News

Former High-Ranking New York State Government Employee Charged with Acting as an Undisclosed Agent of the People's Republic of China and the Chinese Communist Party

September 3, 2024

Dark Web Vendor Pleads Guilty to Distributing Fentanyl Through the Mail

Earlier today, in federal court in Brooklyn, Ryan Scott Cochran, also known as “namedeclined,” pleaded guilty to distributing fentanyl, cocaine and methamphetamine through the United States mail. Today’s proceeding was held before United States District Judge Ramon E. Reyes, Jr. As part of his guilty plea, Cochran agreed to forfeit more than $200,000 in cash, cryptocurrency and money in bank accounts already seized by law enforcement, and agreed to forfeit an additional $900,000 at a later date. When sentenced, the defendant faces a maximum sentence of twenty years’ imprisonment.

August 28, 2024

Employee of Brooklyn Moving Company Sentenced for Defrauding Customers

The defendant enticed victims to use the moving companies he worked for and then held their belongings hostage to substantially higher prices and the threat of auctioning them off unless they agreed to the fraudulent demands,” stated United States Attorney Peace. “For his crime of conviction, it is Prince who will be moving -- to a federal prison. My Office is committed to protecting consumers from costly and fraudulent schemes in the moving industry.”

August 28, 2024

Two Individuals Charged in Multi-Million Dollar Scheme to Defraud Rideshare Customers, Drivers and Others

“As alleged, the defendants sought to enrich themselves by corrupting the rideshare market at the expense of unsuspecting passengers and hardworking drivers who play by the rules,” stated United States Attorney Peace. “My Office remains steadfast in ensuring that, no matter how complex the scheme, individuals who violate the law will be caught and held accountable. The defendants learned an important lesson in these charges: there is no such thing as a free ride.”

August 28, 2024

Former Federal Correction Officer Pleads Guilty to Smuggling Contraband into Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn

Earlier today, in federal court in Brooklyn, Fabienne Osias, a former federal correction officer employed by the United States Bureau of Prisons, pleaded guilty to smuggling cell phone chargers into the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn.

August 27, 2024

Member of "Black Rain" Drug Crew Pleads Guilty, Admits to his Involvement in Three Queens Cold Case Murders

August 23, 2024

Ex-Energy Trader for Vitol Pleads Guilty to Second International Bribery Scheme

“With today’s guilty plea the defendant admits his role in the widespread corruption of the international commodities market and to casting aside laws and rules that apply to all to unfairly line the pockets of the few,” stated United States Attorney Peace. “The actions of the defendant and his co-conspirators, and of those who act similarly, destroys people’s faith in their governments, disadvantages those who play by the rules, undermines confidence in American businesses worldwide, and will not be tolerated by this Office or our law enforcement partners.”

August 21, 2024

Oregon Man Charged in Swatting and Bomb Threats Scheme That Targeted Jewish Hospitals in New York City and Long Island

Earlier today, an indictment was unsealed charging Domagoj Patkovic with conspiring to make and making threats concerning explosives, conspiring to transmit and transmitting threatening communications, and conveying false information concerning explosives.

August 20, 2024

United States Announces Settlement Resolving Clean Air Act Violations at Medford, Long Island Metal Shredding Facility

“This Office will vigorously enforce the Clean Air Act to protect local communities from harmful air pollution,” stated United States Attorney Breon Peace. “This settlement requires Gershow to implement critical emission control technology that will help improve air quality for local communities, including those with the most vulnerable residents.”

August 20, 2024

Brooklyn Man Charged with Sex Trafficking and Interstate Prostitution of Multiple Victims at the "Penn Track" in East New York

“As alleged, the defendant trafficked women from out of state, including a minor, to serve as commercial sex workers for him at the notorious Penn Track in East New York, Brooklyn,” stated United States Attorney Peace. “My Office is working diligently with our local and federal law enforcement partners to shut down this blight on our district where vulnerable victims are callously exploited by people like the defendant and the customers who patronize this location.”

August 19, 2024

Former Congressman George Santos Pleads Guilty to Wire Fraud and Aggravated Identity Theft

“Today, for what may seem like the first time since he started his campaign for Congress, Mr. Santos told the truth about his criminal schemes. He admitted to lying, stealing and conning people,” stated U.S. Attorney Breon Peace for the Eastern District of New York. “By pleading guilty, Mr. Santos has acknowledged that he repeatedly defrauded federal and state government institutions as well as his own family, supporters and constituents. His flagrant and disgraceful conduct has been exposed and will be punished. Mr. Santos’s conviction demonstrates this Office’s enduring commitment to rooting

August 19, 2024

Two New York City Police Department Detectives and Two Others Charged in Paycheck Protection Program Fraud Scheme

“As alleged, the defendants, including members of law enforcement responsible for upholding the law, defrauded the United States government out of relief funds meant for businesses struggling to survive the pandemic,” stated United States Attorney Peace. “These arrests are a powerful reminder of this Office’s resolve to prosecute anyone who violated the public trust and took advantage of the COVID crisis by stealing from relief programs.”