Press Releases

209 Results - Showing 1 to 10
PRESS RELEASE

Four Arizona Residents Charged with Anabolic Steroid-Trafficking Conspiracy in Homeland Security Task Force Investigation

MOBILE, AL – A federal grand jury in Mobile returned an indictment charging four Arizona residents with a yearslong anabolic steroids-trafficking conspiracy. According to court documents, Laura Stratton, 43, of Phoenix, Arizona, Brenna Eppley, 48, of Buckeye, Arizona, Benjamin Stratton, 39, of Avondale, Arizona, and Karissa Stratton, 33, of Avondale...
PRESS RELEASE

Fairbanks Woman Sentenced to 21 Years for Distributing Fentanyl Resulting in Fatal Overdose in Homeland Security Task Force Case

ANCHORAGE, Alaska – A Fairbanks woman was sentenced to 21 years in prison on Wednesday for her role in distributing fentanyl that resulted in the overdose death of local man in 2022. According to court documents, from May to July 2022, Samantha Pearson, 39, and Edward Ginnis, 40, of Fairbanks...
PRESS RELEASE

Leader of Drug Trafficking Organization that Sold Fentanyl, Cocaine, and Meth in ‘The Jungle’ and International District Sentenced to Ten Years in Prison

SEATTLE – The leader of a wide-ranging drug distribution network that was uncovered when law enforcement focused on Seattle’s International District and nearby homeless encampments was sentenced to ten years in prison on Wednesday. Octavio Salazar Palma, 34, of Federal Way, Washington was arrested in May 2025 following a lengthy...
PRESS RELEASE

Leader of Massive Drug Trafficking Ring Sentenced to More Than Ten Years in Prison

SEATTLE- The young leader of a drug trafficking ring that persisted in bringing large loads of drugs to western Washington despite multiple law enforcement seizures, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Seattle to 130 months in prison, announced First Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles Neil Floyd. Hector Duran Aldaco...
PRESS RELEASE

Pierce County Drug Distributor Tied to Investigation of White Prison Gangs, Sentenced to Eleven Years in Prison in Homeland Security Task Force Investigation

TACOMA – A 44-year-old Puyallup resident was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Tacoma for his role as a significant distributor of narcotics for a Drug Trafficking Organization tied to white prison gangs, announced First Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles Neil Floyd. In February 2026, Daniel Hammond was convicted at...
PRESS RELEASE

HSTF: Colombian Resident Extradited to Seattle is Sentenced to Prison for Conspiring to Ship Loads of Cocaine to Seattle and Other U.S. Destinations

SEATTLE – A 65-year-old national of the Dominican Republic, who was arrested in Colombia and extradited to the U.S., was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Seattle to 96 months in prison for conspiracy to import cocaine and conspiracy to launder money, announced First Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles Neil...
PRESS RELEASE

Convictions through Guilty Pleas and Sentencings in Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) Prosecutions (July 13 through July 17, 2026)

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Puerto Rico, Héctor Ramírez-Carbó, Acting United States Attorney, in conjunction with our partner agencies in the Homeland Security Task Force (“HSTF”) announce the following prosecutorial results for the week of July 13 through July 17, 2026...
PRESS RELEASE

Alaska Repeat Offender Sentenced to 12 Years in Prison for Drug Trafficking and Money Laundering

ANCHORAGE, Alaska – An Anchorage woman was sentenced today to 12 and a half years in prison for trafficking drugs and laundering tens of thousands of dollars in illegal drug proceeds. According to court documents, Mao “Molly” Lee, 37, possessed methamphetamine, heroin, fentanyl and cocaine with the intent to distribute...
PRESS RELEASE

HSTF Investigations Leads to Avondale Man Being Sentenced to Five Years in Prison for Fentanyl Distribution

PHOENIX, Ariz. – Jose De Jesus Martinez, 25, of Avondale, was sentenced on July 13, by United States District Judge Sharad H. Desai to five years in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. Martinez previously pleaded guilty to Possession with Intent to Distribute Fentanyl. On May 5, 2025...
PRESS RELEASE

Operation Red Card: DEA, FBI, ATF, Seattle Police, King County Sheriff Announce Arrests of Violent Crime Suspects to Support Public Safety During the World Cup

SEATTLE, WA – The DEA Seattle Field Division partnered with FBI Seattle, ATF Seattle Field Division, the Seattle Police Department, and the King County Sheriff's Office for Operation Red Card. Through this multi-agency coordinated effort from May until July 2026, the Sound Regional Violent Crime Task Force has identified, located...