Federal Jury Convicts Panama City Man in Meth Bust

 

Calvin Leon Jackson, 40, was convicted by a federal jury of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. John Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida, announced the verdict. 

U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “Thanks to the excellent investigative work of our state and federal law enforcement partners, and this successful prosecution by my office, this criminal will be held accountable for peddling poisonous drugs in our community. The citizens of the Northern District of Florida deserve to live in safe, drug-free communities, and with more aggressive prosecutions of criminals like this defendant that is exactly what my office will deliver.”

Trial testimony and court records revealed that, on June 28, 2026, law enforcement stopped a vehicle in which Jackson and his co-conspirator were passengers. During the stop, a drug canine alerted to the vehicle. During a subsequent search, officers discovered a large vacuum sealed package containing a white crystalline substance under the front seat where Jackson’s co-conspirator had been sitting. Subsequent forensic testing confirmed the white crystalline substance was 448 grams of methamphetamine with an approximate purity of 97%, amounting to 434.5 grams of pure meth.

Jackson faces a minimum mandatory sentence of ten years’ imprisonment and up to a maximum of life imprisonment. He also faces a minimum of five years of supervised release up to a maximum of life on supervised release. 

The case involved a joint investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Panama City Beach Police Department, and the Florida Highway Patrol.

Walmart Agrees to Pay $50 Million for Illegally Filling Unlawful Opioid Prescriptions

 

The Justice Department, together with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), announced a $50 million settlement with Walmart Inc. (Walmart) to resolve allegations that Walmart pharmacies illegally filled thousands of invalid prescriptions for opioids and other controlled substances in violation of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA).     

“This settlement proves this Department is committed to putting Americans’ flourishing first,” said Associate Attorney General Stanley Woodward. “Congress enacted laws to promote responsibility and accountability for companies who dispense controlled substances to protect Americans. This Department will never shy away from vigorously enforcing pharmacies’ obligations to comply with those protections, ensuring that potential profits never justify aiding our Nation’s opioid epidemic.”

“This $50 million settlement makes clear that pharmacies have a responsibility to identify and prevent the unlawful dispensing of controlled substances,” said DEA Assistant Administrator Cheri Oz. “Filling illegitimate opioid prescriptions puts patients and communities at risk and undermines the safeguards designed to prevent the diversion and misuse of potentially addictive medications. This settlement addresses past conduct while establishing clear compliance obligations designed to strengthen safeguards and help prevent these failures from happening again.”

The government’s complaint — filed on Dec. 22, 2020, and amended in 2022 in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware — alleged that since June 26, 2013, Walmart filled invalid prescriptions through the knowing actions of individuals on its compliance team and the knowing actions of its pharmacists. The United States alleged that members of Walmart’s compliance team knew that certain prescribers were operating as “pill mills” but filled invalid prescriptions written by those prescribers anyway. Members of the compliance team allegedly knew of the prescribers’ egregious conduct because Walmart’s own pharmacists reported the conduct to Walmart’s corporate compliance team, including through thousands of “refusal-to-fill” forms. The compliance team, however, prioritized other goals over CSA compliance. As one director on the compliance team acknowledged in an email, rather than analyzing the refusal-to-fill reports, the compliance team viewed “[d]riving sales and patient awareness,” as “a far better use of our Market Directors and Market manger’s time.”

Walmart pharmacists also allegedly filled prescriptions they knew were invalid. The pharmacists knew these prescriptions were invalid because they were either written by a known “pill mill” prescriber or the prescriptions had obvious red flags such as dangerous combinations of opioids, “cocktails” of opioids and non-opioids, excessively repeated fills of high-dosages of often-abused opioids, or repeated requests for early fills of often-abused controlled substances.   

In addition to the monetary payment announced today, Walmart has entered into a memorandum of agreement with DEA to address its future obligations in dispensing controlled substances. This agreement requires Walmart to establish a hotline for both employees and patients to report suspected illegal dispensing of controlled substances, proactively monitor the dispensing patterns of its pharmacies to identify and address potentially illegal dispensing, and establish a process to evaluate prescribers suspected of illegal prescribing.

The United States is represented in this matter by attorneys from the Justice Department’s Civil Division Enforcement & Affirmative Litigation Branch (Trial Attorneys Katherine Ho, Kathleen Brunson, and Meredith Reiter), as well as from the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices for the District of Delaware (Assistant U.S. Attorneys Dylan Steinberg and Elizabeth Vieya), Eastern District of North Carolina (Andrew Kasper), Middle District of Florida (Carolyn Tapie), Eastern District of New York (Elliot Schachner).  Former Enforcement & Affirmative Litigation Branch Investigator Amanda Graf provided support for this matter.

Additional information about the Enforcement & Affirmative Litigation Branch and its enforcement efforts can be found at https://www.justice.gov/civil/enforcement-affirmative-litigation-branch.

The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only; there has been no determination of liability.

Governor Hochul Grants Clemency to Six Individuals

Continues To Fulfill Commitment To Grant Clemency on a Rolling Basis

Builds on Governor’s Efforts To Reform Clemency Process, Including Convening an Advisory Panel of Impartial Experts, Dedicating Additional Staff Resources and Increasing Communication With Applicants

Since Taking Office, Governor Hochul Has Issued a Total of 145 Grants of Clemency

Governor Kathy Hochul granted clemency in the form of a pardon to six individuals. This action recognizes people who have demonstrated remorse, exemplified rehabilitation and displayed a commitment to improving themselves and their communities. After implementing procedural reforms to strengthen the clemency process, Governor Hochul has made a total of 145 grants of clemency during her time in office, which include 125 pardons and 20 commutations.

“As Governor, I remain committed to reforming the clemency process and ensuring each application is thoroughly reviewed and individuals receive timely notifications regarding their case status,” Governor Hochul said. “Today, I am granting clemency to six individuals who have displayed positive changes in their lives and will dedicate themselves to bettering their communities — they earned their second chance through rehabilitation and can now establish their futures once again.”

The Governor's Office has taken a number of steps to improve transparency and communication in the clemency process. The Executive Clemency Bureau has implemented a policy of sending regular letters to individuals with clemency applications, informing them of their case status, and providing information about how to submit supplemental information in support of their applications. The Governor's Office also launched an updated online web hub to assist clemency applicants with the application process; this hub includes template clemency application forms to provide prospective applicants with improved guidance about what information to include when they apply.

The Governor also convened a Clemency Advisory Panel composed of impartial experts to assist in advising the Governor on clemency applications. Following recommendations from the Clemency Advisory Panel, Governor Hochul is granting clemency in the form of a pardon to six individuals.

Pardons

Individuals receiving a pardon today have lived crime-free lives for a significant period of time and have made positive contributions to their communities. All pardon recipients continue to be negatively impacted by their criminal conviction(s) despite having successfully served their sentence(s) many years ago. The Governor’s pardons will help alleviate these burdens.

Sae Joon Park, 57, was convicted of Bail Jumping in the Second Degree in 2009 and Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree in 2007.

Kile Jackson, 54, was convicted of Attempted Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree in 1992.

Angela Walder-Tuckett, 62, was convicted of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Fifth Degree in 1989.

Heriberto Atiles, 61, was convicted of Criminal Possession of a Loaded Firearm in the Third Degree in 1986.

Keisy Guerrero Mariano, 38, was convicted of Assault in the Second Degree in 2015.

Paul Koopman, 62, was convicted of Driving While Intoxicated in 1995.

 

NYS Office of the Comptroller - DiNapoli: Millions in State Tax Checkoff Donations for Worthy Causes Remain Unused

 

Less Than Half of the Funds Reported Spending in SFY 2026

State taxpayers supported worthy causes with contributions to the state’s personal income tax checkoff programs, but too much money is sitting idle instead of helping nonprofit organizations or research and other efforts. A new analysis from State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli found that while some of New York’s tax checkoff funds reported increased spending in State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2026, over half had no spending at all, an ongoing issue that DiNapoli has highlighted for more than a decade.   

“New Yorkers have generously given their hard-earned dollars to income tax checkoffs,” DiNapoli said. “It is unacceptable this money is unspent. The agencies responsible for managing these funds must ensure contributions are put to good use.”

For tax year 2024, two new checkoffs were added, the Diabetes Research and Education Fund and the Cure Child Cancer and Research Fund, increasing the total number of Personal Income Tax (PIT) checkoffs to 36. Through SFY 2025, the most recent year for which checkoff contribution data is available, total annual contributions grew to $3.8 million, up from $2.6 million in SFY 2024.

28 of the 36 funds rely primarily on taxpayer donations through the checkoffs. Although disbursements made from these PIT-supported funds increased from $3.7 million in SFY 2025 to $4.5 million in SFY 2026, only 13 of the 28 eligible funds made any disbursements, only a slight improvement from previous years.

With disbursements lagging contributions, the balances in many funds have steadily increased over time. In SFY 2026, fund balances associated with the 28 PIT checkoff funds totaled $17.5 million, up from $16.7 million in SFY 2025.

The Gift for Food Banks Fund and the Volunteer Firefighter Recruitment and Retention Fund were among those with the highest fund balances, at $1.1 million and $2.3 million, respectively. Neither fund had any disbursements since SFY 2024. In contrast, more than $1.2 million was spent from the Homeless Veterans Assistance Fund in SFY 2026, reducing its balance by nearly 91% from the prior year, to $130,641.  

DiNapoli urged state agencies to improve compliance with reporting requirements to provide greater clarity on why spending from the PIT checkoff funds may be delayed and to redouble their efforts to ensure funds are spent promptly.  

Analysis

Personal Income Tax Checkoffs: Disbursements Increasing but Fund Balances Still High

Related Reports

2024 Tax Checkoff Donations Report

Permits Filed for 831 Rosedale Avenue in Soundview, The Bronx

 

Permits have been filed for a 13-story mixed-use building at 831 Rosedale Avenue in Soundview, The Bronx. Located between Story Avenue and Lafayette Avenue, the lot is near the Morrison Avenue-Soundview subway station, served by the 6 train. Steven Westreich of Westorchard Management is listed as the owner behind the applications.

The proposed 123-foot-tall development will yield 236,964 square feet, with 186,277 square feet designated for residential space and 50,687 square feet for commercial space. The building will have 287 residences, most likely rentals based on the average unit scope of 649 square feet. The concrete-based structure will also have a cellar and 27 enclosed parking spaces.

Leandro Nils Dickson Architect is listed as the architect of record.

Demolition permits will likely not be needed as the lot is vacant. An estimated completion date has not been announced.

Permits Filed for 1712 Jerome Avenue in Mount Hope, The Bronx

 

Permits have been filed for a nine-story mixed-use building at 1712 Jerome Avenue in Mount Hope, The Bronx. Located between East 175th Street and Clifford Place, the lot is near the 176th Street subway station, served by the 4 train. Shimon Greenfeld of SCG Realty Inc. is listed as the owner behind the applications.

The proposed 84-foot-tall development will yield 49,303 square feet, with 42,901 square feet designated for residential space and 6,402 square feet for commercial space. The building will have 73 residences, most likely rentals based on the average unit scope of 587 square feet. The concrete-based structure will also have a 20-foot-long rear yard.

Nikolai Katz Architect is listed as the architect of record.

Demolition permits were filed this month for the building on the site. An estimated completion date has not been announced.

Summer Camp Settles Claim That it Violated the Americans with Disabilities Act

 

Following Complaint by a Minor with a Disability, Point O’ Pines Corporation Agrees to Ensure Campers are Evaluated for Disabilities and Given Reasonable Accommodations as Required by Law

Joseph Nocella, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, announced a Settlement Agreement with Point O’ Pines Corporation to resolve allegations that its residential summer camp, Point O’ Pines Camp for Girls, located in Brant Lake, New York, violated Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (the ADA) by failing to offer a reasonable accommodation to a minor with a disability.  The settlement will ensure equal access for campers with disabilities at Point O’Pines Camp for Girls under Title III of the ADA. 

“This settlement ensures that campers with disabilities will be reasonably accommodated so that they have the same opportunity to enjoy and participate in Point O’ Pines Camp for Girls as other campers. Our Office will continue to enforce the ADA and its protections against discrimination for people with disabilities,” stated United States Attorney Nocella. 

The settlement agreement resolves an ADA complaint filed by the parents of a camper, a minor with Type 1 diabetes, to whom Point O’ Pines Camp for Girls failed to provide a reasonable accommodation for the summers of 2023 and 2024.  The camper complained that Point O’Pines discharged her before the end of camp season because she has a disability.  Under the terms of the settlement, Point O’ Pines Corporation has agreed to take appropriate steps to ensure evaluation of campers with disabilities on a case-by-case basis and make reasonable accommodations for them.  Additionally, Point O’ Pines Camp for Girls will provide all of its employees and staff training regarding ADA compliance, and will identify and train relevant employees and staff on the specific disabilities of incoming campers.

Title III of the ADA prohibits discrimination against qualified individuals with disabilities on the basis of disability in the “services, programs, or activities of a public entity.” Point O’ Pines Camp for Girls is a place of public accommodation.   To comply with Title III, public entities such as Point O’ Pines must ensure that individuals with disabilities have equal access to the goods, services, facilities, privileges, advantages, and accommodations of Point O’ Pines Camp for Girls. This includes making “reasonable modifications in policies, practices, or procedures when the modifications are necessary to avoid discrimination on the basis of disability, unless the public entity can demonstrate that making the modifications would fundamentally alter the nature of the service, program, or activity.”

The settlement is not an admission of wrongdoing by Point O’Pines.

Dinowitz Dispatch - August 28th 2026

 

New York City Council Member  

ERIC DINOWITZ

11th Council District, Bronx · 277 West 231st, Bronx, NY 10463 · Tel: (718) 549 - 7300

This Edition: Movies and Helping Neighbors...

Dear Neighbor:

This week's newsletter highlights the ongoing work of our office, from constituent casework to community programming. Movie Night at Williamsbridge Oval continues to bring families together, and our Constituent Advocates secured real wins for residents navigating SNAP, disability parking, and sanitation issues. Read on for the details.

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Movie Night at Williamsbridge Oval kicked off with a screening of Zootopia 2. The next movie originally scheduled for August 28 has been postponed. The series will resume with Coco on September 11. Movies begin at sunset. Bring the family for a fun night out. Thanks to the Mosholu Montefiore Community Center, Amazon, and House of Speakeasy for partnering with us on this series.

Parking Help

After more than two years of effort, a Riverdale resident secured a disability parking permit for her brother. Constituent Advocate Moises Lopez worked with her to gather updated medical documentation and coordinated directly with the Department of Transportation to submit a complete application. The permit arrived this month, and our office was proud to help see the process through. If you need assistance with a disability parking application, reach out to our office.

SNAP case update

Our office recently helped a Kingsbridge area constituent resolve a SNAP case update, working directly with HRA to report a change in income and confirm her continued eligibility. Her benefits will resume in September. Constituent Advocate Caleb Auerbach connected her with the proper SNAP center and guided her through the documentation needed to keep her case active. If you need help with a SNAP application or case update, our office is here to help

Parking lot cleanup near 4225 Webster Avenue 

Overgrown grass and weeds near the parking lot at 4225 Webster Avenue have been cleared following a resident complaint and multiple 311 service requests. Constituent Advocate Moises Lopez followed up directly with the Department of Sanitation after an initial request was closed without action, and pushed for the site to be properly addressed. The area is clean now, and our office continues to monitor conditions in the neighborhood.

If you notice a sanitation issue near you, let us know.

Sincerely,

Council Member Eric Dinowitz

District 11 dinowitz@council.nyc.gov