Tag:

Undercover Operations

Waterbury Drug Dealer Sentenced After Admitting To Selling Large Amounts Of Fentanyl: Feds Waterbury Drug Dealer Sentenced After Admitting To Selling Large Amounts Of Fentanyl: Feds
Waterbury Drug Dealer Sentenced After Admitting To Selling Large Amounts Of Fentanyl: Feds Federal prosecutors say a Connecticut man known as “Shay" is headed to prison after investigators uncovered large amounts of fentanyl and cocaine tied to a local drug trafficking operation.  Richard McDaniel, 45, of Waterbury, was sentenced in federal court this week to five years in prison and four years of supervised release, according to the US Attorney for the District of Connecticut. He pleaded guilty in December to possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine and 40 grams or more of fentanyl. The sentence follows an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Admin…
'Operation Bad Santa': 12 Child Predators Arrested In NJ Holiday Bust, Prosecutor Says 'Operation Bad Santa': 12 Child Predators Arrested In NJ Holiday Bust, Prosecutor Says
'Operation Bad Santa': 12 Child Predators Arrested In NJ Holiday Bust, Prosecutor Says Twelve men have been arrested and charged following "Operation Bad Santa", a sting to bust alleged child predators in Central Jersey, authorities announced Monday, Dec. 22. Operation Bad Santa was led by the Internet Crimes Against Children Unit of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office and numerous police departments in the county, Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone said. The men arrested were speaking with undercover officers who they believed to be children, Ciccone said. The men were arrested when they arrived at an undercover residence, where they ex…
Ellicott City Father And Baltimore Son Ran Gun-Trafficking Ring, Police Say Ellicott City Father And Baltimore Son Ran Gun-Trafficking Ring, Police Say
Ellicott City Father And Baltimore Son Ran Gun-Trafficking Ring, Police Say Detectives in Maryland say they shut down a father-son firearms trafficking ring that had been operating across the state for months — and uncovered a stash of illegal guns and drugs along the way. According to Howard County Police, investigators first got a tip in July about someone selling firearms throughout the region, prompting a massive investigation.  Undercover officers began making purchases, and during those transactions, police said they learned the seller was getting help from his father. Detectives widened the investigation and uncovered even more.  Officers said th…
$2M In Cocaine, Fentanyl Seized From Suffolk County Couple’s Home: DA $2M In Cocaine, Fentanyl Seized From Suffolk County Couple’s Home: DA
$2M In Cocaine, Fentanyl Seized From Suffolk County Couple’s Home: DA A Suffolk County couple is accused of running a massive narcotics operation out of their Holbrook home, prosecutors announced on Monday, Sept. 22. Caleb Moran, 28, and Jessica Medina-Rivas, 28, were indicted for Operating as Major Traffickers and multiple drug charges after selling cocaine to an undercover detective, Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney said in a release. Investigators launched controlled buys in July and August 2025, where the couple allegedly sold cocaine and fentanyl to an undercover officer. Moran allegedly warned the officer not to sell the fentanyl “pur…
Pittsfield Man Tried To Meet Up With Child For Sex: Police Pittsfield Man Tried To Meet Up With Child For Sex: Police
Pittsfield Man Tried To Meet Up With Child For Sex: Police Police say a Pittsfield man was arrested after he showed up to meet someone he thought was a child. Scott Clemons, 61, was arrested at the spot where he and an undercover agent posing as a child were scheduled to meet up in Pittsfield. Members of the Berkshire State Police Detective Unit, the Berkshire Law Enforcement Task Force, the Massachusetts State Police Cyber Crimes Unit, and the State Police Unsolved Crime Unit ran the operation. He was taken into custody without incident. During a search of Clemons’ car, police said they found a can of Dr. Pepper that was “requested” in the sting. …
Kilos Of Cocaine, Gun Seized In Middletown Storage Unit Of 'Major Narcotics Trafficker': DA Kilos Of Cocaine, Gun Seized In Middletown Storage Unit Of 'Major Narcotics Trafficker': DA
Kilos Of Cocaine, Gun Seized In Middletown Storage Unit Of 'Major Narcotics Trafficker': DA A 53-year-old man is facing up to 25 years to life in prison after being convicted on charges connected to the more than $200,000 in cocaine and other drug paraphernalia that were found in his Orange County storage unit, prosecutors announced.  On Tuesday, Aug. 26, a jury found Thedford Browning, 53, guilty in Orange County Court of operating as a major trafficker, criminal possession of a controlled substance, and criminal possession of a weapon, the Orange County District Attorney's Office said.  The conviction followed a year-long investigation by the City of Middletown Police …
Cochranville Man Tried To Meet 14-Year-Old Girl For Sex: Prosecutor Cochranville Man Tried To Meet 14-Year-Old Girl For Sex: Prosecutor
Cochranville Man Tried To Meet 14-Year-Old Girl For Sex: Prosecutor A 34-year-old Cochranville man was arrested and charged after he arranged to meet with a 14-year-old girl for sex in Camden County, authorities announced  Between June and July, Benjamin Wann was chatting with who he thought was a 14-year-old girl, but it was actually an undercover detective from the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office High Tech Crimes Unit, Camden County Prosecutor Grace MacAulay said. During the conversation, Wann sent sexually explicit photographs of himself, MacAulay said. Wann also requested nude photographs of the 14-year-old girl. Wann at…
Ex-NJ Trooper Admits He Arrived In Cop Car To Have Sex With Minor: Monmouth County Prosecutor Ex-NJ Trooper Admits He Arrived In Cop Car To Have Sex With Minor: Monmouth County Prosecutor
Ex-NJ Trooper Admits He Arrived In Cop Car To Have Sex With Minor: Monmouth County Prosecutor A 32-year-old former New Jersey State Trooper pleaded guilty to attempting to arrange to have sex with who he believed was a 14-year-old girl in Freehold, authorities announced Tuesday, Aug. 12. Shane Dempsey pleaded guilty to attempted sexual assault and official misconduct and is expected to be sentenced to seven years in prison, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond Santiago said. While working undercover on the app Whisper, a detective was contacted by Dempsey, who attempted to solicit sexually explicit images and expressed a desire to pay money in exchange for a sex act from a person he …
Undercover Prostitution Sting Nets 4 Arrests In Woodland Park: Sheriff Undercover Prostitution Sting Nets 4 Arrests In Woodland Park: Sheriff
Undercover Prostitution Sting Nets 4 Arrests In Woodland Park: Sheriff Four women were arrested during an undercover prostitution bust at multiple spas in Passaic County, authorities announced Friday, July 25. The undercover operation took place on Wednesday, July 23 in Woodland Park, following “numerous complaints” of suspected prostitution in the area, Passaic County Sheriff Thomas Adamo said. Detectives from the Passaic County Sheriff’s Office and Woodland Park Police Department deployed undercover officers to several massage parlors. During the operations, detectives were offered sexual favors in exchange for money rather than standard massage servic…
PA Man Looking For Underage 'Playmate' For 'Ongoing Adventure' Convicted In Virginia: DOJ PA Man Looking For Underage 'Playmate' For 'Ongoing Adventure' Convicted In Virginia: DOJ
PA Man Looking For Underage 'Playmate' For 'Ongoing Adventure' Convicted In Virginia: DOJ A Pennsylvania man is facing life in prison after sending disturbing messages to an undercover officer soliciting a minor in Virginia for sex, authorities announced. Keith Allen Pinkard, 67, of Middletown, faces harsh penalties after pleading guilty this week to attempted coercion and enticement of a minor following a sting operation.  According to court documents, in May, Pinkard sent a private message to another user on social media, unaware that the user was, in fact, an undercover FBI special agent. During that exchange, prosecutors say that Pinkard stated he was seeking "a new pl…
Online Deal Goes Bad For Spotsy Fugitive Busted With Gun, Fentanyl: Sheriff Online Deal Goes Bad For Spotsy Fugitive Busted With Gun, Fentanyl: Sheriff
Online Deal Goes Bad For Spotsy Fugitive Busted With Gun, Fentanyl: Sheriff A convicted felon in Virginia who thought he was making a deal on social media was instead busted by undercover deputies — with a loaded gun and hundreds of fentanyl pills in his possession, authorities said. Austin Kile, of Spotsylvania, was arrested without incident after deputies from the Spotsylvania County Sheriff’s Office posed as interested buyers and arranged a meet-up through social media, according to investigators on Monday, June 30. “When deputies arrived, the suspect… didn’t manage to close the deal,” the department said. “Instead, he was taken into custody… and with a lot more…
Hawthorne Firefighter Hid Camera To Record Kids, Caught Online By Undercover Cop: AG Hawthorne Firefighter Hid Camera To Record Kids, Caught Online By Undercover Cop: AG
Hawthorne Firefighter Hid Camera To Record Kids, Caught Online By Undercover Cop: AG A 42-year-old New Jersey firefighter arrested last month for convincing a girl to send him pornography is facing new charges after police say he used a hidden camera to record children in his bathroom and then tried to meet someone he thought was a 13-year-old girl. Bradford "Brad" Flaker, of Hawthorne, was charged with first-degree endangering the welfare of a child, second-degree luring, second-degree attempted sexual assault, and several second-degree counts of manufacturing, possessing, and distributing child sexual abuse material, Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin announced Wednesday.…
9 Drug Dealers Caught In 'County-Wide Takedown' In Dutchess, DA Says: 'We Will Find You' 9 Drug Dealers Caught In 'County-Wide Takedown' In Dutchess, DA Says: 'We Will Find You'
9 Drug Dealers Caught In 'County-Wide Takedown' In Dutchess, DA Says: 'We Will Find You' Nine people accused of dealing fentanyl and cocaine in Dutchess County have been arrested following a sweeping undercover drug operation that targeted dealers fueling addiction and violent crime, prosecutors announced.  The initiative, dubbed "Operation Street Sweeper," was led by the Dutchess County District Attorney’s Office Drug Task Force and focused on street-level narcotics activity in the areas of Poughkeepsie, Beacon, and Hyde Park, the DA's Office's Drug Task Force said Wednesday, June 11.  Investigators spent months purchasing drugs undercover and gathering evidence befo…
Undercover Sting Nets Long Prison Terms For Man Who Tried To Buy Child For Sex In Ephrata Undercover Sting Nets Long Prison Terms For Man Who Tried To Buy Child For Sex In Ephrata
Undercover Sting Nets Long Prison Terms For Man Who Tried To Buy Child For Sex In Ephrata Two Pennsylvania men who showed up at Lancaster County hotels expecting to rape children were sentenced to lengthy prison terms, the District Attorney’s Office announced in a release on Wednesday, June 4. Bradley Andrew Buchanan, 40, of Birdsboro in Berks County, was sentenced to 28 to 57 years in state prison after a jury found him guilty of trying to pay $250 to rape a 12-year-old girl. He was caught in an August 2022 sting conducted by the Lancaster County Human Trafficking Task Force. Authorities said Buchanan believed he was communicating with the girl’s aunt through an online ad, agre…
Fentanyl, Firepower, Pills: Dealer Taken Down In SWAT Raid In Wappinger, DA Says Fentanyl, Firepower, Pills: Dealer Taken Down In SWAT Raid In Wappinger, DA Says
Fentanyl, Firepower, Pills: Dealer Taken Down In SWAT Raid In Wappinger, DA Says A 29-year-old man is behind bars without bail after operating a dangerous drug ring across multiple Dutchess County communities, dealing fentanyl, cocaine, and prescription pills from his home, officials said.   Former Bronx resident Alfonso Perez, 29, was arrested on Monday, May 19, following a coordinated raid at his residence on Dugan Lane in Wappinger, the Dutchess County District Attorney’s Office Drug Task Force announced on Thursday, May 22.  The arrest followed a multi-week investigation into narcotics trafficking in Wappinger, East Fishkill,  Beacon, and surroun…
Man Tried To Meet With Boy In Suffern For Sex, Was Arrested Instead In Hotel Parking Lot: DA Man Tried To Meet With Boy In Suffern For Sex, Was Arrested Instead In Hotel Parking Lot: DA
Man Tried To Meet With Boy In Suffern For Sex, Was Arrested Instead In Hotel Parking Lot: DA A New Jersey man arrested in an undercover child exploitation operation in the parking lot of a Rockland County hotel has now been formally indicted on charges including attempted rape, prosecutors announced.  Essex County resident Carl Ellis, 55, of Maplewood, NJ, was arraigned Wednesday, May 21, in Rockland County Court on an indictment charging him with several felonies, the Rockland County District Attorney's Office announced on Thursday, May 22.  According to Rockland County District Attorney Thomas E. Walsh II, Ellis engaged in sexually explicit text conversations between Ap…
Hamptons Cocaine Delivery Service Netted Trafficker $400K, Gold Coins Hamptons Cocaine Delivery Service Netted Trafficker $400K, Gold Coins
Hamptons Cocaine Delivery Service Netted Trafficker $400K, Gold Coins A drug trafficker who coordinated cocaine deliveries between New York City and the Hamptons–making hundreds of thousands along the way–could spend years in prison. Michael Khodorkovskiy, 44, of Brooklyn, pleaded guilty to criminal sale of a controlled substance in Suffolk County Court on Monday, April 21, according to the DA’s office. Khodorkovskiy admitted in court to selling large quantities of cocaine from his Brooklyn home, with the intention of redistributing the drugs throughout Suffolk County — particularly during the busy Hamptons summer season. From July 2023 to August 2024, under…
Child Exploitation Sting: Haverstraw Man Accused Of Talking To Minors Online, Police Say Child Exploitation Sting: Haverstraw Man Accused Of Talking To Minors Online, Police Say
Child Exploitation Sting: Haverstraw Man Accused Of Talking To Minors Online, Police Say An undercover operation targeting online child exploitation has led to the arrest of a Rockland County man, authorities announced.  Moses Goldstein, age 34, of Haverstraw, was taken into custody following a multi-day operation carried out by the New York State Police, the FBI, and the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office, State Police said on Friday, April 11.  Investigators used advanced cyber tactics to access platforms commonly used to facilitate child exploitation and allegedly found Goldstein attempting to engage with minors online and arrange in-person meetings. He…
Rape Suspect Caught After Detectives Pose As Young Girl In New Rochelle: Police Rape Suspect Caught After Detectives Pose As Young Girl In New Rochelle: Police
Rape Suspect Caught After Detectives Pose As Young Girl In New Rochelle: Police A 21-year-old man faces a rape charge following an undercover sting operation in Westchester involving detectives posing as a teenage girl he had been trying to engage in sexual activity with, police said.   Alejandro Choflet of New Rochelle was arrested following the operation, which the New Rochelle Police Department conducted, Captain J. Collins Coyne announced on Monday, April 7. According to the department, on Saturday, April 5, the department received a report from a 15-year-old girl who reported that she had been involved in an intimate relationship with Choflet. …
Man Who Tried Luring 12-Year-Old Into Prostitution At Mount Laurel Hotel Gets Decade: Feds Man Who Tried Luring 12-Year-Old Into Prostitution At Mount Laurel Hotel Gets Decade: Feds
Man Who Tried Luring 12-Year-Old Into Prostitution At Mount Laurel Hotel Gets Decade: Feds A 41-year-old Philadelphia man was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison on Monday, Jan. 27 after pleading guilty in United States District Court in Camden to trying to engage what he thought was a 12-year-old into prostitution, authorities said. In August 2023, Louis Goldenberg began interacting on a messaging application with an undercover agent, who was posing as a middle-aged woman with a 12-year-old niece, US Attorney Vikas Khanna said. From August through September 2023, Goldenberg messaged the undercover agent, continuously expressing interest in having sexual contact with the…
Reading Meth, Fentanyl Trafficker Arrested: DA Says Reading Meth, Fentanyl Trafficker Arrested: DA Says
Reading Meth, Fentanyl Trafficker Arrested: DA Says A Reading man was arrested for distributing methamphetamine and fentanyl after a months-long investigation, Berks County authorities announced Friday, Jan. 24. Walter Carrera, 38, of 1219 Windsor Street, was taken into custody when detectives and Pennsylvania State Troopers served a search warrant at his home earlier in the day, Chief County Detective Michael Gombar said. The investigation began in October 2024, with undercover purchases and surveillance identifying Carrera as a distributor, Gombar said. During the search of his residence, detectives seized: Approximately six grams of fen…
New Windsor Man Sells Loaded Gun To Undercover Officer, Faces Prison Time New Windsor Man Sells Loaded Gun To Undercover Officer, Faces Prison Time
New Windsor Man Sells Loaded Gun To Undercover Officer, Faces Prison Time A 42-year-old man is facing a decade behind bars after admitting to selling a loaded firearm to an undercover officer in the Hudson Valley, officials announced.  On Thursday, Jan. 16, 42-year-old Orange County resident Morgan Secreto of New Windsor pleaded guilty in Orange County Court to second-degree criminal possession of a weapon in connection with his sale of a gun to an undercover officer, the Orange County District Attorney's Office announced on Wednesday, Jan. 22.  Prosecutors say Secreto sold a loaded Taurus .380 pistol to an undercover New York State Police officer for $…
20 Years In Prison For German Man Who Traveled To NJ For Sex With Kids: Feds 20 Years In Prison For German Man Who Traveled To NJ For Sex With Kids: Feds
20 Years In Prison For German Man Who Traveled To NJ For Sex With Kids: Feds A 40-year-old German man was sentenced to 20 years in prison on Wednesday, Dec. 18 after admitting he traveled to New Jersey to have sex with a minor, authorities said. In January 2023, undercover officers began chatting with Christian Stefan Walther abut his desire to have sex with young children, US Attorney Philip Sellinger said.  Walther sent an undercover officer two videos, each of which depicted an adult male engaging in sexual conduct with a prepubescent aged female child, Sellinger said. Walther also expressed his desire to engage in sexual conduct with children aged…
Undercover Sting Exposes Butt Lifts Offered In Unlicensed South Plainfield Woman's Home: Cops Undercover Sting Exposes Butt Lifts Offered In Unlicensed South Plainfield Woman's Home: Cops
Undercover Sting Exposes Butt Lifts Offered In Unlicensed South Plainfield Woman's Home: Cops A New Jersey woman was accused of performing Brazilian butt lifts and wrinkle removals at an unlicensed medical practice, authorities said. Yamile Mattos, 61, of South Plainfield, was charged with unlicensed practice of medicine, possession with intent to distribute prescription legend drugs, and possession of counterfeit or misbranded prescription legend drugs, Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone said in a news release on Wednesday, Dec. 18. Undercover officers posed as clients seeking cosmetic procedures at a Park Avenue home on Tuesday, Dec. 17. During the sti…
Fort Washington Man Caught In Undercover Sting Attempting To Solicit Minor Online: State Police Fort Washington Man Caught In Undercover Sting Attempting To Solicit Minor Online: State Police
Fort Washington Man Caught In Undercover Sting Attempting To Solicit Minor Online: State Police A Maryland man is facing serious charges after state police say he attempted to meet a 15-year-old boy for sex, only to be caught in an undercover sting operation. Santos Carranza, 47, of Fort Washington, was arrested Wednesday afternoon, Dec. 11, at a shopping center in Beltsville, authorities announced, following an investigation into alleged sexual solicitation.  Maryland State Police say Carranza believed he was meeting a teenage boy he had been chatting with through a smartphone app. Instead, the "teen" was an undercover officer. The investigation began when Carranza allegedly en…
Head Of Prestigious Preschool In DMV Charged With Coercion, Enticement Of Minor: Feds Head Of Prestigious Preschool In DMV Charged With Coercion, Enticement Of Minor: Feds
Head Of Prestigious Preschool In DMV Charged With Coercion, Enticement Of Minor: Feds The head of the National Child Research Center (NCRC) in Northwest DC is facing federal charges for allegedly attempting to coerce and entice a minor, according to federal authorities. James S. Carroll, 55, was arrested on Tuesday following a criminal complaint filed in US District Court in connection with attempted coercion and enticement of a minor. Federal authorities allege that between Tuesday, Nov. 5 and Thursday, Nov. 14, Carroll used the Discord messaging platform to communicate with an undercover officer posing as the father of a young child.  During this time, Carroll allege…
Walkersville Predator Preying On Maryland Teens While Out On Bail Learns Prison Fate: Feds Walkersville Predator Preying On Maryland Teens While Out On Bail Learns Prison Fate: Feds
Walkersville Predator Preying On Maryland Teens While Out On Bail Learns Prison Fate: Feds The Maryland man who used multiple phones and online apps to target teens - even while he was out on bail and charges were pending - will spend years in prison for coercing and enticing minors, federal authorities announced. Michael Vance Culpepper, 56, of Walkersville, was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison after being busted by an undercover officer posing as a 13-year-old girl online, and then doubling down after being released by a judge. He had faced life in prison. According to his guilty plea, in April and May 2023, Culpepper used cellphones and online applications to "persuade…
Bank Manager From Pine Bush Sentenced For Hiring A Hitman To Murder Brother-In-Law Bank Manager From Pine Bush Sentenced For Hiring A Hitman To Murder Brother-In-Law
Bank Manager From Pine Bush Sentenced For Hiring A Hitman To Murder Brother-In-Law A Hudson Valley bank manager is headed for federal prison after pleading guilty to plotting to hire a hitman to murder her own brother-in-law. Orange County resident Reshma Massarone, age 40, of Pine Bush, a hamlet of Crawford, was sentenced to 9.5 years in prison and three years of post-release supervision on Wednesday, Aug. 28, said Damian Williams, US Attorney for the Southern District of New York.  “The defendant devised a chilling plan to have a member of her own family murdered for the low price of ten thousand dollars," said Williams. "Her plan was unthinkably heartless. For th…
Walkersville Predator Preying On Maryland Teens While Out On Bail Facing Life In Prison: Feds Walkersville Predator Preying On Maryland Teens While Out On Bail Facing Life In Prison: Feds
Walkersville Predator Preying On Maryland Teens While Out On Bail Facing Life In Prison: Feds A Maryland man who used multiple phones and online apps to target teens - including while he was out on bail and charges were pending - admitted to coercing and enticing minors, federal authorities announced. Michael Vance Culpepper, 56, of Walkersville, is facing life in prison after being busted by an undercover officer posing as a 13-year-old girl online, then doubling down. According to his guilty plea, in April and May 2023, Culpepper used mobile phones and online applications to persuade, induce, entice and coerce two victims whom he believed to be 13- and 14-year-old to engage in sex…
Woman Charged With Prostitution After Undercover Operation At Hudson Valley Spa Woman Charged With Prostitution After Undercover Operation At Hudson Valley Spa
Woman Charged With Prostitution After Undercover Operation At Hudson Valley Spa A woman has been charged with prostitution after an undercover operation resulted in the closure of a spa in the Hudson Valley. The detail was conducted on Thursday, June 27, in Rockland County at Oceart Spa, located at 76 N. Route 9W in Haverstraw, after police say allegations of prostitution and unlicensed massages were reported by members of the community. The  investigation resulted in the arrest of New York City resident Lan Xu, age 55, of Queens, who was charged with: Unauthorized practice of a profession (Class E felony), Prostitution (Class B misdemeanor).…
Waltham Man Who Offered $200 For Sex With 12-Year-Old Gets 15 Years In Prison: Feds Waltham Man Who Offered $200 For Sex With 12-Year-Old Gets 15 Years In Prison: Feds
Waltham Man Who Offered $200 For Sex With 12-Year-Old Gets 15 Years In Prison: Feds A 38-year-old Waltham man who reached out to an online ad for sex with a child in an undercover sting will spend the next 15 years behind bars, authorities announced on Thursday, June 20.  Misael Fabian Medina was convicted of one count of attempted sex trafficking of a child and one count of attempted coercion and enticement, the US Attorney for Massachusetts said.  Investigators said Medina responded to an online ad offering sex with two young girls in November 2022. In a text exchange with the people he believed were selling the children, Medina offered $200 to have sex wi…