BROOKLYN, NY – A former American Airlines mechanic, Paul Belloisi, was sentenced to nine years in prison on Friday for his role in a conspiracy to smuggle more than 25 pounds of cocaine into the United States. Belloisi, who worked at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), abused his insider position to participate in an elaborate drug trafficking scheme, using sensitive areas of an aircraft to conceal the drugs. U.S. District Judge Dora L. Irizarry handed down the 108-month sentence after Belloisi’s conviction in May 2023 on charges of conspiracy to import and possess cocaine.

The case dates back to February 4, 2020, when American Airlines flight 1349 arrived at JFK from Montego Bay, Jamaica. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers, conducting a routine inspection, discovered 10 bricks of cocaine, weighing 25.56 pounds, hidden inside an electronics compartment located beneath the cockpit. The cocaine, with a street value exceeding $250,000, was replaced by law enforcement with fake bricks treated with a glowing substance. Special agents from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and CBP placed the aircraft under surveillance.

Belloisi, later observed approaching the aircraft and climbing into the electronics compartment, was apprehended by law enforcement. His gloves, which glowed under a black light, revealed that he had handled the fake cocaine bricks. He was also found carrying an empty tool bag and wearing a jacket with cutouts in the lining large enough to conceal the drugs.

U.S. Attorney Breon Peace emphasized the danger Belloisi’s actions posed to public safety, stating that his abuse of trust not only fueled drug trafficking but also jeopardized national security. HSI Special Agent-in-Charge Darren McCormack echoed this sentiment, highlighting the collaborative efforts of law enforcement in bringing Belloisi to justice. CBP Director Francis J. Russo applauded the teamwork between agencies that helped dismantle the smuggling operation.

  • Feds Charge New York Governor Kathy Hochul’s Chief as Agent of Chinese Communist Party

    BROOKLYN, NY – Linda Sun, a former high-ranking New York State government employee, has been charged with acting as an undisclosed agent of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), federal prosecutors announced on Tuesday. Sun, alongside her husband, Chris Hu, was also charged with money laundering conspiracy. The charges include violations of the Foreign Agents Registration Act, visa fraud, and conspiracy to commit bank fraud. Both defendants were arrested and are set to be arraigned before U.S. Magistrate Judge Peggy Kuo.

    Sun allegedly used her influential positions within New York State, including the Executive Chamber, to further the interests of the PRC and CCP. U.S. Attorney Breon Peace stated that Sun’s actions, “while appearing to serve the people of New York,” were instead designed to enrich her family by millions of dollars and to promote the agendas of the Chinese government. The scheme involved manipulating political activities, granting unauthorized access to PRC representatives, and altering official messaging to favor CCP interests.

    In return, Sun and Hu received significant financial rewards and other benefits, which they laundered to acquire luxury assets, including properties in New York and Hawaii valued at over $6 million, and a 2024 Ferrari.

    The couple also used fraudulent means to open bank accounts under a relative’s name to conceal their financial activities.

    The FBI and IRS, along with other federal agencies, collaborated on the investigation. Sun and Hu now face charges that could result in lengthy prison sentences if convicted.

    The case is being prosecuted by the National Security & Cybercrime Section of the U.S. Attorney’s Office, with assistance from the Justice Department’s National Security Division.

  • Woman Arrested in Nevada for Allegedly Stealing Casket and Dumping Body Outside Funeral Home

    LAS VEGAS, NV – A woman has been arrested in Las Vegas after allegedly breaking into a funeral home, stealing a casket containing a body, and later dumping the body outside the same establishment. Patricia Sierra, 47, faces multiple charges, including grand larceny, burglary of a business, and removing, transferring, or disturbing human remains, according to Clark County records.

    The incident occurred on August 27 at Affordable Cremation and Burial Services in Las Vegas. Sierra allegedly broke in by smashing a front window, then unlocked the door to gain access to the building, local Fox affiliate KVVU reported. Surveillance footage reportedly captured the suspect entering the funeral home, walking into the viewing room, and removing the casket before taking it outside.

    Police said Sierra entered and exited the funeral home several times before eventually leaving the scene. Around 3:30 a.m., a passerby discovered the casket and a body lying face down next to it in front of the funeral home. Authorities identified the body as that of a person whose viewing had taken place the day before, based on paperwork found near the remains.

    The investigation is ongoing, and Sierra remains in custody as she awaits legal proceedings.

  • New York Man Charged with $10 Million AI-Driven Music Streaming Fraud Scheme

    NEW YORK, NY – Michael Smith, 32, has been charged in a wide-ranging fraud scheme involving the creation of hundreds of thousands of AI-generated songs and their manipulation on streaming platforms to illicitly collect more than $10 million in royalties. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York announced Smith’s arrest today, following the unsealing of a three-count indictment for conspiracy to commit computer fraud, money laundering, and defrauding music platforms.

    According to the indictment, Smith utilized artificial intelligence to generate hundreds of thousands of songs and employed automated bots to stream these songs billions of times across platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube Music. This fraudulent activity diverted royalty payments away from legitimate artists and songwriters. Smith allegedly created thousands of fake accounts to stream the AI-generated tracks, manipulating the system to amass substantial royalty payouts without raising suspicion.

    U.S. Attorney Damian Williams remarked, “Smith’s scheme defrauded the music industry by using artificial intelligence and automation to generate millions in illicit royalties. Today’s charges demonstrate that those who undermine the integrity of the creative industry will face consequences.”

    FBI Acting Assistant Director Christie M. Curtis stated, “Smith’s exploitation of technology to profit through deception highlights the growing threat of fraud in the digital era. The FBI remains committed to combating such schemes that target legitimate artists and businesses.”

    Smith’s arrest occurred in North Carolina, where he will appear before a U.S. Magistrate Judge. If convicted, he faces substantial prison time, forfeiture of profits, and restitution to victims of the scheme.

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