United States v. Donald J. Trump 23-cr-00257-TSC

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One Number, Different Cases:
Understanding 1:23-cr-00257

In 2023, federal courts across the country gave the number 23-cr-00257 to criminal cases that had nothing to do with each other: border crossings in Texas, fentanyl in California, fraud in New Jersey, firearms in Ohio, and the election case against a former president in Washington, D.C. This article compares each case with United States v. Donald J. Trump, looking at the laws charged and the judges who handled them.

The Laws Involved

Title 8: Immigration

§ 1324(a)(1)(A)(iii): Hiding or harboring people who are in the U.S. illegally
§ 1324(a)(1)(A)(v)(I): Conspiring to smuggle, move or harbor people who are in the U.S. illegally
§ 1324(a)(1)(B)(i): Higher penalty when it’s done for profit
§ 1326(a): Coming back into the U.S. after being deported
§ 1326(b)(1), (b)(2): Higher penalties if the person was deported after a felony or aggravated felony

Title 18: Federal Crimes

§ 2: Aiding and abetting
§ 241: Conspiring to deprive people of their constitutional rights
§ 371: Conspiring to break federal law or defraud the United States
§ 641: Stealing government money or property
§ 793(e): Unlawfully keeping national defense information
§ 922(a)(6): Lying to a gun dealer to buy a firearm
§ 922(g)(1): A convicted felon possessing a firearm
§ 922(l): Illegally importing a firearm
§ 922(o): Illegally possessing a machinegun
§ 924(a)(1)(A), (a)(2), (a)(8): Penalties for false records and other gun crimes
§ 924(c)(1)(A)(i): Having a gun while committing a drug crime (an extra 5+ years)
§ 924(d): Forfeiting firearms used in a crime
§ 932: Straw purchasing, meaning buying a gun for someone else
§ 1001: Lying to, or hiding facts from, a federal agency
§ 1343: Wire fraud
§ 1349: Conspiring to commit fraud
§ 1512(b)(2)(A), (c)(1), (c)(2): Withholding or hiding documents from, or otherwise obstructing, an official proceeding
§ 1512(k): Conspiring to obstruct an official proceeding
§ 1519: Hiding or falsifying records in a federal investigation
§ 1956(a)(2)(A), (h): Moving money across borders to promote a crime, and conspiring to do so
§ 1957: Laundering more than $10,000
§ 2326: Extra penalty for telemarketing fraud
§ 3605: Transferring a person’s supervised release to another court

Title 21: Drugs

§ 841(a)(1): Selling illegal drugs, or possessing them to sell
§ 841(b)(1)(A), (C), (D): Penalty levels by drug amount; (C) carries 20 years to life if a death results, and (D) covers small amounts of marijuana
§ 846: Conspiring to commit a drug crime
§ 952, § 960: Bringing illegal drugs into the U.S. and the penalties for it

Title 26: Taxes

§ 7201: Tax evasion

Title 28: Courts and Procedure

§ 2461(c): Seeking forfeiture inside a criminal case

United States v. Donald J. Trump, 1:23-cr-00257-TSC (D.D.C.)

Filed: August 1, 2023, by Special Counsel Jack Smith
Allegation: A scheme to overturn the 2020 presidential election
Charges:
- § 371: Conspiracy to defraud the United States
- § 1512(k): Conspiracy to obstruct the January 6 certification
- § 1512(c)(2), § 2: Obstruction of that proceeding
- § 241: Conspiracy against voters’ rights
Outcome: Dismissed on November 25, 2024, after Trump won reelection

The Judge

Hon. Tanya S. Chutkan (“TSC”)

Current Position: U.S. District Judge, D.D.C. (since 2014)
Born: 1962, Kingston, Jamaica
Education: George Washington University (B.A., 1983); University of Pennsylvania Law School (J.D., 1987)
Prior Judicial Service: None
Courthouse Location: 333 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20001*

How the Other Cases Compare

United States v. Malagon et al., 2:23-cr-00257-AM (W.D. Tex.)

Filed: January 17, 2023
Charges: 8 U.S.C. § 1324(a)(1)(A)(v)(I), § 1324(a)(1)(B)(i)
Subject: Two defendants allegedly tried to bring two Mexican children through the Eagle Pass port of entry by presenting U.S. birth certificates.
Comparison: Both this case and the Trump case allege a conspiracy. This one is a conspiracy to smuggle people under immigration law, while Trump’s is a conspiracy against the government under Title 18. This case began as an agent’s complaint, and Trump’s began with a grand jury indictment.

The Judge

Hon. Alia Moses (“AM”)

Current Position: Chief U.S. District Judge, W.D. Tex. (judge since 2002, chief since 2022)
Born: 1962, Eagle Pass, Texas
Education: Texas Woman’s University (B.B.A., 1983); University of Texas School of Law (J.D., 1986)
Prior Judicial Service: U.S. Magistrate Judge, W.D. Tex. (1997–2002)
Courthouse Location: 111 E. Broadway, Del Rio, TX 78840*

United States v. Ramirez-Hernandez, 3:23-cr-00257-DCG (W.D. Tex.)

Filed: January 19, 2023
Charges: 8 U.S.C. § 1326
Subject: A man who had been removed three times was found near Interstate 10 in El Paso.
Comparison: This is a single act by one person, with no conspiracy. Illegal reentry falls under immigration law, so none of Trump’s Title 18 charges apply.

The Judges

Hon. David C. Guaderrama (“DCG”)

Current Position: Senior U.S. District Judge, W.D. Tex. (judge since 2012, senior since 2023)
Born: 1954, Las Cruces, New Mexico
Education: New Mexico State University (B.A., 1975); Notre Dame Law School (J.D., 1979)
Prior Judicial Service: 243rd District Court, El Paso County (1995–2010); U.S. Magistrate Judge (2010–2012)
Courthouse Location: 525 Magoffin Avenue, El Paso, TX 79901*

Hon. Leon Schydlower (signed the complaint)

Current Position: U.S. District Judge, W.D. Tex. (since 2024)
Born: 1971, Long Beach, California
Education: University of Texas (B.A., 1993; J.D., 1995)
Prior Judicial Service: U.S. Magistrate Judge, W.D. Tex. (2015–2024)
Courthouse Location: 525 Magoffin Avenue, El Paso, TX 79901*

United States v. Hernandez, 3:23-cr-00257-RBM (S.D. Cal.)

Filed: January 20, 2023
Charges: 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1)
Subject: Possession of methamphetamine with intent to sell
Comparison: This is a Title 21 drug case with one defendant and no conspiracy. The Trump case had no drug charges.

The Judges

Hon. Ruth Bermudez Montenegro (“RBM”)

Current Position: U.S. District Judge, S.D. Cal. (since 2022)
Born: 1967, Brawley, California
Education: Imperial Valley College (A.A., 1987); Clarion University (B.A., 1989); UCLA School of Law (J.D., 1992)
Prior Judicial Service: Imperial County Superior Court (2012–2018); U.S. Magistrate Judge (2018–2022)
Courthouse Location: 333 West Broadway, San Diego, CA 92101*

Hon. David D. Leshner (signed the complaint)

Current Position: U.S. Magistrate Judge, S.D. Cal. (since about 2022)
Born: Not publicly listed
Education: University of Virginia (B.A.); Washington and Lee University School of Law (J.D.)
Prior Judicial Service: None
Courthouse Location: 333 West Broadway, San Diego, CA 92101*

United States v. Castro, 4:23-cr-00257-JGZ-JR (D. Ariz.)

Filed: February 2, 2023
Charges: 8 U.S.C. § 1326(a), § 1326(b)(1)
Subject: Illegal reentry near Nogales, six weeks after a removal
Comparison: This is an immigration complaint against one person. The two sets of initials at the end of the number show both the district judge and the magistrate judge assigned to the case.

The Judges

Hon. Jennifer G. Zipps (“JGZ”)

Current Position: Chief U.S. District Judge, D. Ariz. (judge since 2011, chief since 2024)
Born: 1964, Ashland, Ohio
Education: University of Arizona (B.A., 1986); Georgetown University Law Center (J.D., 1990)
Prior Judicial Service: U.S. Magistrate Judge, D. Ariz. (2005–2011)
Courthouse Location: 405 W. Congress Street, Tucson, AZ 85701*

Hon. Jacqueline M. Rateau (“JR”)

Current Position: U.S. Magistrate Judge, D. Ariz. (her term was up for reappointment in July 2025)
Born: Not publicly listed
Education: Not found in my search
Prior Judicial Service: Not found in my search
Courthouse Location: 405 W. Congress Street, Tucson, AZ 85701*

Hon. Eric J. Markovich (signed the complaint)

Current Position: U.S. Magistrate Judge, D. Ariz. (since 2014)
Born: Not publicly listed
Education: Ohio University (B.S., 1989); Syracuse University College of Law (J.D., 1992)
Prior Judicial Service: None
Courthouse Location: 405 W. Congress Street, Tucson, AZ 85701*

United States v. Martinez, 2:23-cr-00257-KG (D.N.M.)

Filed: February 2, 2023, the same day as Castro
Charges: 8 U.S.C. § 1326
Subject: Reentry after deportation following a cocaine conviction
Comparison: The New Mexico and Arizona courts both reached criminal case number 257 on the same day. This shows how each court numbers its cases separately.

The Judges

Hon. Kenneth J. Gonzales (“KG”)

Current Position: Chief U.S. District Judge, D.N.M. (judge since 2013, chief since 2025)
Born: 1964, Española, New Mexico
Education: University of New Mexico (B.A., 1988; J.D., 1994)
Prior Judicial Service: None
Courthouse Location: 100 N. Church Street, Las Cruces, NM 88001*

Hon. Kevin R. Sweazea (signed the complaint)

Current Position: U.S. Magistrate Judge, D.N.M. (since 2017)
Born: Not publicly listed
Education: New Mexico State University (B.Acc., 1985); Baylor University Law School (J.D., 1988)
Prior Judicial Service: New Mexico District Judge, Seventh Judicial District (2001–2017)
Courthouse Location: 100 N. Church Street, Las Cruces, NM 88001*

United States v. Rodriguez-Barrera, 7:23-cr-00257 (S.D. Tex.)

Filed: February 6, 2023
Charges: 8 U.S.C. § 1326
Subject: The defendant was found near La Grulla, Texas, 12 days after being deported.
Comparison: This is an immigration case against one person. The office code “7” stands for the McAllen division.

The Judge Alanis seeks 2nd term in Assembly district drawn for Modesto | Modesto Bee

Hon. Juan F. Alanis (signed the complaint)

Current Position: U.S. Magistrate Judge, S.D. Tex. (since 2018)
Born: Not publicly listed
Education: Texas A&M University (B.A., 1992); University of Texas School of Law (J.D., 1996)
Prior Judicial Service: None
Courthouse Location: 1701 W. Business Highway 83, McAllen, TX 78501*

United States v. Agaton-Granados, 2:23-cr-00257-DLR (D. Ariz.)

Filed: February 7, 2023
Charges: 21 U.S.C. § 841, § 952, § 960
Subject: Bringing fentanyl into the U.S. at San Luis, Arizona
Comparison: The Arizona court used the number 257 twice in 2023. This case uses office code 2 (Phoenix) and Castro uses office code 4 (Tucson), so the office code is what tells them apart.

The Judge

Hon. Douglas L. Rayes (“DLR”)

Current Position: Senior U.S. District Judge, D. Ariz. (judge since 2014, senior since 2024)
Born: 1952, Globe, Arizona
Education: Arizona State University (B.S.E., 1975; J.D., 1978)
Prior Judicial Service: Maricopa County Superior Court (2000–2014)
Courthouse Location: 401 W. Washington Street, Phoenix, AZ 85003*

The magistrate judge in Yuma who signed the complaint isn’t named in the file.

United States v. Julian-Blas, 5:23-cr-00257 (S.D. Tex.)

Filed: March 8, 2023
Charges: The original conviction was under 18 U.S.C. § 1956(a)(2)(A), § 1956(h), and this case is a transfer under § 3605.
Subject: This isn’t a new prosecution. A Dallas court transferred supervision of an already-sentenced defendant to Laredo.
Comparison: A case number can be given to a court action other than a new charge. Trump’s number was given to a new indictment.

The Judges Hon. Ada Brown (sentencing jud US Judge Ada Brown Abandoned Her Post, Fifth Circuit Investigators Say - abusivediscretion.com

ge)

Current Position: U.S. District Judge, N.D. Tex. (since 2019)
Born: 1974, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Education: Spelman College (B.A., 1996); Emory University School of Law (J.D., 1999)
Prior Judicial Service: Dallas County Criminal Court No. 1 (2005–2007); Fifth Court of Appeals of Texas (2013–2019)
Courthouse Location: 1100 Commerce Street, Dallas, TX 75242*

Diana Saldana | Alumni & Giving | Texas Law

Hon. Diana Saldaña (likely the accepting judge, based on the “DS” in the case number)

Current Position: U.S. District Judge, S.D. Tex. (since 2011)
Born: 1971, Carrizo Springs, Texas
Education: University of Texas (B.A., 1993, 1994; J.D., 1997)
Prior Judicial Service: U.S. Magistrate Judge, S.D. Tex. (2006–2011)
Courthouse Location: 1300 Victoria Street, Laredo, TX 78040*

Teacher, Mentor, Friend: Hon. Rebecca Rutherford

Hon. Rebecca Rutherford (named in the 2020 docket)

Current Position: U.S. Magistrate Judge, N.D. Tex.
Born: Not publicly listed
Education: SMU (B.A., 1993); SMU Dedman School of Law (J.D., 1998)
Prior Judicial Service: None
Courthouse Location: 1100 Commerce Street, Dallas, TX 75242*

United States v. O’Hanlon et al., 1:23-cr-00257-KMW (D.N.J.)

Filed: March 29, 2023
Charges: 18 U.S.C. § 1349, § 1343, § 2326, § 641, § 2; 26 U.S.C. § 7201
Subject: A fraud scheme against timeshare owners, plus tax evasion, with four defendants
Comparison: Like the Trump case, this is a grand jury indictment that alleges a conspiracy. The conspiracy here is to defraud private victims (§ 1349), while Trump’s was to defraud the government (§ 371).

The Judge Karen M Williams – PLUS

Hon. Karen M. Williams (“KMW”)

Current Position: U.S. District Judge, D.N.J. (since 2021)
Born: 1963, Syosset, New York
Education: Pennsylvania State University (B.A., 1985); Temple University School of Law (J.D., 1992)
Prior Judicial Service: U.S. Magistrate Judge, D.N.J. (2009–2021)
Courthouse Location: 4th and Cooper Streets, Camden, NJ 08101*

United States v. Gonzalez, 1:23-cr-00257 (S.D. Tex.)

Filed: April 2, 2023
Charges: 8 U.S.C. § 1324(a)(1)(A)(v)(I)
Subject: Driving an undocumented passenger through a Border Patrol checkpoint in Brownsville
Comparison: The Southern District of Texas gave the number 257 to four cases in this article: Gonzalez (office 1), Hernandez (office 2), Julian-Blas (office 5) and Rodriguez-Barrera (office 7). Even within one court, the office code matters.

The Judge Ignacio Torteya III - Ballotpedia

Hon. Ignacio Torteya III (signed the complaint)

Current Position: U.S. Magistrate Judge, S.D. Tex. (since 2014)
Born: Not publicly listed
Education: Baylor University (B.A., 1992; J.D., 1995)
Prior Judicial Service: Municipal Court Judge, City of Brownsville
Courthouse Location: 600 E. Harrison Street, Brownsville, TX 78520

United States v. Olivo-Tenorio, 5:23-cr-00257-JKP (W.D. Tex.)

Filed: April 13, 2023
Charges: 8 U.S.C. § 1326(a), § 1326(b)(2)
Subject: Illegal reentry after an aggravated felony, brought by ICE
Comparison: The Western District of Texas also gave the number 257 to three different cases in this article: Malagon, Ramirez-Hernandez and Olivo-Tenorio.

The Judges Jason Pulliam - Ballotpedia

Hon. Jason K. Pulliam (“JKP”)

Current Position: U.S. District Judge, W.D. Tex. (since 2019)
Born: 1971, Brooklyn, New York
Education: Brooklyn College (B.A., 1995; M.A., 1997); Thurgood Marshall School of Law (J.D., 2000)
Prior Judicial Service: Bexar County Court at Law No. 5 (2011–2015); Fourth Court of Appeals of Texas (2015–2016)
Courthouse Location: 262 West Nueva Street, San Antonio, TX 78207

Richard B. Farrer | The American Law Institute

Hon. Richard B. Farrer (signed the complaint)

Current Position: U.S. Magistrate Judge, W.D. Tex. (since 2017)
Born: Not publicly listed
Education: University of New Mexico (B.A., 1993); University of Texas School of Law (J.D., 2005)
Prior Judicial Service: None
Courthouse Location: 262 West Nueva Street, San Antonio, TX 78207

United States v. Santiago et al., 1:23-cr-00257-PAE (S.D.N.Y.)

Filed: April 25, 2023
Charges: 21 U.S.C. § 846, § 841(a)(1), § 841(b)(1)(A)
Subject: Three defendants accused of shipping fentanyl-laced pills
Comparison: Both this case and the Trump case allege a conspiracy, but under different laws, because one agreement involved drugs and the other an election.

The Judges Paul A. Engelmayer - Wikipedia

Hon. Paul A. Engelmayer (“PAE”)

Current Position: U.S. District Judge, S.D.N.Y. (since 2011)
Born: 1961, New York, NY
Education: Harvard College (B.A., 1983); Harvard Law School (J.D., 1987)
Prior Judicial Service: None
Courthouse Location: 40 Foley Square, New York, NY 10007

Hon. Ona T. Wang (signed the complaint)

Current Position: U.S. Magistrate Judge, S.D.N.Y. (since 2018)
Born: Not publicly listed
Education: Harvard-Radcliffe (A.B.); Duke University (Ph.D.); NYU School of Law (J.D.)
Prior Judicial Service: None
Courthouse Location: 500 Pearl Street, New York, NY 10007*

About Robert W. Lederhilger III | Speaker, Mentor & Technologist

Hon. Robert W. Lehrburger (approved the iCloud search warrant)

Current Position: U.S. Magistrate Judge, S.D.N.Y. (since 2017)
Born: Not publicly listed
Education: Brown University (B.A.); NYU School of Law (J.D.)
Prior Judicial Service: None
Courthouse Location: 500 Pearl Street, New York, NY 10007*

United States v. Deaconu, 1:23-cr-00257 (N.D. Ill.)

Filed: April 26, 2023
Charges: 8 U.S.C. § 1324(a)(1)(A)(iii), § 1324(a)(1)(A)(v)(I), § 1324(a)(1)(B)(i)
Subject: Harboring Romanian workers for profit
Comparison: Like the Trump case, this is a grand jury indictment, but under immigration law. One of its judges was a magistrate judge at the time and later became a district judge.

The Judges 2021_7th_Kennelly

Hon. Matthew F. Kennelly

Current Position: Senior U.S. District Judge, N.D. Ill. (judge since 1999, senior since 2021)
Born: 1956, Marion, Indiana
Education: University of Notre Dame (B.A., 1978); Harvard Law School (J.D., 1981)
Prior Judicial Service: None
Courthouse Location: 219 S. Dearborn Street, Chicago, IL 60604*

Hon. Sunil R. Harjani

Current Position: U.S. District Judge, N.D. Ill. (since 2024)
Born: 1974, Joliet, Illinois
Education: Northwestern University (B.A., 1997; J.D., 2000)
Prior Judicial Service: U.S. Magistrate Judge, N.D. Ill. (2019–2024)
Courthouse Location: 219 S. Dearborn Street, Chicago, IL 60604*

United States v. Hernandez, 2:23-cr-00257 (S.D. Tex.)

Filed: April 29, 2023
Charges: 8 U.S.C. § 1326(a)(1)
Subject: A man caught trying to get around the Falfurrias Border Patrol checkpoint
Comparison: This case has the same defendant surname and the same “257” as Hernandez in San Diego, but it’s a different person, court and crime.

The Judge Hon. Jacqueline M Rateau Judge Profile on Martindale.com

Hon. Julie K. Hampton (signed the complaint)

Current Position: U.S. Magistrate Judge, S.D. Tex. (since 2020)
Born: Not publicly listed
Education: University of Kentucky (B.A., 1998); Baylor Law School (J.D., 2001)
Prior Judicial Service: None
Courthouse Location: 1133 N. Shoreline Boulevard, Corpus Christi, TX 78401*

United States v. Conner, 4:23-cr-00257-CAB (N.D. Ohio)

Filed: May 3, 2023
Charges: 18 U.S.C. § 922(a)(6), § 924(a)(2), § 932
Subject: Buying a pistol for someone else (a straw purchase)
Comparison: Both this case and the Trump case are Title 18 indictments. The false statement here was made to a gun dealer, while the Trump case was about lies directed at the election process.

The Judge Judge Christopher A. Boyko – CSU|LAW Hall of Fame

Hon. Christopher A. Boyko (“CAB”)

Current Position: Senior U.S. District Judge, N.D. Ohio (judge since 2005, senior since 2020)
Born: 1954, Cleveland, Ohio
Education: Mount Union College (B.A., 1976); Cleveland-Marshall College of Law (J.D., 1979)
Prior Judicial Service: Parma Municipal Court (1993); Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas (1996–2004)
Courthouse Location: 801 W. Superior Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44113*

United States v. Matheny, 1:23-cr-00257-GPG (D. Colo.)

Filed: May 4, 2023
Charges: 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1), § 841(b)(1)(C)
Subject: A single fentanyl sale that led to a death
Comparison: One act brought one drug count. The Trump case alleged a scheme involving several people, which called for conspiracy and obstruction laws.

The Judge Gordon Gallagher - Wikipedia

Hon. Gordon P. Gallagher (“GPG”)

Current Position: U.S. District Judge, D. Colo. (since 2023)
Born: 1970, Louisville, Kentucky
Education: Macalester College (B.A., 1991); University of Denver College of Law (J.D., 1996)
Prior Judicial Service: U.S. Magistrate Judge, D. Colo. (2012–2023)
Courthouse Location: 400 Rood Avenue, Grand Junction, CO 81501*

United States v. Rhayel, 2:23-cr-00257-SVW (C.D. Cal.)

Filed: May 16, 2023
Charges: 18 U.S.C. § 1957
Subject: Laundering money, investigated by IRS Criminal Investigation
Comparison: This is a Title 18 financial crime with one defendant. The judge, appointed in 1985, has served longer than any other judge in this article.

The Judges Hon. Jacqueline M Rateau Judge Profile on Martindale.com

Hon. Stephen V. Wilson (“SVW”)

Current Position: U.S. District Judge, C.D. Cal. (since 1985)
Born: 1941, New York, NY
Education: Lehigh University (B.A., 1963); Brooklyn Law School (J.D., 1967); George Washington University (LL.M., 1973)
Prior Judicial Service: None
Courthouse Location: 350 W. 1st Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012*

Hon. Alexander F. MacKinnon (signed the complaint)

Current Position: U.S. Magistrate Judge, C.D. Cal. (since 2015)
Born: Not publicly listed
Education: University of Michigan (B.S.E.; J.D., 1981)
Prior Judicial Service: None
Courthouse Location: 255 E. Temple Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012*

United States v. Wu and Sun, 5:23-cr-00257-SLP (W.D. Okla.)

Filed: May 17, 2023
Charges: 21 U.S.C. § 841 (drug conspiracy)
Subject: Two defendants charged in a drug conspiracy investigated by the FBI
Comparison: Both this case and the Trump case are conspiracy cases. This one uses drug law, and Trump’s uses laws against interfering with the government.

The Judges Scott Palk - Ballotpedia

Hon. Scott L. Palk (“SLP”)

Current Position: Chief U.S. District Judge, W.D. Okla. (judge since 2017, chief since 2026)
Born: 1967, Tulsa, Oklahoma
Education: Oklahoma State University (B.S., 1989); University of Oklahoma College of Law (J.D., 1992)
Prior Judicial Service: None
Courthouse Location: 200 NW 4th Street, Oklahoma City, OK 73102*

Hon. Shon T. Erwin (signed the complaint)

Current Position: U.S. Magistrate Judge, W.D. Okla. (full-time since 2012)
Born: 1961, Lawton, Oklahoma
Education: Oral Roberts University (B.A., 1983); University of Oklahoma (J.D., 1986)
Prior Judicial Service: Part-time U.S. Magistrate Judge (1995–2012)
Courthouse Location: 200 NW 4th Street, Oklahoma City, OK 73102*

United States v. Thompson, 8:23-cr-00257-MAD (N.D.N.Y.)

Filed: June 8, 2023
Charges: 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1), § 841(b)(1)(D); 18 U.S.C. § 924(c)(1)(A)(i)
Subject: Selling marijuana while possessing a firearm
Comparison: This case combines a drug law with a gun law. The Trump case combined conspiracy and obstruction laws.

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Hon. Mae A. D’Agostino (“MAD”)

Current Position: U.S. District Judge, N.D.N.Y. (since 2011)
Born: 1954, Albany, New York
Education: Siena College (B.A., 1977); Syracuse University College of Law (J.D., 1980)
Prior Judicial Service: None
Courthouse Location: 445 Broadway, Albany, NY 12207*

Hon. Miroslav Lovric (signed the complaint)

Current Position: U.S. Magistrate Judge, N.D.N.Y. (since 2019)
Born: Not publicly listed
Education: Columbia University (B.A.); Hofstra University School of Law (J.D.)
Prior Judicial Service: None
Courthouse Location: 15 Henry Street, Binghamton, NY 13901*

United States v. Trump and Nauta, 9:23-cr-80101-AMC (S.D. Fla.)

Filed: June 8, 2023
Charges: 18 U.S.C. § 793(e), § 1512(k), § 1512(b)(2)(A), § 1512(c)(1), § 1519, § 1001, § 2
Subject: Keeping classified documents after leaving office
Comparison: The defendant and the prosecutor are the same as in the D.C. case, but the conduct is different. The two cases share only § 1512(k). Because this case was filed in Florida, it received a different number: the same person, two numbers.

The Judges [PHOTO: Hon. Aileen M. Cannon] Hon. Aileen M. Cannon (“AMC”)

Current Position: U.S. District Judge, S.D. Fla. (since 2020)
Born: 1981, Cali, Colombia
Education: Duke University (B.A., 2003); University of Michigan Law School (J.D., 2007)
Prior Judicial Service: None
Courthouse Location: 101 South U.S. Highway 1, Fort Pierce, FL 34950*

US Magistrate Judge Bruce E Reinhart swears in 2025-2026 FBA officers

Hon. Bruce E. Reinhart (assigned magistrate judge)

Current Position: U.S. Magistrate Judge, S.D. Fla. (since 2018)
Born: Not publicly listed
Education: Princeton University (1984); University of Pennsylvania Law School (J.D., 1987)
Prior Judicial Service: None
Courthouse Location: 701 Clematis Street, West Palm Beach, FL 33401*

United States v. Carraway, 3:23-cr-00257-K (N.D. Tex.)

Filed: June 21, 2023
Charges: 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1), § 924(a)(8)
Subject: A convicted felon possessing a Glock pistol
Comparison: This is a sealed indictment with a single gun count. Trump’s was a public indictment with four counts.

The Judge Judge Ed Kinkeade | Law School | Baylor University

Hon. Ed Kinkeade (“K”)

Current Position: U.S. District Judge, N.D. Tex. (since 2002); also serves on the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court (since 2026)
Born: 1951, Denton, Texas
Education: Baylor University (B.A., 1973; J.D., 1974); University of Virginia (LL.M., 1998)
Prior Judicial Service: Irving Municipal Court; Dallas County courts; Fifth Court of Appeals of Texas (1988–2002)
Courthouse Location: 1100 Commerce Street, Dallas, TX 75242*

A magistrate judge signed the last page of the indictment, but the name isn’t readable.

United States v. Woodgett, 1:23-cr-00257-RDP-NAD (N.D. Ala.)

Filed: July 25, 2023
Charges: 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1)
Subject: A convicted felon possessing a shotgun
Comparison: This is another Title 18 indictment against one person. The assigned judge retired in 2026, so a case’s judge can change over time.

The Judges Hon. R. David Proctor (Ret.) - FedArb

Hon. R. David Proctor (“RDP”)

Current Position: Retired July 1, 2026 (U.S. District Judge, N.D. Ala., from 2003; chief judge 2024–2026)
Born: 1960, Atlanta, Georgia
Education: Carson-Newman College (B.A., 1983); University of Tennessee College of Law (J.D., 1986)
Prior Judicial Service: None
Courthouse Location: 1729 5th Avenue North, Birmingham, AL 35203

Nicholas A. Danella | The American Law Institute

Hon. Nicholas A. Danella (“NAD”)

Current Position: U.S. Magistrate Judge, N.D. Ala. (since 2021)
Born: Not publicly listed
Education: Harvard College (B.A.); Notre Dame Law School (J.D., 2006)
Prior Judicial Service: None
Courthouse Location: 1729 5th Avenue North, Birmingham, AL 35203

United States v. Sullivan et al., 1:23-cr-00257-JRR (D. Md.)

Filed: July 27, 2023
Charges: 18 U.S.C. § 371, § 922(l), § 922(o), § 924(a)(1)(A), § 1001, § 1957, § 2; 28 U.S.C. § 2461(c)
Subject: Five defendants accused of illegally obtaining machineguns
Comparison: This case is the closest match to the Trump case. They share the same number and the same conspiracy law (§ 371), and they were filed five days apart. Even so, they are unrelated.

The Judge Bryn Mawr School alumna Julie Rubin nominated for federal bench

Hon. Julie R. Rubin (“JRR”)

Current Position: U.S. District Judge, D. Md. (since 2022)
Born: 1972, Baltimore, Maryland
Education: Mount Holyoke College (B.A., 1995); University of Maryland School of Law (J.D., 1998)
Prior Judicial Service: Associate Judge, Baltimore City Circuit Court (2013–2022)
Courthouse Location: 101 West Lombard Street, Baltimore, MD 21201

United States v. Alvarez, 1:23-cr-00257-SDT (M.D.N.C.)

Filed: July 31, 2023, one day before the Trump case
Charges: 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1), § 924(a)(8)
Subject: A convicted felon possessing a Glock pistol
Comparison: This case and the Trump case were filed one day apart and share the same full number, yet they were in different courts and involved different crimes.

Probably Hon. Thomas D. Schroeder (“SDT”; confirm on the docket)

Current Position: U.S. District Judge, M.D.N.C. (since 2008)
Born: 1959, Atlanta, Georgia
Education: University of Kansas (B.S., 1981); Notre Dame Law School (J.D., 1984)
Prior Judicial Service: None
Courthouse Location: 251 N. Main Street, Winston-Salem, NC 27101*

At a Glance

Case	Court	Law	Subject	Judge
U.S. v. Malagon et al., 2:23-cr-00257-AM	W.D. Tex.	Title 8	Smuggling children	Moses
U.S. v. Ramirez-Hernandez, 3:23-cr-00257-DCG	W.D. Tex.	Title 8	Illegal reentry	Guaderrama
U.S. v. Hernandez, 3:23-cr-00257-RBM	S.D. Cal.	Title 21	Methamphetamine	Montenegro
U.S. v. Castro, 4:23-cr-00257-JGZ-JR	D. Ariz.	Title 8	Illegal reentry	Zipps
U.S. v. Martinez, 2:23-cr-00257-KG	D.N.M.	Title 8	Illegal reentry	Gonzales
U.S. v. Rodriguez-Barrera, 7:23-cr-00257	S.D. Tex.	Title 8	Illegal reentry	Alanis
U.S. v. Agaton-Granados, 2:23-cr-00257-DLR	D. Ariz.	Title 21	Fentanyl import	Rayes
U.S. v. Julian-Blas, 5:23-cr-00257	S.D. Tex.	Title 18	Supervision transfer	Saldaña
U.S. v. O’Hanlon et al., 1:23-cr-00257-KMW	D.N.J.	Titles 18, 26	Fraud, tax evasion	Williams
U.S. v. Gonzalez, 1:23-cr-00257	S.D. Tex.	Title 8	Alien transport	Torteya
U.S. v. Olivo-Tenorio, 5:23-cr-00257-JKP	W.D. Tex.	Title 8	Illegal reentry	Pulliam
U.S. v. Santiago et al., 1:23-cr-00257-PAE	S.D.N.Y.	Title 21	Fentanyl conspiracy	Engelmayer
U.S. v. Deaconu, 1:23-cr-00257	N.D. Ill.	Title 8	Harboring workers	Kennelly
U.S. v. Hernandez, 2:23-cr-00257	S.D. Tex.	Title 8	Illegal reentry	Hampton
U.S. v. Conner, 4:23-cr-00257-CAB	N.D. Ohio	Title 18	Straw gun purchase	Boyko
U.S. v. Matheny, 1:23-cr-00257-GPG	D. Colo.	Title 21	Fentanyl death	Gallagher
U.S. v. Rhayel, 2:23-cr-00257-SVW	C.D. Cal.	Title 18	Money laundering	Wilson
U.S. v. Wu and Sun, 5:23-cr-00257-SLP	W.D. Okla.	Title 21	Drug conspiracy	Palk
U.S. v. Thompson, 8:23-cr-00257-MAD	N.D.N.Y.	Titles 18, 21	Marijuana and gun	D’Agostino
U.S. v. Trump and Nauta, 9:23-cr-80101-AMC	S.D. Fla.	Title 18	Classified documents	Cannon
U.S. v. Carraway, 3:23-cr-00257-K	N.D. Tex.	Title 18	Felon with gun	Kinkeade
U.S. v. Woodgett, 1:23-cr-00257-RDP-NAD	N.D. Ala.	Title 18	Felon with gun	Proctor
U.S. v. Sullivan et al., 1:23-cr-00257-JRR	D. Md.	Titles 18, 28	Machineguns	Rubin
U.S. v. Alvarez, 1:23-cr-00257-SDT	M.D.N.C.	Title 18	Felon with gun	Schroeder (likely)
U.S. v. Trump, 1:23-cr-00257-TSC	D.D.C.	Title 18	2020 election	Chutkan

Conclusion

Charges follow the conduct. Border crossings lead to Title 8, drugs to Title 21, and guns, fraud, money and interference with the government to Title 18.
Numbers follow the filing order. Each federal court counts its own cases every year, so 23 of the cases in this article carry the number 23-cr-00257 in 19 different federal courts.
Office codes matter. Texas and Arizona courts used 257 more than once in 2023, and the number before the colon tells those cases apart.
The letters identify the judge. Initials such as PAE, JRR and TSC name the assigned judge.
The same person can have different numbers. Donald Trump’s two federal cases have different numbers because they were filed in different courts.
A number alone isn’t unique. To identify a case, use the court plus the full case number.