Ex-Bristol Lawmaker Admits To Bribe Scheme To Kill Medicaid Audit For Fiancee: Feds
A former Connecticut state representative took a plea deal in a federal corruption case and admitted to fraud and extortion charges over his interference in a Medicaid and Medicare billing audit of his fiancée, a Bristol optometrist, authorities said.
Christopher Ziogas, of Bristol, pleaded guilty on Wednesday, Nov. 26, to multiple felonies tied to a scheme that ran from January through June 2020, the US Attorney for Connecticut said. His fiancée, Helen Zervas, previously pleaded guilty in the case.
Prosecutors said Zervas, who ran Family Eye Care in Bristol, turned to Ziog…
Ex-Mass State Trooper Guilty In CDL Bribery Scandal Gets Month In Prison: Feds
A former Massachusetts State Police trooper has been sentenced for his involvement in a scheme to falsify records related to Commercial Driver’s License applicants, impacting public safety in the process.
Perry Mendes, 64, of Wareham, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani to one month in prison, followed by one year of supervised release, with the first two months on home confinement. The government had recommended a year behind bars.
In July 2025, Mendes pleaded guilty to several charges, including conspiracy to falsify records, falsifying records, and making fals…
Franklin Lakes Wife Indicted In Notorious House-Flipper Husband's Federal Case
A New Jersey woman has been indicted in a federal case tied to her husband, a notorious house flipper, after she destroyed her cell phone as law enforcement tried to seize it during a fraud investigation, officials announced.
Jennifer Iturralde Pina, 43, of Franklin Lakes, was indicted on a charge of destruction of records in a federal investigation, U.S. Attorney Alina Habba announced Thursday, July 3.
The case stems from a federal investigation involving her husband, Cesar Humberto Pina, 45 — a real estate influencer better known as “Flipping NJ.”
Pina gained national attention through r…
Perth Amboy Beauty Salon Owner Admits She Fraudulently Obtained Covid Loan: Feds
A 42-year-old Perth Amboy woman pleaded guilty on Wednesday, June 25, to fraudulently obtaining COVID-19 loans and pandemic unemployment insurance benefits, authorities said.
Damaris Valerio, who owns and operates La Vogue House of Beauty, pleaded guilty to wire fraud and money laundering, U.S. Attorney Alina Habba said.
From April 2020 through December 2021, Valerio fraudulently obtained $194,212 in COVID-19 emergency relief funds, which were meant for distressed small businesses and pandemic unemployment insurance benefits for unemployed workers, by submitting false and fraudulent applica…
Fentanyl, Crack Cocaine, Guns: 30 Busted At Newark Housing Complex
Thirty people were arrested on Wednesday, June 11, for their respective roles in a drug trafficking organization that sold large quantities of fentanyl and crack cocaine in the Kretchmer Homes housing complex in Newark, authorities said.
The charges include conspiracy to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl and 280 grams or more of cocaine, along with various firearms and narcotics offenses, US Attorney Alina Habba said.
As part of their extensive investigation, law enforcement learned that the organization, called the Frelinghuysen DTO, distributed large quantities of fentanyl and coca…
NJ Woman Pleads Guilty To Robbing Princeton Bank Using Water Pistol: Feds
A 39-year-old Skillman woman pleaded guilty on Monday, June 2 to robbing a bank in Princeton last year using a water pistol, authorities said.
On Sunday, July 28, 2024, Ciara Brascom entered the TD Bank and demanded cash from the teller, while holding what appeared to be a black handgun, U.S. Attorney Alina Habba said.
During the robbery, Brascom threatened that she would use the gun if the bank’s alarm was activated, Habba said. The teller showed Brascom that his register was empty, so the teller and another employee took Brascom to a vault and gave her $60,500 in cash, according to a cri…
Former Family Services Caseworker, Kearny Resident, Who Possessed Child Porn Learns Fate: Feds
A 58-year-old Kearny resident was sentenced to more than nine years in prison on Thursday, May 22, after pleading guilty to possessing and transporting child pornography, authorities said.
Trent Collier previously worked as a caseworker for the New Jersey Department of Children and Families, Division of Child Protection and Permanency, U.S. Attorney Alina Habba said.
In September 2021, Collier arrived at Newark Liberty International Airport on a flight from the Dominican Republic, Habba said. Upon arrival, law enforcement searched Collier’s cellular phone and identified at least two images …
'Devil Is Coming': Trenton Man Who Threatened to Shoot White People Learns Fate, Feds Say
A 24-year-old Trenton man was sentenced to 15 months in prison on Thursday, May 22, after previously pleading guilty to making a social media post threatening to shoot white people, authorities said.
In December 2022, Joshua Cobb wrote on social media that he wanted to cause mayhem to the white community, U.S. Attorney Alina Habba said.
"It is going to take place in 2023 in the state of New Jersey, I have not chosen a exact date but I am going to be sure it is close to an important holiday to their race," Cobb, who said as a Black man, white people wouldn't understand his struggles, wrote. …
Orange Pastor, Wife Enslaved Church Members For Sex, Labor: Feds
A pastor in Orange and his wife were arrested and charged on Wednesday, May 7, with forcing church members into forced labor, authorities said.
Treva Edwards, 60, and Christine Edwards, 63, face charges of sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion and forced labor in Newark federal court, US Attorney Alina Habba said.
The Edwards’ were founders and pastors of a church called Jesus is Lord by the Holy Ghost, operated out of an apartment building in Orange, Habba said.
Between 2011 and 2020, the Edwardses identified and recruited victims who were facing struggles in their lives to join the…
Four Robberies, Two Shootings: Jersey City Man Learns Fate After Wild Night
A 32-year-old Jersey City man was sentenced to 26 years in federal prison on Wednesday, April 23 after pleading guilty to committing four robberies and two shootings, all in the same evening, authorities said.
On Nov. 14, 2021, Rodney Williams robbed a store in Jersey City at gunpoint, US Attorney Alina Habba said. Soon after, Williams, accompanied by Siobhan Chandler, demanded money from a gas station, Habba said. When the attendants did not immediately comply, Williams shot one of the attendants in the chest before fleeing the scene, Habba said.
Williams and Chandler then robbed a third s…
Toms River Man Went To Norway For Sex With Minor, Then Bragged About It: Feds Say
A 28-year-old Toms River man was recently arrested and charged with traveling to Norway to have sex with a minor, authorities said.
From Dec. 1, 2023 through Dec. 10, 2023, Jacob Bauer traveled from the United States to Norway and had sex with a 14-year-old girl, US Attorney Alina Habba said.
After returning to the United States, Bauer communicated over social media platforms with the girl and others about his sexual activities with the 14-year-old, Habba said.
During those conversations, Bauer acknowledged the victim’s age and status as a minor, Habba said.
After members of an online com…
