U.S. Attorney’s Office, FBI, and HSI Announce creation of Regional Homeland Security Task Force to Combat Violent Crime and Transnational Organized Crime

New Orleans - Today, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Louisiana, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) New Orleans Field Office, and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) New Orleans, announced the outcome of a major violent crime abatement operation leading up to the Mardi Gras Season, Operation NOLA Safe. Additionally, the FBI and HSI introduced the creation of the new Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF). The HSTF, whose reach is both national and regional, is purposed with interrupting the illegal trafficking of dangerous drugs and human beings, eliminating Cartels and Transnational Criminal Organizations (TCOs), and stopping firearms trafficking, all of which pose clear and present threats to the homeland.

Operation NOLA Safe is a comprehensive, multi-pronged, and data driven law enforcement initiative designed to reduce violent crime in the Greater New Orleans area. This initiative brings together federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to strategically align efforts and deploy targeted enforcement resources where they are most needed and effective. To date Operation NOLA Safe has resulted in 175 arrests, and the seizure of 114 firearms, 20.367 kg of cocaine, 1.063 kg of fentanyl, 102.006 kg of marijuana, 41,909 tapentadol pills and other quantities of illegal narcotics and prescription medications. We anticipate the operation will result in long-term, follow-on investigations.

The HSTF's mission is to eliminate criminal cartels, foreign gangs, and TCOs throughout the United States; dismantle cross-border human smuggling and trafficking networks; end the scourge of human smuggling and trafficking, with particular focus on offenses involving children; and ensure the use of all available law enforcement tools to faithfully enforce the laws of the United States.

HSTF establishes permanent multi-agency teams, comprised of federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement resources, that work collectively on intelligence-driven, multi-jurisdictional operations to identify, investigate, and prosecute transnational organizations and individuals engaged in violations of federal law. The specific assignment of the HSTF Districts of Louisiana Group is to identify and target Transnational Criminal Organizations (TCOs) and Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs) involved in cross border crime including drug trafficking, money laundering, human trafficking, alien smuggling, weapons trafficking, and/or other related violations of federal investigative interest within Louisiana.

“Today’s law enforcement operation announcements are, at their core, about one thing … public safety,” said U.S. Attorney David I. Courcelle. “Safety for all of us, as we work to support and protect our families, as well as to celebrate the uniquely rich culture we enjoy in Southeast Louisiana, of which Mardi Gras is an integral part. The mission of all of us behind this microphone today is the same; to enforce the laws of the land and to protect the public that we are proud to serve.”

“We’re getting the job done with intelligence – surveillance – and leads that we’re getting from the community,” said FBI New Orleans Special Agent in Charge Jonathan Tapp. “Our agents and task force officers are using their collective knowledge and expertise to stop criminal activity in its tracks. These aren’t just investigations or statistics for us. We eat, sleep, and breathe violent crime. We are committed to making New Orleans one of the safest places in the country.”

“HSI is proud to co-lead the new Homeland Security Task Force and Operation NOLA Safe with the FBI, partnering with our state, local, and federal partners to help ensure public safety. We are committed to combating transnational crime, crimes of exploitation, and other crimes impacting our communities.  As part of our overall commitment, through partnerships and specialized expertise, HSI dismantles criminal networks, ensuring that offenders are brought to justice and victims receive the support they deserve”, said Acting Special Agent in Charge Matt Wright.

“ATF’s core mission and purpose are to have impact in preventing, reducing, and solving violent crime to support public safety,” said ATF New Orleans Special Agent in Charge Joshua Jackson. “This operation represents a new level of coordination, focus, and determination in our collective fight against violent crime.”

“The safety and security of Postal Service employees is core to the mission of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and we will work aggressively to bring to justice those who commit violent crimes against our employees,” said Shameka Jackson, Inspector in Charge of the Houston Division. “Today’s press conference is the culmination of exceptional teamwork between postal inspectors and all our state, local, and federal partners. We extend our appreciation to all involved in making this initiative a success.”

“It’s no secret that the Kenner Police Department fosters and is enriched by our relationships on the local, state and federal levels”, said Chief Keith Conley. “By working collaboratively, we can cross multiple jurisdictions and truly amplify our ability to reduce and solve violent crime”.

Operation NOLA SAFE Participating Agencies

• Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives       
• Drug Enforcement Administration
• U.S. Homeland Security Investigations
• Federal Bureau of Investigation
• U.S. Marshals Service
• United States Postal Inspection Service
• USAO, EDLA
• Louisiana National Guard
• Louisiana State Police
• Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office
• Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office
• Plaquemines Parish Sheriff’s Office
• St. Bernard Parish Sheriff’s Office
• St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office
• New Orleans Police Department
• Kenner Police Department
• Gretna Police Department
• Slidell Police Department

HSTF New Orleans Participating Agencies

• U.S. Homeland Security Investigations
• Federal Bureau of Investigation
• Drug Enforcement Administration
• U.S. Customs and Border Protection-Office of Field Operations
• U.S. Customs and Border Protection-U.S. Border Patrol
• U.S. Customs and Border Protection-Air and Marine Operations
• U.S. Marshals Service
• Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
• Internal Revenue Service
• U.S. Coast Guard
• United States Postal Inspection Service
• United States Secret Service
• Immigration and Customs Enforcement-Enforcement and Removal Operations

On January 20, 2025, President Trump issued an Executive Order entitled "Protecting the American People Against Invasion," which included the creation of the Homeland Security Task Force.  This “Task Force” which is co-led by the FBI and ICE-HSI, consists of intelligence-driven, multi-agency teams that coordinate law enforcement efforts to identify, investigate and prosecute threats to our homeland. These threats include illegal drug and firearm trafficking, sex trafficking, human smuggling, and criminal activity by dangerous Cartels and Transnational Criminal Organizations.

Man Who Intentionally Set Fire To San Jose Post Office Pleads Guilty To Arson

SAN JOSE – Richard Tillman, 44, pleaded guilty in federal court today to setting fire to the Almaden Valley U.S. Post Office located on Crown Boulevard in San Jose in the early hours of July 20, 2025.

Tillman, who is originally from San Jose, was initially charged by a criminal complaint in July 2025, and indicted by a federal grand jury on Aug. 7, 2025, on one count of malicious destruction of government property.

In pleading guilty, Tillman admitted that he intentionally set the fire in order to “make a point to the United States government.” In preparation for the fire, Tillman purchased firelogs and lighter fluid. He then drove to the Post Office with firelogs in the vehicle, backed the vehicle through the building’s front door, exited the vehicle, spread lighter fluid throughout the vehicle, threw a lit match into the vehicle, and exited the Post Office. The fire quickly spread from the vehicle to the Post Office, completely destroying its lobby, as depicted below. Prior to July 20, 2025, the lobby of the Post Office was open to the public during business hours for retail transactions and access to post office boxes. The fire rendered the lobby unusable, and it has not been available to the public since then.

United States Attorney Craig H. Missakian, U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), San Francisco Division Inspector in Charge Stephen M. Sherwood, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) Special Agent in Charge John Wester, and FBI Special Agent in Charge Sanjay Virmani made the announcement.

Tillman is currently in federal custody. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for April 27, 2026, before U.S. District Judge Edward J. Davila. Tillman faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, a minimum sentence of five years in prison, and a fine of $250,000 for the charge of malicious destruction of government property by fire in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 844(f)(1). Any sentence will be imposed by the court after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of a sentence, 18 U.S.C. § 3553.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael G. Pitman is prosecuting the case with the assistance of Sahib Kaur. The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the USPIS, ATF, FBI, and the San Jose Police Department. The U.S. Attorney’s Office appreciates the assistance of the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office. 

Parolee Who Shot Police Officer While Resisting Arrest Sentenced to 15 Years in Federal Prison

GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN – U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Timothy VerHey today announced that Andrial Ortiz, 30, from Lansing, was sentenced to 15 years in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm.

U.S. Attorney VerHey said, “Andrial Ortiz was a felon who was not allowed to possess a gun, and the moment he did he used it to shoot a police officer.  My office was happy to prosecute this case. We accept the 15-year sentence as a just response.  I hope everyone reading this will take a minute to remember and appreciate that we ask law enforcement officers to risk their lives on a regular basis.”

Police pulled Ortiz over while investigating a road rage incident.  Ortiz was on parole for selling drugs, unarmed robbery, and larceny.  Police searched his car and found drugs.  When they attempted to arrest Ortiz, he violently resisted.  During the struggle, he was able to remove guns from two of the officers’ waistbands. He fired one of the guns, striking a patrol officer in the leg.

“Ortiz’s conduct was reckless, violent, and showed a complete disregard for the lives of the officers involved,” said ATF Detroit Field Division Special Agent in Charge James Deir. “As a convicted felon, he was prohibited from possessing firearms, yet this defendant violently resisted arrest, disarmed officers, and fired a weapon, seriously injuring a patrol officer. This sentence reflects the seriousness of that violence and sends the right message to drug trafficking convicted felons in our community who attack law enforcement: if you do this, pack your bags because you’re going to prison for an extended period of time.”

The Michigan State Police, Lansing Police Department, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Olivia Ghiselli and Jonathan Roth prosecuted it.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit Justice.gov/PSN.

Illegal Immigrant from Mexico Sentenced to 4 Years in Federal Prison for Throwing Molotov Cocktail at LASD Deputies During Anti-ICE Riot

LOS ANGELES – An illegal immigrant from Mexico was sentenced today to 48 months in federal prison for lighting and throwing a Molotov cocktail at law enforcement during an anti-immigration enforcement riot in Paramount last year.

Emiliano Garduño Gálvez, 23, of Paramount, was sentenced by United States District Judge André Birotte Jr. 

Gálvez pleaded guilty in October 2025 to one count of possession of an unregistered destructive device and one count of obstructing, impeding, or interfering with law enforcement during a civil disorder. He has been in federal custody since June 2025.

“This defendant’s reckless behavior threatened the lives and safety of law enforcement officers and that of a lawful protester,” said First Assistant United States Attorney Bill Essayli. “My office remains steadfast in its efforts to prosecute and punish those who commit acts of violence against others.”

On June 7, 2025, in Paramount, Gálvez was present during a civil disorder, a public disturbance involving acts of violence by an assemblage of more than three people that caused immediate danger of and resulted in damage to property or other people. 

Specifically, groups of individuals in Paramount amassed around federal personnel, and later local law enforcement, all of whom were lawfully engaged in the performance of their official duties. The demonstration’s purpose was to protest the federal enforcement of immigration laws in Los Angeles County.

For several hours, the group threw objects, including rocks or chunks of cinder blocks, at federal and local law enforcement, lit objects on fire, and set off fireworks in the direction of law enforcement. Law enforcement declared the protest an unlawful assembly. 

The civil disorder interfered with a federally protected function, namely, the coordination of federal agencies’ personnel and preparation for immigration enforcement activities. Rioters also caused The Home Depot, a local business, to temporarily close, and they stole store products during the disorder.

The streets in this area were blocked by the civil disorder and objects individuals lit on fire, affecting access to The Home Depot and other businesses in the area.

Hiding behind a stone wall, Gálvez lit and threw a Molotov cocktail towards Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) deputies who were on duty in Paramount during the civil disorder. Gálvez admitted he threw the Molotov cocktail intending to obstruct, interfere with, and impede the sheriff’s deputies who were lawfully engaged in their official duties.

The Molotov cocktail Gálvez threw landed in a grassy area near the foot of a protestor in the crowd and approximately 15 feet from LASD deputies. Gálvez had never registered this Molotov cocktail, nor any destructive device, with the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record. He then fled the area.

“[Gálvez] threw an incendiary device capable of killing someone,” prosecutors argued in a sentencing memorandum. “And his destructive device came far closer to injuring a civilian holding a sign, as opposed to [Gálvez’s] intended target – the sheriff’s deputies.”

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated this matter with the assistance of the FBI and LASD.

Assistant United States Attorney Jenna W. Long of the National Security Division prosecuted this case.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs) and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.

DEA Operation Meltdown Shuts Down Hundreds of Illegal Online Pharmacies

WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, with the cooperation of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York, announced the seizure of more than 200 website domains tied to an India-based transnational criminal organization (TCO) working within the United States and allegedly responsible for at least six fatal and four non-fatal overdoses. The TCO tied to these illegal online pharmacies has been under investigation by DEA’s Rocky Mountain Field Division since 2022.

Beginning on January 27, 2026, DEA field offices throughout the United States conducted multiple operations leading to the arrest of four individuals along with the issuance of five Immediate Suspension Orders (ISO) and one Order to Show Cause (OTSC), both of which are administrative actions taken against DEA registrants in order to protect the public from dangers to public health or safety. These actions were in addition to the U.S. Government shutting down more than 200 online pharmacies accused of filling hundreds of thousands of orders of diverted pharmaceuticals and counterfeit pills without valid prescriptions.

Under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA), DEA regulates the handling, storage, and distribution of controlled substances in the custody of pharmacies. The CSA stipulates that pharmacies are only authorized to dispense controlled substances upon receipt of a valid prescription, issued for a legitimate medical purpose, by an individual practitioner acting in the usual course of his or her professional practice.

Investigators determined the operators of these online pharmacies and their co-conspirators were illegally dispensing and shipping diverted medications, without valid prescriptions, to customers throughout the United States, violating the CSA and dangerously infiltrating a closed system of distribution intended to keep patients safe.

Over the course of this investigation, DEA identified thousands of customers who purchased medication through these online pharmacies. Subsequently, DEA has sent more than 20,000 letters to the public requesting information in support of this ongoing investigation.

“This case demonstrates how foreign-based traffickers exploit our healthcare system, hide behind the internet, and use people inside the United States to move dangerous drugs under the guise of legitimate commerce,” said DEA Administrator Terrance Cole. “Illegal online pharmacies put poison in American communities. They sell counterfeit and unapproved pills and do not care who gets hurt or who dies. Actions like this save lives. They protect the American people. If you run these sites, supply them, move the money, ship the product, or help them operate, we will find you, we will dismantle your operations, and we will hold you fully accountable under U.S. law.”

Leveraging its global reach, DEA actively collaborates with our Government of India law enforcement partners to identify, investigate, and dismantle dangerous criminal organizations that engage in these types of illegal drug trafficking operations. Through joint operations, the DEA will continue to pursue significant enforcement actions against illicit pharmaceutical distributors at the source and remains steadfast in its efforts to disrupt the flow of illicit pharmaceuticals that threaten public health and safety of American citizens.

DEA issued a Public Service Announcement in 2024 warning Americans about an increase in illegal online pharmacies. Many of these online pharmacies sold and shipped counterfeit pills made with fentanyl to unsuspecting customers in the United States who believed they were purchasing legitimate medications from legitimate pharmacies.

Illegal online pharmacies often use U.S.-based website addresses and professional-looking designs to appear legitimate when, in fact, they are not. These companies operate illegally, deliberately deceiving American customers into believing they are legally purchasing safe, regulated medications. Many of the sites taken down as part of Operation Meltdown claimed to be legitimate, based in the U.S., and FDA-approved, but DEA’s investigation determined operators of these sites were often working with drug traffickers to fulfill online orders with counterfeit pills or diverted pharmaceuticals. These counterfeit medications are often made with fentanyl or methamphetamine and taking them can lead to serious health risks, including harmful side effects, ineffective treatment, and even death.

DEA’s One Pill Can Kill campaign reminds the public that the only safe prescription medications are those prescribed by a licensed medical provider and dispensed by a trusted pharmacy.

As online pharmacies increase in popularity, patients are encouraged to remain vigilant when purchasing medication online. It can be difficult to identify an illegal online pharmacy, so here are some possible red flags that may indicate an online pharmacy is not legitimate:

• Sells prescription drugs without requiring a valid prescription from a healthcare provider
• Offers much cheaper prices than what is typically seen in the market
• Lists prices in a foreign currency
• Does not contain proof of a valid pharmacy state license or DEA registration 
• Medicine arrives in broken or damaged packaging or in a foreign language
• Medicine does not have an expiration date or is expired 
• Medicine looks different from what you have received in the past from your trusted pharmacist

Consumers may visit the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s BeSafeRx campaign page for information on how to safely buy prescription medication online and how to locate a state-licensed online pharmacy. You can also contact your state board of pharmacy to verify a pharmacy’s license. 

This case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York.

Hudson Valley Law Enforcement Symposium – Federal, State, And Local Officials Gather To Combat Violent Crime, Narcotics Traffickers, And Child Sex Offenders

On January 27, 2026, over 100 federal, state, and local law enforcement officials gathered at the Orange County Government Center to discuss their efforts to combat crime on behalf of the people of New York.  Participants included, among many others, the U.S. Attorneys for the Southern and Northern Districts of New York, leaders of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), Homeland Security Investigations (“HSI”), the Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (“ATF”), District Attorneys and Sheriffs from Albany County, Rockland County, Orange County, Westchester County, Dutchess County, Greene County, and Rensselaer County, and senior leaders of the New York State Police. 

The presentations and discussions focused on combining resources across offices and departments to combat the greatest threats to the quality of life and safety of the good people of the Hudson Valley.  Areas identified as requiring a collective effort included:

• Removing gun-toting career criminals from our streets;
• Dismantling sophisticated narcotics production and distribution enterprises, including the violent transnational gangs that have invaded communities across the Hudson Valley;
• Protecting our children from sexual predators.  

Several case studies involving multi-agency efforts that led to highly successful prosecutions were discussed with an eye toward greater cooperation in the future.  The participants also discussed community engagement and community priorities, including “hot spots” where the need for a combination of federal, state, and local resources is most acute.  

“It is invaluable to hear directly from our state and local partners,” said U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York Jay Clayton.  “Our principal objective is to deliver a better quality of life, including safe streets, for the people of the Hudson Valley, and we can best achieve that objective if we work in concert with our state and local partners.  Together, we have brought—and will continue to bring—our most violent and most dangerous criminals to justice.”

“Public safety does not stop at district or county lines,” said Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of New York John A. Sarcone III.  “This symposium underscores the power of strong partnerships among federal, state, and local law enforcement to confront the most serious threats facing our communities—violent crime, narcotics trafficking, and the exploitation of children.  By sharing intelligence, coordinating resources, and aligning our priorities, we are better positioned to dismantle criminal organizations, protect the most vulnerable, and deliver real results for the people we serve.”

“Drugs, guns, and violent crime are endemic public safety concerns that know no boundaries,” said Orange County District Attorney David M. Hoovler. “In order to best protect the residents of Orange County from these ever-present dangers, we must work with our law enforcement partners, near and far.  I am grateful not only for all of the law enforcement professionals who attended the symposium, but also for the commitment to work together to serve the residents of the Hudson Valley.  This historic event highlights the importance of collaboration in effective law enforcement in the 21^st century.”

“This meeting was a tremendous opportunity to gather officials from federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to share information and ideas on how we can leverage our resources to identify, investigate, and bring to justice the dangerous criminals bringing harmful narcotics and weapons into our communities,” said Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Albany Field Office Craig Tremaroli.  “I’m incredibly grateful to all the partners who made the time to attend this important discussion, and I look forward to working together to achieve our shared goal of keeping all our communities safe.”

“DEA New York remains steadfast in our commitment to working alongside our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners to target those looking to distribute illicit narcotics throughout the Hudson Valley region,” said DEA New York Enforcement Division Special Agent in Charge Farhana Islam.  “These symposiums provide us the opportunity to gather and collaborate with our partners, which helps strengthen our resolve to enhance public safety and helps protect our communities from drug poisonings which are harming our neighbors.”

“HSI New York was honored to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with our fellow law enforcement leaders at the Hudson Valley Law Enforcement Symposium, united by our shared commitment to protecting our communities,” said HSI New York Acting Special Agent in Charge Michael Alfonso.  “Bringing together the strength and expertise of federal, state, and local partners is how we turn the tide against violent crime, drug traffickers, and those who prey on our children.  When we unite our resources and resolve, we deliver real results—making the Hudson Valley a safer place for every New Yorker.”

“We appreciate our U.S. Attorneys for hosting and participating in this collaborative effort,” said Special Agent in Charge of ATF’s New York Division Bryan DiGiralamo.  “ATF’s Crime Gun Intelligence, when combined with strong partnerships across all levels of law enforcement, enhances investigations and plays a critical role in reducing violent gun crime and keeping our communities safe.”

“Special thanks to our United States Attorneys for the Southern and Northern Districts of New York, and the Orange County District Attorneys’ Office, for bringing together our federal, state and local law enforcement partners for this meeting,” said DEA Northeast Regional Associate Chief of Operations Frank Tarentino.  “The DEA is committed to working with all our law enforcement partners across the region in targeting those drug trafficking organizations and individuals who are responsible for the most harm.  This is the DEA’s focus, both here and abroad, and we will continue this fight until we have a fentanyl-free America.”  

Pensacola Man Pleads Guilty to Threatening to Kill a Pensacola Police Detective

PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – Tamal W. Jenkins, 19, of Pensacola, Florida, pleaded guilty in federal court for interstate threatening communication with intent to extort. The plea was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “My office has zero tolerance for acts of violence and threats directed toward law enforcement. We will continue to back up the brave men and women who keep our streets safe with aggressive prosecutions against anyone who dares to threaten their safety.”

Court documents reveal that in July 2025 the Pensacola Police Department arrested suspects in a homicide investigation. Within days of the arrest, one of the Pensacola Police Detectives involved in the investigation received an electronic message making threats against her life for taking a suspect into custody. Law enforcement traced the threatening messages back to a device belonging to Jenkins.       

Jenkins faces up to 20 years’ imprisonment upon sentencing, which is scheduled for April 14, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. at the United States Courthouse in Pensacola before United States District Judge T. Kent Wetherell, II.  

The case involved a joint investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives and the Pensacola Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David L. Goldberg.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime, human and drug trafficking.

Federal Judge Sentences Robeson County Murder Suspect Who Shot and Ran Over Two Sheriff’s Deputies to 45 Years in Federal Prison

NEW BERN, N.C. –A Maxton man, Shawn Tobin Locklear, Jr., who was only 20 years old at the time, tried to kill two Robeson County Sheriff’s Deputies by shooting them and running them over with their own patrol car. Last year, he pleaded guilty to using a gun during a crime of violence and possessing a machine gun while selling drugs. A federal judge sentenced him to 45 years in federal prison for these crimes.

After officers arrested Locklear for armed robbery while using a gun, a state court judge released him in March 2022. A few months later in November 2022, while Locklear roamed free on bond despite his first gun crime, Robeson County Sheriff Deputies arrested him for murder and robbery charges. He allegedly used a gun to commit that murder. Shockingly, in May 2023, a state court judge released Locklear on bond while he awaited trial on those murder charges. A few months later in September of 2023, Locklear allegedly committed domestic violence crimes by choking his sister because he accused her of stealing one of his guns. When she called 911, he cut off his ankle monitor and fled the scene. While investigating those crimes, officers seized marijuana, cocaine, crack, and firearms, including machine guns, from Locklear’s car.

 

Two months after that latest crime spree, Robeson County Sheriff Deputies located Locklear, on November 7, 2023. As they attempted to arrest him, Locklear busted out his house and scurried into the woods. When two deputies located him on the other side of the woods, their bodycam footage showed him hiding behind a tree. As the deputies commanded him to show his hands and surrender, Locklear first showed his left hand on the left side of the tree. Suddenly, without warning, Locklear popped out on the right side of the tree with his gun drawn and unleashed a blaze of bullets. His barrage struck both deputies several times in the legs and gutshot. Wounded and shocked, the deputies crawled to cover behind their patrol car. As one deputy reloaded, Locklear sprinted up and dove into the driver’s seat of the patrol car. He gunned it in reverse, running over one deputy and almost crushing both. During the skirmish, the deputies shot Locklear. Locklear left the deputies to die, bleeding in the dirt.

The deputies called EMS to dispatch an ambulance to provide emergency care. Locklear intercepted the ambulance speeding to those deputies, stopping it in the middle of the road. He commandeered the ambulance for himself and absconded to the hospital. Thankfully, other Robeson County deputies responded, loaded their wounded brothers into the bed of a pickup truck, and rushed them to the same hospital. They arrested Locklear in the hospital. 

“Every day our law enforcement heroes steady themselves in the mirror, suit up in uniform, leave anxious families behind, and walk out of their homes to valiantly stand between our law-abiding citizens and the violent, anti-social scoundrels who care only about feeding their greed and violence,” said U.S. Attorney Ellis Boyle. “This demon should not have walked freely in our community after his first crimes in March 2022, and certainly not after the 2023 crimes. He is not fit for society, and our families don’t need to worry about him shooting more victims for the next 45 years. We all owe a debt of gratitude to the brave, steadfast public servants who put their lives on the line to remove this scourge from our community. Make no mistake, threats of violence and actual attacks on our law enforcement officers will not be tolerated in North Carolina, whether the weapon is a gun or a two-thousand-pound vehicle. As always, our thanks extend to the dedicated and professional deputies in this case, literally heroes who faced down death, and the other law enforcement partners who collaborated with the U.S. Attorney’s Office to force this villain to spend his next 45 years surrounded by concrete and steel. We also applaud Judge Flanagan’s appropriate sentence, which will keep the citizens and children in our community safe for decades.” 

“Today’s sentence brings accountability for a violent and deliberate attack on law enforcement. By the grace of God, the two deputies who were shot and ran over with a stolen patrol car survived, and we remain deeply grateful for their courage, resilience, and recovery. This outcome sends a clear message that violence against those who serve and protect our communities daily will not be tolerated, and those responsible will be held fully accountable,” said Sheriff Burnis Wilkins.

“The safety of our communities is strongly supported by the brave men and women in law enforcement,” said Special Agent in Charge Alicia Jones. “An attack on an officer is an attack on the community, and ATF will continue to deliver every resource we can to prevent this type of violence against our law enforcement partners.”

“The Robeson County District Attorney’s Office is grateful to the Eastern District of North Carolina U.S. Attorney’s Office’s efforts on this case and look forward to partnering in the future to have a robust federal presence to promote safety in our community,” said Robeson County District Attorney Matt Scott. “One exciting example of this partnership is the imminent hiring of a Special AUSA from Robeson County District Attorney’s Office to further pursue state and federal criminal convictions focused on keeping our community safe.”

The Robeson County Sheriff’s Office and the ATF investigated the case, and AUSAs Ashley Foxx and Robert Dodson prosecuted the case. Locklear still faces state charges for attempted murder and other crimes in Robeson County.

A copy of this press release is located on the EDNC USAO website. Related court documents and information can be found on the EDNC USAO website or on PACER by searching for Case No. 7:24-CR-33-FL-BM. 

NCIS Forensic Consultants Crack Toughest Cases With Advanced Technology, Creativity

 Jan. 7, 2026 | By Denise Caskey, Naval Criminal Investigative Service |

Far outside of the world of Hollywood television and so-called "magic tools," such as photographic enhancements or instant DNA results, Naval Criminal Investigative Service forensic consultants focus on the real science of evidence — finding the key details that help bring investigations to the finish line and provide prosecutors with what they need to see justice served. 

The reality is that most of the tools used by fictional forensic consultants don't exist. There is no centralized, searchable military database cataloging the fingerprints or DNA for every service member. A DNA profile can take months to process. Even under ideal conditions, zooming in on a surveillance image rarely produces a clear license plate number. 

According to Special Agent Garrett Radke, a forensic consultant stationed at NCIS Resident Agency Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, the notion that valuable, clear-cut evidence will be found at a crime scene is often unrealistic. 

"It's such a mess of mixed profiles and mixed prints that you really can't discern which is the one that would be relevant," Radke said. "It happens a lot with weapons. It's virtually impossible for us to do anything with a military weapon, for example, because [there are] literally hundreds of people who have touched that weapon." 

Despite the lack of cinematic shortcuts, NCIS forensic consultants remain at the forefront of their field using sophisticated 3D imaging technologies, such as the FARO terrestrial laser scanner, unmanned aircraft system imaging and other cutting-edge technologies to bring order to often chaotic and complex crime scenes. 

The FARO system uses lasers to create a map of its surroundings with an accuracy of about 1 millimeter at a distance of 10 meters. The data can then be used to generate 3D graphics and virtual "fly through" videos, helping juries understand the spatial relationship of evidence within a scene. 

Following the catastrophic 2020 fire aboard USS Bonhomme Richard, forensic graphics specialists used imagery collected with FARO to create a 3D model of the area where the fire occurred, as well as the suspect's alleged route of travel from the lower decks to the living quarters. The model was used by the prosecution and defense teams to assess whether a key witness could have seen what he claimed to have seen. The model ultimately showed that a wall would have obstructed the witness's view. 

Radke is also one of four NCIS drone pilots certified by the Federal Aviation Administration, War Department and NCIS to operate drones around crime scenes, including within the restricted airspace of military bases under special authorization. 

Drones, Radke said, serve as "eyes in the sky" for operations, especially in large or difficult-to-access areas. They can also fly in grid patterns, capturing images that can be stitched together or integrated into FARO models using photogrammetry, a technique that produces 3D representations from photographs. 

The use of drones recently proved instrumental in a death investigation after a body was found in a courtyard surrounded by tall barracks buildings. According to Radke, who responded as one of the forensic consultants, there was initially no clear indication of how the individual had died or how the body had reached the location. 

"There were wounds on the body, but nothing that appeared fatal and no wounds consistent with a fall from a significant height," he said. "We found blood in several locations that could have indicated the person was killed elsewhere, then transported and dumped in the courtyard, suggesting homicide. However, by using a drone to examine the roof of the nearby [building], I discovered a sledgehammer, a 27-foot skid mark that looked like something heavy had slid off the roof, and footwear impressions matching the shoes worn by the decedent." 

Using the evidence and the autopsy results, NCIS determined the death was accidental, caused by a fall. 

Forensics, Radke said, is rooted in the scientific method but still leaves room for creativity and innovation. Designing experiments, testing scenarios and developing unique strategies of retrieving evidence are all part of the process. In one case, Radke even used a pool skimmer and rake to retrieve evidence from a roof safely. 

"It wasn't ideal and certainly not textbook," he said, "but it was much safer. We were there because someone had died falling off that roof — it didn't make sense for any of us to risk the same." 

NCIS forensic work is a careful balance of creativity, technology and traditional evidence collection, ensuring every scene is documented to the highest standard. Even when answers aren't found right away, preserved evidence remains ready for future breakthroughs. Using tools like FARO, drones, virtual reality and mobile device LiDAR, paired with scientific expertise, can turn even the most complex cases into successful investigations that deliver justice for victims and their families. 

Forensic consultants are essential to the NCIS mission of investigating major crimes involving Navy Department personnel and assets. While many arrive with crime scene or forensic science backgrounds, others — like Radke — begin their forensic careers at NCIS. His opinion is that the best way to become a forensic consultant is to be involved in the work. 

"Be an active part of the major case response team, go to scenes, go to autopsies and consider the NCIS Forensic Associate Program," he said. "It's designed to identify and develop special agents interested in becoming forensic consultants." 

A career as an NCIS forensic consultant, Radke said, can be very rewarding for those who think beyond the standard investigative steps and embrace creative problem-solving.