NewzIntel.com

Category: Crime

  • MIL-OSI USA: King Cites “Unconscionable” Shortfall in Opioid, Fentanyl Crackdown at Southern Border

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Maine Angus King

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — In a hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC), U.S. Senator Angus King raised several urgent questions with Navy Admiral Alvin Holsey, the Commander of United States Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), and Air Force General Gregory Guillot, Commander of United States Northern Command (NORTHCOM). Senator King, pushed the military officials about the lack of military presence and resources in the Caribbean to interdict illegal drug shipments — in addition to in the Arctic to counter Russian and Chinese aggression — as America faces serious threats from the north and south.

    Senator King began his line of questioning by pressing Admiral Holsey on why the military and intelligence agencies are only able to interdict a quarter of illegal drug shipments coming into the United States — a rate he’s been critical of across multiple administrations. In the exchange, he mentioned the deathly toll drugs like fentanyl are taking on Maine people.

    “Admiral, every year when we have this hearing I talk to the SOUTHCOM commander about the fact that we have intelligence reports about drug shipments coming to the U.S. in the maritime domain and we have the assets to interdict 25% of them. To me, that is straight-up unconscionable. There are people dying in my state from fentanyl overdoses and drug overdoses. We are not meeting because of a lack of allocation of assets the drug shipments that we know about. That is what is so objectionable about this. Is that percentage still reasonable? 75% is not being interdicted that we know of,” asked Senator King.

    “About 10 to 20% is what we can get a hold of,” replied Admiral Holsey. 

    “And that is because of a lack of assets? Is that correct? We don’t have enough boats, ships,” followed up Senator King.

    “Yes. Primarily a lack of assets, a lack of resources,” said Admiral Holsey.

    “I would argue again that this is a misallocation of recourses. Here is an active attack on America that is killing our citizens, and we don’t have enough ships whether it is the Coast Guard or Navy in the region to interdict these drug shipments. I think that is a dereliction of duty, not of you, but of the entire policy apparatus. This goes back three, four administrations. It is one that I hope that this administration will pay some attention to and correct,” responded Senator King.

    Later in the hearing, Senator King, Co-Chair of the U.S. Senate Arctic Caucus, spoke to the United States’ position as an Arctic nation, but pointed out that America’s capabilities in the High North are inadequate when compared to adversaries like Russia and China who are better equipped with more bases and ships like icebreakers. NORTHCOM Commander General Guillot agreed with King that the nation’s presence in the Arctic is “woeful.”

    “I was at a conference years ago on the arctic and there was a huge delegation from China and I said, what is China’s interest. They said we are a near arctic nation.  My response was Maine is a near Caribbean state. They are very active in increasing their actions. Where are we? Do we have a port facility in the Arctic? Secondly, give us a breakdown of the status of icebreakers. We are woefully inadequate in terms of icebreakers, particular for the use of the Northwest Passage,” said Senator King.

    “I was going to use the same word. We are in a woeful situation with icebreakers. The coast guard is working very hard to increase that for us. But at this time, we are completely outnumbered with icebreakers,” agreed General Guillot. 

    “But they are building one new icebreaker but it is merely a replacement for the ancient one that is about to go out of service. Is that correct,” asked Senator King.

    “It is,” replied General Guillot. 

    “So there is no net gain in icebreakers,” questioned Senator King.

    “That’s right,” responded General Guillot.

    “And the icebreakers we have commute between the Arctic and Antarctic. Is that not correct,” asked Senator King.

    “That is correct,” said General Guillot.

    “How many icebreakers do the Russians have in the Arctic,” Senator King again asked.

    “Between 20 and 40,” said General Guillot.

    “20 and 40 to less than one. I would argue that the icebreakers are the essential infrastructure of the Arctic region and to say we are inadequate and behind where we should be is an understatement,” said Senator King.     

    After the end of Senator King’s line of questioning, Senator Roger Wicker (R-MS), the Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, shared bipartisan support for securing new icebreakers.

    “Senator King, let me just say I think you will find a lot of bipartisan support both in the Congress and in the Administration for a substantial increase quickly in the number of icebreakers,” said Chairman Wicker.

    “I believe that is the case; I appreciate that,” replied Senator King.

    As a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and Select Senate Committee on Intelligence, Senator King has previously supported legislation to combat illicit drug use and decrease overdoses. He is a cosponsor of the Synthetics Trafficking and Overdose Prevention Act, bipartisan legislation that is designed to stop dangerous synthetic drugs like fentanyl and carfentanil from being shipped through our borders. Senator King also cosponsored the INTERDICT Act, bipartisan legislation to help halt the flow of illicit fentanyl from Mexico, China and other nations around the world into the United States. During an open hearing of the Select Senate Intelligence Committee last year, Senator King pressed Avril Haines, the former Director of National Intelligence and Christopher Wray, the former Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), about what the intelligence community is doing to halt the flow of illicit drugs — including fentanyl — from Mexico, China and other nations into the United States. The most recently-passed National Defense Authorization Act includes multiple King-led provisions and funding authorizations addressing the Department’s mission to address the flow of illicit drugs and the criminal organizations behind that flow into our country. Earlier today, he introduced the bipartisan HALT Fentanyl Act to crack down on illegal fentanyl trafficking.

    The Co-Chair of the U.S. Senate Arctic Caucus, Senator King is an advocate for Maine and America’s interests in the North Atlantic and Arctic region. Along with Caucus co-chair Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), King introduced the Arctic Commitment Act  in 2022 to improve America’s posture and opportunities in the Arctic. He has been calling for the appointment of an Arctic Ambassador since 2015, and pushed for the confirmation of the first Arctic Ambassador last year. King also laid out the challenges and opportunities of a warming arctic in an article in the Wilson Quarterly, and in this year’s National Defense Authorization Act, he successfully secured the inclusion of provisions including funding authorizations for University of Maine to increase America’s activity and opportunities in the Far North.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: NZ depends on the rules-based world Trump is dismantling – why the silence?

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Alexander Gillespie, Professor of Law, University of Waikato

    The Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ 2023 strategic foreign policy assessment, “Navigating a shifting world”, accurately foresaw a more uncertain and complex time ahead for New Zealand. But already it feels out of date.

    The Trump administration’s extreme disruption of the international order (which New Zealand helped construct) is going further and faster than foreseen in the assessment. Were another nation responsible, the government would have been quick to condemn it.

    But New Zealand has so far been largely mute while Trump has quit the World Health Organization and the Paris Climate Accord, attacked foreign assistance programs and withdrawn funding from key United Nations organisations.

    Had Russia or China threatened the annexation or acquisition of Canada, Panama and Greenland, New Zealand would have reacted strongly. But it has said nothing substantive.

    The United States still belongs to the World Trade Organization and various regional trade agreements. But Trump’s use of tariffs threatens havoc throughout the multilateral trade system.

    Similarly, Trump has not quit the International Court of Justice. But his proposal to remove two million Palestinians from Gaza amounts to an unequivocal rejection of the court’s recent ruling on Israeli policies and practices in the Occupied Territories – as well as international law.

    On all these fronts, New Zealand has preferred not to make a stand.

    The coming Russia-Ukraine test

    While other countries have been quick to criticise Trump’s Gaza plan, New Zealand has opted not to comment until greater clarity is available, other than to reiterate its support for a two-state solution for Palestine.

    When Trump imposed sanctions on the International Criminal Court, New Zealand (along with Australia and Japan) failed to join a statement from 79 other countries expressing unwavering support for the court.

    The next likely test will be Trump’s attempt to broker a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine. While the goal is undoubtedly worthy, the question will be at what cost.

    If the price is ignoring the UN Charter, and if European supporters of Ukraine find the illegal annexations of its sovereign territory unpalatable, New Zealand will face a stark choice.

    For Australia, with its special trade relationship with the US and membership of the AUKUS security pact, this may be simple politics. For New Zealand, without a special free trade agreement with the US, frozen out of ANZUS and not part of AUKUS, the equation is more complex.

    Discord in the Pacific

    Last year, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said New Zealand must “stand up for this international rules-based system that has actually served New Zealand incredibly well”. Quietly sitting down will not be an option forever.

    Furthermore, all this is happening against the backdrop of New Zealand’s apparently waning influence in its own back yard, the South Pacific.

    While China seeks to expand its own influence, cuts and possible retrenchment in New Zealand’s aid budget suggest little appetite for tangible counteraction.

    The loss of influence was first apparent with Kiribati, which has steered towards a much closer relationship with China since 2022. More recently, China has made inroads into other Pacific countries, including the Solomons and East Timor, working in an increasingly grey zone with support for civilian and military security.

    But the recent fracture with the Cook Islands takes things to a new level.

    Struggling to find a voice

    While no longer a dependency, the Cooks’ free association agreement with New Zealand gives its people immense benefits, including citizenship and the right to work and live in New Zealand.

    In return, the Cooks undertakes to consult over foreign affairs matters, including any policy or initiative that might affect the interests of the other signatory.

    But the development of a somewhat opaque “comprehensive strategic partnership” with China blindsided New Zealand, and has strained what is meant to be a good-faith relationship. Again, however, New Zealand has struggled to find its voice.

    If it speaks too loudly, it risks further undermining that special Pacific relationship, as well as irritating its largest trade partner, China. If it speaks too softly, the respect and influence the country deserves will fade.

    New Zealand’s vaunted independent foreign policy is a fine ideal and has been a workable mechanism to navigate the challenges facing a small trading nation reliant on a rules-based global order.

    This has worked well for the past few decades. But as the old world order erodes, losing its voice for fear of offending bigger powers cannot become the country’s default position.

    Alexander Gillespie 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. NZ depends on the rules-based world Trump is dismantling – why the silence? – https://theconversation.com/nz-depends-on-the-rules-based-world-trump-is-dismantling-why-the-silence-249857

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Police seek vehicle of interest over indecent act in Epsom

    Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

    Police are seeking information on a vehicle of interest involved in an indecent act committed in Epsom this week.

    Police have been investigating the complaint about a man’s behaviour towards a young student on the afternoon of 12 February.

    Detective Senior Sergeant Mark Greaves, Area Investigations Manager for Auckland City East, says the investigation has progressed in recent days.

    “We have now obtained an image of a vehicle in the Gladwin Road area on Tuesday afternoon,” he says.

    “Police would like anyone who saw this vehicle, or has further information concerning it to contact us.”

    The incident occurred at around 3.35pm, when the sole male occupant of the vehicle began doing an act towards the young student walking past on Gladwin Road.

    “Fortunately this man did not exit the vehicle, and it was last seen travelling down Lewin Road,” Detective Senior Sergeant Greaves says.

    “Anyone who has information, please contact Police.

    “I’d also encourage the driver of this vehicle, who knows who they are, to stop delaying the inevitable and come to speak with Police.”

    If you have information, please contact Police on 105 using the reference number 250212/5501.

    Information can also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

    ENDS

    Jarred Williamson/NZ Police

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Leader of Violent Armed Robbery Crew Sentenced to 32 Years’ Imprisonment for String of Six Store Holdups in February 2021

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

    Last of Five Defendants to Be Sentenced; Others Received Prison Terms Ranging From 50 Months to 30 Years

    PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero announced that Lawrence McKay, 37, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was sentenced today by United States District Court Judge Gerald A. McHugh to 32 years in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release, for leading six violent armed robberies in the city and surrounding counties in February 2021, all targeting cell phone stores. Judge McHugh also ordered McKay to pay restitution to victims, including money toward medical bills, of more than $100,000.

    In February of last year, McKay pleaded guilty to all six robberies with which he was charged and two counts of using and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.

    At each robbery, McKay had at least one co-conspirator with him, and together they would force employees at gunpoint to turn over the store’s merchandise and cash. During one of these robberies, McKay shot a store employee in the stomach, and in another, codefendant Brenton Holmes shot a store employee in the leg. Both employees survived.

    Holmes pleaded guilty to participating in five of the robberies with McKay and was sentenced in May of last year to 30 years in prison.

    Dana Toby pleaded guilty to participating in two of the robberies and was sentenced in September 2023 to 15 years in prison.

    Demon McNeil and Dashonna Hoskins each pleaded guilty to participating in one robbery, with McNeil sentenced in June 2024 to eight years in prison and Hoskins in May 2024 to 50 months in prison.

    “Lawrence McKay and his crew were a crime spree unto themselves, racking up six armed robberies in less than three weeks,” said U.S. Attorney Romero. “In these holdups, they made store employees fear for their lives, threatening them at gunpoint, bringing them into back rooms, tying some up, and even shooting two victims. It was imperative to get McKay off the street before anyone else was harmed, or worse, at his behest. This sentence keeps him behind bars for decades and holds him accountable for the crimes he led. My office and our partners are committed to making our communities safer by focusing on the most violent offenders and bringing them to justice.”

    “The brazen acts committed in this case instilled fear in our community and put our citizens at risk,” said Wayne A. Jacobs, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Philadelphia. “The FBI remains steadfast in our commitment to working alongside our local, state, and federal partners to combat violent crime, protect our city, and ensure those responsible are brought to justice.”

    This case was investigated by the FBI and the Philadelphia Police Department, with assistance from the Lower Merion Township Police Department, Bristol Township Police Department, Norristown Police Department, and Warminster Township Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Amanda R. Reinitz, Amanda McCool, and Anthony Carissimi.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: MS-13 member sentenced to 50 years in prison for his participation in three murders

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    ALEXANDRIA, Va. – A Salvadoran national and member of La Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) was sentenced today to 50 years in prison for conspiracy relating to his participation in the gang’s criminal enterprise, including three murders.

    According to court documents, on Aug. 25, 2018, Henry Leonel Barrera Ayala, aka Cusuco, Centinela, and Lil Player, 26, Elmer De Jesus Alas Candray, 27, and other members of MS-13’s Uniones Locos Salvatrucha (ULS) clique met in New Bedford, Massachusetts, to murder an associate of MS-13’s Directos Locos Salvatrucha clique, identified in court records as K.A.C. MS-13 leadership in El Salvador had approved the murder because they believed K.A.C. had betrayed MS-13. That evening, they met K.A.C. at the residence of an MS-13 member in New Bedford. After the group ate dinner together, Barrera Ayala and several co-conspirators beat and strangled K.A.C. to death. The co-conspirators then dismembered K.A.C.’s body, placed his remains in trash bags, and buried the remains in a wooded area near New Bedford.

    In June 2019, Barrera Ayala, Alas Candray, and other ULS members conspired to murder individuals who frequently gathered to drink in a wooded area in the clique’s perceived territory in Reston. On June 23, 2019, Barrera Ayala, Alas Candray and other ULS members armed themselves with a 9mm firearm, a .45 caliber firearm, and two machetes and traveled to the Hunters Woods area of Reston. The group murdered an individual, identified as J.L.G.M., shooting him and slashing him with a machete.

    On Sept. 17, 2020, Barrera Ayala, Alas Candray, and others devised a plan to lure a young woman, identified as I.J.P.G., to Colts Neck Road in Reston under false pretenses and kill her because they believed she was associated with a rival gang and had disparaged MS-13 on social media. Barrera Ayala exchanged messages with I.J.P.G. via Snapchat, pretending to be a member of MS-13’s rival gang. Barrera Ayala and a co-conspirator later picked up I.J.P.G. from her home and drove her to Colts Neck Road, where Alas Candray and another MS-13 member were waiting for them. The four co-conspirators killed I.J.P.G. by taking turns shooting her, primarily in the face.

    In addition to the murders, Barrera Ayala also conspired with his fellow MS-13 members to distribute marijuana and cocaine. On multiple occasions, Barrera Ayala sent drug profits to individuals in other states and in Central American countries via money transfer services to benefit the MS-13 enterprise.

    On Sept. 18, 2024, Barrera Ayala pled guilty to conspiracy to participate in a racketeering enterprise. A federal jury convicted Alas Candray on Oct. 21, 2024, on charges relating to his participation in the gang’s criminal enterprise, including six murders and additional murder conspiracies. On Jan. 30, Alas Candray was sentenced to six concurrent life sentences.

    Erik S. Siebert, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Sean Ryan, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Washington Field Office’s Criminal and Cyber Division; and Kevin Davis, Fairfax County Chief of Police, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Michael S. Nachmanoff.

    Assistant U.S. Attorneys John Blanchard, Megan Braun, and Natasha Smalky prosecuted the case.

    This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

    A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:22-cr-178.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Monmouth County Man Charged With Aiming Beam Of A Laser At Federal Law Enforcement Aircraft

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    NEWARK, N.J. – A Monmouth County man was charged with aiming the beam of a laser at an aircraft, Acting U.S. Attorney Vikas Khanna announced.

    James M. Pedone, 27, of Colts Neck, New Jersey, was charged by complaint with knowingly aiming the beam of a laser at an aircraft in the special aircraft jurisdiction of the United States.  Pedone had an initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Leda Dunn Wettre in Newark federal court on February 13, 2025.

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

    On or about December 12, 2024, Pedone pointed the beam of a laser on three separate occasions, striking an aircraft operated by federal law enforcement personnel in or near the vicinity of Colts Neck, New Jersey, erroneously believing the aircraft to be a drone.

    Knowingly aiming the beam of a laser pointer at an aircraft in the special jurisdiction of the United States carries a maximum penalty of 5 years in prison, as well as a $250,000 fine.

    Acting U.S. Attorney Khanna credited special agents and Joint Terrorism Task Force Officers of the FBI Newark Joint Terrorism Task Force, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Terence G. Reilly in Newark, as well as the Colts Neck Police Department, under the direction of Chief Daniel DeVito, with the investigation leading to the charge.

    The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Vincent D. Romano of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s National Security Unit in Newark.

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

                                                                           ###

    Defense counsel: Michael Thomas, Esq. 

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Mexican Citizen Admits Conspiring To Distribute Heroin And Cocaine

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    NEWARK, NJ. – A citizen of Mexico previously extradited to the United States today admitted to conspiring to distribute heroin and cocaine, Acting U.S. Attorney Vikas Khanna announced.

    Norma Flores-Fernandez, a/k/a “Norma Camarillo,” 56, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Esther Salas in Newark federal court to a Superseding Information charging conspiracy to distribute heroin and cocaine.

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

    Flores-Fernandez was part of a Guadalajara, Mexico-based drug trafficking organization that distributed kilogram quantities of narcotics, including heroin and cocaine, throughout the United States from in or around March 2018 through in or around December 2019.  Flores-Fernandez acknowledged holding a leadership role in this conspiracy.

    The charge to which Flores-Fernandez pleaded guilty carries a statutory mandatory minimum sentence of 5 years in prison, a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison and a fine of up to $5 million.  Sentencing is scheduled for July 23, 2025.

    Acting U.S. Attorney Khanna credited special agents and task force officers of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Sheila G. Lyons in Chicago, Illinois and Special Agent in Charge Cheryl Ortiz in Newark; and special agents of the Customs and Border Protection, under the direction of Director of Field Operations Lafonda Sutton-Burke in Chicago, with the investigation leading to today’s guilty plea.  He also thanked special agents and task force officers with the DEA operating in Lima, Peru and Guadalajara, Mexico; Homeland Security Investigations in Chicago; and officials in Mexico for their assistance.  The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs provided substantial assistance in securing the arrest of Flores-Fernandez and her extradition to the United States.

    This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

    The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Farhana C. Melo of the Economic Crimes Unit in Newark.

                                                   ###                                                     

    Defense counsel: Michael Rubas, Esq., Jersey City, NJ

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Violent Bridgeport Gang Member Sentenced to More Than 22 Years in Federal Prison

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    KEISHAWN DONALD, 23, of Bridgeport, was sentenced today U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden in New Haven to 270 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release, for his involvement in a violent Bridgeport street gang and his murder of a rival gang member in 2018. 

    Today’s announcement by Marc. H. Silverman, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut; Joseph T. Corradino, State’s Attorney for the Fairfield Judicial District; Bridgeport Police Chief Roderick Porter; Anish Shukla, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; James Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge, ATF Boston Field Division; Stephen Belleau, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration for New England, and Acting U.S. Marshal Lawrence Bobnick.

    According to court documents, statements made in court, and the evidence presented during a month-long trial, the FBI, ATF, DEA, U.S. Marshals Service and Bridgeport Police have been investigating multiple Bridgeport-based gangs whose members are involved in narcotics trafficking, murder and other acts of violence.  Donald has been a member of the “East End gang,” which began as a local street gang based in the East End of Bridgeport, but currently has members and associates who are either incarcerated or living throughout Bridgeport and surrounding towns.  The East End gang has been aligned with other groups, including the PT Barnum Gang, the East Side gang and 150, which is a geographic gang based on the West Side of Bridgeport.  These groups were aligned against rival organizations in Bridgeport, including the “Original North End” (“O.N.E.”) and the “Greene Homes Boyz,” (“GHB/Hotz”), based in the Charles F. Greene Homes Housing Complex in Bridgeport’s North End.

    Due to the level of gun violence Bridgeport was experiencing, the investigation commenced shortly before East End members shot and killed Myreke Kenion and shot and attempted to kill D’Andre Brown, both members and associates of the GHB/Hotz gang, on January 26, 2020.  The next day, in retaliation for these shootings, GHB/Hotz and O.N.E. members attempted to kill East End gang members and associates in a brazen afternoon shooting in front of a state courthouse on Golden Hill Street in Bridgeport that resulted in four victims being shot while sitting inside a car.

    Donald and other East End members distributed heroin, crack cocaine, marijuana and Percocet pills; used and shared firearms; and committed at least six murders and other acts of violence against rival gang members and other individuals.  East End members celebrated their criminal conduct on social media websites such as Facebook and YouTube, and committed acts of intimidation and made threats to deter potential witnesses to their crimes and to protect gang members and associates from detection and prosecution by law enforcement authorities.

    On January 30, 2018, Donald shot and killed Eric Heard, also known as “Fetti,” a member and associate of the GHB/Hotz gang.  On October 17, 2019, Donald and others attempted to kill Joshua Gilbert, a member and associate of the O.N.E. gang, in a drive-by shooting.

    On December 5, 2023, a jury found Donald and three associates guilty of conspiring to engage in a pattern of racketeering activity.

    Donald has been detained since October 17, 2019, when he was arrested on state charges after being found with a firearm shortly after the attempted murder of Joshua Gilbert.

    Approximately 47 members and associates of the East End, O.N.E. and the GHB/Hotz gangs have been convicted of federal offenses stemming from this investigation, which has and solved eight murders and approximately 20 attempted murders.

    This investigation has been conducted by the FBI’s Safe Streets and Violent Crimes Task Forces, ATF, DEA, U.S. Marshals Service, Bridgeport Police Department, Connecticut State Police, and the Bridgeport State’s Attorney’s Office, with the assistance of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Connecticut Forensic Science Laboratory and the Waterbury Police Department.  These cases are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jocelyn C. Kaoutzanis, Stephanie T. Levick, and Karen L. Peck.

    This prosecution is a part of the Justice’s Department’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), Project Longevity and Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) programs.

    PSN is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts.  PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime.  Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them.  As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

    Project Longevity is a comprehensive initiative to reduce gun violence in Connecticut’s major cities.  Through Project Longevity, community members and law enforcement directly engage with members of groups that are prone to commit violence and deliver a community message against violence, a law enforcement message about the consequences of further violence and an offer of help for those who want it.  If a group member elects to engage in gun violence, the focused attention of federal, state and local law enforcement will be directed at that entire group.

    OCDETF identifies, disrupts and dismantles drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs and transnational criminal organizations through a prosecutor-led and intelligence-driven approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies.  Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth Press Conference Following NATO Ministers of Defense Meeting in Brussels, Belgium

    Source: United States Department of Defense

    UNKNOWN:  Good afternoon, everyone. We’re going to start with the US press. We’re going to take two from the US, we’ll take two from international, and then we’ll go from there depending on the secretary. So, let us start with —

    DEFENSE SECRETARY PETE HEGSETH:  Now, hold on, John.

    UNKNOWN:  Sir?

    DEFENSE SECRETARY PETE HEGSETH:  I’m going to talk first.

    UNKNOWN:  Roger that.

    DEFENSE SECRETARY PETE HEGSETH:  It is great to be here at NATO with 31 allies, also with my wife Jenny, who’s been meeting with families of US troops both here, in Germany, and we’re heading to Poland right after this as well. That’s what this is all about for me, for President Trump and the Defense Department.

    I also want to express a special thanks to the secretary general, Secretary General Rutte, for your boldness, for your friendship, for your leadership and most especially for your urgency — your urgency of the matter at hand, which is great to see from the leader of NATO. Look forward to working very closely with him and his team.

    And before we’re talking about what we’ve done at the ministerial, I want to reaffirm a few things from this podium. First, as we see it, NATO’s strategic objectives are to prevent great power conflict in Europe, deter nuclear and non-nuclear aggression, and defeat threats to treaty allies should deterrence fail.

    Second, the US is committed to building a stronger more lethal NATO. However, we must ensure that European and Canadian commitment to article three of this treaty is just as strong. Article three says that allies, and I quote, “By means of continuous and effective self-help and mutual aid will maintain and develop their individual and collective capacity to resist armed attack.”

    Leaders of our European allies should take primary responsibility for defense of the continent, which means security ownership by all allies guided by a clear understanding of strategic realities and it’s an imperative given the strategic realities that we face. And that begins with increasing defense spending. 2 percent is a start, as President Trump has Trump has said, but it’s not enough, nor is 3 percent, nor is 4 percent. More like 5 percent. Real investment. Real urgency.

    We can talk all we want about values. Values are important. But you can’t shoot values. You can’t shoot flags and you can’t shoot strong speeches. There is no replacement for hard power. As much as we may not want to like the world we live in, in some cases, there’s nothing like hard power. It should be obvious that increasing allied European defense spending is critical as the President of the United States has said.

    Also critical is expanding our defense industrial base capacity on both sides of the Atlantic. Our dollars, our euros, our pounds must become real capabilities.  The US is fully committed under President Trump’s leadership to pursue these objectives in face — in the face of today’s threats.

    Yesterday, I had a chance to attend the Ukraine Defense Contact Group. Today, participated in both the NATO ministerial and the Ukraine Council. In both, we discussed Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. I had the chance to brief allies on President Trump’s top priority; a diplomatic peaceful end to this war as quickly as possible in a manner that creates enduring and durable peace.

    The American Defense Department fully supports the efforts of the Trump administration and we look to allies to support this important work with leading on Ukraine security assistance now through increased contributions and greater ownership of future security assistance to Ukraine. To that end, I want to thank my UK counterpart, Defense Secretary John Healey, for hosting this Ukraine Defense Contact Group and for his leadership on support of Ukraine.

    President Trump gave me a clear mission, achieve peace through strength as well as put America first, our people, our taxpayers, our borders, and our security. We are doing this by reviving the warrior ethos, rebuilding our military and reestablishing deterrence. NATO should pursue these goals as well. NATO is a great alliance, the most successful defense alliance in history.

    But to endure for the future, our partners must do far more for Europe’s defense. We must make NATO great again. It begins with defense spending, but must also include reviving the transatlantic defense industrial base, rapidly fielding emerging technologies, prioritizing readiness and lethality, and establishing real deterrence.

    Finally, I want to close with this. After World War II first General and then President Eisenhower was one of NATO’s strongest supporters. He believed in a strong relationship with Europe. However, by the end of Eisenhower’s presidency, even he was concerned that Europe was not shouldering enough of its own defense, nearly making, in Eisenhower’s words, “A sucker out of Uncle Sam.” Well, like President Eisenhower, this administration believes in alliances. Deeply believes in alliances. But make no mistake, President Trump will not allow anyone to turn Uncle Sam into Uncle Sucker. Thank you, and we’re glad to take some questions.

    UNKNOWN:  Thanks very much. Let’s start with the US traveling TV pool with Liz Frieden.

    Q:  Thank you, Secretary Hegseth. You have focused on what Ukraine is giving up. What concessions will Putin be asked to make?

    DEFENSE SECRETARY PETE HEGSETH:  Well, that’s — I would start by saying the arguments that have been made that somehow coming to the table right now is making concessions to Vladimir Putin outright, that we otherwise — or that the President of the United States shouldn’t otherwise make, I just reject that at its face.

    There’s a reason why negotiations are happening right now, just a few weeks after President Trump was sworn in as President United States. Vladimir Putin responds to strength. In 2014 he invaded Crimea, not during the presidency of Donald Trump. Over four years, there was no Russian aggression from 2016 to 2020. In 2022, Vladimir Putin took aggression on Ukraine. Once again, not while President Trump was President of the United States.

    So any suggestion that President Trump is doing anything other than negotiating from a position of strength is on its face a historical and false. So when you look at what he may have to give or take, what’s in or what’s out in those negotiations, we have the perfect dealmaker at the table from a position of strength to deal with both Vladimir Putin and Zelenskyy.

    No one’s going to get everything that they want, understanding who committed the aggression in the first place. But I challenge anyone else to think of a world leader at this moment who, with credibility and strength, could bring those two leaders to the table and forge a durable peace that ultimately serves the interests of Ukraine, stops the killing and the death, which president has been — Trump has been clear he wants to do and hopefully ultimately is guaranteed — or guaranteed by strength of Europeans who are there prepared to back it up.

    Q:  To follow up on that — follow up. Thank you, sir. Why not invoke article five then for the NATO peacekeeping forces that could potentially be deployed? Like, how does that deter President Putin?

    DEFENSE SECRETARY PETE HEGSETH:  Well, I would say I want to be clear about something as it pertains to NATO membership not being realistic outcome for negotiations. That’s something that was stated as part of my remarks here as part of a coordination with how we’re executing these ongoing negotiations, which are led by President Trump.

    All of that said, these negotiations are led by President Trump. Everything is on the table in his conversations with Vladimir Putin and Zelenskyy. What he decides to allow or not allow is at the purview of the leader of the free world of President Trump. So I’m not going to stand at this podium and declare what President Trump will do or won’t do, what will be in or what will be out, what concessions will be made or what concessions are not made.

    I can look as our team has of what’s realistic, likely on an outcome. I think realism is an important part of the conversation that hasn’t existed enough inside conversations amongst friends. But simply pointing out realism, like the borders won’t be rolled back to what everybody would like them to be in 2014, is not a concession to Vladimir Putin. It’s a recognition of hard power realities on the ground after a lot of investment and sacrifice first by the Ukrainians and then by allies and then a realization that a negotiated peace is going to be some sort of demarcation that neither side wants. But it’s not my job as the Secretary of Defense to define the parameters of the President of the United States as he leads some of the most complex and consequential negotiations in the world.

    UNKNOWN:  Sticking with the US press, let us go with Axios’ Zach Basu right in the far right.

    Q:  Thank you, Mr. Secretary. Given the position you’ve now staked out, what leverage exactly is Ukraine being left with, especially if the US also plans to wind down its military aid? And then quickly, if a NATO ally is attacked by Russia or any country, will the US unequivocally uphold its obligations under article five regardless of that country’s —

    DEFENSE SECRETARY PETE HEGSETH:  — We’ve said we’re committed to the alliance and that’s part of the alliance, right? You pointed out article five. You point out article three — it’s just a cheap — I’m not saying it’s cheap coming from you — but it’s just a cheap political point to say, oh, we’ve left all the negotiating cards off the table by recognizing some realities that exist on the ground. President Zelenskyy understands the realities on the ground. President Putin understands the realities on the ground. And President Trump, as a dealmaker, as a negotiator, understands those dynamics as well.

    By no means is anything that I state here, even though we lead the most powerful military in the world, hemming in the commander in chief, in his negotiations, to ultimately decide where it goes or does not go. Well, he’s got all the cards he would like.

    And the interesting part is oftentimes while the conventional status quo mindset or the legacy media wants to play checkers, the same checkers game we’ve been playing for decades, President Trump time and time again finds a way to play chess — as a dealmaker, as a businessman who understands how to create realities and opportunities where they otherwise may not exist.

    Take for example, the conversations that our treasury secretary had in Kyiv recently with President Zelenskyy, which will continue in Munich with our vice president and secretary of state, around investments and resources inside Ukraine. I don’t want to get ahead of any decision or announcement that could be made there, it could be any number of parameters.

    But President Trump as a dealmaker and a businessman recognizes that an investment relationship with Ukraine, ultimately in the long term for the United States, is a lot more tangible than any promises or shared values we might have, even though we have them. There is something to relationships and deals in real ways, whether militarily or economically or diplomatically, that he sees that are possibilities that could forge together a lot of opportunities to show that solidarity that Vladimir Putin will clearly recognize.

    That’s one of any number of other opportunities that this president will leverage in these high-stake negotiations. So, I just reject on its face the premise that somehow President Trump isn’t dealing with a full set of cards when he’s the one that can determine ultimately what cards he holds.

    UNKNOWN:  Great. Now shifting to the international press, we’ll take the French wire service Agence France Presse with Max Delaney.

    Q:  Thank you very much, Secretary of Defense. Can you — you’ve spoken about trying to force both Putin and Zelenskyy to the table. Can you give a guarantee that no deal will be forced on Ukraine that they do not want to accept? And also, that you will include Europe in the negotiations about their own — about an issue that concerns European security? And can you tell us whether the US will continue to supply arms to Ukraine during any negotiations?

    DEFENSE SECRETARY PETE HEGSETH:  Well, to the first part of your question, that’s not ultimately my decision. The president will lead these negotiations alongside our secretary of state, our national security advisor, and numerous other officials that will be involved. And ultimately, we’ve played our role in talking to our NATO allies about what that would look like.

    President Trump, I want to point out, I’ve got the truth’s right here that he posted, called both, in case we missed it, Vladimir Putin and President Zelenskyy, called them both. Any negotiation that’s had will be had with both.

    I also am very encouraged by what the secretary general has said here. Clearly attuned to the realities of the moment, the need for peace, and that the NATO alliance and European members will play a role in that.

    Ultimately, President Trump speaking to those two countries is central to the deal being made. But it affects a lot of people, of course. So, I’m not going to be involved in those intimate diplomatic negotiations. That’s for the pros atop the Trump administration who do diplomacy and negotiations. Ultimately as security assistance, we have continued to provide what has been allocated.

    I think it would be fair to say that things like future funding, either less or more, could be on the table in negotiations as well. Whatever the president determines is the most robust carrot or stick on either side to induce a durable peace, understanding, obviously, the motivations that Vladimir Putin has had on Ukraine for quite some time. Thank you.

    UNKNOWN:  We’ll have a second international press outlet. We’ll go with the German paper Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung with Dr. Thomas Gutschker.

    Q:  Thanks a lot. Thomas Gutschker of Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung. Good afternoon. Mr. Secretary, two questions, please. The first one regarding the new Defense Investment Pledge.

    When you and President Trump speak about raising it to 5 percent, do you mean European allies only, or do you mean the US as well, which is currently at 3.4 percent according to NATO statistics? And if the latter is true, when do you think the US could possibly reach the goal of spending 5 percent on defense? That’s number one.

    Number two, you said yesterday that Europeans need to take ownership of their own conventional security. So, should Europeans expect that ultimately the US would withdraw the bulk of their forces from Europe and just leave in place what is necessary for nuclear deterrence? I know there’s a revision going on. I don’t expect you to name any numbers but maybe give us an outlook of what we should expect. Thank you.

    DEFENSE SECRETARY PETE HEGSETH:  Thank you. I think nobody can or should contest the extent of America’s willingness to invest in national security. We have a budget of $850 billion spent on defense. I’m in the business of ensuring that every dollar of that is used wisely, which is why we’re pushing a Pentagon audit and making sure that we’re cutting fat so that we’ve got more at the tip of the spear.

    3.4 percent is a very robust investment, larger than most of our allies within NATO. Any defense minister or secretary of defense that tells you they wouldn’t want more would be lying to you, I understand that. Ultimately, we have our own budgetary considerations to be had, but I don’t think an unwillingness of NATO allies to invest in their own defense spending can be dismissed away by trying to point at the $900 billion that America has invested around the globe to include the NATO alliance and saying that’s not enough.

    So, ultimately, we are very much committed to the NATO alliance and to our allies. But without burden sharing, without creating the right set of incentives for European countries to invest, then we would be forced to attempt to be everywhere for everybody all the time, which in a world of fiscal restraints is, again, to get back to that word reality, just not reality.

    So, yes, we will continue to spend robustly. Our expectation of our friends, and we say this in solidarity, is you have to spend more on your defense, for your country, on that continent, understanding that the American military and the American people stand beside you as we have in NATO, but can’t have the expectation of expectation of being the permanent guarantor, as I alluded to, from what even Eisenhower observed post-World War II.

    That shift has to happen. The peace dividend has to end. There are autocrats with ambitions around the globe from Russia to the communist Chinese. Either the West awakens to that reality and creates combat multipliers with their allies and partners to include NATO, or we will abdicate that responsibility to somebody else with all the wrong values.

    You mentioned Europe, we have not said in any way that we’re abandoning our allies in Europe. There have been no decisions based on troop levels. Again, that’s a discussion to be had by the commander in chief in these high-stake negotiations. And that would most likely come later on. But there is a recognition that the ambitions of the communist Chinese are a threat to free people everywhere, to include America’s interests in the Pacific.

    And it makes a lot of sense, just in a commonsense way, to use our comparative advantages. European countries spending here in defense of this continent, in defense of allies here against an aggressor on this continent with ambitions. That strikes me as the right place to — and I don’t say that in a condescending way. I say that in a common sense, practical way.

    Investing in defense on the continent makes sense. We support that as well. It also makes sense comparatively and geographically for the United States, along with allies in the Pacific like Japan and South Korea and the Philippines and Australia and others, to also invest in allies and partners and capabilities in the Pacific to project power there in service of deterrence. That deterrent effect in the Pacific is one that really can only be led by the United States.

    We wish we could lead everywhere at all times. We will stand in solidarity with allies and partners and encourage everyone to invest in order to have forced multiplication of what we represent, but it requires realistic conversations. Those with disingenuous motives in the media, I don’t mean to look at you, just saying anyone, that suggests it’s abandonment are trying to drive a wedge between allies that does not exist.

    We are committed to that NATO alliance. We understand the importance of that partnership, but it can’t endure on the status quo forever in light of the threats we face and fiscal realities. Europe has to spend more. NATO has to spend more. Has to invest more. And we’re very encouraged by what the secretary general has said and frankly, by — behind closed doors, what a lot of our allies have said as well acknowledging that reality.

    And that’s why when I say make NATO great again, it’s what President Trump set out to do in 2017. The press said President Trump is abandoning NATO. He’s turning his back on our NATO allies. That’s what is — that’s what the headlines read in 2017 and 2018. What actually happened? That tough conversation created even more investment to the point where now almost every NATO country is meeting the 2 percent goal that was said to be egregious when he first said it. Now European countries are stepping up and President Trump continues to ring the alarm bell that even more investment is required considering where we are.

    So suggestions of abandonment otherwise continue to be disingenuous and we are — we are proud to be part of this alliance and stand by it.

    UNKNOWN:  Sir —

    DEFENSE SECRETARY PETE HEGSETH:  — I’ll take a couple more.

    UNKNOWN:  Sure. Why don’t we take one from a US outlet and one from an international outlet. With the US outlet — pardon me, sir, what we’re going to take from the US is Logan Rateck from Newsmax, please.

    Q:  Mr. Secretary, you talked about what — you talked about expanding the defense industrial base and also expediting foreign military sales. Can you expand on that a little bit and how important that is to NATO?

    DEFENSE SECRETARY PETE HEGSETH:  Well, one of the self-evident conclusions of the — of the war in Ukraine was the underinvestment that both the European continent and America has had, unfortunately, in the defense industrial base, the ability to produce munitions, emerging technologies rapidly and field them was a blind spot exposed through the aggression against Ukraine.

    Ukraine has responded to that, as we’ve had a chance to listen to a great deal. Europe is responding to that, and so is America. We have to do more to ensure — whether you call it the arsenal for democracy or defending the free world, if America can’t build and export and build and provide rapid capabilities because we’re too stale or static or bureaucratic or the Pentagon is bloated, then we’re not able to field the systems we need in the future.

    So deep and dramatic reforms are coming at the Defense Department with the leadership of President Trump to ensure that we’re investing robustly in our defense industrial base. A great example is shipbuilding. We need to vastly increase our ability to build ships and submarines, not just for ourselves, but to honor our obligations to our allies as well.

    And we will do that. Foreign military sales is another thing I mentioned this morning with the secretary general. We have for a long time been the country by with and through that our allies are able to supply major platforms and weapon systems like the F-35 and the Patriots and others. Whatever the system is, we need to reform that process so it’s quicker, so a request today isn’t delivered seven years from now, but three years from now with less red tape and with the most efficient and effective technology possible.

    We hear that from our allies, and that’s part of being a good faith partner is we’re going to invest in our defense industrial base. We’re going to make sure foreign military sales are as rapid as possible, which again is a force multiplier for American power, which is something we want to do in a contested world.

    UNKNOWN:  For our final question, we’ll go to an international outlet. The Japanese service NHK with Tsuchiya Tsujita, please.

    Q:  Tsuchiya from NHK, the Japanese TV station, thank you very much. I would like to ask about China. As you mentioned that the US will be prioritizing and deterring China, what role will you be expecting Japan and IPv4 countries to play in this context?

    DEFENSE SECRETARY PETE HEGSETH:  Sure. I mean, first of all, I would point out that President Trump has expressed a strong relationship with Xi Jinping. We don’t have an inevitable desire to clash with China. There’s a recognition that there are divergent interests which lead to a need for strength on the American side to ensure our interests are advanced and that ultimately any aggression is deterred. That’s a real thing, but we don’t feel like conflict is inevitable and certainly don’t seek conflict with China. And that’s why President Trump has that good relationship with Xi Jinping.

    But it was prudent for us to work with allies and partners in the Pacific to ensure that that deterrence, hard power deterrence, not just reputational, but reality exists. And that’s why a lot of my first phone calls as Secretary of Defense were to Pacific allies, to Australia, to Japan, to South Korea, to the Philippines and others and will continue because that, just as this alliance in Europe is critical, working by with and through allies and partners in that region who understand the reality of the ascendant Chinese threat will be critical.

    It can’t be America alone. It won’t be America alone if we are to deter that. So it’s — it is a focus. I’ve articulated that from day one. America achieves strength, whether it’s in this — in the — in the — in peace through the Ukrainian conflict or deterring it in the Pacific through strength. There’s a reason why Donald Trump emphasizes peace through strength at every moment.

    My job, my job alone as the Secretary of Defense is to ensure he has the strongest, most capable, most lethal military possible. Heaven forbid we have to use it. It’s meant and built for deterrence. But if we have to, we can close with and destroy our enemies and bring our men and women home with success as quickly as possible. Thank you very much for being here.

    UNKNOWN:  Thank you, everyone.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Environmental Crimes Bulletin – January 2025

    Source: United States Attorneys General

    View All Environmental Crimes Bulletins

    In This Issue:

    Cases by District/Circuit

    District/Circuit Case Name Statute(s)
    District of Alaska United States v. Jun Liang, et al. Big Game Hunting/Lacey Act
    Eastern District of California United States v. Pir Danish Ali, et al. Wildlife Smuggling/ Conspiracy
    Southern District of California United States v. Ruben Montes, et al. Pesticide and Veterinary Drug Smuggling/Conspiracy
    United States v. Todd Campbell Refrigerant Smuggling/Failure to Declare Merchandise for Inspection
    United States v. Edwin Flores Refrigerant Smuggling/ Conspiracy 
    Middle District of Georgia United States v. Donnametric Miller, et al. Dog Fighting/Animal Welfare Act, Conspiracy, Felon in Possession
    District of Idaho United States v. Jeremy Pierce, et al. Tampering with a Monitoring Device/Clean Air Act
    District of Maryland United States v. Mario Flythe, et al. Dog Fighting/ Conspiracy, Racketeering
    District of New Jersey United States v. Darren McClave, et al. Clam Harvesting/ Conspiracy, Obstruction
    Eastern District of New York United States v. Bryan Gosman, et al. Fish Overharvesting/ Conspiracy, Fraud, Obstruction
    Southern District of Ohio United States v. Joel Brown Dog Fighting/Animal Welfare, Drug, Felon in Possession
    United States v. Giancarlo Morelli, et al. Animal Videos/Animal Crush
    District of Oregon United States v. J.H. Baxter & Co., Inc. et al. Hazardous Waste Treatment and Emissions/Clean Air Act, Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, False Statement
    District of South Dakota United States v. Joe Hofer Eagle Nest Destruction/Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act
    Southern District of Texas United States v. Andres Alejandro Sanchez Wildlife Smuggling/Lacey Act
    United States v. Eurobulk Ltd., et al. Vessel/Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships/ Obstruction 
    Eastern District of Washington United States v. Ryan Hugh Milliken, et al. Tampering with a Monitoring Device/Clean Air Act, Conspiracy
    Western District of Washington United States v. Tracy Coiteux, et al. Tampering with a Monitoring Device/Clean Air Act, Conspiracy

    Indictments

    United States v. Joel Brown

    • No. 2:24-CR-00180 (Southern District of Ohio)
    • ECS Senior Trial Attorney Adam Cullman
    • AUSA Nicole Pakiz
    • AUSA Kevin Kelley

    On January 22, 2025, a court unsealed an indictment following the arrest of Joel Brown. Brown is charged in a 13-count indictment with illegally possessing dogs for fighting purposes, possessing methamphetamine with intent to distribute and illegally possessing a firearm after a felony conviction (18 USC §§ 922, 924; 7 USC § 2156(b); 21 USC § 841. Trial is scheduled for March 24, 2025.

    Brown kept 11 pit bull-type dogs for fighting purposes in Franklin County. Columbus Humane rescued the dogs and authorities also recovered tools and supplies commonly used in the training and keeping of dogs for fighting. Brown also possessed a shotgun and various types of ammunition, as well as approximately 50 grams of methamphetamine.

    The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Columbus Humane conducted the investigation. 

    Guilty Pleas

    United States v. Darren McClave, et al. 

    • Nos. 3:24-CR-00824, 3:25-CR-00001 (District of New Jersey)     
    • ECS Trial Attorney Christopher Hale
    • AUSA Kelly Lyons
    • Former AUSA Kathleen O’Leary

    On January 2, 2025, Darren McClave pleaded guilty to conspiracy to obstruct justice (18 U.S.C. § 371). Sentencing is scheduled for May 6, 2025.

    McClave, captain of a clam vessel based out of New Jersey, was involved in a scheme to illegally harvest and sell excess scallops, violating federal fishing regulations. While clam vessels are authorized to take a limited quantity of scallops as bycatch, McClave routinely exceeded these limits and sold the surplus to Antonio Pereira, a seafood dealer. To cover up the overfishing, McClave and Pereira worked together to falsify the required Fishing Vessel Trip Reports and Dealer Reports mandated by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

    Between October 2017 to April 2021, McClave sold over 64,000 pounds of illegal scallops to Pereira, making substantial profits from the illicit operation. Pereira, who participated in the conspiracy, pled guilty on December 19, 2024, to the same charge of conspiracy to obstruct justice. He is scheduled to be sentenced on April 22, 2025.

    The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration conducted the investigation.

    United States v. Pir Danish Ali, et al.

    • No. 2:23-CR-00080 (Eastern District of California)
    • AUSA Katherine Lydon
    • AUSA Whitnee Goins

    On January 7, 2025, Jason K. Bruce pleaded guilty to conspiring to smuggle an endangered Ladakh urial trophy into the United States (18 U.S.C. § 371). Sentencing is scheduled for May 20, 2025.

    In March 2023, federal prosecutors charged Bruce and Pir Danish Ali, a Pakistani national, with conspiracy to violate the Endangered Species Act for making false statements and smuggling goods into the United States. Bruce also faced charges of smuggling and violating the Endangered Species Act (18 U.S.C. §§ 371, 545; 16 U.S.C. § 1538(a)(1)(A), (g)).

    Ali, the CEO of a hunting outfitting and guiding company in Pakistan, and Bruce, a recreational big game hunter, began their illegal scheme in February 2016. They conspired to hunt a Ladakh urial, an endangered wild sheep in Pakistan, and smuggle the trophy into the United States. Bruce was aware that exporting this species from Pakistan was illegal. In the lead-up to the hunt, the two agreed that, if successful, Bruce would present forged documents to U.S. officials, falsely identifying the Ladakh urial as a different species when bringing it into the United States.

    In December 2016, Bruce paid Ali $50,000 for the hunt. In April 2017, Bruce successfully shot the Ladakh urial. Between 2017 and 2018, Bruce made several trips between the U.S. and Pakistan to facilitate the illegal smuggling of the trophy.

    On March 29, 2018, Bruce arrived at San Francisco International Airport from Pakistan with eight hunting trophies in his baggage, including the Ladakh urial. He was stopped by U.S. Customs and Border Protection who alerted U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service officials.  Bruce presented forged export documents purporting to be issued by Pakistani authorities.

    Further investigation revealed that, between 2013 and 2018, at least 25 people who had hunted with Ali’s company presented forged documents to import at least 97 hunting trophies into the United States.

    The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Office of Law Enforcement conducted the investigation.

    Related Press Release: Eastern District of California | Galt Big Game Hunter Pleads Guilty to Conspiring to Smuggle an Endangered Ladakh Urial Trophy into the United States | United States Department of Justice

    United States v. Jeremy Pierce, et al.

    • No. 4:24-CR-00240 (District of Idaho)
    • ECS Senior Trial Attorney Cassie Barnum
    • RCEC Karla G. Perrin

    On January 7, 2025, Jeremy Pierce pleaded guilty to a felony violation of the Clean Air Act for tampering with a monitoring device (42 U.S.C. § 7413(c)(2)(C)). Pierce admitted to being involved in deleting and tuning vehicles at Gorilla Performance, a repair shop in Rexburg, Idaho, owned by his brother, Barry Pierce. Sentencing is set for March 26, 2025.

    In addition, Jeremy Pierce’s company, Pierce Diesel Performance, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to violate the Clean Air Act for providing technical support to customers nationwide who purchased tuning devices and tunes from Barry Pierce’s company, Gorilla Diesel Performance (18 U.S.C. § 371).

    The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Criminal Investigation Division conducted the investigation.

    United States v. Andres Alejandro Sanchez

    • No. 24-CR-01264 (Southern District of Texas)
    • AUSA Tory Sailer
    • Assistance from ECS Senior Counsel Elinor Colbourn

    On January 10, 2025, Andres Alejandro Sanchez pleaded guilty to violating the Lacey Act for illegally importing a spider monkey into the United States (16 U.S.C. §§ 3372(a)(1), 3373(d)(2)).

    On October 7, 2024, Sanchez travelled from Mexico to Laredo, Texas, and failed to declare a spider monkey he had in his vehicle to Customs and Border Protection officers as he attempted to cross the border.

    The U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Homeland Security Investigations, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Office of Law Enforcement conducted the investigation. 

    United States v. Ruben Montes, et al.

    • No. 23-CR-02377 (Southern District of California)
    • ECS Assistant Chief Steve DaPonte
    • AUSA Elizabet Brown

    On January 16, 2025, Ruben Montes pleaded guilty to conspiring to smuggle and distribute more than $3 million worth of Mexican pesticides and veterinary drugs that are not approved for use in the United States (18 U.S.C. § 371). Sentencing is scheduled for April 2, 2025.

    Beginning in November 2020, Montes coordinated the smuggling of pesticides and veterinary drugs from Mexico into the United States. Montes smuggled these chemicals and drugs into the country and distributed them within the United States. The primary pesticides involved were Taktic and Bovitraz, which are not registered with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for use in the United States. The smuggled veterinary drugs included Tylocet, Terramicina, Tetragent Ares, and Catarrol, which are not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for use in the United States.

    Montes and others stored the pesticides and veterinary drugs in storage units in Calexico to distribute them throughout the United States.

    Homeland Security Investigations, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Criminal Investigations Division, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration Office of Criminal Investigations, and the California Department of Toxic Substances Control conducted the investigation.

    United States v. Donnametric Miller, et al. 

    • No. 1:24-CR-00005 (Middle District of Georgia)
    • ECS Senior Trial Attorney Ethan Eddy
    • ECS Trial Attorney Leigh Rende
    • ECS Law Clerk Amanda Backer

    On January 21, 2025, Donnametric Miller pleaded guilty to conspiring to violate the Animal Welfare Act and transporting and possessing a dog for the purpose of having the dog participate in an animal fighting venture. Miller also pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm (7 U.S.C. §§ 2156(b), (a)(1); 18 U.S.C. §§ 371, 922, 924). Miller is the fourteenth and final defendant to plead guilty in a dog fighting case involving participants from several states. Co-defendants Terelle Ganzy and Terrance Davis pleaded guilty to conspiracy and participating in an animal fighting venture.

    On November 22, 2024, co-defendants Fredricus White, Brandon Baker, Rodrecus Kimble, Tamichael Elijah, Timothy Freeman, Gary Hopkins, and Marvin Pulley entered guilty pleas for their involvement in a large-scale dog fighting event that was disrupted while in progress on April 24, 2022, in Donalsonville, Georgia. White and Baker pleaded guilty to conspiracy and possessing and transporting a dog for animal fighting purposes. Freeman pleaded guilty to being a spectator at the event, and Kimble, Elijah, Hopkins, and Pulley pleaded guilty to conspiracy. On December 16, 2024, Herman Buggs pleaded guilty to conspiracy.

    Prosecutors charged a total of 14 defendants who traveled from  southwest Georgia, Alabama, and Florida to participate in this event. Agents recovered 27 dogs, including 22 who were found in cars on the scene and had either already been fought, or whose handlers were awaiting their turn in the pit. Agents found one dog still in the fighting pit, who later succumbed to his injuries, as well as others living on the property who were owned by the event host.

    The U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Seminole County, Georgia, Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation.

    United States v. J.H. Baxter & Co., Inc. et al.

    • No. 6:24-CR-00441 (District of Oregon)
    • ECS Trial Attorney Rachel M. Roberts
    • ECS Trial Attorney Stephen J. Foster
    • AUSA William M. McLaren
    • RCEC Karla G. Perrin
    • ECS Paralegal Maria Wallace
    • Former ECS Paralegal Samantha Goins

    On January 22, 2025, J.H. Baxter & Co., Inc., and J.H. Baxter & Co., a California Limited Partnership (collectively “J.H. Baxter”) both pleaded guilty to charges of illegally treating hazardous waste and knowingly violating the Clean Air Act (CAA) (42 U.S.C. § 6928(d)(2)(A); 42 U.S.C. § 7413(c)(2)). The companies’ president, Georgia Baxter-Krause, pleaded guilty to two counts of making false statements in violation of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) (42 U.S.C. § 6928 (d)(3)). Sentencing is scheduled for April 22, 2025.

    J.H. Baxter used hazardous chemicals to treat and preserve wood at its Eugene facility. The wastewater from the wood preserving processes was hazardous waste. The company operated a wastewater treatment unit to treat and evaporate the waste. Over the years, however, when the facility accumulated too much water on site, employees transferred this water to a wood treatment retort to “boil it off,” greatly reducing the volume. J.H. Baxter would then remove the waste that remained, label it as hazardous waste, and ship it offsite for disposal.

    J.H. Baxter did not have  a RCRA permit to treat its waste in this manner. Additionally, the facility was subject to CAA emissions standards. Company employees were directed to open all vents on the retorts, allowing discharge to the surrounding air.

    State inspectors requested information about J.H. Baxter’s practice of boiling off hazardous wastewater. On two separate occasions (September 28 and 30, 2020), Baxter-Krause made false statements in response to these requests regarding the dates the practice took place, and which retorts were used. The investigation determined that Baxter-Krause knew J.H. Baxter maintained detailed daily production logs for each retort.

    From approximately January to October 2019, J.H. Baxter boiled off hazardous process wastewater in its wood treatment retorts on 136 known days. Baxter-Krause was also aware that during this time J.H. Baxter used four of its five retorts to boil off wastewater.

    The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Criminal Investigation Division conducted the investigation with assistance from the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality and the Oregon State Police.

    Related Press Release: District of Oregon | J.H. Baxter Wood Treatment Companies and President Plead Guilty to Hazardous Waste and Air Pollution Charges | United States Department of Justice

    United States v. Giancarlo Morelli, et al.

    • No. 1:24-CR-00066 (Southern District of Ohio)
    • ECS Senior Trial Attorney Adam Cullman
    • AUSA Tim Oakley
    • ECS Paralegal Jonah Fruchtman

    On January 27, 2025, Giancarlo Morelli pleaded guilty to conspiring with others to create and distribute videos depicting the torture of monkeys (known as animal “crush” videos) (18 U.S.C. § 371).

    Prosecutors charged Morelli, along with Nicholas Dryden and Philip Colt Moss, with various crimes related to these videos. The indictment states that Dryden commissioned videos from a 17-year-old in Indonesia who was willing to commit specified acts of torture on video in exchange for payment. Dryden utilized Telegram, a cross-platform messaging app that includes encrypted group messaging and private chats, to advertise the animal crush videos and solicit funding for additional videos. Within these private groups, Dryden shared snippets of videos that he commissioned and advertised that the full content was for sale.

    Moss and Morelli each sent money to Dryden more than a dozen times in exchange for monkey torture videos. Thereafter, they frequently gave feedback on the videos and Morelli sometimes suggested torturous acts he’d like to see in future videos.

    The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation.

    Related Press Release: Southern District of Ohio | New Jersey man pleads guilty to conspiracy charge related to videos depicting monkey torture & mutilation | United States Department of Justice

    Sentencings

    United States v. Todd Campbell

    • No. 3:24-CR-01972 (Southern District of California)
    • AUSA Edward Chang

    On January 2, 2025, a court sentenced Todd Campbell to complete a 12-month term of probation and pay $8,808 in restitution to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Campbell pleaded guilty to failure to declare merchandise for inspection (19 U.S.C. §§ 1433 (b)(2), 1436).

    On September 3, 2024, Campbell drove his vehicle into the United States from Mexico at the San Ysidro Port of Entry. Inside his vehicle, he was carrying seven 30-pound cylinders of R-22 refrigerant, which he intentionally failed to declare for inspection. As a result of Campbell’s actions, the EPA was forced to properly dispose of the refrigerant, incurring a cost of $8,808.

    The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Criminal Investigation Division and Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation.

    United States v. Bryan Gosman, et al.

    • No. 2:21-CR-00217 (Eastern District of New York)
    • ECS Trial Attorney Christopher Hale
    • ECS Senior Trial Attorney Ken Nelson
    • Former ECS Paralegal Samantha Goins
    • ECS Paralegal Jonah Fruchtman

    On January 6, 2025, a court ordered Christopher Winkler to pay $725,000 in restitution to the New York State Marine Resources Account of the Conservation Fund. The court also ordered Bryan and Asa Gosman to pay a combined restitution amount of $247,297 to the same fund. All three defendants—Winkler, Asa Gosman, and Bryan Gosman—are jointly and severally liable for $247,297 in restitution. Winkler alone is responsible for paying $477,703 to the fund, bringing his total restitution amount to $725,000.

    In November 2024, a court sentenced Bryan and Asa Gosman to two years of probation, noting their “extraordinary cooperation” as the basis for the probation sentence.

    In October 2023, after a three-week trial, a jury found Christopher Winkler guilty on all charges, including conspiracy, mail fraud, and obstruction of justice (18 U.S.C. §§ 371, 1341, 1519). Winkler, a commercial fisherman and captain of the F/V New Age, participated in a scheme to illegally overharvest fluke and black sea bass, violating federal fishing regulations. He conspired to commit mail fraud, falsified fishing logs to obstruct the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and worked to undermine NOAA’s efforts to regulate fisheries. Winkler was sentenced to 30 months in prison and ordered to forfeit $725,000.

    Between 2014 and 2017, Winkler was involved in a scheme to illegally overharvest summer flounder (fluke) and black sea bass, exceeding both federal quotas and state trip limits. To conceal the overharvesting, he falsified Fishing Vessel Trip Reports (FVTRs) on at least 200 fishing trips. In total, Winkler and his co-conspirators illegally harvested approximately 200,000 pounds of fluke and black sea bass, with an estimated wholesale value of $750,000.

    Bryan and Asa Gosman, and the company they partially own, Bob Gosman Co., Inc., had previously pleaded guilty to their involvement in the fraud. The company was sentenced in December 2021 for its role in the illegal overharvesting operation. Under federal law, fishing captains are required to accurately report their catch on FVTRs submitted to NOAA, which relies on these reports to regulate fisheries and enforce sustainable fishing practices. Similarly, the first company to purchase fish from a fishing vessel must file a dealer report with NOAA.

    NOAA Office of Law Enforcement conducted the investigation. 

    United States v. Edwin Flores

    • No. 3:24-CR-00993 (Southern District of California)
    • ECS Assistant Chief Stephen DaPonte
    • Former AUSA Melanie Pierson

    On January 7, 2025, a court sentenced Edwin Flores to complete a one-year term of probation and to pay $2,900 in restitution to U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Flores pleaded guilty to conspiracy and failing to present merchandise for inspection by a customs officer (18 U.S.C. § 371).

    On April 18, 2024, Flores drove a vehicle across the U.S.-Mexico border with three 30-pound cylinders of HCFC-22 that he failed to present for inspection.

    The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Criminal Investigation Division, Homeland Security Investigations, and Customs and Border Protection conducted the investigation.

    United States v. Jun Liang, et al.

    • No. 4:23-CR-00013 (District of Alaska)
    • AUSA Steve Skrocki
    • AUSA Carly Sue Vosacek

    On January 13, 2025, a court sentenced Jun “Harry” Liang to time served (110 days), followed by two years’ supervised release. Liang also will pay a $10,060 fine and $9,100 in restitution to the Bureau of Land Management.

    Prosecutors charged Liang and Brian Phelan for participating in an illegal big-game guide-outfitter operation. Between August 2021 and August 2022, Liang and Phelan conspired to provide guide-outfitter services for caribou and brown bear hunts in Fairbanks, Alaska, without the required state licenses to do so.

    Liang posted advertisements on the ‘Little Red Book’ social media site offering guiding and outfitting services for big-game hunts out of Fairbanks, Alaska. Interested hunters sent deposits to Liang, who promised to locate and scout trophy animals that could be transported out of state. However, neither Liang nor Phelan possessed a State of Alaska big game guide-outfitter license. Liang fraudulently collected about $11,000 in 2021 and $60,000 in 2022, on behalf of himself and Phelan, for these guided hunts.

    Liang pleaded guilty to a Lacey Act false labeling violation (16 U.S.C. §§ 3372(d)(2), 3373(d)(3)(b)), for failing to obtain a special recreation permit and operating in Denali National Park without the necessary permit. Phelan was sentenced in December 2024 to pay a $2,000 fine and complete a 30-month term of probation after pleading guilty to violating the Lacey Act and Bureau of Land Management regulations.

    The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Office of Law Enforcement conducted the investigation, with assistance from the Alaska State Troopers Wildlife Investigations Unit.

    Related Press Release: District of Alaska | Chinese national sentenced in illegal wildlife guide-outfitter scheme | United States Department of Justice

    United States v. Joe Hofer

    • No. 4:24-CR-40091 (District of South Dakota)
    • AUSA Meghan Dilges

    On January 13, 2025, a court sentenced Joe Hofer to pay a $1,200 fine and complete a one-year term of probation for violating the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act (16 U.S.C. §§ 668(a), 668(c)).

    Hofer is the farm boss for the Cambridge Hutterian Brethren (CHB) in Lake County, South Dakota. In November 2023, Hofer used CHB farm equipment to take down trees on property owned by CHB. One of the trees Hofer took down contained an active eagle nest, which was destroyed. Hofer did not have a permit to take down the eagle’s nest.

    The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks conducted the investigation.

    Related Press Release: District of South Dakota | Volga Man Sentenced for Violation of Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act | United States Department of Justice

    United States v. Tracy Coiteux, et al.

    • No. 3:21-CR-05184 (Western District of Washington)
    • AUSA Seth Wilkinson
    • AUSA Cindy Chang
    • RCEC Karla G. Perrin

    On January 13, 2025, a court sentenced Racing Performance Maintenance Northwest (RPM) and a related sales company called RPM Motors and Sales NW (RPM Motors) to each pay $10,000 fines and to complete three-year terms of probation. In March 2024, RPM pleaded guilty to tampering with a monitoring device in violation of the Clean Air Act (CAA)(42 U.S.C. § 7413(c)(2)(C)) and RPM Motors pleaded guilty to conspiracy to violate the CAA (18 U.S.C. § 371).

    In November 2024, the court had sentenced the companies’ owners, Tracy Coiteux and Sean Coiteux, to each pay $10,000 fines, complete four-year terms of probation (to include four months’ home confinement) and perform 60 hours of community service. Sean Coiteux had pleaded guilty in March 2024 to tampering with a monitoring device in violation of the CAA (42 U.S.C. 7413(c)(2)(C)). In May 2024, Tracy Coiteux was convicted by a jury after a three-day trial on conspiracy to violate the CAA (18 U.S.C. § 371; 42 U.S.C. § 7413(c)(2)(C)).

    Between January 2018 and January 2021, the defendants directed employees to delete pollution control hardware on diesel trucks they sold or serviced. They also tampered with the trucks’ monitoring devices to avoid detection of the missing control equipment. The Coiteux’s companies charged between $1,000 and $2,000 for each modification. Over a three-year period, the defendants serviced close to 375 diesel trucks, collecting more than $500,000 for these illegal modifications.

    The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Criminal Investigation Division conducted the investigation.

    United States v. Ryan Hugh Milliken, et al.

    • No. 2:24-CR-00057 (Eastern District of Washington)
    • AUSA Dan Fruchter
    • AUSA Jacob Brooks

    On January 22, 2025, a court sentenced Ryan Hugh Milliken and his company, Hardaway Solutions, LLC (Hardaway), after both pleaded guilty to conspiracy to violate the Clean Air Act (CAA) (18 U.S.C. § 371; 42 U.S.C. § 7413(c)(2)(C)). They both will complete five-year terms of probation, during which the company will be responsible for implementing an environmental compliance plan. Both defendants are jointly and severally responsible for paying a $75,000 fine.

    Between August 2017 and November 2023, Milliken and Hardway created and sold illegal “delete tune” packages designed to disable and defeat required emissions controls and monitoring systems. Milliken and Hardway created and sold these delete tune files for various customers and vehicles, including Spokane-based trucking companies —PT Express, LLC, Spokane Truck Service, LLC, and Pauls Trans, LLC—operated by co-defendant Pavel Ivanovich Turlak. Milliken created and sold custom software delete tunes to Turlak for vehicles based on specifications Turlak outlined. Turlak then charged as much as $3,500 to diesel truck owners to “delete” and “tune” their vehicles by tampering with their pollution monitoring devices. Turlak also fraudulently received more than $300,000 in federal funding designated for eligible small businesses during the pandemic.

    Turlak and his companies pleaded guilty in December 2024 to conspiring to illegally violate CAA emissions controls and to fraudulently obtaining hundreds of thousands of dollars in COVID-19 relief funding (42 U.S.C. § 7413 (c)(2)(C); 18 U.S.C. §§ 371, 1343, 287). Both  defendants are scheduled for sentencing on April 2, 2025.

    The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Criminal Investigation Division conducted the investigation with assistance from the EPA National Enforcement Investigations Center, the Small Business Administration Office of Inspector General, and the Spokane Police Department.

    United States v. Mario Flythe, et al.

    • No. 23-CR-00354 (District of Maryland)
    • AUSA Alexander Levin
    • AUSA Darryl Tarver

    On January 23, 2025, a court sentenced Mario Flythe to six months incarceration followed by three years of supervised release, to include six months’ home detention. Flythe also will pay a $10,000 fine.

    Flythe pleaded guilty to conspiracy to engage in animal fighting, specifically the fighting of dogs, and interstate travel in aid of racketeering (18 U.S.C. §§ 371, 1952). Between November 2018 and September 2023, Flythe and co-defendant Frederick Douglass Moorfield, Jr., operated a kennel called “Razor Sharp Kennels,” using Flythe’s residence to keep, train, and breed fighting dogs.

    Flythe’s cellphone revealed numerous message exchanges regarding dogfighting—primarily over the instant messaging applications WhatsApp and Telegram—with members of a group known as the “DMV Board.” In addition to arranging dog fights and wagers, Flythe and the DMV Board discussed the breeding and training of fighting dogs, procuring supplies for the maintenance and feeding of fighting dogs, and criminal prosecutions of dogfighters. In some exchanges, Flythe and others discussed indictments of other members of the DMV Board and speculated about the identity of a potential “snitch.”

    Flythe’s instant messages also contained several exchanges in which he arranged dogfights. In those conversations, Flythe identified the weight and sex of the dog he wanted to sponsor in a fight. Other dogfighters then proposed a fight against their own dog or matched Flythe with another of their contacts who had a dog in the same weight class. The dogfighters would then agree on wagers and set a date for the fight, usually six to eight weeks after the match was made.

    On several occasions between 2019 and 2023, Flythe received monetary payments through CashApp related to his participation in dogfighting conduct. Flythe also sent money to dogfighting contacts in connection with the dogfighting enterprise.

    After executing a search of Flythe’s residence in September 2023, investigators recovered seven pit bull-type dogs from the premises. Four dogs were found chained to posts or poles in fenced-in cages in the property’s back yard, and three dogs were found in large metal cages in the basement.

    The Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Department of Defense Criminal Investigation Service, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of Inspector General conducted the investigation.

    Related Press Release:  District of Maryland | Glen Burnie Man Sentenced to Federal Prison in Connection With Multi-State Dogfighting Conspiracy | United States Department of Justice

    United States v. Eurobulk Ltd., et al.

    • Nos. 2:24-CR-00655, 2:24-CR-00368 (Southern District of Texas)
    • ECS Senior Trial Attorney Kenneth Nelson
    • AUSA Liesel Roscher
    • AUSA John Marck
    • ECS Paralegal Maria Wallace

    On January 29, 2025, Eurobulk Ltd. pleaded guilty to a two-count information charging the company with violating the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships (APPS) and obstruction of justice (33 U.S.C. § 1908(a); 18 U.S.C. § 1519). The court sentenced the company to pay a total criminal penalty of $1,500,000 and complete a four-year term of probation.

    Eurobulk operated the M/V Good Heart, which transported bulk cargo worldwide. On April 29, 2023, the U.S. Coast Guard conducted a Port State Control examination of the vessel and received information from a whistleblower about illegal discharges of oil from the vessel. On at least two occasions in April 2023, the vessel’s crew discharged oily waste directly overboard from a space known as the “duct keel.” These discharges were not recorded in the oil record book (ORB). The crew also flushed the oil content meter with fresh water to ensure the oil water separator would allow the illegal overboard discharges. The crew failed to record these actions in the ORB, which obstructed the investigation. Christos Charitos, the vessel’s chief engineer, was sentenced in September 2024 to pay a $2,000 fine and complete a one-year term of probation after pleading guilty to violating APPS.

    The U.S. Coast Guard conducted the investigation.

    Related Press Release: Southern District of Texas | Foreign operator of bulk carrier convicted for concealment of pollution and falsification of records | United States Department of Justice

    View All Environmental Crimes Bulletins

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: U.S. Marshals Lone Star Fugitive Task Force Captures 3 Capital Murder Suspects

    Source: US Marshals Service

    Austin, TX – Members of the U.S. Marshals (USMS) Lone Star Fugitive Task Force (LSFTF) continued their work of making Austin neighborhoods safer by apprehending three capital murder suspects on Wednesday.

    The Austin Police Department (APD) requested assistance from the LSFTF to locate and apprehend three suspects sought on capital murder charges from an incident that occurred May 4, 2024, in the 1800 block of Colony Creek Drive in Austin, where a male victim was located lying face down from an apparent gunshot wound. 

    The APD Homicide Unit investigated the incident and identified three suspects who allegedly conspired and acted with one another to commit the murder. 

    On Feb. 7, the Homicide Unit obtained warrants on three suspects in the City of Austin Municipal Court and requested assistance from the LSFTF – Austin Division to locate and apprehend the three suspects who were last known to reside in the city. 

    Members of the LSFTF continued investigative efforts with the Austin Police Department Tactical Intelligence Unit that led to the apprehension of three suspects, who were considered armed and dangerous. 

    Aden Munoz, Aka, “Jermiah”, 18, of Austin, was arrested on in the 1900 block of Hearthside Drive in Austin.

    Bethany Libby, Aka, “Sista Grace”, 37, of Austin, was arrested in the 7900 block of San Felipe Boulevard in Austin.

    Michael Carter, Aka, “Kujo”, 23, of Austin, was arrested in the 900 block of Bedford Street in Austin. 

    All suspects have been transported and transferred to the Austin Police Department.

    Members of the Lone Star Fugitive Task Force in Austin:

    Austin Police Department-Tactical Intelligence Unit
    Georgetown, Round Rock, and San Marcos Police Departments
    Caldwell, Hays, Travis, and Williamson County Sheriff’s Offices
    Texas Attorney General’s Office
    Texas Department of Criminal Justice OIG
    Texas Department of Public Safety
    U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement
    U.S. DHS/Homeland Security Investigations

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Former Illinois Speaker of the House Michael J. Madigan Convicted on Federal Conspiracy and Bribery Charges

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

    CHICAGO — A federal jury in Chicago today convicted former Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives MICHAEL J. MADIGAN on conspiracy and bribery charges for using his official position to corruptly solicit and receive personal financial rewards for himself and his associates.

    Madigan, 82, of Chicago, was convicted on ten counts against him, including one count of conspiracy to commit an offense against the United States, four counts of using interstate facilities to promote unlawful activity, three counts of wire fraud, and two counts of bribery.  The jury acquitted Madigan on four counts of using interstate facilities to promote unlawful activity, two bribery counts, and an attempted extortion count.  U.S. District Judge John Robert Blakey declared a mistrial on six other counts for which the jury did not reach a unanimous verdict – one count of racketeering conspiracy, two counts of wire fraud, one count of bribery, one count of conspiracy to commit an offense against the United States, and one count of using interstate facilities to promote unlawful activity.

    The jury returned its verdicts against Madigan after a four-month trial in U.S. District Court in Chicago.  A sentencing hearing has not yet been scheduled.  Each wire fraud count is punishable by a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison, while each bribery count is punishable by up to ten years.  The maximum for conspiracy to commit an offense against the United States and each count of using interstate facilities to promote unlawful activity is five years.

    Judge Blakey also declared a mistrial as to all six deadlocked counts against a co-defendant, MICHAEL F. MCCLAIN, 77, of Quincy, Ill.  McClain was charged with one count of racketeering conspiracy, two counts of wire fraud, one count of bribery, one count of conspiracy to commit an offense against the United States, and one count of using interstate facilities to promote unlawful activity.

    Evidence at trial revealed that Madigan, who served as House Speaker and occupied a number of other political roles, conspired with others to cause the utility company Commonwealth Edison to make monetary payments to Madigan’s associates as a reward for their loyalty to Madigan, in return for performing little or no legitimate work for the business.  The true nature of the payments was to influence and reward Madigan in connection with specific legislation ComEd sought in the Illinois General Assembly.

    Madigan was also convicted of scheming to accept legal work unlawfully steered to his private law firm and his son by an Alderman of the Chicago City Council, in exchange for Madigan’s assistance in inducing the Governor of Illinois to appoint the Alderman to a compensated State Board position.

    The verdicts were announced by Morris Pasqual, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, Douglas S. DePodesta, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Office of the FBI, and Ramsey E. Covington, Acting Special Agent-in-Charge of the IRS Criminal Investigation Division in Chicago.  The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Amarjeet S. Bhachu, Diane MacArthur, Sarah E. Streicker, and Julia Schwartz.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Two East Bay Residents, One Of Whom Was A Bank Teller, Indicted On Charges Of Cashing Stolen U.S. Treasury Checks

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    OAKLAND – A federal grand jury has indicted Franchesca Calagui, 25, and Dondre Gray, 27, with conspiracy to commit bank fraud and bank fraud, and also charged Calagui with receipt of U.S. Treasury check with forged endorsement or signature.

    According to the indictment unsealed yesterday, from around May 2022 through March 2023, Calagui and Gray, both of Emeryville, Calif., conspired to obtain stolen U.S. Treasury checks, recruit others to fraudulently endorse or sign the stolen U.S. Treasury checks, and give the checks to Calagui to cash for the defendants’ personal benefit.  At the time, Calagui was a part-time associate banker at JP Morgan Chase Bank.

    The indictment describes text messages between Gray and Calagui discussing the ongoing scheme in which Gray stated “I definitely don’t wanna scam with chase since you work there,” and Calagui responded “I do not care if u scam us lmao.”  Gray allegedly explained how he operated the scheme using runners, individuals who gets paid to enter a bank with a fraudulent check, cash it, and return the proceeds to the person who employed the runner.  In all, the defendants are charged with devising and executing a scheme to cash at least 339 stolen U.S. Treasury checks totaling more than $850,000.

    Acting United States Attorney Patrick D. Robbins, FBI Acting Special Agent in Charge Dan Costin, Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) Acting Special Agent in Charge Brandon Knarr, Special Agent in Charge Tyler Hatcher of the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) Los Angeles Field Office, Special Agent in Charge Ryan Korner from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Office of Inspector General (FDIC-OIG), San Francisco Division Inspector in Charge Stephen M. Sherwood of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), Special Agent in Charge Dimitriana Nikolov with the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General’s (VA OIG) Northwest Field Office, and Acting Special Agent in Charge Dean Lake of the Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General (SSA OIG) made the announcement.

    Both defendants are charged with one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud under 18 U.S.C. § 1349 and five counts of bank fraud under 18 U.S.C. §§ 1344(1), (2).  Calagui is also charged with five counts of receipt of U.S. Treasury check with forged endorsement or signature under 18 U.S.C. § 510(b).  Calagui and Gray were arrested and made their initial appearances in federal district court yesterday.  Defendants are next scheduled to appear before U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers on April 3, 2025, for a status conference.

    An indictment merely alleges that a crime has been committed, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.  If convicted, each defendant faces a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison and a fine of $1,000,000 on each charged count.  Any sentence following conviction would be imposed by the court after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of a sentence, 18 U.S.C. § 3553.

    Special Assistant United States Attorney Cynthia Johnson is prosecuting this case with the assistance of Amala James. The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the FBI, TIGTA, IRS-CI, FDIC-OIG, USPIS, VA OIG, and SSA OIG.

    Franchesca Calagui Indictment
     

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Brazilian National Pleads Guilty to Perjury

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Defendant convicted of murder, attempted murder and physical and mental torture by Brazilian authorities for his involvement in “The Slaughter of Curió” in 2015

    BOSTON – A Brazilian national residing in Malden, Mass. has pleaded guilty in federal court in Boston for lying on his asylum application and at an immigration hearing. Upon applying for a U.S. Visa, the defendant never disclosed his arrest in a case involving the murders of 11 people, mostly teenagers, in Brazil in retaliation for the death of a police officer, an incident known as The Slaughter of Curió.

    Antonio Jose De Abreu Vidal Filho, 31, pleaded guilty to two counts of perjury before U.S. District Court Judge Denise J. Casper who scheduled sentencing for Mau 29, 2025. In May 2024, De Abreu was indicted by a federal grand jury.

    In April 2014, De Abreu joined the Ceara State Military Police – Brazilian state forces who, under the governor, do first line policing on the street. In the early morning hours of Nov. 12, 2015, numerous Brazilian military police officers employed by the government of the Brazilian state of Ceará, including De Abreu, participated in a mass killing event of primarily young people from the impoverished neighborhoods of Barroso, Messejana, Guajeru, Curió and Lagoa Redonda in the capital of Ceará.

    The killings were in retaliation for the death of another police officer who was attempting to defend his wife who was being assaulted. In total, 11 people, mostly teenagers, were murdered and many others seriously injured and tortured. This incident has come to be known as A Chacina do Curió or The Slaughter of Curió or The Curió Massacre. A total of 45 individuals, including De Abreu, were charged by the Brazilian authorities and, on Aug. 31, 2016, De Abreu was arrested and detained by the Brazilian police. He was subsequently released pending trial on May 24, 2017.  

    Two weeks later, on June 9, 2017, while in Recife, Brazil, De Abreu applied for a United States non-immigrant B2 visitor visa. When asked whether he had ever been arrested or convicted for any offense or crime, De Abreu responded “no.” Thereafter, on or about June 21, 2017, the United States Department of State approved De Abreu’s Visa Application and issued him the B2 Visa based upon his false representations. De Abreu used the B2 Visa and travelled to Miami on May 30, 2018.

    Between May 30, 2018 through Aug. 14, 2023, as a result of the approval of his Visa Application, De Abreu obtained various state driver’s licenses, a social security card, travel documents and authorizations for employment.  

    De Abreu applied for asylum on Jan. 29, 2020, and lied when asked whether he had ever been accused, charged, arrested, detained, interrogated and imprisoned in any country other than the United States. He also failed to disclose his arrest and detention in Brazil when he applied for adjustment of status with United States Citizenship and Immigration Service.

    On June 25, 2023, De Abreu was convicted of 11 counts of murder, three counts of attempted murder and four counts of physical and mental torture in the First Court of Fortaleza, Ceará. That same day, De Abreu was sentenced to 275 years and 11 months in prison and an arrest warrant issued.

    On Feb. 9, 2024, De Abreu testified under oath at an immigration hearing conducted by U.S. Immigration Court, falsely claiming that he had never lied to immigration officials and that the only reason he had left off important information on immigration documents filed with the United States government was because he had not yet been arrested.

    The charge of misuse of visas, permits and other documents provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of perjury provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of falsifying, concealing and covering up a material fact provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

    United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Michael J. Krol,  Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England; Bradley Parker, Special Agent in Charge of the Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General, Boston Field Office; Mathew O’Brien, Special Agent in Charge of U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service, Boston Field Office; and Denis C. Riordan, District Director of the Fraud Detection and National Security Division of United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, Boston Field Division made the announcement today. This matter was investigated with the assistance of the United States Interagency Human Rights Violators & War Crimes Center. Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura J. Kaplan of the National Security Unit is prosecuting the case.
     

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Haverhill Man Pleads Guilty to Fraudulent Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Claim for Brazilian Resident

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    BOSTON – A Haverhill man has pleaded guilty to making false statements in connection with a Massachusetts Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) claim he submitted in 2020 on behalf of a man who was living in Brazil at the time, and therefore ineligible to receive PUA benefits.

    Julio Roncaly Morais, 42, pleaded guilty to one count of false statements before U.S. District Court Judge Allison D. Burroughs who scheduled sentencing for May 28, 2025. In June 2024, Morias was indicted by a federal grand jury.

    Morais filed a Massachusetts PUA claim on June 3, 2020, on behalf of a co-conspirator who was living in Brazil before and after the PUA claim was filed. In the PUA application, Morais certified under penalty of perjury that the co-conspirator was a resident of Massachusetts and was able and available to work in Massachusetts but was unable to due to the pandemic. As a result of this claim, the Massachusetts Department of Unemployment Assistance paid a total of $5,202 in benefits before suspending payments.  

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

    United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Michael J. Krol, Special Agent in charge for the Homeland Security Investigations New England Field Office; Jonathan Mellone, Special Agent in Charge of the Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General; and Thomas Demeo, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigations in Boston made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Fraud Detection and National Security and the Woburn and Norwood Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kelly Begg Lawrence, James D. Herbert and Samuel R. Feldman of the Criminal Division are prosecuting the case.
     

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Sullivan Legislation Strengthens U.S./Israel Alliance, Reinstates “Peace Through Strength” Policies in the Middle East

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Alaska Dan Sullivan
    02.13.25
    WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC), introduced a package of three bills focused on promoting stability and security in the Middle East: the Enhanced Iran Sanctions Act, the United States-Israel Defense Partnership Act of 2025, and the Stop the ICC. These bills work to strengthen the U.S.-Israel military alliance, bolster the U.S. sanctions regime against Iran—the architect of chaos in the Middle East—and prohibit U.S. funding of or cooperation with the antisemitic International Criminal Court (ICC). Much of Sullivan’s Enhanced Iran Sanctions Act dovetails with President Trump’s recent executive orders on Iran and Israel.
    “Taken together, this suite of bills sends a clear message that the United States stands firmly with Israel,” said Senator Sullivan. “The Biden administration refused to enforce the comprehensive Iran sanctions that President Trump enacted during his first term. As a result, Iran was given more than $70 billion and used this windfall to spread terror across the Middle East and in Israel. Congress needs to send a clear message that this must stop. Further, to better protect our interests at home and strengthen our alliance with Israel, we must strengthen the U.S.-Israel security partnership and stand with Israel against antisemitic institutions that threaten the existence of our closest ally in the Middle East. It’s time to return to ‘peace through strength’ in the Middle East and stand stronger than ever against the Iranian regime and its terrorist proxies that are threatening Israel and American interests throughout the region.” 
    See below for summaries of Senator Sullivan’s legislation.
    Enhanced Iran Sanctions Act
    This legislation supports the return to a maximum pressure posture toward Iran by strengthening the U.S. sanctions regime against Iran by filling the gaps on existing sanctions legislation and mandating rigorous enforcement of sanctions. Specifically, the legislation expands the range of sanctions to encompass the full logistical chain of Iranian energy exports, it creates an interagency task force to constantly track Iranian illicit activities, and it sunsets the timeline to issue sanctions waivers. It also includes provisions to encourage a new multilateral contact group with like-minded nations to coordinate international sanctions enforcement efforts.
    Specifically, the bill takes several important measures:
    Imposes secondary sanctions on the entire logistical chain of foreign entities supporting Iran’s illicit oil sales, including Chinese banks, maritime insurance providers, and flagging registries, as well as the executive-level leadership in those corporations and their immediate family members. It also imposes sanctions on family members of individuals in Iran sanctioned for terrorism, ballistic missile production, or weapons of mass destruction (WMD) facilities.
    Creates an interagency Iran sanctions working group tasked with constantly tracking illicit transfers of Iranian oil, gas, and related products, with a periodic reporting plan to outline efforts to keep abreast of the evolving sanctions-evasion efforts, and identify new sanctions designations packages.
    Creates a multilateral contact group for harmonizing and enforcing international sanctions on Iran.
    Directs the provision of a private sector reporting mechanism, which financially incentivizes private sector counterparts to share information about illicit Iranian transfer operations.
    Initiates a periodic (180-day) review by the President to justify maintaining existing waivers on eligible nations’ purchase of Iranian oil, accompanied by a detailed, credible plan to phase out the need for waivers for each applicable country. This would include sunset waiver authority on Iran sanctions, following a periodic congressional review.
    Sunsets the presidential sanctions waiver authority in February 1, 2029.
    This legislation is cosponsored by Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), and Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.).
    The United States-Israel Defense Partnership Act of 2025
    This bill strengthens the U.S.-Israel security partnership by extending and expanding existing bilateral security initiatives. It also establishes new cooperative programs, including a broader initiative on unmanned systems, establishing a Defense Innovation Unit in Israel, and advocating for consideration of Israel’s inclusion in the National Technology Industrial Base (NTIB). Finally, it calls for greater cooperation between Israel and regional countries in advancing work on Integrated Air and Missile Defense.
    Specifically, this bill takes several important measures:
    Establishes a program between the United States and Israel on Countering Unmanned Systems (C-UxS). This entails a program of cooperation to develop, test, and deploy advanced C-UxS technologies to address threats posed by UAS, funded at $150 million per year.
    Extension and expansion of the U.S.-Israel Counter-UAS Cooperative Program. This would increase funding for the current initiative from $55 million to $75 million annually.
    Extension and expansion of the United States-Israel Anti-Tunneling Cooperative Program. Extends the authorization of the U.S.-Israel Anti-Tunneling Cooperative Program to Dec 31, 2028 and increases the authorization to $80 million per year.
    Authorizes cooperation between the United States and Israel on emerging defense technologies for 5 years (United States-Israel Future of Warfare Act).  Provides $47.5 million a year to encourage further defense collaboration with Israel in areas of emerging technologies, including autonomous systems, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, quantum, and biotechnology.
    Reauthorizes the War Reserves Stockpile Authority – Israel (WRSA-I); extends the authorization of WRSA-I, which expires at the end of 2026, through January 1, 2029.
    Establishes a Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) office in Israel. A DIU office in Israel will work with the Israeli Minister of Defense and private sector to counter Iran’s development of dual-use defense technologies.
    Israel-National Technology Industrial Base (NTIB) Engagement. This requires the Secretary of Defense to engage with his or her Israeli counterpart to initiate a discussion on the process of Israeli ascension into NTIB. 
    Integrated Air and Missile Defense (IAMD). This requires the Secretary of Defense to provide a report on strengthening IAMD in the Middle East.
    This legislation is cosponsored by Senators Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), and Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.).
    Stop the ICC Act
    This bill prohibits funding for and cooperation with the International Criminal Court (ICC), based on its antisemitic efforts to prosecute top Israeli officials and create a false equivalence between Israel and Hamas, a terrorist organization. It also prohibits U.S. economic support for the Palestinian Authority (PA) based on its cooperation with the ICC’s investigations against Israeli officials. Specifically, it instructs the President to freeze property assets and deny visas to any foreigners who materially or financially contributed to the ICC’s efforts to “investigate, arrest, detain or prosecute a protected person.” Protected persons are defined as all current and former military and government officials of the U.S. and allies that have not consented to the court’s jurisdiction, such as Israel.  The legislation covers the 32-member NATO and the 19 major non-NATO countries, which include Israel, Japan, Taiwan, Australia, South Korea, the Philippines, and Egypt. It would also rescind any funds the U.S. has designated for the ICC and prohibit any future money for the court.
    Background:  In May 2024, ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan announced that he was seeking warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and then-Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, as well as Hamas leadership. In November 2024, the court issued warrants for Mr. Netanyahu, Mr. Gallant and Hamas leaders for war crimes and crimes against humanity.
    This legislation is cosponsored by Senator Tom Cotton (R-Ark.).

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: U.S. Marshals Lone Star Fugitive Task Force Capture a Triple Play Rounding Up 3 Capital Murder Suspects

    Source: US Marshals Service

    Austin, TX – Members of the U.S. Marshals (USMS) Lone Star Fugitive Task Force (LSFTF) continued their work of making Austin neighborhoods safer by apprehending three capital murder suspects on Wednesday.

    The Austin Police Department (APD) requested assistance from the LSFTF to locate and apprehend three suspects sought on capital murder charges from an incident that occurred May 4, 2024, in the 1800 block of Colony Creek Drive in Austin, where a male victim was located lying face down from an apparent gunshot wound. 

    The APD Homicide Unit investigated the incident and identified three suspects who allegedly conspired and acted with one another to commit the murder. 

    On Feb. 7, the Homicide Unit obtained warrants on three suspects in the City of Austin Municipal Court and requested assistance from the LSFTF – Austin Division to locate and apprehend the three suspects who were last known to reside in the city. 

    Members of the LSFTF continued investigative efforts with the Austin Police Department Tactical Intelligence Unit that led to the apprehension of three suspects, who were considered armed and dangerous. 

    Aden Munoz, Aka, “Jermiah”, 18, of Austin, was arrested on in the 1900 block of Hearthside Drive in Austin.

    Bethany Libby, Aka, “Sista Grace”, 37, of Austin, was arrested in the 7900 block of San Felipe Boulevard in Austin.

    Michael Carter, Aka, “Kujo”, 23, of Austin, was arrested in the 900 block of Bedford Street in Austin. 

    All suspects have been transported and transferred to the Austin Police Department.

    Members of the Lone Star Fugitive Task Force in Austin:

    Austin Police Department-Tactical Intelligence Unit
    Georgetown, Round Rock, and San Marcos Police Departments
    Caldwell, Hays, Travis, and Williamson County Sheriff’s Offices
    Texas Attorney General’s Office
    Texas Department of Criminal Justice OIG
    Texas Department of Public Safety
    U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement
    U.S. DHS/Homeland Security Investigations

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: FBI Los Angeles Field Office Warns of Romance Scams Ahead of Valentine’s Day

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

    LOS ANGELES—The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is working to raise awareness about online romance scams, also called confidence fraud. In this type of fraud, scammers take advantage of people looking for romantic partners on dating websites, apps, or social media by obtaining access to their financial or personal identifying information. Romance scams are prevalent, especially during this time of year.

    Romance scams occur when a criminal uses a fake online identity to gain a victim’s affection and trust. These scammers are present on most dating and social media sites. They look to establish a relationship as quickly as possible and endear themselves to the victim. Many may propose marriage and make plans to meet in person. Eventually, they will ask for money.

    “Confidence fraud, or romance scams, can happen to anyone at any time. The criminals who carry out romance scams are experts at what they do” said Akil Davis, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI Los Angeles Field Office. “Individuals who are looking for love and companionship are the target victims of this online fraud. The FBI cautions everyone who may be romantically involved with a person online to proceed carefully and stay alert to warning signs. If you suspect an online relationship is a scam, stop all contact immediately.”

    To avoid meeting in person, romance scammers often claim to live or work in other parts of the country or world. Eventually, when they feel they have gained the trust of their victims, these criminals will request money from them, oftentimes for a medical emergency, an unexpected legal fee, or some other false purpose.

    Romance scams/confidence schemes have resulted in one of the highest amounts of financial losses when compared to other Internet-facilitated crimes. According to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center, roughly 18,000 victims reported nearly $700,000,000 in losses in 2023, the most recent statistical year available.

    That same year, over 2000 victims in California reported more than $100,000,000 in losses.

    While anyone can fall victim to these schemes, bad actors are known to target women over age 40 who are widowed, divorced, elderly, or disabled.

    If you develop a relationship with someone you meet online, please consider the following tips and beware of the red flags:

    • Research the person’s photo and profile using online searches to see if the image, name, or details have been used elsewhere.
    • Beware if the individual seems too perfect or quickly asks you to leave a dating service or social media site to go “offline.”
    • The individual professes love quickly.
    • The individual tries to isolate you from friends and family.
    • The individual makes plans to visit you, but always cancels because of some emergency. If you haven’t met the person after a few months, for whatever reason, you have good reason to be suspicious.
    • Go slowly and ask lots of questions.
    • Be careful what you post and make public online. Scammers can use details shared on social media and dating sites to better understand and target you.
    • Never send money to anyone you have only communicated with online or by phone.

    If you suspect an online relationship is a scam, stop all contact immediately. If you are the victim of a romance scam, file a complaint with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (www.ic3.gov).

    Resources:

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Bangladesh: Critical UN report must spur accountability and justice – Amnesty International

    Source: Amnesty International

    Responding to the  UN Fact-Finding report published yesterday which finds reasonable grounds to believe Bangladesh’s former Government and security apparatus  systematically engaged in a range of serious human rights violations raising concerns as to crimes against humanity, Smriti Singh, regional director for South Asia at Amnesty International, said:

    “This 105-page UN report lays bare the scale and severity of the human rights violations committed by the regime led by the ex-prime minister Sheikh Hasina to repress anti-government protests in Bangladesh. It echoes and expands on the findings by Amnesty International and other human rights organizations from last year. While the report is an important attempt to address serious violations in the country, the UN should not stop its efforts here. Continued efforts for investigation and fact-finding by UN human rights mechanisms are critical to support accountability and justice for victims in Bangladesh.

    “The Interim Government must take seriously the UN recommendation to consider referring to the International Criminal Court all the incidents which took place between 1 July to 15 August in Bangladesh. The government must also implement other immediate and longer-term recommendations in the report including guarantees of fair trial and due process in ongoing investigations, security and justice sector reform and repeal of draconian laws that restrict civic space, among others.  However, to ensure lasting truth, justice, accountability, reparations and guarantees of non-recurrence, the engagement with UN mechanisms and bodies must continue beyond this. Any failure to do so would be to turn our backs on the victims and survivors.”

    (ref. https://www.ohchr.org/en/documents/country-reports/ohchr-fact-finding-report-human-rights-violations-and-abuses-related )

    Background

    On 12 February, the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) published their report based on an independent fact-finding inquiry into alleged human rights violations and abuses that occurred during widespread protests in Bangladesh between 1 July and 15 August 2024.

    Last year, Amnesty International had documented the violence and repression in Bangladesh in response to the students-led quota-reform protests across the country. We published a video verification series documenting evidence of the unlawful use of both lethal and less-lethal force against student protesters.

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Washington County Man Pleads Guilty to Distribution and Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Material

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    ALBANY, NEW YORK – David Dion, age 47, of Greenwich, New York, pled guilty today to charges that he distributed and possessed child sexual abuse material (CSAM). United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman; Craig L. Tremaroli, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); and New York State Police (NYSP) Superintendent Steven G. James made the announcement.

    Dion admitted that from July 2023 to January 2024, he distributed images and videos of CSAM via an encrypted chat messenger to another person, and possessed images of CSAM on five electronic devices on February 28, 2024, when his residence was searched. He also admitted that he produced morphed images of CSAM by using non-pornographic images of known children and superimposing the faces of those children onto other images of CSAM he found on the Internet to create an adapted or modified depiction of an identifiable minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Dion possessed more than 130,000 images of CSAM across his devices.

    Sentencing is currently scheduled for June 13, 2025, before United States District Judge Anne M. Nardacci. Dion faces at least 5 years and up to 20 years in prison, a maximum fine of $250,000, and a term of post-imprisonment supervised release of at least 5 years and up to life. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors. Dion may also be ordered to pay restitution to the victims of his offenses and forfeit the devices used in the offenses. Dion will also have to register as a sex offender upon his release from prison.

    The FBI and NYSP are investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander P. Wentworth-Ping is prosecuting the case.

    Launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice, Project Safe Childhood is led by United States Attorney’s offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), and is designed to marshal 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 https://www.justice.gov/psc.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Former U.S. Postal Service employee in Billings admits stealing mail

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    BILLINGS — A former U.S. Postal Service employee admitted to a theft charge today after he was accused of stealing mail when he tried to sell $850 worth of sports cards to a Billings sports memorabilia business that had attempted to ship the cards to a different customer, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.

    The defendant, Zachary Louis Simpson, 37, pleaded guilty to theft of mail by employee. Simpson faces a maximum of five years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release.

    U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy J. Cavan presided. A sentencing date will be set before U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters. The court will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Simpson was released pending further proceedings.

    The government alleged in court documents that between March 27, 2023 and April 3, 2024, Simpson was employed by the U.S. Postal Service and sorted packages at the mail facility in Billings. Simpson had access to and was entrusted with mail during his shifts at the sorting facility. While employed with the Postal Service, Simpson stole packages from the sorting facility and took them home. On March 12, 2024, the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General was contacted regarding Simpson. A sports memorabilia business in Billings notified law enforcement that Simpson came into the store to sell $850 of sports cards. The company realized that it had recently attempted to ship those same cards to a different customer through the mail. An investigation determined that the packages containing these cards had transited the postal sorting facility in Billings on a date Simpson was working. Law enforcement conducted a trash pull at Simpson’s residence and found dozens of empty packages in his trash that were addressed to other people at different locations. Investigators executed a search warrant at Simpson’s residence and seized more than 100 additional empty packages that were not addressed to Simpson. Agents also recovered more than 10,000 sports trading cards and other memorabilia. The Postal Service contacted a number of the victims whose packages were found in Simpson’s possession. Many reported that their packages contained sports trading cards that never reached the intended destination.

    The U.S. Attorney’s Office is prosecuting the case. The U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General, with assistance from the Eastern Montana High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force, conducted the investigation.

    XXX

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: Saudi Arabia: Authorities ‘must immediately reveal’ whereabouts of woman unjustly convicted for social media posts about women’s rights

    Source: Amnesty International –

    Fitness instructor, Manahel al-Otaibi’s was sentenced to 11 years in prison in January 2024

    Manahel’s family have not heard from her in last two months and fear for her safety

    ‘She told us about the torture, sexual harassment, months of solitary confinement, mistreatment, and medical neglect she has faced and that these abuses have mostly happened during periods when she is completely cut off from the outside world’ – Manahel’s sister

    ‘Saudi authorities claim they have made progress on women’s rights but have continued to arbitrarily detain women like Manahel al-Otaibi simply for posting about women’s rights’ – Bissan Fakih

    Saudi Arabia’s authorities must immediately reveal the fate and whereabouts of Manahel al-Otaibi, a 30-year-old woman serving an 11-year prison sentence for promoting women’s rights, who has now been forcibly disappeared for nearly two months, Amnesty International said today.

    Manahel al-Otaibi’s last phone call to her family was on 15 December 2024. Since then, her family’s repeated attempts to contact prison authorities and the Saudi Arabian Human Rights Commission requesting information about her have gone unanswered. The authorities’ refusal to disclose Manahel al-Otaibi’s whereabouts amounts to enforced disappearance, a crime under international law.

    Bissan Fakih, Amnesty International’s Middle East Campaigner, said:

    “Fears for Manahel’s safety have grown rapidly over the past two months. The Saudi authorities must immediately reveal Manahel al-Otaibi’s whereabouts, grant her unrestricted access to her family, and quash her unjust conviction.

    “Saudi authorities claim they have made progress on women’s rights but have continued to arbitrarily detain women like Manahel al-Otaibi simply for posting about women’s rights and wearing what they choose. This hypocrisy is astounding – not only from the Saudi government, but also from public figures and the international community promoting the kingdom’s reform narrative while ignoring the women who are behind bars simply for daring to speak out for their rights.

    “Saudi authorities must immediately and unconditionally release Manahel al-Otaibi and all those arbitrarily detained and unjustly convicted solely for exercising their human rights. Pending Manahel al-Otaibi’s release, the authorities must reveal her whereabouts, ensure her safety, well-being and access to adequate healthcare.”

    Sentenced to prison in a secret hearing

    Manahel al-Otaibi, a fitness instructor, was sentenced to 11 years in prison in a secret hearing before Saudi Arabia’s notorious counter-terrorism court, the Specialised Criminal Court, on 9 January 2024. Her charges relate to calling for an end to Saudi Arabia’s male guardianship system on social media, publishing videos of herself wearing “indecent clothes”, and “going to the shops without wearing an abaya” (a traditional dress).  

    Manahel al-Otaibi previously forcibly disappeared for five months between 5 November 2023 and 14 April 2024. She was also held incommunicado for a period of one month in August 2024, during which period she was subject to torture and other ill-treatment. When she was finally able to contact her family again, they learned that she had been beaten by fellow prisoners and prison guards. She also told them she had been held in solitary confinement.  

    Manahel al-Otaibi was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, a chronic neurological disorder which her family said developed after she witnessed the arrest of her older sister, Mariam al-Otaibi. Mariam, a prominent human rights defender and campaigner against the male guardianship system, was detained in 2017 for 104 days for her women’s rights activism and is currently subjected to a travel ban and restrictions on her speech. 

    Given the authorities’ previous ill-treatment of Manahel al-Otaibi, there are serious fears for her well-being and physical integrity. Her sister, Fawzia al-Otaibi, said:

    “My family is living through a true nightmare, we are terrified about what is happening to Manahel. She told us about the torture, sexual harassment, months of solitary confinement, mistreatment, and medical neglect she has faced and that these abuses have mostly happened during periods when she is completely cut off from the outside world. Every time we lose contact with Manahel, our entire family goes into a state of panic, fearing for her safety. We frantically reach out to everyone we can begging for intervention and help but unfortunately, no government entity inside the country pays us any attention.

    “Mariam’s arrest terrorised our entire family. We lived in constant fear, watching as government-affiliated accounts on Twitter ran smear campaigns against us, labelling us as traitors. Manahel was bedridden, her health deteriorating rapidly. Since her imprisonment, her illness has worsened far more than before due to continuous medical neglect and torture.”

    Fawzia al-Otaibi faces similar charges to her sister Manahel but fled Saudi Arabia fearing arrest after being summoned for questioning in 2022. 

    Amnesty has documented how the Saudi authorities have intensified their crackdown on freedom of expression over the past few years with Saudi courts convicting and handing down lengthy prison terms to dozens of individuals for expressing themselves on social media. These include:

    • Abdulrahman al-Sadhan, sentenced to 20 years in prison for satirical tweets
    • Mohammed al-Ghamdi, previously given the death penalty but now serving 30 years in prison for tweets critical of the authorities
    • Nourah al-Qahtani, a women’s rights activist who was sentenced to 45 years in prison

    MIL OSI NGO –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: Saudi Arabia: Woman unjustly convicted for social media posts about women’s rights forcibly disappeared

    Source: Amnesty International –

    Saudi Arabia’s authorities must immediately reveal the fate and whereabouts of Manahel al-Otaibi, a 30-year-old woman serving an 11-year prison sentence for promoting women’s rights, who has now been forcibly disappeared for nearly two months, Amnesty International said today.

    Manahel al-Otaibi’s last phone call to her family was on 15 December 2024. Since then, her family’s repeated attempts to contact prison authorities and the Saudi Arabian Human Rights Commission, requesting information about her, have gone unanswered. The authorities’ refusal to disclose Manahel al-Otaibi’s whereabouts amounts to enforced disappearance, a crime under international law.

    “Fears for Manahel’s safety have grown rapidly over the past two months. The Saudi authorities must immediately reveal Manahel al-Otaibi’s whereabouts, grant her unrestricted access to her family, and quash her unjust conviction,” said Bissan Fakih, Amnesty International’s Middle East Campaigner.

    “Saudi authorities claim they have made progress on women’s rights but have continued to arbitrarily detain women like Manahel al-Otaibi simply for posting about women’s rights and wearing what they choose. This hypocrisy is astounding – not only from the Saudi government, but also from public figures and the international community promoting the kingdom’s reform narrative while ignoring the women who are behind bars simply for daring to speak out for their rights.” 

    Saudi authorities claim they have made progress on women’s rights but have continued to arbitrarily detain women like Manahel al-Otaibi simply for posting about women’s rights and wearing what they choose.

    Bissan Fakih, Amnesty International

    Manahel al-Otaibi, a fitness instructor, was sentenced to 11 years in prison in a secret hearing before Saudi Arabia’s notorious counter-terrorism court, the Specialized Criminal Court, on 9 January 2024. Her charges relate to calling for an end to Saudi Arabia’s male guardianship system on social media, publishing videos of herself wearing “indecent clothes”, and “going to the shops without wearing an abaya” (a traditional dress).  

    Manahel al-Otaibi was previously forcibly disappeared for five months between 5 November 2023 and 14 April 2024. She was also held incommunicado for a period of one month in August 2024, during which period she was subject to torture and other ill-treatment. When she was finally able to contact her family again, they learned that she had been beaten by fellow prisoners and prison guards. She also told them she had been held in solitary confinement.  

    Given the authorities’ previous ill-treatment of Manahel al-Otaibi, there are serious fears for her well-being and physical integrity. Her sister, Fawzia al-Otaibi, said: “My family is living through a true nightmare, we are terrified about what is happening to Manahel. She told us about the torture, sexual harassment, months of solitary confinement, mistreatment, and medical neglect she has faced and that these abuses have mostly happened during periods when she is completely cut off from the outside world. Every time we lose contact with Manahel, our entire family goes into a state of panic, fearing for her safety. We frantically reach out to everyone we can, begging for intervention and help, but unfortunately, no government entity inside the country pays us any attention.”

    Manahel al-Otaibi was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, a chronic neurological disorder, which her family said developed after she witnessed the arrest of her older sister, Mariam al-Otaibi. Mariam al-Otaibi, a prominent human rights defender and campaigner against the male guardianship system, was detained in 2017 for 104 days for her women’s rights activism and is currently subjected to a travel ban and restrictions on her speech. 

    “Mariam’s arrest terrorized our entire family. We lived in constant fear, watching as government-affiliated accounts on Twitter ran smear campaigns against us, labelling us as traitors. Manahel was bedridden, her health deteriorating rapidly,” her sister, Fawzia al-Otaibi, said.

    “Since her imprisonment, her illness has worsened far more than before due to continuous medical neglect and torture.”

    Fawzia al-Otaibi faces similar charges to her sister Manahel but fled Saudi Arabia fearing arrest after being summoned for questioning in 2022. 

    Amnesty International has documented how the Saudi authorities have intensified their crackdown on freedom of expression over the past few years, with Saudi courts convicting and handing down lengthy prison terms to dozens of individuals for expressing themselves on social media. These include:

    Abdulrahman al-Sadhan, sentenced to 20 years in prison for satirical tweets;

    Mohammed al-Ghamdi, previously given the death penalty but now serving 30 years in prison for tweets critical of the authorities;

    Nourah al-Qahtani, a women’s rights activist who was sentenced to 45 years in prison;

    “Saudi authorities must immediately and unconditionally release Manahel al-Otaibi and all those arbitrarily detained and unjustly convicted solely for exercising their human rights. Pending Manahel al-Otaibi’s release, the authorities must reveal their whereabouts, ensure her safety, well-being and access to adequate healthcare,” Bissan Fakih said.

    MIL OSI NGO –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: Bangladesh: Critical UN report must spur accountability and justice

    Source: Amnesty International –

    Responding to the UN Fact-Finding report published yesterday which finds reasonable grounds to believe Bangladesh’s former Government and security apparatus systematically engaged in a range of serious human rights violations raising concerns as to crimes against humanity, Smriti Singh, regional director for South Asia at Amnesty International, said:

    “This 105-page UN report lays bare the scale and severity of the human rights violations committed by the regime led by the ex-prime minister Sheikh Hasina to repress anti-government protests in Bangladesh. It echoes and expands on the findings by Amnesty International and other human rights organizations from last year. While the report is an important attempt to address serious violations in the country, the UN should not stop its efforts here. Continued efforts for investigation and fact-finding by UN human rights mechanisms are critical to support accountability and justice for victims in Bangladesh.

    “The Interim Government must take seriously the UN recommendation to consider referring to the International Criminal Court all the incidents which took place between 1 July to 15 August in Bangladesh. The government must also implement other immediate and longer-term recommendations in the report including guarantees of fair trial and due process in ongoing investigations, security and justice sector reform and repeal of draconian laws that restrict civic space, among others.  However, to ensure lasting truth, justice, accountability, reparations and guarantees of non-recurrence, the engagement with UN mechanisms and bodies must continue beyond this. Any failure to do so would be to turn our backs on the victims and survivors.”

    To ensure lasting truth, justice, accountability, reparations and guarantees of non-recurrence, the engagement with UN mechanisms and bodies must continue beyond this. Any failure to do so would be to turn our backs on the victims and survivors.

    Smriti Singh, regional director for South Asia at Amnesty International

    Background

    On 12 February, the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) published their report based on an independent fact-finding inquiry into alleged human rights violations and abuses that occurred during widespread protests in Bangladesh between 1 July and 15 August 2024.

    Last year, Amnesty International had documented the violence and repression in Bangladesh in response to the students-led quota-reform protests across the country. We published a video verification series documenting evidence of the unlawful use of both lethal and less-lethal force against student protesters.

    MIL OSI NGO –

  • MIL-OSI USA: King Cosponsors Bipartisan Legislation to Crack Down on Illegal Fentanyl Trafficking

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Maine Angus King
    WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Angus King (I-ME), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) and the Select Senate Committee on Intelligence (SSCI), is cosponsoring bipartisan legislation to help law enforcement combat fentanyl trafficking and equip scientists with the tools to research and better understand fentanyl and other opioid-related substances. The bipartisan Halt All Lethal Trafficking of Fentanyl Act would finally make permanent the scheduling of illicitly produced fentanyl-related substances (FRS) as Schedule I drugs and streamline the regulatory process for scientists seeking approval from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to research these substances.
    A permanent scheduling of FRS is necessary to make penalties for criminals clear and enforceable under the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), reducing the supply and availability of illicitly manufactured FRS. The HALT Fentanyl Act places the strongest controls and penalties on FRS, which have no accepted medical use and a high abuse potential. The bill would also establish a new, streamlined registration process for research funded by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), or under an Investigative New Drug (IND) exemption from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
    “Our state knows all too well the devastation opioids like fentanyl can cause; far too many Maine people have lost their lives or a loved-one to fentanyl related overdoses,” said Senator King. “We have a duty to equip our law enforcement professionals, researchers and those on the frontlines with the consistent guidance to help us combat this deadly epidemic. The bipartisan Halt All Lethal Trafficking of Fentanyl Act meets the urgency of this crisis and is a critical step toward ensuring our families and communities are safe from this dangerous, deadly drug.”
    Since 2013, Maine has experienced tragically significant growth in total deaths from fentanyl related overdoses. In 2021, 77% of all drug overdoses in Maine were due to fentanyl. Fentanyl and FRS are especially dangerous because their presence is often unknown to the user and lethal in extremely small amounts. The University of Maine estimates fentanyl to be 25 times more potent than oxycodone and 50-100 times more potent than heroin.
    Specifically, the HALT Fentanyl Act would:
    Permanently impose the following quantity-based federal trafficking penalties on FRS:
    Mandatory minimum penalties: 5 years for 10 grams or more (10 years for second offense); and 10 years for 100 grams or more (20 years for second offense).
    Discretionary maximum penalties: 40 years for 10 grams or more (life for second offense); and life for 100 grams or more.
    Enhance our understanding of manufactured substances by:
    Allowing researchers in the same institution to participate in multiple scientific studies.
    Permitting researchers with ongoing studies to examine newly added schedule I substances.
    Allowing researchers to manufacture small quantities of FRS without a separate registration.
    In addition to Senator King, the HALT Fentanyl Act is cosponsored by Senators Martin Heinrich (D-NM),  Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Roger Marshall (R-KN), Todd Young (R-IN), Steve Daines (R-MT), Eric Schmitt (R-MO), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Mike Rounds (R-SD), John Kennedy (R-LA), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Mark Kelly (D-AZ).
    As a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and Select Senate Committee on Intelligence, Senator King has previously supported legislation to combat illicit drug use and decrease overdoses. He is a cosponsor of the Synthetics Trafficking and Overdose Prevention Act, bipartisan legislation that is designed to stop dangerous synthetic drugs like fentanyl and carfentanil from being shipped through our borders. Senator King also cosponsored the INTERDICT Act, bipartisan legislation to help halt the flow of illicit fentanyl from Mexico, China and other nations around the world into the United States. During an open hearing of the Select Senate Intelligence Committee last year, Senator King pressed Avril Haines, the former Director of National Intelligence and Christopher Wray, the former Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), about what the intelligence community is doing to halt the flow of illicit drugs — including fentanyl — from Mexico, China and other nations into the United States.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Experts of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women Praise Sri Lanka’s Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security, Ask about Legislation on Child Marriage and Domestic Violence

    Source: United Nations – Geneva

    The Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women today concluded its consideration of the ninth periodic report of Sri Lanka, with Committee Experts praising the State’s national action plan on women, peace and security, and raising questions about the Muslim Marriage and Divorce Act, which permitted child marriage, and domestic violence.

    One Committee Expert said the national action plan on women, peace and security was a positive step in addressing the needs of women in conflict.  Were there plans to conduct a mid-term assessment of the plan?

    Yamila González Ferrer, Committee Expert and Country Rapporteur for Sri Lanka, said that the Muslim Marriage and Divorce Act was amended in 2022, but there were still concerns about elements of the law.  Were there plans to further amend the law, including to ban child marriage?

    Another Committee Expert said at least one in five women in Sri Lanka had experienced violence from an intimate partner, and many did not report it.  What was the timeline for adopting proposed amendments to the Prevention of Domestic Violence Act?  What protections were provided to women victims of violence?

    Introducing the report, Saroja Savitri Paulraj, Minister of Women and Child Affairs of Sri Lanka and head of the delegation, said the Sri Lankan Government was committed to upholding the rights of women and girls and advancing gender equality.  This review held particular significance, as it was the country’s first engagement with an international human rights treaty body since the presidential and parliamentary elections of 2024.

    Ms. Paulraj said Sri Lanka’s first national action plan for women, peace and security for 2023 to 2027 had been launched.  The Government was committed to realising the full promise of the women, peace and security agenda.  The delegation added that the action plan addressed displacement, and women’s protection, security and participation in peacebuilding.  The State party was planning to conduct a review of the implementation of the action plan.

    On the Muslim Marriage and Divorce Act, the delegation said the Government had conducted consultations regarding its amendment.  It was trying to strike a balance between women’s and children’s rights and cultural rights.  Ms. Paulraj added that the Women’s Parliamentary Caucus had suggested setting a minimum age for marriage and establishing a multi sectoral committee to address this issue.

    On domestic violence, the delegation said the Prevention of Domestic Violence Act had been amended; the amended Act would come into force this year.  The Assistance to Victims Act underlined the rights of victims to be treated with respect and privacy, and to request legal, medical and psychosocial assistance.  A toll-free hotline operated by female officers was available for reporting domestic violence.

    In closing remarks, Ms. Paulraj said the Sri Lankan Government had undertaken significant efforts to strengthen women’s empowerment.  It was fully committed to addressing the issues that women faced in the State and would continue to engage with the Committee constructively.

    In her concluding remarks, Nahla Haidar, Committee Chair, said that the State party had shared candidly and transparently the progress made and difficulties it was facing.  She commended the State party for its efforts and encouraged it to implement the Committee’s recommendations for the benefit of all Sri Lankan women and girls.

    The delegation of Sri Lanka consisted of representatives from the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs; Attorney General’s Department; Sri Lanka Police; Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism; and the Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka to the United Nations Office at Geneva.

    The Committee will issue the concluding observations on the report of Sri Lanka at the end of its ninetieth session on 21 February.  All documents relating to the Committee’s work, including reports submitted by States parties, can be found on the session’s webpage.  Meeting summary releases can be found here.  The webcast of the Committee’s public meetings can be accessed via the UN Web TV webpage.

    The Committee will next meet at 10 a.m. on Friday, 14 February to consider the sixth periodic report of Liechtenstein (CEDAW/C/LIE/6).

    Report

    The Committee has before it the ninth periodic report of Sri Lanka (CEDAW/C/LKA/9).

    Presentation of Report

    SAROJA SAVITRI PAULRAJ, Minister of Women and Child Affairs of Sri Lanka and head of the delegation, said the Sri Lankan Government was committed to upholding the rights of women and girls and advancing gender equality.  This review held particular significance, as it was the country’s first engagement with an international human rights treaty body since the presidential and parliamentary elections of 2024 and the formation of the new Government in Sri Lanka.  Sri Lanka was proud to have a member from Sri Lanka in the Committee, Rangita de Silva de Alwis.  Her contribution to this Committee’s work was highly appreciated.

    Ms. Paulraj said she was the first Tamil Member of Parliament elected from the Southern Province, which had a predominantly Sinhala community.  Women’s representation in Sri Lanka’s Parliament had risen from 4.8 to 9.7 per cent with the election of 22 female members in November 2024.  These women included individuals from the working class and marginalised communities, including, for the first time in history, two women from the Malayaga community. 

    Sri Lanka was proud to have its third female Prime Minister, Dr. Harini Amarasuriya.  One of the Government’s key electoral pledges had been to ensure the equal representation of women in Government. Appointing a woman to the post of Deputy Chairman of Committees of Parliament for the first time was another milestone.  The Sri Lankan judiciary also had a high percentage of women at senior levels. Thirty-two per cent of Ambassadors in Sri Lanka were women.  Across all levels of Sri Lanka’s diplomatic service, women were in the majority. During the reporting period, Sri Lanka Police appointed four female Deputy Inspectors General of Police and the first female Director of the Criminal Investigation Department.  Many women had been appointed to the Government’s decision-making councils, commissions and boards.

    The Government had made a policy commitment to reduce the burden of unpaid care work for women. Women played a crucial role in driving the economy in Sri Lanka, with their contributions being essential in generating income across key sectors.  Women made up most of the workforce in industries such as garments, plantations, and as migrant workers.  For the first time, a woman had been appointed as the Chairperson of the Sri Lankan Apparel Exporters Association in the corporate sector.

    The Government had introduced several initiatives to support economic recovery and empower citizens, particularly focusing on women and youth.  One notable proposal was the establishment of a new development bank aimed at providing new entrepreneurs, including rural and disadvantaged women, with loans without the requirement for collateral.  The Sri Lanka Women’s Bureau was the national mechanism implementing projects and programmes for the social and economic development of women from national to grassroots level.

    The Women Empowerment Act of 2024 introduced mechanisms to give effect to the obligations undertaken by Sri Lanka in relation to the Convention, and defined women’s right to equality and non-discrimination.  A key component of this Act was to establish an independent National Commission on Women, and to provide provisions for the appointment of a Woman Ombudsperson on ensuring women’s rights and setting up a National Fund for Women. 

    The Land Development (Amendment) Act of 2022 had brought in provisions to ensure gender equality and non-discrimination in land inheritance.  The Women’s Parliamentary Caucus had suggested setting a minimum age for marriage and establishing a multi sectoral committee to address this issue.

    Addressing sexual and gender-based violence was a key priority for the Government.  It would establish mechanisms to prioritise and expedite the resolution of cases involving sexual offences against women and minors, ensuring that victims received timely redress.  The progress review of the first national action plan to address sexual and gender-based violence for the period 2016-2020 found a 70 per cent level of implementation.  Thereafter, a second plan for the period 2024-2028 was launched in 2024.  This plan focused on prevention programmes in schools, places of work, and community-based initiatives, as well as programmes on engaging men to address gender-based violence. 

    Children and Women Desks had been newly established in police stations, and the Government would also double the allocation for 2025 for the establishment and expansion of shelter homes for women.

    Sri Lanka’s first national action plan for women, peace and security for 2023 to 2027 had been launched.  The action plan was developed through an inclusive process of broad consultations with survivors of conflict and vulnerable women and children.  The Government was committed to realising the full promise of the women, peace and security agenda. 

    Technology-facilitated gender-based violence was another pressing challenge that Sri Lanka was facing.  The Government was working to implement stronger laws and policies to protect individuals from privacy violations, online stalking, and hate speech.  Sri Lanka was a party to the Budapest Convention on Cybercrime, which focused on addressing online and technology-facilitated violence against women.  The Online Safety Act of 2024 aimed to protect the vulnerable sections of the society in line with international standards.

    Sri Lanka was committed to upholding human rights, gender equality, and social justice.  Its foremost priority was to ensure that no one was left behind.  Sri Lankan women had been active participants in the country’s development agenda and the Government was committed to addressing existing challenges and supporting women to carry out this role.

    Questions by Committee Experts

    YAMILA GONZÁLEZ FERRER, Committee Expert and Country Rapporteur for Sri Lanka, said that Sri Lanka’s Constitution established that all persons had the right to live free from discrimination. However, this was not yet a reality. Sri Lanka was in the process of drafting a new Constitution.  Were there plans to incorporate the rights of women and girls into the Constitution? Proposals had been made to reform criminal laws to remove discriminatory provisions affecting women related to marriage. What progress had been made in this regard?

    The national human rights institution had “A” status under the Paris Principles.  What actions had it implemented to protect women’s rights? Were its complaints mechanisms effective?  Were there plans to update the national action plan on human rights?  There were several obstacles limiting the capacity of the judicial system to protect women affected by sexual and gender-based violence and domestic violence.  How was the State party strengthening the judiciary and reducing trial times?

    The death penalty was legal in Sri Lanka.  Although there was a de facto moratorium in place, courts continued to sentence women to death, often not considering mitigating circumstances such as gender-based violence.  Could the State party provide data on women sentenced to death?  Had the Convention been invoked before the courts?

    Responses by the Delegation

    The delegation said that the Constitution guaranteed the right to non-discrimination.  Violations of fundamental rights could be brought before the Supreme Court, which had drawn reference to the Convention in some of its determinations.  In one case, it had held that equality could be seriously impaired when women were subjected to workplace gender-based violence.  The Women’s Commission was mandated to introduce mechanisms to give effect to Convention obligations.

    There were several mechanisms in place facilitating access to justice.  The Legal Commission of Sri Lanka provided free legal services to citizens who had incomes of less than 40,000 rupees.  This threshold did not apply for cases of a domestic nature. The Human Rights Commission and the Women’s Commission were empowered to receive complaints related to human rights violations directly from victims, investigate the matter, and make recommendations.  Financial assistance and counselling were provided to women victims of violence. The Prevention of Domestic Violence Act allowed for victims to make complaints directly to the police.

    Sri Lanka had maintained a moratorium on the death penalty since 1978.  The Supreme Court had intervened in the past to prevent the death penalty from being carried out.  A recent amendment to the Penal Code increased the minimum age from which the death penalty could be applied from 16 to 18 years.

    Many efforts had been made to implement the Committee’s previous concluding observations.  The Government had established a coordinating committee to follow-up on the Committee’s concluding observations, in collaboration with civil society.  In 2022, legislation on marriage and divorce was amended to remove all provisions permitting the marriage of a minor with parents’ permission. Legislation on inheritance had also been revised to remove its gender components.

    Questions by Committee Experts 

    YAMILA GONZÁLEZ FERRER, Committee Expert and Country Rapporteur for Sri Lanka, said that the Muslim Marriage and Divorce Act was amended in 2022, but there were still concerns about elements of the law addressing abortion and rape.  Were there plans to further amend the law?  Was work underway to ensure that authorities could mainstream a gender perspective in measures promoting access to justice?

    Another Committee Expert congratulated the Government on appointing a woman Prime Minister.  Ms. de Silva’s contributions enriched the Committee. The national action plan on women, peace and security was a positive step in addressing the needs of women in conflict.  However, challenges remained in this field.  Were there plans to conduct a mid-term assessment of the plan?  How would the Government ensure accountability for past conflict-related gender-based violence and ensure the rights of victims to protest and mourn publicly?

    Non-governmental organizations faced financial and regulatory obstructions.  How would the State party support women human rights defenders and remove restrictions on the activities of civil society?

    One Committee Expert welcomed measures for increasing the political representation of women, but said the Committee was concerned by the low level of representation of women in public and private life.  She commended the quota of 25 per cent representation for local government bodies, but said this was not in line with the Committee’s recommendation of 50 per cent representation.  The Expert further commended an initiative to enhance the incomes of women in the agricultural sector.  Had this initiative been successful?  What affirmative actions had been implemented in other sectors?

    Responses by the Delegation

    The delegation said the Government had conducted consultations regarding the Muslim Marriage and Divorce Act.  It was trying to strike a balance between women’s and children’s rights and cultural rights, and was working to ensure that the law reflected the views of the people.  There was constant training of police officers and the judiciary on the Convention.  Persons who caused a woman to miscarry, except to save the life of the woman, were punished, but the Government was considering legal amendments in this regard.

    Sri Lanka’s civil society had made important contributions to the protection of human rights.  The window in which civil society could challenge bills had been extended from seven to 14 days.  Freedom of expression, speech and assembly were protected in the Constitution. The Government was committed to protecting the freedom of expression of civil society.  It had simplified administrative requirements for registering non-governmental organizations.  Regulatory measures were needed to prevent non-governmental organizations from engaging in money laundering and financing of terrorism. Complaints could be made regarding infringements of the rights of human rights defenders to the Supreme Court, the National Police Commission, the Women’s Ombudsperson, and the Human Rights Commission, which had produced guidelines on the protection of human rights defenders.

    Women were selected to leadership roles on public bodies on merit.  Their representation was improving.  Sri Lanka had had the world’s first woman Prime Minister.  There was no quota for appointments to roles in the public sector, but over 50 per cent of prosecutors were women.  The Government had conducted several awareness raising campaigns encouraging women’s participation in public life.  Diploma programmes were developed to train women to participate in political roles, and a forum had been held to advocate for increased representation of women in trade unions.  Leadership courses had been held for minority women.  Women’s representation in local government had risen to 25 per cent in 2018, thanks to the quota enacted in 2017.  The Government aimed to increase the representation of women in Parliament and provincial councils to 30 per cent.

    The women, peace and security action plan addressed displacement, and women’s protection, security and participation in peacebuilding.  A steering committee had been established to implement the plan and make policy recommendations.  The State party was planning to conduct a review of the implementation of the action plan.

    The Government was developing a truth and reconciliation process that had the people’s trust.  The Office for Reparations had reviewed more than 6,000 complaints, tracing around 180 missing persons and helping over 4,000 families to access remedies.  Investigation results were accessible to the public.  The national reparations policy was tabled in Parliament in 2022.  It included provisions for memorialisation. The Office provided livelihood support, land rights, housing, psychosocial support and measures to prevent violence.  Payments had been provided for over 11,000 individuals across various categories. An independent body had also been established to conduct investigations into historic violations.

    Questions by Committee Experts 

    A Committee Expert congratulated Sri Lanka on having the first female Prime Minister in the world and on electing its third female Prime Minister.  The State party needed to consider temporary special measures such as quotas to improve women’s representation in various fields.  Would the State party increase its 25 per cent quota for Parliament and other bodies?

    Another Committee Expert said gender stereotypes perpetuated inequalities in Sri Lanka.  What actions had been taken by the State party to promote gender equality in school curricula and tackle gender stereotypes? What was the timeline for amending the Muslim Marriage and Divorce Act to ban child marriage?

    At least one in five women in Sri Lanka had experienced violence from an intimate partner, and many did not report it. Women who sought justice faced discriminatory treatment in the judicial system.  What was the timeline for adopting proposed amendments to the Domestic Violence Act?  How would the State party address barriers to women victims accessing justice?  Were gender courts available in rural areas? What protections were provided to women victims of violence?  Courts did not recognise marital rape and girls over age 16 were not protected from statutory rape.  How would the State party ensure that all girls without exception were protected from rape?

    One Committee Expert welcomed the national action plan to combat trafficking, the Witness Protection Act, and a fund to compensate victims of violence.  Was the unit working to prevent trafficking a militarised unit? Most persons trafficked to the Middle East were female domestic workers.  Traffickers recruited women and girls from rural areas and forced them to work in the commercial sex industry in urban areas.  Law enforcement lacked proper training on identifying trafficking. What measures were in place to ensure the protection of victims who reported trafficking crimes?  Were there efforts being made to reduce the evidence threshold for declaring trafficking crimes?  How did the State party ensure that victims of trafficking were not criminalised?  Did police officers receive training on trafficking and labour rights?

    Responses by the Delegation

    The delegation said the Prevention of Domestic Violence Act had been amended and would come into force this year. The Assistance to Victims Act provided for the establishment of a national authority for the protection of victims and witnesses.  It underlined the rights of victims to be treated with respect and privacy, and to request legal, medical and psychosocial assistance.  Female victims could request investigating officers of a particular gender.

    The police had implemented specialised protective units and a targeted programme that encouraged increased reporting of domestic violence and reduced death rates.  A toll-free hotline operated by female officers was available for reporting domestic violence.

    The National Anti-Human Trafficking Taskforce coordinated police actions to investigate trafficking in persons. The Taskforce included members of various Government departments; it was not a militarised entity.  There was also an anti-trafficking desk within the Ministry of Defence.  The Government operated a shelter for female victims of trafficking, which provided health, food and other support services.  Awareness raising campaigns on the importance of reporting trafficking crimes were in place.  Trafficking in persons was an offence in the Penal Code.  Persons who committed or conspired to commit trafficking offences were liable for a penalty of between three to 15 years imprisonment. 

    Persons who committed rape were punished with imprisonment for no less than seven years, or no less than 15 years when the victim was under 16.  A man who had a non-consensual sexual relationship with a woman who was formerly his wife was criminalised.

    Questions by Committee Experts 

    One Committee Expert asked whether marital rape had been criminalised, and if not, when it would be.  Were there plans to provide specific services for victims of technologically-assisted gender-based violence and to provide training to stakeholders on this issue?

    YAMILA GONZÁLEZ FERRER, Committee Expert and Country Rapporteur for Sri Lanka, asked how awareness raising campaigns promoted the rights of women in vulnerable situations.

    Another Committee Expert said that in 2023, 51 per cent of harmful speech online targeted women.  Women’s rights groups and even the Prime Minister were targeted by online hate speech.  How did legislation protect women and rights groups online?  Some social media platforms had not removed harmful content due to high thresholds for removal.  Did the State party plan to hold these platforms to account to protect women?  Thirty-two per cent of Ambassadors were female, though women made up more than half of the foreign service.  How would the State party support women to become Ambassadors?  Many transgender women faced barriers in accessing residence certificates and the right to vote.  How was the State party addressing these barriers?

    Another Committee Expert said Sri Lankan women who married foreigners faced barriers in passing their nationality to their children.  What measures were in place to ensure that women could transmit their nationality on par with their male counterparts?  Tamil women, women in rural zones, and displaced women often lacked documentation to prove their nationality.  Lesbian, bisexual, transgender and intersex women faced discrimination from police and confronted obstacles in obtaining gender recognition papers.  Children born to foreign parents did not obtain Sri Lankan nationality, raising issues of statelessness for plantation workers.  How was the State addressing these issues?

    Responses by the Delegation

    The delegation said statutory rape was currently rape of persons aged up to 16 years.  Marital rape was not currently criminalised.  The Online Safety Act aimed to promote safety for women and girls online.  The Cybercrime Investigation Unit was tasked with handling all cyber-related complaints, including those related to sexual and gender-based violence and online child exploitation.  It acted swiftly to remove harmful online content, including from social media platforms. Women could submit complaints of online abuse through email and hotlines.  The Act established an independent Online Safety Commission that could issue directives to internet service providers, requiring them to respond to discriminatory online acts.  The Commission could also disable users, remove offending content, and seek internet intermediaries to disclose the identities of offenders.

    Women played a significant role in diplomatic representation at all levels.  They accounted for more than 50 per cent of diplomatic mission staff, so it was likely that women would account for more than 50 per cent of Ambassadors in future.

    Freedom of expression was recognised in the Constitution, but this right was not without limitation.  It could not be used to infringe on the rights of others. Hate speech against political candidates could be reported to the Elections Commission, as well as the Women’s Commission and the Human Rights Commission.

    The conferment of citizenship was previously linked to fathers in legislation; however, this had been amended to allow for citizenship to be conferred by both parents.  Citizenship could be provided to stateless children by the State.  There was no legal impediment to persons obtaining birth certificates.  Tamils of Indian origin would be recognised as Sri Lankan citizens.  The Government was considering programmes to provide permanent residency to members of the Malayaga community, and the members of Parliament from this community could take up this issue in the legislature.  There were measures to identify stateless children and register them. Mobile units were in place that supported birth registration for families living on plantations.

    The family background report system had been criticised as being discriminatory, placing the burden of childcare on women.  In 2022, the Cabinet of Ministers removed the mandatory family background report for women seeking work abroad and lowered the age limit for them.  The Government was supporting access to caretakers for children aged two and above.  It sought to support both women and men to seek work overseas without compromising their family’s welfare.

    Questions by Committee Experts

    One Committee Expert asked whether the Online Services Act was effective.  Had there been any prosecutions under it?  What was the State party doing to implement local elections, which had not been held since 2018, and to support women’s participation in those elections?

    A Committee Expert asked whether the period of free birth registration would be extended.

    One Committee Expert said Sri Lanka had made achievements regarding girls’ education.  Girls’ literacy rate was over 90 per cent, which was much higher than many other countries in the region.  However, child marriages remained a challenge in rural communities and were a major reason for girls dropping out of schools.  The COVID-19 pandemic also affected girls in rural areas, as they had limited opportunities to participate in online education.  The computer literacy rate on plantations was less than half that of other regions. 

    Stereotypes hindered the access of Muslim women and girls to education.  What measures had the State party taken to combat dropouts of girls in primary and secondary education?  What measures were in place to promote gender mainstreaming in education? How did the State party ensure that girls of all religions could access education?  What activities were carried out to prevent stereotypes in education?

    Responses by the Delegation

    The delegation said the Online Safety Act was a new law.  There had yet to be prosecutions under the law.  The related Commission would soon be set up and would be able to investigate complaints.

    Every citizen over the age of 18 who was qualified to be an elector could become one.  Sri Lanka had established an independent Election Commission that could investigate complaints of violations and issue sanctions. The Supreme Court had upheld the right to vote and held that any impediment to such was a violation.  The law on local government elections was being revised; once this had concluded, local elections could be held.

    The education system was committed to ensuring equal access for all students, regardless of gender.  The provision of free school meals and textbooks allowed for girls from poor families to pursue their education.  The State party was committed to reducing the burden that education placed on parents.  Education was compulsory until age 16.  An initiative to provide girls with sanitary pads was implemented in 2024, benefitting 800,000 girls.  Scholarships were provided to girls from low-income families to participate in technology studies.  There had been an increase in the share of girls participating in science, technology, engineering and maths courses in university in recent years; the share was currently 37 per cent.

    Questions by Committee Experts

    A Committee Expert commended the State party for establishing sexual harassment committees and creating a labour complaints mechanism.  Most women worked in the informal sector, where they lacked labour rights and were vulnerable to abuse.  Many informal sector workers lacked access to social security, leave and childcare services. What measures were in place to protect the rights of women in the informal sector?  Did the State party plan to establish mechanisms to allow domestic workers to seek redress in cases of abuse?  Were there plans to extend paid maternity leave to at least 14 weeks and promote shared parental leave?  Were there plans to ratify International Labour Organization Conventions 181, 189 and 190?  The number of Sri Lankan migrant domestic workers had increased in recent years. These workers often faced abuse from their employers.  How were these workers informed about their rights and protected from abuse? 

    Another Committee Expert commended Sri Lanka’s commitment to strengthening public health care. Persistent barriers obstructed women’s sexual and reproductive health rights.  How would State policies address these barriers?  Restrictive laws forced many women to resort to unsafe abortions. What steps had been taken to ensure women’s safe access to abortion?  What measures were in place to prevent forced sterilisation and ensure informed consent? Girls faced challenges in accessing information on contraception, leading to high rates of early pregnancies. What measures were in place to reduce early pregnancies?  Many schools in rural areas lacked proper sanitation facilities, forcing girls to miss school during menstrual periods.  There was also a very high tax of 47 per cent on menstrual products. How was the State party supporting access to sanitation facilities and menstrual products for women and girls?

    Female genital mutilation continued to be practiced in some Muslim communities.  There was no law criminalising female genital mutilation in Sri Lanka.  When would one be developed?  What awareness raising campaigns on female genital mutilation were in place?  Some women experienced obstetric violence during childbirth.  Did the State party intend to implement measures to prevent such practices?

    Responses by the Delegation

    The delegation said women spent more time than men in unpaid domestic work in Sri Lanka.  The Government had taken steps to train care workers to improve the availability of childcare and disability care services for working mothers and reduce the burden of unpaid care work.  Sri Lanka was interested in ratifying International Labour Organization Convention 190.  The necessary amendments had been incorporated into legislation.  The State had also implemented policies to promote women’s employment.  The Minister of Labour and Foreign Employment was conducting consultations with stakeholders to strengthen protections of Sri Lankan domestic workers overseas.  The Women’s Empowerment Act aimed to address the gender pay gap.

    Taxes on sanitary products and baby formula had been removed.  Budgetary allocations had been ensured for sexual and reproductive health services across the country.  All students from sixth grade received sexual and reproductive health education, which addressed preventing unwanted pregnancies.  Medical practitioners who practiced or promoted female genital mutilation were sanctioned.  There were no specific offences on female genital mutilation or obstetric violence, but these acts were prohibited under general legislation on violence.

    Questions by Committee Experts 

    One Committee Expert commended the State party on working to ensure the empowerment of women and girls through the rural employment programme and programmes on digital transformation. What concrete actions were being taken to ensure that vulnerable women and girls were aware of the economic empowerment policies in place?  How was the State party preventing the abuse of women by financial institutions and regulating lending practices?  Had the State party assessed fiscal reforms and their impacts on the rights of women and girls?  How was the State party mitigating the unfair financial burden of tax on women and girls? What measures were in place to increase the representation of women and girls in decision making related to economic empowerment?  What measures were there to support female athletes to overcome structural barriers in sports? 

    Another Committee Expert said female tea plantation workers continued to have less access to Government subsidies and microcredit due to their lack of access to land ownership.  How was this being addressed?  Women with disabilities continued to face stigma and discrimination, and infrastructure was not adapted to persons with disabilities.  How was the State party working to make inclusive education programmes more adapted to persons with disabilities?  There were also persistent hate crimes against lesbian, bisexual, transgender and intersex women.  What measures were in place to prevent such hate crimes?  Same sex sexual acts were criminalised; would they be decriminalised?  What reforms had been made to ensure adequate facilities for women in prisons?  Were women prisoners allowed to live with their young children in prisons?

    Responses by the Delegation

    The delegation said the Government had implemented various welfare measures for persons in poverty.  Around 1.7 million households benefited from welfare support.  There were various Government programmes for empowering women-led households.  The banking system had also provided special loan schemes with favourable interest rates and flexible return policies for women entrepreneurs during the financial crisis.  Banks had offered advisory services and capacity building programmes for women entrepreneurs.  The State had been regulating lending institutions.  Support had been provided to 185 rural women affected by unregulated microcredit schemes.  A socioeconomic protection scheme helped to ease loss of income due to unemployment.

    Sri Lanka had undertaken various initiatives to empower women to engage in technology studies and the digital economy. The national strategy for women’s development promoted women’s digital freedom and security.  Many women entrepreneurs had been trained on digital skills.

    Sanitary facilities in prisons had been improved to ensure a comfortable stay for women, and facilities for children in prison with their mothers had also been improved.  There were plans to establish a separate women’s prison aligned with international standards.

    The police had been instructed on protecting the fundamental rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons and investigating complaints from these persons.  A bill had been lodged in Parliament on decriminalising same-sex relations.  The Supreme Court had found that there was no barrier to the amendment of this legislation. The bill had yet to be considered due to the dissolution of Parliament.

    Questions by Committee Experts 

    YAMILA GONZÁLEZ FERRER, Committee Expert and Country Rapporteur for Sri Lanka, asked whether the law on terrorism could be used to prevent the operation of women’s organizations.

    Another Committee Expert welcomed the State party’s efforts to ensure women’s equal rights in law and family relations.  Had measures been taken to amend the Penal Code to ensure that legislation on statutory rape protected all girls under age 16, including girls over age 12 who were married?  The Committee expected that the State party would address legislation on polygamy. When would the State party revise the family law to allow women to have equal rights to men concerning custody of children?  What was the status of legal amendments seeking to strengthen the rights of widows?

    NAHLA HAIDAR, Committee Chair, said that, while respecting the freedom of belief, the State party needed to work to protect the rights of Muslim women and girls.

    Responses by the Delegation

    The delegation said the law on terrorism had not been used to limit the activities of women’s organizations in recent years.  The law was only used in instances when it was necessary.

    The amended Muslim Marriage and Divorce Act set the age of marriage at 18, but children from age 16 could be married with parental consent.  The previous Cabinet of Ministers had approved the amended bill, and the new Government would consider whether to take this legislation forward.  The Parliamentary Caucus had proposed the establishment of a committee to address the issue of child marriages.

    Concluding Remarks

    SAROJA SAVITRI PAULRAJ, Minister of Women and Child Affairs of Sri Lanka and head of the delegation, said Sri Lanka participated in the review in a spirit of openness.  It appreciated the Committee’s recognition of the progress it had made and the challenges it faced.  The Government had undertaken significant efforts to strengthen women’s empowerment.  It was fully committed to addressing the issues that women faced in the State. Ms. Paulraj thanked the Committee for the constructive dialogue.  The Government was committed to the promotion and protection of the human rights of all Sri Lankans and would continue to engage with the Committee constructively.

    NAHLA HAIDAR, Committee Chair, said that the State party had shared candidly and transparently the progress made and the difficulties it was facing.  The dialogue had helped the Committee to better understand the situation of women and girls in Sri Lanka.  It commended the State party for its efforts and encouraged it to implement the Committee’s recommendations for the benefit of all women and girls in the State party.

     

    Produced by the United Nations Information Service in Geneva for use of the media; 
    not an official record. English and French versions of our releases are different as they are the product of two separate coverage teams that work independently.

     

     

    CEDAW25.009E

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: The Justice Department’s Antitrust Division and FBI Launch Online Portal to Enhance Department’s Capability to Bring International Antitrust Fugitives to Justice

    Source: US State of North Dakota

    Today, the Justice Department’s Antitrust Division and the FBI jointly announced the launch of a new online portal for information on international fugitives who have been charged with antitrust offenses and other crimes affecting the competitive process. The Antitrust Division and FBI are committed to bringing individuals to court to face their charges, wherever they are located.

    “Individuals charged with anticompetitive crimes should understand that the DOJ Antitrust Division and its law enforcement partners will take all available steps to ensure that they answer the charges in court,” said Director of Criminal Enforcement Emma Burnham of the Justice Department’s Antitrust Division. “Defendants should understand that the charges will not go away, and the Antitrust Division urges them to contact us to discuss resolution of the charges.”

    “The FBI is focused on identifying, tracking and arresting fugitives across all our threats,” said Assistant Director Chad Yarbrough of the FBI Criminal Investigative Division. “By streamlining intelligence sharing and coordination, we are better equipped than ever to ensure no criminal can evade justice by hiding across borders.”

    The Antitrust Division works with the FBI and other law enforcement partners to investigate and prosecute companies and individuals whose anticompetitive conduct harms American consumers and the American economy, wherever those companies and individuals are located. After bringing criminal charges, the Antitrust Division works actively with domestic and foreign authorities to locate international fugitives and secure their extradition to the United States. The Antitrust Division and the FBI welcome information from the public about the location of international fugitives.

    For more information on antitrust fugitives, go to the Antitrust Division’s Fugitive webpage. The FBI maintains a list of current antitrust fugitives whose charges are not under seal.

    To report potential antitrust crimes to the Antitrust Division, contact the Complaint Center. If your complaint relates to potential antitrust crimes affecting government procurement, grant, or program funding, contact the Procurement Collusion Strike Force Tip Center.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Press release – Human rights breaches in Türkiye, Nicaragua and Nigeria

    Source: European Parliament

    On Thursday, the European Parliament adopted human rights resolutions on Türkiye, Nicaragua and Nigeria.

    Violations of the rule of law, principles of democracy, and fundamental rights in Türkiye, notably the cases of mayors Mehmet Sıddık Akış and Abdullah Zeydan

    MEPs are deeply concerned about Türkiye’s disregard of the rule of law and the government’s violation of the fundamental principles of democracy, such as the practice of replacing democratically elected mayors with government-appointed trustees in predominantly Kurdish regions.

    Condemning the arbitrary dismissal and imprisonment of democratically elected mayors, MEPs call for their immediate release, acquittal and reinstatement. They demand judicial reforms to abolish the trustee system, especially given the impact of these violations on local governance in Kurdish-majority areas, underlining the need to resume the Kurdish peace process.

    MEPs recall that EU financial assistance to Türkiye is conditional upon the country’s respect for the rule of law and fundamental rights, and urge the Commission to consider imposing restrictive measures against Turkish officials involved in these violations under the EU Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime.

    The resolution was adopted by show of hands. The full version will be available here (13.02.2025).

    The Ortega-Murillo regime’s repression in Nicaragua, targeting human rights defenders, political opponents and religious communities

    Parliament strongly condemns Ortega-Murillo regime’s systemic human rights violations against Nicaraguan citizens and its persecution of religious leaders. MEPs denounce the use of exile as a weapon against critics and demand the regime respects the right to dissent. The immediate release of arbitrarily detained people and the restoration of the rule of law as well as guarantees of human rights compliance are essential for any dialogue and EU funds allocation, MEPs say.

    They also call on the regime to annul constitutional reforms and repressive totalitarian laws in order to respect its international human rights obligations. Member states must open investigations through the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity and add Daniel Ortega, Rosario Murillo and their inner circle to the list of sanctioned individuals, MEPs say.

    The resolution was adopted by show of hands. The full version will be available here (13.02.2025).

    The ongoing detention and risk of death sentences for individuals in Nigeria charged with blasphemy, notably the case of Yahaya Sharif-Aminu

    MEPs urge the Nigerian authorities to uphold human rights and religious freedom by releasing Yahaya Sharif-Aminu, a Nigerian singer who faces blasphemy allegations, alongside all other individuals facing blasphemy allegations.

    They condemn blasphemy laws as violations of international law and Nigerian constitutional rights, stressing the need to uphold human rights throughout the country and align the federal state and Sharia laws with human rights protections, including the abolition of provisions on religious insults in criminal law. Parliament also urges Nigeria to abolish the death penalty in all cases.

    The resolution urges Nigeria to combat false blasphemy accusations and mob violence in order to ensure perpetrators face justice.

    The resolution was adopted by show of hands. The full version will be available here (13.02.2025)

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: DOC urges public support following incident near tara iti nesting site

    Source: Department of Conservation

    Date:  14 February 2025

    DOC staff found a group of youths aged 14 to 16 years camped within the fenced area and using DOC’s rangers’ observation hides.

    The tara iti is New Zealand’s most critically endangered bird, with fewer than 45 adults remaining.

    This breeding season, almost all tara iti nesting occurred at Mangawhai Heads. None of the chicks could fly when this incident occurred, so the tiny birds were highly vulnerable to trampling and stress-induced desertion from their parents. Tragically, trampling of tara iti chicks has occurred in the past, such as in December 2008, when a chick was unintentionally killed by two people entering a breeding area.

    Despite no chicks being harmed in this instance, the incident caused significant disruption to the site. Tara iti chicks nearest to the hide showed signs of agitation, a behaviour that can lead to desertion. Additionally, human activity likely delayed feeding by adult birds, reducing food provision to chicks.

    “The hide had been damaged, and there was evidence of a bonfire nearby. Materials used for chick recovery and site management had been removed, and footprints showed individuals had walked through sensitive areas, further increasing risks to the chicks,” says Joel Lauterbach, DOC Whangārei Operations Manager.  

    “Chicks were not in their usual day roosts, likely due to the disturbance. One chick remained undetected for several hours, which is highly unusual, and a concerning indication of the stress caused by the intrusion.”

    DOC does not typically prosecute or infringe on youth offenders. Instead, the focus is on educating young people about the consequences of their actions – and the importance of protecting tara iti habitats.

    “This is an opportunity to not only work with these youths but also raise awareness in the wider community,” says Joel.

    Criminal proceedings would only be considered if the youths’ actions were deliberate and resulted in clear harm to the tara iti, such as fatalities. “Tara iti habitats are incredibly sensitive, and seemingly minor disturbances can have devastating consequences,” Joel says. “Chicks this young cannot fly, and if they freeze in response to human activity, they risk being trampled. If they run, they can wander from the safety of their nesting areas, making them harder for parents to locate and care for and putting them at higher risk of predation.”

    DOC rangers manage the tara iti sites with precision, ensuring their own activities minimise disruption. Despite this, external disturbances, such as this incident, remain a significant threat. “The fences and signs are there for a reason,” says Joel. “We ask for everyone’s help in respecting these boundaries.”

    Contact

    For media enquiries contact:

    Email: media@doc.govt.nz

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Bucks County Fugitive Wanted for Child Pornography Distribution Arrested in West Virginia

    Source: US Marshals Service

    Philadelphia, PA — Members of the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force have arrested Mark Wills, 60, in Bridgeport, West Virginia. Wills was wanted by the Bucks County District Attorney’s Office for manufacturing and dissemination of child sexual abuse materials to children 13 and under. Over the past year. Wills is accused of manufacturing hundreds of videos of child sexual abuse material and sharing them online. The children Wills is accused of victimizing are believed to be throughout the United States and Canada. On February 6th, a warrant was issued for Will’s arrest, and the case was delegated to the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force in Philadelphia. 

    On February 13th, investigators from the Marshals Fugitive Task Force in Philadelphia developed information Wills was presently in West Virginia. At approximately 8:00 p.m. Deputy Marshals from the Clarksburg office located Wills at the Meadowbrook Mall in Bridgeport, West Virginia. Wills was approached by Deputies and apprehended without incident. Wills is being held without bond at North Central Regional jail in Doddridge County where he awaits extradition to Bucks County.  

    “Every child deserves a safe environment, and the arrest of Mark Wills demonstrates the U.S Marshals Service commitment to protecting the innocent” said Robert Clark, Supervisory Deputy Marshal for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

    The Eastern Pennsylvania Violent Crimes Fugitive Task Force is a team of law enforcement officers led by U.S. Marshals in Philadelphia and the surrounding counties. The task force’s objective is to seek out and arrest violent crime fugitives. Membership agencies include the Philadelphia Police Department, Pennsylvania State Parole Officers, Pennsylvania State Police, Pennsylvania Attorney General Agents, Immigration Customs Enforcement, Chester Police Department, Bucks County Sheriff’s Office, and Delaware County Sheriff’s Office.

    MIL Security OSI –