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Former CFO Charged And Pleads Guilty To Defrauding Hedge Fund Of More Than $3 Million
NEW YORK, Aug. 11 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York posted the following news release:
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Former CFO Charged And Pleads Guilty To Defrauding Hedge Fund Of More Than $3 Million
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United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jamie McDonald, and Inspector in Charge of the New York Division of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service ("USPIS"), Ketty Larco-Ward, announced today the filing of an Information charging THEODORE WOO, the former CFO of a hedge fund, with securities fraud. The charge results from WOO's yearslong scheme to steal from
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NEW YORK, Aug. 11 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York posted the following news release:
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Former CFO Charged And Pleads Guilty To Defrauding Hedge Fund Of More Than $3 Million
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United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jamie McDonald, and Inspector in Charge of the New York Division of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service ("USPIS"), Ketty Larco-Ward, announced today the filing of an Information charging THEODORE WOO, the former CFO of a hedge fund, with securities fraud. The charge results from WOO's yearslong scheme to steal fromthe fund by submitting and approving falsified invoices, causing the fund to transfer money directly into accounts controlled by WOO, and incurring unauthorized personal expenses on credit cards paid by the fund. WOO pled guilty today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Valerie Figueredo and is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Lewis A. Kaplan on November 18, 2026.
"For years, Theodore Woo flagrantly abused his position of trust and brazenly stole from his employer to line his own pockets," said U.S. Attorney Jamie McDonald. "To do so, Woo took advantage of his position as CFO, misled his employer, and falsified documents. Lies and deception are not worth the risk of criminal prosecution. Today's charge and plea are indicative of this Office's commitment to holding C-suite executives accountable when they engage in fraud."
"Woo's arrest shows that greed and deceptive tactics do not pay," said USPIS Inspector in Charge Ketty Larco-Ward. "For years Woo allegedly cheated this company out of millions and used this money as his own personal piggy bank. The United States Postal Service will continue to investigate and prosecute this type of illegal activity, as we seek to protect the public from financial fraudsters."
According to the Information:
Beginning shortly after he began working for the fund and continuing until his termination in March 2026, WOO embezzled millions of dollars from the fund through a series of fraudulent transactions, including making millions of dollars in fraudulent payments to entities controlled by WOO and spending thousands of dollars on unauthorized personal expenses using credit cards paid by the fund.
As the CFO, WOO handled back-office tasks for the fund and had the authority to authorize the fund's administrator to process reimbursement requests. In that capacity, WOO instructed the fund administrator to make millions of dollars in payments to two entities, TWDRR LLC and MGTW LLC, for claimed "Research Consulting Services." WOO also sent invoices from those two entities that falsely represented that they had rendered services for the fund. In actuality, WOO controlled both entities, and neither entity had performed any service for the fund. To further conceal his theft, WOO falsely claimed to the fund's external auditor that MGTW LLC was an independent research consulting firm engaged by the fund to develop short investment ideas on a project-by-project basis.
WOO also had the authority to effectuate transfers of cash from the fund to third parties, as the CFO. Over the course of his employment with the fund, WOO caused over 100 fraudulent transfers from the fund to a corporate entity controlled by WOO and to bank accounts in WOO's name.
Finally, while serving as CFO, WOO opened and controlled multiple credit cards in the name of the fund, and charged unauthorized personal expenses to those cards, including thousands of dollars in charges to adult entertainment establishments and international vacations.
WOO, 49, of Miami, Florida, pled guilty to one count of securities fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.
The maximum potential sentence in this case is prescribed by Congress and provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge.
Mr. McDonald thanked the USPIS for its outstanding work. Mr. McDonald also expressed appreciation for the assistance of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
This case is being handled by the Office's Securities and Commodities Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sarah Mortazavi and Christy Slavik are in charge of the prosecution.
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Original text here: https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdny/pr/former-cfo-charged-and-pleads-guilty-defrauding-hedge-fund-more-3-million
Dominican National Sentenced to Five Years in Prison for Trafficking Tens of Thousands of Fentanyl Pills
BOSTON, Massachusetts, Aug. 11 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the District of Massachusetts posted the following news release:
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Dominican National Sentenced to Five Years in Prison for Trafficking Tens of Thousands of Fentanyl Pills
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BOSTON - A Dominican national unlawfully residing in Dorchester, Mass. was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Boston for his role in a large-scale fentanyl trafficking conspiracy.
Anderson Ernesto Andujar Echavarria, 28, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani to five years in prison, to be followed by six years of supervised
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BOSTON, Massachusetts, Aug. 11 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the District of Massachusetts posted the following news release:
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Dominican National Sentenced to Five Years in Prison for Trafficking Tens of Thousands of Fentanyl Pills
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BOSTON - A Dominican national unlawfully residing in Dorchester, Mass. was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Boston for his role in a large-scale fentanyl trafficking conspiracy.
Anderson Ernesto Andujar Echavarria, 28, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani to five years in prison, to be followed by six years of supervisedrelease. The defendant is subject to deportation upon completion of the imposed sentence. In December 2025, Andujar pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl; three counts of distribution of 40 grams or more of fentanyl; one count of distribution of 40 grams or more of fentanyl and methamphetamine; and one count of possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl. Andujar was arrested and charged in September 2024 along with three co-conspirators Waner Bernabel Presinal, Carlos Fabal and Freddy Artemio Guerrero Soto.
In November 2023, law enforcement identified Andujar as a large-scale drug trafficker distributing various narcotics. Over the course of the investigation, Andujar distributed tens of thousands of press fentanyl tablets as well as powdered fentanyl, cocaine and crystal methamphetamine to undercover law enforcement.
Bernabel was identified as a co-conspirator who worked with Andujar to distribute fentanyl pills and Fabal was identified as a fentanyl pill supplier to Andujar. Fabal was previously convicted in 2007 in federal court in Boston of conspiracy to distribute cocaine, for which he was sentenced to 67 months in prison and five years of supervised release.
At the time of the arrests, 30,000 blue pressed fentanyl pills were seized along with and 500 grams of powder fentanyl from Andujar and Guerrero Soto.
Fabal pleaded guilty in October 2025 and is awaiting sentencing. Bernabel was sentenced in June 2026 to five years in prison, to be followed by four years of supervised release. Guerrero Soto pleaded guilty in February 2025 and, in May 2025, was sentenced to 30 months in prison.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Jarod A. Forget, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration in New England made the announcement. Valuable assistance in the investigation was provided by the Massachusetts State Police and Boston Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Pohl of the Criminal Division is prosecuted the case.
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Original text here: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ma/pr/dominican-national-sentenced-five-years-prison-trafficking-tens-thousands-fentanyl-pills
Veloxis Pharmaceuticals Agrees to Pay $46 Million to Resolve Criminal and Civil Liability for Kickback Scheme
BOSTON, Massachusetts, Aug. 10 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the District of Massachusetts posted the following news release:
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Veloxis Pharmaceuticals Agrees to Pay $46 Million to Resolve Criminal and Civil Liability for Kickback Scheme
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BOSTON - Veloxis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Veloxis), a drug manufacturer based in Cary, N.C., has agreed to pay over $46 million to resolve criminal and civil allegations that it paid kickbacks to induce prescriptions and purchases of Envarsus XR (Envarsus), the company's kidney transplant immunosuppression drug.
As part of the government's resolution
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BOSTON, Massachusetts, Aug. 10 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the District of Massachusetts posted the following news release:
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Veloxis Pharmaceuticals Agrees to Pay $46 Million to Resolve Criminal and Civil Liability for Kickback Scheme
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BOSTON - Veloxis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Veloxis), a drug manufacturer based in Cary, N.C., has agreed to pay over $46 million to resolve criminal and civil allegations that it paid kickbacks to induce prescriptions and purchases of Envarsus XR (Envarsus), the company's kidney transplant immunosuppression drug.
As part of the government's resolutionwith Veloxis, the company entered into a three-year deferred prosecution agreement (DPA) in connection with a criminal information filed today in the District of Massachusetts charging Veloxis with conspiracy to commit violations of the federal Anti-Kickback Statute by paying for, among other things, lavish meals, alcohol and luxury resort stays, to induce health care professionals to recommend or prescribe Envarsus. As part of the DPA, Veloxis has agreed to pay a criminal penalty of $10.04 million. Today's resolution also includes a civil settlement to resolve allegations that Veloxis caused the submission of false claims to federal health care programs by paying kickbacks to hospital personnel and specialty pharmacies, in violation of the False Claims Act. Veloxis has agreed to pay $34.45 million to the United States and certain States as part of the civil settlement. In addition, Veloxis has agreed to pay a $1.55 million civil penalty to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to resolve allegations that Veloxis knowingly failed to report to CMS certain payments to physicians under the Open Payments Program (a/k/a the "Sunshine Act"). This is the largest Sunshine Act recovery since the law was passed in 2010.
"Attempting to improperly influence medical decision-making for financial gain is dangerous, yet it is exactly what Veloxis was doing. Instead of prioritizing patient safety, they were prioritizing profits," said United States Attorney Leah B. Foley. "Treatment decisions need to be based on what's best for the patient, not what's best for the drug manufacturer's bottom line, or what lavish meal or resort stay they can offer. We remain committed to protecting the integrity of taxpayer-funded health care programs. Drug manufacturers should know that the federal government will use all available enforcement mechanisms to stop the payment of illegal health care kickbacks."
"Today's resolution should serve as a warning to any healthcare company that tries to improperly influence the decisions of healthcare providers," said Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate of the Justice Department's Civil Division. "Kickbacks can erode medical decision making, result in unnecessary prescriptions of branded drugs, and waste federal healthcare funds."
"Today's settlement resolves allegations that Veloxis operated with a principal focus on sales, providing kickbacks in the form of luxury resort stays, lavish meals, and payments to induce health care professionals to recommend and prescribe its kidney transplant immunosuppression drug," said Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division. "It's harmful when pharmaceutical companies prioritize profits over patients. Just know that the FBI and our partners are committed to fighting health care offenses, one case at a time, and seeing perpetrators held accountable."
"Kickbacks that distort medical decision making put patients at risk and undermine trust in our health care system," said Acting Deputy Inspector General for Investigations Miranda L. Bennett of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS OIG). "Veloxis used lavish perks and concealed payments to push its drug, and today's resolution makes clear that this conduct will not be tolerated. HHS OIG will continue working with our law enforcement partners to protect patients, uphold the integrity of federal health care programs, and hold companies accountable when they violate the law."
Veloxis's Criminal Liability for Conspiring to Pay Kickbacks
According to court documents filed in the District of Massachusetts, from approximately October 2016 to June 2023, Veloxis and its employees engaged in a scheme to pay kickbacks to transplant health care professionals (HCPs) to induce them to prescribe, order, or recommend prescribing or ordering Envarsus for kidney transplant recipients. These kickbacks took several forms. Veloxis provided improper remuneration to transplant HCPs in the form of lavish meals, expensive resort stays and personal gifts and also made large payments to HCPs under the guise of consulting agreements, often for purported consulting work that was not actually performed. In many of these instances, Veloxis employees submitted falsified company expense reports to conceal their illegal conduct (and to avoid Sunshine Act reporting requirements). Veloxis admitted that it intended the improper remuneration it provided to HCPs to induce prescriptions/orders of Envarsus and thereby increase the company's net profits.
Veloxis's Civil Liability for False Claims to Federal Health Care Programs
In addition, the resolution announced today resolves allegations that Veloxis violated the False Claims Act by knowingly causing the submission of claims to Medicare, Medicaid and TRICARE for Envarsus prescriptions written by HCPs or filled by pharmacies to which Veloxis had knowingly and willfully paid kickbacks. In connection with the civil settlement agreement, Veloxis admitted that, in addition to providing improper remuneration to HCPs and concealing the kickbacks by falsifying company expense reports, Veloxis failed to properly report the remuneration under CMS's Open Payments Program. Veloxis admitted that because its reports to CMS were based on falsified company expense reports, Veloxis underreported, or failed to report, the true amounts of its payments or transfers of value to physicians.
Veloxis also admitted that from 2017 to 2023, it paid kickbacks to specialty pharmacies in the form of per-patient and per-month payments to induce the pharmacies to begin or continue purchasing Envarsus instead of competitor drugs, including a cheaper generic drug. Veloxis admitted that it disguised the unlawful purpose of these payments by falsely describing them in written contracts as being for "enhanced services" such as data collection or adherence services. In fact, Veloxis admitted that it paid the pharmacies regardless of whether they provided any data and without confirming whether any adherence services were actually provided.
Under the civil settlement agreement, Veloxis will pay $21,211,251 to the United States to resolve the False Claims Act allegations and an additional $13,238,749 to certain States for claims settled by those States' Medicaid programs. Veloxis also agreed to pay a civil penalty of $1,550,000 to resolve allegations that it knowingly failed to report the amounts of its payments to physicians under CMS's Open Payments Program. In connection with the civil settlement, Veloxis entered into a five-year Corporate Integrity Agreement (CIA) with HHS-OIG. The CIA requires, among other things, that Veloxis implement a compliance program to identify and address Anti-Kickback Statute-related risks and retain an independent compliance expert to review the effectiveness of its compliance program.
Veloxis cooperated with the government's investigation.
The claims resolved in today's settlement include certain claims that were brought under the qui tam or whistleblower provisions of the False Claims Act. Under the Act, a private party can file an action on behalf of the United States and receive a portion of any recovery. The qui tam case is captioned United States ex rel. Toulsor1, Inc. v. Veloxis Pharmaceuticals A/S, et al., No. 1:20-cv-11575 (D. Mass.).
U.S. Attorney Foley; AAG Shumate; FBI SAC Docks; HHS-OIG Acting Deputy IG Bennett; Christopher Silvestro, Special Agent in Charge of the Defense Criminal Investigative Service, Northeast Field Office; Special Agent in Charge Christopher Algieri, Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General; Derek M. Holt, Special Agent in Charge of the Office of Personnel Management, Office of Inspector General; and Jason Buckley, Acting Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service's Boston Division made the announcement today. The case was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Steven T. Sharobem and Lindsey E. Weinstein of the Affirmative Civil Enforcement Division and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher R. Looney and Leslie A. Wright of the Criminal Division, along with Assistant Director Christopher Terranova in the Department of Justice's Civil Division's Commercial Litigation Branch, Fraud Section.
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Original text here: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ma/pr/veloxis-pharmaceuticals-agrees-pay-46-million-resolve-criminal-and-civil-liability
Thirteen Jacksonville Gang Members and Associates Indicted for Racketeering and Drug Trafficking Conspiracy, Murder-For-Hire, and Retaliation Against a Witness
TAMPA, Florida, Aug. 10 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Florida posted the following news release:
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Thirteen Jacksonville Gang Members and Associates Indicted for Racketeering and Drug Trafficking Conspiracy, Murder-For-Hire, and Retaliation Against a Witness
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Jacksonville, Florida - United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announces the unsealing of an indictment charging 13 individuals-all alleged members and associates of the Slime gang-with crimes including racketeering conspiracy, drug trafficking conspiracy, murder-for-hire, conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire,
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TAMPA, Florida, Aug. 10 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Florida posted the following news release:
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Thirteen Jacksonville Gang Members and Associates Indicted for Racketeering and Drug Trafficking Conspiracy, Murder-For-Hire, and Retaliation Against a Witness
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Jacksonville, Florida - United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announces the unsealing of an indictment charging 13 individuals-all alleged members and associates of the Slime gang-with crimes including racketeering conspiracy, drug trafficking conspiracy, murder-for-hire, conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire,and retaliating against a witness. Slime was primarily active in the Northside and Oceanway neighborhoods of the greater Jacksonville area.
If convicted, the penalties range from 20 years up to life in federal prison. Some of the defendants face the death penalty for murder-for-hire, conspiracy to commit murder for hire, and/or use of a firearm in furtherance of a violent crime resulting in death.
The indictment also notifies the defendants that the United States intends to forfeit certain assets, which are alleged to be traceable to proceeds of the offense.
According to the indictment, the Slime organization has existed under various names, including Pearl World, BB4L (Block Burners for Life), K4T (Killers for Telly), and finally, Slime World. At all times relevant to the indictment, Slime was led by Brian Gregory Brightman and generated income through drug trafficking. Slime used violence and intimidation to establish the group's dominance in the greater Jacksonville area, to protect its territory, to encroach on rivals' territory and trap houses, and to maintain its drug trafficking operation. The violence and intimidation included assaults, shootings, attempted murders, and murder.
The indictment alleges that, from approximately 2019 and continuing until August 5, 2026, the defendants conspired to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances including marijuana, crack cocaine, and methamphetamine, and maintained multiple trap houses to distribute the same, often arming themselves with firearms to protect their controlled substances and territory.
Additionally, the indictment alleges that in August 2021, Brightman, Raymond Cash, and Devin McFadden solicited the murder of a rival gang member. On October 13, 2022, Brightman solicited a Slime member and a Slime associate to murder a different rival gang member. Between November 30, 2022, and continuing through December 1, 2022, Brightman transported approximately 70 pounds of marijuana from California to Florida. On December 19, 2022, Brightman directed an individual to go to one of the trap houses under the ruse that he would be facilitating a drug deal. When the individual arrived at the home with others, Cash and Gary Harris robbed them of marijuana at gunpoint.
On January 29, 2024, it is alleged that Brightman and another Slime member assaulted a lower-level drug dealer and user to enforce a debt owed to Slime. On a different occasion, Blake Baker entered the home of a drug dealer and Slime associate, threatened her with a firearm, and assaulted her domestic partner to enforce a drug debt owed to Slime. On December 11, 2024, Devonne Rivers and Terrance Williams shot and attempted to kill another individual, in part, to intimidate any rival groups and gangs on behalf of Slime. Further, Andre Drinks solicited a physical attack on an individual that Drinks perceived to be proving evidence against Slime, causing injury to that individual.
Members of Slime are also charged in several substantive counts with committing violence to intimidate rivals and get revenge against opposing groups. It is alleged that beginning on an unknown date no later than on November 27, 2023, and continuing through December 2023, Brightman and Jacob Goodman conspired to commit, and did commit, the murder-for-hire of D.S.S. on November 29, 2023. It is further alleged that Brightman, Rivers, and Tarvares Watson Jr. conspired to commit and did commit the murder of A.B. and T.W. on or about April 7, 2024.
In addition to the individuals named above, Roderick Leon, Rashawn Rankin, and Da'Veon Smith have also been charged in the indictment.
An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.
The Drug Enforcement Administration, the Jacksonville Sherriff's Office, the Nassau County Sherriff's Office, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the North Florida High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area are investigating the case with valuable assistance from the State Attorney's Office for the Fourth Judicial Circuit, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation, the United States Marshals Service, the United States Postal Inspection Service, the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the Florida National Guard Counter Drug Program, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the Florida Highway Patrol, the Baker County Sheriff's Office, the St. Johns County Sheriff's Office, the Clay County Sheriff's Office, the Putnam County Sheriff's Office, the Neptune Beach Police Department, the Jacksonville Beach Police Department, and the Green Cove Springs Police Department.
Assistant United States Attorneys Rachel Lasry and Kelli A. Swaney for the Middle District of Florida are prosecuting the case.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
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Original text here: https://www.justice.gov/usao-mdfl/pr/thirteen-jacksonville-gang-members-and-associates-indicted-racketeering-and-drug
One Year After Federal Law Enforcement Surge, D.C. Is Safer as Crime Declines Sharply
WASHINGTON, Aug. 10 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia posted the following news release:
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One Year After Federal Law Enforcement Surge, D.C. Is Safer as Crime Declines Sharply
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WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro marked the one-year anniversary of President Trump's Federal Law Enforcement Surge in the District of Columbia. The surge implemented a significant increase in federal law enforcement resources, bolstering our teams with additional agents, advanced tools, and a no-nonsense mandate that renewed the focus on cracking down on violent
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WASHINGTON, Aug. 10 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia posted the following news release:
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One Year After Federal Law Enforcement Surge, D.C. Is Safer as Crime Declines Sharply
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WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro marked the one-year anniversary of President Trump's Federal Law Enforcement Surge in the District of Columbia. The surge implemented a significant increase in federal law enforcement resources, bolstering our teams with additional agents, advanced tools, and a no-nonsense mandate that renewed the focus on cracking down on violentoffenders, dismantling criminal networks, and restoring safety to District neighborhoods.
"We've seen firsthand how sustained, coordinated law enforcement efforts can make an impact and the impact is real when cases are prosecuted," said U.S. Attorney Pirro. "Our prosecution efforts are up 67 percent since I became U.S. Attorney. Over the past year, we have worked relentlessly to reduce violence, hold offenders accountable, and restore a sense of safety in neighborhoods across the District. Nearly 2,000 illegal firearms were taken off the streets, and arrests included murderers, sex offenders, drug traffickers, and other violent criminals. These results reflect the dedication of every agency involved and our shared commitment to protecting the people of Washington, D.C."
Over the past year, President Trump's Federal Law Enforcement Surge has resulted in sharp declines in violent crime and property crime across Washington, D.C., based on year-over-year comparisons. Homicides have dropped by 45 percent, carjackings by 64 percent, and robberies by 33 percent. The District has also seen a 53 percent reduction in motor vehicle thefts.
Since August 11, 2025, the U.S. Attorney's Office has charged 16,724 cases in D.C. Superior Court, a 67 percent increase from the previous year. During that same period, the U.S. Attorney's no paper rate is approximately 5 percent-representing a 76 percent decrease from the 5,250 arrests no-papered the prior year. By comparison, the U.S. Attorney under the previous administration recorded a no-paper rate of 67 percent, underscoring the magnitude of the Office's current charging improvements. Today, there are approximately 24,000 criminal cases pending in D.C. Superior Court.
Case resolutions have also strengthened. In the past 12 months, prosecutors secured 5,767 guilty pleas, 213 guilty verdicts at trial, and successfully resolved an additional 969 cases through diversion.
These gains were driven by close coordination among federal agencies, local law enforcement, and the Metropolitan Police Department. Under the Executive Order, the D.C. Safe and Beautiful Task Force was created to tackle priority public safety challenges, including violent crime, carjackings, property offenses, and vandalism. The initiative supports President Trump's directive to crack down on gun violence, prioritize federal firearms violations, impose tougher penalties, and seek detention for federal firearms offenders.
As part of these efforts, law enforcement agencies have seized nearly 2,000 illegal firearms from the streets of Washington, D.C., reflecting the impact of sustained, coordinated policing across jurisdictions.
Together, these measures underscore a year of focused work to support safety, strengthen neighborhoods, and improve the quality of life throughout the District.
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Original text here: https://www.justice.gov/usao-dc/pr/one-year-after-federal-law-enforcement-surge-dc-safer-crime-declines-sharply
Middle District of Florida Agencies Receive $3.5 Million to Improve Safety
TAMPA, Florida, Aug. 10 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Florida posted the following news release:
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Middle District of Florida Agencies Receive $3.5 Million to Improve Safety
The Bureau of Justice Assistance, a component under the Department of Justice's Office of Justice Programs, awarded almost $290 million to support state, local, and tribal governments in criminal justice activities to keep American communities safe. More than $3.5 million of this amount has been awarded to law enforcement agencies throughout the Middle District of Florida.
The awards,
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TAMPA, Florida, Aug. 10 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Florida posted the following news release:
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Middle District of Florida Agencies Receive $3.5 Million to Improve Safety
The Bureau of Justice Assistance, a component under the Department of Justice's Office of Justice Programs, awarded almost $290 million to support state, local, and tribal governments in criminal justice activities to keep American communities safe. More than $3.5 million of this amount has been awarded to law enforcement agencies throughout the Middle District of Florida.
The awards,provided through the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program, represent the nation's leading source of federal justice funding to state and local jurisdictions, the District of Columbia, and all U.S. territories. For more than 20 years, the JAG program has provided critical funding to support law enforcement's ability to protect the communities they serve, supporting critical needs such as personnel, equipment and supplies, technology, training, information systems for criminal justice or civil proceedings, and other operational priorities. JAG funding also supports a wide range of programs that strengthen crime prevention efforts and enhance the effectiveness of prosecutors, courts, corrections agencies, and services for crime victims and witnesses.
"Our local, state, and tribal law enforcement partners stand on the front lines every day to combat crime and keep our citizens safe," said U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe. "These awards will assist them as they carry out their mission to improve public safety throughout our district."
In addition to foundational uses of JAG funds, specific areas of emphasis were included to the JAG funding opportunities highlighting and encouraging state and local jurisdictions to join federal law enforcement in addressing the most pressing public safety challenges. For Fiscal Year 2025, these areas of emphasis included combatting violent crime, immigration enforcement, safe communities, and safe houses of worship.
BJA awarded more than $199 million in state JAG funding across 56 awards and more than $90 million in local JAG funding across 895 awards.
Examples of initiatives supported by these grants include:
* Providing specialized training to strengthen the prevention, detection, and response to human trafficking and to enhance proactive crime-reduction efforts through improved officer readiness and increased patrol capacity.
* Enhancing local crime-fighting efforts by integrating innovative technology, training, and equipment, and using comprehensive crime-data analysis to guide decision-making, measure performance, and strengthen strategies addressing violent crime and other public safety issues.
* Strengthening enforcement efforts by supporting investigations related to gang activity and narcotics through targeted operations carried out by specialized units.
* Improving officer safety and readiness by replacing outdated ballistic helmets with modern protective equipment used during high-risk incidents, tactical operations, active threat responses, warrant service, civil disturbances, and other dangerous calls for service.
All recipients for both state and local JAG awards can be found here.
About the Office of Justice Programs
The Office of Justice Programs provides federal leadership, grants, training, technical assistance, and other resources to improve the nation's capacity to prevent and reduce crime; promote fair and impartial administration of justice; assist victims; and uphold the rule of law. More information about OJP and its program offices - the Bureau of Justice Assistance, Bureau of Justice Statistics, National Institute of Justice, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, Office for Victims of Crime, and Office of Sex Offender Sentencing, Monitoring, Apprehending, Registering and Tracking or SMART Office - can be found at ojp.gov..
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Original text here: https://www.justice.gov/usao-mdfl/pr/middle-district-florida-agencies-receive-35-million-improve-safety
D.C. Man Indicted on 30 Counts in Domestic Violence Case
WASHINGTON, Aug. 10 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia posted the following news release:
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D.C. Man Indicted on 30 Counts in Domestic Violence Case
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WASHINGTON - Tavante Robinson, 26, of Washington, D.C., was arraigned today by a D.C. Superior Court judge on a thirty-count indictment, for charges related to the kidnapping and assault of the mother of his children and other violent acts committed against her friend and other family members, between March 2025 and July 2026. The charges were announced by U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro.
"Tavante Robinson
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WASHINGTON, Aug. 10 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia posted the following news release:
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D.C. Man Indicted on 30 Counts in Domestic Violence Case
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WASHINGTON - Tavante Robinson, 26, of Washington, D.C., was arraigned today by a D.C. Superior Court judge on a thirty-count indictment, for charges related to the kidnapping and assault of the mother of his children and other violent acts committed against her friend and other family members, between March 2025 and July 2026. The charges were announced by U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro.
"Tavante Robinsonallegedly punched his own 4-year-old child, resulting in a black eye. He later kidnapped the child's mother and their children and set her friend's apartment door on fire," said U.S. Attorney Pirro. "Even with a protective order issued against him, the violence continued. This behavior has no place in our community, and my office will continue to prosecute anyone who does harm and instills fear in our community."
Robinson was indicted for first-degree cruelty to children, kidnapping, robbery, arson, stalking, assault with a dangerous weapon, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, possession and use of a Molotov cocktail, obstructing justice, and various additional counts related to threats, assaultive conduct, and contempt of court orders.
D.C. Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt set a hearing for September 8, 2026. The Court determined that the defendant should be held pending trial.
According to court documents, on March 14, 2025, the victim returned to her residence and observed that her 4-year-old son had a black eye. A witness reported that while the mother was out of the home, the defendant became upset with the 4-year-old and punched him in the face. In the months following, the victim received a Civil Protection Order against the defendant from a D.C. Superior Court judge, which the defendant repeatedly violated. On April 16, 2026, the victim reported that the defendant kidnapped her and her children from her friend's apartment complex and held them captive for multiple hours. The victim and her children ultimately became free of the defendant when he fled the area once police arrived. Just a few days later, on April 20, 2026, the D.C. Fire Department was dispatched to that same apartment complex where the victim and her children were taken from by the defendant. The D.C. Fire Investigation Unit located a fire at the door of the apartment belonging to the victim's friend and observed further damage to the apartment's exterior window as well as burned patches beneath that window.
Joining the announcement was Interim Chief Jeffery Carroll of the Metropolitan Police Department.
This case is being investigated by the Metropolitan Police Department and the D.C. Fire Investigation Unit. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Olivia Hinerfeld.
An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
2026 CF3 12263
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Original text here: https://www.justice.gov/usao-dc/pr/dc-man-indicted-30-counts-domestic-violence-case
