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Department of Justice

Would-Be Church Shooter Penned Chilling Letters Before Being Thwarted In Virginia: DOJ Would-Be Church Shooter Penned Chilling Letters Before Being Thwarted In Virginia: DOJ
Would-Be Church Shooter Penned Chilling Letters Before Being Thwarted In Virginia: DOJ A Falls Church man who entered a Prince William County church armed with a gun and dozens of rounds of ammunition was convicted of a federal hate crime after making threats to kill congregants during Sunday services, authorities announced. After a four-day trial, a federal jury found Rui Jiang, 35, guilty on all charges, including attempting to obstruct the free exercise of religious beliefs through an attempted act of violence involving a dangerous weapon, according to the Department of Justice. Jiang was also convicted of transmitting online threats and a firearms violation, prosecut…
Predator Who Stalked, Kidnapped Victims In Maryland, Virginia Gets 20 Years: Feds Predator Who Stalked, Kidnapped Victims In Maryland, Virginia Gets 20 Years: Feds
Predator Who Stalked, Kidnapped Victims In Maryland, Virginia Gets 20 Years: Feds A violent predator who orchestrated two terrifying kidnappings in Virginia and Maryland—one of which ended in gunfire—will spend nearly 20 years behind bars, federal authorities announced. District resident Tyree Eugene McCombs, 29, was sentenced to 228 months in federal prison this week, for his role in the September 2022 abduction and armed robbery of a couple in Alexandria, and the November 2022 kidnapping, robbery, and shooting of a 25-year-old woman in Maryland and DC. McCombs, who was already on supervised release for a previous violent crime at the time of the attacks, pleaded guilty…
Judge Blocks Trump Birthright Citizenship Ban Judge Blocks Trump Birthright Citizenship Ban
Judge Blocks Trump Birthright Citizenship Ban A federal judge has issued an indefinite nationwide preliminary injunction blocking President Donald Trump’s executive order aimed at ending birthright citizenship, marking a significant legal setback for the administration. US District Judge Deborah Boardman in Maryland ruled Wednesday, Feb. 5, in favor of five pregnant undocumented women who challenged Trump’s executive order.  The policy aimed to redefine the 14th Amendment, excluding children of undocumented immigrants from receiving automatic US citizenship at birth. Boardman determined the order directly conflicts with the "plai…
Trump Proclaims ‘Liberation Day,’ Reveals Array Of Planned Actions In Inaugural Address Trump Proclaims ‘Liberation Day,’ Reveals Array Of Planned Actions In Inaugural Address
Trump Proclaims ‘Liberation Day,’ Reveals Array Of Planned Actions In Inaugural Address Donald Trump proclaimed “liberation day” in his inaugural address after being sworn in to a second non-consecutive presidential term in the Capitol Rotunda just after noontime on Monday, Jan. 20. Click here for a new, updated story - Trump Ends All Jan. 6 Cases With Pardons, Commutations, Dismissals, Signs Flurry Of Executive Orders  "America will soon be greater, stronger, and far more exceptional than ever before," said Trump, who at age 78, became the oldest person to ever start a presidential term. In the half-hour long speech, he vowed that “the golden age of America begins rig…
American Express To Pay $230M For Misleading Small Business Customers American Express To Pay $230M For Misleading Small Business Customers
American Express To Pay $230M For Misleading Small Business Customers American Express said it will pay $230 million to resolve federal investigations into deceptive sales tactics and recordkeeping violations involving small business credit card and wire transfer products. The credit card company agreed to pay a $108.7 million civil penalty, the Department of Justice said in a news release on Thursday, Jan. 16. The settlement resolved claims against American Express of deceptive marketing and "dummy" account information. American Express was accused of engaging in unlawful sales tactics and falsifying records between 2014 and 2021. "When financial companies …
Maryland Man Who Withheld Drugs From 'Dopesick' Women Forced Into Prostitution Gets Prison Time Maryland Man Who Withheld Drugs From 'Dopesick' Women Forced Into Prostitution Gets Prison Time
Maryland Man Who Withheld Drugs From 'Dopesick' Women Forced Into Prostitution Gets Prison Time A 36-year-old Maryland man who used women's' drug dependency to compel them to participate in commercial sex work for him up and down the East Coast will spend nearly two decades in prison, federal authorities announced. William O’Neil Murray III pleaded guilty in August 2024 to sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion over the course of several months in several states. On Monday, Jan. 13, Murray was sentenced to 18 years in federal prison and also ordered to pay his victims nearly $95,000 in restitution. “This sentencing is a powerful reminder that the FBI Richmond team will tir…
Long Island Man Charged In Montgomery County's First $2.3M Gold Bar Scam, Police Say Long Island Man Charged In Montgomery County's First $2.3M Gold Bar Scam, Police Say
Long Island Man Charged In Montgomery County's First $2.3M Gold Bar Scam, Police Say A Long Island man is accused of orchestrating a $2.3 million gold bar scam that targeted an elderly Montgomery County mother and her daughter, police say.  Montgomery County police have charged 26-year-old Yash Shah of Baldwin, New York, in a government-imposter scam that defrauded an 88-year-old woman and her 61-year-old daughter out of millions worth of gold bars. Authorities said this is the first reported scam of its kind in the county. According to the Montgomery County Department of Police, the scheme began in February 2023, when the victims were contacted by someone claiming to…
Federal Indictment Of Maryland Sheriff 'Dismissed With Prejudice' By Judge Federal Indictment Of Maryland Sheriff 'Dismissed With Prejudice' By Judge
Federal Indictment Of Maryland Sheriff 'Dismissed With Prejudice' By Judge Frederick County Sheriff Chuck Jenkins had some strong words after the federal charges against him were dropped, claiming that it was a politically-motivated move that had a major impact on his friends and family. On Tuesday, charges against the sheriff in a federal gun case were dismissed with prejudice after 597 days in what the sheriff called a "malicious" attack on him and his character. "With almost 35 years in law enforcement, I've always believed in the justice system," Jenkins said. "I've never seen anything like this in my life."  Sheriff Chuck Jenkins to address media fo…
FBI Thwarts Iran-Linked Plan To Assassinate Donald Trump, DOJ Says FBI Thwarts Iran-Linked Plan To Assassinate Donald Trump, DOJ Says
FBI Thwarts Iran-Linked Plan To Assassinate Donald Trump, DOJ Says An Iranian operative and two associates living in America have been charged in a murder-for-hire plot targeting United States citizens, including President-elect Donald Trump. Federal authorities have charged Farhad Shakeri, an alleged operative of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), along with two New York City associates in a plot to assassinate a US citizen critical of the Iranian government.  The case highlights the continued threat posed by Iran’s attempts to silence dissidents and even target top US. officials. According to the Department of Justice criminal complai…
DOJ Reaches $100M Settlement With Owners, Managers Of Vessel That Destroyed Key Bridge DOJ Reaches $100M Settlement With Owners, Managers Of Vessel That Destroyed Key Bridge
DOJ Reaches $100M Settlement With Owners, Managers Of Vessel That Destroyed Key Bridge The owners and managers of the ship that destroyed the Francis Scott Key Bridge earlier this year in Baltimore have reached a settlement exceeding $100 million to offset the government's costs, federal authorities announced late on Thursday. Grace Ocean Private Limited and Synergy Marine Private Limited, which owned and operated the DALI vessel that struck the bridge earlier this year, has agreed to pay a $101,980,000 settlement to resolve a civil claim filed earlier this year. The crash dismantled the bridge, and caused chaos for the Port of Baltimore and left several workers dea…
Gold Bar Scammer Admits To $230K Scheme Targeting Elderly In Maryland: State's Attorney Gold Bar Scammer Admits To $230K Scheme Targeting Elderly In Maryland: State's Attorney
Gold Bar Scammer Admits To $230K Scheme Targeting Elderly In Maryland: State's Attorney The Maryland scammer believed to be a part of an international organized crime ring targeting elderly residents will face decades in prison, according to the Montgomery County State's Attorney's Office. Ravinklejeet Mathon pleaded guilty this week and will face 40 years behind bars after scheming to steal three one-kilo gold bars with an estimated value of nearly $230,000 from an elderly man in Silver Spring. "The scam is believed to be part of an international organized crime ring," prosecutors said. "Similar Gold Bar Scams have been reported here in Montgomery County and across the United…
Maryland Suing Ship Owners, Managers Over Key Bridge Collapse In Baltimore: AG Maryland Suing Ship Owners, Managers Over Key Bridge Collapse In Baltimore: AG
Maryland Suing Ship Owners, Managers Over Key Bridge Collapse In Baltimore: AG The Maryland Attorney General's Office has filed a lawsuit seeking damages from the owners and operators of the DALI cargo ship that destroyed the Francis Scott Key Bridge earlier this year in Baltimore. On Tuesday, AG Anthony Brown announced that his agency has filed a lawsuit targeting the owners – Grace Ocean Private Limited –and managers – Synergy Marine Pte Ltd. – of the M/V DALI for causing the March collision that dismantled the bridge and caused chaos for the Port of Baltimore. Brown said that since the fatal collapse - which claimed the lives of six people - has impacted Maryl…
Maryland Man Withheld Drugs From 'Dopesick' Women Forced To Become Sex Workers: Feds Maryland Man Withheld Drugs From 'Dopesick' Women Forced To Become Sex Workers: Feds
Maryland Man Withheld Drugs From 'Dopesick' Women Forced To Become Sex Workers: Feds A 36-year-old Maryland man who used women's' drug dependency to compel them to participate in commercial sex work for him up and down the East Coast is facing prison time, federal authorities announced. William O’Neil Murray III pleaded guilty on Monday, Aug. 12 to sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion over the course of several months in several states. At least three women were involved. According to court documents, between December 2021 and July 2022, Murray was involved in the multi-state sex trafficking operation, using women he would coerce by using their drug dependency…
'Grievous Felon:' Illegal Migrant With Lengthy Rap Sheet Arrested In Maryland: ICE 'Grievous Felon:' Illegal Migrant With Lengthy Rap Sheet Arrested In Maryland: ICE
'Grievous Felon:' Illegal Migrant With Lengthy Rap Sheet Arrested In Maryland: ICE A 25-year-old national of Chad has been arrested for his role in an alleged murder and weapons offenses throughout Maryland after being released, federal authorities announced. US Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) says that Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) officers took Hisseine Gombo-Tchouli into custody near his Silver Spring home after being convicted of accessory after the fact of first-degree murder and was later released. According to investigators, Gombo-Tchouli legally entered the country in September 2005 at Dulles International Airport in Virginia; howev…
Four Charged In Connection To Death Of Navy SEAL From Maryland Trying to Board Ship In Yemen Four Charged In Connection To Death Of Navy SEAL From Maryland Trying to Board Ship In Yemen
Four Charged In Connection To Death Of Navy SEAL From Maryland Trying to Board Ship In Yemen Four foreign nationals reportedly shipping Iranian-made weapons have been charged in connection to the death of two US Navy SEALs - one of whom was from Maryland - who were killed attempting to board their ship during an operation in Yemen last month. The Department of Justice announced on Thursday that a criminal complaint has been unsealed charging four suspects after US naval forces interdicted a vessel in the Arabian Sea that was transporting suspected Iranian-made advanced conventional weaponry. Among the SEALs killed was Marylander Special Operator First Class Christopher J. Cham…
Truck Driver Who Preyed On Young Girl For Years To Spend Decades In Maryland Prison: Feds Truck Driver Who Preyed On Young Girl For Years To Spend Decades In Maryland Prison: Feds
Truck Driver Who Preyed On Young Girl For Years To Spend Decades In Maryland Prison: Feds A truck driver who spent years preying on a young girl will spend decades behind bars in Maryland. Jose Hilario Aldana-Moreno, 37, of Baltimore, was sentenced to 22 years in federal prison, followed by 40 years of supervised release, for sexual exploitation of a child to produce child pornography, US Attorney for the District of Maryland Erek L. Barron announced on Tuesday, Jan. 30. Aldana-Moreno was a truck driver who frequently traveled for work, court documents say. On at least five occasions between 2014 and 2020, Aldana-Moreno “engaged in video chats with the victim and convinced the v…
Iranian, Canadian Nationals Accused Of Murder-For-Hire Plot Targeting Maryland Residents: DOJ Iranian, Canadian Nationals Accused Of Murder-For-Hire Plot Targeting Maryland Residents: DOJ
Iranian, Canadian Nationals Accused Of Murder-For-Hire Plot Targeting Maryland Residents: DOJ Three men are facing charges for their alleged roles in a murder conspiracy targeting a pair of residents in Maryland who fled Iran, the Department of Justice announced on Monday afternoon. One Iranian and two Canadian nationals have been indicted and charged with conspiracy to use interstate commerce in the commission of a murder-for-hire plot, officials say, and the target of their "job" was two people in Maryland. Those charged:  Naji Sharifi Zindashti, 49; Damion Patrick John Ryan, 43; Adam Richard Pearson, 29. Officials say that the three would use an encrypted messaging servi…
Dirty Cop: Baltimore County Officer Gets Prison Time For Accepting Bribes For Handgun Licenses Dirty Cop: Baltimore County Officer Gets Prison Time For Accepting Bribes For Handgun Licenses
Dirty Cop: Baltimore County Officer Gets Prison Time For Accepting Bribes For Handgun Licenses Former Baltimore County Police officer William Johnson, Jr. is set to spend time behind bars with some of the people he helped lock up. Federal officials announced that the Baltimore native has been sentenced to 18 months in prison, followed by two years of supervised release, after he admitted to accepting thousands of dollars worth of bribes and kickbacks in exchange for handgun qualifying licenses they never earned. The 34-year-old pleaded guilty in April to a federal charge of honest services wire fraud for falsely certifying applicants for Maryland handgun qualifying licenses and …
Man Who Sexually Abused Infant, Documented It With Girls' Mother In MD Gets 50 Years Man Who Sexually Abused Infant, Documented It With Girls' Mother In MD Gets 50 Years
Man Who Sexually Abused Infant, Documented It With Girls' Mother In MD Gets 50 Years Justice has been served for the infant who was sexually abused repeatedly by her family. A child-abusing man who preyed on a child for more than a year will spend decades behind bars after he admitted to his role in a chilling conspiracy to document the molestation of a girl along with her mother in Cecil County, federal authorities announced. Elkton resident Lawrence Aquilla Colby, IV - also known as “Buddy” - has been sentenced to 50 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to federal charges in connection to his participation in a scheme to sexually abuse a child from the time …
Mother Who Documented Sexual Abuse Of Infant In MD Gets 80 Years: Feds Mother Who Documented Sexual Abuse Of Infant In MD Gets 80 Years: Feds
Mother Who Documented Sexual Abuse Of Infant In MD Gets 80 Years: Feds A Cecil County child abuser will spend decades in federal prison for her role in a conspiracy to sexually assault an infant over the course of nearly two years. The creepy case of Summer Nichole McCroskey, 25, has come to a close after she was sentenced to 80 years in prison on Thursday, May 18, for her participation in a chilling conspiracy to document the molestation of her child with another man, authorities announced. Prosecutors say that McCroskey and Elkton resident Lawrence Aquilla Colby IV began abusing the girl when she was 4 months old, and it continued through at least October 2…
Plank-Wielding MD Man Who Assaulted Police During Jan. 6 Capitol Riot Heading To Prison Plank-Wielding MD Man Who Assaulted Police During Jan. 6 Capitol Riot Heading To Prison
Plank-Wielding MD Man Who Assaulted Police During Jan. 6 Capitol Riot Heading To Prison The Maryland man who joined his stepfather during the Jan. 6 insurrection at the US Capitol two years ago will have plenty of time to think about his actions on that fateful day. Fallston resident Jacob Michael Therres, 25, who assaulted officers during the Washington, DC breach, has been sentenced to 40 months in prison, followed by 36 months of supervised release for assaulting, resisting, or impeding officers using a dangerous weapon during the violent incident. In addition to his prison term, Therres, who stormed the Capitol with his stepfather Douglas Wyatt, 49, also of Fallston, was …
Turtle Trafficker In VA Admits To Role In International Smuggling Scheme: Feds Turtle Trafficker In VA Admits To Role In International Smuggling Scheme: Feds
Turtle Trafficker In VA Admits To Role In International Smuggling Scheme: Feds An elaborate turtle smuggling and trafficking ring orchestrated by a Virginia man has been broken up, federal officials announced this week. Louisa resident Stanlee Fazi, 41, pleaded guilty in federal court in Alexandria to trafficking turtles out of Fredericksburg in violation of the Lacey Act, according to the Department of Justice. As part of his guilty plea, Fazi admitted that between July 2017 and June 2020, he illegally collected eastern box turtles from the wild and sold them on at least 27 occasions to buyers across the country. The scheme involved Fazi collecting payments using Fa…
Man Admits To Sexually Abusing Infant, Documenting It With Girls Mother In MD Man Admits To Sexually Abusing Infant, Documenting It With Girls Mother In MD
Man Admits To Sexually Abusing Infant, Documenting It With Girls Mother In MD The case is nearly closed on a creepy case of child sexual abuse. An infant-abusing man who preyed on a child for more than a year admitted to his role in a chilling conspiracy to document the molestation of a girl along with her mother in Cecil County, federal authorities announced. Elkton resident Lawrence Aquilla Colby, IV - also known as “Buddy” - pleaded guilty to federal charges in connection to his participation in a scheme to sexually abuse a child from the time she was approximately 4 months to 2 years old. Prosecutors say that Colby admitted that he and Summer McCrosky, 25, also …
Gun-Toting MD Insurrectionist Convicted Of Assaulting Officers During Jan. 6 Capitol Riot In DC Gun-Toting MD Insurrectionist Convicted Of Assaulting Officers During Jan. 6 Capitol Riot In DC
Gun-Toting MD Insurrectionist Convicted Of Assaulting Officers During Jan. 6 Capitol Riot In DC Federal officials say that a handgun-wielding Maryland man will face years in prison for bringing a loaded weapon to the US Capitol and loitering for seven hours during the Jan. 6, 2021 riot in Washington, DC. Christopher Alberts, 35, was convicted this week on a host of felony and misdemeanor charges for his role during the breach of the US Capitol that left several people dead or injured, the Department of Justice announced on Thursday, April 20. Alberts came to the Capitol ready for a fight, donning a body armor vest with metal plates, a two-way radio complete with a throat mic, and a m…
MD Sheriff Pleads Not Guilty To Machine Gun Scheme, Replacement Named MD Sheriff Pleads Not Guilty To Machine Gun Scheme, Replacement Named
MD Sheriff Pleads Not Guilty To Machine Gun Scheme, Replacement Named Frederick County Sheriff Chuck Jenkins has pleaded not guilty to all counts after being embroiled in a machine gun purchasing scheme, though he ha agreed to step down and a replacement has been named. Jenkins, 66, a Thurmont resident, was arraigned this week and pleaded not guilty after being accused last week by a federal grand jury indictment for an alleged years-long scheme to import machine guns into the county with Machine Gun Nest owner Justin Krop. Initially, Jenkins had planned to remain active in office as the legal proceedings played out, but on Wednesday, April 12, after his arr…
MD Sheriff Surprised After Being Hit With DOJ Indictment; Will Stay In Office MD Sheriff Surprised After Being Hit With DOJ Indictment; Will Stay In Office
MD Sheriff Surprised After Being Hit With DOJ Indictment; Will Stay In Office Frederick County Sheriff Chuck Jenkins was reportedly blindsided by his unexpected indictment on Wednesday afternoon, though he plans to remain active and in office as the legal proceedings play out. Jenkins, 66, a Thurmont resident who has been in office since his election in 2006, was accused on Wednesday, April 5, alongside Machine Gun Nest owner Justin Krop, 36, in a grand jury indictment for an alleged years-long scheme to import machine guns into Frederick County. According to Frederick County Sheriff's Office Public Information Officer and spokesperson Todd Wivell on Wednesday after…
Dirty Cop: Baltimore County Officer Admits To Accepting Bribes For Handgun Licenses: Feds Dirty Cop: Baltimore County Officer Admits To Accepting Bribes For Handgun Licenses: Feds
Dirty Cop: Baltimore County Officer Admits To Accepting Bribes For Handgun Licenses: Feds Federal officials announced that a former Baltimore County Police officer admitted to accepting thousands of dollars worth of bribes and kickbacks in exchange for handgun qualifying licenses they never earned. Baltimore resident William Johnson, Jr., 33, pleaded guilty on Monday, April 3 to a federal charge of honest services wire fraud for falsely certifying applicants for Maryland handgun qualifying licenses and wear and carry permits without proper training. In Maryland, in order to purchase, rent, or receive a handgun, one must have a handgun qualifying license, which required at least…
Maryland Man Called Ex-GF 800 Times In Cyberstalking Rampage: Feds Maryland Man Called Ex-GF 800 Times In Cyberstalking Rampage: Feds
Maryland Man Called Ex-GF 800 Times In Cyberstalking Rampage: Feds A Maryland man has been charged with cyberstalking after sending his ex-girlfriend over 800 messages in two days over the winter, authorities announced. Derik Wayne Bowers, 44, of Hagerstown, was indicted after stalking his girlfriend to intimidate her over text messages, phone calls, and Facebook, according to the Department of Justice. Officials say that Bowers sent his ex-girlfriend 815 messages in December 2022 on top of publishing social media posts to embarrass her and interfere with her livelihood. He reportedly sent her a total of thousands of messages over a several-month period. …
DC Man Admits To Bribing Corrections Officer From MD To Smuggle Drugs Into Jail DC Man Admits To Bribing Corrections Officer From MD To Smuggle Drugs Into Jail
DC Man Admits To Bribing Corrections Officer From MD To Smuggle Drugs Into Jail A man conspiring with a convict inside a DC jail has admitted to bribing a public official to smuggle drugs inside the facility. Keywaune McLeod, 28, of Washington, DC, pleaded guilty this week to one count of bribery following a scheme he ran with a corrections officer and drug supplier to get contraband inside the District’s Central Detention Facility (CDF). Original story - Corrections Officer From Upper Marlboro Accused Of Scheme To Smuggle Drugs To Inmates: DOJ According to court documents, McLeod admitted that in June 2022, he was contacted by an inmate being housed at the DC jail, a…
Maryland Banker Convicted Of Stealing Nearly $2M From Churches, Religious Institutions: Feds Maryland Banker Convicted Of Stealing Nearly $2M From Churches, Religious Institutions: Feds
Maryland Banker Convicted Of Stealing Nearly $2M From Churches, Religious Institutions: Feds A 29-year-old Maryland man has been convicted of a bank fraud scheme that saw him and his co-conspirators profit to the tune of nearly $2 million, authorities announced. Diape Seck was found guilty after he was accused of the extensive scheme he helped run from 2019 until 2020, according to the Department of Justice. According to the evidence, Seck, along with at least eight other people, stole nearly $2 million by pocketing checks from the mail of churches and religious institutions from at least Jan. 2019 thorough Jan. 2020. A customer service representative with one of the banks, Seck c…
Baltimore Man Gets 25 Years For String Of Armed Robberies, Fatal Carjacking, Feds Say Baltimore Man Gets 25 Years For String Of Armed Robberies, Fatal Carjacking, Feds Say
Baltimore Man Gets 25 Years For String Of Armed Robberies, Fatal Carjacking, Feds Say Federal authorities say that a Baltimore man will spend decades in federal prison for a violent string of armed robberies that left three people shot and two killed. David Banks, 29, has been sentenced to 25 years behind bars, followed by five years of supervised release for a carjacking and armed robbery conspiracy, according to the Department of Justice. According to his guilty plea, Banks personally participated in a conspiracy to commit a series of violent robberies, during which, members of the scheme used guns to threaten and intimidate their victims During the crime spree, two vict…