During the recent lapse in government appropriations, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Nevada continued to operate, handling cases related to national security, violations of federal law, and public safety.
One notable case involved Matthew Wade Beasley, who pleaded guilty to defrauding over 1,200 investors out of approximately $519.9 million from 2017 to March 2022. Beasley used these funds for personal enrichment, including paying himself $33.5 million and purchasing luxury items. His sentencing is set for January 28, 2026. The FBI investigated this case with Assistant United States Attorneys Daniel Schiess and Jessica Oliva leading the prosecution.
In another case, Francisco Ivan Velazquez was convicted by a jury for operating a fraud scheme while impersonating an IRS officer. He convinced victims he could secure large sums from a fake IRS program. Sentencing is scheduled for February 18, 2026. The investigation was conducted by the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration and IRS Criminal Investigation.
Authorities also charged Hua Xiao, Cheng Cheng Li, Jianming Li (all from China), and Jisup Hwang (from South Korea) with running brothels disguised as massage parlors in Las Vegas and laundering proceeds from illegal activities. This case was investigated by the FBI and Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Steven Rose.
Sergio Octavio Sanchez faced indictment after allegedly pointing a laser at a Las Vegas police helicopter, endangering its crew and interfering with operations. A jury trial is set for February 23, 2026. The FBI led the investigation; Assistant United States Attorney Tina Snellings is prosecuting.
Steven Gregory Thornton received a sentence of ten years in prison plus five years supervised release after pleading guilty to methamphetamine trafficking and being a felon in possession of a firearm. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives handled this investigation; Assistant United States Attorney Tina Snellings prosecuted.
After a three-day trial, Elijah Sylee Shelton was convicted on charges involving possession of methamphetamine, fentanyl, and cocaine. Sentencing will occur on January 8, 2026. Both the FBI and Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department were involved in investigating this matter; prosecution is handled by Assistant United States Attorneys James Gaeta and Joshua Brister.
Brenton Scott Williams—who has five prior felony convictions—was sentenced to seven years in prison followed by three years supervised release after being found guilty of possessing firearms illegally. Williams targeted gun range patrons by following them home before stealing their firearms from vehicles later on. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated his case.
Ryan Tyler Maness was sentenced to ten years imprisonment after engaging in sexually explicit conversations online with someone he believed was a minor before attempting to meet her while armed with a loaded firearm; he was already on probation at that time due to an earlier robbery conviction in Las Vegas. The FBI investigated this incident; Assistant United States Attorney Afroza Yeasmin prosecuted.
The office reminded that indictments are allegations only until proven otherwise: “An Indictment merely contain allegations, and defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.”
