3/15/12: Former Illinois Governor Begins Prison Term — Rod Blagojevich began serving his 14-year prison sentence at the Federal Correctional Institution Englewood in Colorado. The Chicago RCFL provided digital forensics expertise to prosecutors for the ex-governor's two trials — get the full story.

2/9/12: Danish National Receives 30-Year Sentence — The Heart of America RCFL supported the investigation into a 61-year old Danish citizen who abused and extorted an 11-year old Missouri girl for months. His own lawyer called the crimes committed by Kai Lundstoem Pederson "horrific" and "unspeakable" — read how law enforcement caught him.

2/9/12: Former City Councilman Loses Appeal — The Heart of America RCFL seized and analyzed computers belonging to Jason Croucher , 28, who once served as a member of the Osage City Council. Croucher lost his appeal to reduce his 171.5 year prison sentence for distributing and possessing child pornography — learn more about the case.

2/29/12: Former Health Care Exec Enters Guilty Plea — Johnny Perry, 62, a former executive of a Louisville-based healthcare company pled guilty in federal court to misbranding and altering drugs and to committing health care fraud. The Kentucky RCFL provided digital forensics expertise to investigators — learn more.

1/4/12: New Jersey Doctor Pleads Guilty to Child Pornography Charges — Rocco Martinez admitted in federal court to receiving and sharing images and videos of child pornography via the Internet. The New Jersey RCFL provided digital forensics expertise to investigators — learn more.

6/1/12: Former California National Guard Master Sergeant Receives 30 Month Sentence for Misappropriating $15.2 M — Retired Master Sergeant Toni L. Jaffe pleaded guilty to submitting millions of dollars of false claims for bonuses and loan payments to guardsmen who were ineligible for the payments. She received a 30-month prison sentence and was ordered to pay $15.2 million. The Orange County RCFL provided digital forensic expertise in this case. Click here to read the FBI press release.

3/1/12: Former Intern Pleads Guilty to Illegal Videotaping — Miguel Ruiz Fabian, 24, the ex-intern for the Santa Ana Public Works Department pleaded guilty to eight misdemeanor counts of disorderly conduct by unlawful viewing — read on.

1/19/12: San Diego RCFL Assisted Successful Mortgage Fraud Prosecution — The San Diego RCFL provided digital forensics expertise to investigators looking into a fraudulent loan modification company which promised nearly 4,000 desperate homeowners help with renegotiating the terms of their mortgages. Instead, they bilked them out of millions of dollars — get the full story.

3/15/12: Western New York RCFL Supported Successful Project Safe Childhood Prosecution — James Paul Summers, 30, will spend the next 45 years in prison for producing and possessing child pornography. The Western New York RCFL provided digital forensics expertise to Project Safe Childhood investigators who worked the case — learn more.

2/27/12: Substitute Teacher Pleads Guilty to Child Pornography Charges — Timothy Bek, a former substitute teacher for the West Seneca Central School District, pled guilty to producing and possessing child pornography. The Western New York RCFL provided digital forensics expertise to investigators — learn more.

2/27/12: Substitute Teacher Pleads Guilty to Child Pornography Charges — Timothy Bek, a former substitute teacher for the West Seneca Central School District, pled guilty to producing and possessing child pornography. The Western New York RCFL provided digital forensics expertise to investigators — learn more.

10/18/11: A High-Tech Good Deed, Indeed... — The owner of a lost iPad is "ecstatic" to have the device back after Oak Park , IL Detective Paul Kerley, a member of the Chicago RCFL, recovered files and photos from the damaged device — read the article featured in OakPark.Com.

6/27/11: Ex-Illinois Governor Found Guilty — The outcome of Rod Blagojevich's second trial on public corruption charges turned out quite differently from his first — he was convicted on nearly all the charges against him. The Chicago RCFL provided digital forensics expertise to prosecutors — learn more.

4/12/11: The Chicago RCFL provided digital forensics expertise to federal prosecutors who won a 10-year conviction against James Thielberg, 61, for transporting child pornography. Read the FBI Chicago Division's press release.

10/4/11: The Heart of America RCFL Receives Praise for Work on E-Mail Spamming Conviction — The brothers behind a sophisticated e-mail spamming operation were sentenced in federal court for the exploitation and victimization of students attending 2,000 colleges and universities. U.S. Attorney Beth Phillips said, "...the excellent work of the FBI's Regional Computer Forensics Laboratory was integral to this successful prosecution." Read the FBI's press release about the investigation and the prosecution of Osmaan Shah, 27 and Amir Shah, 30.

3/17/11: Heart of America RCFL Supports Successful Prosecution of Child Predator – Kansas City Man Pleads No Contest to 21 Counts — James Edwards, 61, admitted to law enforcement that he drugged, molested and videotaped 13 children which he sexually abused over a four year period. The Heart of America RCFL provided digital forensics expertise to investigators – read the full story.

3/17/11: Kansas City Man Receives Heavy Sentence for Possessing and Receiving Child Pornography — The Heart of America RCFL supported an investigation brought by Project Safe Childhood where the suspect downloaded more than 600 images of children being sexually abused. Jeffrey Michael Powell was sentenced to 40 years in prison – click here to read the FBI's Kansas City Division's press release.

4/27/11: Houston Sex Offender Convicted — The Greater Houston RCFL supported the successful prosecution of a Houston man who had more than 560 videos of child pornography on his home computer — read on.

5/19/11: Intermountain West RCFL Supported Successful Project Safe Childhood Prosecution — An Idaho man received a seven year prison sentence for possessing child pornography — read the full story.

4/12/11: IWRCFL Aids Joint Investigation — Montana Man Pleads Guilty to Possessing Child Pornography — The Intermountain West RCFL supported several area law enforcement agencies in search of the person who created a fake MySpace page featuring a juvenile girl seeking sexual liaisons with older men. James Henry Peavy, 62, was behind the hoax – learn what happened next.

12/19/11: IRAQI NATIONAL ENTERS GUILTY PLEA ON FEDERAL TERRORISM CHARGES — KENTUCKY RCFL SUPPORTED INVESTIGATORS — On December 16, 2011, Waad Ramadan Alwaan pled guilty to carrying out numerous improvised explosive device attacks against U.S. troops in Iraq. Alwaan relocated to Bowling Green, KY in 2009, where he was arrested and charged two years later in a 23-count grand jury indictment. The Kentucky RCFL examined digital evidence associated with the investigation. Sentencing is scheduled for April 3, 2012 where Alwaan may receive a maximum sentence of life in prison or a minimum sentence of 25 behind bars. Click here to read the FBI's Louisville Division's full press release.

7/27/11: Kentucky Businessman Sentenced for Possessing and Producing Child Pornography — A federal judge sentenced Robert Dundon, 57, to 235 months in prison for possessing and producing child pornography. The Kentucky RCFL (KRCFL) provided digital forensics expertise to investigators — learn more.

8/2/11: Mother & Son Receive Life in Prison for Murder Plot — The Miami Valley RCFL (MVRCFL) provided digital forensics expertise to authorities who investigated the stabbing death of Charles Zan on October 17, 2009. Read the full story.

5/31/11: Ohio Couple Receives Prison Sentence for Sexually Abusing a Minor — Miami Valley RCFL Examined Digital Evidence During Investigation — As the FY10 RCFL Annual Report illustrated, sexual predators who prey on children come from all walks of life. A former soccer coach and his girlfriend are both heading to prison for engaging in sexual acts with a 13-year old girl — the Miami Valley RCFL aided prosecutors. Read the full story.

9/19/11: Protecting Kids: New Jersey RCFL Supports Successful Child Pornography Prosecution — A 20-year old New Jersey college student pled guilty in federal court to one count of possession of child pornography. The New Jersey RCFL (NJRCFL) provided critical computer forensics expertise to investigators — read on.

7/11/11: AT&T Hacker Pleads Guilty — One of two men accused of compromising the personal information of 120,000 iPad owners, plead guilty to the charges against him — the New Jersey RCFL is supporting the investigation — learn more.

10/4/11: Albuquerque Man Pleads Guilty to Child Sexual Exploitation Charges — The New Mexico RCFL provided digital forensics expertise to investigators in this case brought by Project Safe Childhood — read the FBI's press release.

10/1/11: New Mexico RCFL Supported High-Profile Case Involving the State's Top Criminal Judge — State District Judge Pat Murdoch retired from office on 7/29/11 shortly after his arrest on 7/19/11 for sexual assault. Those charges were later dropped. The Albuquerque Police Department — a participating agency in the New Mexico RCFL (NMRCFL) — led the investigation. Read the full story.

4/13/11: North Texas RCFL Supported Successful Child Pornography Prosecution — Dallas resident Timothy Honnoll, 39, plead guilty in federal court to receiving child pornography, and will serve eight years in prison along with a lifetime of supervised release. The North Texas RCFL provided digital forensics support to the investigation which was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood. According to a press release issued by the FBI's Dallas Division, 600 images and 180 videos of child pornography were found on Honnoll's computer and related storage media.

6/21/11: Convicted Murderer Receives Life Sentence — Digital Evidence Took Center Stage — The man accused of fatally stabbing Iraq war veteran James Stropas, 32, was sentenced to life in prison without possibility of parole. Philadelphia RCFL Examiner Mike Avella, on assignment to the laboratory from the Delaware County District Attorney's Office, testified during the trial and received an accommodation for his work on the high-profile case – get the whole story.

3/9/11: Colorado Mom Turned Home-Grown Terrorist Pleads Guilty — U.S. citizen Jamie Paulin Ramirez, 32, plead guilty on 3/8/11 to one count of conspiracy to provide material support to terrorists. Ramirez faces a potential maximum penalty of 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine at sentencing. The Philadelphia RCFL supported the investigation into Ms. Ramirez, along with her co-conspirator, Colleen LaRose, aka "Jihad Jane," who plead guilty to four charges in federal court earlier this year – read the FBI's 3/8/11 press release.

2/2/11: "Jihad Jane" Pleads Guilty — Colleen LaRose, aka "Jihad Jane," plead guilty to four charges in federal court. The Philadelphia RCFL supported the investigation which involved her and alleged co-conspirator Jamie Paulin-Ramirez, 31, in a plot to murder Swedish cartoonist Lars Vilks – read the full story.

12/12/11: SERIAL RAPIST GIVEN MULTIPLE LIFE SENTENCES — ROCKY MOUNTAIN RCFL RECOVERED CRITICAL DIGITAL EVIDENCE — Marc Patrick O'Leary, 33 will spend the rest of his life behind bars for raping three women in Colorado and the attempted assault of a fourth person. Digital evidence recovered by Examiners assigned to the Rocky Mountain RCFL helped investigators bring the elusive serial rapist to justice — learn more.

8/4/11: San Diego RCFL Supports Successful Ponzi Scheme Prosecution — Brothers Matthew La Madrid of San Diego and Lance La Madrid of Arizona pled guilty in San Diego Federal Court for executing a $30 million Ponzi which resulted in losses of $20 million - $50 million to investors, including approximately 300 San Diegans. The San Diego RCFL (SDRCFL) devoted hundreds of hours to the complicated financial investigation — learn more.

7/11/11: Former Sailor Receives Prison Sentence for Possessing Child Pornography — The San Diego RCFL aided the joint investigation brought under Project Safe Childhood — learn more.

6/13/11: San Diego RCFL Supported Successful Prosecution Involving Largest Cache of Homemade Explosives in U.S. History — George Jakubec, 55, the unemployed software engineer pled guilty to two armed bank robberies in San Diego after accepting a plea agreement where he acknowledged making and storing explosives and weapons at his home. The residence was destroyed because it posed such a high risk to the community. Inside were nine detonators, 13 grenade hulls and large quantities of the highly unstable Hexamethylene triperoxide diamine, which can explode on contact. Jakubec also admitted to owning significant amounts of the explosive used in the 2001 airliner shoe-bombing attempt — learn more.

3/30/11: Jury Rules in Coast Guard Boating Accident Court Martial — Coast Guard Petty Officer Paul Ramos received the maximum sentence for his role in the boating accident which killed an 8-year old boy. The San Diego RCFL provided audio/visual expertise to Coast Guard prosecutors – learn more.

3/21/11: Former Music Teacher Sentenced to Prison — The San Diego RCFL (SDRCFL) provided digital forensics expertise for an investigation involving Mark Lewis Kinney, 48, who was convicted on several counts of child molestation and pornography. On March 18, 2011, Kinney was sentenced to 15 years to life for his crimes – read the full story.

4/4/11: Former Student Convicted of Multiple Charges in Attack at Hillsdale HS — A jury found Alexander Youshock, 18, guilty of six counts against him in what was described as a "Columbine-style attack" against teachers and students at Hillsdale High School, located in San Mateo, California. The Silicon Valley RCFL (SVRCFL) provided digital forensics expertise to investigators, and SVRCFL Deputy Director Alan Lee testified at Youshock's trial – read the full story.

6/21/11: Former Boy Scout Leader Receives Jail Time — Western New York RCFL Provides Critical Digital Evidence — The prosecutor in the case cited the existence of pornographic file names on Michael Walleshauer's computer as key — get the full story.

6/6/11: Protecting Children — Western New York RCFL Aids Successful Project Safe Childhood Prosecution — Justin Jeffrey Amato, 28 will spend the next seven years in federal prison for possessing child pornography on his computer. The Western New York RCFL examined Amato's computer as part of an investigation brought under Project Safe Childhood — learn more.

3/8/11: Protecting Children: WNYRCFL Supports Successful Prosecution — Dalton Wilke, 46, was most definitely on the wrong path in life. He spent hours in online chat rooms having sexually explicit conversations with minors in an attempt to seduce them. After grooming one teen for five months, Wilke made plans to meet in person at a suburban park. However, the teen was a police detective working undercover with the FBI – and Wilke's plans for a tryst in the park turned out very differently – learn why.

3/7/11: "Honor Killing" Defendant Receives Life Sentence — Muzzamiel "Mo" Hassan received 25 years to life for committing an "honor killing" against his wife Assiya, 37 on February 12, 2009. Assiya was found beheaded at the television station Hassan founded in 2004 entitled "Bridges TV," to counter Muslim stereotypes following the events surrounding the September 11, 2001 attacks. A few weeks prior to the murder, Assiya served Hassan with divorce papers and filed an order of protection against him, according to public records The World Health Organization defines honor killings as "murders of women by relatives who claim the victim brought shame to the family." An Examiner assigned to the WNYRCFL was one of the first officers to arrive on-scene and provided digital forensics services in support of the investigation.

1/31/11: Western New York RCFL Aids Successful Project Safe Childhood Prosecution — Man receives 11-year sentence – read on.

12/9/10: Digital Evidence Section Assists “Operation Trident Breach" – A Joint Cybercrime Operation Conducted by the FBI and International Law Enforcement — Read on.

10/22/10: Regional Computer Forensics Labs — A Decade of Accomplishments — Click here to read the article and listen to a podcast featuring RCFL Unit Chief Bryan Tepper.

1/14/10: Chicago Residents Linked to Mumbai Bombings – In October 2008, terrorists launched a series of coordinated bombing/shooting attacks on several gathering spots in Mumbai, India's largest city. The sites included a hospital, a popular hotel, restaurants, and a seaport. Approximately 164 people died in the attacks including six Americans, and hundreds more were wounded. Although Mumbai is a world away from Chicago, investigators identified a group of local men as key planners in the attacks, which included a plot to bomb a Dutch newspaper in retaliation for publishing a cartoon considered offensive by some Muslims. The Chicago RCFL examined approximately two dozen computers associated with the investigation and provided their initial findings to U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald in less than 24 hours.

According to a 3/18/10 press release issued by the FBI's Chicago Division, David Coleman Headley, 49, of Chicago, pleaded guilty to a dozen federal terrorism charges, admitting that he participated in planning the Mumbai attacks and plotting to bomb a Danish newspaper. By cooperating with investigators and testifying against others, Headley was spared the death penalty.

One of Headley's co-defendants, Tahawwur Rana, 49, of Chicago, was also indicted by a federal grand jury on February 15, 2010, for planning the attacks, providing material support to terrorists and guiding Headley in scouting targets in Mumbai. Rana plead not guilty. Digital evidence uncovered by the CGRCFL helped prosecutors build a strong case against Headley and will likely be presented at Rana's trial scheduled for May 2011. If convicted, he faces life in prison.

3/30/10: Federal Grand Jury Convicts Houston Man of Sex Trafficking of a Minor and Coercing and Enticing an Adult to Commit Prostitution – The Greater Houston RCFL (GHRCFL) supported the investigation, which was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood. GHRCFL Deputy Director Larry Hovey testified at trial—click here for the full story.

5/27/10: Kansas City Man Pleads Guilty to Terrorism Charges—The Heart of America RCFL (HARCFL) provided digital forensics expertise to the Heart of America Joint Terrorism Task Force during the federal investigation of Khalid Quazzani, 32. The married father of two, and naturalized American citizen plead guilty in federal court to conspiracy to provide material support to al Qaeda. He now faces up to 65 years in prison without parole, plus a fine of up to $1 million and an order of restitution – click here to read the FBI's Kansas City Division's press release.

2/11/2010: HARCFL Helps Send Long-Time Child Molester to Jail
Thanks in part to digital evidence recovered by the Heart of America RCFL (HARCFL); a judge gave registered sex offender Robin Roggenbuck, 57, the maximum prison sentence of 35 years. Click here for the full story.

6/15/10: Former Corrections Officers Sentenced on Civil Rights Charges — The Kentucky RCFL (KYRCFL) provided digital forensics expertise to authorities investigating civil rights allegations at the Fayette County Detention Center in Lexington, Kentucky. Click here to learn more or read the FBI's press release.

11/16/10: Ohio Man Found Guilty of Homicide – Miami Valley RCFL Examiner Testified at Trial — Read more.

9/14/10: JURY CONVICTS OHIO MAN OF RAPE – FACEBOOK MESSAGES SUPPORT PROSECUTION'S CASE — An Examiner with the Miami Valley RCFL (MVRCFL) testified during the trial of an Ohio man convicted of rape and aggravated burglary. Although no DNA or fingerprints were found—digital evidence uncovered by the MVRCFL staff played a pivotal role in the case – learn more.

8/9/10: Former Teacher Sentenced for Distributing Child Pornography — The Miami Valley RCFL (MVRCFL) assisted the FBI Columbus Cybercrimes Task Force in the investigation of Michael Highman, 43, a former teacher and coach who received an 11-year jail sentence for using an Internet site to share more than 200,000 images and movies of prepubescent teenage boys engaged in sexual acts – learn more.

8/9/10: Former High School Coach Pleads Guilty to Child Pornography, Obscenity Charges – The Miami Valley RCFL (MVRCFL) supported the investigation of attorney Marc Greenberg, 33, who plead guilty to one count of possession of child pornography and one count of transferring obscene material to minors – learn more.

3/30/10: Woman Pleads Guilty to Possessing Child Pornography – Kendra L. Sasser, 33, received a 20-month sentence for enticing a 16-year old boy to create child pornography. The Miami Valley RCFL (MVRCFL) supported the investigation which began in 2007—click here to learn more.

2/10/2010: Church Music Director Pleads Guilty to Sexual Assault Against Minors
The Miami Valley RCFL supported this federal investigation—click here to read the full story.

11/5/10: Former New Jersey Lawmaker Sentenced to State Prison — Neil M. Cohen, 59, who served in the New Jersey State Assembly, is now headed to state prison for viewing and distributing child pornography in his legislative office. The New Jersey Regional Computer Forensics Laboratory (NJRCFL) supported the investigation – learn more.

8/5/10: Former Hoboken Mayor Sentenced — Peter J. Cammarano, III received a two year prison sentence for accepting illegal campaign contributions totaling $25,000, in return for aiding proposed development projects. The New Jersey RCFL (NJRCFL) is supporting the on-going investigation – learn more.

4/27/10: Former Hoboken Mayor Pleads Guilty to Corruption Charges — Peter J. Cammarano, III pleaded guilty on April 20, 2010 to accepting illegal campaign contributions in return for aiding proposed development projects. He was one of 44 people arrested last summer, as part of a massive public corruption and international money laundering investigation. The New Jersey RCFL (NJRCFL) is supporting the on-going investigation—learn more.

11/15/10: Dallas Man Pleads Guilty to Possessing Child Pornography - North Texas RCFL Examiner Testified at Trial — Monte Melugin, 24, of Dallas faces up to 20 years in prison for receiving child pornography and a $250,000 fine. An Examiner assigned to the North Texas RCFL testified at his trial – learn more.

10/21/10: Dallas Man Sentenced for Attempted Bombing of Skyscraper — The North Texas RCFL (NTRCFL) supported the successful investigation of Hosam Smadi, 20, a Jordanian native who plotted to blow up the famed Fountain Place skyscraper in Dallas. Prior to the attempted bombing, the FBI was monitoring Smadi after discovering posts he made on an online Islamic extremist forum. U.S. District Judge Barbara Lynn sentenced Smadi to 24 years in prison. Click here to read the FBI's press release or here to read a “top story” feature from FBI.GOV.

12/23/10: Oregon Bank Bombers Receive Death Sentence - NWRCFL Supported Investigation — A jury handed the death sentence to convicted bank robbers Joshua Turnidge and his father, Bruce. The pair set a bomb in a West Coach Bank in Woodburn, Oregon which killed two officers and seriously injured the police chief - learn more.

12/14/10: Northwest RCFL Support Successful Child Pornography Prosecution — Convicted sex offender Donald Wayne George, 64, is going to prison for 25 years for his many crimes against his 4-year old step granddaughter. The Northwest RCFL examined several pieces of media seized during the investigation, which was brought under Project Safe Childhood – read the FBI's press release.

9/28/10: COMCAST HACKERS SENTENCED — The Philadelphia RCFL (PHRCFL) supported the successful investigation of two hackers who disrupted Comcast's website – read more.

02/22/10: The Rocky Mountain RCFL (RCFL) supported the investigation into Najibullah Zazi, who plead guilty to conspiracy to use explosives against persons or property in the U.S., conspiracy to murder abroad, and providing material support to al Qaeda. Click here to read the FBI's press release.

8/30/10: San Diego Man Receives Heavy Sentence for Possessing Child Pornography — Former San Diego resident David Grummer received a 295-month prison sentence for 18 counts of receipt of child pornography and five counts of possession of child pornography, in a case investigated by the FBI and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The San Diego RCFL (SDRCFL) provided digital forensics expertise to investigators who pursued this case as part of Project Safe Childhood – learn more.

6/30/10: San Diego RCFL Assists Successful Child Pornography Investigation — A San Diego man was convicted on June 24, 2010 on 18 counts of receipt of child pornography and five counts of possession of child pornography in a case investigated by the FBI and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The San Diego RCFL (SDRCFL) provided digital forensics expertise to investigators in the case which was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood – learn more.

5/12/10: San Diego Man Pleads Guilty to Sexually Assaulting Children—The San Diego RCFL assisted the San Diego County District Attorney's Office in the investigation of Jared Ravin Yaffe, who paid a babysitter to bring children in his care to him, so he could molest them. On May 7, 2010, Yaffe plead guilty – learn more.

5/12/10: Teen Hacker Found Guilty for Crashing PlayStation Website—The San Diego RCFL supported the federal investigation – click here to learn more.

4/26/10: Southern California Man Pleads Guilty to Teens' Murders—By pleading guilty to the murders of Chelsea King, 17 and Amber Dubois, 14, John Gardner will spend the rest of his life in a jail cell, and will not face the death penalty. The San Diego RCFL was involved in the forensic analysis of several computers from both investigations—learn more.

11/18/10: Murder-for-Hire Participants Found Guilty – Silicon Valley RCFL Examiners Presented Findings at Trial — Read the full story.

10/18/10: Buffalo Man Receives 17-Year Prison Term for Possessing Child Pornography — The Western New York RCFL (WNYRCFL) examined the digital evidence in the investigation which was part of Project Safe Childhood - read the story broadcast by WIVB.

6/15/10: Trucker Pleads Guilty to Manslaughter—Truck driver Thomas Wallace, 45, plead guilty to second degree manslaughter for running his rig into a disabled car on the New York Thruway. The driver of the disabled car, mother of two, Julie Stratton, was waiting for assistance after hitting a deer. The Western New York RCFL (WNYRCFL) provided digital forensics support to investigators and processed the trucker's laptop two days after being submitted to the laboratory for examination – learn more.