Seven Arrested in $20 Million Money Laundering Scheme on Long Island
MINEOLA, Nassau County (WABC) — Nassau County authorities arrested seven men Thursday in connection with a massive $20 million money laundering operation across Long Island. The scheme involved the men using fraudulently obtained gift cards to purchase and resell merchandise, primarily plumbing supplies.
Arrest Made in Bloomingdale for Paving Scam Involving Unlicensed Company
BLOOMINGDALE, NJ — The Bloomingdale Police Department reported an arrest on Friday, March 7th, in connection to an ongoing paving scam in the town. The company involved, “Total Paving & Masonry,” was allegedly soliciting business within the Borough without the necessary permits.
Seven New York Men Charged in $20 Million Nationwide Gift Card Scam
NEW YORK — Authorities have charged seven New York City residents in connection to a $20 million gift card scam that targeted elderly victims across 45 states, including Alaska. The scam, which was first uncovered in Nassau County on Long Island, involved fraudulent pop-up messages and text scams, coercing victims into purchasing gift cards from home improvement stores such as Lowe’s and Home Depot.
75-Year-Old Apple Valley Man Outsmarts Scammer, Gets Suspect Arrested
APPLE VALLEY, CA — A 75-year-old Apple Valley man outwitted a would-be scammer this week when he arranged for the suspect to be greeted by sheriff’s deputies, authorities say. The incident began Thursday with a “pop-up” ad appearing on the victim’s computer, claiming he had been scammed.
Bronx Man Faces Felony Charges for Scamming 87-Year-Old in $44K Phone Fraud
MALONE, NY — A 33-year-old Bronx man is now facing serious felony charges after he allegedly scammed an 87-year-old Brushton resident out of $44,000 through a phone scam.
Woman Arrested for Wire Fraud After Stealing Over $27K from Child Care Resources
PORTAGE, MI — A woman has been arrested for wire fraud after allegedly stealing over $27,000 in funds intended for Child Care Resources and using the money for personal expenses.
Two Suspects Arrested for Murder of Good Samaritan in Los Angeles County
INGLEWOOD, CA — Two men, Wilber Alberto Rabanales and Jose Christian Saravia Sanchez, have been arrested in connection with the February 25 murder of Juan Miguel Sanchez, a good Samaritan who was fatally shot while attempting to stop the suspects from stealing his neighbor’s catalytic converter.
James Cook Arrested for Armed Robbery at Sarasota Walgreens
SARASOTA, Fla. — James Cook, accused of armed robbery at a Sarasota Walgreens, has been arrested after an extensive search. Authorities say Cook entered the Walgreens at 1225 S. Tamiami Trail on Thursday night at approximately 10:45 p.m., armed with a handgun.
Juan Molina-Salles Sentenced to 12 Years for Hit-and-Run Killing of Pinellas Deputy
CLEARWATER, Fla. — Juan Molina-Salles, an illegal immigrant from Honduras, has been sentenced to 12 years in prison after pleading guilty to charges related to a hit-and-run that resulted in the death of Pinellas County Deputy Michael Hartwick.
Four Men Arrested in Large Drug-Trafficking Operation with Ties to Puerto Rico
TAMPA, Fla. — Four men have been arrested and are facing serious charges in connection with a large drug-trafficking operation that has ties to Puerto Rico, officials revealed in a Hillsborough County court on Friday.
Three Arrested in Washington County for Drug Violations
The Washington County Sheriff’s Office arrested three individuals after an investigation linked them to a stolen vehicle, leading to multiple drug-related charges.
Tess Britt Arrested for First-Degree Murder in Baby’s Death
A 26-year-old woman, Tess Britt, was arrested Thursday on charges of first-degree murder in connection with the death of her 3-month-old daughter.
Sergei Matasov Arrested for Fraud in Russia’s Altai Region
Authorities in Russia’s Altai region have arrested Sergei Matasov, the founder of a cultural center dedicated to Soviet dictator Josef Stalin, on suspicion of fraud. State media reported the arrest on Friday.
Jeremiah Allen Sentenced to Life for Drug Trafficking and Overdose Death
Jeremiah Allen, 51, has been sentenced to life in prison for trafficking methamphetamine and delivering cocaine, fentanyl, methamphetamine, and bath salts. The sentence was handed down by Ada County District Judge Nancy Baskin on Wednesday, with Allen required to serve 20 years before becoming eligible for parole.
Nicholas J. Normile Charged with Criminally Negligent Homicide in Fatal Crash
29-year-old Nicholas J. Normile of Fort Ann has been charged with criminally negligent homicide following a fatal crash that occurred in January 2025, according to Sheriff Jeffrey J. Murphy of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office.
Niskayuna Man Stephan Smerk Sentenced to 70 Years for 1994 Cold Case Murder
Stephan Smerk, 53, from Niskayuna, has been sentenced to 70 years in prison for the 1994 cold case murder of Robin Warr Lawrence in Fairfax County, Virginia.
NY Attorney General Letitia James Announces Dismantling of Drug Trafficking Ring
New York Attorney General Letitia James announced the successful dismantling of a major drug trafficking ring operating in the Hudson Valley, which was distributing cocaine, powder fentanyl, and counterfeit oxycodone pills containing fentanyl across Dutchess, Ulster, and Orange Counties.
Troy Man Robert Henderson Arrested for Fentanyl and Cocaine Possession
Troy, NY — Detectives from the Troy Police Department’s Special Operations Section arrested 37-year-old Robert Henderson of Troy following an investigation into drug activity in the city.
Zai John Vanhoesen Sentenced to 20 Years for Niskayuna Home Invasion
Niskayuna, NY — Zai John Vanhoesen, 25, was sentenced to 20 years in prison on March 6, 2025, for his involvement in a home invasion and robbery attempt in Niskayuna, Schenectady County, as announced by District Attorney Robert Carney.
New York City Man Arrested in Washington County for Narcotics Sales
Washington County, NY — 46-year-old Manuel Cruz of New York City has been arrested following a Grand Jury indictment on charges of criminal sale and possession of a controlled substance, announced Sheriff Jeffrey J. Murphy of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office.
Battle Creek Man Found Guilty of 2-Year-Old’s Death in Drive-By Shooting
BATTLE CREEK, Mich. — 19-year-old Jaylen Edward Smith was found guilty on Friday for the tragic death of 2-year-old Kai Turner in a drive-by shooting.
Two Women Charged with Animal Cruelty and Threatening Behavior After Confrontation in Pittsburg
PITTSBURG, CA — Two women, Lagashia Shante Williams, 46, and Graciela Amar, 18, have been charged with animal cruelty and drawing or exhibiting a firearm in a threatening manner following a confrontation in Pittsburg in February. The charges also include filing a false report for Williams.
Trio Arrested in CVS Parking Lot for Theft, Drugs, and Drug Trafficking
CHATTANOOGA, TN — A man and two women were arrested Friday afternoon in the CVS parking lot on Highway 153 after being investigated for theft and drug possession. The incident began when CVS employees reported suspicious activity and a possible shoplifting incident.
Hamilton County Man Arrested on Multiple Child Sex Crime Charges
HAMILTON COUNTY, TN — A man indicted on multiple child sex crime charges was arrested Sunday morning by deputies from the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO). Adam Morgan, 36, was taken into custody at 9:15 a.m. in the 900 block of Kennington Hills Drive.
Robert Adams Arrested for Vehicle Theft in Kooskia
On the morning of March 7, 2025, at 7:06 AM, Idaho County Dispatch received a report of a stolen vehicle in Kooskia. The victim, who had security camera footage of the theft, shared the footage with an Idaho County Deputy to help with the investigation.
Gilbert Flores Arrested for Driving Stolen Vehicle in Ogden
Ogden, Utah – March 9, 2025 – Gilbert Flores, 50, was arrested by Ogden City Police officers on Saturday afternoon after he was found driving a vehicle previously reported stolen.
Four Arrested in Large-Scale Gasoline Theft Operation in Oakland Park
Oakland Park, Fla. – March 7, 2025 – Four men were arrested this week in connection to a large-scale gasoline theft operation across Broward County, the Broward Sheriff’s Office (BSO) announced Friday.
Byron Furman Lee Arrested for $90,000 Cattle Theft in Aiken County
Aiken County, S.C. — March 9, 2025 – The Aiken County Sheriff’s Office (ACSO) has arrested 41-year-old Byron Furman Lee of Jackson, S.C., for his involvement in a series of cattle thefts totaling an estimated $90,000.
Two Arrested in Deadly Inglewood Catalytic Converter Theft
Inglewood, Calif. — March 9, 2025 – Two men have been arrested after a fatal shooting outside a home in Inglewood, California. The suspects, Wilver Alberto Rabanales and Jose Christian Saravia Sanchez, were taken into custody following a seven-hour standoff with the Inglewood Police Department’s SWAT team.
16-Year-Old Arrested After SUV Crashes into Canal in Sunrise
Sunrise, Fla. — March 9, 2025 – A 16-year-old boy, identified as Joshua Wynter, was arrested after an SUV he was in crashed into a canal in Sunrise, Florida, on Friday. The incident occurred at an apartment complex near Oakland Park Boulevard when the vehicle drove off the road, hitting parking stops and grass before plunging into the water.
23 Arrested in Riverside County Retail Theft Operation
Riverside County, Calif. — March 9, 2025 – Authorities have arrested 23 suspects during a three-day retail theft operation that took place in Riverside County between March 5 and March 7. The operation was a collaborative effort between local business owners, retailers, and loss prevention teams, all working alongside the Lake Elsinore Sheriff’s Robbery and Burglary Suppression Team.
Two Arrested in Readstown Retail Theft Investigation
Readstown, Wis. — March 9, 2025 – Two individuals have been arrested in connection to a retail theft investigation that began in mid-to-late February. According to the Vernon County Sheriff’s Office, the thefts occurred twice at the same business and once at another in the Village of Readstown.
Arrest Warrant Issued for Lewis Thomas in $22K Baseball Card Theft
Lawson, Mo. — March 9, 2025 – An arrest warrant has been issued for Lewis A. Thomas IV, 41, of Carrollton, who is accused of stealing more than $22,000 worth of baseball cards from his roommate’s nearly 40-year-old collection.
CVS Employee Arrested for Stealing Medication in Boynton Beach
Boynton Beach, Fla. — March 9, 2025 – Silvia Castellano, a 65-year-old pharmacy employee, has been arrested after being accused of stealing and consuming medication while working at a CVS Pharmacy in Boynton Beach.
Three U.S. Army Soldiers Arrested for Allegedly Selling Top-Secret National Security Information to China
Tacoma, WA and Hillsboro, OR — Three U.S. Army soldiers, including two active-duty personnel, have been arrested on federal charges for allegedly conspiring to sell sensitive national security information to individuals operating on behalf of the People’s Republic of China. The arrests occurred on Thursday, and the Department of Justice (DOJ) has confirmed the involvement of Sgt. Jian Zhao, 1st Lt. Li Tian, and former Army soldier Ruoyu Duan.
Madeline Lostal-Furst Arrested for Exploiting Disabled Man’s Home
MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. – After nearly five years of investigation, Madeline Lostal-Furst, 56, of Limon, Colorado, was arrested at Miami International Airport on charges of grand theft, fraud, and exploitation. Lostal-Furst is accused of exploiting a man with an intellectual disability by posing as his caregiver, befriending him, and ultimately stealing his home.
New Jersey Man Sentenced for Role in $50M Tire Fraud Scheme
NEW JERSEY – Ahmet Neidik, 65, of Fort Lee, New Jersey, was sentenced on March 7, 2024, to 18 months in prison for his involvement in a nationwide off-the-road tire fraud scheme that caused tens of millions of dollars in losses. Neidik had pleaded guilty in January 2024 to conspiring to commit wire fraud.
Men Accused of Embezzling $1.4M from Missouri Restaurant
ST. LOUIS – Two men, Matthew Braasch and Mark Erney, have been accused of embezzling more than $1.4 million from the restaurant where they worked for years, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Missouri.
Nigerian Resident Okechukwu Odunna Accused in $8M Fraud Scheme
Okechukwu Josiah Odunna, a 60-year-old Nigerian resident, has been charged with wire fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud after allegedly playing a key role in a scheme that defrauded U.S. financial institutions of approximately $8 million. The fraud involved fraudulent loans for around 20 residential properties in Florida, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida.
Tyreek Exum Sentenced to 50 Months for COVID-19 Loan Fraud
A Snow Hill man, Tyreek Rasheed Exum, was sentenced to 50 months in federal prison for his role in a COVID-19 relief loan fraud scheme, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina confirmed. Exum, 26, was convicted for conspiring to commit wire fraud and was charged as part of a multi-count indictment issued in March 2024.