MINNEAPOLIS – The family of fallen Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent Paul S. Seema was recognized during a bench dedication ceremony honoring Seema November 16, in New Prague, Minnesota. Seema died February 6, 1988, from gunshot wounds he received the previous day during an undercover operation in Pasadena, California...

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A Joplin, Mo., physician pleaded guilty in federal court today to providing false information in order to receive Medicare and Medicaid reimbursements to which she was not entitled. Heather D. Stelling, 55, waived her right to a grand jury and pleaded guilty before U.S. Chief Magistrate Judge...

PEORIA, Ill. – Todd C. Smith, Assistant Special Agent in Charge at Drug Enforcement Administration-Chicago Division, and U.S. Attorney Gregory K. Harris of the Central District of Illinois announced that a federal jury returned guilty verdicts on Dec. 1, 2022, against Harold U. McGhee, 48, of Peoria, Illinois, for the...

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Alexander M.M. Uballez, United States Attorney for the District of New Mexico, announced that a federal jury returned a guilty verdict on Rafael Columbie on Dec. 1. The jury convicted Columbie, 53, of Albuquerque, on one count each of conspiracy, possession with intent to distribute 50 grams...

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – A Providence man who acted as a middleman as he bought and sold cocaine as a member of a drug trafficking conspiracy was sentenced today to nearly four years in federal prison, announced United States Attorney Zachary A. Cunha. Miguel Colon, 36, pleaded guilty on August 24...

SPRINGFIELD, Vt. - The Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont announced today that Jonathan Castro, a.k.a. “Jose,” 33, of Springfield, Vermont and Springfield, Massachusetts; Anibal Castro, Sr., a.k.a. “Papi,” 54, of Springfield, Vermont; and Derek Arie, 34, of Springfield, Vermont were indicted yesterday by a...

TAMPA , F la. – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announced that a federal jury has found Justin Kelly (35, New Port Richey) guilty of conspiracy to distribute 40 grams of fentanyl resulting in death, distribution of fentanyl resulting in death, three counts of possession/distribution of fentanyl, and possessing...

TAMPA, Fla. – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announced that a federal jury has found Jy’quale Samari Grable (20, Tampa) guilty of conspiracy, robbery, and first-degree premediated murder. Grable faces a mandatory minimum sentence of life in federal prison. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for Feb. 16, 2022. Jy’quale...

SEATTLE – Six members of a drug distribution conspiracy operating in Whatcom, Skagit and Snohomish counties are charged federally with various drug and firearms crimes. On Wednesday, in searches of eight locations in Whatcom and Snohomish Counties, law enforcement seized: 85,000 fentanyl pills, 2.3 kilograms fentanyl powder, 6.2 kilograms methamphetamine...

TAMPA, Fla . – Ubertino Zavala-Perez (59, Plant City, Florida) was sentenced to more than 12 years in federal prison for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. Zavala-Perez pleaded guilty on August 31, 2022. According to court documents, Zavala-Perez conspired with individuals in Mexico and others to distribute and import methamphetamine from...