Prairieville Man Steven Ring Arrested for Contractor Fraud
BATON ROUGE, La. (WAFB) – Steven Ring, a 46-year-old man from Prairieville, has been arrested in connection with a contractor fraud case in Covington, Louisiana. The Louisiana State Police Criminal Investigation Division launched the case in December 2024, following allegations of financial misconduct.
Guohua Huang Arrested for Fraud Scheme in South Mississippi
PEARL RIVER COUNTY, Miss. (WLOX) – A 36-year-old man, identified as Guohua Huang, was arrested in a coordinated effort between the Pearl River County Sheriff’s Department and the FBI. Huang is accused of being involved in a fraudulent scheme that targeted a resident in South Mississippi.
William “Chase” Pate Arrested in Hickory Drug Trafficking Bust
HICKORY, N.C. – A 38-year-old man, William “Chase” Pate, was arrested in Hickory after law enforcement uncovered a significant drug operation during a search of his home. Burke County Sheriff’s deputies, along with Morganton Department of Public Safety SWAT teams, executed a search warrant at Pate’s property on South Fork Avenue on December 12, 2024, following a months-long investigation.
Michael Leggett Arrested in Utica for Domestic Assault with Weapon
UTICA, N.Y. – A domestic assault investigation in Utica led to the arrest of 57-year-old Michael Leggett on February 27. Utica Police and Fire units responded to a call on Scott Street, where they found a female victim with injuries.
Three Arrested in New Hartford for Felony Drug Charges
NEW HARTFORD, N.Y. – A drug investigation in New Hartford led to the arrest of three men on February 27. The New Hartford Police Department, executing a search warrant at 63 Oakdale Ave., seized crack cocaine, drug scales, and packaging materials linked to illegal drug activity.
Three Arrested in Brunswick for Organized Retail Theft Scheme
BRUNSWICK, Maine – Brunswick Police announced the arrest of three individuals on Thursday, accused of orchestrating an organized retail theft scheme that targeted stores across Maine and beyond. The suspects—Angie Cubillos, 24; Alan Rodriguez, 38; and Marlene Santaelle, 29—were arrested after they were caught stealing over-the-counter medications and beauty products from the Elm Street Hannaford location.
William Eicher Arrested in Denison for Stealing Mail
DENISON, Texas (KTEN) — A 40-year-old man, William Steven Eicher, was arrested in Denison after allegedly stealing mail from several mailboxes on Wednesday night. The theft occurred just after 8 p.m. on the 500 block of South Scullin Avenue, where Eicher was seen digging through mailboxes on a homeowner’s security camera footage.
Vincent Tarter Arrested for Scamming Elderly Victim Posing as Investigator
RIVERSIDE COUNTY, Calif. – A 66-year-old man from Los Angeles, Vincent Tarter, was arrested on February 26 for allegedly scamming an elderly victim by posing as a private investigator. According to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office, Tarter met the Palm Desert resident in June 2024 and claimed to be a former federal agent currently working as a private investigator.
Ted Croniser and Jessica Centro Arrested in Annsville Drug Bust
ANNSVILLE, N.Y. – On February 27, a major drug bust in Annsville resulted in the arrest of two suspects, Ted A. Croniser, 53, and Jessica L. Centro, 38, after New York State Police (NYSP) executed a search warrant at 8422 Meadows Rd. Authorities seized 12 pounds of crystal methamphetamine, cocaine, over $400,000 in cash, eight long guns, and various drug paraphernalia including scales and packaging materials.
Raymond Davidson and Amanda Dennett Arrested for Stealing Copper in Pensacola
PENSACOLA, Fla. – On February 22, Pensacola Police arrested two individuals, Raymond Davidson, 53, and Amanda Dennett, 37, after they were caught trying to steal copper from an abandoned medical center in downtown Pensacola. The police found the suspects inside the fenced property of the former Medical Center Clinic located at 1750 North Palafox.
Timothy Walker and Nickolas Moore Arrested in Amherst County Theft Case
AMHERST COUNTY, Va. (WDBJ) — Timothy L. Walker Jr. and Nickolas R. Moore were arrested in connection with multiple thefts that took place in January and February 2025 near Lexington Turnpike, according to the Amherst County Sheriff’s Office.
Brewer and Harden Arrested in Connection to Dollar General Robbery
LEXINGTON, Ky. — Brewer and Harden, two suspects involved in a robbery at a Dollar General, were arrested after an investigation by Dearborn County detectives. Police identified the driver as Brewer and the passenger as Harden.
Brandon Campbell Arrested for AT&T Theft Scheme in Salina
SALINA, Kan. (KWCH) — Salina police have arrested 30-year-old Brandon Campbell, an AT&T employee, for allegedly stealing over $10,000 through a fraudulent scheme involving inflated phone prices. The theft took place over a period of nearly two years, from March 2023 to February 2025.
Martinsville Man Sentenced to 18 Years for Fentanyl-Laced Drug Deaths
FRANKLIN COUNTY, Va. (WDBJ) — Okoyte Devon Gaston, 31, of Martinsville, was sentenced to 18 years in federal prison for his role in distributing fentanyl-laced drugs that led to the deaths of a young couple in February 2023.
Maurice A. Miller Arrested for Domestic Violence in Radford, VA
RADFORD, Va. (WDBJ) — A Radford man, Maurice A. Miller, 33, of Bland, was arrested after a domestic violence incident that occurred on January 31.
Travis Killian Arrested for Methamphetamine Trafficking in Lenoir, NC
LENOIR, N.C. – A Lenoir man, Travis Killian, has been arrested following an investigation into the distribution of methamphetamine in Lenoir and Caldwell County.
Three Arrested in Telecommunication Cable Thefts in Morgantown, WV
MORGANTOWN, W.Va (WDTV) – Three individuals have been arrested in connection with a series of telecommunication cable thefts in Monongalia County, and authorities are asking the public for assistance in locating one more suspect.
Long County Commissioner and Local Business Owner Arrested in Theft and Racketeering Case
LUDOWICI, Ga. (WDTV) — Robert Donald Parker, 38, a Long County Commissioner, and Tony Edward Fowler, 30, a local business owner, were arrested in connection with a major criminal investigation involving theft, racketeering, and misconduct in office.
Georgia Police Sergeant Arrested for Illegal Disclosure of Confidential Information
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) has arrested Sergeant Reginald Lee New, 58, of the Jefferson Police Department, after he was accused of unlawfully disclosing sensitive information from the Georgia Crime Information Center (GCIC) to an unauthorized individual. New, a veteran law enforcement officer, was taken into custody without incident after an investigation led by the GBI.
Georgia Trio Arrested in Major Drug Distribution Bust
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) arrested three individuals following a multi-month investigation into drug distribution and gang activity in Central Georgia. The suspects are Neico Tomorris Sandifer, 46, Shawanda Carswell, 40, and William Hancock, 30. They were taken into custody as part of a joint operation led by the GBI’s Middle Georgia Gang Task Force (MGGTF), with help from several law enforcement agencies, including the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO), Georgia State Patrol (GSP), Georgia Department of Community Supervision (DCS), and Georgia Department of Corrections (GDC).
Roanoke County Man Arrested for Multiple Virginia Burglaries
A man from Roanoke County, Ryan Wheeler Wallace, has been arrested in connection with several burglaries that occurred in multiple counties in Virginia. According to the Bedford Police Department, the investigation began in January 2025 when a commercial business in Bedford reported a burglary. Surveillance footage showed an unknown suspect at the scene, which led to a joint investigation by Bedford Police, Bedford County Sheriff’s Office, and Botetourt County Sheriff’s Office.
Matthews Man Arrested for Narcotics and Gun Possession
A Matthews man, 34-year-old Leshawn Adams, was arrested on September 19, 2024, after being found in possession of multiple narcotics and a handgun at a hotel in Matthews. Police and K9 officer Raff were conducting a foot patrol in the parking lot of the Econo Lodge on Moore Road when they observed suspicious activity coming from a parked vehicle. Upon making contact with Adams, K9 Raff positively indicated the presence of narcotics in the vehicle.
Newport News Men Sentenced to Life for Violent Crimes
Three Newport News men have been sentenced to life in federal prison for their involvement in a string of violent crimes, including five murders, several shootings, and numerous robberies. Ronzel Monte Dixie, 31; Kwaimain Shy’de Redmon, 30; and Meko Montez Brown Jr., 26, were convicted for their roles in at least seven shootings, five murders, four commercial robberies, three drug robberies, and several car thefts between January and November 2017.
Rongjian Li Pleads Guilty to Money Laundering Conspiracy
Rongjian Li, 38, from Brooklyn, NY, pleaded guilty Thursday to conspiracy charges tied to a large-scale money laundering operation that funneled at least $25 million in drug proceeds and illicit funds. The guilty plea comes after Li was charged as part of a network that spanned across Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New York, and California, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts.
Former U.S. Customs Officer Convicted of Cocaine Smuggling
Ivan Van Beverhoudt, 45, of St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, has been convicted for his role in importing and possessing more than 16 kilograms of cocaine, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia announced today.
Thirteen Texas Men Charged with Robbery, Murder, and Drug Crimes
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas announced today the charging of 13 Houston residents involved in a violent criminal organization connected to robbery, drug trafficking, obstruction of justice, and murder.
Khalia Douglas Sentenced to Two Years for Fraudulent FEMA Applications
Khalia Douglas, 27, was sentenced to two years in federal prison for conspiracy to commit wire fraud, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas announced on Friday.
Former Telecommunications Executive Sentenced for Wire Fraud
Joseph Edward Gallagher, 67, the former president and CEO of AFL Telecommunications, has been sentenced to over three years in federal prison for wire fraud, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of South Carolina. Gallagher, who earned over $2 million annually, devised a scheme to defraud his company, AFL Telecommunications, to fund the construction of his personal beach house on Kiawah Island.
Jesus Mendez-Vargas, Leader of La Familia Michoacana, Extradited
Jesus Mendez-Vargas, also known by his alias “Chango,” has been extradited from Mexico and charged with conspiring to import large quantities of cocaine and methamphetamine into the United States, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York. Mendez-Vargas, 51, is alleged to have led La Familia Michoacana, a violent drug trafficking organization responsible for smuggling significant amounts of illegal drugs from Mexico into the U.S.
Rafael Caro Quintero and Vicente Carrillo Fuentes Arraigned for Drug Trafficking
Rafael Caro Quintero, 72, and Vicente Carrillo Fuentes, 62, both former leaders of notorious Mexican drug cartels, were arraigned Friday on charges related to their decades-long involvement in drug trafficking and extreme violence. Both men, Mexican nationals, were expelled from Mexico and now face prosecution in the United States.
San Luis Obispo Woman Arrested for Falsifying Immigration Documents
A San Luis Obispo County woman, Chantelle Lavergne Woods, 54, was arrested following a federal criminal complaint accusing her of falsifying hundreds of immigration documents. The complaint, announced by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California on February 28, charges Woods with fraud and the misuse of visas, permits, and other documents—a felony carrying a statutory maximum sentence of 10 years in federal prison.
Franklin County Men Plead Guilty to Bank Fraud, Led by Matthew Cahill
Four men from Franklin County, Missouri, have pleaded guilty to bank fraud after they used stolen checks from the U.S. Mail, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Missouri.
San Diego Man Denny Bhakta Sentenced to 19+ Years for $35M Fraud Scheme
A San Diego man, Denny Thakorbhai Bhakta, has been sentenced to more than 19 years in federal prison for securities fraud, bank fraud, and money laundering, linked to a $35 million scheme that defrauded numerous investors, including his elderly uncle, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of California.
Indian Brothers Avanish and Rajnish Jha Charged in U.S. Drug Scheme
Two brothers from India, Avanish Kumar Jha, 38, and Rajnish Kumar Jha, 35, appeared in federal court on Friday to face charges related to selling counterfeit and adulterated drugs in the United States. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Washington announced the indictment, which stems from an ongoing investigation that began in 2019.
Arizona Woman Pleads Guilty to Cocaine Trafficking Charges
An Arizona woman, Andrea Celaya-Rodriguez, 28, pleaded guilty on Tuesday to narcotics charges related to transporting a truckload of cocaine from Arizona to Ohio. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Ohio, Celaya-Rodriguez was caught with 50 kilograms of cocaine, which she had been transporting in a moving truck.
Redmond Woman and Estacada Man Arrested in $140K Jewelry Theft Scheme
A Redmond woman and an Estacada man were arrested this week in College Place, Washington, accused of a series of jewelry thefts at Walmarts across the Pacific Northwest, amounting to at least $140,000 in stolen goods.
Casie Hynes Sentenced to 5 Years for $2M COVID Loan Fraud
A Mid-City Los Angeles woman has been sentenced to five years in federal prison for fraudulently obtaining more than $2 million in COVID-19 relief loans and attempting to claim nearly $1.3 million in false tax refunds, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California announced.
