NewzIntel.com

Category: AM-NC

  • MIL-OSI USA: Kean Constituent Services Return Over $10 Million to NJ-07 Residents

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Tom Kean, Jr. (NJ-07)

    (September 26, 2024) BERNARDSVILLE, NJ – Today, Congressman Tom Kean, Jr. (NJ-07) announced that his casework team has returned more than $10,012,316 to constituents. 

    Since the office opened in January of 2023, Congressman Kean and his team have closed over 2,730 constituent cases, representing over $10,012,316 dollars returned back to New Jerseyans in the 7th Congressional District. From the beginning of Congressman Kean’s term in office, Team Kean has helped constituents save money and obtain benefits from the VA, IRS, Social Security Administration, and other federal agencies. The top three groups of people served are seniors, veterans, and families. 

    “$10,000,000 back to constituents is an incredible milestone that demonstrates the positive impact of the work we do to help our fellow New Jerseyans,” said Congressman Kean. “I am committed to serving my district to ensure every constituent receives the benefits and assistance to which they are entitled.” 

    Below are testaments from constituents who have received assistance from Team Kean with their federal agencies. 

    “The staff was very helpful through the process and they were reassuring. I appreciate the great assistance!!” -Payal from Flemington  

    “Thank you to the Congressman Kean’s office for your help with expediting my EAD! It was expedited so quickly and truly appreciate your help. I was also very pleasantly surprised by the customer service on the phone. It was great there were no automated phone systems and I was able to reach a rep right away and they were very courteous. Overall a very positive experience.” -Aparajitha from Somerville  

    “Congressman Keans staff was highly responsive and helpful in resolving my issue. They reached out numerous times and even when the problem was resolved they followed up to ensure all was well. Thank you for all of your help.” -Antonio from Ledgewood  

    “I emailed the office late in the evening after business hours and they responded around 9am the next morning. By 4:00pm that day, the social security worker called me and gave me her direct extension, apologized, and said she would process the application immediately. Congressman Kean’s office went above and beyond my expectations and I am truly grateful. It gives me great faith that he will do what he says he will do.” -Amber from Washington  

    Team Kean is always here to help. If you or someone you know needs help with a federal agency, please do not hesitate to contact the office. You can find more information here: https://kean.house.gov/services/help-federal-agency or call (908) 547-3307. Team Kean also hosts frequent Satellite Office Hours, the first week of every month. Make sure to follow Congressman Kean for updates on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram at @CongressmanKean. 

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: ASIA/BANGLADESH – Apostolic Nuncio on the situation of Christians and aid for Rohingya refugees (with the help of the Pope)

    Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

    Thursday, 26 September 2024

    by Fabio BerettaDhaka (Agenzia Fides) – “The situation in Bangladesh”, where Christians represent only 0.30% of the population, “is very delicate. In general, Christians live in a peaceful context, but there have also been cases of harassment by their neighbors,” said Archbishop Kevin Randall, Apostolic Nuncio in Bangladesh since 2023, interviewed by Fides after his recent meeting with the Chief Advisor to the interim government. He spoke to Fides about the country’s society and the commitment and support of the local Church and of Pope Francis for Rohingya refugees.What is the situation in Bangladesh after the recent protests and social unrest?The situation in Bangladesh is very delicate. With a transitional government, some wonder when there will be elections. Others want to rewrite the constitution. Still others say that a transitional government does not have the power to rewrite the Constitution. In the meantime, citizen violence dominates the country and the rule of law is limited.How are Christian communities experiencing this historic moment?In general, Christians live in a relatively peaceful context, but there have also been cases of harassment by their neighbors. The police are powerless. After Sheik Hasina left the country, many officials became afraid and went into hiding. They took off their uniforms to wear civilian clothes and stopped going to work.Do Christian communities have special expectations compared to the rest of the population?Yes, the Christian community hopes that the transitional government will protect minorities during this transitional period. Christians’ villages are under threat because there are people who want to take over their land, even if they belong to their own ethnic group. Many citizens, whether Christian, Buddhist or Hindu, are treated as undesirables, “as if they were foreigners,” although they are not. The Constitution declares Bangladesh a secular state with one official religion: Islam. However, there are some who confuse the phrase “official State religion” with the idea that “minorities do not belong here” and that the country is “an Islamic State.”During the meeting with Muhammad Yunus, Chief Advisor to the interim government, the need to “protect” minorities was raised. Where does this concern come from?According to the 2022 census, Christians in Bangladesh make up 0.30% (about 500,000 believers) of the population. There have been cases of threats against villages, houses and especially schools. In many Catholic schools, there have been attempts at intimidation, with several teachers threatened with expulsion. Some Muslims reported to the school administration that their children would dress in a certain way in the future, especially if they were girls. However, wearing the burqa violates our uniform regulations. With Muhammad Yunus, I raised issues that concern Christians, but also Buddhists and Hindus. One must not forget that the Hindu minority is about 8%. Many of their temples have been destroyed and their shops burned down. And the Chief of the interim government agreed that all minorities must be protected and promised that he would try to create a law that can bring order.Recently, the establishment of a body for interreligious dialogue between the Holy See and the scholars of Islam in Bangladesh was proposed. How was this idea received?The idea of having an interreligious dialogue is not mine. The Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue asked for it in a letter years ago, when Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran was the head of the then Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue. Tauran himself spoke about it with former Prime Minister Sheik Hasina during one of his visits here in Bangladesh. I have already raised this idea with Sheik Hasina, and recently I have also asked Muhammed Yunus and his team to think about this possibility in concrete terms. The concept has been well received, but I think they have other concerns at the moment.Are there already concrete steps towards this project?No, but we can propose them. But we cannot force them. Unlike in the United Arab Emirates, where Pope Francis signed the document on fraternity, or in Indonesia, where the Pope recently signed a new document on tolerance and praised the “tunnel of friendship” that connects the cathedral with the mosque in Jakarta, interreligious dialogue does not find much support in Bangladesh, even if it takes place at the level of academic discussions.Regarding humanitarian aid for the Rohingya refugees, Mohammed Yden has reportedly asked the Vatican for support. How can this request be met?The Chief Advisor of the interim government did not directly ask for the Holy See’s help, as has been reported in various media. He asked for the Holy See’s support in the reforms he and his government want to implement, but not for financial help, including for the Rohingya.It was the one who asked on behalf of the Pope to continue to help and protect the Rohingya. I explained that the Catholic Church’s Caritas organization has been continuously helping the displaced since 2017, but that funds are decreasing. Before I traveled to Bangladesh, Pope Francis asked me not to forget the Rohingya. These refugees have experienced violence in their own country and came to Bangladesh to ask for help. But unfortunately, the Rohingya are considered by the local population as an ethnic and religious group that belongs to “this country”, Bangladesh.Cardinal Patrick D’Rozario and I paid them an official visit. The living conditions are very difficult. Children and young people do not receive an education. In addition, by law, 25 percent of our aid must go to the Bengali community. However, I am happy to announce that the Pope is sending further financial aid. This gesture of his will help many. (Agenzia Fides, 26/9/2024)
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    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Mfume, Ruppersberger, Bipartisan Group Secures SNAP Theft Reimbursement in Stop-Gap Funding Bill

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Kweisi Mfume (MD-07)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Victims of food stamp theft will continue to be reimbursed thanks to a provision in a stop-gap funding bill secured by a bipartisan group of lawmakers led by Congressman C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger. H.R. 9747, the Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act of 2025, passed in the U.S. House of Representatives today in a 341-82 vote, keeping the government funded – and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits flowing – through December 20, 2024. It is expected to be taken up in the U.S. Senate quickly.

    Last month, Ruppersberger, along with Representatives Kweisi Mfume (D-Maryland), Mike Lawler (R-New York),  Lori Chavez-DeRemer (R-Oregon), James P. McGovern (D-Massachusetts), Dan Goldman (D-New York), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pennsylvania), Anthony D’Esposito (R-New York), Marc Molinaro (R-New York), Brittany Pettersen (D-Colorado) and Grace Meng (D-New York) sent a letter to Congressional leadership urging them to allow victims of SNAP theft to continue to be reimbursed from federal and state coffers.

    Reports of SNAP theft – in which perpetrators use skimming devices to steal SNAP benefits distributed on electronic debit cards (EBT) – are skyrocketing across the nation. States are currently required to replace stolen benefits under a measure included in the 2023 omnibus funding bill passed by Congress at the end of 2022. But that provision was set to expire on September 30.

    “It is appalling that Americans are being targeted at record rates in major SNAP benefit theft. These sickening crimes are carried out against veterans, families, low-income workers, children, the elderly, and the disabled – all of whom are just trying to put food on their table,” said Congressman Kweisi Mfume (MD-07). “Our letter represented a unified effort, across the political aisle, to bring justice to victims in all our respective Congressional Districts. Today’s triumph was a culmination of fierce collaboration between both Democrats and Republicans and boldly fighting for justice on behalf of all households that rely on SNAP,” he concluded. 

    “I want to thank my colleagues on both sides of the aisle who recognize the dire straits that SNAP theft leaves its victims, which often include veterans, families, low-income workers, children, the elderly and the disabled,” said Congressman Ruppersberger (MD-02). “While Congress continues to work toward its long-term and strategic spending bills, I am relieved to know these innocent constituents will not lose their primary source of healthy food.”

    “Ensuring that SNAP recipients who have their benefits stolen are made whole is my top priority and is deeply important to New York families,” said Congressman Mike Lawler (NY-17). “That’s why I joined colleagues in both parties and chambers to introduce the Enhanced Cybersecurity for SNAP Act to protect these programs from fraud, and it’s why I have been adamant about the need to include SNAP protections in FY25’s appropriations. I was pleased to see these provisions in the CR being voted on this week. We must complete our appropriations work while protecting the most vulnerable in our society.”

    “I was proud to join this bipartisan group of my colleagues in urging congressional leaders to prevent critical SNAP theft reimbursements from ending,” said Congresswoman Lori Chavez-DeRemer (OR-05). “I’m glad our message was heard and an extension was included in this stopgap funding bill. I’ll keep working to ensure victims of SNAP theft are protected.”

    “I am proud to have helped secure an extension that will allow states to use existing federal funding to reimburse vulnerable victims of SNAP theft so that families in need can put food on the table,” Congressman Dan Goldman (NY-10) said. “SNAP theft can be devastating for working families and these reimbursements are a critical lifeline that allows working families to make ends meet. I will continue fighting alongside my colleagues to ensure that states retain this authority when Congress passes its final budget at the end of the year.”

    “Families that rely on SNAP to put food on the table each day should never go hungry, especially as a result of their benefits being stolen,” said Congresswoman Grace Meng (NY-06), a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee. “That’s why I fought to help over 36,000 New Yorkers recover more than $17.5 million in stolen SNAP benefits. I’m glad to see that this provision was included and extended in this critical government funding bill. I’ve also been fighting to make EBT benefit cards more secure to deter scams, and I’m excited that this bill includes language that will hopefully lead to more secure EBT cards. Many beneficiaries in Queens and across the country continue to be targeted by these scams, and we must continue fighting for the families in our communities experiencing the greatest needs.”

    “Because of our bipartisan push, victims of SNAP theft will continue to be protected through the SNAP Reimbursement Extension,” said Congressman Marc Molinaro (NY-19). “I’m proud to have helped lead the effort to ensure Upstate New York families who rely on SNAP benefits always have access to the meals they deserve.”

    “Thousands of Bucks and Montgomery County residents depend on SNAP to put food on their tables, which is why I was proud to join my colleagues in the critical fight to prevent SNAP theft reimbursements from ending. This common-sense reimbursement provision is essential to safeguarding the integrity of the SNAP program and ensuring families in my community and nationwide who have fallen victim to SNAP theft can quickly recover their benefits. Today’s victory is a powerful reminder that when we unite across party lines, we can achieve meaningful change and stand firm in our commitment to uplift our communities and safeguard the well-being of those who need it most,” said Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-1).

    “SNAP recipients who had their food benefits stolen—through no fault of their own, I would add—should not be kicked while they’re down by an indifferent government that tells them ‘too bad’ and leaves them to fend for themselves,” said Congressman Jim McGovern (MA-02). “Especially when the average SNAP benefit is barely over $2 per person, per meal. We’re talking about people who rely on these benefits to feed themselves and their families. When they are stolen, people go hungry. I’m glad that because of our continued advocacy, Congress is making sure that food insecure families are protected through the end of the year.”

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Mfume, Team Maryland Looks to the Future of the Chesapeake Bay After Current Multi-State Agreements Expire in 2025

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Kweisi Mfume (MD-07)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Congressman Kweisi Mfume, Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen, and Congressmen Steny Hoyer, Dutch Ruppersberger, John Sarbanes, Jamie Raskin, and Glenn Ivey met Wednesday at the U.S. Capitol with senior representatives from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), U.S. Department of the Interior and Maryland Department of Natural Resources to discuss planning for the next stage of the Chesapeake Bay program and restoration efforts. This is a critical time for the Bay and the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement, which was signed in 2014. Many of the goals and outcomes for the Bay had a target of 2025. As this date approaches, the Chesapeake Bay Program is determining how best to meet these goals and outcomes, incorporate new science and strategies, and strengthen the multi-state partnership.

    At Wednesday’s meeting, members of the Maryland delegation heard from key federal agency and state leaders working towards the next stage of the agreement. Leading the discussion was Adam Ortiz, who serves as the Administrator for EPA Region 3, which governs the Mid-Atlantic Region. In this role Administrator Ortiz is deeply involved in EPA’s role in the Chesapeake Bay Program. The delegation also heard from Department of Interior Deputy Assistant Secretary for Fish, Wildlife, and Parks, Matt Strickler, who serves at the Chesapeake Bay Program’s Principal’s Staff Committee Chair. In 2022, the Chesapeake Executive Council tasked its Principal’s Staff Committee with making recommendations for the future of the EPA Chesapeake Bay Program’s work. Representing senior state leadership was Maryland Department of Natural Resources Secretary Josh Kurtz, who directs Maryland’s role in the multi-state partnership and has deep expertise in the stakeholder community.

     The planning effort marked a milestone this summer when the Chesapeake Bay Program Beyond 2025 Steering Committee released its Beyond 2025 Draft Report and invited public feedback.

    “Marylanders across our state depend on a healthy Chesapeake Bay — the largest estuary in the United States — for food, recreation, and to make a living,” said Congressman Kweisi Mfume. “Continued collaboration at the federal, state, and local levels is vital to ensure this national treasure flourishes and effective restoration and conservation projects are enacted throughout the Bay and its ecosystem,” he concluded.

    “Team Maryland will always fight for the Bay. The Chesapeake Bay is a national treasure, and its restoration is a model for regional, multi-jurisdictional landscape stewardship. It is a model for other regions and other environmental protection efforts at many scales – and it is not simple,” said Senator Cardin. “As the Chesapeake Bay program is recalibrated for the next phase of action, we are committed to securing additional federal resources. We have high expectations for future results.”

    “We have a responsibility to protect the Chesapeake Bay – our people, our economy, and our environment depend on it. That’s why we’ve fought to deliver major federal investments to improve the Bay’s health – and while we know they’re making a real difference, the watershed states have more work to do to reach our restoration goals. As we near the Bay Agreement’s 2025 benchmark, we must take stock of the challenges faced in meeting its goals and work together to drive further progress toward a healthier Chesapeake Bay,” said Senator Van Hollen.

    “I’ve been proud to work with our delegation to support the health of the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries throughout my career – especially in the past decade since we secured the 2014 Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement,” Congressman Hoyer said. “I was pleased our delegation could meet with our partners in federal and state government to discuss the progress we’ve made toward fulfilling the various goals we laid out in that agreement and to assess the important work that remains. The Chesapeake Bay is the beating heart of Maryland and a true national treasure, and we will continue working to preserve it for generations to come.”

    “Ten years ago, we set aggressive but necessary goals to restore and protect our treasured Chesapeake Bay, which has taken an all-hands-on-deck approach from every level of government,” Congressman Ruppersberger said. “As we approach our deadline, we must ensure we are leveraging new technologies and sciences and collaborating with our other watershed states as effectively as possible. I appreciated this opportunity to come together and discuss our long and short-term strategies, especially as my own time in office draws to a close.”

    “Today’s discussions provided an opportunity to reaffirm our collective vision for the future of the Chesapeake Bay. It is imperative that the next phase of watershed restoration is centered around achieving goals and outcomes that reflect the current, best available science to ensure the health of our communities, the vitality of our region and a sustainable future for Bay ecosystems and natural resources. We look forward to sustained collaboration with federal, state and local government partners as we continue to support Beyond 2025 planning,” said Congressman Sarbanes.

    “Team Maryland is united in our efforts to restore and protect the Chesapeake Bay, a treasured natural resource and cornerstone of our local ecosystem,” said Congressman Raskin. “I’m grateful to our EPA and Maryland state government partners for their continued collaboration with the Maryland Congressional delegation to preserve the Bay for generations to come.”

    “Protecting the Chesapeake Bay is everyone’s responsibility.  We are grateful for our longtime Maryland advocates now on the federal and state level, Adam Ortiz, and Josh Kurtz, respectively.  Local, state, and federal partnerships can help keep our national treasure, the Chesapeake Bay, available for all to appreciate and partake in.  Crabbing, fishing, sailing and otherwise being active in and around its shores are activities we want to cherish well into the future and our actions today will make sure that our kids and grandkids can benefit from the Bay in their tomorrow’s,” said Congressman Ivey.

    “It is not an accident that the Bay recently received its highest grade in 22 years. Through historic investments and coordination, we’re seeing progress and momentum in states and sectors that were previously lagging,” said EPA Regional Administrator Ortiz. “The Biden-Harris Administration is making good on its promise to accelerate the Bay effort.”

    “The Moore-Miller administration thanks the Maryland congressional delegation for their continued strong leadership on the restoration of the Chesapeake Bay. Their efforts have resulted in improvements in water quality and the health of the ecosystem,” said Maryland Department of Natural Resources Secretary Josh Kurtz. “It was an honor today to discuss our plans to focus our work post-2025 on rebuilding habitat, creating resiliency in the face of climate change, and charting a new future for the Chesapeake Bay.”

    The Chesapeake Executive Councilconsists of the governors of the six watershed states, the mayor of the District of Columbia, the chair of the Chesapeake Bay Commission and the administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. It establishes the policy direction for the restoration and protection of the Chesapeake Bay.

    The Principals Staff Committee (PSC) acts as the policy advisors to the Executive Council, accepting items for Council consideration and approval, and setting agendas for Council meetings. Individual members of the PSC arrange and provide briefings to their principals, the Agreement signatories. The PSC also provides policy and program direction to the Management Board.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Klobuchar Statement on Federal Approval of Minnesota Broadband Infrastructure Plan

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Minnesota Amy Klobuchar
    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), a senior member of the Senate Commerce Committee, announced that the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) at the U.S. Department of Commerce approved Minnesota’s plan for broadband infrastructure deployment. This development advances Minnesota to the next step in their planned affordable broadband rollout across the state.
    Klobuchar’s Accessible, Affordable Internet for All Act was incorporated into the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and was the basis for the significant federal funding to Minnesota for expanding high-speed internet access.
    “Internet access is necessary for everything from education to healthcare, not to mention for keeping in touch with friends and family. However, many households in Minnesota currently don’t have a reliable broadband connection,” said Klobuchar. “That is why I fought to secure this game changing investment that will deliver affordable and reliable high-speed internet to everyone in Minnesota. With the approval of Minnesota’s rollout plan, we are one step closer to connecting every corner of our state.” 
    Klobuchar has long led efforts to expand broadband access, support rural broadband, and bridge the digital divide.
    In June 2023, Klobuchar announced that the U.S. Department of Commerce had awarded major federal funding through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to bring reliable, affordable, high-speed internet access to every household in Minnesota. The Accessible, Affordable Internet for All Act, Klobuchar’s legislation with Former House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn (D-SC) to expand high-speed internet nationwide, served as the basis for the program created by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. 
    In March 2023, Klobuchar and Senators John Thune (R-SD), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), and Jerry Moran (R-KS) reintroduced bipartisan legislation to expand broadband access to rural communities. The Reforming Broadband Connectivity Act would strengthen funding mechanisms for the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) Universal Service Fund (USF), which promotes universal access to broadband and other telecommunications services. Currently, the USF is primarily funded through landline fees, disproportionately impacting seniors, who are more likely to use landlines than other Americans. 
    In February 2023, Klobuchar introduced bipartisan legislation with Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) to strengthen broadband access for rural communities. The Rural Broadband Protection Act would ensure that providers applying for federal funding can reliably deliver broadband to underserved, rural communities. 
    In July 2021, Klobuchar introduced bipartisan legislation with Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) to expand rural broadband access by streamlining the funding process and removing barriers for broadband connectivity in hard-to-serve rural areas.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Video: How one founder’s design background is helping to rethink EV charging in cities

    Source: World Economic Forum (video statements)

    After the pandemic, Tiya Gordon realized the next global crisis would be climate based. To that end, she’s co-founded It’s Electric, a curbside solution that takes power from buildings, sidestepping the currently time-consuming permitting and installation process that slows the growth of charging stations in cities around the world. She shares how her design background has helped her be clear-eyed on objectives, identify fresh approaches and break down stubborn barriers, all to speed the change needed for the energy transition.  To learn more: Guest: https://www.itselectric.us/Report: Scaling Investment in EV Charging: A Policy Roadmap for Cities (https://www.weforum.org/publications/scaling-investment-in-ev-charging-a-policy-roadmap-for-cities/) Related podcasts: An energy company is building the world’s largest airplane. Here’s why: https://www.weforum.org/podcasts/meet-the-leader/episodes/mark-lundstrom-radia-climate-change/ 7 top innovators share strategies that drive cutting edge solutions: https://www.weforum.org/podcasts/meet-the-leader/episodes/top-innovator-strategies-tactics/

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UUylbTjPiD4

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Lauren Boebert Introduces Legislation to Promote Private Sector Competition in Microtransit Services

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Lauren Boebert (Colorado, 3)

    Washington, D.C. — U.S. Congresswoman Lauren Boebert (CO-03) released the following statement after introduction of H.R. 9756, legislation that ensures private sector competition in microtransit services: 

    The “Private Sector Competition in Microtransit Act” would require any state or local government that receives federal funds to operate microtransit services enter into a contract with a private entity for the operation of such services.

    “Microtransit is a critical service, especially for our elderly and disabled citizens who often face barriers to accessing traditional public transportation. These small-scale, on-demand services provide a vital lifeline to individuals who need to get to medical appointments, grocery stores, or simply visit loved ones. Unfortunately, government-run microtransit services are putting private-sector businesses at a disadvantage, often driving them out of the market. This results in higher costs for taxpayers—2 to 3 times more than what the private sector can offer—and less innovation and efficiency. My legislation will level the playing field by encouraging private-sector participation and reducing government interference. This will not only lead to better services for those who depend on microtransit, but it will also ensure that our taxpayers’ dollars are used more effectively,” said Congresswoman Boebert.

    “We are grateful for Rep. Lauren Boebert’s introduction of H.R. 9756, which creates opportunities for private sector small businesses through microtransit initiatives. Promoting microtransit will empower local small businesses to thrive, improve transportation access, and strengthen our economy. This legislation makes sense for local communities in Douglas County and across Colorado, and we look forward to working on its passage with Congresswoman Boebert.” –Joint Statement by Douglas County Commissioners Abe Laydon, George Teal, and Lora Thomas

    “I have been deeply encouraged by Representative Boebert’s willingness to take meaningful action on issues of importance to Douglas County,” said Douglas County Commissioner Abe Laydon.

    “Rep. Boebert’s understanding of our industry’s challenges is evident in this important legislation. Small businesses, especially in the transportation sector, were devastated by the COVID-19 lockdowns, where they lost 90% of their business. Many were forced to dip into their retirement savings just to stay afloat. The biggest competitors to small businesses should not be the federal government. This bill ensures that the private sector continues to thrive and provide these essential services,” said Bill Yuhnke, President of The Transportation Alliance, in a press release.

    Full text of Rep. Boebert’s Private Sector Competition in Microtransit Act of 2024 can be found HERE.

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    For updates, subscribe to Congresswoman Boebert’s newsletter here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Hagerty, Kaine Applaud Senate Passage of Legislation to Honor Forgotten Heroes of the Holocaust

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Tennessee Bill Hagerty

    September 26, 2024

    Bipartisan legislation would award a Congressional Gold Medal honoring U.S. and foreign diplomats who risked their lives and careers to save Jews during the Holocaust
    WASHINGTON—United States Senators Bill Hagerty (R-TN) and Tim Kaine (D-VA) today applauded Senate passage of their Forgotten Heroes of the Holocaust Congressional Gold Medal Act (S. 91), a bill to honor 60 World War II-era diplomats from the United States and around the world who risked their careers and, in many instances, their lives to save others during the Holocaust. The Hagerty-Kaine legislation would posthumously award a Congressional Gold Medal collectively to these diplomats who took heroic actions to save Jews fleeing Nazi Germany, including issuing passports and travel visas and setting up safehouses and getaways to hide Jews from Nazi authorities. A version of this legislation led by Representatives Maria Elvira Salazar (R-FL-27) and Ritchie Torres (D-NY-15) passed the House of Representatives on June 11, 2024.
    “As U.S. Senator and former U.S. Ambassador to Japan, I applaud Senate passage of this bipartisan legislation to posthumously honor U.S. and foreign diplomats who risked their lives and careers to assist Jews who were fleeing Nazi tyranny during the Holocaust,” said Senator Hagerty. “During a time of unimaginable darkness in the world, these diplomats went above their official obligations and beyond the call of duty to save the lives of so many. Current and future generations of diplomats—and everyone else who hears their stories—can look to these men and women of courage and be inspired by their lives of heroism and sacrifice.”
    “These courageous diplomats from nations across the world took initiative and serious risks to save Jews in Nazi-occupied Europe. The Congressional Gold Medal is a small overdue gesture to honor righteous deeds in the most difficult times,” said Senator Kaine. “As living memory of the Holocaust fades with the passing of 80 years, it will soon be up to us to remember humanity’s capacity for evil alongside our capacity for empathy and courage. Senator Hagerty and I aren’t Jewish, but we led this legislation because the duty of remembrance isn’t on the Jewish community alone; it is on all of us.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: MSF scales up response in Lebanon as bombings continue News Sep 26, 2024

    Source: Doctors Without Borders –

    NEW YORK/BEIRUT, September 26, 2024 — Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) remains committed to providing aid to people in Lebanon as the conflict with Israel continues to escalate and people’s medical and humanitarian needs grow. 

    “On Monday morning at 6:30 a.m. we woke up to powerful strikes on mountains and valleys, shelling villages from Baalbek to Hermel,” said Maram Sukkariyeh, a health promotion supervisor with MSF. “All we could hear was the sound of ambulance sirens. We saw smoke with each strike, and the bombs were hitting very close to houses. The strikes in northern Bekaa have not stopped for three days now and the sounds of drones and jets never leave us.”

    MSF teams unload medical supplies and other essential items to support the needs of people affected by the escalation of violence.
    Lebanon 2024 © Salam Daoud/MSF

    According to Lebanon’s disaster risk management unit, more than 104,000 people have been displaced by the recent conflict—often quickly and without necessities like medications. Many are traumatized from losing homes and loved ones, including MSF’s own staff. In addition to medical support, people are in need of basic supplies like mattresses and hygiene products as the shelters and schools currently housing them were not prepared to accommodate so many people.

    The strikes in northern Bekaa have not stopped for three days now and the sounds of drones and jets never leave us.

    Maram Sukkariyeh, MSF health promotion supervisor

    “People who left their homes need all kinds of support,” Sukkariyeh said. “Everyone is scared and worried and no one knows where to seek safety. With every strike, people are losing their lives, including children. The future is unknown and deciding what to do is very difficult. Everyone seeks safety for their families and children.”

    To help fill some of the gaps, MSF teams are distributing supplies, running mobile health clinics, and stepping up mental health efforts. MSF mobile clinics recently visited two locations in Mount Lebanon where displaced people have taken shelter to provide medical and mental health consultations. MSF also donated essential items including mattresses, blankets, and hygiene kits to displaced people in eight sites in Saida and Tripoli. Additionally, MSF reopened its clinic in Baalbek-Hermel to provide patients with much-needed medications for chronic conditions. Mental health helplines run by MSF are receiving over 60 calls a day from people experiencing rising mental health needs.

    Smoke seen in Lebanon’s Bekaa valley following bombings.
    Lebanon 2024 © Salam Daoud/MSF

    MSF is gravely concerned about Israel’s bombing campaign in Lebanon, much of which is taking place in densely populated urban areas. An immediate de-escalation of hostilities is critical to prevent further suffering, injury, and loss of life.

    MSF is assessing people’s needs in order to scale up support and will continue to coordinate closely with partners and hospital networks as the situation develops. 

    MIL OSI NGO –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Mokfok Mañaina Reinterment

    Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

    DEDEDO, Guam  –  

    On Sept. 28, 2024, the Guam State Historic Preservation Office will host a reinterment ritual aboard Skaggs Urban Training Complex, Marine Corps Base Camp Blaz (formally Andersen South). The ritual will include the reinterment of ancestral bone fragments found during cultural resource investigations in Mokfok, Dededo.

    During the construction of the Urban Training Complex, archeologists discovered five sites each with at least one burial dating to the Latte Period. All CHamoru burials at Mokfok were preserved in place, and construction projects were redesigned to avoid burial sites.

    At the site of the reinterment ceremony, archeologists discovered 14 unique grave pits, which include at least one infant and multiple children, adolescents, and adults. The site is preliminarily dated to the Latte Period.

    All bone fragments discovered outside of a burial context will be wrapped in muslin and placed in woven baskets before being reinterred amongst the burials.

    In 2021 and 2024, the Guam State Historic Preservation Office hosted three separate cultural rituals to honor the ancestors laid to rest at Sabånan Fadang and rebury the discovered sites at the Camp Blaz main cantonment area.

    Members of the media are asked to RSVP attendance with the COMMSTRAT Office at diann.rosenfeld.mil@usmc.mil no later than Friday, Sept. 27, 11 a.m.

    Media members who RSVP will be sent a pin to the meet up location at the entrance of the Skaggs Urban Training Complex. Media members are asked to arrive Saturday, Sept. 28 no later than 9:30 a.m. for escort to the ceremony site.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Pennsylvania Man Sentenced to 25 Years in Prison for Transporting a Minor with the Intent to Engage in Criminal Sexual Activity

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

    SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – John Oathout, age 54, of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, was sentenced on Friday to 25 years in prison for transporting a minor with the intent to engage in criminal sexual activity.  United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Craig L. Tremaroli, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), made the announcement.

    As part of his guilty plea, Oathout admitted that after a romantic relationship ended with the victim’s mother, the victim’s mother permitted the defendant to take her daughter on overnight trips to Virginia and New York.  During the week of Thanksgiving 2021, the defendant arranged to pick up the 5-year-old child from her home in Delaware and transport her to a hotel in Kingston, New York, where he subjected the child to sexual contact. 

    In addition to sentencing Oathout to serve 25 years in prison, Chief United States District Judge Brenda K. Sannes also imposed a 20-year term of supervised release, which Oathout will begin serving after he is released from prison, at which time Oathout will also be required to register as a sex offender.

    The FBI’s Albany Division Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force investigated this case.  The Task Force includes members of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies. Assistant United States Attorney Carling Dunham prosecuted the case as part of Project Safe Childhood.

    Launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice, Project Safe Childhood is led by United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS).  Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locates, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Bay Roberts — Stolen vehicle crashes in pond in Clarke’s Beach, Bay Roberts RCMP investigates

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    Bay Roberts RCMP is investigating the theft of a truck that occurred last night in Clarke’s Beach. The stolen vehicle was recovered from a nearby body of water.

    Shortly before 8:00 p.m., Bay Roberts RCMP received a report of theft of a truck in Clarke’s Beach. The vehicle, a black 2008 Chevrolet Silverado, was stolen from the parking lot of the post office while the operator was inside the business.

    Approximately ten minutes later, Bay Roberts RCMP received a report that a truck had departed the road and entered a body of water in Clarke’s Beach. An occupant of the truck swam to shore and was picked up by an unknown male operating an all-terrain vehicle. Both individuals departed prior to police arrival.

    An extensive search of the area and the water was conducted with no other occupants located. The truck was recovered from the pond and was confirmed as being the stolen truck.

    The investigation is continuing.

    Bay Roberts RCMP is looking to identify the individual involved in the theft of the truck, as well as the ATV operator, and asks the public to check for any available surveillance footage that may assist with this investigation.

    Anyone having information about either of these incidents is asked to contact Bay Roberts RCMP at 709-786-2118. To remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers: #SayItHere 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), visit http://www.nlcrimestoppers.com or use the P3Tips app.

    Bay Roberts RCMP thanks those involved in the search of the water last evening, including Avalon North Wolverines Search and Rescue and Bay De Grave Fire Department.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: St. Louis Nonprofit Executive Accused of More Than $2 Million Dollar Student Meal Fraud

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

    ST. LOUIS – The owner of a nonprofit was indicted Wednesday and accused of fraudulently obtaining more than $2 million in funds intended to feed low-income Missouri children, both before and during the coronavirus pandemic.

    Cymone McClellan, 31, of St. Louis, was indicted in U.S. District Court in St. Louis on four felony counts of wire fraud.

    The indictment says McClellan owned and ran a non-profit organization called Sister of Lavender Rose (S.O.L.R.). From about January 2019 to June 2022, McClellan and her nonprofit submitted false and fraudulent meal reimbursement claims to Missouri’s Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS).  S.O.L.R. submitted reimbursement claims to the Food and Nutrition Programs for Children claiming that she served 860,876 meals to children but only bought enough food and milk to serve fewer than one-quarter of those meals, the indictment says. According to the indictment, McClellan defrauded the State of Missouri out of more than $2 million through her fraudulent reimbursement claims.

    The indictment says McClellan attempted to cover up her crime by providing bogus sign-in sheets to DHSS falsely claiming to have taken the attendance of meal recipients at certain food distribution locations. S.O.L.R. submitted management plans to DHSS falsely asserting that state meal reimbursement dollars were spent only in connection with the provision of meals to low-income children, and that the nonprofit did not use meal money to make purchases over $5,000. The indictment says McClellan spent $60,000 on a down payment on a house in Collinsville, Illinois and also bought five vehicles and a house in Florissant, Missouri.

    One of the addresses where McClellan informed the State of Missouri that she was purportedly preparing food for low-income children belonged to an adults-only nightclub called Elmo’s Love Lounge, the indictment says.

    The indictment seeks the forfeiture of the real estate, as well as a 2021 Chevrolet Traverse, a 2012 Chevrolet Express G3500 van, a 2020 Mercedez-Benz Metris van, a 2012 Ford E350 box truck and a 2018 Lexus RX SUV.

    Charges set forth in an indictment are merely accusations and do not constitute proof of guilt.  Every defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty. The wire fraud charges carry a penalty of up to 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine or both prison and a fine.

    This case was investigated by the FBI and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of Inspector General. Assistant U.S. Attorney Derek Wiseman is prosecuting the case.  

    Anyone with information about pandemic fraud should call the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or report via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Ra Medical Systems, Inc. & Physicians Pay Over $8 Million to Resolve False Claims Act Allegations of Illegal Kickbacks

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

    DETROIT – United States Attorney Dawn N. Ison announced today a series of three civil settlements, totaling over $8 million, related to, among other allegations, kickbacks that medical device company Ra Medical Systems, Inc. (Ra Medical), paid to various physicians across the country related to Ra Medical’s DABRA laser.

    Ison was joined in the announcement by Special Agent in Charge Mario M. Pinto of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG), Chicago Regional Office, Cheyvoryea Gibson, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Detroit Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Special Agent in Charge Patrick J. Hegarty, Department of Defense Office of Inspector General, Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS), Northeast Field Office. 

    Ra Medical was a medical device company that was formerly headquartered in Carlsbad, California.  From 2017-2019, Ra Medical manufactured and sold a device known as the DABRA Laser.  The settlement with Ra Medical resolves the following alleged violations of the False Claims Act:

    • Ra Medical marketed the DABRA Laser for use in atherectomies, a procedure whereby plaque is mechanically removed from occluded blood vessels in patients suffering from peripheral artery disease. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, however, had not approved the DABRA Laser for use in atherectomy procedures.
    • Additionally, Ra Medical knowingly marketed the DABRA Laser despite product performance issues causing frequent calibration and overheating problems, which posed a risk to physicians and patients, and prompted a recall in August 2019.
    • Ra Medical also knowingly offered and paid illegal remuneration to certain physicians to induce them to use the DABRA Laser in violation of the Federal Anti-Kickback Statute. The United States contends that the illegal remuneration consisted of cash payments and fees paid in connection with purported training events and consulting services. The United States further contends that RMS tracked utilization of its high-volume physician customers using an internal document titled “Who Deserve[] Love,” which was used to identify physicians that RMS should target with offers of improper remuneration. Two of the recipients of the alleged kickback payments were Elias Kassab, M.D. (Kassab), of Dearborn, Michigan, and David Allie, M.D. (Allie), of Lafayette, Louisiana.

    The Federal Anti-Kickback Statute prohibits offering or paying anything of value to induce referrals of items or services covered by Medicare and other federally funded programs.  The statute is intended to ensure that a medical provider’s judgment is not compromised by improper financial incentives.

    Under the terms of the agreement with Ra Medical, which was entered into pursuant to DOJ’s inability to pay settlement guidelines and was executed in December 2020, Ra Medical paid $2.5 million up front and would pay up to $28 million more if future financial contingencies were met.  In January 2023, Ra Medical paid an additional $5 million, after its reverse merger with Catheter Precision, Inc., triggered one of the contingencies.

    The settlement with Ra Medical remained under seal while the United States continued its investigation into Kassab and Allie, among others, who were alleged to have received improper kickbacks.  In a separate settlement, Kassab and two of his companies agreed to pay $450,000 to resolve the allegations against them.  In the third settlement, Allie and his consulting company agreed to pay $250,000 to resolve the allegations against them.

    “The United States will not allow doctors to hold out their hands expecting to be paid to use and promote a device,” said U.S. Attorney Ison. “The millions of people who depend on our federal healthcare programs deserve and expect medical decisions untainted by kickbacks, and this settlement reflects our commitment to pursuing not just the companies that pay illegal kickbacks, but also the physicians who willingly extract and accept them.”

    “The payment of kickbacks to induce referrals can undermine the trust in our nation’s providers and result in costly reductions to our federal health care programs,” said Special Agent in Charge Mario M. Pinto of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General. “We will continue to work diligently with our law enforcement partners to ensure the appropriate use of taxpayer dollars.”

    “Healthcare services are being unlawfully influenced by medical providers engaging in criminal kickback schemes, significantly impacting programs such as Medicare and Medicaid,” said Cheyvoryea Gibson, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Michigan. “Our office is fully committed to investigating and holding accountable those individuals and organizations involved in illegal profit-driven practices that harm our medical system.”

    “Protecting TRICARE, the healthcare system for military members and their dependents, is a top priority for the Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS), the law enforcement arm of the Department of Defense Office of Inspector General,” stated Special Agent-in-Charge Patrick J. Hegarty, DCIS Northeast Field Office.  “The settlement agreement announced today demonstrates our ongoing commitment to work with our law enforcement partners and the Department of Justice to investigate allegations of healthcare fraud.”

    The civil settlements resolve the claims brought by Robert Gruber, under the qui tam or whistleblower provisions of the False Claims Act.  Under these provisions, a private party may file an action on behalf of the United States and receive a portion of any recovery.  The qui tam case is captioned United States ex rel. Gruber v. Ra Medical Systems, Inc., et al., No. 19-12044 (E.D. Mich.).  The whistleblower will receive a combined $1,722,000 from the three settlements.  The claims resolved by the settlements are allegations only; there has been no determination or admission of liability.

    The matter was investigated by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonny Zajac of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan, with assistance from HHS-OIG, the FBI, and the Defense Criminal Investigative Service.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Convicted Felon Sentenced for the Second Time in One Year After Failing to Appear in Court While on Supervised Release

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

    Salt Lake City, Utah – Thomas Fairbanks, 71, of Cache County, Utah, was sentenced today to an additional 30 days’ imprisonment for failure to appear in court for a sentencing hearing in a securities fraud case. The one month sentence will be served consecutively to his 27 months’ securities fraud sentence, which was imposed in April 2024. 

    According to court documents and statements made at the change of plea hearing, on May 24, 2023, Fairbanks failed to appear in front of U.S. District Court Judge Jill N. Parrish for his sentencing in a 2019 securities fraud case, after he was convicted by a jury on August 30, 2022. After his failure to appear, a warrant was issued for his arrest, and he was later arrested in February 2024. According to court documents in the 2019 case, the defendant was convicted of a securities fraud scheme in connection with his fraudulent company SupplyLine Partners. As part of the scheme, Fairbanks created a pitch deck to advertise the entity, ran seminars to find investors, and ultimately convinced at least two individuals to invest with him in his fake entity. SupplyLine was never a registered company nor was Fairbanks authorized to sell securities.

    Fairbanks took victims’ money and did not invest as he said he would, never returned the money and did not pay out the promised 6% interest. In total, Fairbanks defrauded two victims out of $270,232.

    The case was investigated jointly by the Utah Division of Securities and the FBI Salt Lake City Field Office.

    Assistant United States Attorneys Ruth Hackford-Peer and Kevin Sundwall of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah prosecuted the case. 
     

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Texas Businessman Accused of $1.9 Million COVID Test Kit Fraud

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

    ST. LOUIS – A Texas businessman has been indicted in St. Louis and accused of fraudulently seeking more than $4.5 million from Medicare for COVID test kits and obtaining more than $1.9 million.

    Rashid Naqvi, 51, of the Houston area, was indicted in U.S. District Court in St. Louis on September 4 on four counts of wire fraud conspiracy and one count each of obstruction of a federal audit and conspiracy.

    He appeared in court Wednesday and pleaded not guilty.

    The indictment accuses Naqvi of fraudulently obtaining $1,974,479 from Medicare from March 2023 through September 2024 by billing for numerous COVID-19 test kits that were sent to patients who had never requested them. Many of the patients were dead, the indictment says. Naqvi obtained victims’ Medicare Numbers and identifiers without their knowledge or consent by paying a total of $488,435 in illegal kickbacks to co-conspirators, the indictment says. It says Naqvi used two laboratories that he owned to submit the false claims to Medicare, Elite Diagnostics Inc. in Missouri and Astro Diagnostics Inc. in the Southern District of Texas.

    The indictment says Naqvi attempted to conceal his scheme by disguising kickback payments as payments for COVID test kits, creating a sham contract with one of the companies supplying the information and submitting false documents to Medicare investigators during an audit. He continued submitting false claims to Medicare even after patients called to tell him that they did not request or want the test kits, the indictment says. Naqvi sought a total of $4,579,850 from Medicare.

    Charges set forth in an indictment are merely accusations and do not constitute proof of guilt.  Every defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty.

    Wire fraud is punishable by up to 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both. Obstruction of a federal audit and conspiracy are each punishable by up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

    “Today’s indictment reflects our unwavering commitment to safeguarding Medicare and ensuring that its resources are used appropriately,” said Linda T. Hanley, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General (HHS-OIG). “There are serious consequences for individuals who seek to manipulate federal health care programs by exploiting enrollees’ personal information and participating in illegal kickbacks. HHS-OIG is committed to working with our law enforcement partners to hold those accountable who undermine the integrity of our health care system.”

    The FBI and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Derek Wiseman is prosecuting the case. 

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Former Inkster Mayor Pleads Guilty to Agreeing to Accept $100,000 in Bribes

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

    DETROIT – The former Mayor of the City of Inkster pleaded guilty to bribery, United States Attorney Dawn N. Ison announced today.

    Ison was joined in the announcement by Cheyvoryea Gibson, Special Agent in Charge of the Detroit Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

    Patrick Wimberly, 50, of Inkster, served as the Mayor of the City of Inkster, Michigan, from 2019 through 2023. In the spring of 2022, Wimberly demanded $100,000 in cash payments to facilitate the sale of property owned by the City to an outside party (referred to as “Person A”). Over several months, Person A provided Wimberly with monthly cash bribes to secure the purchase of this property. The monthly payments started at $5,000 but the parties agreed to eventually increase that amount. After the initial bribes, Wimberly explained that he was ready to increase the payments. Person A agreed. But when Person A later did not provide the amount Wimberly expected, Wimberly complained that he was due “10$ a month.” Person A then increased the monthly payments to $10,000. In total, Person A provided $50,000 in cash to Wimberly for the purpose of winning the bid for subject property. The Federal Bureau of Investigation intervened before the property could be transferred to Person A.

    The bribery charge, a violation of 18 U.S.C. § 666, carries a maximum sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment and a fine of $250,000.

    “Public officials who act in their own best interests, motivated by greed, betray the trust of their communities and the general public,” United States Attorney Ison said. “ We will continue to aggressively prosecute corrupt public officials for their illegal actions.”

    “Investigating public corruption is a primary concern and priority of the FBI in Michigan,” said Cheyvoryea Gibson, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Michigan. The former City of Inkster mayor, Patrick Wimberly’s guilty plea is a step forward in reminding public officials that they will be held accountable for their actions and should always operate with the highest level of integrity. Members of the FBI’s Detroit Area Corruption Task Force will continue to investigate any allegations of criminal misconduct from our public officials, in an effort to maintain the public’s trust.”

    The investigation of this case was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Eaton P. Brown.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Dracut Brothers Agree to Plead Guilty to Fraud Scheme Involving Online Sales of Cosmetics

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

    BOSTON – Two men have been charged with, and have agreed to plead guilty to, carrying out a scheme to obtain products of an online cosmetics company through fraud and to resell those products on Amazon and eBay for a profit.

    Brothers Nick Ashtar-Zadeh, 22, and Nika Ashtar-Zadeh, 23, of Dracut, have agreed to plead guilty to one count of wire fraud each. Plea hearings have not yet been scheduled by the Court.

    According to the charging documents, between 2020 and 2021, Nick Ashtar-Zadeh and Nika Ashtar-Zadeh operated Amazon and eBay “stores” that offered various products for sale, including the products of a cosmetics company in Texas. It is alleged that the Ashtar-Zadehs offered the company’s products on these platforms to buyers for one-time payments that were typically equal to or below the company’s list prices for the same products. The Ashtar-Zadehs then enrolled these Amazon and eBay buyers in the company’s 30-day trial program for the same products. The brothers allegedly entered the buyers’ information on the company’s website, without the customers’ knowledge or consent, and caused the company to ship its products to those buyers for a trial period. It is alleged that, for these orders, the Ashtar-Zadehs presented the company with forms of payment that fulfilled initial charges of $19.95 but were declined when the company attempted to charge later installments, after buyers had kept the products past 30 days. The brothers sold the company’s products in this manner to hundreds of buyers on Amazon and eBay, each time pocketing the difference between what the buyers paid them and the initial $19.95 upfront payment to the company. As a result of the alleged conduct, the Ashtar-Zadehs cost the company hundreds of thousands of dollars in losses.

    The charge of wire fraud provides a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

    Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy and Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney David M. Holcomb of the Securities, Financial & Cyber Fraud Unit is prosecuting the case.

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

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Hammond Man Indicted for Identity Theft

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

    NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – United States Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that ERNEST X. TAYLOR, JR. (“TAYLOR”), age 39, a resident of Hammond, Louisiana, was indicted on September 20, 2024 for identity theft, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 1028(a)(7) and 1028(b)(1)(D).

    According to court documents, in December 2021, TAYLOR used means of identification belonging to a victim to obtain a $25,000 loan from Collins Community Credit Union.

    Specifically, TAYLOR used identification in the victim’s name, without the knowledge or consent of the victim.  If convicted, TAYLOR faces up to fifteen years imprisonment, up to three years of supervised release, a fine of up to $250,000, and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.

    U.S. Attorney Evans reiterated that the indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

    The case was investigated by  the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the United States Secret Service.  Assistant United States Attorney Maria M. Carboni of the Financial Crimes Unit is handling the prosecution.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Second Child Predator Sentenced to 35 Years in Federal Prison for Sexually Abusing a Child and Drugging Them with Methamphetamine

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

    INDIANAPOLIS—Dustin Scott Cox, 54, of Indianapolis, has been sentenced to 35 years in federal prison, followed by a lifetime of supervised release, after pleading guilty to sexual exploitation of a child and conspiracy to commit sexual exploitation of a child. 

    According to court documents, between at least February and September of 2020, Dustin Cox conspired with Zachary Nichols to sexually abuse and produce sexual images of a fifteen-year-old child. Cox is a repeat child sex offender, convicted in 2004 for coercing a 14-year-old to perform sex acts in exchange for a new bicycle.

    In 2020, Cox was Zachary Nichols’ methamphetamine dealer. Nichols sexually abused the child victim for years. Nichols began allowing Cox to sexually abuse the child as well, in exchange for supplying Nichols with methamphetamine. On multiple occasions, Cox and Nichols recorded their sexual abuse of the victim. The child was nearly incapacitated because of drug use in some of the child sex abuse material that Nichols and Cox created.

    In June of 2024, Zachary Nichols was sentenced to 42 years in federal prison for his role in sexually exploiting and abusing the child.

    “These heinous predators repeatedly sexually abused a child, incapacitated them with meth, and traded the victim’s body for drugs,” said Zachary A. Myers, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. “Our hearts go out to the survivor of these horrific abuses, and we hope this prosecution brings them some measure of peace. The lifelong trauma inflicted by these sick criminals merits federal prison sentences that will ensure that neither of them ever harms another child. Together with our partners at the FBI and IMPD, our office is committed aggressively prosecuting sex offenders who prey upon our children and removing them from our communities.”

    “Every child deserves to be live and thrive in a safe environment without worry of harm and abuse. This sentence reflects the severity of this heinous offense and should put others on notice that the FBI and our law enforcement partners will continue to hold accountable those who prey on our children,” said FBI Indianapolis Special Agent in Charge Herbert J. Stapleton.

    The FBI and the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department investigated this case. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Judge James R. Sweeney II. Cox has also been ordered to pay $10,000 in restitution to the victim and maintain his sex offender status wherever he lives, works, or goes to school upon release from federal prison.

    U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Tiffany J. Preston, who prosecuted this case.

    This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims.

    ###

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Ra Medical Systems, Inc. & Physicians Pay Over $8 Million to Resolve False Claims Act Allegations of Illegal Kickbacks

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

    DETROIT – United States Attorney Dawn N. Ison announced today a series of three civil settlements, totaling over $8 million, related to, among other allegations, kickbacks that medical device company Ra Medical Systems, Inc. (Ra Medical), paid to various physicians across the country related to Ra Medical’s DABRA laser.

    Ison was joined in the announcement by Special Agent in Charge Mario M. Pinto of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG), Chicago Regional Office, Cheyvoryea Gibson, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Detroit Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Special Agent in Charge Patrick J. Hegarty, Department of Defense Office of Inspector General, Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS), Northeast Field Office. 

    Ra Medical was a medical device company that was formerly headquartered in Carlsbad, California.  From 2017-2019, Ra Medical manufactured and sold a device known as the DABRA Laser.  The settlement with Ra Medical resolves the following alleged violations of the False Claims Act:

    • Ra Medical marketed the DABRA Laser for use in atherectomies, a procedure whereby plaque is mechanically removed from occluded blood vessels in patients suffering from peripheral artery disease. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, however, had not approved the DABRA Laser for use in atherectomy procedures.
    • Additionally, Ra Medical knowingly marketed the DABRA Laser despite product performance issues causing frequent calibration and overheating problems, which posed a risk to physicians and patients, and prompted a recall in August 2019.
    • Ra Medical also knowingly offered and paid illegal remuneration to certain physicians to induce them to use the DABRA Laser in violation of the Federal Anti-Kickback Statute. The United States contends that the illegal remuneration consisted of cash payments and fees paid in connection with purported training events and consulting services. The United States further contends that RMS tracked utilization of its high-volume physician customers using an internal document titled “Who Deserve[] Love,” which was used to identify physicians that RMS should target with offers of improper remuneration. Two of the recipients of the alleged kickback payments were Elias Kassab, M.D. (Kassab), of Dearborn, Michigan, and David Allie, M.D. (Allie), of Lafayette, Louisiana.

    The Federal Anti-Kickback Statute prohibits offering or paying anything of value to induce referrals of items or services covered by Medicare and other federally funded programs.  The statute is intended to ensure that a medical provider’s judgment is not compromised by improper financial incentives.

    Under the terms of the agreement with Ra Medical, which was entered into pursuant to DOJ’s inability to pay settlement guidelines and was executed in December 2020, Ra Medical paid $2.5 million up front and would pay up to $28 million more if future financial contingencies were met.  In January 2023, Ra Medical paid an additional $5 million, after its reverse merger with Catheter Precision, Inc., triggered one of the contingencies.

    The settlement with Ra Medical remained under seal while the United States continued its investigation into Kassab and Allie, among others, who were alleged to have received improper kickbacks.  In a separate settlement, Kassab and two of his companies agreed to pay $450,000 to resolve the allegations against them.  In the third settlement, Allie and his consulting company agreed to pay $250,000 to resolve the allegations against them.

    “The United States will not allow doctors to hold out their hands expecting to be paid to use and promote a device,” said U.S. Attorney Ison. “The millions of people who depend on our federal healthcare programs deserve and expect medical decisions untainted by kickbacks, and this settlement reflects our commitment to pursuing not just the companies that pay illegal kickbacks, but also the physicians who willingly extract and accept them.”

    “The payment of kickbacks to induce referrals can undermine the trust in our nation’s providers and result in costly reductions to our federal health care programs,” said Special Agent in Charge Mario M. Pinto of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General. “We will continue to work diligently with our law enforcement partners to ensure the appropriate use of taxpayer dollars.”

    “Healthcare services are being unlawfully influenced by medical providers engaging in criminal kickback schemes, significantly impacting programs such as Medicare and Medicaid,” said Cheyvoryea Gibson, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Michigan. “Our office is fully committed to investigating and holding accountable those individuals and organizations involved in illegal profit-driven practices that harm our medical system.”

    “Protecting TRICARE, the healthcare system for military members and their dependents, is a top priority for the Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS), the law enforcement arm of the Department of Defense Office of Inspector General,” stated Special Agent-in-Charge Patrick J. Hegarty, DCIS Northeast Field Office.  “The settlement agreement announced today demonstrates our ongoing commitment to work with our law enforcement partners and the Department of Justice to investigate allegations of healthcare fraud.”

    The civil settlements resolve the claims brought by Robert Gruber, under the qui tam or whistleblower provisions of the False Claims Act.  Under these provisions, a private party may file an action on behalf of the United States and receive a portion of any recovery.  The qui tam case is captioned United States ex rel. Gruber v. Ra Medical Systems, Inc., et al., No. 19-12044 (E.D. Mich.).  The whistleblower will receive a combined $1,722,000 from the three settlements.  The claims resolved by the settlements are allegations only; there has been no determination or admission of liability.

    The matter was investigated by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonny Zajac of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan, with assistance from HHS-OIG, the FBI, and the Defense Criminal Investigative Service.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Convicted Murderer Sentenced to Life in Prison for Murder of Missing Navajo Woman

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

    PHOENIX, Ariz. – Tre C. James, 31, of Pinon, was sentenced today by United States District Judge Douglas L. Rayes to life in prison on count one and an additional 10 years in prison on count two to run consecutively, for the murder of Jamie Yazzie, a woman classified as a Missing and Murdered Indigenous Person from the Navajo Nation. A federal jury previously found James guilty of First Degree Murder for Yazzie’s death. The jury also found James guilty of several acts of domestic violence committed against three other women, all members of the Navajo Nation. Judge Rayes sentenced James to an additional 10 years in prison to run concurrently, and five years of supervised release for each of those assaults.   

    “Securing justice for missing victims of violence necessitates courage, discipline, and collaboration,” said United States Attorney Gary Restaino. “It also requires all of us to demonstrate our commitment with alacrity: for communities to report their missing loved ones as soon as possible; for victim advocates to engage early and often with next of kin; and for agents and prosecutors to charge cases as soon as they are ready to be charged.”

    “Today’s sentence underscores the fact that Jamie Yazzie was not forgotten by the FBI or our federal and tribal partners,” said FBI Phoenix Special Agent in Charge Jose A. Perez. “Our office is committed to addressing the violence that Native American communities in Arizona face every day and we will continue our efforts to protect families, help victims and ensure that justice is served in each case we pursue.”

    James shot and killed Yazzie on the Navajo Nation in the summer of 2019. He hid her remains on the Hopi Reservation, where they remained concealed for almost three years. Multiple agencies worked together to investigate Yazzie’s disappearance, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Navajo Nation Division of Public Safety Criminal Investigation Services, Navajo Nation Police Department, Bureau of Indian Affairs, and Navajo County Sheriff’s Office.

    Investigators faced significant challenges, including the fact that Yazzie had not been reported missing for several days, James had cleaned the crime scene, and the murder occurred while James and Yazzie were home alone together; the global pandemic, which hit the Navajo Nation particularly hard, also presented significant challenges. Investigators persevered and, during the investigation, discovered the assaults against other women, many of which had never been reported to law enforcement.

    The Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation in this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer E. LaGrange and former Assistant U.S. Attorney Sharon K. Sexton, U.S. Attorney’s Office, Phoenix, handled the prosecution. Ms. Yazzie’s mother, father, grandmother and other relatives provided support to the investigation and prosecution over several years.
     

    CASE NUMBER:           CR-22-08073-PCT-DLR
    RELEASE NUMBER:    2024-126_James

    # # #

    For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/
    Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, on X @USAO_AZ for the latest news.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Federal Agents Seize and Shut Down Royal Inn Hotel in Phoenix Due to Drug Trafficking and Other Unlawful Activities

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

    Owner, Operator, and Corporate Entity Charged with Travel Act violations, Money Laundering, and Maintaining a Drug Premises

    PHOENIX, Ariz. – Today, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and United States Marshal Service, in coordination with the Phoenix Police Department, executed search and seizure warrants at the Royal Inn hotel, located at 2510 West Palo Verde Drive in Phoenix. Federal agents seized control of the hotel and shut down its operations due to widespread prostitution and drug trafficking activities that have gone unabated by its owners and operators.

    Also today, the United States District Court unsealed a 44-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury on September 17, 2024, against the Royal Inn’s owner, operator, and corporate entity, among others. Specifically:

    • Varsha Patel, 56, of Chino Hills, California, the owner of Royal Inn, was charged with two counts of Using a Facility of Interstate Commerce in Aid of Racketeering, one count of Maintaining a Drug Premises, and 34 counts of Promotional Money Laundering. Varsha Patel was also charged with multiple counts of Making False Statements to Obtain a Small Business Administration Loan.
    • Sarang Hospitality LLC, aka Royal Inn, the Arizona corporation through which the hotel does business, was similarly charged with two counts of Using a Facility of Interstate Commerce in Aid of Racketeering, one count of Maintaining a Drug Premises, and 34 counts of Promotional Money Laundering.
    • Nilam Patel, 54, of Phoenix, the live-in operator and day-to-day manager of the Royal Inn, was also charged with two counts of Using a Facility of Interstate Commerce in Aid of Racketeering, one count of Maintaining a Drug Premises, and 34 counts of Promotional Money Laundering.
    • Four other individuals were charged with Distribution of Fentanyl and Methamphetamine for drug dealing at the Royal Inn: Anthony Curtis, 42, of Buckeye; Otis Childers, 31, of Phoenix; Chauntelle Mills, 24, of Phoenix; and Leonardo Guerrero, 49, of Phoenix.

    The indictment alleges that defendants Varsha Patel, Nilam Patel, and Sarang Hospitality LLC, operated the Royal Inn by primarily renting rooms to individuals engaging in prostitution and drug dealing. From 2017 through September 2024, these defendants used the funds they obtained from the Royal Inn room rentals to maintain and promote the Royal Inn’s operations; pay the mortgage on personal property located in Chino Hills, California; fund certificates of deposit; purchase life insurance policies; and pay for their own personal expenses.

    The indictment further alleges that Varsha Patel, Nilam Patel, and Sarang Hospitality LLC were aware that most activities at the Royal Inn were illegal acts of prostitution, drug dealing, and drug using. Over the course of several years, Phoenix Police Department officials repeatedly informed these three defendants of the drug dealing and prostitution activities on the property, of the hundreds of calls for service local police received, and of the need to abate the criminal activities taking place. Despite having been served with multiple abatement letters, these defendants continued to operate the Royal Inn to intentionally facilitate and profit from the criminal activities occurring on the premises. This included: renting rooms to persons who overtly engaged in prostitution, and to persons who distributed illegal drugs; directing the sex workers to attract sex buyers off the property, and to walk separate from the sex buyer while going to the room; directing the sex workers, pimps, and drug dealers to park off the property; alerting sex workers, pimps, and drug dealers of law enforcement presence; failing to request a credit card, together with a government-issued identification, in order to rent a room; failing to evict persons engaged in prostitution and drug dealing, thereby allowing lengthy stays at the Royal Inn without detection; and failing to call the police when criminal activities were occurring.

    A conviction for Using a Facility of Interstate Commerce in Aid of Racketeering carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. A conviction for Maintaining a Drug Premises carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $500,000 fine. A conviction for Promotional Money Laundering carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $500,000 fine. A conviction for Making False Statements to Obtain a Small Business Administration Loan carries a maximum penalty of two years in prison and a $250,000 fine. A conviction for Distribution of Fentanyl and Methamphetamine carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $1,000,000 fine.

    An indictment is simply a method by which a person or entity is charged with criminal activity and raises no inference of guilt. A criminal defendant is presumed innocent until evidence is presented to a jury that establishes guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

    This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

    The Federal Bureau of Investigation, United States Marshal Service, and Phoenix Police Department conducted the investigation in this case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Gayle Helart and Patrick Chapman, United States Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, Phoenix, are handling the prosecution.
     

    CASE NUMBER:           CR-24-01529-PHX-SPL
    RELEASE NUMBER:    2024-127_Patel

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Macon Mother and Son Sentenced for Roles in Decade-Long Business Theft

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

    MACON, Ga. – Two members of the same family who illegally wrote millions in checks to themselves from their employer’s operating account were sentenced to prison and ordered to pay restitution for their crimes.

    Billy Lee Wells, Jr., 47, of Macon, was sentenced to serve 57 months in prison to be followed by five years of supervised release. He was ordered to pay the following jointly and severally with co-defendant Eva Wells: $2,583,003.80 restitution to Phil J. Sheridan Company d/b/a Mid-Georgia Sales and $150,000 restitution due to Donegal Mutual Insurance Company. In addition, he was ordered individually to pay $586,112 to the IRS in restitution and $3,404,772.22 in forfeiture. Eva Rebecca Wells, 75, was sentenced to serve 46 months in prison to be followed by five years of supervised release. She was ordered to pay the above-mentioned restitution amounts with co-defendant Billy Wells and was also ordered individually to pay $586,112 to the IRS and a total of $3,990,884.22 in forfeiture. Both defendants previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to defraud a financial institution before U.S. District Judge C. Ashley Royal on Jan. 23. Billy Lee Wells also pleaded guilty to making and subscribing a false return. There is no parole in the federal system.

    “The defendants used their position as trusted employees to steal from a small business for more than a decade, a crime that can carry long-term repercussions for all those affected,” said U.S. Attorney Peter D. Leary. “Working with our law enforcement partners, our office will continue to do all we can to both hold fraudsters accountable and protect hard-working and honest citizens.”

    “This case serves as a warning to individuals who commit fraud upon others and the U.S. government that their criminal acts will come with consequences,” said Demetrius Hardeman, Acting Special Agent in Charge, IRS Criminal Investigation, Atlanta Field Office. “IRS Criminal Investigation special agents and our law enforcement partners will continue investigating and bringing to justice those who participate in illicit schemes to enrich themselves.”

    “These fraud scams, although not violent, are not victimless and can be devastating to local business and ruin livelihoods,” said Robert Gibbs, Supervisory Senior Resident Agent of FBI Atlanta’s Macon office. “The FBI is dedicated to working with our partners to hold anyone accountable who would steal from hard working and honest individuals, rather than put in the work themselves.”

    According to court documents in the Wells case, Eva Wells was the Office Manager for Mid-Georgia Sales and was responsible for its finances, including issuing weekly payroll and making other payments on behalf of the business. Her son, Billy Lee Wells, Jr., was also employed at Mid-Georgia Sales, working in IT and sales. In Dec. 2008, Eva Wells began writing unauthorized checks to herself and her son from the company’s general operating fund, as opposed to the account used for payroll. When the theft was discovered, a full accounting was conducted. Between Dec. 31, 2008, and May 10, 2019, Eva Wells wrote a total of $3,404,772.22 in unauthorized checks to Billy Lee Wells, Jr. which were either cashed or deposited in his bank account. In addition to the checks made to Billy Lee Wells, Jr., Eva Wells also wrote unauthorized checks to herself which she cashed or deposited into her bank account.

    The Wells case was investigated by the FBI, the IRS and the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Howard prosecuted both cases for the Government.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Six Block Gang Member Faces Minimum of Ten Years in Federal Prison for Armed Drug Trafficking

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

    Jacksonville, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that Al’Donta Easterling (26, Jacksonville) has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 100 kilograms or more of marijuana, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Easterling faces a minimum mandatory penalty of 10 years, up to life, in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set.

    According to the plea agreement, beginning no later than October 2022 and continuing through July 2024, Easterling was an armed distributor for a drug trafficking organization (DTO) that transported large quantities of marijuana from California to Jacksonville. Easterling and his co-conspirators routinely traveled to California, where they acquired marijuana and smuggled it back to Jacksonville in suitcases on commercial flights or through mail parcels. In Jacksonville, Easterling and his co-conspirators sold marijuana from short-term rental properties. At these residences, Easterling and his co-conspirators routinely carried and possessed firearms to protect themselves, the drugs they distributed, and proceeds from the drug sales. Federal agents seized more than 100 kilograms of marijuana from the DTO during the investigation. On May 22, 2024, detectives from the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office (JSO) arrested Easterling after finding a pound of marijuana and a loaded Glock pistol in his vehicle. According to JSO, Easterling is a documented member of the Six Block street gang.

    This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, the United States Postal Inspection Service, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office, the Clay County Sheriff’s Office, and the Florida Highway Patrol. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Aakash Singh and Kirwinn Mike.

    This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Meriwether County Resident Convicted of Armed Drug Trafficking

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

    COLUMBUS, Ga. – A resident of Meriwether County with several previous felony convictions was found guilty of illegal gun possession and drug trafficking charges following a bench trial this week.

    Howatdrick Jamal Jones, 30, of Woodbury, Georgia, was found guilty of one count of possession of cocaine base with intent to distribute, one count of possession of a firearm during a drug trafficking crime and one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon following a bench trial before U.S. District Judge Clay Land that began and ended on Monday, Sept. 23. Jones faces a maximum sentence of life in prison. Sentencing is scheduled for Dec. 12. There is no parole in the federal system.

    “Repeat armed felons tied to violent criminal gangs will find themselves being held accountable at the federal level,” said U.S. Attorney Peter D. Leary. “Law enforcement across the Middle District of Georgia is working closely with our office to bring the most dangerous offenders in our communities to justice and make our communities safer for all.”

    “Guns, drugs and violence are unfortunately all too common tools of the drug trafficking organizations operating in our communities,” said Robert J. Murphy, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Division. “Cases like this clearly demonstrate the resolve of the DEA to hold violent drug traffickers accountable.”

    “I would like to thank all of the law enforcement entities involved for their hard work on this case,” said Waverly Hall Police Chief Jason Durham. “This is another proven example that illegal drugs and guns will not be tolerated.”

    According to the evidence at trial, Jones was stopped by a Waverly Hall Police Department officer on Oct. 16, 2019, after the officer’s automatic license plate reader triggered an alert that the owner of the car had active arrest warrants. The officer smelled marijuana and searched the vehicle, finding cocaine, a digital scale and a razor blade next to the drugs. Jones was concealing a .45 caliber pistol. At the time, Jones had several prior felony drug convictions; it is illegal for a convicted felon to possess a firearm. Jones was convicted of bank robbery on Sept. 20, 2023, in the Superior Court of Pike County, Georgia and is serving a life sentence for his crime.

    This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Waverly Hall Police Department with valuable assistance from the FBI and the Harris County Sheriff’s Office.

    Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher Williams and Crawford Seals are prosecuting the case for the Government.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Nigerian Man Pleads Guilty After Extradition to Participating in Romance Scams and Other Fraud Schemes Targeting Elderly Victims

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

    Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that ISAIAH OKERE plead guilty today before U.S. District Judge Lewis Liman to charges stemming from his participation in an international conspiracy to defraud at least 15 victims of romance schemes, lottery scams, and business email compromise schemes.

    U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “Isaiah Okere and his co-conspirators preyed on elderly and vulnerable victims, some of whom lost their entire life savings.  Even though he operated his scams from a country halfway around the world, this Office’s global reach ensures that he will be held accountable in the United States for his crimes.” 

    According to Count One of the Information to which OKERE pled guilty and other statements and submissions made in Court:         

    From at least in or about 2015 up to and including November 2019, OKERE and co-conspirator Timy Hakim conspired with members of the “Black Axe” transnational criminal organization to engage in fraudulent schemes that left at least 15 people and entities with over a million dollars in losses.  OKERE facilitated the laundering of proceeds of three types of fraud schemes, a “Romance Scheme,” a “Lottery Scheme,” and a “BEC Fraud Scheme.” Through the Romance Scheme, a vulnerable individual was led to believe she or he was in a romantic online relationship with a perpetrator of the Scheme when, in fact, the perpetrator merely used this as a mechanism to build the victim’s trust and solicit the victim’s money.  Through the Lottery Scheme, the scheme participants informed certain victims that they had won a cash prize but first needed to make certain payments to access the funds.  Through the BEC Fraud Scheme, the scheme participants induced a corporate victim located in Manhattan to release company funds under fraudulent pretenses by impersonating the founder of the company.

    OKERE used accounts under false identities to communicate directly with his U.S. victims.  He also controlled multiple foreign bank accounts in South Africa that received funds from victims targeted by these schemes.  

    At least 15 individual and corporate victims lost money as part of OKERE, Hakim, and their co-conspirators’ schemes.  They include vulnerable, isolated, and elderly victims who entered into relationships after the deaths of their spouses and, over a period of several years, were induced to drain their entire retirement savings and take out loans from family and friends.  Many victims experienced severe emotional harm, including a woman who reported becoming suicidal after losing her retirement savings to this scheme.

    *                *                *

    OKERE, 42, a citizen of the Republic of Nigeria, was arrested in South Africa on the basis of a provisional arrest warrant in December 2021 and was extradited on August 23, 2024.  He pled guilty today to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison.  

    On September 27, 2023, co-defendant Timy Hakim was sentenced to two years in prison and was ordered to pay $1,414,043 in restitution and forfeit $671,452.

    The maximum potential sentences are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge.

    Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Mr. Williams also thanked the South African Department of Justice and Constitutional Development, National Prosecuting Authority of South Africa, and the South African Police Service.  The U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs provided significant assistance in securing the defendant’s extradition from South Africa.

    The criminal case is being prosecuted by the Office’s Illicit Finance and Money Laundering Unit.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Vladislav Vainberg is in charge of the prosecution.

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  • MIL-OSI Translation: Death of an inmate at the Regional Treatment Centre (Pacific Institution)

    MIL OSI Translation. Canadian French to English –

    Source: Government of Canada – in French

    On September 24, 2024, Gerald Leslie Dolman, an inmate at the Regional Treatment Center (Pacific Institution), died while in our custody.

    September 26, 2024 – Abbotsford, British Columbia – Correctional Service Canada

    On September 24, 2024, Gerald Leslie Dolman, an inmate at the Regional Treatment Center (Pacific Institution), died while in our custody.

    At the time of his death, the prisoner was 72 years old and had been serving an indeterminate sentence since December 1, 2017.

    As is always the case in the event of a death, the Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) will review the circumstances of the incident. CSC policy requires that the coroner be notified.

    -30-

    Heather KellyAssistant Director, Management ServicesPacific Institution / Regional Treatment Centre604-870-7703

    EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Apologies should the grammar and/or sentence structure not be perfect.

    MIL Translation OSI

  • MIL-OSI Security: 200s Gang Member Charged with 2019 Murder of Innocent Bystander

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

    Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and James Dennehy, the Assistant Director in Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), announced the unsealing of an Indictment charging LUIS FILPO with racketeering conspiracy, murder in aid of racketeering, and murder through the use of a firearm.  These charges relate to FILPO’s alleged membership in a street gang known as “the 200s,” operating in and around upper Manhattan.  As alleged, on January 31, 2019, FILPO and other 200s members shot and killed Roberto Vasquez, an innocent bystander who was mistaken for a gang rival.  FILPO, who was in New York State custody, was transferred to federal custody yesterday and made his initial appearance in federal court in Manhattan.  The case has been assigned to U.S. District Judge Paul A. Engelmayer.

    U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “As alleged, Luis Filpo murdered Roberto Vasquez after mistaking him for a gang rival.  Thanks to the hard work of the prosecutors in this Office and our law enforcement partners, Filpo will finally be held to account for this heinous crime. We hope that these charges bring some measure of comfort to Mr. Vasquez’s family and make clear that this Office and our law enforcement partners will never stop investigating those who commit violence on our streets.”

    According to the allegations in the Indictment unsealed yesterday in Manhattan federal court[1] and other court documents:

    From at least in or about 2016 up to and including March 2022, in the Southern District of New York and elsewhere, FILPO was a member of the 200s street gang.  In order to fund the gang, protect its territory, and promote its standing, members of the 200s engaged in, among other things, narcotics trafficking and other acts of violence, including murder.  Members of the 200s sold narcotics in the gang’s territory and engaged in shootings as part of their gang membership.  In particular, on January 31, 2019, FILPO shot and killed Roberto Vasquez, an innocent bystander mistaken for a rival gang member, in the vicinity of 158th Street and Broadway Avenue, in Manhattan, New York.

    *                *                *

    FILPO, 25, of New York, New York, is charged with one count of racketeering conspiracy, which carries a maximum term of life in prison; one count of murder in aid of racketeering, which carries a mandatory minimum term of life in prison or death; and one count of causing death through use of a firearm, which carries a maximum term of life in prison or death.

    The minimum and maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge.

    Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of the FBI and New York City Police Department.

    The case is being handled by the Office’s Violent and Organized Crime Unit.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Mathew Andrews and Patrick Moroney are in charge of the prosecution.

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

    [1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Indictment, and the description of the Indictment set forth herein, constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation. 

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Students Experience ‘Authentic’ Greece During New Study Abroad Program

    Source: US State of Connecticut

    Seven undergraduate students got an authentic perspective on Greece this summer as part of a new study abroad course designed by professor of anthropology Dimitris Xygalatas.      

    “This is a field school that relates both to my own culture and my background as an anthropologist. [I am Greek and] I did my doctoral fieldwork in Greece,” Xygalatas says.     

    Xygalatas created the 16-day Greek History and Culture field study course to highlight the connection between ancient Greece and modern Greece using an anthropological lens.     

    “I wanted the students to get a sense of the impact of our past on our heritage and our contemporary culture, but I also wanted them to get a sense of some of the problems that Greek society is facing,” Xygalatas says.    

    Participants began in Athens before moving on to Olympia, Sparta, Monemvasia, and Kythira, a small island of 3,000 people.    

    Students participated in guided tours, discussions, and workshops. They were also able to interact with locals.     

    The program featured archeological and sociocultural activities, including trips to popular historical sites, and allowed the participants to experience everyday Greek life firsthand.    

    Xygalatas touched on a wide range of topics, from looking at the archeological sites of major Greek cities to discussing Greece’s financial crisis, sports, violence, and the desertification of small towns.    

    Seven students participated in the Greek History and Culture study abroad summer program. (Contributed by James Gaston)

    Connecting Ancient Greece to modern culture

    Xygalatas used his experience to highlight the sociocultural elements of the tours and sites students visited. Avery Hemingway ’27 (CAHNR) says that this made the experience more enriching for her.    

    “He was a native,” Hemingway, an allied health major and anthropology minor, says. “He would tell us stories [and] explain his family’s various traditions. [He connected] ancient Greek life to his family.”    

    James Gaston ’25 (CLAS), an anthropology major, says he enjoyed getting a local take on Greece. In Kythira, for example, the students had a Greek cooking lesson in the home of a former mayor. Gaston says it’s unlikely the group would have had an opportunity like that in a large city.    

    “It [showed us] Greek hospitality, a big part of their culture.  [It allowed us] to see more of what their home life is like,” Gaston says.    

    Since this was the first time Xygalatas offered this course, he was skeptical of how students would feel about the itinerary. However, he says he was eventually really happy to see how much they enjoyed the destinations and experiences. 

    The program was modeled after Xygalatas’ summer course in Mauritius, where he also does fieldwork. He hopes to refine the Greece course and collaborate with the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki so students can develop a better cultural exchange.   

    Xygalatas allowed students to focus on their interests throughout the trip and for the final assignment.    

    “It’s one of the most fun parts of the program for me to see what grabs their attention,” he says.    

    Hemingway created a vlog of her time in Greece for her final assignment. She says she spotted some striking differences between Greek life and life in the United States, including how connected Greeks appear to be with their culture.    

    “Everyone was just very welcoming,” she says. “I think the biggest thing I took away would be that they’re very enriched in the history of their land.  Everyone knows everything about ancient Greece, which always fascinated me.”   

    Gaston was fascinated by the culture around food and eating. He liked that the Greeks ate much later at night and that people spent hours in restaurants without servers interrupting them. He chose to write a paper on Greece’s culinary culture.    

    “I like trying a lot of new foods, and there was a lot of that to try in Greece,” he says.    

    Greece. (Contributed by James Gaston)

    A lasting impression   

    Xygalatas says this course gets students to interact with people and ideas outside their bubble.    

    “I always tell my students they should take two things out of their university education. The first is a proper understanding of the scientific process, and the second thing [which this program highlighted] is engaging with other people’s perspectives and putting yourself into other people’s shoes,” he says, adding that learning about other people’s experiences is especially important in a global and polarized society.    

    Hemingway, who loves to travel, says she’s looking forward to seeing more remote places during future adventures.    

    “As a regular tourist, you’re just listening and looking around and not fully taking it in,” she says. “But, when you slow down and reflect on what you just experienced, it brings it to a different level.” 

    Gaston says he never thought he would study abroad or travel on his own.    

    “Before this, I’d never really traveled by myself,” he says. “I always traveled with my family. But after the trip, I realized it’s not too complicated and opens more opportunities in my eyes.” 

     

     

    MIL OSI USA News –