Tag:

Federal charges

Maryland YouTuber Flew Drone Over ‘Classified’ Defense Sites, Posted Videos Online: DOJ Maryland YouTuber Flew Drone Over ‘Classified’ Defense Sites, Posted Videos Online: DOJ
Maryland YouTuber Flew Drone Over ‘Classified’ Defense Sites, Posted Videos Online: DOJ A Maryland man is facing federal charges after investigators say he flew a drone over sensitive national defense facilities — then posted the footage to YouTube under the name “Area 82 Surveillance911.” Stuart Bennett, 66, of Frederick, made his initial appearance in federal court in Baltimore on charges of violating national defense airspace, the US Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland announced. The investigation began in September 2025, when a military official reported that a YouTube channel had posted drone footage of an identified sensitive US national defense facility. Fed…
Immigrant Released From Jail One Day Before Virginia Murder Now Facing Federal Charges: DOJ Immigrant Released From Jail One Day Before Virginia Murder Now Facing Federal Charges: DOJ
Immigrant Released From Jail One Day Before Virginia Murder Now Facing Federal Charges: DOJ A Salvadoran national already in state custody for murder is now facing new federal charges, authorities in Virginia announced. Marvin Fernando Morales-Ortez, 23, has been charged in a criminal complaint with possession of a firearm by an alien illegally present in the United States, according to US Attorney Lindsey Halligan on Monday, Dec. 29. It is alleged that Morales-Ortez illegally entered the United States in September 2016. According to the criminal complaint, Fairfax County Police officers responded to a call for service at a residence in Reston on Wednesday, Dec. 17, where th…
Ex-School Employee Accused Of Sexually Assaulting 11-Year-Old Pleads Guilty In Federal Case Ex-School Employee Accused Of Sexually Assaulting 11-Year-Old Pleads Guilty In Federal Case
Ex-School Employee Accused Of Sexually Assaulting 11-Year-Old Pleads Guilty In Federal Case A 44-year-old former Connecticut school employee accused of repeatedly sexually assaulting an 11-year-old boy has pleaded guilty to federal charges in the case, authorities said.  Alyson Cranick, of Columbia, pleaded guilty on Tuesday, Nov. 18, to coercion and enticement of a minor to engage in sexual activity, the US Attorney for Connecticut said. She now faces a minimum of 10 years in prison.  Cranick was accused of using texts, Snapchat, and Discord to entice the child into sexual activity multiple times during the summer and fall of 2022, the prosecutor said. Several time…
Super Bowl Champ Wendell Smallwood Jr. Sentenced For COVID-19, Tax Fraud Super Bowl Champ Wendell Smallwood Jr. Sentenced For COVID-19, Tax Fraud
Super Bowl Champ Wendell Smallwood Jr. Sentenced For Covid-19, Tax Fraud Wendell Smallwood Jr., a former Philadelphia Eagles running back and Super Bowl champion, was sentenced to 18 months in prison for wire fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and conspiracy to defraud the IRS in Wilmington, Delaware, on Thursday, Sept. 18, according to federal court documents obtained by Daily Voice. U.S. District Senior Judge Richard G. Andrews also ordered Smallwood, 31, to repay the government $645,000. The punishment comes after Smallwood pleaded guilty in December 2024 to orchestrating schemes that defrauded COVID-19 relief programs and the IRS. Smallwood earned about…
Luigi Mangione Terror-Related Murder Charges Tossed Out By Judge Luigi Mangione Terror-Related Murder Charges Tossed Out By Judge
Luigi Mangione Terror-Related Murder Charges Tossed Out By Judge A Manhattan judge has thrown out the most serious terror-related charges against Luigi Mangione in the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, finding prosecutors fell short of New York’s terrorism standard.  The core intentional second-degree murder charge remains in place. In a ruling issued Tuesday, Sept. 16, Judge Gregory Carro deemed the evidence “legally insufficient” to support the terrorism counts under state law.  Mangione, a Maryland native held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, is awaiting trial in the case. According to prosecutors, Thompson w…
Kilmar Abrego Garcia Re-Arrested In Maryland, ICE Moves To Deport Him To Uganda Kilmar Abrego Garcia Re-Arrested In Maryland, ICE Moves To Deport Him To Uganda
Kilmar Abrego Garcia Re-Arrested In Maryland, ICE Moves To Deport Him To Uganda Maryland native Kilmar Abrego Garcia was arrested, taken into custody, and again faces deportation following a planned meeting with ICE on Monday. Abrego Garcia, who was reunited with his family over the weekend, months after he was mistakenly deported to a Salvadoran detention facility, is again fighting for his right to stay in the country following his latest detention. HSI Secretary Kristi Noem confirmed that Abrego Garcia was arrested again in Maryland and is being processed for deportation, reportedly to Uganda, where he has no ties, and does not speak the language. Today, ICE law…
Maryland Man Posed As Teen To Lure Girls As Young As 13 With Drugs For Sex: Feds Maryland Man Posed As Teen To Lure Girls As Young As 13 With Drugs For Sex: Feds
Maryland Man Posed As Teen To Lure Girls As Young As 13 With Drugs For Sex: Feds A 33-year-old Maryland man who targeted teen girls on social media to exchange drugs for sexual images and acts is facing decades in prison, federal authorities announced. Brooklyn Park resident Charles Anthony Forame IV pleaded guilty this week to federal child exploitation charges after he preyed on middle and high school students between the ages of 13 and 16. According to his guilty plea, Forame posed as a 19-year-old on Snapchat to get his victims to speak with him, then coerced them into sharing explicit images, and in some instances, sexual acts in person. In exchange, prosecutors s…
Trump Scores Record-Low Approval On Handling Of Epstein Affair, New Poll Reveals Trump Scores Record-Low Approval On Handling Of Epstein Affair, New Poll Reveals
Trump Scores Record-Low Approval On Handling Of Epstein Affair, New Poll Reveals Nearly seven out of 10 Americans believe President Donald Trump’s administration is concealing crucial information about Jeffrey Epstein’s alleged sex-trafficking network, a new poll shows. The results underscore how the scandal has become a rare bipartisan liability for the White House. Related story: Graphic Birthday Note Bearing Trump’s Signature Surfaces In Epstein Records: Bombshell Report The two-day nationwide Reuters/Ipsos poll, which closed Wednesday, July 16, found that 69 percent of adults think federal officials are withholding details about the disgraced financier’…
Luigi Mangione's Attorney Says DA Used Fake Subpoena To Get His Medical Records Luigi Mangione's Attorney Says DA Used Fake Subpoena To Get His Medical Records
Luigi Mangione's Attorney Says DA Used Fake Subpoena To Get His Medical Records In a dramatic escalation of the high-profile murder case, the defense for Luigi Mangione is accusing Manhattan prosecutors of using a fraudulent subpoena with a fake court date to secretly obtain the 27-year-old’s confidential medical records. Mangione’s attorney calls this a “blatant abuse of process” and a violation of federal privacy laws. Mangione, a Maryland native, is awaiting trial for the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson and is currently being held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn.  Prosecutors allege Mangione fatally shot Thompson outside a midtow…
Pulitzer-Winning Washington Post Journalist Found With Child Porn On Work Laptop: DOJ Pulitzer-Winning Washington Post Journalist Found With Child Porn On Work Laptop: DOJ
Pulitzer-Winning Washington Post Journalist Found With Child Porn On Work Laptop: DOJ A Pulitzer Prize-winning Washington Post journalist is accused of having child porn on his work laptop, federal prosecutors announced Friday, June 27. Thomas Pham LeGro, 48, was arrested on Thursday after FBI agents searched his Washington, DC home and seized multiple electronic devices, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. His first court appearance was held Friday in U.S. District Court in DC. LeGro was charged with possession of child pornography, officials said. Investigators discovered 11 child sexual abuse videos in a folder on LeGro’s work-issued laptop, according to the DOJ…
Maryland Man Sent Threatening Letters To Jewish Groups, Including In Philly: DOJ Maryland Man Sent Threatening Letters To Jewish Groups, Including In Philly: DOJ
Maryland Man Sent Threatening Letters To Jewish Groups, Including In Philly: DOJ A Maryland man is facing federal charges for allegedly sending violent, antisemitic threats to Jewish organizations in Philadelphia and beyond — including letters referencing Gaza, Kristallnacht, and potential attacks. Clift Seferlis, 55, of Garrett Park in Montgomery County, was arrested and charged for allegedly mailing threatening communications, the US Attorney’s Office announced. According to the criminal complaint, Seferlis began sending written threats through the mail as early as March 1, 2024, and continued targeting Jewish institutions for over a year. Clift Andy Seferlis is p…
Leak Part Of 'Smear Campaign,' Luigi Mangione Defense Says Leak Part Of 'Smear Campaign,' Luigi Mangione Defense Says
Leak Part Of 'Smear Campaign,' Luigi Mangione Defense Says Luigi Mangione’s defense team is accusing New York prosecutors of trying to bias the public and media against their client.  They claim this is happening by publicly releasing sensitive and potentially inadmissible materials as he awaits trial for the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. In a newly filed reply brief dated Wednesday, June 18, the defense, led by Mangione’s attorney, Karen Friedman Agnifilo, argued that the state improperly published journal entries allegedly taken from Mangione’s backpack. They claim these materials may be suppressed due to an illegal search. …
Disgraced Maryland State Trooper Sold Out Informant To Drug Dealer: Feds Disgraced Maryland State Trooper Sold Out Informant To Drug Dealer: Feds
Disgraced Maryland State Trooper Sold Out Informant To Drug Dealer: Feds A disgraced former Maryland State Trooper who sold out both his badge and a confidential informant to a drug trafficker is heading to federal prison. Justin Riggs, 35, of Smithsburg, was sentenced on Thursday, June 5, to six years behind bars and three years of supervised release for a scheme to sell sensitive information from an active drug case, federal authorities announced. According to his plea, Riggs was part of a team investigating drug and gun trafficking in Western Maryland when he tried to cash in by selling the identity of a confidential informant to one of the suspects. Ri…
Maryland Man Tried To Hide 600+ Child Porn Files—Then Showed Cops His Phone, Feds Say Maryland Man Tried To Hide 600+ Child Porn Files—Then Showed Cops His Phone, Feds Say
Maryland Man Tried To Hide 600+ Child Porn Files—Then Showed Cops His Phone, Feds Say Mark Rice tried to pull a fast one on investigators in Maryland, but he was ultimately busted with hundreds of child porn files, federal authorities say. A CyberTip from Reddit to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) in April 2023 led to the Elkton resident's conviction on multiple offenses following a lengthy investigation, officials announced this week. Specifically, Rice pleaded guilty to federal charges of production and distribution of child sexual abuse material. According to prosecutors, NCMEC received a tip about the transmission of child se…
‘I Did It For Gaza’: Gunman Flew In, Killed Israeli Couple Outside DC Jewish Museum: Court Docs ‘I Did It For Gaza’: Gunman Flew In, Killed Israeli Couple Outside DC Jewish Museum: Court Docs
‘I Did It For Gaza’: Gunman Flew In, Killed Israeli Couple Outside DC Jewish Museum: Court Docs He flew in from Chicago with a gun, bought a ticket to a Jewish diplomatic event, waited outside, then opened fire. Moments later, he told police: “I did it for Palestine. I did it for Gaza.” Elias Rodriguez, 30, of Illinois, is now facing multiple federal charges, including the murder of foreign officials, after he allegedly carried out a deadly ambush near the entrance of the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, DC on Wednesday, May 21, federal officials announced. The attack happened just after 9:00 p.m., outside a ticketed event hosted by the American Jewish Committee that was designed…
Charges Dropped Against NJ Mayor, But Congresswoman Now Faces Federal Assault Case Charges Dropped Against NJ Mayor, But Congresswoman Now Faces Federal Assault Case
Charges Dropped Against NJ Mayor, But Congresswoman Now Faces Federal Assault Case The U.S. Attorney for New Jersey has dropped the trespassing charge against Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, but is now pursuing federal assault charges against U.S. Congresswoman LaMonica McIver, officials announced Monday, May 19. In a statement, U.S. Attorney Alina Habba said her office agreed to dismiss Mayor Baraka’s misdemeanor charge of trespass “for the sake of moving forward.” “The citizens of New Jersey deserve unified leadership so we can get to work to keep our state safe,” Habba said. “The dismissal against the mayor is not the end of this matter.” Habba confirmed her office is n…
Ex-Cop, Registered Sex Offender Ran Yearlong Child Sex Trafficking Ring: DOJ Ex-Cop, Registered Sex Offender Ran Yearlong Child Sex Trafficking Ring: DOJ
Ex-Cop, Registered Sex Offender Ran Yearlong Child Sex Trafficking Ring: DOJ A former DC police officer and registered sex offender is facing new federal charges after allegedly running a yearlong child sex trafficking operation, authorities announced. Linwood Barnhill, 59, was arrested on Thursday, May 1, in DC, and is now facing multiple federal counts for sex trafficking children by force, coercion, and related charges, according to the US Attorney’s Office. Federal officials say Barnhill, a former Metropolitan Police Department officer, allegedly recruited a series of minor children to engage in commercial sex acts between April 1, 2024, and April 29, 2025 — and…
19-Year-Old College Student Firebombed Tesla Dealership While On Spring Break, Feds Say 19-Year-Old College Student Firebombed Tesla Dealership While On Spring Break, Feds Say
19-Year-Old College Student Firebombed Tesla Dealership While On Spring Break, Feds Say A college freshman on spring break is now facing federal charges after allegedly tossing a Molotov cocktail at a Tesla dealership, torching two Cybertrucks in a late-night firebombing. Owen McIntire, 19, of Kansas City, Missouri, who attends college in Boston, was arrested and appeared in federal court in Massachusetts on Friday, April 18. Prosecutors say the charges stem from a Monday, March 17 blaze at the Tesla Center in Kansas City, where he’s accused of using incendiary devices, including one that didn’t detonate, to start a fire that destroyed two vehicles worth more than $100,000 eac…
What Luigi Mangione Wants In Jail, Why Prosecutors Oppose It What Luigi Mangione Wants In Jail, Why Prosecutors Oppose It
What Luigi Mangione Wants In Jail, Why Prosecutors Oppose It Awaiting trial in a high-profile murder case, Luigi Mangione is seeking court approval for restricted laptop access to review thousands of documents and videos related to his defense. The 26-year-old Mangione is charged with fatally shooting UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, age 50, outside a Manhattan hotel in December ahead of an investor conference.  He has pleaded not guilty to the charge of murder as an act of terrorism that was filed in New York and remains in custody at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, where Sean "Diddy" Combs is also being held. Combs is f…
Child Porn Found By Employees Repairing Cell Phone Lands Maryland Man Federal Charges Child Porn Found By Employees Repairing Cell Phone Lands Maryland Man Federal Charges
Child Porn Found By Employees Repairing Cell Phone Lands Maryland Man Federal Charges A broken phone in Washington County led to federal charges for a 75-year-old Hagerstown man accused of child exploitation, authorities announced. In November 2024, the Hagerstown Police Department were tipped off by employees at Boost Mobile on Maryland Avenue after William Foster Alger came to the store to repair his cellphone. During the repair, police say that employees discovered nude photos of underage girls, and detectives found that Alger had foreign connections, and believed the photos were taken in Ecuador.  Detectives contacted the Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) from…
'Burn That Sh—!' Feds Charge DC Protestor Who Destroyed American Flag 'Burn That Sh—!' Feds Charge DC Protestor Who Destroyed American Flag
'Burn That Sh—!' Feds Charge DC Protestor Who Destroyed American Flag A demonstration at Union Station in DC turned fiery when a protester set an American flag ablaze, leading to federal charges, authorities announced. Michael Snow Jr., 24, of Durham, North Carolina, is accused of torching the flag during a July 24 protest in Columbus Circle that spiraled into chaos. Court documents allege Snow destroyed the flag as a crowd surrounded him, chanting “Burn that sh--!” moments after the flag was torn down by others.  The protest reportedly involved pulling down flags, burning objects, spraying graffiti on statues and structures, and obstructing law enforce…
Former DoD Deputy Chief Admitted To Operating Dogfighting Kennel, Electrocuting Dogs For Losing Former DoD Deputy Chief Admitted To Operating Dogfighting Kennel, Electrocuting Dogs For Losing
Former DoD Deputy Chief Admitted To Operating Dogfighting Kennel, Electrocuting Dogs For Losing A Maryland man who used to serve as a Department of Defense deputy chief admitted to his role in a violent dogfighting ring that involved him electrocuting animals who lost, federal authorities announced. Frederick Douglass Moorefield, Jr., 63, pleaded guilty to federal charges that include conspiracy to engage in animal fighting, specifically the fighting of dogs, and interstate travel in aid of racketeering. According to the guilty plea, federal agents began investigating Moorefield’s connections to dogfighting after officers from Anne Arundel County Animal Control responded to a rep…
VA Man Who Made Thousands Of Posts Threatening VP Kamala Harris, Other Officials Arrested: Feds VA Man Who Made Thousands Of Posts Threatening VP Kamala Harris, Other Officials Arrested: Feds
VA Man Who Made Thousands Of Posts Threatening VP Kamala Harris, Other Officials Arrested: Feds A 66-year-old Virginia man who made thousands of posts and replies online threatening outgoing President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris and other elected officials has been arrested, federal authorities announced on Monday. Winchester resident Frank Lucio Carilllo was arrested on federal charges and made his initial court appearance on Aug. 5 in District Court in Roanoke after being arrested last week following a probe into his actions online. “Open political discourse is a cornerstone of our American experience," US Attorney Christopher Kavanaugh stated. "We can disagree.  "…
Protestors Don't Get Far Storming Field During Congressional Game At Nats Park (VIDEO) Protestors Don't Get Far Storming Field During Congressional Game At Nats Park (VIDEO)
Protestors Don't Get Far Storming Field During Congressional Game At Nats Park (Video) Eight climate change protestors were arrested after storming the field during a Congressional baseball game at National's Park Wednesday, June 12. Before the game, US Capitol Police had been tipped off that some people planned on protesting. Officers were well-prepared with a plan, executed swiftly when the protestors sprung into action. BREAKING: We have taken the field at the Congressional Baseball Game + play has FROZEN!Congress sends billions of public $$ to subsidize deadly fossil fuels — but the police are tackling us instead.This Chevron-sponsored game cannot continue. This is unc…