A federal jury in Central Islip today convicted Michail McKen of two counts of sex trafficking by force and two counts of interstate prostitution in connection with a sex trafficking business he operated in Suffolk and Nassau Counties, New York, Virginia, Arizona, Massachusetts and elsewhere.  

“The defendant knowingly carried a fully automatic weapon, a pistol with a switch device whose only purpose is to make a dangerous weapon all the more deadly – and then carelessly left that gun in the back of a rideshare,” stated United States Attorney Peace.  “Today’s sentence serves as a warning that those who possess illegal guns, particularly with switches that convert those guns into machineguns, will be held accountable for their actions and for the danger they pose to our community.”

“Semiconductors and other advanced electronics are the lifeblood of Russia’s war machine, and Kahn’s circumvention of U.S. export controls was critical to Russia’s chip design and manufacturing capacity,” stated United States Attorney Peace.  “Today’s plea marks a significant step in protecting the national security of the U.S. and our allies and partners abroad.  We will continue to use all our law enforcement and national security tools to hold individuals and corporations accountable for flouting the law to aid sanctioned entities in Russia and elsewhere.”   

“The defendant will spend the rest of his life in prison for this ghastly, cold-blooded crime that was motivated by greed and executed after extensive planning,” stated United States Attorney Peace. “Martin preyed on Brandy Odom. He saw the victim as a way to make money. He trafficked her for commercial sex, then killed her with his bare hands so he could profit from her death. The defendant believed he could thwart law enforcement and cover up this heinous crime by relying on television shows about murder, but the investigatory efforts of law enforcement brought him to justice. Brandy Odom’s life mattered and I hope that this sentence, which protects our community by ensuring that the defendant cannot2victimize another person, brings some measure of closure to her family.”

“As alleged, Aman was steadfast in his attempts to travel to the Middle East to join ISIS and fortunately his evil plan to wage jihad was thwarted,” stated United States Attorney Peace. “My Office will continue to identify and prosecute would-be terrorists like the defendant before they are able to harm individuals at home or abroad on behalf of ISIS.”

“People seeking care for their mental health conditions should receive high-quality care that is not motivated or driven by greed,” stated United States Attorney Peace.  “Cerebral sought to increase its bottom line by increasing the prescription of drugs, including controlled substances that can be highly addictive and dangerous.  Since my Office’s investigation came to Cerebral’s attention, the company has cooperated fully and taken significant steps to remediate the institutional failures that allowed this situation to occur in the first place.  This resolution ensures that Cerebral will be financially accountable for its unacceptable conduct and serves as a reminder to the healthcare industry that my Office is committed to ensuring patient safety and protecting the public from business practices like those of Cerebral.”

“My Office and our law enforcement partners have worked tirelessly to hold MS-13 accountable for the unspeakable harm it has done to its victims and our communities.  As these charges make clear, our pursuit of those responsible will not be deterred by the passage of time or by the leaders of MS-13’s futile attempts to hide in the shadows,” stated United States Attorney Peace.  “This indictment strikes yet another blow at MS-13’s leadership and demonstrates our work to dismantle MS-13 from top to bottom.”

“To facilitate the Russian war machine, the defendant played a critical role in exporting sensitive, dual-use technologies to Russia, facilitating shipping and the movement of millions of dollars through U.S. financial institutions,” stated United States Attorney Peace.  “This plea highlights my Office and our law enforcement partners continued commitment to use all tools available to prosecute those who unlawfully procure U.S. technology to send to Russia.” 

Earlier today, at the federal courthouse in Brooklyn, Michael Kent was sentenced by United States District Judge Ann M. Donnelly to nine years in prison for his role in recruiting sham patients, paying off complicit pharmacists and illegally distributing oxycodone in a Brooklyn-based narcotics conspiracy.  

Updated to reflect a new separate travel advisory from the Kingdom of Denmark.

Exercise increased caution in Greenland due to environmental hazards posed by extreme weather conditions and limited emergency services.

Country Summary: The U.S. government’s ability to provide consular services to U.S. citizens in Greenland is extremely limited.

Greenland’s landscape includes vast stretches of territory remote from cities and settlements. The weather can be harsh, and resources to provide emergency services in areas distant from cities and large settlements, including search and rescue, are scarce. In some areas, search and rescue efforts could take several days to reach the site of an incident.

Read the country information page for additional information on travel to Greenland.

If you decide to travel to Greenland:   

• Obtain comprehensive travel, medical, and evacuation insurance; see our webpage for more information on insurance coverage abroad.
• Travel with a professional guide or organization, such as those that are a member of the Association of Arctic Expedition Cruise Operators, or, if organizing a private expedition, be self-sufficient.
• Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security messages and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the Traveler’s Checklist.
• Understand Greenland is a self-governing part of the Kingdom of Denmark. Greenland has assumed responsibility for the administration of health, education, taxation, and family and social matters (among other competencies), meaning these matters are handled differently than in Denmark.
• Follow the Department of State on Facebook and X/Twitter.
• Visit the CDC page for the latest Travel Health Information related to your travel.

Earlier today, at the federal courthouse in Central Islip, Edgardo Mejia was sentenced by United States District Judge Joan M. Azrack to 28 years in prison for sexually exploiting minors. The defendant was charged with causing an 11-year-old girl to create numerous sexually explicit videos of herself, as well as at least two sexually explicit images of her two-year-old niece, all of which was sent to the defendant. 

United States Attorneys Breon Peace and Damian Williams announced today that Assistant United States Attorneys will lead the efforts of their Offices in connection with the Justice Department’s nationwide Election Day Program for the upcoming November 5, 2024 general election.  AUSA Erik Paulsen has been appointed to serve as the District Election Officer for the Eastern District of New York, and AUSA David J. Kennedy has been appointed to serve as the DEO for the Southern District of New York.  

“As alleged, Hoberman distributed heinous and disturbing child pornography, including videos showing infants being restrained and raped.  Additionally, while posing as a man, Hoberman, who is a therapist serving children, claimed to have produced child pornography and offered others the opportunity to sexually abuse children,” stated United States Attorney Peace.  “Our investigation into Hoberman is ongoing, and we urge anyone with information to contact HSI’s tip line.  Together with our law enforcement partners, we will relentlessly pursue predators who victimize children and prosecute them to the fullest extent of the law.” 

Earlier today, a indictment was unsealed in federal court in Brooklyn charging Jerome Waters, also known as “the Engineer,” Calvin Israel and William Barnett for their alleged roles in the kidnapping, robbery and fatal shooting of a victim in Queens, New York on July 25, 2024.   

“Using aliases, shell companies and straw owners, moving their operations overseas, and laundering millions of dollars through foreign countries, the defendants conducted a sophisticated, multi-faceted scheme, employing scores in call centers and remote billing teams to line their pockets to the tune of more than a billion dollars,” stated United States Attorney Peace.  “Health care fraud victimizes American businesses and drives up the cost of care for all.  Let these convictions serve as a message: we will work tirelessly to investigate and prosecute those who exploit American health care plans no matter where in the world they operate.”

“As alleged in the indictment, former CEO of Abercrombie Michael Jeffries, his partner Matthew Smith and their recruiter James Jacobson used their money and influence to prey on vulnerable men for their own sexual gratification,” stated United States Attorney Peace.  “Today’s arrests show that my Office and our law enforcement partners will not rest until anyone who engages in sex trafficking or interstate prostitution, regardless of their wealth or power, is brought to justice.”

Earlier today at the federal courthouse in Central Islip, Lameek Everette, also known as “La,” a member of the Bloods Street gang, was sentenced by United States District Judge Gary R. Brown, to 40 years’ imprisonment.  On November 27, 2017, Everette was convicted of racketeering, including predicate acts of murder, robbery and attempted robbery.  

“Today’s sentencing of Genaro Garcia Luna is a critical step in upholding justice and the rule of law.  His betrayal of the public trust and the people he was sworn to protect resulted in more than one million kilograms of lethal narcotics imported into our communities and unleashed untold violence here and in Mexico. This sentence sends a strong message that no one, regardless of their position or influence, is above the law.” stated United States Attorney Peace.  “After years of destructive narcotrafficking and deceit, Garcia Luna will spend nearly 40 years where he belongs: federal prison.” 

BROOKLYN, NY – Raytheon Company, a subsidiary of Virginia-based defense contractor RTX (formerly known as Raytheon Technologies Corporation), entered into a three-year deferred prosecution agreement with the Department of Justice in connection with a criminal information unsealed today in the Eastern District of New York charging Raytheon with conspiracy to violate the anti-bribery provision of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act for engaging in a scheme to bribe a government official in Qatar and conspiracy to violate the Arms Export Control Act by willfully failing to disclose the bribes in export licensing applications with the Department of State.