals worked side by side with our partners in the NYPD and ATF to identify and apprehend this suspect quickly. Their work has removed a dangerous individual from the streets of New York City and the FDNY will continue to work closely with our public safety partners to keep New Yorkers safe."
"Hiram Carrero showed a complete disregard for human life when he allegedly set a sleeping New Yorker on fire inside a subway car," said NYPD Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch. "This attack is among the most serious acts of violence a person can commit, and it has no place in our cityabove or below ground. This case also reflects the exceptional work of the NYPD's Detective Bureau, whose investigators worked closely with our federal partners to identify the individual responsible. And it comes at a time when the last five months have been the safest for subway riders in recorded history. I am grateful to our detectives, our responding officers, and the U.S. Attorney's Office for their swift and coordinated work on this case."
According to the allegations in the Complaint and statements made in open Court:
At approximately 3:03 a.m., CARRERO entered a northbound train at the 34 th Street - Penn Station subway stop. He picked up a piece of paper from the subway car (depicted in the screenshot below), lit it on fire near where the victim was sleeping, and jumped out of the car just as the doors were closing.
Video from inside the train car shows that as the train traveled north towards the 42 nd Street - Times Square subway stop, the fire flared up, engulfing the victim's legs and a portion of the train car in flames. When the train arrived at 42 nd Street - Times Square, the victim emerged, burning from the train (depicted in a screenshot below).
Law enforcement partners on the platform responded to the victim immediately and extinguished the fire. The victim was rushed to the hospital in critical condition.
CARRERO, 18, is charged with arson resulting in injury to another person, which carries a mandatory minimum sentence of seven years in prison and a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison.
The maximum and minimum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge.
Mr. Clayton praised the outstanding investigative work of the ATF and NYPD, and the FDNY Fire Marshals. Mr. Clayton also thanked the United States Marshals Service for their assistance in this case.
The prosecution is being handled by the Office's General Crimes Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorney Cameron Molis is in charge of the prosecution.
The charges contained in the Complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
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Original text here: https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdny/pr/man-charged-setting-fire-train-victim-inside
Former Senior Analyst for U.S. Postal Service Pleads Guilty to Bribery Scheme
DALLAS, Texas, Dec. 6 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas posted the following news release on Dec. 4, 2025:
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Former Senior Analyst for United States Postal Service Pleads Guilty to Bribery Scheme
A former United States Postal Service employee pled guilty this week to a bribery scheme involving USPS service contracts, announced United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Ryan Raybould.
Zechariah Yi, 52, of Aurora, Colorado, was indicted in March 2025 for his role in accepting payments related to USPS service contracts awarded to certain
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DALLAS, Texas, Dec. 6 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas posted the following news release on Dec. 4, 2025:
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Former Senior Analyst for United States Postal Service Pleads Guilty to Bribery Scheme
A former United States Postal Service employee pled guilty this week to a bribery scheme involving USPS service contracts, announced United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Ryan Raybould.
Zechariah Yi, 52, of Aurora, Colorado, was indicted in March 2025 for his role in accepting payments related to USPS service contracts awarded to certaintrucking companies. On Tuesday this week, Yi pled guilty to one count of Receiving a Bribe by a Public Official.
According to court documents, Yi admitted that, while working as a Senior Network Operations Analyst for the United States Postal Service, he solicited and received approximately $1.5 million in kickbacks from the owners and associates of three trucking companies in exchange for Yi's agreeing to help the trucking companies obtain USPS service contracts. The USPS service contracts awarded to the three trucking companies paid the companies a total of approximately $15 million.
Yi faces up to fifteen years in federal prison. His sentencing date has been set for March 26, 2026.
Yi is the fourth defendant to plead guilty as part of this bribery scheme. Previously, another USPS employee, Tai Rho, and the owners of two trucking companies, Wan Jin Yoon and Hong Jin Yoon, each pled guilty to one count of Conspiracy to Commit Honest Services Wire Fraud for their involvement in the bribery scheme. They each face up to five years in federal prison. All three are set for sentencing in early 2026.
The FBI Dallas Field Office and the United States Postal Service - Office of the Inspector General conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Marty Basu and Joshua Detzky prosecuted the case.
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Original text here: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndtx/pr/former-senior-analyst-united-states-postal-service-pleads-guilty-bribery-scheme
Former Cuban Military Sergeant Sentenced to Federal Prison in Pandemic Benefits Fraud Conspiracy
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa, Dec. 6 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Iowa posted the following news release on Dec. 5, 2025:
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Former Cuban Military Sergeant Sentenced to Federal Prison in Pandemic Benefits Fraud Conspiracy
Fifth Iowa Meatpacking Plant Worker Sentenced in $2.4 Million Scheme to Defraud the SBA
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A former sergeant in the Cuban military, who obtained fraudulent Paycheck Protection Program loans and recruited others to do so, was sentenced on December 3, 2025, to four years in federal prison. Yovany Ciero, age 48, from Mason City, Iowa, formerly of Cuba,
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CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa, Dec. 6 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Iowa posted the following news release on Dec. 5, 2025:
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Former Cuban Military Sergeant Sentenced to Federal Prison in Pandemic Benefits Fraud Conspiracy
Fifth Iowa Meatpacking Plant Worker Sentenced in $2.4 Million Scheme to Defraud the SBA
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A former sergeant in the Cuban military, who obtained fraudulent Paycheck Protection Program loans and recruited others to do so, was sentenced on December 3, 2025, to four years in federal prison. Yovany Ciero, age 48, from Mason City, Iowa, formerly of Cuba,Colombia, and Venezuela, received the prison term after a May 8, 2025, jury verdict finding him guilty of three counts of wire fraud, 23 counts of money laundering, one count of engaging in a monetary transaction in property derived from specified unlawful activity, and one count of money laundering conspiracy.
Evidence at Ciero's trial and sentencing showed that Ciero is a former sergeant in the Cuban military who crossed the Mexican border nearly twenty years ago after his request for a visa to enter the United States was denied. In 2020, Ciero was working at an Algona meatpacking plant when the COVID-19 pandemic began. Beginning in July 2020, Ciero and over one hundred other immigrants from Cuba obtained fraudulent Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans by falsely claiming that they were self-employed and each had earned approximately $100,000 in gross income in 2019 when they actually worked at the meatpacking plant or elsewhere.
Ciero was one of six "bundlers" in the fraudulent PPP loan scheme. Ciero's role was to recruit individuals into the scheme, obtain their personal identifying information for the fraudulent loan applications, and then pass that information to others who submitted the fraudulent loan applications to lenders who were participating in the PPP. The evidence established that over $4 million in fraudulent loan PPP applications were submitted, and the government lost over $2.4 million as a result.
Once the individuals received their fraudulent PPP loan funds, typically $20,000 each, Ciero served as a "funnel" in a money laundering conspiracy. Ciero collected fees that the organizers of the scheme charged the applicants, typically $3,000 per $20,000 fraudulent loan.
Ciero also obtained two fraudulent PPP loans for himself and his paramour. Ciero used most of this PPP loan money to purchase a semi-truck. After obtaining the PPP money, Ciero also obtained a Federal Housing Administration loan for the purchase of a home in Mason City. The district court judge found that Ciero had obstructed justice when he testified falsely at trial.
Ciero is the fifth former Iowa meatpacking plant worker sentenced in the PPP scheme:
* In December 2024, Dinneris Matos Delgado, age 41, from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, formerly of Storm Lake and Algona, Iowa, and Cuba, was sentenced to ten months of imprisonment and ordered to pay $60,744 in restitution, after she pled guilty to one count of wire fraud.
* In December 2024, Ada Irma Rodriguez Fontaine, age 59, from Auburndale, Florida, formerly of Storm Lake, Iowa, and Cuba, was sentenced to six months of imprisonment and ordered to pay $75,417 in restitution, after she pled guilty to one count of wire fraud.
* In May 2025, Yordanis Perez Velazquez, age 41, from Tampa, Florida, formerly of Algona, Iowa, and Cuba, was sentenced to five months of imprisonment and ordered to pay $111,195 in restitution, after he pled guilty to one count of wire fraud.
* In July 2025, Maikel Sanchez Garcia, age 44, from Tampa, Florida, formerly of Algona, Iowa, and Cuba, was sentenced to 11 months of imprisonment and ordered to pay $138,662 in restitution, after he pled guilty to one count of wire fraud and one count of money laundering.
Ciero was sentenced in Sioux City by United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand. Ciero was sentenced to 48 months' imprisonment. He was ordered to make $212,293 in restitution to the SBA. He must also serve a two-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system. Ciero is being held in the United States Marshal's custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Timothy L. Vavricek and Daniel A. Chatham and investigated by the Small Business Administration, Office of Inspector General, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Office of Inspector General, Homeland Security Investigations, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Storm Lake Police Department.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 24-CR-3013.
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Original text here: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndia/pr/former-cuban-military-sergeant-sentenced-federal-prison-pandemic-benefits-fraud
California Man Sentenced to Life in Federal Prison for Drug Charges
DES MOINES, Iowa, Dec. 6 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Iowa posted the following news release on Dec. 5, 2025:
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California Man Sentenced to Life in Federal Prison for Drug Charges
A Tulare, California man was sentenced on December 2, 2025, to life in federal prison for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.
According to public court documents and evidence presented at trial, Brian Joaquin Alvarado, 40, was the leader of an extensive drug trafficking organization that sold large amounts of methamphetamine in the Des Moines area and transported firearms
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DES MOINES, Iowa, Dec. 6 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Iowa posted the following news release on Dec. 5, 2025:
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California Man Sentenced to Life in Federal Prison for Drug Charges
A Tulare, California man was sentenced on December 2, 2025, to life in federal prison for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.
According to public court documents and evidence presented at trial, Brian Joaquin Alvarado, 40, was the leader of an extensive drug trafficking organization that sold large amounts of methamphetamine in the Des Moines area and transported firearmsto California. Alvarado, who was serving a prison sentence in California, organized and coordinated shipments of methamphetamine and firearms with the assistance of at least five co-defendants, including his then 18-year-old son. In July 2025, following a two-day trial, a jury convicted Brian Joaquin Alvarado of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.
The co-defendants were sentenced as follows:
* Brian Crimson Alvarado, 20, was sentenced to 100 months in federal prison, followed by a five-year term of supervised release, on November 5, 2025;
* Jose Martine Alejo Galan, 29, was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison, followed by a five-year term of supervised release, on February 27, 2025;
* Linda Roseanne Gonzalez Gayton, 37, was sentenced to 30 years in federal prison, followed by a five-year term of supervised release, on August 28, 2025;
* Gregory Paul Shiner, 25, was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison, followed by a five-year term of supervised release, on November 21, 2025; and
* Kassianne Kay Timm, 30, was sentenced to a time-served sentence, followed by a three-year term of supervised release, on December 18, 2024.
There is no parole in the federal system.
United States Attorney David C. Waterman of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. This case was investigated by the Iowa Department of Public Safety - Division of Narcotics Enforcement and United States Postal Inspection Service and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jon Holscher.
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Original text here: https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdia/pr/california-man-sentenced-life-federal-prison-drug-charges
5 Members of Hobbs Based Drug Trafficking Organization Arrested on Federal Drug Trafficking Charges
ALBUQUERQUE, New Mexico, Dec. 6 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the District of New Mexico posted the following news release on Dec. 4, 2025:
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Five Members of Hobbs Based Drug Trafficking Organization Arrested on Federal Drug Trafficking Charges
Four members of the Navarrette Drug Trafficking Organization have been indicted, and one charged by a criminal complaint, on federal drug trafficking charges following an investigation into the distribution of methamphetamine, fentanyl, and cocaine in Hobbs, New Mexico.
According to court documents, from October 2024, through December 2025,
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ALBUQUERQUE, New Mexico, Dec. 6 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the District of New Mexico posted the following news release on Dec. 4, 2025:
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Five Members of Hobbs Based Drug Trafficking Organization Arrested on Federal Drug Trafficking Charges
Four members of the Navarrette Drug Trafficking Organization have been indicted, and one charged by a criminal complaint, on federal drug trafficking charges following an investigation into the distribution of methamphetamine, fentanyl, and cocaine in Hobbs, New Mexico.
According to court documents, from October 2024, through December 2025,Raul Munoz Navarrette, 44, his sons Raul Hernandez Navarrette, 26, and Adrian Hernandez Navarrette, 21, Amanda "Mandy" Ortega, 44, and Leonel Jaquez-Martinez, 45, a Mexican national, illegally present in the United States who had been previously deported, conspired and attempted to distribute, and distributed, controlled substances throughout Lea County.
Raul Munoz Navarrette made multiple sales of methamphetamine to undercover agents beginning in October 2024, when he sold approximately 26 grams of methamphetamine for $500. The quantities escalated over subsequent months, with Raul Munoz Navarrette selling over 400 grams of pure methamphetamine on multiple occasions for $3,500 each. On April 29, 2025, Raul Munoz Navarrette arranged for the delivery of over 427 grams of pure methamphetamine to an undercover agent and accept payment of $3,500. On July 8, 2025, Raul Munoz Navarrette sold over 1,200 grams of pure methamphetamine to an undercover agent for $9,500. Leonel Jaquez-Martinez attempted to provide one 440 grams of that 1200 grams to Raul Munoz Navarrette.
On August 1, 2025, Raul Munoz Navarrette provided fentanyl to Amanda Ortega, who then distributed it to an individual which resulted in a non-lethal overdose. Following the overdose, Amanda Ortega told Raul Munoz Navarrette that the fentanyl was too strong and warned they could face murder charges if someone died.
Beginning in early September 2025, Raul Hernandez Navarrette coordinated an extensive cocaine distribution operation, directing Adrian Hernandez Navarrette and Raul Munoz Navarrette to deliver cocaine to customers throughout Hobbs, including at a hotel in Hobbs. Adrian Hernandez Navarrette was apprehended by police at that location with 1.5 grams of cocaine, a loaded .45 caliber firearm, and a drug ledger. Throughout the remainder of September 2025, Raul Hernandez Navarrette continued coordinating cocaine sales, frequently directing customers to Raul Munoz Navarrette's ranch where they would pick up the cocaine.
On December 3, 2025, federal agents executed search warrants on six residences connected to the Navarrette Drug Trafficking Organization. During execution of those federal search warrants, federal agents located and seized 15 rifles, 14 pistols, approximately one pound of methamphetamine, approximately 500 pills of fentanyl, and approximately eight ounces of cocaine.
Raul Munoz Navarrette is charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, fentanyl, and cocaine, eight counts of distribution of methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, two counts of distribution of fentanyl, distribution of cocaine, 10 counts of distribution of cocaine, and three counts of using a communication facility to facilitate drug trafficking. If convicted, he faces up to life in prison.
Amanda "Mandy" Ortega is charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl, attempted possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, distribution of fentanyl, and three counts of using a communication facility to facilitate drug trafficking. If convicted, she faces up to 40 years in prison.
Raul Hernandez Navarrette is charged with conspiracy to distribute cocaine, 20 counts of possession with intent to distribute cocaine, 14 counts of distribution of cocaine, and three counts of using a communication facility to facilitate drug trafficking. If convicted, he Navarrette faces up to 20 years in prison.
Adrian Hernandez Navarrette is charged with conspiracy to distribute cocaine, two counts of possession with intent to distribute cocaine, using and carrying a firearm during a drug trafficking crime, and three counts of using a communication facility to facilitate drug trafficking. If convicted, Adrian Hernandez Navarrette faces up to life imprisonment.
Leonel Jaquez-Martinez is charged with attempting to distribute methamphetamine, re-entry of a removed alien, and being an illegal alien in possession of a firearm. If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in prison.
Acting U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Omar Arellano, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration's El Paso Division, made the announcement today.
These arrests are part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving understanding children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF Region II CORE 7 is comprised of agents and officers from Homeland Security Investigations, the Federal Bureau of Investigations, the Drug Enforcement Administration, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Internal Revenue Service, Customs and Border Protection - Office of Field Operations, U.S. Border Patrol and Air and Marine, Office of Professional Responsibility, United States Department of the Interior - Bureau of Land Management, Joint Task Force North, United States Postal Inspection Service, United States Marshal Service, Department of State, Bureau of Diplomatic Security (DSS), U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Texas Department of Public Safety, El Paso Police Department, New Mexico State Police, West Texas / New Mexico High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas, Albuquerque Police Department, New Mexico Sixth Judicial District, Las Cruces/Dona Ana County Metro Narcotics Agency, and the prosecution is being led by the Office of the United States Attorney for the Districts of New Mexico and Western Texas.
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Indictments and criminal complaints 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-nm/pr/five-members-hobbs-based-drug-trafficking-organization-arrested-federal-drug-trafficking
15 Alleged Members of Drug Trafficking Organization Indicted
MEMPHIS, Tennessee, Dec. 6 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee posted the following news release on Dec. 5, 2025:
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15 Alleged Members of Drug Trafficking Organization Indicted
Fifteen alleged members of a drug trafficking organization responsible for a conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute large quantities of marijuana and for a conspiracy to commit money laundering in West Tennessee, Oklahoma, Texas, and California have been charged in a 2-count federal indictment. D. Michael Dunavant, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee, announced
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MEMPHIS, Tennessee, Dec. 6 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee posted the following news release on Dec. 5, 2025:
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15 Alleged Members of Drug Trafficking Organization Indicted
Fifteen alleged members of a drug trafficking organization responsible for a conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute large quantities of marijuana and for a conspiracy to commit money laundering in West Tennessee, Oklahoma, Texas, and California have been charged in a 2-count federal indictment. D. Michael Dunavant, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee, announcedthe unsealed indictment today.
On Wednesday, December 3, 2025, 14 of the defendants were taken into custody by federal, state, and local law enforcement officials. One remains a fugitive.
The following defendants have been indicted for conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute more than 1,000 kilograms of marijuana:
* Myron Armstrong, aka "BG", 49 - Memphis, Tennessee
* Chad Hendricks, 34 - Milburn, Oklahoma
* Ping Huang, aka "Jason", 44 - People's Republic of China
* Carlos Atkins, aka "Papa Smurf", aka "Lo", 52 - Memphis, Tennessee
* Kevin Brandon, aka "Bam", 40 - Millington, Tennessee
* Brandon Burkett, 41 - Magnolia, Texas
* Ricio Conner, 50 - Jackson, Tennessee
* Willie Love, aka "June Bug", 51 - Memphis, Tennessee
* Prenston Moore, aka "Twin", 44 - Memphis, Tennessee
* Thomas Smith, aka "TC", 47 - Memphis, Tennessee
* Cris Thetford, 44 - Durant, Oklahoma
* Raevyn Tuggle, 28 - Memphis, Tennessee
* Terrance Wash, aka "Car Wash", aka "Rick Ross", 45 - Memphis, Tennessee
* Anthony Williams, aka "Ant", 41 - Allen, Texas
According to the indictment, beginning at a time unknown but from at least on or about June 1, 2024, to November 18, 2025, the defendants intentionally conspired with each other to unlawfully possess with the intent to distribute 1,000 kilograms or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of marijuana.
Additionally, Myron Armstrong, Chad Hendricks, Ping Huang, Carlos Atkins, Brandon Burkett, Thomas Smith, Raevyn Tuggle, and Anthony Williams were charged with conspiracy to commit money laundering in Count 2 of the indictment.
During the course of the investigative operation named "Been Getting Bags," and subsequent arrests on December 3, 2025, law enforcement officers seized approximately 207 pounds of marijuana, 2 ounces of crack cocaine, approximately 1,850 cultivated marijuana plants in Oklahoma and Tennessee, 2 kilo presses, approximately $550,000 in U.S. currency, approximately 50 firearms, 1 marijuana grow lab in Oklahoma, 1 marijuana grow lab in Memphis, and jewelry and luxury vehicles valued at over one million dollars. Additional federal charges related to these seizures are possible.
All fifteen defendants face mandatory minimum sentences of 10 years in federal prison and fines of up to $10 million or both for the controlled substance conspiracy charge.
The penalty for money laundering conspiracy is not more than 20 years in federal prison, and fines of not more than $500,000 or twice the value of the property involved, whichever is greater.
U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said, "Criminal enterprises that distribute harmful drugs into West Tennessee can no longer hide. We are taking the fight to the drug trafficking organizations to dismantle their distribution networks, enforce the rule of law, and remove them from our streets. I commend the outstanding investigative efforts led by DEA and our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners in this important and impactful case."
"This investigation, which originated from a narcotics complaint in the Western District of Tennessee, ultimately uncovered a large, multi-state marijuana cultivation and trafficking network with tentacles reaching into communities across our country," said Jim Scott, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration's Louisville Field Division. "The quantity of drugs seized is significant and the firepower we recovered highlight a simple truth: drug trafficking organizations are violent by design, regardless of the drug involved. The DEA and our law enforcement partners are committed to following every lead, wherever it may take us, to shut down any criminal enterprise that threatens public safety, and we won't rest until all those involved are brought to justice."
"Cases like this highlight the value of partnerships", said Special Agent in Charge Donald "Trey" Eakins, Charlotte Field Office, IRS Criminal Investigation. "IRS-CI plays a crucial role in combating financial crimes while collaborating with financial institutions and federal agency partners within the Homeland Security Task Force, particularly those focused on money laundering, drugs, and transnational crime. IRS-CI special agents are skilled financial investigators who can unravel complex financial transactions and money laundering schemes where criminals try to hide illicit activities. We will continue to collaborate with our law enforcement partners to investigate these types of crimes by following the money and protecting our community by disrupting drug trafficking organizations."
This case is being investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA); Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigations (IRS-CI); Shelby County Sheriff's Office (SCSO); Memphis Police Department (MPD); and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI). Also assisting in the operation were the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); Homeland Security Investigations (HSI); Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF); and the Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP). Collierville Police Department (CPD); Germantown Police Department (GPD); Jackson Tennessee Police Department (JPD) Gang Unit; United States Marshal Service (USMS); DEA offices in Oxford, Mississippi, Los Angeles, California, Galveston, Texas, and Dallas, Texas; Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics; Texas Department of Safety; and Desoto County, Mississippi S.W.A.T assisted with arrests, searches and other processes.
Assistant United States Attorney Greg Allen is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
This operation is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States.
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The charges and allegations in the indictment are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
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Original text here: https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdtn/pr/15-alleged-members-drug-trafficking-organization-indicted-0
