NewzIntel.com

Category: Crime

  • MIL-OSI Security: Pictou — Pictou County Integrated Street Crime Enforcement Unit charges two people after warrant executions

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    The Pictou County Integrated Street Crime Enforcement Unit (PCISCEU) has charged two people after executing warrants at a home in Pictou.

    On April 16, PCISCEU, with the assistance of RCMP Police Dog Services, Pictou County District RCMP, Stellarton Police Service and New Glasgow Regional Police (NGRP), executed an arrest warrant at a residence on Dennon St. in connection to an ongoing investigation.

    At the home, officers safely arrested 33-year-old Christine Holly Fraser of Eureka and 37-year-old David Allen Lemmon of River John. Fraser was charged with Failure to Comply with Order (two counts); she was also arrested on an NGRP warrant. Lemmon was charged with Operation of a Conveyance While Prohibited and Failure to Comply with Probation Order.

    Following the arrests, a search warrant was executed at the residence with the assistance of the Pictou County District RCMP. It resulted in the seizure of cocaine, methamphetamine, cash, a replica handgun, and drug paraphernalia. As a result of the search, Fraser faces additional charges:

    • Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking (cocaine)
    • Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking (methamphetamine)
    • Possession of Weapon for Dangerous Purpose
    • Possession of Property Obtained by Crime
    • Failure to Comply with Order

    Both Fraser and Lemmon appeared in Pictou Provincial Court on April 17 and were remanded into custody. Fraser is due back in court on May 14 and Lemmon will appear in court again today.

    The investigation is ongoing.

    Note: The PCISCEU is made up of police officers from Pictou County District RCMP, Westville Police Service, and Stellarton Police Service.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Mexican National Admits to Reentry Charge

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Apolinar Armando Lopez-Gutierrez, age 38, of Mexico, has admitted to reentry of a removed alien.

    According to court documents and statements made in court, a stabbing investigation in Tennessee led officials to Lopez-Gutierrez, who was believed to be friends with the stabbing suspect. Lopez-Gutierrez was found living and working in Sutton, West Virginia. He was previously removed from the United States in April of 2024.

    Lopez-Gutierrez is facing up to two years in federal prison.  A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew Cogar is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government.

    The Department of Homeland Security Investigations and the United States Marshals Service investigated.

    This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

    U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael John Aloi presided.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Court Sentences Mobile County Man to 15 years Imprisonment for Methamphetamine Trafficking

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    MOBILE, AL – On April 22, 2025, United States District Court Judge William H. Steele sentenced John Rodney Weeks III to 180 months imprisonment for Conspiracy to Traffic Methamphetamine. Documents filed with the Court established that between February 2024 and March 2024, the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) used a confidential informant to make five controlled buys of methamphetamine from Weeks. On March 27, 2024, the MCSO executed a search warrant at Weeks’ residence in Mobile County and seized approximately 62 grams of methamphetamine, digital scales for weighing drugs, approximately $720.00 in US currency that were drug proceeds and ledger notes used to keep records of monies owed for drugs. Because Weeks had a prior federal methamphetamine trafficking conviction in 2005 the United States filed a Sentencing Enhancement which required the 15 year mandatory minimum sentence under Title 21 USC §841 (b)(1)(A).

    The case was investigated by the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations and the Mobile County Sherriff’s Office, Narcotics Unit. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney George F. May.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Lawton-Area Trio Sentenced to Serve More Than 12 Years Collectively in Federal Prison for Health Care Fraud

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Defendants Ordered to Pay Nearly $2.7 Million in Restitution Collectively

    OKLAHOMA CITY – JIMMIE MATHEWS, 41, NATHAN MATHEWS, 42, and AMBER DELGER, 55, all of the Lawton area, have been sentenced for their roles in a conspiracy to commit health care fraud, announced U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester.

    The defendants were each charged in May 2024, with Delger being charged by Information with conspiring to commit health care fraud, and both Jimmie and Nathan charged by a 16-count federal grand jury Indictment with conspiring to commit health care fraud and fifteen counts of health care fraud. Beginning in 2016, Nathan owned Emerald Lane Therapy Services (Emerald Lane) in Lawton, a massage therapy provider. Delger was a subsequent co-owner of the company. Nathan and Jimmie also owned a separate massage therapy provider, Stars & Stripes Therapy (Stars & Stripes), which opened its doors in Lawton in January 2020. Both businesses purportedly treated TRICARE beneficiaries, submitted claims to the Defense Health Agency (DHA), and received payments from DHA for those services.

    According to public record, beginning in January 2018, the defendants conspired together to submit false and fraudulent claims to TRICARE for services that were never rendered. Court documents allege that after TRICARE beneficiaries visited either of the businesses, the defendants would schedule multiple appointments for the beneficiaries many months in advance. If the beneficiary couldn’t make the appointments, or stopped coming altogether, the defendants would nonetheless continue to bill TRICARE as if the beneficiaries had received care. Additionally, Emerald Lane billed TRICARE using the National Provider Identity (NPI) number of an occupational therapist long after the therapist had stopped working for the business. In total, Emerald Lane and Stars & Stripes billed more than $7 million to TRICARE and received nearly $3 million in reimbursement.

    In October 2024, Jimmie and Nathan pleaded guilty to conspiring to commit health care fraud. Previously, on June 17, 2024, Delger pleaded guilty to the same.

    “Through their fraudulent conduct, these defendants exploited programs intended to provide critical benefits to our nation’s military, veterans, and their families” said U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester. “Through vigorous investigation and prosecution, we will continue to protect taxpayer funded institutions and ensure that TRICARE dollars are protected and properly allocated to help those who serve.”

    “The Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS) is committed to ensuring TRICARE, the U.S. Military healthcare program, is not subjected to fraudulent schemes that expose beneficiaries to harm and waste valuable tax dollars,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Chad Gosch of the Department of Defense Office of Inspector General, DCIS Southwest Field Office.  “These sentencings demonstrate our tireless pursuit to investigate individuals that seek to enrich themselves at the expense of this valuable program.”  

    Last week, U.S. District Judge Jodi W. Dishman sentenced both Nathan and Jimmie. Nathan was sentenced to serve 87 months in federal prison, followed by two years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $1,410,255.66 in restitution. Jimmie was sentenced to serve 42 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $632,026.43 in restitution. Delger was previously sentenced on January 31, 2025, to serve 26 months in federal prison, followed by two years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $653,269.00. In announcing the sentences, Judge Dishman described the fraud scheme as egregious and far reaching in its scope, duration, and impact. Judge Dishman further noted that the public needs to know that health care fraud is not acceptable, will not be tolerated, and will result in prosecution and punishment.

    This case is the result of an investigation by the Defense Criminal Investigative Service of the United States Department of Defense. Assistant U.S. Attorney D.H. Dilbeck prosecuted the case.

    Reference is made to public filings for additional information.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Missouri Man Sentenced 21 Years in Prison for Recording Minor Victim in Bathroom

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    CAPE GIRARDEAU – U.S. District Audrey G. Fleissig on Tuesday sentenced a man whose trial for recording a girl in the bathroom revealed allegations that he had sexually abused at least three other children to 21 years in prison.

    Rayford Evans, 52, of Doniphan, in Ripley County, was convicted of attempted sexual exploitation of a minor after a one-day bench trial in January. Evidence and testimony showed that Evans used his cell phone to record a 15-year-old girl while she was bathing and using the bathroom by holding it up to a window above the bathroom door. The victim saw the phone and told a friend, the friend’s father and then her own father, who contacted the Doniphan City Police Department. An officer found three videos of the girl that Evans tried to delete.

    During Evans trial, another victim testified about her sexual abuse at the hands of Evans, and there was testimony that Evans had recorded videos of a different girl. Three others testified at Evans’ sentencing hearing Tuesday about his sexual abuse of them.

    “Evans has sexually exploited children for decades,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Julie Hunter wrote in a sentencing memo, and “used bribery in the form of electronics, toys, and candy to violate the trust of innocent children to sexually abuse them.”

    One victim described Evans in a letter as a predator who has “hunted children, for his depraved sexual appetite, for at least 26 years.”

    Evans has disputed the allegations involving other victims.

    The FBI and the Doniphan City Police Department investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Julie Hunter prosecuted the case.

    This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Department of Justice Criminal Division’s 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. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Goffs — RCMP asking for the publics help in locating woman spotted walking on Highway 102

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    Halifax Regional Detachment RCMP is asking for the public’s help in locating a woman seen on the side of Highway 102 near Exit 6.

    Police temporarily closed the highway earlier today as part of the investigation.

    The individual is described as having reddish hair tied back in a ponytail. She was seen wearing white shoes, black leggings and a dark, possibly green jacket or hoodie.

    Police are concerned for the individual’s safety and would like to make contact with her.

    Anyone with information on the whereabouts of this individual is asked to contact Halifax Regional Detachment RCMP at 902-490-5020. Should you wish to remain anonymous, call Nova Scotia Crime Stoppers, toll-free, at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), submit a secure web tip at www.crimestoppers.ns.ca, or use the P3 Tips App.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: NANO Nuclear and University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Receive Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) Fuel Qualification Methodology Approval for KRONOS MMR™ Energy System

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Safety Evaluation Issued by NRC Confirms Regulatory Acceptance of Fuel Qualification Methodology, Paving the Way for Eventual KRONOS Microreactor Deployment at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

    New York, N.Y., April 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — NANO Nuclear Energy Inc. (NASDAQ: NNE) (“NANO Nuclear” or “the Company”), a leading advanced nuclear energy and technology company focused on developing clean energy solutions, is pleased to announce that the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has issued its final Safety Evaluation (SE) approving the Fuel Qualification Methodology Topical Report (FQM TR) for the advanced fuel design to be used in the NANO Nuclear’s stationary KRONOS MMR™ Energy System.

    This important regulatory milestone marks the successful culmination of a rigorous review process and represents a major step toward deployment of the KRONOS reactor prototype at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (U. of I.). The approved Fuel Qualification Methodology defines the regulatory framework and testing approach for the qualification of Fully Ceramic Microencapsulated (FCM®) fuel, which incorporates tri-structural isotropic (TRISO) fuel particles embedded in a silicon carbide matrix. With this latest regulatory breakthrough, NANO Nuclear is now positioned to submit its Construction Permit Application for the KRONOS reactor, with fuel qualification rapidly progressing. NANO Nuclear is advancing its vision to become a leader in small, clean energy technologies that address global energy security and decarbonization goals.

    Figure 1 – NANO Nuclear and University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Receive Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) Fuel Qualification Methodology Approval for KRONOS MMR™ Energy System

    “This is a major victory for advanced nuclear energy and a transformative moment for NANO Nuclear, bringing us closer to turning the promise of KRONOS into a working reality at U. of I.,” said James Walker, Chief Executive Officer of NANO Nuclear. “With the NRC’s final approval of the FQM Topical Report, we now have the regulatory green light to move forward with the Construction Permit (CP) application for the prototype KRONOS. We thank the NRC for their thorough review. This milestone is a critical enabler for our entire reactor program and affirms the strength of our fuel strategy. The nuclear energy future is coming—and NANO Nuclear is at the center of it.”

    “Fuel is one of the biggest sources of uncertainty in any advanced nuclear project,” Illinois Grainger Engineering Associate Professor Caleb Brooks, Head of the Microreactor Demonstration Program at U. of I. “This favorable regulatory outcome represents a significant reduction in that uncertainty for our project, and the SE establishes a common language between us and the regulator on how the fuel will be shown, with high assurance, to be safe and effective.”

    The FQM TR had previously undergone joint review by the NRC and the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC), with initial participation from the UK’s Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) as an observer. NANO Nuclear believes that final approval of the FQM TR by the NRC demonstrates confidence in the methodology’s scientific soundness and regulatory compliance, offering a repeatable pathway for advanced fuel qualification applicable to NANO Nuclear reactors.

    “With this regulatory foundation in place, we are prepared to execute,” said Dr. Florent Heidet, Chief Technology Officer and Head of Reactor Development of NANO Nuclear. “Our next steps include finalizing fuel fabrication timelines, preparing and submitting the construction permit this year, and completing early-stage site work at U. of I., including geotechnical drilling and environmental assessments. We will keep accelerating until the reactor is operating.”

    Figure 2 – Rendering of the KRONOS MMR™ Energy System

    The KRONOS MMR Energy System would be the first advanced microreactor built and operated on a U.S. university campus and will serve as a national platform for research, training, and demonstration. It would also become a centerpiece of U. of I.’s energy innovation initiatives, providing the university with clean, resilient energy while training the next generation of nuclear professionals.

    “NANO Nuclear is doing what others are still planning—we are executing,” said Jay Yu, Founder and Chairman of NANO Nuclear Energy. “The NRC’s approval of the FQM TR is more than a regulatory milestone; it’s a launchpad for reliable, deployable, and efficient nuclear power in the U.S. and beyond.”

    About The Grainger College of Engineering at U. of I.

    The Grainger College of Engineering at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is one of the world’s top-ranked engineering institutions, and a globally recognized leader in engineering education, research and public engagement. With a diverse, tight-knit community of faculty, students and alumni, Grainger Engineering sets the standard for excellence in engineering, driving innovation in the economy and bringing revolutionary ideas to the world. Through robust research and discovery, our faculty, staff, students and alumni are changing our world and making advances once only dreamed about, including the MRI, LED, ILIAC, Mosaic, YouTube, flexible electronics, electric machinery, miniature batteries, imaging the black hole and flight on Mars. The world’s brightest minds from The Grainger College of Engineering tackle today’s toughest challenges. And they are building a better, cooler, safer tomorrow.

    Visit https://grainger.illinois.edu for more information.

    About NANO Nuclear Energy, Inc.

    NANO Nuclear Energy Inc. (NASDAQ: NNE) is an advanced technology-driven nuclear energy company seeking to become a commercially focused, diversified, and vertically integrated company across five business lines: (i) cutting edge portable and other microreactor technologies, (ii) nuclear fuel fabrication, (iii) nuclear fuel transportation, (iv) nuclear applications for space and (v) nuclear industry consulting services. NANO Nuclear believes it is the first portable nuclear microreactor company to be listed publicly in the U.S.

    Led by a world-class nuclear engineering team, NANO Nuclear’s reactor products in development include patented KRONOS MMR™Energy System, a stationary high-temperature gas-cooled reactor that is in construction permit pre-application engagement U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) in collaboration with University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (U. of I.), “ZEUS”, a solid core battery reactor, and “ODIN”, a low-pressure coolant reactor, and the space focused, portable LOKI MMR™, each representing advanced developments in clean energy solutions that are portable, on-demand capable, advanced nuclear microreactors.

    Advanced Fuel Transportation Inc. (AFT), a NANO Nuclear subsidiary, is led by former executives from the largest transportation company in the world aiming to build a North American transportation company that will provide commercial quantities of HALEU fuel to small modular reactors, microreactor companies, national laboratories, military, and DOE programs. Through NANO Nuclear, AFT is the exclusive licensee of a patented high-capacity HALEU fuel transportation basket developed by three major U.S. national nuclear laboratories and funded by the Department of Energy. Assuming development and commercialization, AFT is expected to form part of the only vertically integrated nuclear fuel business of its kind in North America.

    HALEU Energy Fuel Inc. (HEF), a NANO Nuclear subsidiary, is focusing on the future development of a domestic source for a High-Assay, Low-Enriched Uranium (HALEU) fuel fabrication pipeline for NANO Nuclear’s own microreactors as well as the broader advanced nuclear reactor industry.

    NANO Nuclear Space Inc. (NNS), a NANO Nuclear subsidiary, is exploring the potential commercial applications of NANO Nuclear’s developing micronuclear reactor technology in space. NNS is focusing on applications such as the LOKI MMR™ system and other power systems for extraterrestrial projects and human sustaining environments, and potentially propulsion technology for long haul space missions. NNS’ initial focus will be on cis-lunar applications, referring to uses in the space region extending from Earth to the area surrounding the Moon’s surface.

    For more corporate information please visit: https://NanoNuclearEnergy.com/

    For further NANO Nuclear information, please contact:

    Email: IR@NANONuclearEnergy.com
    Business Tel: (212) 634-9206

    PLEASE FOLLOW OUR SOCIAL MEDIA PAGES HERE:

    NANO Nuclear Energy LINKEDIN
    NANO Nuclear Energy YOUTUBE
    NANO Nuclear Energy X PLATFORM

    Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements

    This news release and statements of NANO Nuclear’s management in connection with this news release contain or may contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In this context, forward-looking statements mean statements related to future events, which may impact our expected future business and financial performance, and often contain words such as “expects”, “anticipates”, “intends”, “plans”, “believes”, “potential”, “will”, “should”, “could”, “would” or “may” and other words of similar meaning. In this press release, forward-looking statement relate to the NANO Nuclear’s development, demonstration, licensing and commercial plans for the KRONIS MMR, each as described herein. These and other forward-looking statements are based on information available to us as of the date of this news release and represent management’s current views and assumptions. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, events or results and involve significant known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may be beyond our control. For NANO Nuclear, particular risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual future results to differ materially from those expressed in our forward-looking statements include but are not limited to the following: (i) risks related to our U.S. Department of Energy (“DOE”) or related state or non-U.S. nuclear fuel licensing submissions, (ii) risks related the development of new or advanced technology and the acquisition of complimentary technology or businesses, including difficulties with design and testing, cost overruns, regulatory delays, integration issues and the development of competitive technology, (iii) our ability to obtain contracts and funding to be able to continue operations, (iv) risks related to uncertainty regarding our ability to technologically develop and commercially deploy a competitive advanced nuclear reactor or other technology in the timelines we anticipate, if ever, (v) risks related to the impact of U.S. and non-U.S. government regulation, policies and licensing requirements, including by the DOE, the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) and the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), and (vi) similar risks and uncertainties associated with the operating an early stage business a highly regulated and rapidly evolving industry. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which apply only as of the date of this news release. These factors may not constitute all factors that could cause actual results to differ from those discussed in any forward-looking statement, and NANO Nuclear therefore encourages investors to review other factors that may affect future results in its filings with the SEC, which are available for review at www.sec.gov and at https://ir.nanonuclearenergy.com/financial-information/sec-filings. Accordingly, forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as a predictor of actual results. We do not undertake to update our forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that may arise after the date of this news release, except as required by law.

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Security: FBI Chicago Announces Increased Reward for Information Leading to Arrest & Conviction of Joseph “Troubles” Matos

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

    CHICAGO—Douglas S. DePodesta, special agent-in-charge of the Chicago Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), announced today a reward increase for information leading to the arrest and conviction of Joseph “Troubles” Matos.

    Matos is wanted in connection with the shooting death of National Guard member Chrys Carvajal. On July 3, 2021, it is alleged that Matos and a fellow gang member shot and killed Carvajal when he was walking to his car following a party. Matos is believed to be a member of the Milwaukee Kings street gang, a criminal organization whose members and associates have engaged in narcotics trafficking and committed acts of violence, including murder and assault, to acquire and preserve the gang’s perceived territory on the North Side of Chicago, Illinois.

    On May 14, 2024, an arrest warrant was issued for Matos in the United States District Court, Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division, Chicago, Illinois, after he was charged with murder-in-aid of racketeering and murder through the use of a firearm. Previously, the FBI Chicago Field Office offered a reward of up to $10,000 for information from the public. The FBI is now offering a reward of up to $25,000 for tips leading to the arrest and conviction of Matos.

    Matos should be considered armed and dangerous, and members of the public are asked not to approach him directly.

    Anyone with information, even anonymously, is strongly encouraged to call 1-800-CALL-FBI or submit a tip at tips.fbi.gov.

    Additional resources:

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Former Owner of Collapsed Nursing Home Empire Sentenced to 36 Months’ Imprisonment for $38 Million Tax Fraud Scheme

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

    NEWARK, N.J. – A New York man was sentenced to 36 months in prison for his role in a $38 million employment tax fraud scheme involving nursing homes he owned across the country, U.S. Attorney Alina Habba announced.

    Joseph Schwartz, 65, of Suffern, New York, previously pled guilty to two counts of an indictment charging him with willfully failing to pay over employment taxes withheld from employees of his company, and willfully failing to file an annual financial report (Form 5500) with the Department of Labor for the employee 401K Benefit Plan Schwartz sponsored, before U.S. District Judge Susan D. Wigenton in Newark federal court.

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

    Schwartz, an insurance broker and operator of Skyline Management Group LLC (“Skyline”), with headquarters in New Jersey, willfully failed to pay employment taxes relating to numerous health care and rehabilitation facilities that Skyline operated in 11 states.

    According to the indictment, Schwartz was required to collect, truthfully account for, and pay over to the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) trust fund taxes withheld from the pay of employees of Skyline and related companies.  From October 2017 through May 2018, Schwartz caused taxes to be withheld from employees’ pay but failed to then pay over more than $38 million in employment taxes to the IRS.  As an administrator of the Skyline 401K plan, Schwartz further had an obligation to file an annual Form 5500 financial report with the Secretary of Labor for calendar year 2018, but knowingly and willfully failed to file the report.

    U.S. Attorney Habba credited special agents of the IRS-Criminal Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Jenifer Piovesan in Newark; Investigators with the Department of Labor-Employee Benefits Security Administration, under the direction of Regional Director Mark Seidel in the New York Regional Office; special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Terence G. Reilly; and the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Naomi Gruchacz in the New York Regional Office, with the investigation that led to the sentencing in this case.

    The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Daniel H. Rosenblum and Kendall R. Randolph of the Criminal Division in Newark and Trial Attorney Shawn Noud of the Justice Department’s Tax Division.

                                                                           ###

    Defense counsel: Kevin H. Marino, Esq. 

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Operators of New Jersey Company Sentenced to Prison and Enter Into Related Civil Settlement Agreement for Roles in $127 Million Health Care Fraud and Kickback Scheme

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

    NEWARK, N.J. – Two operators of a New Jersey marketing company were sentenced to prison for their roles in conspiracies to commit health care fraud and to pay and receive illegal kickbacks, United States Attorney Alina Habba announced.

    Eric Karlewicz a/k/a “Anthony Mazza,” 46, of Rockland County, New York, and Nicco Romanowski, 33, of Roswell, Georgia, were sentenced by U.S. District Judge Esther Salas in Newark federal court following their guilty pleas to Informations charging conspiracy to violate the Federal Anti-Kickback statute and conspiracy to commit health care fraud.  Karlewicz was sentenced to 51 months in prison and Romanowski was sentenced to 80 months in prison.

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

    From in or around June 2017 through in or around May 2019, Karlewicz and Romanowski participated in a scheme with durable medical equipment (“DME”) companies, telemedicine companies, and doctors to submit false claims to health care benefit programs, including Medicare and TRICARE, based on a circular scheme of kickbacks and bribes.  Karlewicz and Romanowski controlled a New Jersey-based marketing company, Empire Pain Center Holdings LLC (“Empire”), though which they and their co-conspirators identified Medicare and TRICARE beneficiaries to target.  Employees of Empire called the beneficiaries to pressure them to agree to accept DME, frequently consisting of back, shoulder, and knee braces. Karlewicz and Romanowski paid Empire’s employees commissions, bonuses, and incentives to encourage them to convince as many beneficiaries as possible to accept DME, regardless of medical necessity.

    Karlewicz and Romanowski, through Empire, then paid kickbacks to telemedicine companies, which in turn paid kickbacks to doctors in exchange for prescriptions for the DME. As agreed upon, the doctors signed the prescription orders regardless of medical necessity, often without ever speaking to the patient.  Karlewicz and Romanowski distributed the prescriptions to DME suppliers around the country, with which Empire had additional kickback arrangements. These DME suppliers submitted claims for reimbursement to health care benefit programs including Medicare and TRICARE, and thereafter sent a portion of the proceeds to Empire as payment for the doctor’s orders generated through the conspiracy.  Empire received more than $63 million from DME suppliers in exchange for the referrals. 

    In total, Karlewicz and Romanowski caused the submission of false and fraudulent claims to health care benefit programs totaling in excess of $127 million for DME.  Using proceeds from the scheme, Karlewicz and Romanowski purchased luxury vehicles, including a Ferrari, and Lamborghini, a Bentley, and a BMW.

    In addition to the prison terms, Judge Salas sentenced each defendant to three years of supervised release and ordered them to pay $127,600,000 in restitution.  Karlewicz was ordered to forfeit over $63 million, and Romanowski was ordered to forfeit over $5.5 million.

    United States Attorney Habba also announced that Karlewicz and Empire entered into a civil settlement agreement. As part of that civil settlement agreement, Karlewicz and Empire admitted to violating the False Claims Act and agreed to the entry of a consent judgment against them in the amount of $63.8 million.

    The civil settlement agreement resolves a lawsuit filed under the whistleblower provision of the False Claims Act, which permits private parties, called relators, to file suit on behalf of the United States for false claims and share in a portion of the government’s recovery. The relator, Robert Jackson Tyler, Jr., will receive a share of the funds recovered by the United States pursuant to the False Claims Act.

    United States Attorney Habba credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Terence G. Reilly in Newark, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Naomi Gruchacz, and U.S. Department of Defense, Office of Inspector General, Defense Criminal Investigative Service, Northeast Field Office, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Christopher Silvestro, with the investigation.

    The government is represented in the criminal case by Assistant U.S. Attorney Katherine M. Romano of the Health Care Fraud Unit and Senior Trial Counsel Barbara Ward of the Bank Integrity, Recovery, and Money Laundering Unit in Newark.

    The government is represented in the civil case by Assistant U.S. Attorney David V. Simunovich of the Health Care Fraud Unit and Trial Attorney Martha Glover of U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Fraud Section. 

                                                                           ###

    Defense counsel: Darren Gelber, Esq. (for Eric Karlewicz)

                                Alyssa Cimino, Esq. (for Nicco Romanowski)

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Ecuadorian Man Charged with Transporting Aliens

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Burlington, Vermont – The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Vermont stated that Manuel Rolando Meza-Cambo, 34, of Los Rios Province, Ecuador, has been charged by criminal complaint with transporting illegal aliens.

    On April 21, 2025, Meza-Cambo appeared before United States Magistrate Judge Kevin J. Doyle, who ordered that Meza-Cambo be detained during the pendency of this matter.

    According to court records, Meza-Cambo attempted to pick-up four illegal aliens along Richford Road in Richford, Vermont, in the early morning hours of April 19, 2025. A member of the United States Border Patrol spotted Meza-Cambo’s minivan before he could pick up the aliens and followed the minivan. After the minivan stopped in the middle of road, investigating Border Patrol Agents then found two Mexican citizens and two Venezuelan citizens near the side of the road. These four individuals are being prosecuted separately for illegal entry to the United States.

    The United States Attorney’s Office emphasizes that the complaint contains allegations only and that Meza-Cambo is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. Meza-Cambo faces up to 5 years of imprisonment if convicted.  The actual sentence, however, would be determined by the District Court with guidance from the advisory United States Sentencing Guidelines and the statutory sentencing factors.

    Acting United States Attorney Michael P. Drescher commended the investigatory efforts of the United States Border Patrol.  

    The prosecutor is Assistant United States Attorney Joshua L. Banker. Meza-Cambo is represented by the Federal Public Defenders Office.

    This case is part of Operation Take Back America a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
     

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: Rapid aging of world population will transform global property & casualty insurance industry by 2050

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Press contact:
    Fahd Pasha
    Tel.: +1 647 860 3777
    E-mail: Fahd.Pasha@capgemini.com

    Rapid aging of world population will transform global property & casualty insurance industry by 2050

    • Global dependency ratio set to rise by 2050 there will be 26 seniors for every 100 working-age people, up from 16 today
    • Aging population is a key trend in forecasted 4.4% CAGR for global commercial insurance lines, 3.3% for personal insurance lines
    • 88% of insurers recognize the importance of more tech-enabled underwriting, but only 17% say they have the right capabilities

    Paris, April 22, 2025 – The Capgemini Research Institute’s World Property and Casualty Insurance Report, published today, shows how the aging of the world’s population will transform the industry globally by 2050. The report details how a shift in the ratio of seniors- to-working age adults will play a critical role in changing habits around consumption, transportation, and use of technology, with major implications for both commercial and personal P&C insurance. These trends will drive the industry towards a more prevention-focused, modular approach with real-time risk monitoring, as well as more technology-enabled underwriting models.

    The global population is aging, transforming consumer behavior
    The aging of the world population in the coming decades implies a major transformation in the workforce, with fewer working-age adults per retired senior. By 2050, it is expected that the global dependency ratio will rise to 26%, compared with 16% in 2024, meaning that for every 100 working-age people, there will be 26 seniors to support, up from today’s 16. Excluding the population of Africa, which is relatively young, the dependency ratio will reach 31%, up from 18%.

    This transition has profound implications for consumer behavior and the structure of the broader economy. As the global population grows older, consumer spending habits are expected to shift, with a greater focus on spending on experiences rather than large, fixed purchases. The report found 45% of consumers expect to increase their spending on lifestyle enhancements such as travel, luxury goods and home renovations while 70% do not plan to buy an additional house or upgrade their current house to a bigger one.

    This move in spending habits, combined with trends towards greater urbanization and automation of technology, will have a significant impact on how P&C insurers serve their customers. For example, auto insurers are expected to transition towards commercial insurance and shared mobility coverage, as seniors drive less and rely more on rideshares. Equally, personal property insurance will have to evolve towards preventive, age-friendly options that address smaller, multi-generational homes. In the workplace, commercial lines will need to account for demographic-driven automation and altered risk profiles.

    “Monumental demographic shifts are set to have a major and direct impact on P&C insurers in the coming decades. Today, insurers should be analyzing their portfolios to understand these sensitivities and to ascertain their exposure in mature and transitioning markets. This will support them in developing service models that are optimized and future-proofed,” said Adam Denninger, Global Insurance Industry Leader at Capgemini. “Finally, having an edge on customer experience, made possible through AI, will also help protect insurers against a competitive race to the bottom on prices.”

    Interconnected risks could drive loss potential
    In addition, insurers will have to grapple with the implications of climate change, and its effect on an aging work force. According to research from Oxford Economics prepared for Capgemini, 98.5% of the world’s population will be at risk from drought and 80% will be at risk from excessive rainfall. With such climate volatility, coupled with urban risk concentration, insurers will see the rise of interconnected risks that drive loss potential. To assess these risks and develop more climate-minded strategies, insurers will need to further integrate climate risk data and predictive analytics to correlate risks and improve underwriting, cites the report.

    Rising to the P&C challenge –with data and AI
    A key feature of these new approaches will be the use of predictive insights and real-time intelligence in underwriting. The report found 88% of insurers recognize the critical future importance of advanced underwriting, yet only 17% have mature capabilities.

    To prepare for and adapt to the changing demographics, the report recommends that P&C insurers embrace novel approaches including:

    • Placing focus on changing customer behavior: recalibrating geographic footprints and developing age-sensitive service models
    • Operating model transformation: modernizing data architectures and leveraging AI and automation to build resilient systems and drive efficiency
    • Risk governance: implementing predictive underwriting insights and dynamic portfolio management

    All these approaches require a process of continuous evolution, with executives delivering on medium-term actions while boards address long-term strategic questions.

    Read the full report: https://www.capgemini.com/insights/research-library/world-property-and-casualty-insurance-report//

    Report Methodology
    For this report, the Capgemini Research Institute surveyed three primary sources: the 2025 Global Voice of the Customer Survey (which polled 5,016 P&C insurance customers in 13 countries), the 2025 Global Insurance Executives’ Survey (which included interviews with 274 senior insurance executives of leading P&C insurance companies across 15 markets), and the 2025 Global Macroeconomic Forecasts created in collaboration with a leading macro forecaster (which includes insights across 11 markets representing all three regions of the globe).

    About Capgemini
    Capgemini is a global business and technology transformation partner, helping organizations to accelerate their dual transition to a digital and sustainable world, while creating tangible impact for enterprises and society. It is a responsible and diverse group of 340,000 team members in more than 50 countries. With its strong over 55-year heritage, Capgemini is trusted by its clients to unlock the value of technology to address the entire breadth of their business needs. It delivers end-to-end services and solutions leveraging strengths from strategy and design to engineering, all fueled by its market leading capabilities in AI, generative AI, cloud and data, combined with its deep industry expertise and partner ecosystem. The Group reported 2024 global revenues of €22.1 billion.

    Get The Future You Want | www.capgemini.com

    About the Capgemini Research Institute
    The Capgemini Research Institute is Capgemini’s in-house think-tank on all things digital. The Institute publishes research on the impact of digital technologies on large traditional businesses. The team draws on the worldwide network of Capgemini experts and works closely with academic and technology partners. The Institute has dedicated research centers in India, Singapore, the United Kingdom, and the United States. It was ranked #1 in the world for the quality of its research by independent analysts for six consecutive times – an industry first.
    Visit us at www.capgemini.com/researchinstitute

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Hudson County Man Charged with Production, Distribution, and Possession of Child Pornography, and Coercion and Enticement

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    NEWARK, N.J. – A Hudson County, New Jersey man was arrested for allegedly inducing multiple minors to send him sexually explicit videos and pictures over online platforms, U.S. Attorney Alina Habba announced.

    Julian Nova, 19, of Bayonne, New Jersey is charged by complaint with two counts of production of child pornography, two counts of coercion and enticement, one count of distribution of child pornography, and one count of possession of child pornography. Nova appeared on April 17, 2025, before U.S. Magistrate Judge James B. Clark, III in Newark federal court and was detained.

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

    In or around October and November 2023, Nova coerced multiple minor victims to produce child pornography, which he then distributed online. After gaining the victims’ trust, including by posing as a teenage girl, Nova enticed the victims to send child pornography of themselves. Nova then blackmailed the minor victims into producing additional child pornography, some of which included acts of self-degradation, by threatening to distribute the existing images and videos to the minor victims’ family and friends if they did not comply.

    The charges of production of child pornography carry a mandatory minimum penalty of 15 years in prison, a maximum potential penalty of 30 years in prison, and a $250,000 fine. The charges of coercion and enticement carry a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison, a maximum penalty of life imprisonment, and a $250,000 fine. The charge of distribution of child pornography carries a mandatory minimum of 5 years in prison, a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, and a $250,000 fine. The charge of possession of child pornography carries a maximum potential penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

    U.S. Attorney Habba credited special agents of the FBI’s Child Exploitation Operational Unit with the investigation leading to the charges.  She also thanked the FBI Newark’s Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Terence Reilly for their assistance.

    This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS) in the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit: https://www.justice.gov/psc.

    The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren Kober of the Criminal Division in Newark and Trial Attorney Adam Braskich of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section.

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

                                                                           ###

    Defense counsel: Carol Dominguez, Esq.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Chair appointed for public inquiry into Nottingham stabbing attack

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Chair appointed for public inquiry into Nottingham stabbing attack

    Former senior circuit judge, Her Honour (HH) Deborah Taylor, has been appointed by the Lord Chancellor to chair the statutory inquiry into the Nottingham attacks.

    HH Deborah Taylor

    • Her Honour Deborah Taylor to chair Nottingham inquiry
    • Holistic review to provide recommendations to prevent similar incidents
    • Full Terms of Reference to be published in due course

    Barnaby Webber, Grace O’Malley-Kumar, both 19, and Ian Coates, 65, were tragically killed and three others seriously injured by Valdo Calocane in Nottingham in June 2023.

    Speaking in the House of Commons today (April 22), the Lord Chancellor confirmed HH Deborah Taylor would undertake a thorough, independent assessment of the events that culminated in these brutal attacks, and provide recommendations to prevent similar incidents.

    The statutory inquiry will have the power to examine all the agencies involved, including the Nottinghamshire Police and the Crown Prosecution Service; compel witnesses, and establish the facts. The Prime Minister has committed that the inquiry should report within two years.

    The bereaved families and survivors of the attack were present in the public gallery during the Lord Chancellor’s announcement.

    Lord Chancellor Shabana Mahmood said:

    The bereaved families and survivors of the Nottingham Attack, who have suffered so much, deserve to know how these horrific attacks were able to happen.

    I am pleased to appoint Her Honour Deborah Taylor as the Chair of this inquiry. She brings deep experience to the role, and I know she will undertake a fearless and thorough examination of the facts.

    The Chair, a retired senior circuit judge, has already engaged with survivors and victims’ families, and taken views on the draft Terms of Reference, which will be laid in due course.

    Minister for Victims and Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG), Alex Davies-Jones, said:

    My thoughts remain with the bereaved families and survivors of this terrible incident, who in the face of such tragedy, have consistently called for an Inquiry.

    It is important for the bereaved families and survivors that this Inquiry reports without undue delay which is why the Prime Minister has committed the inquiry should report in two years.

    Notes to editors:

    • With the Chair in place and the inquiry being formally established today, it can begin preliminary work immediately. The final terms of reference will be published as soon as possible.
    • There have been nine separate reviews into various elements of the Nottingham attacks including: Valdo Calocane’s healthcare and the healthcare institution; actions by Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire Police; and decisions of the CPS.  IOPC investigations into the actions of Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire police are ongoing.
    • The Law Commission is undertaking a review into homicide law and will consider the partial defence of diminished responsibility.
    • HH Deborah Taylor was a Senior Circuit Judge, Resident Judge at Southwark Crown Court and Recorder of Westminster until her retirement from the Judiciary in December 2022. In 2022 she was Treasurer of Inner Temple, where she advocated for greater diversity at the Bar.
    • Deborah has chaired the Criminal Legal Aid Advisory Board (CLAAB) since July 2023.

    Updates to this page

    Published 22 April 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: The VIII International Scientific and Practical Conference BIMAC-2025 has started its work at SPbGASU

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering – Victoria Vinogradova, Evgeny Enokaev, Maxim Nechiporenko, Nikolay Samopal, Valery Uskov and Alexander Grimitlin

    The VIII International Scientific and Practical Conference “Information Modeling in Construction and Architecture Problems” (BIMAC-2025) has begun its work at SPbGASU. The large-scale event was organized as part of the implementation of the Innovative Educational Project “Innovative Methodology for Forming Digital Professional Competencies of Students and Specialists in the Construction Industry”.

    As noted by Denis Nizhegorodtsev, Deputy Director of the Educational Center for Digital Competencies at SPbGASU, the conference will include eight scientific and practical sections, round tables, master classes, and an exhibition area where partners will present their developments. Over the course of four days, representatives of industry companies and educational institutions will discuss current issues related to information modeling technologies in construction and architecture, estimates, the use of artificial intelligence in the construction industry, training of engineering personnel for the digitalization of construction, visual programming, and software development. In addition, they will hear reports from young scientists. Opening the conference, Konstantin Mikhailik, Deputy Minister of Construction and Housing and Communal Services of Russia, in particular, emphasized that the task of the industry is to improve its efficiency by increasing labor productivity and reducing costs using digital technologies.

    “The BIMAC conference allows us to gather the scientific community, government bodies and representatives of specialized companies on one platform, who can openly discuss in order to subsequently develop an effective set of solutions for the development of the industry. The sooner we jointly define the necessary plane for the latest developments, the more high-quality solutions we will receive. Integration of information modeling into construction processes, design and estimate documentation are important tasks that are also submitted for wide discussion at the conference. The quality and timing of construction, and the import substitution process in general, depend on their high-quality implementation and execution,” noted Konstantin Mikhailik.

    Deputy Chairman of the St. Petersburg Construction Committee Valery Uskov emphasized that the construction industry is actively implementing information modeling technologies: the city administration is implementing projects using such technologies. Thus, in 2024, 118 projects were implemented, 20 of which were completed using information modeling technologies. This year, 124 projects are planned, and at the moment, nine of them are already being implemented using these technologies.

    “The relevance of this conference is primarily due to the development of information technologies that are being actively implemented in the construction industry. I have identified three important areas in the work of the conference. The first concerns the implementation of information modeling technology, the integration of sensors in construction projects that allow analyzing the condition of an object, which, in turn, has a positive effect on the operation of the object and leads to a decrease in the costs of its maintenance. The second important area is related to security. Considering that cloud storage and servers are used today, we need to closely monitor this area and actively develop methods for increasing their safety in order to prevent failures. The third area, as a civil servant, I highlight is the improvement of the regulatory framework and its implementation. I am sure that all conference participants will gain good experience, make new contacts, and meet leading specialists in this industry. The industry needs personnel, and this kind of event is one of the steps in solving this issue,” Valery Uskov emphasized.

    The President of the Association “AVOK SEVERO-ZAPAD” Alexander Grimitlin specified that the conference is dedicated to such an important issue as digitalization of the construction industry. Because it is a necessity, without which the movement will simply slow down.

    “I consider the digitalization of the industry in two directions. Firstly, it is the solution of complex engineering problems of information modeling, which allow us to use a huge number of factors. We will not be able to take them into account in other ways. A lot of work is being done in this direction at the university. The second line is standard design. We need to do it in such a way as to exclude errors in construction processes,” noted Alexander Grimitlin.

    First Deputy Chairman of the Leningrad Region Construction Committee Evgeny Enokaev emphasized that information modeling technologies are developing very quickly, and now the construction management system as a whole is changing, so, of course, it is necessary to be aware of the latest developments and emerging experience.

    “The conference is an effective platform for exchanging experience, an opportunity for software manufacturers to demonstrate their latest developments, and for builders to adopt them and talk about their application based on their own practice. This is especially important: after the departure of foreign vendors, a serious niche has formed, and we need to give Russian software developers the opportunity to fill it. I think that this will be possible to do, and in the near future. In addition, partnership with universities allows us to train and attract personnel to the industry,” believes Evgeny Enokaev.

    Advisor to the Minister of Digital Development, Communications and Mass Media of Russia, Deputy CEO of Renga Software Maxim Nechiporenko believes that now there is no need to discuss how promising information modeling is – this should have been done earlier. At the moment, it is important to discuss how to interact.

    “The only relevant standard of work in the design and construction industry is working with digital information models. They are the only reliable source of information. This is not a panacea and not a solution to all problems in construction, but you can reduce their number by providing reliable information. One thing remains unchanged – the need and focus of the construction industry on working with reliable information. This contributes to increased transparency in the construction industry,” emphasized Maksym Nechyporenko.

    Deputy General Director for Development of ZAO “WIZARDSOFT” Nikolay Samopal recalled that the company “Wizardsoft” has been cooperating with SPbGASU for many years: they started as software suppliers, and over time, the cooperation expanded. The company takes part in various events, and this year it became the general partner of the conference.

    “Close cooperation between a software developer and an educational institution allows not only to improve digital tools, but also to train specialists who are proficient in modern tools. We provide an opportunity to hone their skills and bring to the market employees who are ready to use modern tools,” concluded Nikolai Samopal.

    Vice-Rector for Continuing Education at SPbGASU Victoria Vinogradova emphasized that the university always keeps up with the times. Today, the construction industry is undergoing a profound transformation under the influence of digital technologies, in which the university is also participating. “Information modeling, process automation, interdisciplinarity have become part of modern design, and not just a prospect. For eight years now, our conference has served as an open platform where government agencies, scientific and educational organizations, and professional communities can exchange best practices. We are working to improve work processes, educational programs, and software functionality,” Victoria Vinogradova said.

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: CTI Chairman Pfluger Responds to Homeland Democrats’ Calls to Visit Deported Salvadoran MS-13 Gang Member, Domestic Abuser

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman August Pfluger (TX-11)

    WASHINGTON, DC — Today, Congressman August Pfluger (TX-11), Chairman of the House Committee on Homeland Security’s Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence, released the following statement regarding the detention of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran national with ties to the transnational gang and foreign terrorist organization MS-13, who was unlawfully present in Maryland, as multiple House and Senate Democrats are reportedly planning performative trips to visit Garcia being held in El Salvador’s Terrorism Confinement Center.

    “Americans should not have their hard-earned tax dollars paying for an all-expenses-paid trip to import criminal illegal aliens back into our communities,” said Chairman August Pfluger. “Members who are rushing to El Salvador to retrieve an international gang-affiliated member, yet show zero urgency in meeting with Rachel Morin’s family or addressing the devastation from the Biden border crisis, have their priorities completely misaligned. This isn’t just failed leadership—it’s a complete abandonment of their duty to protect American citizens. While Democrats are fighting on behalf of illegal criminals on your dime, Republicans will continue to fight for the safety of American citizens.”

    Background:

    Kilmar Abrego Garcia is a Salvadoran national who, according to the Department of Justice, has been repeatedly identified as having ties to MS-13, a transnational gang and foreign terrorist organization. Garcia, who was unlawfully present in Maryland, was arrested and deported by the Trump administration in early March.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: A Leader of Notorious Philadelphia ‘10th and O Crew’ Sentenced to Six Years for Opioid Drug Conspiracy

    Source: US State of California

    A South Philadelphia man was sentenced yesterday in the District of New Jersey to six years in prison for conspiracy to distribute oxycodone, a highly addictive controlled substance. 

    According to court documents, between January 2022 and February 2024, Michael Procopio, 50, coordinated the unlawful sale of prescription oxycodone pills as a leader of South Philadelphia’s notorious “10th and O Crew.” Procopio obtained the pills from doctors’ offices in the area. He then unlawfully distributed them through a network of intermediaries. In February 2024, during a search of Procopio’s residence pursuant to a search warrant, law enforcement found oxycodone, Adderall (amphetamine and dextroamphetamine), and other drugs stored in a safe concealed in a hollowed-out dictionary. During the execution of the search warrant, Procopio stated, “take me to jail” and “I f***ed up.”

    Pursuant to the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, one gram of actual oxycodone is equivalent to 6,700 grams of converted drug weight. Procopio admitted to distributing approximately 14,925 milligrams of oxycodone, which equates to between 80 and 100 kilograms of opioids by converted drug weight.

    “The defendant led a criminal ‘crew’ that diverted addictive prescription drugs to sell on the streets of Philadelphia,” said Matthew R. Galeotti, Head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “The unlawful distribution of opioids ravages communities, whether it’s fentanyl from overseas or prescription oxycodone obtained from a doctor. The Department of Justice is committed to working with our law enforcement partners to eradicate the illegal sale of these dangerous drugs.” 

    In June 2024, Procopio pleaded guilty to conspiracy to unlawfully distribute controlled substances. Court documents show that Procopio was previously convicted of sexual assault in Pennsylvania.  

    Special Agent in Charge Wayne Jacobs of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) Philadelphia Field Office and Special Agent in Charge Cheryl Ortiz of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) New Jersey Field Division joined the announcement.

    The FBI, DEA, and the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, Medicaid Fraud Control Unit investigated the case.

    Trial Attorneys Paul J. Koob and Nicholas K. Peone of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section prosecuted the case.

    The Fraud Section leads the Criminal Division’s efforts to combat health care fraud through the Health Care Fraud Strike Force Program. Since March 2007, this program, currently comprised of nine strike forces operating in 27 federal districts, has charged more than 5,800 defendants who collectively have billed federal health care programs and private insurers more than $30 billion. In addition, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, working in conjunction with the Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Inspector General, are taking steps to hold providers accountable for their involvement in health care fraud schemes. More information can be found at www.justice.gov/criminal-fraud/health-care-fraud-unit.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Colbert County Man Arrested for Failure to Register in the State of Alabama as a Sex Offender

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – A Colbert County man has been charged for violating the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act, announced U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona and United States Marshal Martin Keely.

    A one-count indictment filed in U.S. District Court charges Michael Shane McDaniel, 56, of Plainfield, Indiana, with failing to register or update his registration as required by the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA). McDaniel was convicted of child molestation in the Marion Superior Court in Indianapolis, Indiana, and required to register as a sex offender under SORNA. Following this conviction, McDaniel travelled across state lines from Indiana to Alabama and did not register as a sex offender. McDaniel was arrested on April 16, 2025, in Colbert County, Alabama. McDaniel will be detained and held in federal custody pending disposition of this case.

    The Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006 implemented SORNA and established a comprehensive national system for the registration of sex offenders. The Act requires anyone convicted of specified crimes to register with the national sex offender registry. It is a federal felony offense for sex offenders to travel to another state and fail to register. Federal violations of SORNA can result in imprisonment for up to 10 years.

    The U.S. Marshals Service for the Northern District of Alabama investigated the case along with the U.S. Marshals Service for the Southern District of Indiana, the U.S. Marshals Service Gulf Coast Regional Fugitive Task Force, the Hendricks County, Indiana Sheriff’s Office, and the Colbert County, Alabama Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney R. Leann White is prosecuting the case.

    The case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched by the Department of Justice in May 2006 to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse.  Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, and to identify and rescue victims.  For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

    An indictment contains only charges.  A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Arizona Man Sentenced to 9 Years for Involvement in Cross-Country Drug Conspiracy

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    RALEIGH, N.C. – An Arizona man was sentenced today to 9 years in prison for trafficking fentanyl pills in the Eastern District of North Carolina. Dakota Henderson, 26, pled guilty to Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute Forty Grams or More of a Mixture and Substance Containing a Detectable Amount of Fentanyl and Distribution of Forty grams or more of a Mixture and Substance Containing a Detectable Amount of Fentanyl on October 10, 2024.

    According to court documents and other information presented in court, law enforcement determined that Henderson was part of a group that obtained fentanyl pills from California and Arizona and then transported them to the Raleigh area for distribution.

    In March 2024, law enforcement searched a hotel room rented in Henderson’s name and found approximately 5,912 fentanyl pills, a drum magazine loaded with 32 rounds of ammunition, and over $1,000 in U.S. currency. Several weeks later, Henderson was observed by law enforcement, armed with a firearm, collecting money from a drug debt and delivering an additional 2,000 suspected fentanyl pills to a confidential informant.

    This investigation was 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.

    Daniel P. Bubar, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge James C. Dever III. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Raleigh Police Department, the Cary Police Department, and the United States Postal Inspection Service investigated the case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Casey L. Peaden prosecuted the case.

    Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:24-CR-200-D-004. 

    ###

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Samsung Certified Re-Newed Now Includes Galaxy S24 Series

    Source: Samsung

    Samsung Galaxy is further expanding the Certified Re-Newed lineup, announcing that the Galaxy S24 series – including Galaxy S24 Ultra, Galaxy S24+, and Galaxy S24 – are all available starting today.
    Samsung’s Certified Re-Newed smartphones offer a like-new phone experience. Devices are assembled by Samsung engineers and made with 100% Samsung genuine parts, along with a brand new battery, and backed by Samsung’s one-year manufacturer warranty.1
    With the Galaxy S24 series, users can experience new levels of innovation with advanced features and AI enhancements for communication, productivity, and creativity. The Galaxy S24 series features top-tier cameras, power-packed processors, and high-resolution displays across the series. Plus, it includes recycled materials, including certain recycled plastics, glass, and aluminum applied to internal and external components. With three models to choose from — Galaxy S24 Ultra, Galaxy S24+, and Galaxy S24 — users can select the device that fits their needs, while being sure that each is packed with the powerful experiences they expect from Samsung.

    In addition, Certified Re-Newed make life more fun and efficient with Galaxy AI.2 These phones offer smart AI features that help you unleash your creativity and streamline your daily tasks, like Photo Assist, which makes recommendations and executes next-level edits, and Note Assist, which can summarize written content into easy bullet points for a clear overview of what you’re reading.
    And with Samsung Wallet, your Galaxy S24 series Certified Re-Newed smartphone makes life even more streamlined. Samsung Wallet is designed to simplify your life by keeping your most important information available all in one place. Samsung Wallet lets you conveniently carry all your digital essentials — like your student ID, drivers’ license, and company ID,3 as well as your credit cards4, an upcoming boarding pass, and more — right on your mobile device.5

    Plus, you’ll be able to enjoy your phone with confidence thanks to the same one-year limited warranty offered on new smartphones. While these phones are tough enough for whatever the day throws your way, you can rest assured knowing that Samsung Care+ is also available for Certified Re-Newed smartphones, including the newly introduced Galaxy S24 series for an additional cost, covering you for accidents, breaks, or other damage. You can also choose to add Samsung Care+ with Theft and Loss4, giving you the ultimate protection.
    Galaxy S24 series Certified Re-Newed devices will be available exclusively on Samsung.com/us/CRN:
    Galaxy S24 Ultra Certified Re-Newed comes in Titanium Black, starting at $1,019.99 for the 256GB storage variant, and $1,139.99 for the 512GB option.
    Galaxy S24+ Certified Re-Newed is available in Onyx Black starting at $799.99 for 256GB and $919.99 for the 512GB option.
    Galaxy S24 Certified Re-Newed also comes available in Onyx Black, starting at $619.99 for 128GB, and $669.99 for the 256GB option.
    Galaxy S24 Ultra Certified Re-Newed Galaxy S24+ Certified Re-Newed Galaxy S24 Certified Re-Newed
    Trade-in your old phone today and get a great deal on a Samsung Certified Re-Newed phone that’s been rebuilt to work like new. You can get a minimum of $250 guaranteed value toward the purchase of any Galaxy S24, Galaxy S23, or Galaxy S22 series Certified Re-Newed smartphone when you trade-in your qualifying smartphone, for a limited time.6
    For more information about Samsung Certified Re-Newed and the Galaxy S24 series, visit Samsung.com.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Security: A Leader of Notorious Philadelphia ‘10th and O Crew’ Sentenced to Six Years for Opioid Drug Conspiracy

    Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

    A South Philadelphia man was sentenced yesterday in the District of New Jersey to six years in prison for conspiracy to distribute oxycodone, a highly addictive controlled substance. 

    According to court documents, between January 2022 and February 2024, Michael Procopio, 50, coordinated the unlawful sale of prescription oxycodone pills as a leader of South Philadelphia’s notorious “10th and O Crew.” Procopio obtained the pills from doctors’ offices in the area. He then unlawfully distributed them through a network of intermediaries. In February 2024, during a search of Procopio’s residence pursuant to a search warrant, law enforcement found oxycodone, Adderall (amphetamine and dextroamphetamine), and other drugs stored in a safe concealed in a hollowed-out dictionary. During the execution of the search warrant, Procopio stated, “take me to jail” and “I f***ed up.”

    Pursuant to the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, one gram of actual oxycodone is equivalent to 6,700 grams of converted drug weight. Procopio admitted to distributing approximately 14,925 milligrams of oxycodone, which equates to between 80 and 100 kilograms of opioids by converted drug weight.

    “The defendant led a criminal ‘crew’ that diverted addictive prescription drugs to sell on the streets of Philadelphia,” said Matthew R. Galeotti, Head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “The unlawful distribution of opioids ravages communities, whether it’s fentanyl from overseas or prescription oxycodone obtained from a doctor. The Department of Justice is committed to working with our law enforcement partners to eradicate the illegal sale of these dangerous drugs.” 

    In June 2024, Procopio pleaded guilty to conspiracy to unlawfully distribute controlled substances. Court documents show that Procopio was previously convicted of sexual assault in Pennsylvania.  

    Special Agent in Charge Wayne Jacobs of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) Philadelphia Field Office and Special Agent in Charge Cheryl Ortiz of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) New Jersey Field Division joined the announcement.

    The FBI, DEA, and the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, Medicaid Fraud Control Unit investigated the case.

    Trial Attorneys Paul J. Koob and Nicholas K. Peone of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section prosecuted the case.

    The Fraud Section leads the Criminal Division’s efforts to combat health care fraud through the Health Care Fraud Strike Force Program. Since March 2007, this program, currently comprised of nine strike forces operating in 27 federal districts, has charged more than 5,800 defendants who collectively have billed federal health care programs and private insurers more than $30 billion. In addition, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, working in conjunction with the Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Inspector General, are taking steps to hold providers accountable for their involvement in health care fraud schemes. More information can be found at www.justice.gov/criminal-fraud/health-care-fraud-unit.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Somerset County Man Convicted of Drug Trafficking, Possession of Firearms in Furtherance of Drug Trafficking, and Illegal Possession of Firearms

    Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)

    TRENTON, N.J. – A Somerset County, New Jersey, man was convicted of drug trafficking, possessing firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking, and illegal possession of firearms, U.S. Attorney Alina Habba announced.

    Malachi A. Muhammad, 50, of Somerset, was convicted of one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, one count of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and heroin, and one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine. Muhammad was also convicted of one count of possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and one count of unlawful possession of firearms by a convicted felon. Muhammad was convicted following a one-week trial before U.S. District Judge Georgette Castner in Trenton federal court. The jury deliberated less than two hours before returning the guilty verdicts.

    “This verdict underscores our commitment to keeping guns out of the hands of drug traffickers and dangerous drugs like methamphetamine, fentanyl, heroin and cocaine out of our communities. My message is clear: if you jeopardize the safety and security of New Jerseyans, we will hold you accountable. Our office and our law enforcement partners won’t rest until we do.”

    – U.S. Attorney Alina Habba

    “This conviction is an example of ATF’s dedication to working with our state and local partners in identifying, investigating, and apprehending criminals who prey upon innocent citizens and lessen the quality of life in our neighborhoods through the trafficking of narcotics and the illegal possession and use of firearms, said Newark ATF Special Agent in Charge L.C. Cheeks, Jr. “This is a reminder that there is no safe haven for those that wreak havoc or contribute to crime in our communities. ATF will never waver in our commitment to protecting the people we serve and public safety.”

    According to documents filed in this case and the evidence at trial:

    On August 19, 2021, officers from the Lawrence Township Police Department responded to the southbound lanes of Route 1 near the Quaker Bridge Mall in response to calls from concerned citizens about a car stopped in the middle of the highway. Officers found Muhammad, the only occupant and driver of the car, initially unresponsive and believed him to be asleep or experiencing a medical emergency. After officers were able to arouse Muhammad, they noticed the handle of a handgun in between his legs. Officers removed Muhammad from the vehicle, and he was placed under arrest. A subsequent search of the vehicle revealed 91 pills of methamphetamine, 468 wax folds of fentanyl and heroin, 5 bags of cocaine, and five additional firearms, including two semi-automatic rifles, and over 150 rounds of ammunition.

    The drug trafficking charges each carry maximum penalties of up to 20 years in prison and fines of up to $1,000,000. The firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime charge carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years imprisonment, which must be served consecutively to any other term of imprisonment, a maximum penalty of life imprisonment, and a fine of up to $250,000. The unlawful possession of a firearm charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 years imprisonment and a maximum fine of $250,000. Sentencing will be scheduled at a later date.

    U.S. Attorney Habba credited special agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) under the direction of Special Agent in Charge L.C. Cheeks, Jr., the Lawrence Township Police Department, under the direction of Interim Chief Kevin Reading, the New Jersey State Police, under the direction of Colonel Patrick J. Callahan, and the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone, with the investigation leading to the guilty verdict.

    The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Tracey A. Agnew and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan S. Garelick of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Criminal Division in Trenton.

                                                                                                                     ###

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Despatch of CRM12 forms for duty rotas starting 1 October begins

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    News story

    Despatch of CRM12 forms for duty rotas starting 1 October begins

    The sending out CRM12s to providers who have verified their tenders in stage 1 of the crime procurement process has begun.

    Completed CRM12 forms must be returned to the LAA no later than Friday 23 May. However, if submitted by 9 May 2025, the form will be reviewed and there will be an opportunity to make corrections prior to the final deadline.

    Completed CRM12s must be returned to crm12@justice.gov.uk.

    Only the form sent should be completed as it is specific to the 2025 Contract.

    The LAA will continue to work with those providers who did not complete verification in time to join the October rota. They will be eligible to join the rota that commences in January 2026 if they complete their verification process by 31 July 2025. Their contracts will commence on 1 October 2025.

    Further information

    For full details of the procurement process please read the Application Guide which is available at Crime Contract 2025 Tender – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

    Updates to this page

    Published 22 April 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI: Parallels’ Survey Reveals Midsize Companies Lead EUC Market Shift: 63% Seek New VDI or DaaS Solutions, 94% Plan Implementation Within a Year

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    AUSTIN, Texas, April 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Parallels, a global leader in virtualization and end-user computing (EUC) solutions, today released findings from its 2025 State of Cloud Computing Survey, revealing a major shift in the EUC market driven by *midsize organizations. Faced with rising costs and the complexities of legacy virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI), 63% of midsize companies are actively exploring new VDI or Desktop-as-a-Service (DaaS) providers, and 94% plan to implement a new solution within the next 12 months.

    “Mid-market companies are facing growing IT demands without enterprise-level budgets,” said Prashant Ketkar, Chief Technology & Product Officer at Parallels. “They’re under pressure to streamline operations, from application delivery and cloud management to VDI support—while also strengthening cybersecurity and enabling remote work. This is forcing organizations to reevaluate their application delivery infrastructure strategies in favor of more cost-effective, secure, and flexible solution.”

    Top Challenges with Current VDI Solutions

    The survey asked mid-market IT leaders to rank the most pressing challenges they face with their current VDI solutions. The results point to a clear trend: complexity, cost, and manageability remain major pain points. Respondents ranked the following issues as their top concerns, with 1 being the most critical:

    1. Requires too many IT resources
    2. Lack of centralized control
    3. Too expensive
    4. Too complex
    5. Unreliable/performance issues

    As organizations seek to address these challenges, several key factors are influencing their decisions to change their IT strategies.

    Key Drivers Behind Shifting IT Strategies

    As the VDI market continues to experience disruption, mid-market organizations are reevaluating their IT strategies to better align with their current and future needs. When asked about the leading factors influencing potential change, survey respondents cited the following:

    • Rising costs – 43%
    • Concern over future support – 26%
    • Lack of integration – 18%
    • Uncertain product roadmaps – 13%
    • Other – 1%

    These insights point to a growing demand for solutions that reduce operational overhead while offering long-term stability and seamless integration. IT leaders are not only looking for ways to cut costs, but they’re also seeking trusted partners with clear product direction and the ability to support evolving infrastructure strategies.

    According to Gartner®, “Vendors push for organizations to embrace 100% cloud deployment, but most MSEs continue to find benefits in a hybrid approach that balances both on-premises and cloud advantages. MSE CIOs or the most senior IT leaders report that, on average, 40% of their applications and infrastructure remain on-premises.” This underscores the importance of flexible solutions that can support both cloud and on-premises deployments, allowing businesses to modernize at their own pace, without sacrificing performance, control, or budget.

    Cybersecurity Budgets on the Rise

    With cybersecurity threats continuing to evolve, mid-market organizations are prioritizing stronger defenses in their IT strategies. According to the survey, an overwhelming majority – nine out of 10 – plan to boost their cybersecurity investments in 2025:

    • 41% reported their cybersecurity budget is increasing significantly
    • 48% said it’s increasing moderately
    • Only 9% plan to maintain current spending levels, and just 1% anticipate a decrease

    These results underscore how critical cybersecurity has become, not just as a protective measure, but as a foundational element of digital transformation and business resilience.

    “What we’re hearing from IT leaders is a desire for choice, security & simplicity without compromise—solutions that are easy to deploy, run & manage,” said Ketkar. “At Parallels, we’re focused on delivering powerful, streamlined application delivery & infrastructure solutions that help midsize businesses stay agile, reduce costs, and modernize at their own pace.”

    Survey Methodology

    Parallels’ 2025 State of Cloud Computing Survey was conducted in December 2024 with data from 600 IT professionals across the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Japan, and the European Union about their cloud journeys to discover what’s working, what isn’t, and what’s next. To see the full results of the study, click here.

    *Note: Mid-size companies are defined as those with 300 to 1,000 employees.

    Gartner Attribution

    Gartner, Midsize Enterprises Optimize Cloud and On-Premises Strategies, By Mike Cisek, Megha Bawa, 30 October 2024.

    GARTNER is a registered trademark and service mark of Gartner, Inc. and/or its affiliates in the U.S. and internationally and is used herein with permission. All rights reserved.

    About Parallels

    Parallels is a global leading brand in cross-platform solutions that make it simple for businesses and individuals to use and access the applications and files they need on any device or operating system. Parallels helps customers leverage the best technology out there, whether it’s Windows, Mac, Chrome OS, iOS, Android, or the cloud. Parallels solves complex engineering and user-experience problems by making it simple and cost-effective for businesses and individual customers to use applications anywhere, anytime. Parallels is part of the Alludo™ portfolio. For more information, please visit www.parallels.com.

    © 2025 Parallels International GmbH. All rights reserved. Parallels is a trademark or registered trademark of Parallels International GmbH. in Canada, the United States and/or elsewhere. Mac is a trademark of Apple Inc. Android and ChromeOS are trademarks of Google LLC. All other company, product and service names, logos, brands and any registered or unregistered trademarks mentioned are used for identification purposes only and remain the exclusive property of their respective owners. For all notices and legal information please visit www.parallels.com/about/legal/.

    Ashley Ruess
    ashley.ruess@alludo.com

    Photos accompanying this announcement are available at:

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/35459dc5-1e10-4e50-9abc-ed2b7f7095c6

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/2349b4ed-a6f7-4a0c-b396-738053f19f6c

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/94d70f23-d073-4575-ae86-0d01cb1af7b2

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/47116ec4-5d36-49c0-8f76-c2f03f90f41e

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/9776da51-f483-45e1-ad4a-f077bebd426c

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Ukraine war: path to peace looks increasingly narrow as Kyiv’s western backers scramble to focus on their own interests

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Stefan Wolff, Professor of International Security, University of Birmingham

    After more than three years of war, the prospects of peace for Ukraine remain slim. There is no obvious credible pathway even to a ceasefire, given Russia’s refusal to extend a brief and shaky truce over Easter. This, despite the US, UK and Ukraine all signalling their support for this idea.

    And even if the considerable hurdles impeding a ceasefire deal could be overcome, a more fundamental problem would remain. None of the key players in the conflict appear to have a plan for an agreement that is likely to be acceptable to Kyiv and Moscow.

    Previous plans, such as a joint proposal by China and Brazil in May last year which was supported by a Chinese-led “Friends of Peace” group were primarily focused on a ceasefire as a stepping stone to negotiations about an actual peace agreement.

    This and other plans were all light on detail of what a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine would entail but were nonetheless roundly rejected by Ukraine and its western allies as favouring Russia. Given that a ceasefire would simply freeze the front lines and very likely make them permanent with or without a subsequent peace agreement, this was not an unreasonable position.

    What Ukraine proposed instead, however – and what its western allies backed, at least rhetorically – was hardly more viable. The peace plan proposed by Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky in December 2022 was already on life support at the time of the first “Summit on Peace in Ukraine” in Switzerland in June 2024.

    Only 84 of the 100 delegations attending the summit (out of 160 invited) supported a watered-down version of Zelensky’s plan in their final communique – and there was no agreement on a follow-up meeting. Ukraine’s peace plan was clearly dead in the water.

    Ukraine then proposed an “internal resilience plan”. With its its focus on ensuring that the country can survive a long war of attrition with Russia, this is anything but a peace plan.

    But it serves Kyiv’s needs to avoid an unconditional surrender to Moscow. This is also high on the agenda for Ukraine’s European allies who remain committed to supporting Kyiv.

    For the emerging European coalition of the willing, it is important to keep Ukraine in the fight while they build up their own defences. They face the possibility of a new international order in which the world might well be carved up into US, Russian and Chinese spheres of influence.

    Where the White House stands

    Such a carve-up is at the heart of efforts by the US president, Donald Trump. Trump is trying to secure a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine as well as a deal that would give the US privileged access to Ukrainian resources.

    Having initially fallen apart during an extraordinarily acrimonious press conference in the White House on February 28, this deal now appears to be relatively close to conclusion.

    The ceasefire deal Trump appears to envisage would divide Ukraine itself into spheres of influence according to a plan recently suggested by Trump’s special envoy for Ukraine, Keith Kellogg. Yet even such a pro-Moscow arrangement that would offer Putin control of 20% of Ukraine continues to elude negotiators.

    At present, the Russian president has few incentives to settle for less than his maximum demands and stop a war that he thinks he is still able to win on the battlefield – particularly given Trump’s unwillingness to exert any meaningful pressure on Russia.

    At times, it now appears more likely that Trump will simply abandon his efforts to end the fighting in Ukraine. From a Russian perspective, this would be preferable to a ceasefire that freezes the conflict but doesn’t lead to a peace deal reflecting Moscow’s demands.

    The likely calculation in the Kremlin is that even if the 2026 mid-term elections in the US water down Trump’s power, that still leaves two more years to conquer more Ukrainian territory. Should Washington then make another push for a ceasefire, Moscow could claim any additional conquests as a price for Ukraine to pay for a settlement.

    Even if Trump does not walk away from the negotiations now, and even if his special envoy Steve Witkoff ultimately manages to cobble together a deal, this will more likely look like a ceasefire than like a peace agreement.

    Gulf remains between Russia and Ukraine

    The simple reason for this is that Russia’s and Ukraine’s positions on an acceptable outcome have not shifted. Putin remains committed to the full annexation of four complete Ukrainian regions as well as retaining Crimea. Zelensky has repeatedly ruled out territorial concessions and is broadly supported by Ukrainians in this stance.

    For the west, the reality that a peace agreement is close to impossible on terms satisfying all sides has become a self-fulfilling prophecy. To the extent that there are any joint efforts by Ukraine, the US and the European coalition of the willing, they are completely centred on a workable ceasefire.

    At a meeting of foreign ministers and high-level officials in Paris on April 17, discussions were focused on making such a ceasefire sustainable.

    While details of how this can be achieved remain unclear, the fact that there now appears to be a more inclusive negotiations track signals progress, at least on the process of negotiations. Whether this will lead to an actual breakthrough towards a sustainable ceasefire, however, will depend on their substance and whether Ukraine and Russia can ultimately agree on terms about disengagement of forces, monitoring, and guarantees and enforcement mechanisms.

    This is an already incredibly high bar, and the bar for a subsequent peace agreement is higher yet. In the current stage of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, a ceasefire is clearly a precondition for a peace agreement. But the sole focus on the former will not make the latter any more likely.

    What’s more, given Russia’s track record of reneging on the Minsk ceasefire agreements of September 2014 and February 2015, investing everything in a ceasefire deal might turn out not just a self-fulfilling but a self-defeating prophecy for Ukraine and its supporters.

    Stefan Wolff is a past recipient of grant funding from the Natural Environment Research Council of the UK, the United States Institute of Peace, the Economic and Social Research Council of the UK, the British Academy, the NATO Science for Peace Programme, the EU Framework Programmes 6 and 7 and Horizon 2020, as well as the EU’s Jean Monnet Programme. He is a Trustee and Honorary Treasurer of the Political Studies Association of the UK and a Senior Research Fellow at the Foreign Policy Centre in London.

    Tetyana Malyarenko does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. Ukraine war: path to peace looks increasingly narrow as Kyiv’s western backers scramble to focus on their own interests – https://theconversation.com/ukraine-war-path-to-peace-looks-increasingly-narrow-as-kyivs-western-backers-scramble-to-focus-on-their-own-interests-254864

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Security: FBI Marks the 45th Anniversary of the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Forces

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

    LEXINGTON, SC—The FBI Columbia Field Office this week is recognizing the 45th anniversary of the Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF).

    The initial JTTF began in 1989 in New York City with a partnership between the New York Field Office and the New York City Police Department. Then, leaders from the agencies discussed how to combine expertise and resources to locate terrorist organizations responsible for attacks in the city. These conversations led to the creation of the first JTTF.

    The JTTFs are the nation’s front-line defense against international and domestic terrorism. JTTFs gather evidence, follow leads, make arrets, provide security for special events, collect and share intelligence, and respond to various threats and incidents.

    Following the 9/11 attacks, FBI leadership directed all FBI field offices to establish a JTTF. In addition, the FBI established its National Joint Terrorism Task Force to support the local task forces in June of 2002. The NJTTF, at FBI Headquarters, enhances communication, coordination, and cooperation from partner agencies. JTTFs have disrupted dozens of plots in the past four decades.

    Today, there are nearly 200 task forces around the country, including at least one in the FBI’s field offices with about 4,400 members from participating state, local, and federal agencies.

    The FBI Columbia field office’s JTFF has 19 task force officers and analysts from 12 participating agencies across South Carolina.

    “The persistent threat of terrorism across South Carolina demands a united front,” said Reid Davis, acting special agent in charge of the FBI Columbia Field Office. “The FBI Columbia Field Office relies on our strong partnerships with local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies and their JTTF members to swiftly disrupt threats and respond with precision whenever danger arises.”

    The FBI Columbia Field Office counts numerous disruptions of its own, including a plan by a Barnwell man to detonate explosives in public locations in Pickens County in 2019 to express his frustration with the Department of Social Services. One device exploded near the Pickens County Courthouse causing minor damage to the building. Michael Lambert Seabrooke,41, was sentenced in 2021 to 12 years in federal prison for possession of explosive devices and two counts of malicious damage and attempt to damage by means of explosive materials.

    The FBI Columbia JTTF also investigated a case where individuals shot at a Duke Energy regulator bank in Dalzell in 2023 which caused significant damage. One suspect, Donald Ray Hurst, 35, of Sumter, pleaded guilty to destruction of an energy facility, and is awaiting sentencing. A second individual allegedly involved, Chad Allen Kron, 33, of Sumter, was charged with destruction of an energy facility and possessing an unregistered firearm. Kron is awaiting trial.

    If you see or know about suspicious activity involving chemical, biological, or radiological materials, report it to 1-800-CALL-FBI. You can also submit online tips at tips.fbi.gov.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Parkersburg Man Sentenced to Prison for Role in Charleston Methamphetamine Trafficking Organization and Violating Supervised Release

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

    CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Anthony Michael Mowery, 48, of Parkersburg, was sentenced today to nine years in prison, to be followed by four years of supervised release, for conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine and violating supervised release.

    According to court documents and statements made in court, from in or about January 2024 to in or about May 2024, Mowery conspired with others in a Drug Trafficking Organization (DTO) that distributed methamphetamine in the Charleston area. Mowery facilitated meetings during which his co-conspirators exchanged large quantities of methamphetamine for distribution.

    On May 5, 2024, Mowery arranged for co-conspirator Michael Dale Cain to travel to Charleston for the purpose of picking up approximately 3 pounds of methamphetamine from another co-conspirator, Kirt Ray King, that Cain intended to transport to Parkersburg and distribute to others. After Cain acquired the methamphetamine, he was stopped by law enforcement officers who searched his vehicle, seized the methamphetamine, and arrested Cain.

    Mowery has a long criminal history that includes prior convictions for unlawful assault, assault, battery, child abuse, destruction of property, and fleeing from an officer. At the time of this offense, Mowery was serving a term of supervised release as a result of his July 5, 2018, conviction for being a felon in possession of a firearm. Today’s sentence includes two years in prison, to run concurrently to the nine-year sentence imposed by the Court, for committing a crime while on supervised release.

    Mowery is among four individuals indicted by a federal grand jury in the DTO conspiracy. All four pleaded guilty. Cain, 49, of Parkersburg, was sentenced on January 29, 2025, to eight years and one month in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. King, 48, of Charleston, pleaded guilty on January 27, 2025, to conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine and is scheduled to be sentenced on June 23, 2025. Co-defendant John Wayne Harkless, 46, of Charleston, pleaded guilty on November 20, 2024, to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and is scheduled to be sentenced on June 23, 2025.

    Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

    United States District Judge Joseph R. Goodwin imposed the sentences. Assistant United States Attorney Jeremy B. Wolfe prosecuted the case.

    The investigation was part of the Department of Justice’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF). The program was established in 1982 to conduct comprehensive, multilevel attacks on major drug trafficking and money laundering organizations and is the keystone of the Department of Justice’s drug reduction strategy. OCDETF combines the resources and expertise of its member federal agencies in cooperation with state and local law enforcement. The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking organizations, transnational criminal organizations and money laundering organizations that present a significant threat to the public safety, economic, or national security of the United States.

    A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:24-cr-95.

    ###

     

     

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Arizona Man Indicted for Federal Assault Charges

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

    ALBUQUERQUE – An Arizona man has been charged by indictment with assault following an alleged incident that left the victim with severe injuries.

    According to court records, on September 23, 2023, Emerson Hayes, 61, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, assaulted John Doe with a knife, causing serious bodily injury.

    Hayesis charged with assault with a dangerous weapon and assault resulting in serious bodily injury and will remain in custody pending trial, which has not been set. If convicted of the current charges, Hayes faces up to 10 years in prison.

    Acting U.S. Attorney Holland S. Kastrin and Raul Bujanda, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office, made the announcement today.

    The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Navajo Nation Department of Investigation and Department of Criminal Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jesse Pecoraro is prosecuting the case.

    An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Independent review turns to tackling Britain’s biggest crime

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    Independent review turns to tackling Britain’s biggest crime

    Jonathan Fisher KC has begun work on part 2 of his Independent Review of Disclosure and Fraud Offences.

    Photo: Getty Images

    Better protections for the British public against fraud, and tougher enforcement against the perpetrators, will be the goals of the first independent review carried out in 40 years into the UK’s fraud laws.

    Jonathan Fisher KC has begun work on part 2 of his Independent Review of Disclosure and Fraud Offences which marks the first independent review of fraud legislation in the UK since 1986. During this time, the nature and scale of fraud has evolved considerably, with fraud now constituting over 40% of all offences recorded by the Crime Survey for England and Wales.

    Where Lord Roskill’s 1986 review focused mostly on the serious fraud committed by corporate entities, the huge increase in fraud offences over the last decade has come at the expense of ordinary consumers and small businesses, targeted by highly organised gangs, many of them based overseas.

    The resulting harm to society is severe, with fraud against individuals in England and Wales alone recently estimated to cost more than £6.8 billion every year.

    Fraud has also been transformed by the impact of modern technology, with the increasing use of artificial intelligence to create scambots, deepfakes, and websites impersonating established businesses and public authorities. Fraud gangs have the ability to target tens of thousands of Britons every hour through social media, email and telephone, and only need to persuade a small fraction of those individuals to fall for their scams in order to make millions of pounds.

    The Home Office will place these emerging threats at the heart of its new, expanded fraud strategy to be published later this year, but it will also be vital to have the independent analysis provided by Jonathan Fisher KC to inform the response required from government, law enforcement and industry. And with international cooperation to disrupt threats a key national security commitment within its Plan for Change, the government is also building a united global response as part of its strategy to tackle fraud.

    Part 2 of the Fisher Review will therefore examine the largest challenges faced by law enforcement in bringing criminals committing fraud offences to justice in England and Wales. Specifically, it will consider key issues in each following stage of the fraud life cycle:

    • detection and reporting
    • disruption
    • investigation
    • prosecution and offences
    • courts
    • penalties
    • rehabilitation

    This follows the publication of part 1 of Jonathan Fisher KC’s review, Disclosure in the Digital Age, which recommended a range of measures to modernise the disclosure system and free up police time, and which is now being taken forward by the Home Office, the Ministry of Justice and the Attorney General’s Office.

    Fraud Minister Lord Hanson said:

    Fraud is a crime which can devastate lives, and I am determined to do everything possible to bring these criminals to justice.

    I welcome Jonathan Fisher KC’s review which will help us expand our knowledge base about how to better detect, disrupt and deter fraudsters and deliver a swifter justice for the victims, as part of our Plan for Change.

    The government is determined to continue our fight against this appalling crime, and I look forward to the outcome of this important review.

    Attorney General Lord Hermer KC said:

    Fraud is one of the most pernicious crimes. The criminals driving these schemes are using ever more sophisticated tactics to scam their victims. It is crucial that our criminal justice system keeps pace. 

    Fraud doesn’t discriminate against age, gender or sex and it leaves victims suffering financial loss and emotional distress. I welcome this independent review of fraud and look forward to considering any findings as part of our Plan for Change.

    Independent Review Chair, Jonathan Fisher KC said:

    With the advances in digital technology, it has become much easier for fraudsters to avoid detection, and indeed prosecution, outright.

    This review aims to scrutinise the main challenges in detecting, investigating, and prosecuting fraud offences, and what can be done to better equip law enforcement to deliver swifter justice for victims.

    I am greatly appreciative of the criminal justice system-wide engagement since the launch of this independent review and for the continued encouragement as I turn my focus to examine fraud offences.

    Updates to this page

    Published 22 April 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: First new affordable homes completed on former eyesore pub site in Bilston

    Source: City of Wolverhampton

    The Happy Wanderer pub on Green Lanes was subject to arson attacks and anti social behaviour since closing in 2017 due to poor trade.

    It was demolished by the previous owner in September 2021, with the site aligned to City of Wolverhampton Council’s Vacant Properties Taskforce work to bring derelict sites back into use.

    Black Country Housing Group (BCHG) seized the opportunity to purchase the land for affordable housing to rent, with Keon Homes constructing 13, 2 and 3 bedroom houses, and 6, 1 bedroom flats.

    This week, the first 9 houses were handed over to BCHG ready for the first tenants to move in at the end of this month.

    Mayor of Wolverhampton, Councillor Linda Leach, was invited to see the first of the finished homes alongside City of Wolverhampton Council Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for City Housing, Councillor Steve Evans.

    Councillor Evans said: “This is a prime example of the work we are doing through our vacant properties taskforce to bring derelict sites back into use to create a better environment for all.

    “Our planners worked hard with the previous owners of this site, encouraging them to make it safe and remove the risk of further anti social behaviour for the benefit of the local community in Bilston.

    “We were delighted to see Black Country Housing Group and Keon Homes come on board to progress the site for much needed affordable housing and seeing the first completed homes being handed over is great for everyone; supporting residents and boosting the local economy.”

    Black Country Housing Group Chief Executive Designate, Adrian Eggington, said: “We are pleased to have built 19 brand new homes in Bilston, Wolverhampton, working in partnership with Keon Homes and City of Wolverhampton Council, supported by grant funding from Homes England.

    “The mixture of 1, 2 and 3 bedroom affordable rented homes provide high quality, much needed homes which are highly energy efficient, giving the new occupiers a comfortable and affordable living experience as well as reducing overall environmental impact. Our new customers are thrilled to be moving in over the next few weeks.”

    Jim Woodsford, Planning and Pre-Development Manager at Keon Homes, said: “Providing much needed affordable homes on an otherwise redundant site is fantastic news for the area, especially given the site’s previous issues of anti social behaviour.

    “We have worked with the planning team at Wolverhampton Council from an early design inception stage to create a family friendly development that we can all be proud of. Delivering affordable family homes is at the very heart of what we do at Keon Homes and we hope future residents enjoy the fruits of everyone’s hard work.”

    The development has also been supported by West Midlands Police’s Secured by Design (SBD) initiative to meet high standards in preventing crime.

    West Midlands Police Force Design Out Crime & Crime Reduction Manager, Mark Silvester, said: “Bilston Green Lanes is another fantastic new housing development and is testament to the support and collective work we have done with Wolverhampton Council, highlighting their continued dedication to creating safe and sustainable communities within the city.

    “Secured by Design offers numerous benefits by focusing on integrating security measures from the outset of building projects, leading to reduced crime rates, increased public confidence, and cost effective solutions.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –