U.S. Attorneys News News Update

Offices of the United States Attorneys

You are subscribed to U.S. Attorneys News news updates. This information has recently been updated, and is now available. Waterbury Armed Drug Trafficker Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal Prison 08/14/2025 08:00 AM EDT ELVIN SANTOS, 26, of Waterbury, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to 120 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release, for drug distribution and firearm possession offenses. Halifax Man Sentenced as Armed Career Criminal 08/14/2025 08:00 AM EDT NEW BERN, N.C. – Trevonta Lynch, 34, a convicted felon and armed career criminal, has been sentenced to 15 years in prison following a traffic stop in which he reached for a firearm in front of law enforcement. Harrison County Woman Indicted on Theft and Fraud Charges Relating to Veterans Benefits and Federal Student Loans 08/14/2025 08:00 AM EDT A Bridgeport, West Virginia woman is accused of falsifying medical records to unlawfully receive Department of Veterans Affairs disability benefits and the fraudulent discharge of her federal student loans. Christina Nolte, 42, was indicted on one count of theft of public money, property, or records; three counts of making false statements; and one count of student loan fraud.  Montgomery County Man Pleads Guilty to Receipt and Possession of Child Pornography 08/14/2025 08:00 AM EDT Monongalia County Man Admits to Methamphetamine Charge 08/14/2025 08:00 AM EDT LaShawn Monroe, 30, of Morgantown, West Virginia, has admitted to the possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. According to court documents, Monroe possessed and intended to unlawfully distribute more than 1,700 grams of methamphetamine in Marion County, WV. Fort Wayne Man Sentenced to 63 Months in Prison 08/13/2025 08:00 AM EDT Southwest Georgia Man Found Guilty at Trial of Pandemic Wire Fraud Scheme 08/13/2025 08:00 AM EDT A Southwest Georgia resident was found guilty at trial this week of wire fraud resulting from a larger pandemic fraud scheme involving family members.

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USAO - Massachusetts News Update

Offices of the United States Attorneys

You are subscribed to USAO - Massachusetts news updates. This information has recently been updated, and is now available. Lynn Gang Member Pleads Guilty to Armed Robbery of Two Drug Dealers 08/14/2025 08:00 AM EDT BOSTON – A Lynn man pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court in Boston to two armed robberies which took place in March 2020 and January 2023, targeting drug dealers and their drug proceeds.  Claudio Melo, a/k/a "Blue Drilla," 33, pleaded guilty to two counts of conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery (Hobbs Act Robbery). U.S. District Court Senior Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV scheduled sentencing for Nov. 13, 2025. In February 2025, Melo was arrested and charged.Melo is a Crip street gang member who is a convicted felon with an extensive record of criminal offenses for which he served various state prison sentences, including assault with a dangerous weapon, assault and battery, armed robbery, larceny and malicious destruction of property.The first armed robbery took place in March 2020 and targeted a drug customer of Vincent Caruso, a/k/a "Fatz." Vincent Caruso was then on pretrial release for state fentanyl and firearm charges. Caruso orchestrated an armed robbery and home invasion in which Melo and another coconspirator broke into an apartment and robbed the occupants of approximately $18,000 in drug proceeds and jewelry. During the incident, Melo engaged in a struggle with the victim and struck him with a weapon. Caruso previously pleaded guilty to charges involving the armed robbery and was sentenced to nearly 21 years in federal prison in June 2022.The second armed robbery took place on Jan. 30, 2023. A drug transaction was scheduled to take place at an apartment in Woburn, during which an associate of Melo was to deliver a kilogram of cocaine in exchange for approximately $24,000. During the transaction, Melo and another individual entered the apartment and pointed semiautomatic pistols at the drug customer before taking the $24,000 in cash. The $24,000 cash was proceeds of drug trafficking activities the drug customer was engaged in. Melo and the other individual forced the drug customer to open a safe in his bedroom, which was empty. Shortly thereafter, both robbers departed with the $24,000 cash.The charge of conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery provides for a maximum penalty of up to 20 years, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000.   Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based on the United States Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Ted Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; and Colonel Geoffrey D. Noble, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Essex County District Attorney's Office and the Lynn Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Philip A. Mallard of the Organized Crime & Gang Unit is prosecuting the case.

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USAO - Connecticut News Update

Offices of the United States Attorneys

You are subscribed to USAO - Connecticut news updates. This information has recently been updated, and is now available. Waterbury Armed Drug Trafficker Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal Prison 08/14/2025 08:00 AM EDT ELVIN SANTOS, 26, of Waterbury, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to 120 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release, for drug distribution and firearm possession offenses.

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You have received this e-mail because you have asked to be notified of changes to the Offices of the United States Attorneys website. GovDelivery is providing this service on behalf of the Executive Office for United States Attorneys, Department of Justice, 950 Pennsylvania Ave., NW · Washington, DC 20530 · 202-514-2000 and may not use your subscription information for any other purposes.

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Violent Crimes News Update

Offices of the United States Attorneys

You are subscribed to Violent Crimes news updates. This information has recently been updated, and is now available. Lynn Gang Member Pleads Guilty to Armed Robbery of Two Drug Dealers 08/14/2025 08:00 AM EDT BOSTON – A Lynn man pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court in Boston to two armed robberies which took place in March 2020 and January 2023, targeting drug dealers and their drug proceeds.  Claudio Melo, a/k/a "Blue Drilla," 33, pleaded guilty to two counts of conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery (Hobbs Act Robbery). U.S. District Court Senior Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV scheduled sentencing for Nov. 13, 2025. In February 2025, Melo was arrested and charged.Melo is a Crip street gang member who is a convicted felon with an extensive record of criminal offenses for which he served various state prison sentences, including assault with a dangerous weapon, assault and battery, armed robbery, larceny and malicious destruction of property.The first armed robbery took place in March 2020 and targeted a drug customer of Vincent Caruso, a/k/a "Fatz." Vincent Caruso was then on pretrial release for state fentanyl and firearm charges. Caruso orchestrated an armed robbery and home invasion in which Melo and another coconspirator broke into an apartment and robbed the occupants of approximately $18,000 in drug proceeds and jewelry. During the incident, Melo engaged in a struggle with the victim and struck him with a weapon. Caruso previously pleaded guilty to charges involving the armed robbery and was sentenced to nearly 21 years in federal prison in June 2022.The second armed robbery took place on Jan. 30, 2023. A drug transaction was scheduled to take place at an apartment in Woburn, during which an associate of Melo was to deliver a kilogram of cocaine in exchange for approximately $24,000. During the transaction, Melo and another individual entered the apartment and pointed semiautomatic pistols at the drug customer before taking the $24,000 in cash. The $24,000 cash was proceeds of drug trafficking activities the drug customer was engaged in. Melo and the other individual forced the drug customer to open a safe in his bedroom, which was empty. Shortly thereafter, both robbers departed with the $24,000 cash.The charge of conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery provides for a maximum penalty of up to 20 years, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000.   Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based on the United States Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Ted Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; and Colonel Geoffrey D. Noble, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Essex County District Attorney's Office and the Lynn Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Philip A. Mallard of the Organized Crime & Gang Unit is prosecuting the case.

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You have received this e-mail because you have asked to be notified of changes to the Offices of the United States Attorneys website. GovDelivery is providing this service on behalf of the Executive Office for United States Attorneys, Department of Justice, 950 Pennsylvania Ave., NW · Washington, DC 20530 · 202-514-2000 and may not use your subscription information for any other purposes.

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Follow the Offices of the United States Attorneys on Twitter: @USAttorneys

USAO - North Carolina, Eastern News Update

Offices of the United States Attorneys

You are subscribed to USAO - North Carolina, Eastern news updates. This information has recently been updated, and is now available. Halifax Man Sentenced as Armed Career Criminal 08/14/2025 08:00 AM EDT NEW BERN, N.C. – Trevonta Lynch, 34, a convicted felon and armed career criminal, has been sentenced to 15 years in prison following a traffic stop in which he reached for a firearm in front of law enforcement.

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You have received this e-mail because you have asked to be notified of changes to the Offices of the United States Attorneys website. GovDelivery is providing this service on behalf of the Executive Office for United States Attorneys, Department of Justice, 950 Pennsylvania Ave., NW · Washington, DC 20530 · 202-514-2000 and may not use your subscription information for any other purposes.

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Follow the Offices of the United States Attorneys on Twitter: @USAttorneys

Drug Trafficking News Update

Offices of the United States Attorneys

You are subscribed to Drug Trafficking news updates. This information has recently been updated, and is now available. Lynn Gang Member Pleads Guilty to Armed Robbery of Two Drug Dealers 08/14/2025 08:00 AM EDT BOSTON – A Lynn man pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court in Boston to two armed robberies which took place in March 2020 and January 2023, targeting drug dealers and their drug proceeds.  Claudio Melo, a/k/a "Blue Drilla," 33, pleaded guilty to two counts of conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery (Hobbs Act Robbery). U.S. District Court Senior Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV scheduled sentencing for Nov. 13, 2025. In February 2025, Melo was arrested and charged.Melo is a Crip street gang member who is a convicted felon with an extensive record of criminal offenses for which he served various state prison sentences, including assault with a dangerous weapon, assault and battery, armed robbery, larceny and malicious destruction of property.The first armed robbery took place in March 2020 and targeted a drug customer of Vincent Caruso, a/k/a "Fatz." Vincent Caruso was then on pretrial release for state fentanyl and firearm charges. Caruso orchestrated an armed robbery and home invasion in which Melo and another coconspirator broke into an apartment and robbed the occupants of approximately $18,000 in drug proceeds and jewelry. During the incident, Melo engaged in a struggle with the victim and struck him with a weapon. Caruso previously pleaded guilty to charges involving the armed robbery and was sentenced to nearly 21 years in federal prison in June 2022.The second armed robbery took place on Jan. 30, 2023. A drug transaction was scheduled to take place at an apartment in Woburn, during which an associate of Melo was to deliver a kilogram of cocaine in exchange for approximately $24,000. During the transaction, Melo and another individual entered the apartment and pointed semiautomatic pistols at the drug customer before taking the $24,000 in cash. The $24,000 cash was proceeds of drug trafficking activities the drug customer was engaged in. Melo and the other individual forced the drug customer to open a safe in his bedroom, which was empty. Shortly thereafter, both robbers departed with the $24,000 cash.The charge of conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery provides for a maximum penalty of up to 20 years, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000.   Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based on the United States Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Ted Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; and Colonel Geoffrey D. Noble, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Essex County District Attorney's Office and the Lynn Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Philip A. Mallard of the Organized Crime & Gang Unit is prosecuting the case.  Waterbury Armed Drug Trafficker Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal Prison 08/14/2025 08:00 AM EDT ELVIN SANTOS, 26, of Waterbury, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to 120 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release, for drug distribution and firearm possession offenses.

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You have received this e-mail because you have asked to be notified of changes to the Offices of the United States Attorneys website. GovDelivery is providing this service on behalf of the Executive Office for United States Attorneys, Department of Justice, 950 Pennsylvania Ave., NW · Washington, DC 20530 · 202-514-2000 and may not use your subscription information for any other purposes.

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Another USPTO AI-assisted examination tool ready for prime time

SimSearch is intended to augment—not replace—other search tools.

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page. News Brief Another USPTO AI-assisted examination tool ready for prime time Beginning in September 2022, utility patent examiners at the USPTO began conducting prior art searches through the Similarity Search tool (SimSearch), an AI-assisted feature aimed at helping examiners more effectively locate documents similar to the application they are searching. Examiners maintain freedom of discretion when deciding whether or not to apply the search results.  SimSearch is intended to augment—not replace—other search tools and is available to examiners through our internal search tool, Patents End-to-End (PE2E) Search, which is built on a web-based, modern platform in the cloud. It uses the text of the application being searched to generate the AI search query and provide ranked search results. As the text of the application under review is updated via amendments, updated search results can be easily generated using SimSearch. Additionally, SimSearch enables examiners to refine search results by emphasizing selected application information and thereby more readily identify relevant prior art and similar documents.   ​  ​      ​    ​  Having trouble accessing links in this email? Your email server security software may be altering the links. Contact your IT or email administrator and ask them to "allow-list" links-1.govdelivery.com and links-2.govdelivery.com to ensure you can access all content in this communication. Stay connected with the USPTO by subscribing to regular email updates. Visit our subscription center at www.uspto.gov/subscribe to update or change your email preferences. This email was sent from an unmonitored mailbox. To contact us, please visit our website www.uspto.gov/about/contacts. To ensure that you continue to receive our news and notices, please modify your email filters to allow mail from subscriptioncenter@subscriptions.uspto.gov.

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