Eric Grant

A father and son are facing federal kidnapping charges after holding two U.S. Forest Service workers at gunpoint in a Northern California trailer near Mt. Shasta. The workers were zip-tied, detained for over 12 hours, and released safely after a standoff involving law enforcement, including the FBI. The suspects were armed with an assault rifle, knives, and claimed to possess grenades.

A father-son duo in California allegedly kidnapped two U.S. Forest Service workers near Mt. Shasta, holding them hostage in a trailer for hours before surrendering to the FBI after negotiations. The hostages were released safely, and the FBI plans to charge both men with kidnapping a federal employee.

A 49-year-old man from Sacramento was arrested at Sacramento International Airport for attempting to bring an explosive device and other items through a security checkpoint. The device, a cardboard tube with a green fuse, was deemed viable and energetic, capable of damaging an aircraft. He faces charges of unlawful possession of explosive material in an airport.

A 49-year-old man from Sacramento was arrested at Sacramento International Airport for carrying an explosive device and other items in his carry-on bag. The device, tested by bomb technicians, had the potential to damage a plane and cause cabin pressure loss if detonated. He is charged with unlawful possession of explosive material in an airport.

Deputy District Attorney Cindy De Silva from Stanislaus County has been appointed as a Special Assistant U.S. Attorney to prosecute federal cases involving transnational drug organizations operating in the county. The appointment was announced by U.S. Attorney Eric Grant and Stanislaus County District Attorney Jeff Laugero as part of the Homeland Security Task Force efforts.

Takeda Pharmaceuticals will pay $13.6 million to settle allegations of paying kickbacks to doctors to prescribe an antidepressant, violating federal law and causing Medicaid to pay false claims. The alleged kickbacks included speaking fees and paid meals at high-end restaurants from January 2014 to October 2020. Takeda's settlement demonstrates the US Department of Justice's commitment to ensuring patients' best interests.

A California man, Jia Bei Zhu, has been found guilty of selling faulty COVID-19 tests and defrauding customers through his company Universal Meditech Inc. The scheme involved selling over one million test kits across the US, earning nearly $4 million. Zhu was convicted on all 12 counts, including conspiracy and wire fraud.