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Category: AM-NC

  • MIL-OSI USA: Dingell Applauds New TPS Designation for Lebanon

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (12th District of Michigan)

    Dingell Applauds New TPS Designation for Lebanon

    Washington, October 17, 2024

    Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (MI-06) released the following statement in support of the Biden-Harris Administration’s decision to grant a new Temporary Protected Status (TPS) designation for Lebanon for 18 months. Dingell has repeatedly called for TPS for Lebanon, most recently in July with a letter to the Department of State and Department of Homeland Security.

    “Michigan is home to many Lebanese Americans who live in fear for their families as Lebanon faces a worsening humanitarian crisis, exacerbated by a growing regional conflict,” Dingell said. “We have a responsibility to provide refuge to those seeking shelter from catastrophe and conflict, and I have long fought for Temporary Protected Status to provide safety and security to those who need it most. I thank the Administration for granting TPS to Lebanon and providing peace of mind for thousands of families.”

    Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is announcing a new TPS designation for Lebanon for 18 months due to ongoing armed conflict and extraordinary and temporary conditions in Lebanon that prevent nationals of Lebanon from returning in safely. Those approved for TPS will be able to remain in the country while the United States is in discussions to achieve a diplomatic resolution for lasting stability and security across the Israel-Lebanon border. The designation of Lebanon for TPS will allow Lebanese nationals (and individuals having no nationality who last habitually resided in Lebanon) who have been continuously residing in the United States since October 16, 2024 to file initial applications for TPS, if they are otherwise eligible. Lebanese nationals who entered the United States after October 16, 2024 will not be eligible for TPS.

    More information about the announcement is available here. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Horsford Moderates Roundtable with Local Small Businesses

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressmen Steven Horsford (NV-04)

    Nevada small business owners and creators gathered to discuss TikTok’s economic impact

    LAS VEGAS – Congressman Steven Horsford (NV-04) yesterday joined local TikTok small business owners and creators at a roundtable event in Nevada’s Fourth Congressional District. The event highlighted TikTok’s economic impact in the state and featured a panel of local small businesses discussing how they use TikTok to expand their business and reach new customers. 

    “You all are helping to drive job creation; you’re helping to drive wealth generation for families, not just here in Nevada, but all across the country,” said Congressman Steven Horsford (NV-04) to the business owners. “If you are an entrepreneur, creator, small business owner, I encourage you to take advantage of the opportunities and all the unique tools that TikTok provides.”

    The panel included a diverse mix of women-owned, Hispanic-owned, and Black-owned small business owners and creators sharing their experience on the platform and success stories, featuring: 

    • Alexandra Lourdes, creator and owner of several Las Vegas businesses – Café Lola, Saint Honoré, and 3LC
    • Jen Gay, tourism creator behind Vegas Starfish, the go-to source for food, entertainment, gaming, resort and attraction recommendations
    • Kari Garcia, owner of Tsp Baking Company, a bakery serving fresh mini cupcakes, cakes, and cookies
    • Marsean Nelson, owner of Taste Budz Creole Kitchen, a food truck turned viral brick and mortar restaurant serving gumbo, alfredo, famous crab boils, shrimp and grits
    • Vanessa Barreat, owner of La Vecindad, a Mexican restaurant where each dish is a celebration of flavor, tradition, and the artistry of Mexican cuisine.

    “TikTok gives you all the resources for you to have so you don’t have an excuse,” said Marsean Nelson, owner of Taste Budz Creole Kitchen. “When I first started my business, we didn’t have money, but if you go to TikTok, TikTok is your billboard; TikTok is your delivery vehicle; TikTok is your staff; TikTok is your customer base; TikTok is your high school, your college, your honors courses. So everything that you need is right there for you to begin and flourish.” 

    “I never expected the success that we have right now,” said Vanessa Barreat, owner of La Vecindad. “COVID closed our doors, but at the same time, TikTok opened the door to success for us. And thanks to TikTok, I’m proud to say that I can pay for college for my son.” 

    TikTok has been a powerful economic engine across Nevada — driving growth, creating wealth-building opportunities, and strengthening community connections for the 1.1 million Nevadans and 70,000 businesses on TikTok. According to a report from Oxford Economics, Nevada small and midsize businesses (SMBs) use of TikTok contributed $200 million to the state’s gross domestic product (GDP), generated nearly $46 million in federal, state, and local tax revenue, and supported 1,900 Nevada jobs. The report says for small businesses, the impact of the platform is significant — 50% of SMBs in Nevada say that their business needs to continue to use and improve upon TikTok marketing content in order to stay competitive.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Pappas Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Strengthen Law Enforcement Operations at the Southern Border

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Chris Pappas (D-NH)

    Yesterday Representatives Chris Pappas (NH-01), Dave Joyce (OH-14), Juan Ciscomani (AZ-06), and Susie Lee (NV-03)introduced the bipartisan Advanced Border Coordination Act to strengthen law enforcement operations and collaboration at the southern border.

    Building off the successes of state-run fusion centers, this legislation would establish Joint Operation Centers along the southern border to serve as centralized operating hubs tasked with coordinating border operations, information sharing, and workforce training. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has periodically established joint operations hubs to help multiple law enforcement agencies work together to strengthen border security and crack down on transnational criminal activity. 

    “Strengthening border operations coordination will bolster efforts to crack down on drug trafficking, help enforce our immigration laws, and keep our communities safe. I’m helping introduce the Advanced Border Coordination Act, which will do just that,” said Congressman Pappas. “This bipartisan bill would establish joint centers along the southern border to serve as centralized hubs to coordinate border operations between Border Patrol personnel and federal, state, and local law enforcement. I’ll keep fighting to support the work of our law enforcement, provide them the resources they need, and address the root causes of the issues at the southern border.”

    The Advanced Border Coordination Act would help address these national security concerns by: 

    • Directing DHS to establish at least two joint operations centers along the southern border. These hubs would help law enforcement from multiple Federal, State, local and Tribal agencies coordinate their efforts and better work together. 
    • Requiring these centralized hubs to serve as resources to improve field operations and intelligence sharing, help detect and deter criminal activity like drug and human trafficking, and support workforce development and training coordination between participating agencies. 
    • Directing the DHS Secretary to issue an annual report to Congress on the centers’ operational activities and recommendations for coordinated federal actions at the southern border. 

    Participating agencies would include DHS, the Department of Defense, the Department of Justice, other federal agencies as the DHS Secretary determines appropriate, and state, local, and tribal agencies that voluntarily choose to participate.

    The bill has been endorsed by the National Border Patrol Council, National Immigration Forum, the Texas Border Coalition, and the Major Cities Chiefs Association. A companion bill was previously introduced in the Senate by Senators Cortez-Masto (D-NV) and Blackburn (R-TN). 

    Background:

    Pappas has been an ardent supporter of bipartisan efforts to address America’s northern and southern border and has called on House Republican leadership to stop blocking the consideration of legislation to restore order and fix the U.S.’s immigration system that has been broken for decades. 

    Pappas is a cosponsor of the Dignity Act, which is comprehensive, bipartisan legislation to address security and infrastructure challenges at the border, hire additional border patrol personnel, establish new pathways for asylum seekers, and create a path to citizenship.

    In March, Pappas helped launch a new border security task force to focus on the need for comprehensive, bipartisan solutions to address the border and fix the broken immigration system. Later that month, Pappas helped to pass the fiscal year 2024 government funding package, which included a $3.2 billion increase in funding for Customs and Border Patrol (CPB), providing for a record 22,000 agents, including 150 counter-fentanyl officers, and needed investments in fentanyl detection equipment.

    In September 2023, Pappas called on House leadership to advance a supplemental appropriations package that expands fentanyl interdiction capacity and improves border security across the country, including along our northern border.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: DPO’s response to media enquiries on government staff’s use of personal webmail, public cloud storage and web-version of instant messaging services

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         In response to media enquiries on government staff’s use of personal webmail, public cloud storage and web-version of instant messaging services, a spokesman for the Digital Policy Office (DPO) said today (October 23):

         In face of increasingly severe cyber threats, the DPO reminded all bureaux and departments (B/Ds) through the Government’s IT Security Guidelines (the Guidelines) updated in April this year that their staff’s use of personal webmail, public cloud storage and instant messaging services on desktop computers connected to the government internal network will bring potential information security risks, hence the risks must be well managed. In this regard, the DPO has formulated the following security guidelines for the use of desktop computers connected to the government internal network systems:

    (1) Government staff have to obtain approval from department management before using personal webmail, public cloud storage and instant messaging services on desktop computers connected to the government internal network; and

    (2) Based on operational needs, B/Ds can implement different alternatives during the six-month adaptation period after the promulgation of the Guidelines, including providing staff with mobile devices or designated computers that are isolated from the B/Ds’ internal network system, so that they could continue using relevant personal webmail, public cloud storage and instant messaging services, or dedicated application systems developed by the B/Ds. 

         The above-mentioned Guidelines aim to strengthen the security barrier of the government internal information network system, and do not restrict or affect the use of relevant services (including WhatsApp, WeChat and other commonly used instant messaging softwares) by staff through mobile phones, mobile devices or other desktop computers that are independent of the government internal network system. There is no “blanket ban” on the use of relevant communication tools. The requirements of the Guidelines also do not apply to computer systems or communication devices that are not connected to the government internal network, such as on-campus systems in government schools. Relevant organisations can adopt appropriate information security and network security measures based on business needs.

         After the promulgation of the Guidelines in April, the DPO has arranged a number of briefing sessions to introduce the requirements of the Guidelines and technical solutions to B/Ds, and has provided technical advice to facilitate B/Ds’ compliance with the requirements of the Guidelines and formulation of the corresponding implementation plans within six months.

         The DPO will continue to provide appropriate support to B/Ds, including arranging more briefing sessions and sharing technology solutions, and work together to safeguard the government information system and network security.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: NASA Begins New Deployable Solar Array Tech Demo on Pathfinder Spacecraft

    Source: NASA

    NASA recently evaluated initial flight data and imagery from Pathfinder Technology Demonstrator-4 (PTD-4), confirming proper checkout of the spacecraft’s systems including its on-board electronics as well as the payload’s support systems such as the small onboard camera. Shown above is a test image of Earth taken by the payload camera, shortly after PTD-4 reached orbit. This camera will continue photographing the technology demonstration during the mission. 
    Payload operations are now underway for the primary objective of the PTD-4 mission – the demonstration of a new power and communications technology for future spacecraft. The payload, a deployable solar array with an integrated antenna called the Lightweight Integrated Solar Array and anTenna, or LISA-T, has initiated deployment of its central boom structure. The boom supports four solar power and communication arrays, also called petals. Releasing the central boom pushes the still-stowed petals nearly three feet (one meter) away from the spacecraft bus. The mission team currently is working through an initial challenge to get LISA-T’s central boom to fully extend before unfolding the petals and beginning its power generation and communication operations.
    Small spacecraft on deep space missions require more electrical power than what is currently offered by existing technology. The four-petal solar array of LISA-T is a thin-film solar array that offers lower mass, lower stowed volume, and three times more power per mass and volume allocation than current solar arrays. The in-orbit technology demonstration includes deployment, operation, and environmental survivability of the thin-film solar array.  
    “The LISA-T experiment is an opportunity for NASA and the small spacecraft community to advance the packaging, deployment, and operation of thin-film, fully flexible solar and antenna arrays in space. The thin-film arrays will vastly improve power generation and communication capabilities throughout many different mission applications,” said Dr. John Carr, deputy center chief technologist at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama. “These capabilities are critical for achieving higher value science alongside the exploration of deep space with small spacecraft.”
    The Pathfinder Technology Demonstration series of missions leverages a commercial platform which serves to test innovative technologies to  increase the capability of small spacecraft. Deploying LISA-T’s thin solar array in the harsh environment of space presents inherent challenges such as deploying large highly flexible non-metallic structures with high area to mass ratios. Performing experiments such as LISA-T on a smaller, lower-cost spacecraft allows NASA the opportunity to take manageable risk with high probability of great return. The LISA-T experiment aims to enable future deep space missions with the ability to acquire and communicate data through improved power generation and communication capabilities on the same integrated array.
    The PTD-4 small spacecraft is hosting the in-orbit technology demonstration called LISA-T. The PTD-4 spacecraft deployed into low Earth orbit from SpaceX’s Transporter-11 rocket which launched from Space Launch Complex 4E at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California on Aug. 16. NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama designed and built the LISA-T technology as well as LISA-T’s supporting avionics system. NASA’s Small Spacecraft Technology program, based at NASA’s Ames Research Center in California’s Silicon Valley and led by the agency’s Space Technology Mission Directorate, funds and manages the PTD-4 mission as well as the overall Pathfinder Technology Demonstration mission series. Terran Orbital Corporation of Irvine, California, developed and built the PTD-4 spacecraft bus, named Triumph.
    Learn more about NASA’s LISA-T technology:

    [embedded content]
    NASA teams are testing a key technology demonstration known as LISA-T, short for the Lightweight Integrated Solar Array and anTenna. It’s a super compact, stowable, thin-film solar array that when fully deployed in space, offers both a power generation and communication capability for small spacecraft. LISA-T’s orbital flight test is part of the Pathfinder Technology Demonstrator series of missions. To travel farther into deep space, small spacecraft require more electrical power than what is currently available through existing technology. LISA-T aims to answer that demand and would offer small spacecraft access to power without compromising mass or volume. Watch this video to learn more about the spacecraft, its deployment, and the possibilities from John Carr, deputy center chief technologist at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Belgian National Charged with Attempting to Breach Cockpit and Assaulting Flight Crew Members on March 2024 Flight

    Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime Alerts (c)

    NEWARK, N.J. – A Belgian national was arrested today for attempting to breach the cockpit and assaulting flight attendants aboard flight from Newark Liberty International Airport to Zurich, Switzerland, in March 2024, U.S. Attorney Philip Sellinger announced.

    Jan Daeninck, 43, of Belgium, is charged by complaint with one count of interference with flight crew members and attendants by assault and intimidation, one count of assault, and one count of abusive sexual contact on an airplane. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge U.S. Magistrate Judge Leda Dunn Wettre in Newark federal court and was released on $100,000 unsecured bond.

    According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

    On March 31, 2024, Daeninck was a passenger aboard a Swiss International Airlines flight from Newark to Zurich. Shortly after takeoff, Daeninck walked up to a female flight attendant, grabbed both of her breasts with his hands, shook her, and began yelling at her. After the flight attendant was able to wrest herself away from Daeninck, he then approached and attempted to enter the cockpit, repeatedly striking, kicking and beating the cockpit door. While Daeninck was attempting to gain entrance to the cockpit, a male flight attendant approached Daeninck. After repeatedly striking, punching, and kicking the cockpit door and failing to gain entry to the cockpit, Daeninck assaulted the male flight attendant by repeatedly punching and kicking the flight attendant, striking him in head and upper body with a closed fist. Flight crew members were able to intervene and assist with restraining Daeninck on the floor in the vicinity of the cockpit door for the remainder of the flight. As a result of Daeninck’s actions, the flight turned around and landed back at Newark Liberty International Airport.

    The charge of interfering with flight crew members and attendants carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000. The charge of assault by beating or striking carries a maximum punishment of one year in prison and a maximum fine of $100,000. The charge of abusive sexual contact carries a maximum sentence of two years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000.

    U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Nelson I. Delgado in Newark, with the investigation leading to the charge. He also thanked the Port Authority Police Department, under the direction of Edward T. Cetnar, for its assistance.

    The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michelle L. Goldman of the Office’s General Crimes Unit in Newark.

    The charges and allegations contained in the complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Orange County Supervisor Agrees to Plead Guilty to Bribery Conspiracy Involving $10 Million in COVID Relief Funds

    Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime Alerts (b)

    OC Supervisor Andrew Do Admits Receiving More Than $550,000 in Bribe Payments from Funds Meant to Be Used to Provide Meals to Elderly

    SANTA ANA, California – The District One Supervisor on the Orange County Board of Supervisors has agreed to plead guilty to a felony federal charge for accepting more than $550,000 in bribes for directing and voting in favor of more than $10 million in COVID funds to a charity affiliated with one of his daughters, Rhiannon Do, the Justice Department announced today. 

    Andrew Hoang Do, 62, agreed to plead guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit bribery concerning programs receiving federal funds. His plea agreement and information were filed today. He is expected to make his initial appearance in United States District Court in Santa Ana later this month.

    Do is one of five supervisors on the Orange County Board of Supervisors, which is responsible for the county’s $9 billion annual budget. As a county supervisor, Do represents the cities of Cypress, Fountain Valley, Garden Grove, Huntington Beach, La Palma, Los Alamitos, Midway City, Rossmoor, Seal Beach, and Westminster. He has served as a county supervisor since February 2015.

    As part of his plea agreement, Do admitted that in exchange for more than $550,000 in bribes, beginning in 2020, he voted in favor of and directed millions of dollars in COVID-related funds to Viet America Society (VAS), a charity affiliated with his daughter. Do directed and worked together with other county employees to approve contracts with – and payments to – VAS. Do further admitted he acted corruptly and abused his position of trust as a county supervisor.

    “By putting his own interests over those of his constituents, the defendant sold his high office and betrayed the public’s trust,” said United States Attorney Martin Estrada.  “Even worse, the money he misappropriated and accepted as bribe payments was taken from those most in need – older adults and disabled residents. Our community deserved much better. Corruption has no place in our politics and my office will continue to hold accountable officials who cheat the public.”

    “While millions of Americans were dying from COVID-19, Orange County Supervisor Andrew Do was the fox in the hen house personified, raiding millions in federal pandemic relief funds and orchestrating the money intended to feed elderly and ailing residents to instead fill the pockets of insiders, himself and his loved ones all while portraying a public persona of a hometown hero guiding his constituents through the uncertainty and fear of a global pandemic,” said Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer. “No one is above the law in Orange County and these charges should serve as a powerful warning to elected officials everywhere that actions have consequences and justice will be swift and it will be decisive.”  

    “Elected officials have a responsibility to implement programs and policy that will benefit all the people they serve.  Their role is not to squander money, solicit bribes, or to steer funds to organizations or persons, wherein a coordinated effort allows those funds to make their way to family members or friends,” said Akil Davis, the Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office. “Today’s plea is another exclamation point to the FBI’s commitment to ensuring that all local, state, or federal elected and appointed public officials perform their duties with honesty, integrity, and commitment to all the constituents they serve.”

    Shortly after receiving the COVID-related public funds from the county government – funds that were intended to provide meals to the elderly – VAS from April 2021 to February 2024 paid a business identified in court documents as “Company #1” $100,000 or more per month, which totaled approximately $3,804,000. In September 2021, VAS increased its payments to Company #1 from $100,000 to $108,000 per month. Company #1 then began paying Rhiannon Do – Do’s daughter – $8,000 per month, totaling by February 2024 approximately $224,000.

    In his plea agreement, Do admitted that in addition to the $8,000 monthly payments that Company #1 had made to Do’s daughter, in July 2023, Company #1 also transferred a total of $381,500 from the funds it had received from VAS to an escrow company. In July 2023, Do’s daughter used the escrow account funds to purchase a home, in her name, in Tustin for $1,035,000. As part of that transaction, a mortgage for more than $600,000 was obtained by a loan application that contained false information and with fabricated documents. In her related diversion agreement attached as an exhibit to Do’s plea agreement, Do’s daughter admitted her conduct was criminal and violated federal and state law.

    Do also admitted that the $381,500 from Company #1 that his daughter had used to purchase the Tustin house in 2023 was a disguised bribe to him. He also admitted that an additional $100,000 in payments sent to his other daughter, including three $25,000 checks from Company #2 – an air conditioning company that had been paid by VAS – also were bribes to him.

    Some of the bribe funds that had been funneled to his daughters were spent for his direct benefit. For example, during 2022, a total of $14,849 of funds that had been funneled to Do’s daughters was used to make property tax payments for properties in Orange County owned by Do and his wife. Approximately $15,000 was used to pay for one of Do’s credit card bills.

    Do knew that VAS was not providing all the meals for which the county had paid VAS. Instead, much of the funds were used for the benefit of insiders, including to buy real estate in the name of both Do’s daughter and Company #1, bribe payments to both of Do’s daughters, payments to other conspirators, payments to other companies affiliated with VAS’s listed officers, and through hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash withdrawals.

    “Mr. Do had a duty to act in the best interest of the citizens of Orange County. He neglected that duty and misused the financial system to enrich himself,” said Special Agent in Charge Ryan Korner with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. Office of Inspector General. “Public corruption degrades the public’s confidence in our political system, and FDIC OIG is proud to work alongside our law enforcement partners to identify and hold accountable individuals who abuse public service for private gain.”

    “Andrew Do was entrusted to ensure taxpayer dollars were used responsibly and for the purposes intended,” said Special Agent in Charge Tyler Hatcher, IRS Criminal Investigation, Los Angeles Field Office. “Instead, when his constituents depended on COVID relief programs, Mr. Do exploited his position on the Orange County Board of Supervisors not only to influence channeling of funds to the Viet America Society, but also to accept bribes that were used to purchase a home, pay property taxes, and even to pay fictitious incomes to family members. Combating public corruption is one of the most important roles federal law enforcement agencies play in our local communities, and we are proud to be a partner during this investigation.” 

    “Today’s actions shows that this elected official used his position of trust for personal gain. He didn’t think he would get caught. He was wrong,” said Adam Shanedling, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Education Office of Inspector General’s Western Regional Office. “The OIG is proud to have been a part of the task force that investigated this matter and we’ll continue to work with our law enforcement partners to help safeguard the integrity of federal funds.” 

    The plea agreement requires Do to forfeit any assets connected to the bribery scheme, including the Tustin property his daughter purchased in 2023. As part of his daughter’s related diversion agreement, she also agreed to forfeit the Tustin property. The plea agreement requires Do to pay full restitution by paying back the bribe money he and his daughters received, which he has agreed to pay in full before he is sentenced. In August 2022, the government seized more than $2.4 million from VAS’s and Company #1’s bank accounts.

    In a related agreement with the Orange County District Attorney’s Office (OCDA), attached as an exhibit to Do’s plea agreement, Do has agreed to immediately resign from the Orange County Board of Supervisors and to forfeit any pension credit for the time where he participated in the bribery conspiracy.

    Once Do enters his guilty plea, he will face a statutory maximum sentence of five years in federal prison.

    The FBI; the Orange County District Attorney’s Office Bureau of Investigation; the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. Office of the Inspector General; IRS Criminal Investigation; and the United States Department of Education Office of the Inspector General investigated this matter.

    This matter is being jointly prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office and OCDA. The prosecution is being led by Assistant United States Attorneys Charles E. Pell, Bradley E. Marrett, and Tara Vavere of the United States Attorney’s Office and Senior Deputy District Attorney Avery T. Harrison and Deputy District Attorneys Anthony J. Schlehner and L.J. Berger of the OCDA.  

    Any member of the public who has information related to this or any other public corruption matter in Orange County is encouraged to send information to the FBI’s email tip line at https://tips.fbi.gov and/or to contact the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office at (310) 477-6565.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: U.S. Attorney Adair F. Boroughs Appoints District Election Officer

    Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime Alerts (c)

    COLUMBIA, S.C. — United States Attorney Adair Ford Boroughs announced today that Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) John Potterfield will lead the efforts of her office in connection with the Justice Department’s nationwide Election Day Program for the upcoming Nov. 5 general election. AUSA Potterfield has been appointed to serve as the District Election Officer (DEO) for the District of South Carolina, and in that capacity is responsible for overseeing the district’s handling of election day complaints of voting rights concerns, threats of violence to election officials or staff, and election fraud, in consultation with Justice Department Headquarters in Washington.

    United States Attorney Boroughs said, “Every citizen must be able to vote without interference or discrimination and to have that vote counted in a fair and free election. Similarly, election officials and staff must be able to serve without being subject to unlawful threats of violence. The Department of Justice will always work tirelessly to protect the integrity of the election process.”

    The Department of Justice has an important role in deterring and combatting discrimination and intimidation at the polls, threats of violence directed at election officials and poll workers, and election fraud. The Department will address these violations wherever they occur. The Department’s longstanding Election Day Program furthers these goals and also seeks to ensure public confidence in the electoral process by providing local points of contact within the Department for the public to report possible federal election law violations.

    Federal law protects against such crimes as threatening violence against election officials or staff, intimidating or bribing voters, buying and selling votes, impersonating voters, altering vote tallies, stuffing ballot boxes, and marking ballots for voters against their wishes or without their input.  It also contains special protections for the rights of voters, and provides that they can vote free from interference, including intimidation, and other acts designed to prevent or discourage people from voting or voting for the candidate of their choice.  The Voting Rights Act protects the right of voters to mark their own ballot or to be assisted by a person of their choice (where voters need assistance because of disability or inability to read or write in English).   

    United States Attorney Boroughs stated that: “The franchise is the cornerstone of American democracy.  We all must ensure that those who are entitled to the franchise can exercise it if they choose, and that those who seek to corrupt it are brought to justice. In order to respond to complaints of voting rights concerns and election fraud during the upcoming election, and to ensure that such complaints are directed to the appropriate authorities, AUSA/DEO Potterfield will be on duty in this district while the polls are open.  He can be reached by the public at the following telephone numbers: 803-919-3092.”

    In addition, the FBI will have special agents available in each field office and resident agency throughout the country to receive allegations of election fraud and other election abuses on election day. The FBI Columbia field office can be reached by the public at 803-551-4200.

    Complaints about possible violations of the federal voting rights laws can be made directly to the Civil Rights Division in Washington, D.C. by complaint form at https://civilrights.justice.gov/ or by phone at 800-253-3931.

    United States Attorney Boroughs said, “Ensuring free and fair elections depends in large part on the assistance of the American electorate.  It is important that those who have specific information about voting rights concerns or election fraud make that information available to the Department of Justice.”

    Please note, however, in the case of a crime of violence or intimidation, please call 911 immediately and before contacting federal authorities. State and 

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: ALDI Executive and Southern Illinois Contractor Sentenced for Rigging Construction Project Bids, Ordered to Pay More Than $2.8 Million

    Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime Alerts (b)

    Ahead of the Threat Podcast: Episode Zero

    Welcome to Ahead of the Threat, the FBI’s new podcast miniseries that brings together an FBI cyber executive and a private sector chief information security officer. Join Bryan Vorndran, assistant director of the FBI’s Cyber Division, and Jamil Farshchi, a strategic engagement advisor for the FBI who also works as an executive vice president and CISO of Equifax, as they discuss emerging cyber threats and the enduring importance of cybersecurity fundamentals. Featuring distinguished guests from the business world and government, Ahead of the Threat will confront some of the biggest questions in cyber: How will emerging technology impact corporate America? How can corporate boards be structured for cyber resilience? What does the FBI think about generative artificial intelligence? Listen to new episodes biweekly and stay Ahead of the Threat.

    Charity and Disaster Fraud

    Charity fraud scams can come in many forms: emails, social media posts, crowdfunding platforms, cold calls, etc. They are especially common after high-profile disasters. Always use caution and do your research when you’re looking to donate to charitable causes.

    RYAN JAMES WEDDING

    Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute Controlled Substances; Conspiracy to Export Cocaine; Continuing Criminal Enterprise; Murder in Connection with a Continuing Criminal Enterprise and Drug Crime; Attempt to Commit…

    Capitol Violence

    The FBI is seeking to identify individuals involved in the violent activities that occurred at the U.S. Capitol and surrounding areas on January 6, 2021. View photos and related information here. If you have any information to provide, visit tips.fbi.gov or call 1-800-CALL-FBI.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: United States Attorney Sayler Fleming Announces District Election Officers Responsible for Handling Election Day Complaints

    Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime News

    ST. LOUIS – United States Attorney Sayler A. Fleming announced today that Assistant United States Attorneys (AUSA) Hal Goldsmith and Jennifer Roy will lead the efforts of her office in connection with the Justice Department’s nationwide Election Day Program for the Nov. 5, 2024, general election.  AUSAs Goldsmith and Roy have been appointed to serve as the District Election Officers (DEO) for the Eastern District of Missouri, and are responsible for overseeing the district’s handling of election day complaints of voting rights concerns, threats of violence to election officials or staff, and election fraud, in consultation with Justice Department Headquarters in Washington.

    United States Attorney Fleming said, “Every citizen must be able to vote without interference or discrimination and to have that vote counted in a fair and free election.  Similarly, election officials and staff must be able to serve without being subject to unlawful threats of violence.  The Department of Justice will always work tirelessly to protect the integrity of the election process.”

    The Department of Justice has an important role in deterring and combatting discrimination and intimidation at the polls, threats of violence directed at election officials and poll workers, and election fraud.  The Department will address these violations wherever they occur.  The Department’s longstanding Election Day Program furthers these goals and also seeks to ensure public confidence in the electoral process by providing local points of contact within the Department for the public to report possible federal election law violations.

    Federal law protects against such crimes as threatening violence against election officials or staff, intimidating or bribing voters, buying and selling votes, impersonating voters, altering vote tallies, stuffing ballot boxes, and marking ballots for voters against their wishes or without their input.  It also contains special protections for the rights of voters, and provides that they can vote free from interference, including intimidation, and other acts designed to prevent or discourage people from voting or voting for the candidate of their choice.  The Voting Rights Act protects the right of voters to mark their own ballot or to be assisted by a person of their choice (where voters need assistance because of disability or inability to read or write in English).  

    United States Attorney Fleming said, “The franchise is the cornerstone of American democracy.  We all must ensure that those who are entitled to the franchise can exercise it if they choose, and that those who seek to corrupt it are brought to justice.  In order to respond to complaints of voting rights concerns and election fraud during the upcoming election, and to ensure that such complaints are directed to the appropriate authorities, DEOs Goldsmith and Roy will be on duty in this District while the polls are open.  They can be reached by the public at 314-539-7733.”

    In addition, the FBI will have special agents available in each field office and resident agency throughout the country to receive allegations of election fraud and other election abuses on election day.  You can reach the FBI online at tips.fbi.gov or by dialing 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324).

    Complaints about possible violations of the federal voting rights laws can be made directly to the Civil Rights Division in Washington, DC by complaint form at https://civilrights.justice.gov/ or by phone at 800-253-3931.

    United States Attorney Fleming said, “Ensuring free and fair elections depends in large part on the assistance of the American electorate.  It is important that those who have specific information about voting rights concerns or election fraud make that information available to the Department of Justice.”

    Please note, however, in the case of a crime of violence or intimidation, please call 911 immediately and before contacting federal authorities.  State and local police have primary jurisdiction over polling places, and almost always have faster reaction capacity in an emergency.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: U.S. Attorney’s Office Announces Election Day Program for 2024 General Election

    Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime News

    ALBUQUERQUE – United States Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez announced today that Assistant United States Attorneys (AUSAs) Jeremy Peña and Sean Sullivan will lead the efforts of his Office in connection with the Justice Department’s nationwide Election Day Program for the upcoming November 5, 2024, general election. AUSAs Peña and Sullivan have been appointed to serve as the District Election Officers for the District of New Mexico, and in that capacity are responsible for overseeing the District’s handling of election day complaints of voting rights concerns, threats of violence to election officials or staff, and election fraud, in consultation with Justice Department Headquarters in Washington.

    “Our vote is our voice. That is why the Department of Justice will ensure every citizen can vote without interference or discrimination and have that vote counted in a fair and free election,” said U.S. Attorney Uballez. “Similarly, elections do not run themselves. We will protect our election officials and staff from interference and unlawful threats of violence. The Department will ensure that those who are entitled to the franchise can exercise it, and that those who seek to corrupt it are brought to justice.”

    The Department of Justice has an important role in deterring and combatting discrimination and intimidation at the polls, threats of violence directed at election officials and poll workers, and election fraud. The Department will address these violations wherever they occur. The Department’s longstanding Election Day Program furthers these goals and also seeks to ensure public confidence in the electoral process by providing local points of contact within the Department for the public to report possible federal election law violations.

    Federal law protects against such crimes as threatening violence against election officials or staff, intimidating or bribing voters, buying and selling votes, impersonating voters, altering vote tallies, stuffing ballot boxes, and marking ballots for voters against their wishes or without their input. It also contains special protections for the rights of voters, and provides that they can vote free from interference, including intimidation, and other acts designed to prevent or discourage people from voting or voting for the candidate of their choice. The Voting Rights Act protects the right of voters to mark their own ballot or to be assisted by a person of their choice (where voters need assistance because of disability or inability to read or write in English). 

    “The vote is the cornerstone of American democracy,” continued U.S. Attorney Uballez. “And ensuring free and fair elections depends on you. If you have specific information about voting rights concerns or election fraud, call us.”

    Members of the public can reach AUSA Peña at (505) 269-2038 and AUSA Sullivan at (505) 350-3153 any time the polls are open in New Mexico.

    In addition, the FBI will have special agents available in each field office and resident agency throughout the country to receive allegations of election fraud and other election abuses on election day. The FBI can be reached by the public at 1-800-CALL-FBI or tips.fbi.gov.

    Finally, complaints about possible violations of the federal voting rights laws can be made directly to the Civil Rights Division in Washington, DC by complaint form at https://civilrights.justice.gov/ or by phone at 800-253-3931.

    Please note, however, in the case of a crime of violence or intimidation, please call 911 immediately and before contacting federal authorities. State and local police have primary jurisdiction over polling places, and almost always have faster reaction capacity in an emergency.

    # # #

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: FBI Philadelphia Seeking Information in Arson and Sabotage

    Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime News

    FBI Philadelphia is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying an unknown individual in the arson and sabotage of the side of a United States Department of Defense contractor building in State College, Pennsylvania.

    On June 4, 2024, an unknown individual spray painted pro-Palestinian graffiti on the side of a United States Department of Defense contractor building located on Science Park Road in State College, Pennsylvania. The graffiti stated, “FOR THE MARTYRS”, “ESCALATE 4 RAFAH”, and “FREE PALESTINE”. The suspect then tried to enter the secure facility but fled on foot after being confronted by security.

    In the early morning hours of June 9, 2024, the same individual returned to the location and spray-painted the building with “INTIFADA IS HERE” as well as an inverted red triangle indicting the “rising” is here. The individual also doused the area in a flammable liquid. The area included a compressed natural gas pipeline, a natural gas generator, and a nearby transformer, all of which are in close proximity to the building. The suspect set fire to the liquid and fled on foot in the same direction as the previous incident.

    The suspect is described as being White, between 5’9” and 6’0” tall, with longer blond or light brown hair, and with a shoe size between a men’s 10 and 11 or a women’s 12 and 13.

    The FBI is offering a reward of up to $10,000 for the arrest and conviction of the individual responsible.

    If you have any information concerning this person, please contact your local FBI field office or the nearest American Embassy or Consulate.

    FBI Philadelphia can be reached at (215) 418-4000.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Two Philadelphia Men Sentenced to Almost a Decade in Prison for Separate Gunpoint Carjackings in the City

    Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime News

    Marc Anthony Targeted a Woman in Fairmount in 2022; Asiem Brooking Carjacked a Man in Olney in 2023

    PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero announced that two Philadelphia men have each been sentenced to almost 10 years in prison for carrying out separate carjackings in the city.

    Asiem Brooking, 21, was sentenced on October 17, 2024, by United States District Court Judge R. Barclay Surrick to 117 months in prison and three years of supervised release for committing an armed carjacking in the city’s Olney section in January 2023.

    At around 8:15 p.m. on January 28, 2023, as a 54-year-old man was about to get out of his Nissan Altima on the 5400 block of North 6th Street, Brooking opened the passenger side front door, pointed a gun at the victim, and threatened to kill him. After the victim complied with Brooking’s demand to hand over his wallet and keys, the defendant fled the scene in the Altima.

    In May of 2023, Brooking was charged by indictment with one count of carjacking and one count of using and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. He pleaded guilty to both counts in July of this year.

    Marc Anthony, also known as Nasir Johnson, 22, was sentenced on October 18, 2024, by United States District Court Judge Karen S. Marston to 115 months in prison and five years of supervised release for carjacking a woman at gunpoint in the city’s Fairmount section in January 2022.

    At about 1:15 p.m. on January 6, 2022, Anthony and an unknown accomplice, both masked and armed with handguns, approached a 40-year-old woman who had just parked her Hyundai Sonata on the 800 block of North 28th Street. As they ordered the victim out of the car at gunpoint, she asked to retrieve her dog from the back seat, struggling to do so as they yelled for her phone and passcode. Once the victim and her dog were clear, the carjackers fled the scene in the Sonata.

    Anthony was charged by indictment in May 2022 with one count of carjacking and one count of using and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. He pleaded guilty to both charges in May of this year.

    “These criminals who think nothing of terrorizing our community at gunpoint are a true priority for my office, the FBI, and our partners on Philadelphia Carjacking Task Force,” said U.S. Attorney Romero. “By ensuring that people like Brookings and Anthony are prosecuted and held accountable for their violent and disturbing crimes, we’re making the city safer — one offender, one block, one neighborhood at a time.”

    These cases were investigated by the FBI Philadelphia Violent Crimes Task Force and the Philadelphia Police Department and are being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Thomas M. Zaleski.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Press Release by the United States Attorney Relating to the November 2024 General Election

    Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime News

    United States Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero announced today that two District Election Officers will lead the efforts of her Office in connection with the Justice Department’s nationwide Election Day Program for the upcoming November 5, 2024, general election. The District Election Officers (DEOs) for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania are responsible for overseeing the District’s handling of election day complaints of voting rights concerns, threats of violence to election officials or staff, and election fraud, in consultation with Justice Department Headquarters in Washington.

    “Every citizen must be able to vote without interference or discrimination and to have that vote counted in a fair and free election,” U.S. Attorney Romero said. “Similarly, election officials and staff must be able to serve without being subject to unlawful threats of violence. The Department of Justice will always work tirelessly to protect the integrity of the election process.”

    The Department of Justice has an important role in deterring and combatting discrimination and intimidation at the polls, threats of violence directed at election officials and poll workers, and election fraud. The Department will address these violations wherever they occur. The Department’s longstanding Election Day Program furthers these goals and also seeks to ensure public confidence in the electoral process by providing local points of contact within the Department for the public to report possible federal election law violations.

    Federal law protects against such crimes as threatening violence against election officials or staff, intimidating or bribing voters, buying and selling votes, impersonating voters, altering vote tallies, stuffing ballot boxes, and marking ballots for voters against their wishes or without their input. It also contains special protections for the rights of voters, and provides that they can vote free from interference, including intimidation, and other acts designed to prevent or discourage people from voting or voting for the candidate of their choice. The Voting Rights Act protects the right of voters to mark their own ballot or to be assisted by a person of their choice (where voters need assistance because of disability or inability to read or write in English). 

    “The franchise is the cornerstone of American democracy,” U.S. Attorney Romero said. “We all must ensure that those who are entitled to the franchise can exercise it if they choose, and that those who seek to corrupt it are brought to justice. In order to respond to complaints of voting rights concerns and election fraud during the upcoming election, and to ensure that such complaints are directed to the appropriate authorities, the DEOs will be on duty in this District while the polls are open. The public can reach them by calling 215-861-8200 and asking for the District Election Officers.”

    In addition, the FBI will have special agents available in each field office and resident agency throughout the country to receive allegations of election fraud and other election abuses on Election Day. The local FBI field office can be reached by the public by calling 215-418-4000.

    Complaints about possible violations of the federal voting rights laws can also be made directly to the Civil Rights Division in Washington, D.C., by complaint form at https://civilrights.justice.gov/ or by phone at 1-800-253-3931.

    “Ensuring free and fair elections depends in large part on the assistance of the American electorate,” U.S. Attorney Romero said. “It is important that those who have specific information about voting rights concerns or election fraud make that information available to the Department of Justice.”

    Please note, however, in the case of a crime of violence or intimidation, call 911 immediately before then contacting federal authorities. State and local police have primary jurisdiction over polling places, and almost always have faster reaction capacity in an emergency.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: United States Attorney’s Office Activates Election Day Program to Stop Fraud and Protect Voting Rights

    Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime Alerts (c)

    CHARLESTON, W.Va. – United States Attorney Will Thompson announced today that Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) Erik S. Goes will lead the efforts of his Office in connection with the Justice Department’s nationwide Election Day Program for the upcoming November 5, 2024, general election.

    AUSA Goes has been appointed to serve as the District Election Officer (DEO) for the Southern District of West Virginia, and in that capacity is responsible for overseeing the District’s handling of election day complaints of voting rights concerns, threats of violence to election officials or staff, and election fraud, in consultation with Justice Department Headquarters in Washington.

    “Every citizen must be able to vote without interference or discrimination and to have that vote counted in a fair and free election,” said Thompson “Similarly, election officials and staff must be able to serve without being subject to unlawful threats of violence. The Department of Justice will always work tirelessly to protect the integrity of the election process.”

    The Department of Justice has an important role in deterring and combatting discrimination and intimidation at the polls, threats of violence directed at election officials and poll workers, and election fraud. The Department will address these violations wherever they occur. The Department’s longstanding Election Day Program furthers these goals and also seeks to ensure public confidence in the electoral process by providing local points of contact within the Department for the public to report possible federal election law violations.

    Federal law protects against such crimes as threatening violence against election officials or staff, intimidating or bribing voters, buying and selling votes, impersonating voters, altering vote tallies, stuffing ballot boxes, and marking ballots for voters against their wishes or without their input. It also contains special protections for the rights of voters, and provides that they can vote free from interference, including intimidation, and other acts designed to prevent or discourage people from voting or voting for the candidate of their choice. The Voting Rights Act protects the right of voters to mark their own ballot or to be assisted by a person of their choice (where voters need assistance because of disability or inability to read or write in English).

    “The franchise is the cornerstone of American democracy,” Thompson said. “We all must ensure that those who are entitled to the franchise can exercise it if they choose, and that those who seek to corrupt it are brought to justice. In order to respond to complaints of voting rights concerns and election fraud during the upcoming election, and to ensure that such complaints are directed to the appropriate authorities, AUSA/DEO Goes will be on duty in this District while the polls are open. He can be reached by the public at the following telephone numbers: (304) 340-2395 or (304) 345-2200.”

    In addition, the FBI will have special agents available in each field office and resident agency throughout the country to receive allegations of election fraud and other election abuses on election day.  The local FBI field office can be reached by the public at (304) 346-2300.

    Complaints about possible violations of the federal voting rights laws can be made directly to the Civil Rights Division in Washington, DC by complaint form at https://civilrights.justice.gov/ or by phone at (800) 253-3931.

    “Ensuring free and fair elections depends in large part on the assistance of the American electorate,” Thompson said. “It is important that those who have specific information about voting rights concerns or election fraud make that information available to the Department of Justice.”

    Please note, however, in the case of a crime of violence or intimidation, please call 911 immediately and before contacting federal authorities.  State and local police have primary jurisdiction over polling places, and almost always have faster reaction capacity in an emergency.

    A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia.

    ###

     

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Rosneft Renovates Two Schools in Samara Region

    Source: Rosneft

    Headline: Rosneft Renovates Two Schools in Samara Region

    Rosneft financed the renovation of primary general education school No. 28 and secondary comprehensive school No. 29 in Syzran. The large-scale renovation of educational facilities was carried out under the cooperation agreement between Rosneft and the Samara Region Government.

    Rosneft is actively involved in the social and economic development of its operating regions. Thanks to the Company’s support, a number of major social projects have been implemented in Samara Region.

    School No. 28 underwent its first major renovation in 70 years. The building, which accommodates 440 students, has had its roof, windows and doors completely replaced, its unique stucco and frescoes on the façade restored, its technical networks renewed, its staircases reinforced, and fire alarms and CCTV systems installed both inside and outside the building. In addition, the classrooms, canteen and cloakroom have been refurbished to make it easier for people with reduced mobility to move around.

    The Company also financed major works to improve the surrounding area. In particular, a universal playground has been created for students and neighbourhood residents, and street fitness equipment has been installed.

    The Company also financed the reconstruction of the middle and high school building of the secondary comprehensive school No. 29. All the building’s technical networks were replaced, fire alarm and CCTV systems were installed and the facade was renovated. The renovation allowed for an increase in classroom and ancillary space. The sports hall has been completely renovated.

    As a result of a major overhaul, the middle and high school buildings and the primary school building, which was reconstructed with Rosneft funds last year, now form a single landscaped space.

    The reconstruction of schools No. 28 and 29 has made it possible to create comfortable conditions for children’s education and to improve the efficiency of the implementation of state education programmes.

    Reference:

    Samara Region is one of the key regions of Rosneft’s operations, where the Company is represented by enterprises of the full production cycle: upstream, midstream and downstream.

    The cooperation agreement between Samara Region and Rosneft has been in force since 2014. Within the framework of the agreement, activities are carried out to address the priority issues of the socio-economic development of the territories. Thanks to the Company’s support, a number of major social projects have been implemented in the region: educational institutions have been built or renovated in several cities and districts, ice palaces have been built, a new swimming complex has been opened in Samara, the Palace of Culture has been reconstructed, and a polyclinic has been overhauled in Syzran.

    Rosneft
    Information Division
    September 2, 2024

    Keywords: Social News 2024

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Rosneft Opens Master’s Programme for Foreign Students in Ufa

    Source: Rosneft

    Headline: Rosneft Opens Master’s Programme for Foreign Students in Ufa

    The Rosneft Scientific Institute in Ufa has opened a master’s programme in Petroleum Engineering for international students at the Ufa State Petroleum Technological University (USPTU). Ten applicants from Egypt, Nigeria and Cameroon were the first students on the programme.

    As part of the programme, Company specialists will work with university lecturers to teach students how to design, develop and produce onshore and offshore oil and gas fields, work with Rosneft’s digital software products, learn about innovative well drilling technologies and much more.

    Classes will be held in English. In this way, the specialised educational programme will be available to the majority of foreign students who do not speak Russian.

    To date, Rosneft Ufa Institute has opened 11 special and multi-disciplinary departments in the leading universities of the Republic of Bashkortostan: Ufa University of Science and Technology and Ufa State Petroleum Technological University. The departments reach more than 750 students. The most proactive will be invited for internships and paid apprenticeships. This year, more than 40 top graduates joined the Institute. Their theses proposed innovative solutions to the Company’s production challenges.

    Rosneft
    Information Division
    September 3, 2024

    Keywords: Social News 2024

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Hinson Statement on Waterloo Post Office

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Ashley Hinson (IA-01)

    Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Ashley Hinson (IA-02) released the following statement on the USPS decision to retain certain postal operations in Waterloo. 

    “I personally advocated to the Postmaster General to prevent the outsourcing of all mail processing operations in Waterloo and to ensure there would be no job losses. While their decision to retain some mail processing in Waterloo and not cut any postal jobs is a positive step, this is not the end of the conversation. I will continue working to protect jobs and ensure reliable postal service for all Iowans.” – Congresswoman Ashley Hinson

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Our most global, transparent Global Diversity & Inclusion Report yet

    Source: Microsoft

    Headline: Our most global, transparent Global Diversity & Inclusion Report yet

    Today, I am sharing Microsoft’s 2024 Diversity & Inclusion Report, our most global and transparent report to date. This marks our sixth consecutive annual report and the eleventh year sharing our global workforce data, highlighting our progress and areas of opportunity.

    Our ongoing focus on diversity and inclusion is directly tied to our inherently inclusive mission — to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more, enabling us to innovate in the era of AI. As we approach our company’s 50th anniversary, we remain deeply committed to D&I because it is what creates transformational solutions to the most complex challenges for customers, partners and the world.

    Key data

    We gather a range of data, which is presented in specific ways throughout the report. In the following section, it is important to understand the distinction between our *Broader Microsoft business and our **Core Microsoft business.

    New and expanded data

    • Datacenters: As we lead the AI platform shift, our workforce continues to expand to include employees with varied backgrounds and roles, and we are sharing new data this year on a growing employee population in datacenter roles. The population of datacenter employees grew 23.9% globally and 28.9% in the US in 2024, more than tripling since 2020.
    • In our most global report to date, we expanded new global Self-ID data to include Indigenous and military employees, as well as those with disabilities. For example, 5.7% of global employees in our core Microsoft business self-identified as having a disability, an increase of 0.2 percentage points year over year.
    • We continue to have pay equity. For median unadjusted pay analysis, the data shows we have made progress in narrowing the gaps. This year we expanded pay equity analysis and median unadjusted pay analysis to not only include women inside and outside the US, but also include a combined view of women globally. Increasing representation for women and racial and ethnic minority groups at more senior levels, combined with maintaining pay equity for all, will continue to reduce the median unadjusted pay gap. 

    Representation

    • Representation of women in our core Microsoft workforce is 31.6%, an increase of 0.4 percentage points year over year. Additionally, the representation of women in technical roles is 27.2%, an increase of 0.5 percentage points year over year.
    • Representation of women in our core Microsoft workforce rose year over year at all leadership levels except Executive.
    • Leadership representation in our core Microsoft workforce of Black and African American employees at the Partner + Executive level grew to 4.3%, an increase of 0.5 percentage points year over year. Leadership representation in our core Microsoft workforce of Hispanic and Latinx employees at the Executive level rose to 4.6%, an increase of 0.8 percentage points year over year.
    • In our broader Microsoft workforce, representation of racial and ethnic minority groups is 53.9%, an increase of 0.6 percentage points year over year.

    Culture and inclusion in focus

    Employee sentiment and engagement

    • Our semi-annual Employee Signals survey focuses on employee experience and helps us deepen our understanding so we can adjust our efforts where needed. These insights show that employees continue to feel like they are thriving, with a global and US score of 76. Within Employee Signals, we focus on thriving, which we define as “being energized and empowered to do meaningful work.” This is designed to measure employees’ sense of purpose, which is important to personal and professional fulfillment. We survey employees on three dimensions of thriving: Feeling energized, feeling empowered and doing meaningful work.
    • Our Daily Signals survey results indicate employee perceptions around Microsoft’s commitment to creating a more diverse and inclusive workplace increased two points year over year to an average score of 79.
    • Since introducing the concept of allyship to employees in 2018, we have inspired and led a positive impact on our culture. As of June 2024, 95.6% of employees reported some level of awareness of the concept of allyship, up from 65.0% in 2019 when we first started asking employees about their awareness.

    A commitment that spans decades

    Our annual D&I report not only reviews our data, but also illuminates the intentional strategy and actions that have helped us make progress across our company’s journey.

    Examples include:

    • Being one of the first Fortune 500 companies to expand antidiscrimination policy and benefits to LGBTQIA+ employees in 1989.
    • Announcing our Racial Equity Initiative in June 2020, outlining actions and progress we expect to make by 2025 to help address racial injustice and inequity in the US for Black and African American communities.
    • Launching immersive D&I learning simulations in 2021, allowing employees to practice crucial D&I skills, such as recognizing and addressing bias, responding to microaggressions and demonstrating effective allyship.
    • Building on more than a decade of helping to reskill military service members through our Microsoft Software and Systems Academy (MSSA), and this year expanding this skilling opportunity to train military spouses for portable, in-demand IT roles.
    • Introducing pronouns and self-expression features in Microsoft 365, an innovation brought directly to fruition because we listened to, and collaborated with, customers, partners and employees who asked for these features.

    A mission as bold as ours

    At Microsoft, we’re guided by our mission, worldview and culture. Our mission is the why; it drives our actions. Our worldview is the what, shaping our strategy and products. Culture is the how, influencing everything with a focus on growth and innovation. Culture is also the who: Who makes up the workforce, who services our customers, who innovates the future of tech. The diversity of the workforce, combined with inclusion, unlocks individual and collective potential. This is what is necessary to stay relevant, compete at scale and win.

    Every person. Every organization. Every day. Everywhere.

    Here’s to making progress for the next 50 years.

    Lindsay-Rae

    Notes

    * Broader Microsoft business: Includes the core Microsoft business, plus minimally integrated companies. Employees of joint ventures and newly acquired companies are not included in the data, including Activision, Blizzard, and King. LinkedIn was acquired in December 2016, GitHub was acquired in June 2018, and Activision, Blizzard, and King were acquired in October 2023. We provide standalone data for these three acquisitions. Nuance Communications was acquired in March 2022 and fully integrated in August 2023. 

    **Core Microsoft business: Represents 88.4% of the worldwide broader Microsoft workforce. 

    Tags: Diversity and Inclusion Report

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI USA: PHOTOS & VIDEOS: Leger Fernandez Visits Roswell New Mexico to Survey Flood Damage, Releases Statement

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Teresa Leger Fernández (D-NM)

    To download photos and videos of the Congresswoman’s visit this LINK

    ROSWELL, NM – Following historic flooding in Chaves County over the weekend, Congresswoman Leger Fernández visited Roswell today, toured affected areas, and released the following statement.

    “In Roswell today, we assessed the damage that this weekend’s 500-year flood event caused. We walked through the muck that destroyed people’s homes and cars, Roswell businesses, and the artwork in its famous museum. We heard stories of families stranded on tops of trucks, hanging on to trees and watching in horror from the convention rooftop. But we also heard stories of  neighbors saving each other from danger. We saw the local high school football team showing up to help their community clean out the ruined remains of what was once a home,” said Congresswoman Leger Fernández.

    “I will push to have a federal disaster declared as quickly as possible after the State sends in its request.  The federal government must mobilize resources to help families and businesses recover. It was irresponsible for Speaker Johnson to strip the additional FEMA funding Democrats requested in the temporary government funding bill passed in September. As natural disasters like this continue to intensify, Speaker Johnson must act quickly to make sure FEMA and the SBA have the funding they need to help families and businesses from North Carolina to New Mexico,”she continued.

    “Thank you to our brave first responders, local officials, and volunteer personnel for their tireless work. Please be sure to document your losses, follow official instructions for your safety and our accounts for updates,”she concluded.

    To download photos and videos of the Congresswoman’s visit this LINK.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: McClellan, Spanberger, Wittman Announce $2.25 Million Grant Award for Richmond International Airport

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan (Virginia 4th District)

    Richmond, VA – Today, Representatives Jennifer McClellan (D-VA-04), Abigail Spanberger (D-VA-07), and Rob Wittman (R-VA-01) announced Richmond International Airport (RIC) will receive $2,250,000 to design a consolidated Passenger Screening Checkpoint to improve passenger flow and reduce congestion. 

    In September, McClellan led a bipartisan push supported by Spanberger and Wittman to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) calling for increased federal funding to support the design and construction of a consolidated passenger screening checkpoint to meet current and projected capacity requirements. 

    “Richmond International Airport has incredible impacts on the Central Virginia economy. Last year, the airport reported record passenger traffic, which will continue to grow in the coming years,” said McClellan. “We must ensure we modernize and upgrade existing infrastructure to support current and future needs. I’m thrilled by today’s funding announcement to build a new consolidated passenger screening checkpoint, which will increase capacity and efficiency.”

    “For the second year in a row, Richmond International Airport is on track to serve a record number of passengers,” said Spanberger. “The airport is integral to the continued growth of our Commonwealth’s economy and Virginians’ ability to get where they’re going through the air. I’m proud to have worked alongside Representatives McClellan and Wittman to bring this funding home.”

    This grant funding was awarded through the Department of Transportation (DOT) FAA’s Airport Terminals Program. Established by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the Airport Terminals Program provides competitive grants for airport terminal development projects that address the aging infrastructure of the nation’s airports. 

    Read the lawmakers’ letter to the FAA here. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Chaos at the Executive Office Committee

    Source: Traditional Unionist Voice – Northern Ireland

    Statement by TUV North Antrim MLA Timothy Gaston:

    “The farce of today’s Executive Office Committee meeting will have left even the most ardent defender of the institutions uncomfortable.

    “Before the committee even met there were serious questions about how it could go ahead given that the chair had a meeting with Ms O’Neill without any other members of the committee present at which she discussed how the meeting would progress. Confidence was hardly improved either by the fact that some members of the committee agreed to submit their questions to the Executive Office in advance.

    “But even with all of that, the First Minister’s approach to the committee was to refuse to answer questions even when they self-evidently related to the duties of the Executive Office.

    “None of the questions surrounding Sinn Féin’s multiple scandals were addressed. In spite of what the First Minister and the chair of the committee may claim, all my questions were related to the Ministerial Code and Ms O’Neill’s fitness to hold office.

    “Frankly, the most telling upshot from today will be how many Unionists now sign the motion of no confidence which I submitted to the business office some weeks ago.

    “The only people who can bring this to a head is the DUP who can remove O’Neill from office by resigning the deputy First Minister. I trust they will do so. If they don’t want to sign my motion of no confidence they should table their own.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: McAuley highlights British Heart Foundation defibrillator opportunity for Ballymoney

    Source: Traditional Unionist Voice – Northern Ireland

    Statement by TUV Ballymoney Councillor Jonathan McAuley:
    “I was interested to note that the British Heart Foundation has put out a call to communities across Northern Ireland to apply for a free lifesaving defibrillator.
    “The BHF has over 320 defibrillator packages available to communities across the UK as part of our Community Defibrillator Funding Programme.
    “Areas with greatest need and who have limited access to defibrillators will be prioritised and one of the areas in Northern Ireland they are particularly keen to receive applications from Newhill in Ballymoney.

    “I would encourage local groups to avail of this opportunity. Applications can be made online here.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: mRNA vaccine candidate for norovirus – the start of an RCT

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Norovirus, a virus that causes vomiting and diarrhoea, can be a particular problem in closed settings which have high numbers of vulnerable (e.g. elderly) people, such as care home and cruise ships.  But we’ve never had a vaccine against norovirus.

    Now, a phase 3 randomised controlled trial of a new norovirus vaccine candidate is being launched in the UK and globally, to investigate whether the vaccine works.

    The vaccine candidate is an mRNA vaccine, produced by Moderna, and the trial is being run as a collaboration between the NIHR, Moderna and DHSC.

    Journalists came to this SMC briefing to hear from those running the trial about what the vaccine is, how it works, what data so far has suggested about whether it will work, how the trial will be run and how it will recruit those most at risk from norovirus, etc.

    Speakers included: 

    Dr Patrick Moore, Chief Investigator of the study, and GP

    Prof Saul Faust, Professor of Paediatric Immunology and Infectious Diseases, University of Southampton, and NIHR Vaccination Innovation Pathway co clinical lead

    Dr Melanie Ivarsson, Chief Development Officer, Moderna

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Baranki, kokoshniks, bast dolls: Russian Culture Day held at HSE

    Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: State University Higher School of Economics – State University Higher School of Economics –

    At the end of October, the Russian Culture Day festival was held in the HSE building on Pokrovsky Boulevard. The traditional holiday, organized by Directorate for Internationalization of the National Research University Higher School of Economics, is designed to help foreign and Russian students learn more about our country and its color, make new acquaintances and get a boost of emotions.

    Today, almost 5,000 foreign students study at the HSE Moscow campus. To help them adapt to a new country, HSE offers them the opportunity to get to know multicultural Russia as part of the Russian Culture Day festival. On October 17, in the atrium on Pokrovka, participants had the opportunity to take part in master classes on assembling and painting a wooden hut, making a bast doll and wax candles, and also take lessons on playing the button accordion, balalaika, and wooden spoons. In addition, they could enjoy pies, bagels, and drinks in a Russian teahouse, play quizzes on Russian literature and music, cuisine, and geography, and guess the paintings and meanings of rare Russian words.

    Foreign students studied each topic with interest and took souvenir photos wearing kokoshniks. Edna Jacob came to Russia from Tanzania as part of the HSE International Preparatory Year program (International Prep Year). “A teacher from HSE told us about today’s event, and we were all excited. I’ve already made a wooden hut and painted it,” she shared. “I’ve fallen madly in love with HSE, there are wonderful people and teachers here. I see that they teach us with a special passion for their work.”

    Zhang Yifan came to HSE from China. “This is my second month at HSE, and I will be studying for a total of four months as part of an exchange program. I am studying sociology here as a postgraduate. HSE is different from my university. I was a little worried before coming to Moscow, but now I am very inspired, I like it here,” she said.

    Other HSE students also shared their impressions of the festival.

    Ilya Shevchenko, OP “Economics”, 1st year

    — I can study history in lectures, or I can sit here and make dolls out of bast, immersing myself in the atmosphere. It’s great that HSE organizes such festivals. One of the best things about HSE is that there is constant life here, something is always happening, and every time you want to stop and participate.

    Elena Hassan, MP “Pedagogical Education”, 2nd year

    — I have already managed to make a candle from wax with my own hands, decorated it, I am thinking of using it in the interior of my home. A good and interesting event, everyone here is involved in the process of creating different products, very soulful.

    Alina Asanalieva, OP “Economy”, 4th year

    — It’s atmospheric and cozy, everyone here is cheerful, playing something. I took part in all the activities: guessing cities, famous people, books. HSE is distinguished by such events, every day is a holiday. They help you relax between classes, thanks to HSE for such an opportunity.

    Taisiya Gavrishchuk, MP “Pedagogical education”, 1st year

    — I played the accordion here. I can play the piano, but the accordion is completely different, you can’t even see the keys where to press. It was an unforgettable experience, I really liked it. I also tried to play the spoons and bells, it was also fun. The mood is positive, I like it here.

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Kaptur Announces New NASA Funding Opportunities for Northern Ohio Businesses And Local Companies to Support NASA Hypersonic Research and Innovation

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09)

    Toledo, OH – Today, Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09), a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee announced the availability of new major NASA funding opportunities that will enable local businesses in Northern Ohio to partner with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). This funding opportunity is part of NASA’s latest hypersonic technology initiative, centered around Armstrong Flight Research Center (AFRC) in Sandusky and the Glenn Research Center (GRC) in Cleveland, which Congresswoman Kaptur has long championed. The new Request for Information (RFI) for Hypersonic Test Planning Services aims to foster collaboration between NASA and commercial providers to advance the future of reusable hypersonic flight.

    “Ohio’s aerospace legacy is built on a tradition of innovation in flight — from the Wright Brothers, to astronauts John Glenn and Neil Armstrong. During my service, I have tirelessly advocated for their legacies and for NASA’s Glenn Facility in Cleveland and NASA’s Armstrong facility in Sandusky to advance their place in the nation’s pursuit to understand the cosmos around us. This new NASA funding opportunity presents a window for local businesses in our region of Northern Ohio to lead in advancing the future of flight,” said Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09). “Northern Ohio is where the next breakthroughs in hypersonic technology will happen. It’s a privilege to support partnerships between these facilities and local industry as we help shape America’s future in aerospace, ensuring that innovation and progress start right here in our communities. The path to the cosmos truly runs right through America’s heartland, and I am proud to support these ongoing efforts to reach beyond the stars and to challenge what is possible.”

    “Airbreathing hypersonic flight has the potential to transform the aerospace industry and aid the US to maintain its economic advantage in aerospace while significantly advancing its military capability. NASA intends to advance fundamental airbreathing hypersonic technologies to enable a revolutionary advancement in routine, reusable high-speed flight,” noted NASA.

    This initiative builds upon Congresswoman Kaptur’s ongoing efforts to secure vital federal funding for local participation in NASA’s mission, including the recent award in February, 2024 of up to $282 Million to Fremont-based aerospace leader Sierra Lobo. This funding will support NASA’s spaceflight hardware development and testing at the Glenn Research Center. Sierra Lobo’s success demonstrates the role Northern Ohio companies play in advancing NASA’s work and in the region’s aerospace capabilities.

    Businesses interested in learning more about NASA’s hypersonic testing services opportunity are encouraged to respond to the Request for Information by November 18, 2024. This program offers a platform for local companies to collaborate with NASA, contribute to the advancement of US aerospace technologies, and drive the future of commercial and defense applications.

    For additional details on NASA’s hypersonic flight test services visit the NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center website. For more information about this funding opportunity you can click here. For any questions about the federal grant application process you can contact Congresswoman Kaptur’s local office.

    # # #

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: FEMA is Hiring for the Pennsylvania Disaster Recovery Team

    Source: US Federal Emergency Management Agency

    Headline: FEMA is Hiring for the Pennsylvania Disaster Recovery Team

    FEMA is Hiring for the Pennsylvania Disaster Recovery Team

    Harrisburg, Penn. – Are you interested in helping your neighbors and community recover from Tropical Storm Debby that affected Lycoming, Potter, Tioga and Union counties? FEMA has an immediate need to employ local residents as temporary local hires to assist with disaster response and recovery efforts as part of the disaster recovery team. For its offices in Harrisburg, FEMA is looking to hire one Creative Specialist, two Voluntary Agency Liaison Specialists, one External Affairs Specialist, one Media Relations Specialist, and one Intergovernmental Affairs/Congressional Affairs Specialist.  Visit the links for additional information, including job responsibilities and compensation:External Affairs Specialisthttps://www.usajobs.gov/job/814972000 Deadline: 10/28/2024Creative Specialisthttps://www.usajobs.gov/job/815253400 Deadline: 10/29/2024Voluntary Agency Liaison Specialists (2 positions)https://www.usajobs.gov/job/814973900  Deadline: 10/27/2024Media Relations Specialisthttps://www.usajobs.gov/job/815055700   Deadline: 10/28/2024Intergovernmental Affairs/Congressional Affairs Specialisthttps://www.usajobs.gov/job/814971600Deadline: 10/28/2024The announcements will close at 11:59 pm Eastern Standard Time (EST) on the noted deadline dates, or when 100 applications are received for each specialty.  Most temporary local hires are employed through a streamlined hiring process. A local hire’s term of employment is up to 120 days, though it may be extended in 120-day increments. Salaries are comparable to local pay rates.FEMA is an equal opportunity employer, committed to ensuring that its workforce reflect the diversity of the nation. Conditions of Employment:You must be a U.S. citizen to be considered for these positions.You must successfully pass a background investigation.Selective Service registration is required for males born after Dec. 31, 1959.You must be at least 18 years old.You must be a high school graduate or hold a GED.Review the Additional Information section for additional key requirements.To see other FEMA career postings, visit fema.gov/careers.The deadline to register with FEMA for disaster assistance is November 12, 2024. For more information about the disaster recovery operation in Pennsylvania, visit fema.gov/disaster/4815.                                                                                        ###FEMA’s mission is helping people before, during, and after disasters. FEMA Region 3’s jurisdiction includes Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia. Follow us on X at x.com/FEMAregion3 and on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/company/femaregion3.Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency, or economic status. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 833-285-7448. If you use a relay service, such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA the number for that service. Multilingual operators are available (press 2 for Spanish and 3 for other languages). 
    erika.osullivan
    Wed, 10/23/2024 – 15:46

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: INTERPOL conference on the future of policing opens in South Korea

    Source: Interpol (news and events)

    23 October 2024

    From artificial intelligence to climate change, the event will study trends impacting the global security landscape.

    INCHEON, Korea – INTERPOL, in collaboration with the Korean National Police Agency (KNPA), is convening the first-ever Future of Policing Congress to address emerging challenges facing law enforcement. 

    The two-day (23-24 October) event will take place alongside the Korea Police World Expo (KPEX) in Incheon, aiming to address the rapidly changing global security landscape and help prepare law enforcement agencies worldwide for the future.

    Bringing together law enforcement leaders, industry experts, academics, and stakeholders from various sectors, the Congress will see delegates explore how global ‘megatrends’ will shape the future of policing. 

    The event will in turn serve as a platform for participants to identify potential future scenarios, understand their security implications and identify steps to prepare law enforcement to adapt. 

    INTERPOL Secretary General Jürgen Stock said:

    “The Future of Policing Congress is not just a moment of reflection. It is a call to action. Recent years have taught us that the world changes faster than we ever could have imagined. Our ways of working, learning, and operating must keep pace.”

    Commissioner General CHO Ji Ho, Korean National Police Agency said:

    “Today’s Congress goes beyond simply talking about challenges in policing. It presents countries with an invaluable opportunity to canvass new possibilities in responding to technology-driven and engage with one another for better cooperation.”

    Innovation-as-a-service

    In recent years, INTERPOL has expanded its strategic foresight capabilities to offer member countries ‘innovation-as-a-service, helping member countries anticipate emerging trends and threats.

    Engaging with global experts from the public and private sectors, INTERPOL has rolled out initiatives such as the Future Foresight Lab, Young Global Police Leaders Programme and the Responsible AI Lab. 

    In 2023, INTERPOL launched Vision 2030 – a major initiative to help steer the strategic direction for the future of global law enforcement.

    This was followed by the creation of the INTERPOL Future Council– a diverse group of experts that, from strategic futurists to legal practitioners, academics and young law enforcement voices, helps ensure INTERPOL remains at the forefront of global law enforcement innovation. 

    Changing models of policing

    The Future of Policing Congress is organized into three sessions: the first explores future scenarios, the second examines their impact on law enforcement, and the final session focuses on how law enforcement can prepare to face future challenges.

    The Congress, which was built as a hands-on workshop, is facilitated by academics and experts from private sector and international organizations. It utilizes innovative tools like discussions provoked by AI-generated videos and questions on specific topics.

    The Future of Policing Congress looks at the future from 5 dimensions including social, technological, economic, environmental, and geopolitical landscapes. The impact on law enforcement will be explored in terms of evolution of crime, policing duties, data and evidence, and changing models of policing, trust and citizen expectations.

    The path forward for law enforcement preparedness will encompass equipment and tools, skill sets, processes and procedures, organizational structures, and international cooperation.

    The outcomes of the Congress will be compiled and disseminated to INTERPOL’s 196 member countries.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: 72 Year Old Tahlequah Resident Sentenced To 17 Years For Child Sex Abuse Crimes

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Phillip Dale Wilson, age 72, of Tahlequah, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 204 months each on two counts of Abusive Sexual Contact in Indian Country.  The terms are to be served concurrently for a total prison term of 17 years.

    The charges arose from an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office.

    On December 18, 2023, Phillip Dale Wilson pleaded guilty to the charges.  According to investigators, beginning in December of 1999 and continuing until November of 2005, Wilson sexually abused a child he knew to be under the age of 12.  Investigators also established that between April 2004 and March 2011, Wilson sexually abused a second child he knew to be under the age of 12.  The investigation further revealed that between September 2001 and December 2015 Wilson sexually abused three other children under the age of 12 and another child under the age of 16.

    The crimes occurred in Cherokee County, within the boundaries of the Cherokee Nation Reservation, in the Eastern District of Oklahoma.

    “This case demonstrates the commitment of the FBI to investigate anyone who would harm the most vulnerable members of the community, our children,” said FBI Oklahoma City Special Agent in Charge Doug Goodwater.  “The FBI will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to relentlessly pursue child sex offenders and send them to federal prison where they belong.”

    “Due in large part to the bravery of the victims and the exceptional investigative work of the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office and the FBI, the defendant will likely spend the rest of his life behind bars,” said United States Attorney Christopher J. Wilson.  “No prison sentence can undo the physical and emotional damage the defendant inflicted on his victims, but I hope they can have some measure of peace in knowing the defendant no longer poses a threat to them or other children.”

    The Honorable Raúl M. Arias-Marxuach, Chief District Judge in the United States District Court for Puerto Rico, sitting by assignment, presided over the hearing in Muskogee, Oklahoma.  Wilson will remain in the custody of the U.S. Marshal pending transportation to a designated United States Bureau of Prisons facility to serve a non-paroleable sentence of incarceration.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicole Paladino represented the United States.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Stoughton Man Sentenced to Three Years in Prison for Armed Robberies of Postal Workers

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Since July 2022, there have been at least 23 assaults on USPS letter carriers in Boston and surrounding communities

    BOSTON – A Stoughton man was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Boston for the armed robberies of United States Postal Service (USPS) letter carriers that took place on Nov. 29, 2022 in Mattapan and Dec. 16, 2022 in Hyde Park. In one instance, the defendant robbed the letter carrier at knifepoint.

    Kenneth Demosthene, 24, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Chief Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV to three years in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release. In July 2024, Demosthene pleaded guilty to two counts of robbery of any person having lawful charge, control, or custody of any mail matter or of any money or other property of the United States, aiding and abetting and two counts of assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers or employees, aiding and abetting. In May 2023, Demosthene was indicted by a federal grand jury along with his alleged co-conspirator Myesha Lewis.

    USPS has seen a rise in the use of arrow keys to facilitate the theft of U.S. Mail. An arrow key is a specific key designed to open designated blue USPS collection boxes in a specific area. These arrow keys are the property of USPS and it is a federal offense for an unauthorized person to possess one. Since July 2022, there have been at least 23 assaults on USPS letter carriers while in the performance of their official duties in Boston and its surrounding communities. These incidents included the attempted or successful robbery of USPS arrow keys from letter carriers. Additionally, of these 23, 15 of the robberies were instances where the perpetrators were reportedly armed with a knife, firearm, or both.

    On Nov. 29, 2022, in Mattapan, Demosthene and, allegedly, Lewis followed and forcibly robbed a USPS letter carrier of an arrow key. Demosthene approached the letter carrier and said, “I’m going to need your master key,” before reaching into the letter carrier’s mail satchel and grabbing the arrow key. The arrow key was secured around the letter carrier’s belt with a brass chain. It is alleged that the force used to physically break the brass chain caused the letter carrier to be pulled off the front steps. Demosthene and, allegedly, Lewis fled the scene in a rental vehicle.

    On Dec. 16, 2022, in Hyde Park, Demosthene and, allegedly, Lewis robbed another USPS letter carrier of an arrow key at knife point. Demosthene approached the USPS letter carrier and said, “Give me your f****** arrow key.” The letter carrier put their hands in the air as the defendants attempted to remove the arrow key, at first by force pulling at the chain. Demosthene and, allegedly, Lewis then attempted to cut it with the knife – eventually breaking the arrow key loose, and fleeing the scene on foot.  

    Lewis is expected to plead guilty on Oct. 30, 2024.

    Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy and Ketty Larco-Ward, Inspector in Charge of the United States Postal Inspection Service, Boston Division made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Postal Service, Office of the Inspector General. Assistant U.S. Attorney Luke A. Goldworm of the Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.

    The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The remaining defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
     

    MIL Security OSI –