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An Olive Branch, Mississippi man was sentenced today to nine years in prison for possessing images and videos of children under 12 engaging in sexually explicit conduct. The content found on his electronic devices included sexual materials involving preteens, toddlers, and infants. Prior to his arrest, he was an elementary school teacher. 

United States Attorney Scott F. Leary announced today that Patricia Jones, 44, of Lamar, Benton County, Mississippi was sentenced by Senior District Judge Sharion Aycock. After pleading guilty on an earlier date, Jones was sentenced to 50 months imprisonment, 3 years supervised release and ordered to pay $1,422,022 to her victims.

After stealing $800,000 from the federal health care benefit programs, two pharmacists were sentenced and ordered to pay back the money they had stolen. This case was investigated and prosecuted by the Northern District of Mississippi, working in close collaboration with the Mississippi Attorney General's Office as a part of President Trump's Administration's Task Force to Eliminate Fraud. 

Moore had previously pleaded guilty to knowingly and intentionally distributing an amount in excess of 50 grams of meth. This investigation was part of HSTF which brought together local and federal partners to eliminate criminal gangs in our streets. The investigation of this case was carried out by Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office, Monroe County’s Sheriff’s Office, Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics and the United States Marshals. 

Imposters and scammers are good at what they do - lying and pretending to be someone they are not. They make up complicated stories and emergencies so you will panic, act quickly before you can think about it or discuss with someone you trust. Awareness is the purpose of this World Elder Abuse Awareness Day across several government agencies. "When you think something is suspicious, come forward and we will work aggressively to make sure your/our community is a safer place to live."

LITTLE ROCK—Freddy Najil, who robbed three banks at gunpoint in the span of three months, will spend the next 211 months in federal prison for bank robbery and being a felon in possession of a firearm.

U.S. Attorney Scott Leary presented DeSoto County Sheriff Thomas Tuggle, the 2026 Hometown Hero award for the Northern District of Mississippi. This is a part of Freedom 250 wherein USAO's nationwide are participating in awarding heroes in their districts. 

The Department of Justice today announced the results of Operation Spring Cleaning, a nationwide initiative spearheaded by the FBI to combat gang-related threats and enhance public safety. The operation coordinated with federal, state, and local law enforcement and targeted the illegal flow of firearms and narcotics in our communities. 

Two former school superintendents and a schoolteacher have been sentenced for stealing almost $400,000.00 from the Department of Education. These arrests, and ultimate prosecution, was an action on part of President Trump's National Fraud Enforcement Division. 

Two Chilean nationals who have overstayed their visas have been arrested in Missouri for criminal offenses committed in the Northern District of Mississippi and elsewhere.

This case was investigated through collaboration of HSI, Howell County, MO Sheriff’s Office, Missouri Highway Patrol, Oxford Police Department and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Mississippi.

A second Venezuelan man with ties to the Tren de Aragua (TdA) international gang was sentenced today for conspiracy to commit bank fraud by United States District Judge Michael P. Mills. Winder Alexander Canelon-Tiapa, 26, living as an illegal alien in Dallas, Texas, was sentenced today to ten months with three years of supervised release.  Additionally, he is to pay the victim $47,250 in restitution. 

OXFORD

– As part of America’s 250^th birthday celebration, Freedom 250, U.S. Attorneys’ Offices around the country are honoring America by spearheading a gift-in-kind charity drive for their staff to participate in to benefit the community. In the Northern District of Mississippi, U.S. Attorney Scott Leary announced their office held a food drive for the local food pantry.