HONOLULU –Navor Salas-Cruz, 45, a Mexican national residing on Kauai, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge J. Michael Seabright today to 30 months of imprisonment for illegally reentering the United States after being deported, and for being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition. As a result of his conviction, Salas-Cruz will be deported after he serves his prison term.
According to court documents and information presented in court, Salas-Cruz was deported on July 10, 2008, after being convicted of illegally reentering the United States after a prior deportation. Nonetheless, on December 15, 2017, Homeland Security Investigation (HSI) special agents again found Salas-Cruz in the United States, residing on Kauai. In addition, at that time of his arrest in 2017, Salas-Cruz illegally possessed three firearms, including a 12 gauge shotgun and two pistols, and numerous rounds of ammunition.
“This office is committed to protecting the community by promoting the integrity of the immigration system,” said U.S. Attorney Kenji M. Price. “The efforts of local and federal law enforcement officers in locating this defendant and disarming him is a testament to their tireless efforts to keep our community safe.”
“This sentence demonstrates that there are serious consequences for those who lack respect for our nation’s laws or our borders,” said Frank Cabaddu, Acting Special Agent in Charge for Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Honolulu. “HSI will continue to work with DOJ and our law enforcement partners to take dangerous recidivists or other felony offenders off our streets and help to disrupt other types of criminal activity.”
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Attorney General Jeff Sessions has made turning the tide of rising violent crime in America a top priority. In October 2017, as part of a series of actions to address this crime trend, Attorney General Sessions announced the reinvigoration of PSN and directed all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to develop a district crime reduction strategy that incorporates the lessons learned since PSN launched in 2001.
The case was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), with assistance from the Kauai Police Department, and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Darren Ching.
MISSOULA – A Bigfork man who threatened and harassed his victim through text messages was sentenced today to 46 months in prison to be followed by 3 years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.Jeremiah Daniel Starr, 25, pleaded guilty in August 2025 to one count of cyberstalking.U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen presided.“Protecting victims from harassment and stalking in this highly technical age is a growing concern, particularly in cases like this, where the defendant caused emotional distress to the victim for many years and even discharged a firearm at one point as part of his elaborate ruse. I want to thank the Assistant U.S. Attorneys and staff in our office, and our partners at the FBI, for their hard work on this case.” U.S. Attorney Alme said.“The defendant exploited the anonymity of the internet to harass and intimidate the victim, inflicting lasting fear and emotional harm,” said Special Agent in Charge Justin Gerken of the FBI Billings Field Office. “This case reflects the FBI’s extensive and persistent investigative efforts to protect the victim and hold the offender fully accountable.”The government alleged in court documents that Jane Doe received threatening and harassing text messages from an unknown sender for almost three years. The culprit was not a stranger. Rather, it was Jane Doe’s “best friend,” Jeremiah Starr. When sending the messages by his cellular telephone, Starr masked his identity by using more than 50 unique phone numbers and a NordVPN, which required the FBI to analyze over 1,100 distinct IP addresses.On February 9, 2025, Starr used a firearm during the offense. Jane Doe was sleeping, and Starr pretended to “return” fire at individuals Starr alleged shot into Jane Doe’s apartment. None of that was true. Instead, Starr used a firearm to shoot rounds into the apartment and shot rounds outside the apartment as well. Starr lied about the shooting to harass Jane Doe and make her continue to think she was in danger. Jane Doe told investigators Starr’s harassment was unbearable and caused her significant emotional distress.Assistant U.S. Attorney Cyndee Peterson prosecuted the case. The FBI conducted the investigation.XXX
HONOLULU – United States Attorney Clare E. Connors and Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge Steven Merrill announced today that Richard Patterson, also known as Xavier Carter, 40, was arrested on February 11 in California pursuant to an indictment in the District of Hawaii. Patterson, Dashawn Hill, 46, and Judy Ramos, 52, all former residents of Hawaii, were charged with Conspiracy and Wire Fraud, and Patterson and Ramos also were charged with money laundering. Patterson made an initial appearance in court in the Central District of California. Ramos and Hill have not yet been arrested.
The indictment alleges that beginning by at least in or around July 2015, the defendants participated in an “advanced payment scheme.” One or more of the defendants solicited upfront payments from victim-investors that would purportedly be used to generate much larger sums of money for the victim-investors after a short period. The upfront payments were not invested and had no reasonable possibility of generating the promised return. To perpetuate the scheme, the defendants falsely represented that they were wealthy financial professionals, and that Patterson and Hill owned a financial institution that was properly registered in Switzerland. At times, Patterson used a fictitious alias, “Xavier Carter” and spoke with a fake accent.
The indictment further alleges that upfront payments were divided amongst the defendants and used to pay the defendants’ personal expenses, such as credit card bills, rent, entertainment expenses, and other expenses, none of which were investments and had no potential to earn the returns promised to the investors. During the course of the conspiracy, the defendants collectively solicited over $2.5 million in upfront payments from investors, and only returned approximately $163,000, some of which was derived from the payments of other victim-investors.
“Those who take money from investors by promising great returns in a short amount of time, with little or no attempt to generate such returns, should face serious consequences for their actions,” said U.S. Attorney Connors.
“The alleged fraudsters preyed on our communities, targeting trusting families and local business owners for their own selfish gain. The FBI takes financial crimes very seriously and will bring its considerable resources to hold those who commit fraud accountable,” said Special Agent in Charge Steven Merrill. “Friday's arrest is a direct result of the professional and thorough work of our employees and partners. I urge the community to use our tip line at tips.fbi.gov to aid us in bringing those who commit fraudulent schemes to justice.”
If convicted, each defendant faces a sentence of up to 20 years imprisonment, and a fine of up to $250,000 for each count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud or wire fraud. Patterson and Ramos face up to 10 years imprisonment, and a fine of up to $250,000 for each count of money laundering. An indictment is merely an allegation, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
The case was investigated by the FBI. Assistant United States Attorney Michael F. Albanese is prosecuting the case.
HONOLULU – United States Attorney Ken Sorenson announced that Carlos Frate, 41, a former Maui Police Department officer, was sentenced today to 65 months in prison followed by 3 years of supervised release for using unreasonable force against an arrestee. Frate previously pled guilty in August 2025 to one count of deprivation of rights under color of law.Frate admitted that on January 6, 2024, Frate repeatedly tased an arrestee, even though the arrestee was not resisting or posing any threat. Frate admitted that he knew that his force was unjustified, but he nonetheless continued to tase the arrestee despite the arrestee’s pleas for him to stop.“Today’s sentence should serve as a reminder that no one is above the law,” said U.S. Attorney Ken Sorenson. “Our law enforcement officers play an invaluable role in our community, serving at the frontline in preventing and investigating crime, protecting our citizens, and keeping Hawaii safe. We entrust them with enormous power and expect them to wield that power responsibly and constitutionally. While the vast majority of law enforcement officers conduct their duties with honor, integrity, and restraint, we are committed to bring to justice those who on the rare occasion violate the public trust by abusing their power or using excessive force.”“The defendant’s acts were abusive and unbecoming of the oath he swore to protect the public,” said Harmeet K. Dhillon, Assistant Attorney General of the Civil Rights Division. “Law enforcement officers who abuse their positions of power will be held accountable by this Administration.”“Trust between our citizens and the men and women of law enforcement who serve them is foundational to the safety and success of any community,” said FBI Honolulu Special Agent in Charge David Porter. “By using excessive force and abusing the power entrusted in him, the defendant didn’t just break the law—he betrayed the community’s trust and made the job more difficult for the vast majority of law enforcement putting in good work every day. The FBI and our partners will continue to aggressively investigate any officers who violate the public trust and their duty to serve.”FBI investigated the case based on a referral from the Maui Police Department.Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael F. Albanese and Trial Attorney Julia White of the Civil Rights Division prosecuted the case.
HONOLULU – A former Maui Police Department officer pleaded guilty Friday to one count of using unreasonable force against an arrestee. According to the plea agreement, on Jan. 6, 2024, Carlos Frate, 40, repeatedly tased the arrestee, even though the arrestee was not resisting or posing any threat. Frate admitted that he knew that his force was unjustified, but he nonetheless continued to tase the arrestee despite the arrestee’s pleas for him to stop.“Officers who abuse their position of authority to inflict excessive force must be held accountable,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “The Civil Rights Division will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to investigate — and where appropriate, prosecute — alleged police misconduct.”“Our police officers are entrusted to protect our citizens and perform their duties professionally, and it is the norm here in Hawaii that our law enforcement officers faithfully serve and protect us. In those rare instances where an officer abuses the public trust by using excessive force, that officer will be held accountable and prosecuted,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Ken Sorenson for the District of Hawaii. “This Office will continue to safeguard the constitutional rights of all of Hawaii’s citizens, including individuals under arrest.”“We entrust our law enforcement officers with vast power and authority, and when they abuse it, they’re not just depriving victims of their civil rights, but they are also degrading the public’s trust in our criminal justice system,” said Special Agent in Charge David Porter of the FBI Honolulu Field Office. “The FBI will continue to investigate and hold accountable anyone who violates federal law, regardless of their position.”Frate faces a maximum penalty of ten years in prison. His final sentence will be determined at a hearing scheduled for Jan. 6, 2026 by U.S. District Judge Micah W. J. Smith based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors.The Federal Bureau of Investigation is investigating the case based on a referral from the Maui Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael F. Albanese for the District of Hawaii and Trial Attorney Julia White of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section.
