Violent Crime Case Round-Up  

January 17, 2025

The FBI plays a key role in combating violent crimes across our country—and in some cases, abroad—through our investigative work targeting gangs and criminal organizations, violent crimes against children, Indian Country crime, human trafficking and involuntary servitude, bank robbery, and jewelry and gem theft.

FBI investigators usually work in partnership with other law enforcement groups, often establishing task forces to concentrate resources and efforts. This round-up is only a partial list of recent FBI violent crime stories—for a full list, read more FBI violent crime news and press releases.

Leaders of Colombian Drug Trafficking Organization Plead Guilty to Conspiring to Smuggle Over 43,000 Kilograms of Cocaine into the United States 

Jorge Hernan Gonzalez-Ortiz and Carlos Andres Aldana-Gil have pleaded guilty to conspiracy to import cocaine into the United States. Each faces a maximum penalty of life in federal prison.

• According to the plea agreements and other court documents, from 2016 until 2023, Gonzalez-Ortiz established and led a drug trafficking organization in Colombia responsible for transporting cocaine via commercial airplanes. 
• From 2016 until 2023, Gonzalez-Ortiz’s organization smuggled cocaine onto at least 27 commercial flights, totaling at least 43,000 kilograms. 
• From 2021 to 2023, Aldana-Gil worked on behalf of Gonzalez-Ortiz for all logistical aspects of the smuggling operation from Colombia. 
• Full press release 

Missouri Man Sentenced to 510 Months in Prison for Recording Sexual Abuse of Multiple Victims 

Tracy Jenkins was sentenced to more than 42 years in prison after he produced child sexual abuse material involving at least eight victims. 

• Jenkins pleaded guilty to one count of production of child pornography and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. Investigators found a stolen pistol when they searched his home. 
• Judge Clark called Jenkins “a ravenous and insatiable sexual predator of the highest order” after detailing the lengthy history of Jenkins’ sexual abuse of the victims and his production of nearly 1,200 hours of videos recording that abuse. 
• Full press release

Chicago Man Convicted of Kidnapping, Carjacking, and Firearm Offenses 

Andrew Anania has been convicted on multiple criminal charges for kidnapping two drivers and sexually assaulting one of them at gunpoint. 

• Evidence at trial revealed that Anania kidnapped an Uber driver on March 8, 2021, in Darien, Illinois. Anania showed the driver a gun and forced her to drive to Chicago and park in alleys, where he sexually assaulted her before fleeing on foot.   
• On March 10, 2021, Anania and another man, Walter Moran, kidnapped a woman who was on her way to work in Cicero, Illinois. Anania pointed a gun at the driver and drove himself, Moran, and the victim to Chicago, where Moran exchanged gunfire with others on the street. The pair eventually released the victim and took her car. 
• Anania committed all of the offenses while awaiting trial in a separate federal firearm case. 
• Full press release  

Five Members of the Hoover Criminal Gang Sentenced for Racketeering and Firearms Crimes 

Markell Young, a leader in the Hoover Criminal Gang, was sentenced to 15 years in prison for ordering fellow gang members to murder a suspected rival gang member. 

• Young was the last of five defendants, all from Gibson County, Tennessee, to be sentenced in this case. 
• “This case is an outstanding example of what federal, state, and local law enforcement can accomplish when we dismantle gang networks that spread violence and fear,” said Special Agent in Charge Joe Carrico of the FBI Nashville Field Office. “The sentences imposed demonstrate the commitment of the FBI and our partners to thwarting gang violence and reinforcing the severe consequences awaiting those who threaten the safety of our communities.” 
• According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, all defendants were members of the Hoover Criminal Gang subset known as the 83rd or Eight Tray. The gang was engaged in racketeering activities including murder, robberies, and trafficking of marijuana, cocaine, and cocaine base. 
• Full press release 

New Mexico Man Receives 25-Year Sentence Following Violent Crime Spree in 2020 

Dakota Briscoe was sentenced to 25 years in prison for a violent crime spree that began with a double murder. He was convicted at trial of two counts of attempted carjacking, one count of carjacking, and the possession and use of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. 

• Briscoe’s violent spree began with the double homicide, which led to his desperate attempts to evade capture through armed carjackings. Briscoe targeted vulnerable individuals, including women, brandishing his firearm during these incidents.  
• Briscoe used a tan handgun to commit a series of violent acts, including the double homicide of two victims whose bodies were discovered in a burning vehicle in the South Valley. Although the firearm was never recovered by law enforcement, witness testimonies confirmed that Briscoe was seen with the firearm, and multiple .45 caliber casings were recovered from the crime scenes. 
• Briscoe successfully evaded arrest that day and was not apprehended until September 16, 2020. He was stopped at a United States Border Patrol checkpoint while driving a white commercial-style van that lacked a license plate or registration tag. 
• Full press release

Additional resources:

• Violent crime program
• Gangs
• Violent crimes against children
• Indian country crime
• Human trafficking/involuntary servitude
• Bank robberies
• Jewelry and gem theft

Charity fraud schemes ask for donations to organizations that do little or no work—instead, the money goes to the scammer.  

While these schemes can happen at any time, they’re especially prevalent after high-profile disasters like wildfires and hurricanes. Criminals often use tragedies to exploit people who want to help.

Scammers may promote their schemes via emails, social media posts, crowdfunding platforms, or even cold calls. Always use caution and do your research when you're looking to donate to charitable causes. 

Learn more about charity and disaster fraud schemes—including how to keep yourself safe—at fbi.gov/scams. You can also listen to our episode of the Inside the FBI podcast on charity scams. 

On this episode of Inside the FBI, we’ll learn how charity fraud scams work, how to avoid being conned, and how to report suspected incidents to the Bureau. Transcript

The FBI plays a key role in combating violent crimes across our country—and in some cases, abroad—through our investigative work targeting gangs and criminal organizations, violent crimes against children, Indian Country crime, human trafficking and involuntary servitude, bank robbery, and jewelry and gem theft.

FBI investigators usually work in partnership with other law enforcement groups, often establishing task forces to concentrate resources and efforts. This round-up is only a partial list of recent FBI violent crime stories—for a full list, read more FBI violent crime news and press releases.

Four Facing Federal Charges for Brink’s Truck Robbery in Illinois 
A federal grand jury returned an indictment charging four individuals for their involvement in an armed robbery of a Brink’s truck in Madison. 

• Lee O. Griffin Jr. is facing one count of conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery, one count of interference with commerce by robbery, one count of arson, and one count of possession of a weapon in furtherance of a crime of violence. 
• Antonio T. Harris and Patrick D. Johnson are each facing one count of conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery. 
• Taneisha M. Davis was charged with one count of arson for her involvement in setting the getaway car on fire. 
• Full press release 

Montana Man Sentenced to More Than 19 Years in Prison for Trafficking Meth, Fentanyl in Community 
Alejandro Romero, who admitted to distributing pounds of methamphetamine and thousands of fentanyl pills that were shipped from Washington, was sentenced to 19 years and seven months in federal prison. 

• Court documents allege that from December 2023 through March 2024 in Missoula, Montana, Romero possessed fentanyl and meth for distribution. The court noted during the sentencing hearing that Romero was distributing fentanyl, including pink fentanyl.  
• One person purchased about two pounds of methamphetamine directly from Romero in separate transactions. They also bought fentanyl pills and heroin from Romero. 
• “We won’t make progress against our nation’s drug epidemic unless the biggest drug traffickers are held accountable, which we’ve done today,” said U.S. Attorney for the District of Montana Jesse Laslovich. “Romero is responsible for peddling pounds and pounds of meth and thousands of fentanyl pills, including pink pills, as well as distributing fentanyl powder. His lengthy federal prison sentence shows we are determined to make the progress Montanans expect and deserve regarding drug traffickers poisoning our communities.” 
• Full press release 

Louisiana Man Charged with Kidnapping Resulting in Death and Transporting a Minor in Interstate Commerce with Intent to Engage in Criminal Sexual Activity 
Daniel Wayne Callihan was with kidnapping resulting in death and transporting a minor in interstate commerce with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity. 

• Callihan was previously charged for his crimes in a June 14, 2024, federal complaint. He’s since remained in federal custody. 
  On or about June 13, 2024, Callihan allegedly kidnapped two minor victims from Loranger, Louisiana, and transported them to Mississippi using a 2012 Chrysler 200. His actions allegedly resulted in the deaths of one of the minors. 
• He also allegedly transported one of the minor victims to Mississippi with the intent that the victim would engage in sexual activity. 
• Callahan is also allegedly responsible for an adult victim’s death.  
• Full press release

FBI Offers Reward in Death of Minor on Ute Mountain Ute Reservation 
The FBI is offering a $10,000 reward to anyone providing information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the man wanted in the shooting death of a minor on the Ute Mountain Ute Reservation in Colorado. 

• A federal arrest warrant has been issued for Jeremiah Hight, who is wanted in the death of the minor in Towaoc in the early morning hours of December11, 2024. 
• Hight is a 23-year-old Native American man with brown hair and brown eyes. He is 6 feet tall and weighs 400 pounds. He has tattoos on his right leg, left arm, right arm, right shoulder, neck, and left shoulder. He has a pierced left ear and a scar on his chest. 
• He might be armed and has proven he can be dangerous.  
• Anyone with information about the homicide or about Jeremiah Hight’s whereabouts is urged to call 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324) or make a report at tips.fbi.gov. 
• Full press release

Tampa Bay-Area Doctor Charged with Producing Child Sexual Abuse Materials and Enticing Minors to Engage in Sexual Activity 
Stephen Andrew Leedy was indicted and arrested on three counts of production of child sexual abuse material and two counts of coercing or enticing a minor to engage in sexual activity. Leedy faces a maximum penalty of life in federal prison if he is convicted on all counts. 

• Leedy, a Tampa Bay-area palliative care doctor, used the username “maximumuncle#9112” to sexually exploit and victimize approximately 10 minors online, according to the indictment and court documents. 
• In online conversations and video chats, Leedy instructed the minors to produce sexually explicit images of themselves. He also directed them to self-harm and take their own lives. 
• In November 2022, a minor victim was found dead, having died of suicide in a manner consistent with instructions Leedy had previously given her.  
• Full press release 

• Violent crime program
• Gangs
• Violent crimes against children
• Indian country crime
• Human trafficking/involuntary servitude
• Bank robberies
• Jewelry and gem theft

National Human Trafficking Prevention Month 2025      

January 8, 2025

This January, the FBI and our U.S. government partners commemorate National Human Trafficking Prevention Month. 

Human trafficking occurs when a person is illegally exploited. Federal law authorizes the Bureau to investigate three forms of this crime: sex trafficking, labor trafficking, and domestic servitude. 

You can visit fbi.gov/humantrafficking to read more about this crime, how we approach trafficking investigations, and how victims can report suspected trafficking and seek help.  

You can also visit fbi.gov/victims to learn more about the FBI’s Victim Services Division and access support resources. 

Finally, you can listen to the Inside the FBI episode below to learn more about our efforts to combat human trafficking: