U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of New York

09/15/2026

“Jairo Saenz and his brother Alexi were at the forefront of a violent reign of terror and bloodshed that plagued communities across Long Island for years,” stated United States Attorney Nocella. “They will both spend decades in prison, effectively life sentences, for their unspeakable crimes. Our Office and our law enforcement partners will continue to work tirelessly to hold the MS-13 and its members accountable for their horrific crimes. I hope that today’s sentence brings some measure of closure to the surviving victims and the families of the fallen victims who, after these many years, continue to suffer unimaginable grief over the loss of their loved ones.”

09/15/2026

https://www.justice.gov/usao-edny/pr/high-ranking-ms-13-gang-member-sentenced-60-years-imprisonment-racketeering-seven

Earlier today, in federal court in Central Islip, Jairo Saenz, also known as “Funny,” a high-ranking member of the Brentwood/Central Islip chapter of the Sailors Locos Salvatruchas Westside (Sailors) clique of La Mara Salvatrucha, also known as the MS-13, a transnational criminal organization, w...

09/12/2026

“For more than 20 years and until her lies caught up to her, the defendant refused to come to work and instead collected tax-free disability benefits for a highly-exaggerated injury,” stated United States Attorney Nocella. “Our Office and the Administration has made it a priority to hold accountable those who exploit government benefits programs for personal gain and steal funds that are designated for workers who truly need them.”

09/12/2026

https://www.justice.gov/usao-edny/pr/former-postal-worker-convicted-stealing-nearly-1-million-tax-free-federal-disability

Earlier today, a federal jury in Central Islip convicted Luann Middleton, a former United States Postal Service (USPS) employee, of wire fraud in connection with her repeated submission of false workers compensation forms to the United States Department of Labor (DOL), in which she claimed total dis...

09/10/2026

Congratulations to EDNY Assistant U.S. Attorneys David Pitluck and Michael Blume, recipients of the 2026 Henry L. Stimson Medal awarded by the New York City Bar Association

09/10/2026

“Today’s verdict holds the defendant accountable for bringing a firearm to a bank robbery and attempting to use the threat of violence to steal monies that did not belong to him,” stated United States Attorney Nocella. “Our Office will continue to aggressively prosecute those who use fi****ms to threaten and endanger our communities.”

09/10/2026

https://www.justice.gov/usao-edny/pr/convicted-felon-found-guilty-using-firearm-during-brooklyn-attempted-bank-robbery

Pierre Lee, also known as “Pierre Wilmoth,” was convicted today by a federal jury in Brooklyn of use of a firearm during a crime of violence. The charge relates to Lee’s attempted robbery of a Capital One Bank branch in Brooklyn on April 26, 2026 (the Capital One Attempted Robbery). The verdic...

09/09/2026

“As a result of the outstanding work by the FBI, our local law enforcement partners and the prosecutors of this Office, Johnson has been held accountable for his role in a large-scale narcotics distribution operation involving fentanyl, he**in, and co***ne, and for distributing fentanyl and co***ne that caused three individuals to overdose in 2020,” stated United States Attorney Nocella. “We hope that today’s sentence brings a measure of justice to the victims who thankfully survived and their families, and sends a clear message that those who distribute drugs, particularly that cause overdoses, will face severe consequences.”

09/09/2026

https://www.justice.gov/usao-edny/pr/bloods-gang-leader-sentenced-280-months-imprisonment-narcotics-distribution-resulting

Earlier today, in federal court in Central Islip, Gary Johnson, a Bloods gang leader and narcotics trafficker who was responsible for the distribution of co***ne, fentanyl, and he**in throughout Long Island, was sentenced by United States District Judge Joan M. Azrack to 280 months’ imprisonment. ...

09/09/2026

“Today’s sentencing sends a strong message of deterrence in our District,” stated United States Attorney Nocella. “Our Office and the Justice Department are focused on protecting American taxpayers from fraudsters and as such, we will vigorously prosecute corrupt health care owners and operators in our District.”