News

Baltimore, Maryland – The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland announced today, that a federal grand jury indicted a Nigerien national, residing in Frederick, Maryland, in connection with a romance fraud scheme. Ali Habou Maman, 58, and his co-conspirators allegedly assumed fictitious identities, posed as love interests, and developed what victims believed were romantic relationships to further the scheme. 

Baltimore, Maryland – Today, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland unsealed an indictment, charging a treasurer who works for several political candidates and organizations, in connection with an embezzlement scheme. James Appel, 58, of Annapolis, Maryland, is charged with wire fraud and money laundering. The indictment alleges that, in 2024, Appel stole approximately $100,000 from a Maryland State Delegate’s campaign accounts and embezzled an additional $100,000 from an Anne Arundel County community organization.

Greenbelt, Maryland – A Maryland man is headed to federal prison for more than a decade for possessing a firearm and ammunition as a convicted felon and possessing drugs, some of which contained fentanyl. 

Greenbelt, Maryland – A St. Mary’s County, Maryland, man is headed to federal prison for possessing a firearm and ammunition as a convicted felon. U.S. District Judge Theodore D. Chuang sentenced Jerod Adam Taylor, 40, of Lexington Park, Maryland, to 30 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, today, in connection with the charge.

Baltimore, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Adam B. Abelson sentenced a Brooklyn Park man to prison in connection with a federal investigation that led to a drugs and firearms seizure. Steven Keith Staggers Jr., 31, received a 79-month prison sentence, followed by three years of supervised release, for possessing firearms and ammunition as a convicted felon.

Baltimore, Maryland – A criminal complaint against an El Salvadorian illegal alien, who attacked federal law enforcement during a traffic stop, is one of several prosecutions the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland recently announced in connection with the Department of Justice’s Operation Take Back America.

Baltimore, Maryland – An Ecuadorian alien pled guilty in federal court today to illegally re-entering the United States after her prior removal. Law enforcement discovered her illegally present in the U.S. upon her arrest for attempted murder.

Baltimore, Maryland – A Maryland gynecologist agreed to a settlement in connection with federal False Claims Act violation allegations. Valinda R. Nwadike, MD, agreed to pay the United States $507,500 to resolve allegations for her role in a telemarketing scheme designed to defraud Medicare and TRICARE. 

Baltimore, Maryland – A member of a violent extremist network pled guilty to child sex abuse charges in federal court today, stemming from a November 2025 arrest. Erik Lee Madison, 20, of Halethorpe, Maryland, pled guilty to the sexual exploitation of a child and cyberstalking. Madison sexually exploited at least 10 minor female victims. 

Baltimore, Maryland – A Guatemalan illegal alien was sentenced in federal court today to 18 months in prison, for illegally re-entering the United States. Edgar David Vasquez-Garcia, 34, pled guilty to the charge after he was previously deported from the U.S. in July 2014. He never sought nor obtained the consent of the Attorney General of the United States or the Secretary of Homeland Security to apply for re-admission.

Baltimore, Maryland – A Jamaican national is heading to federal prison for more than three years in connection with a lottery fraud scheme. U.S. District Judge Brendan A. Hurson sentenced Tavoy Farquharson, 34, to 40 months in federal prison, followed by two years of supervised release, today, for conspiracy to commit mail fraud.

Greenbelt, Maryland – A Nigerian national received a federal prison term for his role in a multi-million-dollar wire fraud and money laundering scheme. U.S. District Judge Deborah L. Boardman sentenced James Junior Aliyu, 31, who resided in South Africa at the time of his criminal conduct, to 90 months in federal prison in connection with the conspiracy.