DOJ News

Video of Seventh Religious Liberty Commission Hearing, 13th Apr

Video of Seventh Religious Liberty Commission Hearing, 13th Apr

DOJ Sues Connecticut, New Haven Over Sanctuary Policies

The Justice Department filed a lawsuit against Connecticut, Governor Ned Lamont, Connecticut Attorney General William Tong, the City of New Haven, and Mayor Justin Elicker on April 13, 2026. The DOJ challenges Connecticut's "Trust Act" and other sanctuary policies as unlawful interference with federal immigration enforcement. The complaint alleges these policies allowed dangerous criminals to be released into Connecticut communities. The case was filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut.

Two Honduran Nationals Sentenced for Roles in Years-Long $38M Off-the-Books Payroll Scheme

Two Honduran nationals were sentenced for operating a years-long off-the-books payroll scheme. Iris Villafranca received 204 months imprisonment and ordered to pay over $38 million in restitution plus forfeit $89 million. Osman Donaldo Zapata received 51 months imprisonment and ordered to pay over $2.5 million in restitution. The scheme ran from 2015-2022 and involved shell companies that cashed approximately $89 million in checks from construction subcontractors, facilitating employment of undocumented aliens and causing over $38 million in tax loss to the United States.

Florida Nursing Assistant Sentenced to Nine Years in Prison for $11.4M Health Care Fraud Scheme Targeting Medicare Beneficiaries

Christian 'Chris' Cruz, 45, of Pompano Beach, Florida was sentenced to nine years in prison and two years supervised release for his role in an $11.4 million health care fraud and wire fraud conspiracy. Cruz owned and operated a durable medical equipment supplier through which he submitted false claims to Medicare for medically unnecessary orthotic braces. He was ordered to pay $3,712,345.70 in restitution and $724,871 in forfeiture.

Reports on Biden Administration's FACE Act Weaponization Against Pro-Life Americans

The DOJ's Weaponization Working Group published a report examining the Biden DOJ's enforcement of the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act. Based on a review of over 700,000 internal records, the report found the Biden DOJ selectively prosecuted pro-life defendants while showing leniency toward pro-abortion defendants, with average requested sentences of 26.8 months versus 12.3 months respectively. The current DOJ outlines corrective actions taken to address the alleged weaponization of federal law.

Religious Liberty Commission Holds Final Hearing on Past, Present, and Future of Religious Liberty

The Religious Liberty Commission (RLC) held its final public hearing on April 13, 2026, to discuss the past, present, and future of religious liberty in America. The hearing featured testimony from witnesses including Clarence Henderson and Dr. Paul Brintley on topics including the 'separation of church and state' and religious freedom rights. Chairman Dan Patrick announced the Commission will deliver recommendations to President Trump next month.

Texas Man Faces Multiple Federal Charges Related to Attack on AI Company and its CEO

DOJ announced federal criminal charges against Daniel Moreno-Gama, 20, of Spring, Texas, for attempted damage and destruction of property by means of explosives and possession of an unregistered firearm. On April 10, 2026, Moreno-Gama allegedly traveled to San Francisco and threw a Molotov cocktail at the residence of a major AI company CEO, then attempted to set fire to the company's headquarters while possessing incendiary devices, kerosene, and a document advocating violence against AI executives.

Former Loveland, Colorado Police Department Officer Sentenced 17 Years for Sexually Assaulting Minor

A federal judge in Denver sentenced Dylan Miller, 30, a former Loveland, Colorado Police Department officer, to 17 years in prison and five years of supervised release for sexually assaulting a minor while on duty. Miller was convicted of depriving the victim of her civil rights while acting under color of law. The FBI's Denver Field Office and Larimer County Sheriff's Office investigated the case.

Tennessee Man Pleads Guilty to Arson and Attempting to Provide Material Support to Foreign Terrorist Organization

Regan Darby Prater, 28, of Tullahoma, Tennessee, pleaded guilty to one count of arson and one count of attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization (Hezbollah). Prater admitted to destroying facilities at the Highlander Center in New Market, Tennessee, using a napalm-based incendiary device, causing over $1.2 million in damage. Separately, he admitted to attempting to provide documents containing personally identifiable information of over 35,000 individuals to an individual he believed to be associated with Hezbollah. Sentencing is scheduled for September 9.

Bangladeshi National Saiful Islam Extradited from Brazil on Alien Smuggling Charges

Saiful Islam, a Bangladeshi national, was extradited from Brazil to face charges in the Southern District of Texas. Islam is charged with conspiracy to bring aliens to the United States, multiple counts of bringing aliens for financial gain, and conspiracy to encourage aliens to enter the United States. If convicted of bringing aliens for financial gain, he faces a mandatory minimum of 3 or 5 years imprisonment and a maximum of 15 years; conspiracy charges carry a maximum penalty of 10 years.