Press Release

Kansas woman sentenced for murder of U.S. soldier husband

Friday, September 26, 2025

TOPEKA, KAN. A Kansas woman was sentenced to 293 months in prison for the murder of her husband, a U.S. Army soldier. 

On February 14, 2025, a federal jury found Margaret E. Shafe, 31, guilty of murder in the second degree for killing her husband, Greg Shafe, in February 2024 at their home on the Fort Riley military installation. Evidence presented at trial showed that Shafe shot her husband in the face while in the presence of two minor children. 

“Margaret Shafe deserves to go to prison. The evidence in this case showed she murdered her husband while the couple’s two young daughters were in the home,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan A. Kriegshauser. “The Court heard brave testimony from Ms. Shafe’s own daughter who witnessed her mother shoot her stepfather in a fury.” 

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the U.S. Department of Army Criminal Investigation Division, and Fort Riley Fire and Emergency Services investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sara Walton and Lindsey Debenham and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Robin Graham prosecuted the case.

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 EPA Press Office:

EPA and HUD Protect Newark Housing Authority Residents from Lead Paint

Newark, N.J. (September 29, 2025) – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) have reached concurrent settlements with the Newark Housing Authority (NHA) in New Jersey to correct violations of federal lead-based paint regulations and improve protections for residents and staff. The agreements require NHA to conduct lead testing and abatement where lead-based paint is found across the housing authority’s 11 pre-1978 properties with a total of about 5,500 residents. In addition, NHA must comply with lead hazard disclosure practices, improve staff training and ensure safer renovations. EPA’s settlement assesses a $170,000 penalty, which EPA will waive if NHA takes the actions necessary to comply with the federal lead requirements. The waiver will help ensure NHA’s ability to direct its limited funds towards tenants’ housing needs. HUD’s settlement assesses a civil penalty of $7,500.   

 

“We have made progress in lowering children’s blood lead levels over the past 50 years, but potential exposures to lead in the home and our environment still present a risk, especially for our children, and settlements like this ensure that we are continuing to address this pathway,” said EPA Regional Administrator Michael Martucci. “Children are much more vulnerable to the harmful effects of exposure to lead in dust, and our partnership with HUD is critical to protecting them in their homes.”  

    

“With over two-thirds of New Jersey’s housing stock built before 1980, the risks from lead remain real,” said HUD Region II Administrator Jason Loughran. “This agreement ensures that the Newark Housing Authority takes steps to protect residents, especially children, from the harmful dangers of lead exposure. HUD is committed to working alongside EPA to make the homes of American families healthier, safer, and a source of stability.” 

 

The settlement follows EPA inspections at the John W. Hyatt Court and Pennington Court properties in Newark. EPA found that NHA did not provide tenants with complete lead hazard disclosures, or ensure renovations were properly done under EPA’s Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) Rule.  

 

To resolve these violations, NHA has agreed to implement corrective actions across all eleven of its housing developments, including:   

• Developing and following detailed compliance plans to meet and maintain compliance with the federal Lead Disclosure Rule, the RRP Rule and HUD’s Lead Safe Housing Rule; 

• Submitting quarterly reports to EPA and HUD to demonstrate compliance with disclosure requirements for new leases and lease renewals as well as compliance with lead safe work practice standards under the RRP and HUD’s Lead Safe Housing Rule; 

• Creating and following a plan for abatements of all lead-based paint building components (interior, exterior, common areas); 

• Leading worker training sessions to train and certify NHA staff to perform renovations under the RRP Rule and to educate maintenance staff on lead safe work practice standards in day-to-day operations to protect themselves and residents from lead dust; 

• Holding tenant education sessions to educate tenants on the hazards of lead-based paint and methods to minimize potential exposures that tenants can implement in addition to NHA’s obligations under the rules; 

• Distributing an EPA and HUD approved fact sheet to NHA maintenance staff and contractors on required RRP certifications and a summary of the lead disclosure requirements and lead safe work practices; and 

• Posting all written materials for the worker training and tenant education sessions on NHA’s website www.newarkha.org. 

 

Given the shared and independent authorities for enforcing lead paint rules and regulations, EPA and HUD entered into a joint Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). The MOU outlines coordination between the agencies for inspections, investigations, and enforcement of judicial and administrative enforcement cases. These coordinated settlements are the first in the country with a public housing authority since the issuance of this MOU. 

 

EPA and HUD will continue to work together to provide technical assistance and oversight to ensure that the NHA meets its obligations. 

 

Lead paint was banned from use in homes in 1978, but it remains on the walls and woodwork of millions of homes and buildings across the country. Exposure to improperly managed lead-based paint can cause serious health problems, especially in children. Federal law requires landlords and contractors to provide tenants with lead-paint hazard information and to use certified and trained personnel during renovations. 

 

Learn more about lead-based paint rules by visiting EPA’s lead webpage. For information about compliance, visit Enforcing Lead Laws and Regulations.  

 

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 Press Release

Kansas City Man Sentenced for Bank Robbery

Wednesday, September 24, 2025

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Two Kansas City men have now been sentenced in federal court for bank robbery.  

Rathell Quavon Ross, 28, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Beth Phillips to 77 months. Ross’s co-defendant Gerrad D. Rivera-Willis was sentenced previously on April 22, 2025, to 72 months in prison for bank robbery.

According to court documents, Rivera-Willis and Ross parked a vehicle near a bank in Kansas City, Mo., entered the bank and threatened its employees and demanded money.  The two defendants left the bank with $2,033 and left in the same vehicle in which they arrived. Law enforcement officers were able to identify the vehicle, which had also been used in a previous bank robbery at a different bank. The vehicle was subsequently located at which point Ross and Rivera-Willis both fled on foot. Ross was found hiding under a tarp nearby in possession of the vehicle’s keys. Officers also tracked the path of Rivera-Willis’s flight from the vehicle with a K-9 and recovered the stolen $2,033 in currency from under a cinder block near where Rivera-Willis was arrested. Rivera-Willis admitted to taking part in the previous bank robbery and was ordered to pay $8,542 in restitution.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean T. Foley. It was investigated by Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Kansas City, Missouri Police Department.

Operation Take Back America

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. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN). 

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ICE Arrests Worst of the Worst: Criminal Illegal Aliens Convicted of Heinous Sex Crimes

 News Release:

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY Office of Public Affairs

ICE Arrests Worst of the Worst: Criminal Illegal Aliens Convicted of Heinous Sex Crimes

WASHINGTON —U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers are arresting the worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens across the country as they carry out President Trump’s mandate from the American people to remove criminal illegal aliens from American communities. “ICE is arresting heinous sexual predators who terrorize innocent children and families,” said Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. “In the face of sanctuary politicians comparing ICE to the Nazi Gestapo, the Secret Police, and slave patrols, the brave men and women of ICE continue to remove these monsters who are the WORST OF THE WORST and should never have been in our country. Our ICE agents are heroes for risking their lives to get these dangerous criminals off American streets.” Yesterday’s arrests include: Ronaldo Munoz-Portilla, a criminal illegal alien from Mexico, convicted of aggravated sexual assault of a child under 14 in Dallas County, Texas. Carlos Romero-Obregon, a criminal illegal alien from Mexico, convicted of attempted gang assault in Queens, New York. Kingsley Ariegwe, a criminal illegal alien from Nigeria, convicted of attempted sexual intercourse without consent in Montana. Hector Monzon-Colindres, a criminal illegal alien from Honduras, convicted of unlawful restraint in Austin, Texas. Marvin Adonay Hernandez-Montes, a criminal illegal alien from El Salvador, convicted of lewd or lascivious acts with a minor under age 14 in Los Angeles, California.

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 News Release:

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY Office of Public Affairs

Secretary Noem Issues Statement of Support to Create a Secretary of the United States Coast Guard WASHINGTON – Yesterday, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem publicly endorsed a letter delivered by Secretary of War Pete Hegseth supporting the creation of a Secretary of the United States Coast Guard. The Coast Guard’s broad and specialized mission gives it duties as both a federal law enforcement agency and a branch of the U.S. military. The Coast Guard has lacked a civilian Service Secretary to lead its force, direct policy, and set strategic goals. As part of a full-scale effort to revitalize the Coast Guard, Secretary Noem is requesting Congress to create a Secretary of the Coast Guard. “The Coast Guard is the tip of the spear in the fight to protect our Homeland,” said Secretary Noem. “Every day, they are taking down drug smugglers, going toe-to-toe with our adversaries in the Arctic and the Pacific, and saving lives. Having a Secretary of the Coast Guard will be essential for President Trump’s mandate to rebuild the Service into the finest maritime fighting force in the world. I emphatically endorse and support Secretary Hegseth’s recommendation and look forward to working with him, President Trump, and Congress to make this a reality.” The other five branches in the Armed Service are led by civilian Service Secretaries, who direct policy, represent the Service to Congress and other branches of government, and carry out the President’s agenda. Having a service secretary will better equip the Coast Guard to conduct its already successful joint operations with other branches of the armed forces. Under Title 14, Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachments (LEDETs) provide powerful law enforcement authority and capability against Foreign Terrorist Organizations and Transnational Criminal Organizations, to include vessels engaged in illicit drug and human trafficking. LEDETs are the Coast Guard's interdiction boarding experts that expand the Service’s law enforcement capability to naval and partner nation assets who lack organic authority. Recent examples of this coordination include LEDETs embarked on the USS Cole and USS Minneapolis-St. Paul, on the USS Sampson, on the USS Gravely, and numerous others. “We recognize and deeply value the Department of Homeland Security’s stewardship of the Coast Guard’s multi-mission character and its unique homeland security capabilities,” said Secretary Hegseth in his letter to Secretary Noem. “The Department of War believes that the establishment of a Secretary of the Coast Guard can complement and reinforce these strengths while ensuring that, in times of peace or war, the Service is postured to support the full spectrum of national security operations.”

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DHS Issues Correction to Statement on Targeted Attack on Dallas ICE Facility

 News Release:

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY Office of Public Affairs

DHS Issues Correction to Statement on Targeted Attack on Dallas ICE Facility

As of 2:30 pm local time in Dallas, TX, one detainee is deceased, and two others are in critical condition WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued a correction to information it released earlier today regarding the attack that took place at the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Dallas field office. Please note the corrected information below: As of 2:30 pm local time in Dallas, TX, one detainee is deceased, and two others are in critical condition. This prior release has been updated to reflect this change.

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 Press Release

Member of the Pagan’s Motorcycle Club Pleads Guilty for Assault Against a Rival Motorcycle Club Member

Tuesday, September 9, 2025

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A member of the Pagan’s Motorcycle Club pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Greg Kays for his involvement in an assault against a member of a rival motorcycle club.

Mark A. Crump, also known as “Navajo,” 55, of Lee’s Summit, Mo., pleaded guilty today to one count of assault resulting in serious bodily injury in aid of racketeering.

On July 20, 2023, Crump, Jarrid A. Hammer, and another member of the Pagan’s assaulted a lone rival motorcycle gang member at a bar & grill in North Kansas City, Mo.  Hammer told the victim that they were there to shut the victim’s club down, then flipped a table over knocking the victim to the ground.  Once on the ground, Hammer, Crump and the other Pagan’s member began stomping, kicking and punching the victim.  The victim later told law enforcement that those who assaulted him were wearing steel-toed boots.  Crump, Hammer and the other Pagan’s member fled the bar & grill before any law enforcement arrived.  The victim was later transported by ambulance to a local hospital, suffering from a head contusion (bruise on the brain), rib fracture, hemothorax (accumulation of blood in the area between the chest wall and lungs), a left pulmonary contusion (bruising of the lung), pneumothorax (collapsed lung) and a traumatic brain injury.

Hammer pleaded guilty to the assault on June 18, 2025, and is awaiting sentencing.

Under federal statutes, Crump is subject to a sentence of up to 20 years in prison without parole. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Bradley K. Kavanaugh and Robert Smith. It was investigated by the FBI, the Independence, Mo., Police Department, the Blue Springs, Mo., Police Department, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department.

Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force

This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

Charlie Kirk shooting investigation prompts security questions

 Press Release

Kansas City Woman Pleads Guilty to Bank Fraud Using a Stolen and Altered Check

Thursday, September 4, 2025

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Kansas City, Mo., woman pleaded guilty in federal court today to taking part in a bank fraud scheme. 

Aviance Shepard, 34, admitted that in March 2023, she obtained a $881,324 check belonging to another person which was stolen from the United Parcel Service mail stream. Shepard opened a business account at a local financial institution in the name of the check payee. On March 27, 2023, Shepard deposited the stolen and altered check into the newly opened account.

The next day, on March 28, 2023, Shepard obtained five cashier’s checks in the total amount of $320,000 for herself and others. Shepard also withdrew $20,000 in cash from the account.

On March 27, 2023, the check payor discovered that the check had been lost or stolen from the UPS package and stopped payment on the check. The bank did not receive the stop payment until Shepard had withdrawn $340,000 in cashier’s checks and cash.

Under federal statutes, Shepard is subject to a sentence of up to 30 years in federal prison without parole for bank fraud. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of Shepard will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathleen D. Mahoney. It was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and United States Postal Inspection Service. 

DHS Observes the 24th Anniversary of September 11, 2001

 News Release:

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY Office of Public Affairs

DHS Observes the 24th Anniversary of September 11, 2001     On the 24th anniversary of September 11, DHS pays tribute to those who lost their lives and the families they left behind during this unimaginable tragedy

WASHINGTON – Today, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) joins the nation in remembering the nearly 3,000 lives lost in the terror attacks of September 11, 2001. The history of our nation was altered forever. Twenty-four years later, the Department honors the courage and bravery of the 9/11 first responders, the resilience of the survivors, and the steadfast support of the everyday Americans who continue to inspire our work.    DHS was founded in the wake of 9/11 to strengthen our nation’s defenses against those who would seek to harm the United States. Our mission today remains the same: protect the homeland and keep Americans safe.    Across the country, DHS personnel are participating in observances to mark this solemn anniversary. From law enforcement officers and first responders to intelligence analysts and cybersecurity experts, the DHS workforce continues to safeguard the American people every single day.  "Today, we solemnly observe the 24th anniversary of the horrendous terrorist attacks that changed the trajectory of our country forever. On that terrible day, 2,977 people lost their lives: 2,753 in New York, New York, 184 in Arlington, Virginia, and 40 in Shanksville, Pennsylvania," said Secretary Kristi Noem. "The impact of the attacks that rippled throughout the nation in the days, weeks, months, and years that followed is still with us today and so is our resolve to never forget and never again let something like this happen. We honor the sacrifices that our firefighters, law enforcement, and medical workers made 24 years ago. We continue to pray for and support the families of all those impacted and those who suffered losses - they will never be forgotten. Never again." On this day, DHS reaffirms its promise: Never forget. Never again.

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Pedophiles, Abusers, Rapists, and Other Violent Thugs Arrested in Operation Midway Blitz

 News Release:

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY Office of Public Affairs

Pedophiles, Abusers, Rapists, and Other Violent Thugs Arrested in Operation Midway Blitz

These criminal illegal aliens flocked to Illinois because sanctuary policies allow them to roam free and terrorize innocent Americans WASHINGTON — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested several dangerous criminal illegal aliens in the sanctuary city of Chicago, for heinous crimes such as sexually assaulting a child family member, rape, armed robbery, and domestic battery. As part of Operation Midway Blitz, these arrests honor Katie Abraham who was killed in a drunk driving hit-and-run car wreck caused by criminal illegal alien Julio Cucul-Bol in Illinois. “In just the last few days in Chicago, ICE has arrested pedophiles, rapists, abusers, armed robbers, and other violent thugs. These are the criminal illegal aliens Governor Pritzker, Mayor Johnson, and their fellow sanctuary politicians protect over the law-abiding American citizens,” said Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. “These criminal illegal aliens flocked to Illinois because sanctuary policies allow them to roam free and terrorize innocent Americans without consequence. President Trump and Secretary Noem have a clear message: no city is a safe haven for criminal illegal aliens. If you come to our country illegally and break our laws, we will hunt you down, arrest you, deport you, and you will never return.” Below are some of the worst of the worst offenders arrested: Carlos Roman-Berrera, a criminal illegal alien from Mexico, arrested for aggravated sexual assault of a child family member and previously convicted of DUI.   Marcelino Ramos Crus, a criminal illegal alien from Mexico, arrested for DUI, resisting a police officer, and vehicular burglary. Juan Armenta, a criminal illegal alien from Mexico, arrested for armed robbery and DUI.   Hector Palomar-Flores, a criminal illegal alien from Mexico, arrested for domestic battery, assault, and DUI.   Bernardino Perez-Arrevillaga, a criminal illegal alien and registered sex offender from Mexico, previously arrested for battery/bodily harm, and criminal damage to property and convicted of aggravated sexual assault victim 13-17, and a sex offender registration violation.   Bolotbek Dzhenutbaev, a criminal illegal alien from Kyrgyzstan, previously charged with domestic battery/bodily harm.   Varinderpal Singh, a 24-year-old criminal alien from India, convicted of strongarm rape.   Juan Manuel Gaspar-Nochebuena, a 41-year-old sexual predator from Mexico, convicted of criminal sexual abuse of a child.   Pascual Lucas-Baltazar, a 23-year-old criminal alien from Guatemala, convicted of DUI and has pending charges for hit-and-run.   Brandon Riquelmer Gonzalez-Salazar, a 19-year-old criminal alien from Guatemala, with pending charges for firing a weapon.   Jose Luis Amador-Bonilla, a 39-year-old criminal alien from Guatemala, convicted of forgery and who has pending charges for domestic violence.   Ignacio Santiago-Garcia, a 37-year-old criminal alien from Mexico, who’s been arrested for DUI and possession of stolen property.   Francisco Tziquin-Balux, a 30-year-old criminal alien from Guatemala with pending charges for hit-and-run. DHS will continue our law enforcement and public safety mission undeterred as we surge ICE resources in the city in coordination with our federal partners from across the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Justice.

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