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Category: Crime

  • MIL-OSI Security: Statement Regarding Fires at Ballot Boxes

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

    The following statement may be attributed to U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman and Greg Austin, acting special agent in charge of the FBI Seattle field office:

    “The U.S. Attorney’s Office and the FBI want to assure our communities that we are working closely and expeditiously together to investigate the two incendiary fires at the ballot boxes in Vancouver, Washington, and the one in Portland, Oregon, and will work to hold whoever is responsible fully accountable.”

    Anyone with information is asked to contact the nearest FBI office, provide information through tips.fbi.gov, or call 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324).

    MIL Security OSI –

    January 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Holding firearms offenders to account

    Source: New Zealand Police (District News)

    The sentencing of Matua Parkinson in the Whakatāne District Court today marks the completion of a collaborative effort by Police and the Firearms Safety Authority-Te Tari Purēke to hold firearms offenders to account.

    Parkinson is a former firearms licence holder who pleaded guilty in June to unlawful possession of five Alfa Carbine rifles which he supplied to an unlicensed person.

    Parkinson, aged 49, admitted travelling from his Tauranga home to two Gun City stores in Auckland where he paid almost $11,000 in cash for five Alfa Carbines in June 2022. The firearms have not been recovered.

    Detective Inspector Albie Alexander said Parkinson’s offending put the public and Police at risk.

    “Parkinson has held high positions of responsibility in the community, including an elected health board official and been captain of the All Blacks Sevens. Alongside such roles he was also required to meet the legal obligations to be a fit and proper person to hold a firearms licence,” DI Alexander says.

    “Any diversion of lawfully purchased firearms to unlicensed people, potentially gang members, criminals or extremists, poses a significant safety threat to the public and to frontline Police officers.

    “The National Organised Crime Group is aware of multiple examples of sawn-off Alfa Carbine rifles being used to commit crimes, including homicides. More than 70 percent of firearms seized from offenders are standard rifles and shotguns, easily obtained by a so-called ‘A-Category’ licence holder.

    “Today’s sentencing brings an end to court proceedings involving Parkinson, but the full impact of his offending is ongoing as the Alfa Carbines he supplied to unlicensed people remain in circulation and are most likely in the hands of criminals.

    DI Alexander says Police and colleagues from the Firearms Safety Authority-Te Tari Purēke collaborated to revoke Parkinson’s firearms licence and remove all firearms from his possession when his alleged offending became known in 2023.

    Firearms Safety Authority Executive Director Angela Brazier says the law requires licence holders to act in the interests of personal and public safety and maintain their fit and proper status at all times.

    “Holding a firearms licence is a privilege reserved for those who follow the law. The vast majority of licence holders are law abiding who have no trouble meeting their responsibilities.

    “For a criminal few, offending will become a lot harder over time with the new Firearms Registry. When fully rolled out it will help flag unusual patterns of firearms purchasing in real time and help to reduce the flow of lawfully held firearms to the illegal market,” says Angela Brazier.

    ENDS 

    Issued by Police Media Centre 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

    January 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Strike Force Trident Responds to Overnight Crime Spree in Northern Suburbs

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    Strike Force Trident responded to an overnight crime spree across Darwin’s northern suburbs, which included an attempted car-jacking, multiple burglaries, and the theft of scooters.

    Four youths, aged between 13 and 15, are currently in custody following swift arrests made by Strike Force Trident and the Dog Operations Unit (DOU). Investigations remain ongoing to identify additional offenders involved in the incidents.

    Between midnight and 4:00am, police received multiple reports of unlawful entries at business premises across the northern suburbs. In addition to these incidents, a car-jacking occurred on Wood Street in Darwin City, where a victim, while parked, was approached by two offenders. The offenders allegedly assaulted the victim and threatened them with an edged weapon before fleeing the scene.

    A team from Strike Force Trident and DOU were immediately deployed. CCTV footage was reviewed, leading to the identification of four offenders. Trident officers quickly attended known residential locations in the northern suburbs and arrested the four youth offenders, all of whom were already on bail and subject to Electronic Monitoring conditions.

    Detective Acting Senior Sergeant Chris Humphries praised the coordinated response, stating, “This is a great example of efficient teamwork between Strike Force Trident and the Dog Operations Unit. Their ability to identify and apprehend the offenders within two hours of responding demonstrates their dedication and effectiveness.”

    Investigations into both the unlawful entries and the car-jacking are ongoing, and police are urging anyone with information to contact NT Police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

    MIL OSI News –

    January 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Call for information – Absconded prisoners – Alice Springs

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    Northern Territory Police are calling for information in relation to two 17-year-old males who absconded from the Alice Springs Youth Detention Centre last night.

    Around 6.00pm, police were notified that the pair had absconded from the Correctional facility and were seen heading into bushland in a north direction towards Alice Springs.

    An extensive search operation was launched involving members from the Dog Operations Unit, Drone Unit, and general duties officers.

    Around 9.40pm, a white Mazda 6 believed to be stolen earlier in the evening was sighted by police being driven dangerously by two youths. The vehicle allegedly attempted to engage with the police vehicle, before fleeing the area heading south out of Alice Springs. It was last sighted in the Ilparpa Road area, and both the Mazda and youths remain outstanding at this time. Police are investigating if the escapees were the youths driving the vehicle.

    Police do not believe they pose a risk to the public however advise not to approach them. Anyone with information about their location is urged to contact police on 131 444, quoting reference number NTP24000109358, or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

    MIL OSI News –

    January 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: South Sudan

    Source: New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade – Safe Travel

    • Reviewed: 30 October 2024, 14:28 NZDT
    • Still current at: 30 October 2024

    Related news features

    If you are planning international travel at this time, please read our COVID-19 related travel advice here, alongside our destination specific travel advice below.

    Do not travel to South Sudan due to ongoing armed conflict, inter-ethnic violence and violent crime (level 4 of 4).

    New Zealanders currently in South Sudan are advised to depart as soon as it is safe to do so.

    South Sudan

    Armed Conflict/Civil Unrest
    Pockets of armed conflict between government and various opposition forces remain and the security situation in Juba has the potential to deteriorate with little or no warning. Land routes into and out of South Sudan may be blocked and flights may be cancelled at short notice. The political and security situation throughout South Sudan remains volatile.

    Inter-ethnic violence and cattle raiding continues to occur throughout the country, with significant loss of life. There is a complete absence of rule of law outside of the capital Juba and even in Juba, the capacity of the authorities to uphold law and order is very limited.

    Areas within 40 kilometres of South Sudan’s northern border with Sudan are also particularly dangerous and vulnerable to armed incursions and violence.  Parts of the border remain disputed and military forces are deployed in these areas.

    The border areas with South Sudan’s other neighbouring countries, including Ethiopia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, the Central African Republic, and Uganda are extremely dangerous due to armed conflict, military activity and other violence. There are regular reports of attacks by armed groups on vehicles travelling on the main road connecting Juba to Uganda (Jiba-Niomule road).

    We recommend you avoid all protests, demonstrations and large public gatherings in South Sudan as they have the potential to turn violent with little warning. Monitor local and international media, review personal security plans and be aware of your surroundings.

    Violent Crime
    Violent crime, including kidnapping, murder, armed robbery, home invasions, car-jacking, and sexual assault is a significant problem throughout South Sudan, both in urban and rural areas. The economic situation has led to a significant increase in both petty and violent crime. Criminals are often armed as weapons are readily accessible.

    The government has limited capacity to deter crime and maintain law and order throughout South Sudan. Banditry and lawlessness is an issue in rural areas. Humanitarian workers have been the targets of killings and violence in the past.

    New Zealanders in South Sudan should exercise a very high degree of personal security awareness at all times. No resistance should be given if you are the victim of an armed robbery or carjacking as this could lead to an escalation in violence. For security reasons we recommend against travelling alone, at night, or to isolated areas.

    Petty crime, such as bag snatching and pickpocketing, also occurs and is often accompanied by violence. We advise New Zealanders to be alert to their surroundings at all times and take steps to safeguard and secure their personal belongings. 

    Road Travel
    We strongly advise against using public transport due to safety concerns.

    If travelling by road, car doors should be locked and windows up.

    Official checkpoints are frequently set up by security forces and have been known to become hostile or violent. Individuals staffing checkpoints have been known to solicit bribes. Criminals who pose as police officers have also set up roadblocks. At checkpoints, remain in your vehicle and produce requested documents through a raised window. We recommend carrying colour photocopies of your passport and identity documents and producing these when requested, not the originals.

    Landmines
    There is a risk from landmines, which are reportedly present throughout South Sudan, including in Juba. We advise you not to stray off well-used public roads and paths.

    General Travel Advice
    As there is no New Zealand diplomatic presence in South Sudan, the ability of the government to assist New Zealand citizens is severely limited. We offer advice to New Zealanders about contingency planning that travellers to South Sudan should consider.

    We advise New Zealanders in South Sudan to be vigilant and take appropriate precautions to ensure their safety, including by seeking professional security advice. You should have a contingency plan in place for departure, monitor developments closely through the media and other local information sources. As a precautionary measure, we recommend ensuring adequate supplies of food, water, fuel, cash and essential medications are always on hand and travel documents are kept up to date.

    New Zealanders travelling or living in South Sudan should have a comprehensive travel insurance policy in place that includes provision for medical evacuation by air.  You should check that your travel insurance policy covers travel to South Sudan – exclusions may well apply. Only very limited medical facilities are available in South Sudan. 

    The rainy season typically runs from April to November, during which flooding often occurs. Flooding impacts transport and communications infrastructure, as well as lead to shortages of drinking water and food. Severe flooding has led to displacement, property damage and loss of life.

    Penalties for possession, use or trafficking of illegal drugs are severe and can include the death penalty.

    New Zealanders are advised to respect religious, social and cultural traditions in South Sudan to avoid offending local sensitivities. Modesty and discretion is recommended for both dress and behaviour.

    Photography, including from a mobile phone, without a permit from the Ministry of Information in South Sudan is illegal. Taking photographs without a permit will immediately attract suspicion, and could lead to detention. Even with a permit, it is illegal to take photos of airfields, military installations or personal, government buildings and infrastructure.

    New Zealanders who decide to live or travel in South Sudan against our advice are strongly encouraged to register their details with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

     

    Travel tips

    See our regional advice for Africa

    Top of page

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

    January 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Guatemala

    Source: New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade – Safe Travel

    • Reviewed: 30 October 2024, 15:01 NZDT
    • Still current at: 30 October 2024

    Related news features

    If you are planning international travel at this time, please read our COVID-19 related travel advice here, alongside our destination specific travel advice below.

    Avoid non-essential travel to the following areas due to violent crime (level 3 of 4):

    • within 5km of the Mexican border from the Pacific Coast up to and including the Gracias a Dios crossing
    • to the towns of Santa Ana Huista, San Antonio Huista and La Democracia in the department of Huehuetenangodue.

    Exercise increased caution elsewhere in Guatemala due to violent crime and civil unrest (level 2 of 4).

    Guatemala

    Violent Crime
    Guatemala has a high violent crime rate. Criminal acts often involve firearms and may include armed robbery, kidnapping, sexual assault and murder. The majority of this crime is drug and gang-related, however, violence can be indiscriminate and occur in areas frequented by tourists.

    New Zealanders in Guatemala should remain security conscious and exercise a high degree of caution at all times. This includes in Guatemala City and other major cities, public areas and tourist destinations including Tikal, Petén, Antigua, Volcán de Pacaya and Lake Atitlán.

    Sexual assault remains a risk. There have been incidents of drink spiking in tourist areas such as Antigua. We advise New Zealanders to exercise a high degree of caution and avoid travelling alone, especially at night.

    Pickpockets and bag snatchers are prevalent in major cities and tourist sites, especially in central markets. We advise New Zealanders to take steps to safeguard and secure their personal belongings.

    “Express kidnappings” have also been reported in Guatemala, where criminals abduct a victim for a short amount of time and force them to withdraw funds from their bank account. To reduce the risk of this occurring we recommend you use ATMs that are located within bank branches and during daylight hours only. We also recommend you avoid displaying or wearing items that appear valuable, such as mobile devices and jewellery. No resistance should be given if you are the victim of crime as this could lead to an escalation in violence. Victims have been killed and injured attempting to resist perpetrators.

    When travelling to remote areas, including to volcanoes, it may be safer to travel with others or a reputable tour company. The Guatemalan Government PROATUR service offers tourist advice and security escorts for travel around the country.

    Road Travel
    Inter-city travel can be dangerous, particularly after dark. There have been reports of armed robbery and bus/carjackings affecting tourists on a number of travel routes, including along main highways and the road to and from the international airport in Guatemala City. Armed criminals have been known to set up roadblocks and pose as police officers. If travelling by road, you should keep doors locked, valuables out of sight and windows up at all times. Wherever possible travel in a convoy and avoid all travel after dark.

    Travel on local public buses (“chicken buses”) should be avoided for safety and security reasons as they are usually overloaded and there have been armed attacks by gangs and incidents of crime against foreigners on buses. Radio-dispatched or hotel taxis are the safest option as there have been robberies and assaults associated with unofficial taxis. Prepaid vouchers can also be purchased from the INGUAT (tourist office) in the arrivals terminal.

    Borders
    Special care should also be taken in border areas with Belize, Mexico, Honduras and El Salvador and at border crossings due to organised crime and drug-related violence. Allow enough time for border formalities so that you can arrive at your destination before dark.

    Seismic Activity
    Guatemala lies in a seismically active zone with four active volcanoes, and the possibility of an eruption always exists. Previously volcanic activity has forced evacuation of nearby visitors. Tremors are common, so familiarise yourself with earthquake safety measures. Travellers should be aware of the possibility for travel disruptions in the event of seismic or volcanic activity. Monitor levels of volcanic activity through the local media, and follow any alerts or instructions from local authorities.

    Civil Unrest
    Protests and demonstrations, including strike action and roadblocks, occur across Guatemala and have the potential to turn violent with little notice. They can cause disruptions to traffic and essential services. We recommend you avoid large gatherings, monitor the local media for updated security information and follow any instructions issued by local authorities, including curfews. Participation in demonstrations by foreigners is illegal and may result in detention and expulsion from the country.

    General Travel Advice
    Carry a photocopy or certified true copy of your passport as a form of personal identification when travelling.

    Penalties for possession, use or trafficking of illegal drugs are severe and can include lengthy imprisonment or fines.

    Do not take photographs of children without permission. Many people in Guatemala fear that children are being kidnapped for adoption or for theft of vital organs, and foreigners have been caught up in violent incidents related to accusations and fears of child kidnapping. Photography of government buildings, airports and military establishments is prohibited, and could result in detention. If in doubt, don’t take a picture.

    Medical facilities are limited outside Guatemala City. New Zealanders in Guatemala should have a comprehensive travel insurance policy in place that includes provisions for adventure activities and medical evacuation by air.

    New Zealanders in Guatemala are encouraged to register their details with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

     

    Travel tips

    The New Zealand Embassy Mexico City, Mexico is accredited to Guatemala

    Street Address Jaime Balmes No 8, 4th Floor, Los Morales, Polanco, Mexico D.F. 11510 Telephone +52 55 5283 9460 Fax +52 55 5283 9480 Email nzmexico@mfat.govt.nz Web Site http://www.mfat.govt.nz/mexico Hours Mon – Fri 0930 – 1400

    New Zealand Honorary Consulate Guatemala City, Guatemala

    Street Address 13 Calle 7-71, Zona 10, Guatemala City 01010, Guatemala Telephone (+502) 2360-8276 Alternate Telephone (+502) 2360-4961 Fax +502 2431 3742 Email kiwiguatemala@gmail.com

    See our regional advice for Central/South America

    Top of page

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

    January 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Security: Orleans Parish Man Sentenced For Attempted Bank Robbery

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – CHRISTOPHER DONNELLY (“DONNELLY”), age 46, was sentenced on September 18, 2024 to 57 months of imprisonment, 3 years of supervised release, and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee, announced U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans. DONNELLY previously pled guilty to attempted bank robbery, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2113(a).

    According to court documents, on March 26, 2024, DONNELLY entered a Capital One bank located in New Orleans. and presented a demand note to the teller, that read “$1,000 OR YOUR LIFE U DECIDE?”  The teller retreated to an area behind the teller stations, activated a silent alarm, and alerted her co-workers and security. New Orleans Police Officers responded shortly after and took DONNELLY into custody.

    The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christine Calogero of the General Crimes Unit.

    MIL Security OSI –

    January 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Security: Two Sacramento Residents Plead Guilty to False Income Tax Return Scheme

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Dominic Davis, 38, and Sharitia Wright, 59, both of Sacramento, pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to file false claims with the IRS, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

    According to court documents, between March 2019 and April 2022, Davis and Wright caused at least nine fraudulent income-tax returns to be filed with the IRS claiming more than $2 million of income tax refunds.

    The returns were filed in the names of Davis, Wright, and family members. The returns listed wages that the taxpayers had not earned and often listed the taxpayers’ employer as one of the various LLCs created by Davis, Wright, and their family members. Many of the returns also falsely claimed charitable contributions that were not actually made. Davis prepared and filed the false tax returns. Wright provided him information and contacted the IRS to check on the status of the refunds claimed in the false tax returns.

    Davis and Wright agreed to pay restitution for the fraudulent income tax refunds that they received.

    This case is the product of an investigation by IRS Criminal Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicholas M. Fogg is prosecuting the case.

    Davis and Wright are scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Dale A. Drozd on Feb. 3, 2025. Each faces a maximum statutory penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The actual sentences, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.

    MIL Security OSI –

    January 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Security: Former prosecutor goes to prison for extorting money

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    McALLEN, Texas – The former elected Starr County Attorney has been sentenced for extortion under color of law, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.

    Victor Canales Jr., 51, pleaded guilty Sept. 5, 2023.

    Chief U.S. District Judge Randy Crane has now ordered Canales to serve 37 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by three years of supervised release. At the hearing, the court heard testimony from an auditor with the Texas Attorney General’s Office describing the cash deposits made into Canales’s personal accounts and his use of funds from the Starr County Attorney’s account. In imposing the sentence, the court determined the amount of the bribes at $44,000. The court also noted comments about the culture of corruption in Starr County, and said today’s sentence would act as a deterrent to that corruption.

    “Prosecutors of all stripes, whether at the federal, state or city level, are defined by an oath, one to serve and protect their communities. It’s an oath that seeks only one thing—justice,” said Hamdani. “Victor Canales Jr. violated that oath and the trust of Starr County’s residents in exchange for tens of thousands of dollars in bribes. As an office of dedicated public servants, including 200 prosecutors, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District has little patience for corrupt officials, especially when a prosecutor trades his authority, his oath, for personal gain.” 

    “Today’s sentencing highlights the FBI’s commitment to combat public corruption at every level. Citizens in the Rio Grande Valley deserve local government officials who can be trusted,” said Special Agent in Charge Aaron Tapp of the FBI’s San Antonio Field Office. “The FBI would like to thank our Operation Ice River partners at the Drug Enforcement Administration, as well as Texas Office of the Attorney General, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Texas Department of Public Safety – Texas Rangers for their continued collaboration in rooting out corruption and keeping our communities safe.”

    Canales was the Starr County Attorney from 2005 to 2022. In that role, he was responsible for prosecuting misdemeanor crimes.

    In September 2021, a woman reached out to Canales for assistance because her son had been charged with three misdemeanor offenses in Starr County. He said he could help her and that for $1500, he could take care of the Starr County tickets.

    The mother gave Canales three money orders totaling $1500. He deposited the proceeds into his own checking account and used it for his own personal needs rather than depositing the monies into the Starr County account.

    Canales then sent a series of letters to Cameron County indicating the three charges against the woman’s son would be dropped.

    Canales was permitted to remain on bond and voluntarily surrender to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.

    The FBI worked in partnership with the Texas Attorney General’s Office to conduct the Border Corruption Task Force investigation with the assistance of Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Forces agencies including the Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations, Texas Department of Public Safety – Criminal Investigations and Texas Rangers.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Patricia Cook Profit prosecuted the case.

    MIL Security OSI –

    January 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Police target organised crime group and seize significant quantity of cannabis

    Source: New Zealand Police (District News)

    Last week Police across Counties Manukau, Auckland City and Waitemata Districts executed over 30 search warrants at addresses around the Districts, targeting an organised crime group using residential properties to set-up sophisticated indoor cannabis growing systems.

    The termination has resulted in a significant seizure of illegal drugs and the arrest of 11 people. 3,385 cannabis plants at various growth-stages have been seized and destroyed, along with 48 kilograms of dried cannabis. The estimated total value of the seizures, based on estimated yield of the plants, is $18 million.

    The majority of those arrested were in New Zealand illegally and a result, Immigration New Zealand has deported 11 Vietnamese nationals. All 11 have left New Zealand and are back in Vietnam.

    Enquiries are ongoing utilising intelligence gathered during the operation and Police cannot rule-out the possibility of further arrests.

    Acting Detective Inspector Greg Brand of Auckland City Police says the arrests come as a result of an investigation that has spanned Tamaki Makaurau and which targeted a sophisticated and profit-driven criminal syndicate.

    “This group were cultivating and dealing in large amounts of cannabis and their actions mirror similar operations recently uncovered in Australia where criminal groups, primarily of Vietnamese descent, were running a large number of indoor cannabis growing operations,” says Acting Detective Inspector Brand.

    “Make no mistake, these syndicates are well connected to gangs and this cannabis is a large source of income for their illegal operations.

    “Often the properties used by these groups will appear innocuous and will not really attract neighbours’ attention. However the operations that are set-up within are capable of producing large quantities of cannabis to sell.

    “These individuals are significantly modifying rental properties to cultivate cannabis with extremely dangerous electrical installations.

    “Not only is this extremely dangerous and creates a significant fire risk, we’d estimate millions of dollars’ worth of electricity is being stolen every year to run these operations.”

    Police is working alongside Immigration New Zealand in relation to the foreign nationals involved in this investigation, as we want to ensure migrant communities are kept safe from those who would exploit the conditions of their work visas.

    WHAT TO LOOK OUT FOR

    Police are reminding landlords to be vigilant when renting out their properties.

    • Ensure there are regular property inspections.
    • Carry out thorough vetting: get two forms of photo ID and sight the original document, compare the photo with the applicant.

    It’s important for the community to remain vigilant as well.

    If you see suspicious activity, such as deliveries of easy grow and fertilizer bags being dropped off, or signs that an electricity meter has been tampered with, please contact Police.

    • Report any information you have by calling 105
    • Go online to make a report at www.police.govt.nz/use-105
    • Contact Crime Stoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111
    • If migrant communities are concerned with possible exploitation, contact MBIE on 0800 20 90 20

    ENDS

    Issued by Police Media Centre

    Note for media: a small number of video clips are available for release to media outlets, please contact Police Media team for download details.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

    January 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Gang member arrested after homemade firearm located

    Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

    Attributable to Senior Sergeant Aimee Whitley, Hamilton City Area Response Manager:

    Two people, including a gang member, have been arrested and a homemade firearm seized following an incident in Hillcrest, Hamilton.

    Around 2pm yesterday, Police responded to Masters Avenue following a report of a disorder involving a firearm. No-one was injured.

    A person believed to be in possession of a firearm left the scene in a vehicle.

    Police swiftly responded, armed as a precaution, searching the Hillcrest area and locating the vehicle of interest further down Masters Avenue.

    The vehicle was stopped and two people from the vehicle were arrested without incident.

    A small home-made pistol, capable of firing .22 calibre rounds, was located and seized, along with 203 grams of cannabis also located in the vehicle.

    A 30-year-old Waikato man is due to appear in the Hamilton District Court on Friday 1 November on charges of unlawfully possessing a firearm and unlawfully possessing ammunition.

    A 23-year-old Waikato man is due to appear in the Hamilton District Court on Tuesday 5 November on a charge of possessing a cannabis plant.

    Thanks to the detailed and prompt report made by a member of the public, Police were able to swiftly locate the vehicle of interest, taking one more firearm off the street.

    Police work hard to hold offenders to account, especially those with the potential to cause serious harm in our communities, such as those unlawfully in the possession of firearms, or those who take it upon themselves to craft homemade firearms.

    Homemade firearms have the potential to cause serious harm, not only to officers and the community but also to those using them.

    If you witness any unlawful activity and it is happening now, please contact Police on 111 as soon as possible with as much information as possible, including descriptions of the offenders, their vehicles, and what direction they may have travelled in.

    Information can also be reported to Police online or by calling 105.

    Alternatively you can report any information anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

    ENDS

    Issued by Police Media Centre

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

    January 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: LCQ19: Domestic violence

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    LCQ19: Domestic violence
    LCQ19: Domestic violence
    ************************

         Following is a question by the Hon Lilian Kwok and a written reply by the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Chris Sun, in the Legislative Council today (October 30): Question:      There are views pointing out that domestic violence is of grave concern in the community. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council: (1) of the respective numbers of requests for assistance and reported cases in relation to domestic violence received by the Government in each month of the past five years, as well as the number of persons convicted; (2) as it is learnt that when handling domestic conflict reports, the Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF) will refer cases in need to the Social Welfare Department for follow-up actions once consent is sought from the parties concerned, and for persons who refuse to accept the referral service, HKPF will provide them with a “Family Support Service Information Card” so that they can seek assistance on their own, whether the Government has continuously followed up and provided support for those persons who refused the referral service; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that; (3) of the waiting time for and the average number of sessions of psychological counselling and emotional support services provided by the Government to victims in domestic violence cases; (4) given that the Police currently classify domestic conflict reports into “Domestic Violence (Crime)”, “Domestic Violence (Miscellaneous)” and “Domestic Incidents” based on their degree of seriousness, whether the Government will regularly review and update the relevant classification criteria and guidelines; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that; and (5) of the Government’s education and publicity efforts on the prevention of domestic violence in the past three years (set out by item); whether it has assessed the effectiveness of such work? Reply: President,      The reply to the Member’s question, in consultation with Security Bureau, is as follows: (1) In the past five years, the numbers of cases involving spouse/cohabitant battering and child protection received and handled by the Social Welfare Department (SWD) are tabulated below: 

    Case type
    Year

    2019
    2020
    2021
    2022
    2023

    Number of spouse/cohabitant battering cases
    2 920
    2 601
    2 715
    2 077
    1 938

    Number of child protection cases
    1 006
    940
    1 367
    1 439
    1 457

          The SWD does not have information on the monthly number of such cases.      As at September 2024, the respective numbers of cases of domestic violence (including Domestic Violence (Crime) and Domestic Violence (Miscellaneous)) and Domestic Incidents handled by the Police are set out at Annex. As domestic violence cases involve various criminal offences and different ordinances, the Police do not maintain statistics on the relevant number of convictions. (2) When handling domestic conflict reports, once consent is sought from the parties concerned, the Police will refer cases in need to the SWD for follow-up actions, including arranging for the persons in need for admission to refuge centres or immediate intervention by outreaching social workers, etc by the SWD. Depending on the circumstances, the Police refers the victims and/or assailants to other appropriate follow-up services, such as joining hands with the SWD to assist them in contacting relevant social welfare organisations for counseling and other supports, with a view to strengthening protection for victims and preventing recurrence of domestic violence. For persons who refuse to accept referral services, the Police provides a “Family Support Service Information Card” jointly produced with the SWD, to facilitate the persons concerned to contact service agencies direct for assistance. If a case is assessed as high-risk, the Police will take the initiative to refer the case to the SWD to ensure that the case receives timely follow-up. Upon receiving the Police’s referral, the SWD will make crisis intervention and provide necessary support having regard to the circumstances and welfare needs of the case. (3) The SWD provides a wide range of preventive, supportive and specialised services to victims of domestic violence and families in need through different service units. These services include Integrated Family Service Centres/Integrated Services Centres, Family and Child Protective Services Units, Clinical Psychology Units, Family Support Networking Teams, Refuge Centres for Women, Family Crisis Support Centre, Multi-purpose Crisis Intervention and Support Centre, Victim Support Programme for Victims of Family Violence, residential child care services and child care centres. The emergency support services provided by these service units to the victims of domestic violence cases do not require waiting. The SWD does not have the information on the average times of service for each case. (4) The Police have clear professional guidelines for the classification and handling of cases. Irrespective of the classification of a case, police officers will handle and investigate cases with empathy, understanding, professionalism, fairness, and impartiality.      The Police attach great importance to the problem of domestic violence. Through an inter-departmental and multi-disciplinary approach, the Police handle domestic violence cases with joint efforts, with a view to achieving the dual objectives of protecting the personal safety of the victims and their families as well as bringing the offenders to justice. The Police have formulated a set of policies and procedures for effective handling of domestic violence cases, ensuring that officers respond to all reports promptly and take appropriate enforcement actions, and ensure the immediate safety of victim and his/her children to prevent further harm. (5) The SWD has been launching the publicity campaign on “Strengthening Families and Combating Violence”, which include promotion through television, radio, various public transport network, online platforms and social media, to raise public awareness on the understanding of the problems of domestic violence and the prevention of domestic violence. The SWD also organises various mass events and diversified district-based public education programmes with a view to encouraging the persons in need to seek early assistance, preventing resorting to violence against family members and promoting the message of family harmony.      In addition, the Police have also effectively utilised various channels, including seminars, workshops and online platforms to provide training to different sectors such as social welfare and education, in order to raise public awareness and prevent domestic violence cases.      The Government would regularly review the effectiveness of the work and refine the promotion strategies at appropriate time.

     
    Ends/Wednesday, October 30, 2024Issued at HKT 11:08

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    January 25, 2025

  • MIL-Evening Report: In failing to probe Robodebt, Australia’s anti-corruption body fell at the first hurdle. It now has a second chance

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By William Partlett, Associate Professor of Public Law, The University of Melbourne

    The inspector of the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) has released her long-awaited report on the failure of the commission to investigate the Robodebt scandal.

    The report finds the commissioner of the NACC committed “officer misconduct”. He failed to fully remove himself from the decision not to investigate the scandal.

    In response, the NACC has agreed to appoint an “independent eminent person” to reconsider its decision not to investigate the Robodebt scandal.

    It’s an embarrassing moment for the Commonwealth’s newly created anti-corruption watchdog.

    But it’s also an opportunity for the NACC to do what the public expects of it: act decisively to protect public trust in government.

    How did we get here?

    The NACC was created in 2022 after a federal election campaign that often focused on transparency and integrity in government.

    Earlier this year, the commission announced it would not be looking into the Robodebt scandal.

    This was despite the Royal Commission into Robodebt referring six people to the commission for further investigation.

    The commission is monitored by an inspector, independent of the commission and the government. After receiving hundreds of complaints, Inspector Gail Furness launched an investigation into why the NACC didn’t look into Robodebt.

    The issue was the first big test for the oversight body.

    The inspector is legally limited as to what it can look at, but its finding of “officer misconduct” offers a broader opportunity for NACC to change course.

    Robodebt was a clear breach of the public trust, with thousands of Australians feeling betrayed by the way the Morrison government acted. NACC now has a second chance to look into the scandal.

    Unique anti-corruption tradition

    NACC’s decision not to investigate was a departure from a long history of anti-corruption oversight in Australia.

    It has its roots in corruption scandals in the late 1980s in Queensland, Western Australia and New South Wales.

    These scandals involved the vast misuse of public power and resources by powerful executive branch officials. The response was far-reaching.

    In Queensland, explosive allegations of police and government involvement in gambling and corruption led to the creation of an inquiry led by Tony Fitzgerald.

    This inquiry made a number of wide-ranging recommendations, including the creation of a commission. It would eventually would become today’s Crime and Corruption Commission.



    Read more:
    Thirty years on, the Fitzgerald Inquiry still looms large over Queensland politics

    In NSW, high-ranking ministers and police were caught embezzling funds and misusing public influence.

    Public outrage led to the creation of Australia’s first anti-corruption commission, the powerful Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC).

    In parliament, the NSW premier explained that ICAC was established “independent of the Executive Government and responsible only to Parliament”.

    He went on to argue that its role was not to prosecute crime, but instead to enforce the public trust and dispel a “cloud of suspicion” that hung over the NSW government.

    In WA in the 1980s, allegations emerged that executive branch officials were using their control of public resources to enrich themselves and preserve their own power.

    In response, a royal commission in the early 1990s made a number of recommendations, including the creation of an anti-corruption commission. The commission would be an “independent parliamentary agency” responsible to parliament in carrying out its oversight duties.

    Since then, all ten Australian jurisdictions have adopted anti-corruption commissions. Many of these commissions are described as officers of parliament intended to investigate breaches of the public trust.

    In all states and territories, excluding Victoria and (recently) South Australia, “breaches of the public trust” or “dishonest or improper” conduct can be investigated by these agencies. Anti-corruption agencies have therefore emerged as important guardians of public trust in government.

    Anti-corruption amnesia

    However, we seem to have forgotten this tradition in recent years.

    In South Australia, a 2021 law strippedthe state’s intergrity body of the power to investigate “maladministration” and “misconduct” in public administration and confined its scope to criminal activity.

    In Victoria, then-Premier Daniel Andrews downplayed the significant breaches of public trust found by Victoria’s anti-corruption agency as being merely “educational”.

    Most recently, the NACC’s refusal to review the Robodebt scandal also suggests it is unaware of the traditional purpose of Australian anti-corruption oversight.

    The Robodebt scandal rivals the scandals of the 1980s in its threat to public trust.

    One submission to the Royal Commission report put it clearly:

    I feel utterly betrayed by the government for this […] myself, and everyone else who turned up to every meeting they had to, jumped through every hoop and tried to do the right thing, were treated like criminals and cheats, when all the while it was the department’s scheme that was illegal.

    The NACC now has the opportunity to change course and broadly inquire into the Robodebt scandal.

    This includes more than just an inquiry into the referrals from the Robodebt Royal Commission. It can also look into the way that a scandal of this magnitude happened and how we can prevent it in the future.

    Failing to ask these questions endangers what the WA Royal Commission 30 years ago described as the “trust principle”. It said:

    institutions of government and the officials and agencies of government exist for the public, to serve the interests of the public.

    The NACC has been given a second chance to serve the public through properly investigating Robodebt.

    If it chooses to take it, it will signal that the commission understands it plays a key role in preserving one of the most valuable commodities in Australian democracy: trust in government.

    William Partlett is the Stephen Charles Fellow at The Centre for Public Integrity.

    – ref. In failing to probe Robodebt, Australia’s anti-corruption body fell at the first hurdle. It now has a second chance – https://theconversation.com/in-failing-to-probe-robodebt-australias-anti-corruption-body-fell-at-the-first-hurdle-it-now-has-a-second-chance-236147

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

    January 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Russia: NSU is participating in the creation of a research and educational station in SKIF

    Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Novosibirsk State University – Novosibirsk State University –

    The decision to create the SKIF-NSU educational and research station “Basic Methods of Synchrotron Diagnostics for Educational, Research and Innovative Activities of Students” was made at the NSU Academic Council in October 2024. This station is being created within the framework of the partnership agreement between NSU, the Boreskov Institute of Catalysis SB RAS, the Budker Institute of Nuclear Physics SB RAS and the SKIF Collective Use Center. It may become one of the first stations operating at SKIF, along with six stations of the first stage.

    — To launch the educational and research station, there will be no need for complex technical devices for generating synchrotron radiation — wigglers or undulators. It will use radiation from a bending magnet. Most of the station’s units are already available from partner organizations, and the missing devices are planned to be purchased during 2024. Therefore, there is a real opportunity to put it into operation in parallel with the first-stage stations, but unlike them, this station does not require complex commissioning. The bending magnet is an integral part of the accelerator complex, and it will not need to be purchased or manufactured additionally. Much equipment for the educational and research station has already been purchased by the parties to the Agreement and is currently in operation at the Siberian Center for Synchrotron and Terahertz Radiation. All that remains is to wait for the commissioning of the SKIF CCU and the subsequent installation of the equipment, — said a senior researcher at the SKIF CCU and the Laboratory of Structural Diagnostics of Ultradisperse and Nanostructured Systems Physics Department of NSU Andrey Saraev.

    Serious preparatory work was done to create an educational and scientific station at the university. As a result of the implementation of projects at NSU in 2022-2023 to develop its concept and design, Russian and foreign experience in creating such multi-purpose modular stations was studied, an analysis of the compatibility of various spectral and diffraction techniques was carried out, technical requirements were drawn up and a basic diagram of the station was developed. Design solutions for creating the station were developed, an analysis of the existing equipment in partner organizations was carried out, technical documentation was developed as part of determining the requirements for equipment and external parameters for creating a research facility for experiments using synchrotron radiation, combining a set of diffraction and spectral methods, including powder and single-crystal X-ray diffraction, X-ray absorption spectroscopy and X-ray fluorescence analysis. Part of the necessary equipment for the station was purchased – two fluorescence detectors. The acquisition of an X-ray diffraction detector is planned for next year.

    — We are currently updating the detection system for X-ray absorption spectroscopy. This is NSU’s contribution to the creation of the educational and scientific station, which is being implemented within the framework of the Priority 2030 program. In total, it amounts to about 15 million rubles. At the moment, another important acquisition made by NSU for the educational and scientific station being created is being processed — an ionization chamber for measuring the intensity of X-ray radiation and components for it. It will work in conjunction with the equipment purchased last year, — Andrey Saraev explained.

    According to the established deadlines for commissioning the station, its launch is planned for September 2025. It is assumed that the station will be used to work with senior students and postgraduates of the Physics Department, the Faculty of Natural Sciences and the Geological and Geophysical Department of NSU. Training in working with experimental research methods will be carried out through solving scientific problems formulated and set by researchers and teachers of NSU, as well as scientists from institutes of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences.

    — These are always non-standard, modern tasks. There are no traditional ways or ready-made methodological materials to solve them. Therefore, the knowledge that young researchers will receive as a result of research work will be relevant and modern. Senior students are already familiar with experimental work, have completed various practical courses, they have experience of independent work, so they can be involved in more complex scientific work. It is worth noting that, first of all, the station is designed to conduct scientific research with the participation of students, prepare diploma and course papers. We believe that the station will also be interesting for conducting programs to train personnel for SKIF and improve their qualifications, — explained Andrey Saraev.

    It is predicted that the scientific community formed around the SKIF Center for Collective Use will only expand every year, and the number of those interested in working at the educational and scientific station will increase. But at the moment, unfortunately, not all of them have sufficient information about modern methodological approaches to conducting research. Therefore, it is assumed that the station will conduct advanced training courses for scientists – a kind of elimination of synchrotron illiteracy in the scientific community. It has already begun in the student community – at the Physics Department, Andrey Saraev and his colleagues are giving a course for senior students on “Study of Solids Using Synchrotron Radiation.”

    — It is difficult to underestimate the importance of the educational and scientific station being created. Firstly, it combines two universal methods: X-ray absorption spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. Both of them are in great demand by the scientific community, because, unlike other methods, they allow one to study a wide range of objects, from functional materials to proteins and cultural heritage objects. Secondly, sample preparation for them is relatively simple. Accordingly, the number of systems being studied is larger: one object can be studied in two to three hours, whereas with other methods, this may take tens of hours. The information obtained is prompt, visual and of high quality. It is important that the plan and strategy for performing the work can be adjusted during the study. Stations where such methods are implemented are very prolific in terms of scientific publications and work carried out, so their demand is very high, and the flow of tasks is voluminous, — said Andrey Saraev.

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

    January 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Unexplained death at Port Augusta

    Source: South Australia Police

    Major Crime Investigation Branch and Port Augusta CIB detectives are investigating the unexplained death of a 26 year-old woman from Port Augusta.

    The woman, who had physical and intellectual disabilities, died in Royal Adelaide Hospital on Monday night (October 28).

    She was taken to Port Augusta Hospital on October 24 after SA Ambulance attended at her Edinburgh Terrace home. She was found to be seriously ill with significant infected wounds.

    On October 25, the woman’s condition deteriorated, and she was transported to the Royal Adelaide Hospital. Port Augusta CIB detectives were advised and commenced a criminal neglect investigation and searched her home.

    The woman’s death has been declared a major crime.

    Major Crime officer-in-charge Detective Superintendent Des Bray said the investigation was in its early stages and the examination of the house was expected to take several days.

    Major Crime detectives and Forensic Response Section officers have been in Port Augusta working with local police since yesterday.

    “There are significant indicators of criminal neglect, but it is not yet clear if that caused the woman’s death,’’ he said.

    “Because of this there is a simultaneous criminal and coronial investigation underway that involves a significant commitment of resources.

    “The criminal investigation will examine the role of everyone who was involved in the provision of care to the victim and to determine if anyone is criminally responsible for the death. I expect that will take some time.’’

    “I would urge anyone who knows the victim that had raised concerns about her care to contact police.’’

    Anyone with any information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

    MIL OSI News –

    January 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: SJ attends conference in Singapore

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    Secretary for Justice Paul Lam today attended the 14th China-ASEAN Prosecutors-General Conference in Singapore, where he delivered a speech at the plenary session.

    The conference, organised by the Attorney-General’s Chambers of Singapore, brought together officials, prosecutors and legal experts from 13 delegations to share their views on the conference’s theme “Fostering Co-operation on Combating Financial Crimes”.

    Addressing the plenary session, Mr Lam elaborated that Hong Kong has been adopting a multipronged approach in combating financial crimes with international elements, including adopting international regulatory standards, establishing a collaborative network for effective prosecution and asset recovery, making better use of emerging technologies and encouraging knowledge and experience sharing, in order to build a trustworthy and secure financial environment.

    He also mentioned that Hong Kong has established a comprehensive co-operation regime for the mutual legal assistance and surrender of fugitives, and that geopolitical considerations should not be allowed to hinder international co-operation in fighting financial crimes.

    The fight against financial crimes with international elements is a daunting and ongoing challenge, Mr Lam said, adding that he hoped Hong Kong and all other jurisdictions will continue to strengthen collaboration to jointly combat related crimes.

    At the conference’s closing session, the justice chief remarked that the 15th China-ASEAN Prosecutors-General Conference will be held in Hong Kong next year.

    During his visit to Singapore, Mr Lam attended other related activities. As a member of the Chinese delegation, he attended bilateral meetings between the delegation and member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations – Singapore, Myanmar, Vietnam, Brunei, Laos and Thailand, to exchange views on issues of mutual interest.

    Yesterday, he attended a lecture given by Prosecutor-General of the Supreme People’s Procuratorate Ying Yong on the theme “The Chinese Prosecutorial System in the Process of Comprehensive Implementation of the Rule of Law”.

    Mr Lam will conclude his visit to Singapore tomorrow and return to Hong Kong.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    January 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Security: Shelburne — Shelburne RCMP charge man with attempted murder

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    Shelburne RCMP Detachment has charged a man with attempted murder after a stabbing in Shelburne.

    On October 27, at approximately 2:50 a.m., officers responded to a report that a man had been stabbed at a home on Shore Rd. Upon arrival at the residence, they located a man with serious injuries; he was transported to hospital by EHS. The suspect and victim were known to each other, and the suspect had fled the home before police arrived.

    Officers, including RCMP Police Dog Services, followed up at another home in Shelburne, where they located and safely arrested one man related to this incident.

    Jason Morash, 41, of Shelburne, has been charged with Attempted Murder, Possession of a Weapon for a Dangerous Purpose, and Aggravated Assault. Morash had a first court appearance in Yarmouth Provincial Court on October 28 and was held in custody pending his next court appearance on November 4.

    The investigation is ongoing.

    MIL Security OSI –

    January 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Security: Serious assault and verbal abuse in Homerton

    Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

    Detectives are appealing for help to identify a woman in connection with a hate crime where a man was assaulted in Homerton.

    The victim was walking along Homerton High Street at about 05:15hrs on Sunday, 27 October when he was verbally abused before being seriously assaulted with a glass bottle by an unknown woman. She then left the scene.

    The victim presented himself at hospital with serious injuries to his face.

    Enquiries remain ongoing and no arrests have been made at this stage.

    At this early stage in the investigation, the assault is being treated as a hate crime.

    Detectives are now appealing for the public’s help and have today released an image of a woman who they would like to speak with in connection with the investigation.

    If you recognise her or have any information which could assist the investigation, please contact us by calling 101 or message @MetCC on X and quote CAD 1890/27Oct.

    You can also provide information anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or visit crimestoppers-uk.org.

    MIL Security OSI –

    January 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Worcestershire brook pollution brings prosecution of 2 companies

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    The companies have been ordered to pay fines and costs in excess of £90,000 for causing trade effluent to pollute 3 kilometres of a Worcestershire brook.

    • Fines and costs totalling over £90,000 imposed by court
    • Human error and corporate failings caused 3 kilometres of brook to be impacted
    • Case heard at Worcester Crown Court on 24 October 2024

    A prosecution by the Environment Agency has resulted in the conviction of 2 companies for causing trade effluent to pollute 3 kilometres of a Worcestershire brook. The companies have been ordered to pay fines and costs in excess of £90,000.

    At Worcester Crown Court on 24 October 2024, Elisabeth The Chef (ETC) and Civil Environmental Project Services Ltd (CEPS) were sentenced for causing the discharge into the Laugherne Brook in September 2017.

    ETC, a food manufacturer operating in Lower Broadheath, was fined £18,000 and ordered to pay prosecution costs of £52,000. CEPS, an engineering company in Bidford-upon-Avon was fined £4,000 and ordered to pay prosecution costs of £20,000.

    The discharge

    The Court was told that the discharge caused the deaths of a significant number of fish and that it followed a series of human and corporate failings.

    The manufacturing process at ETC produces around 40,000 gallons per day of trade effluent and human sewage.

    CEPS provided quarterly maintenance, and a telemetry monitoring service, for a pumping station at ETC’s premises. It was designed to pump trade effluent and sewage from the works to a foul sewer.

    On 1 September 2017, an employee of CEPS attended the ETC site’s pumping station to conduct routine maintenance.  Following completion of the maintenance work, the employee failed to switch the pumps within the pumping station back on.

    As a result, trade effluent built up in the pump well rather than being sent to the foul sewer.  This caused an overflow of trade effluent from the pumping station into a containment lagoon.

    The containment lagoon filled up and then discharged the pollutant through a broken sluice gate and into a ditch running alongside the factory.

    This pollution discharge flowed from the ditch into the Laugherne Brook, flowing towards Worcester and the River Teme in the south of the city.

    The situation was compounded by the same CEPS employee reporting to ETC on 4 September 2017, whilst the pollution was going on, stating that it was ‘working ok’.

    The same employee had also attended the ETC site in April 2017 and erroneously fitted an alarm too high within the pumpwell. This meant that the alarm did not function properly and consequently ETC was not notified that the pumping station was not working.

    Environment Agency response to the incident

    On 5 September 2017, members of the public contacted the Environment Agency to report that the Laugherne Brook was cloudy and dead fish were on the surface. 

    The Environment Agency managed the response to the incident and identified the source of the pollution and ETC then took action to stop the pollution.

    Officers carried out water quality testing and found that there had been a severe short-term impact covering some 3 kilometres of the Laugherne Brook.

    Some 86 dead fish were counted in the accessible sections of the Brook, including brown trout, bullhead, dace, and gudgeon.

    Hundreds of fish were estimated to have been killed as a result of the incident.

    ETC, a company with previous convictions for environmental offending, initially blamed CEPS for the incident.

    But subsequently accepted that it had failed to put in checks and procedures to ensure its on-site pumping station was working correctly.

    The company also accepted that it had failed to conduct day-to-day physical checks of its pumping station and containment lagoon.

    CEPS was vicariously liable for the actions of its employee. It had failed to put in place appropriate checks and monitoring to instruct its employee to ensure that work was done competently.

    The sentence

    In sentencing, the Court remarked that the state of rivers were ‘at the front of the public consciousness’ and that this was a ‘serious breach of law’.

    In mitigation, the Court remarked that both companies had undertaken investigations and taken all remedial action to prevent a recurrence. 

    The Court noted that ETC had been under different ownership when the pollution event occurred. But the new owners were taking the company’s environmental responsibilities seriously. 

    The Court also noted that there have been no further pollution events at the site since 2017.

    CEPS admitted responsibility for the incident at an early stage.

    The Court noted that the company’s engagement and co-operation with the Environment Agency’s investigation was ‘impressive.’ It had no previous convictions of any kind.

    Kelly Horsley, an Environment Officer for the West Midlands Environment Agency, said:

    We welcome this sentence as this was a serious pollution which caused considerable disruption besides fish deaths. 

    The Environment Agency will pursue any company that fails to uphold the law or protect nature and will continue to press for the strongest possible penalties. 

    Failure to comply with these legal requirements is a serious offence that can damage the environment and harm human health.    

     If anyone has environmental concerns they should call our 24/7 hotline on 0800 80 70 60 or Crimestoppers anonymously and in confidence on 0800 555 111. 

    The Charge

    Between 1 September 2017 and 5 September 2017, (1) Elisabeth the Chef Ltd and (2) Civil and Environmental Project Services Ltd caused a water discharge activity.

    This was namely a discharge of polluting trade effluent into a ditch adjacent to and joining the Laugherne Brook, Worcester.

    This was not authorised by an environmental permit, contrary to Regulation 38(1)(a) and Regulation 12(1)(b) of the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016.

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    Updates to this page

    Published 29 October 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

    January 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Security: Clarenville — Clarenville RCMP investigates mischief at Canadian Tire Gas Bar, seeks public’s assistance identifying suspect

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    Clarenville RCMP is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying a suspect in relation to property damage that occurred yesterday, October 27, 2024, at the Canadian Tire Gas Bar on Manitoba Drive in Clarenville.

    At approximately 8:30 a.m. on Sunday, Clarenville RCMP received the report of property damage. Surveillance footage obtained from the business showed a man throwing firewood at the front entrance of the gas bar at approximately 4:00 a.m. A copy of the surveillance video is attached.

    The investigation is continuing.

    Anyone having information about this crime or the identity of the suspect is asked to contact Clarenville RCMP (709-466-3211). To remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers: #SayItHere 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), visit www.nlcrimestoppers.com or use the P3Tips app.

    Video

      Video description

      An unknown male can be seen throwing an object at the front entrance of a gas bar.

    MIL Security OSI –

    January 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Security: U.S. Joins International Action Against RedLine and META Infostealers

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    RedLine and META Infostealers stole information from millions of victims around the world; U.S. complaint charges developer and administrator; U.S. law enforcement seizes infrastructure

    AUSTIN, Texas – The Department of Justice joined the Netherlands, Belgium, Eurojust and other partners in announcing an international disruption effort against the current version of RedLine Infostealer, one of the most prevalent infostealers in the world that has targeted millions of victim computers, and the closely-related META Infostealer.

    The Justice Department, FBI, Naval Criminal Investigative Service, IRS Criminal Investigation, Defense Criminal Investigative Service, and Army Criminal Investigation Division joined international partners in the Joint Cybercrime Action Taskforce (“JCAT”) Operation Magnus (supported by Europol) to seize domains, servers, and Telegram accounts used by the RedLine and META administrators to disrupt the operations of the infostealers.

    International authorities have created a website at www.operation-magnus.com with additional resources for the public and potential victims.

    Infostealers are a prevalent form of malware used to steal sensitive information from victim’s computers including usernames and passwords, financial information, system information, cookies, and cryptocurrency accounts. The stolen information—referred to as “logs”—is sold on cybercrime forums and used for further fraudulent activity and other hacks. RedLine has been used to conduct intrusions against major corporations. RedLine and META infostealers can also enable cyber criminals to bypass multi-factor authentication (MFA) through the theft of authentication cookies and other system information.

    RedLine and META are sold through a decentralized Malware as a Service (“MaaS”) model where affiliates purchase a license to use the malware, and then launch their own campaigns to infect their intended victims. The malware is distributed to victims using malvertising, e-mail phishing, fraudulent software downloads, and malicious software sideloading. Various schemes, including COVID-19 and Windows update related ruses have been used to trick victims into downloading the malware. The malware is advertised for sale on cybercrime forums and through Telegram channels that offer customer support and software updates. RedLine and META have infected millions of computers worldwide and, by some estimates, RedLine is one of the top malware variants in the world.

    Through various investigative steps, law enforcement has collected victim log data stolen from computers infected with RedLine and META. While an exact number has not been finalized, agents have identified millions of unique credentials (usernames and passwords), email addresses, bank accounts, cryptocurrency addresses, credit card numbers, etc. The United States does not believe it is in possession of all the stolen data and continues to investigate.

    The Department has unsealed a warrant issued in the Western District of Texas that authorized law enforcement to seize two domains used by RedLine and META for command and control.

    In conjunction with the disruption effort, the Justice Department unsealed charges against Maxim Rudometov, one of the developers and administrators of RedLine Infostealer. According to the complaint, Rudometov regularly accessed and managed the infrastructure of RedLine Infostealer, was associated with various cryptocurrency accounts used to receive and launder payments and was in possession of RedLine malware. For his actions, he has been charged with access device fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1029, conspiracy to commit computer intrusion, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 1030 and 371, and money laundering, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1956.

    If convicted, Rudometov faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison for access device fraud, five years in prison for conspiracy to commit computer intrusion, and 20 years in prison for money laundering. The complaint is merely an allegation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

    The FBI Austin Cyber Task Force is investigating the case. The Task Force participants include the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, IRS Criminal Investigation, Defense Criminal Investigative Service, and Army Criminal Investigation Division, among other agencies.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney G. Karthik Srinivasan is prosecuting the case. The Justice Department’s Cybercrime Liaison Prosecutor to Eurojust and Office of International Affairs also provided significant assistance.

    The disruption effort announced today was in conjunction with Operation Magnus, a JCAT law enforcement operation to investigate RedLine and META Infostealers. The participating agencies included the Dutch National Police, Belgian Federal Police, Belgian Federal Prosecutor’s Office, United Kingdom National Crime Agency, Australian Federal Police, Portuguese Federal Police, and Eurojust.

    ###

    MIL Security OSI –

    January 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Security: Darnell Bishop Sentenced To 15 Years For Role In Benton Harbor Dunham’s Store Handgun Theft

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

              GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN — U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Mark Totten today announced that Darnell Bishop, 32, of Benton Harbor, was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison for kidnapping and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. 

              “Mr. Bishop’s criminal scheme, had it succeeded, would have flooded the streets of southwest Michigan with illegal guns,” said U.S. Attorney Mark Totten. “The proliferation of illegal guns is one cause behind the gun violence epidemic we are experiencing in Benton Harbor, across the state, and across the nation. I am grateful to our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners for their swift and smart response that prevented the worst from happening. Moving forward, we will continue to focus our efforts on those few individuals who are driving gun violence in their communities.”

              Bishop was charged along with his brother and codefendant, Dontrell Nance, for the theft of 123 handguns from Benton Harbor Dunham’s Sports Store. Bishop and Nance kidnapped the Dunham’s manager from outside the manager’s home using a pistol, blindfolded and handcuffed him, took him to a second location, and threatened the manager into providing the alarm code for Dunham’s. Bishop then went to the store and stole 123 pistols, which he carried away in two large coolers. Law enforcement has since recovered all the firearms.  

              Nance previously pled guilty to kidnapping and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.  He was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison.

              “Today’s sentence is an example of our commitment to our industry partners and their employees, that their safety and security is one of ATF’s top priorities,” said Detroit Field Division Special Agent in Charge James Deir. “Mr. Bishop and his cohorts need to be held accountable for their actions and represent the most deserving of Federal prosecution. They are criminals who put personal greed before the safety of Dunham’s employees and their families. Now, they will have plenty of time in prison to reflect on their wrongdoing.”

              “Mr. Bishop’s sentencing brings closure to a community left rattled by a violent attack against Dunham’s Sports and its manager in a plot to traffic over 100 illegal guns into our streets,” said Cheyvoryea Gibson, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Michigan. “I am thankful for the cooperation of our law enforcement partners, especially the Benton Harbor Safe Streets Task Force, whose prompt response thwarted this plot and averted potentially devastating consequences.”

              This case was investigated by the Benton Charter Township Police Department, Benton Harbor Department of Public Safety, Berrien County Sheriff’s Department, Michigan State Police, ATF, and FBI.

    ###

              The previous press releases, complaint, and press conference can be viewed at the following links here, here, here, here, and here. 

    MIL Security OSI –

    January 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: Vast and GGS Energy Partner to Bring CSP-Powered Green Methanol and SAF to the U.S.

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    HOUSTON, Oct. 29, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Vast Renewables Limited (“Vast”) (Nasdaq: VSTE), a renewable energy company specialising in concentrated solar thermal power (CSP) systems that generate zero-carbon, utility-scale electricity and industrial process heat, today announced it has signed a development services agreement with GGS Energy LLC (“GGS Energy”), a leading energy transition development company with deep project development experience, to pursue a commercial-scale synthetic fuels project in the Southwest United States (Project Bravo).

    Project Bravo, Vast’s first deployment in the U.S., will see Vast’s CSP v3.0 technology used to generate carbon free heat and electricity to power a co-located refinery that will produce green methanol and/or electrically powered sustainable aviation fuel (e-SAF). The project is expected to be located in the Southwest United States.

    Methanol is one of the most versatile hydrogen derivatives which, if produced using clean energy, has the potential to decarbonise shipping and aviation fuels. Using CSP can potentially reduce green fuel production costs by up to 40 percent according to a recent report by engineering group Fichtner. Furthermore, e-SAF will be critical to reducing emissions from the aviation industry over the coming decades. Given these and other strong demand trends, the parties expect to attract high-quality, long-term offtake contracts from global strategic partners.

    Project Bravo will build on Solar Methanol 1 (SM1), the CSP-powered green methanol reference plant to be located in Australia at the Port Augusta Green Energy Hub, that Vast is co-developing with global energy company Mabanaft. SM1 will be supplied with baseload renewable heat from Vast’s co-located 30 MW / 288 MWh CSP plant, and it will have the capacity to produce 7,500 tonnes of green methanol each year.

    Vast has been undertaking early-stage development activities for Project Bravo, including initial design, site selection and feasibility assessments, to create a viable project ready for the next phase of development in collaboration with GGS Energy. The project has a development target of 550MWh of CSP generation, with further details to be released as development activities unfold.

    The development services agreement sets out how Vast will advance Project Bravo with GGS Energy, a subsidiary of Glacier Global Partners that was formed in 2020 as an energy transition company focused on developing utility-scale renewable energy. The project’s success could unlock the mass production of green fuels from synthetic feedstocks in the US and catalyse a pipeline of future projects.

    Craig Wood, CEO of Vast, said, “CSP has the potential to unlock low-cost green fuel production in the U.S., and it can play a significant role in helping decarbonise shipping and aviation. We are delighted to have GGS Energy as a development partner to advance our plans in the U.S., which is a key market for Vast’s technology.”

    Tommy Soriero from GGS Energy said, “GGS Energy is excited to partner with Vast and work to develop Project Bravo. This collaboration marks a significant step toward a sustainable future, harnessing advanced technology to produce low-cost green fuels. We are eager to combine our expertise and resources to ensure the success and impact of future innovative projects starting with Project Bravo.”

    About Vast

    Vast is a renewable energy company that has developed CSP systems to generate, store and dispatch carbon free, utility-scale electricity and industrial heat, and to unlock the production of green fuels. Vast’s CSP v3.0 approach to CSP utilises a proprietary, modular sodium loop to efficiently capture and convert solar heat into these end products. 

    Visit www.vast.energy for more information.  

    About GGS Energy LLC

    GGS Energy was formed in 2020 as an energy infrastructure company focusing on developments of utility-scale energy transition projects. The GGS team has an extensive infrastructure development experience in the U.S. and internationally utilizing multiple technologies including utility scale CSP, coal-to-liquids projects, PV solar, Wind, BESS, and many more.

    Contacts:  

    Vast 

    For Investors:   
    Caldwell Bailey   
    ICR, Inc.   
    VastIR@icrinc.com

    For Australian media:  
    Nick Albrow  
    Wilkinson Butler  
    nick@wilkinsonbutler.com

    For US Media:   
    Matt Dallas   
    ICR, Inc.   
    VastPR@icrinc.com

    Forward Looking Statements
    The information included herein and in any oral statements made in connection herewith include “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements, other than statements of present or historical fact included herein, regarding Project Bravo, Vast’s future financial performance, Vast’s strategy, future operations, financial position, estimated revenues and losses, projected costs, prospects, plans and objectives of management are forward-looking statements. When used herein, including any oral statements made in connection herewith, the words “anticipate,” “believe,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “project,” “should,” “will,” the negative of such terms and other similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain such identifying words. These forward-looking statements are based on Vast management’s current expectations and assumptions about future events and are based on currently available information as to the outcome and timing of future events. Except as otherwise required by applicable law, Vast disclaims any duty to update any forward-looking statements, all of which are expressly qualified by the statements in this section, to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof. Vast cautions you that these forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, most of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond the control of Vast. These risks include, but are not limited to, general economic, financial, legal, political and business conditions and changes in domestic and foreign markets; Vast’s ability to obtain financing on commercially acceptable terms or at all; Vast’s ability to manage growth; Vast’s ability to execute its business plan, including the completion of the Port Augusta project (including SM1) and Project Bravo, at all or in a timely manner and meet its projections; potential litigation, governmental or regulatory proceedings, investigations or inquiries involving Vast, including in relation to Vast’s recent business combination; the inability to recognize the anticipated benefits of Vast’s recent business combination; costs related to that business combination; changes in applicable laws or regulations and general economic and market conditions impacting demand for Vast’s products and services. Additional risks are set forth in the section titled “Risk Factors” in the Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended June 30, 2024, dated September 9, 2024, and other documents filed, or to be filed with the SEC by Vast. Should one or more of the risks or uncertainties described herein and in any oral statements made in connection therewith occur, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results and plans could differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements. Additional information concerning these and other factors that may impact Vast’s expectations can be found in Vast’s periodic filings with the SEC. Vast’s SEC filings are available publicly on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov

    The MIL Network –

    January 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Global: For an estimated 4 million people with felony convictions, restoring their right to vote is complicated – and varies state by state

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Naomi F. Sugie, Associate Professor of Sociology, University of California, Los Angeles

    Desmond Meade, right, registers to vote in Florida on Jan. 8, 2019. after completing his sentence on a federal conviction. Phelan M. Ebenhack for The Washington Post via Getty Images

    People who are convicted of felonies might think they can’t vote.

    Even in California, where they do have the right to vote, people convicted of felonies cite cases in Florida and Texas where people with felonies who have completed their sentences have been arrested and sentenced to prison for trying to vote illegally.

    It’s almost an article of faith that a person loses their right to vote once they have been convicted.

    But that’s not universally true.

    Since 1997, 26 states and Washington have passed reforms that have expanded voting eligibility to over 2 million people with felony convictions.

    The reforms reflect the growing recognition by some politicians that felony disenfranchisement laws often excluded people from voting long after they served their sentences. Rooted in historical racism that restricted access to the ballot box, these laws are at odds with the idea that punishment should end after someone completes their sentence.

    But with these reforms comes a new challenge – ensuring that people who have the right to vote are aware that they can.

    Different states, different laws

    A popular assumption among the general public, and even among those convicted of felonies, is that they can’t vote for life.

    During our research, we conducted interviews and focus groups with 137 people, as well as text message conversations with over 1,800 people across five states (California, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Texas). Delia, a 40-year-old Hispanic woman in Texas, explained: “It’s very confusing on purpose. The majority of people that I know, who get booked in and are going to jail, one of the biggest things is, you can’t ever vote again. Right. And so, that’s what I believed.”

    Laws on felony disenfranchisement vary by state]. In some instances, people with convictions can still vote while they are serving time in Maine, Vermont and Washington, D.C.

    Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced on Oct. 18, 2022, that the state’s new Office of Election Crimes and Security was in the process of arresting 20 individuals for voter fraud.
    Joe Raedle/Getty Images

    According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, those convicted of felonies have their rights automatically restored in 23 states when released from prison. But in 10 other states, those convicted of certain felonies can lose rights indefinitely or require a governor’s pardon for voting rights to be restored.

    Making matters even more confusing is that state laws make different distinctions on who can and cannot vote. In some cases, the distinctions are based on whether the conviction was a felony or misdemeanor.

    Other states distinguish between the timing of the end of imprisonment, parole or probation – and whether all fines and fees have been paid.

    The Florida eligibility question

    In 2018, for example, Florida voters approved a ballot initiative that “restores the voting rights of Floridians with felony convictions after they complete all terms of their sentence including parole or probation.”

    Known as Amendment 4, the measure excluded people who committed murder or a felony sex offense.

    But before the measure went into effect, a legal dispute arose over the definition of what it meant to complete a sentence. In 2019, Florida’s Republican-controlled Legislature passed a law that required payment of outstanding fees and fines before a person convicted of a felony conviction could regain their voting rights.

    Though the American Civil Liberties Union challenged the constitutionality of the law in court, a federal appellate court backed the Republican lawmakers.

    As a result, an estimated 730,000 Floridians who have completed their sentences remain disenfranchised.

    Extending voting rights

    Over the past nearly 30 years, many states have moved to make it easier for those convicted of felonies to regain their voting rights, starting in 1997 in Texas, where lawmakers eliminated a two-year waiting period before a person convicted of a felony regained their right to vote.

    As a result, the number of people with felonies who had lost their right to vote dropped from a high of 6.1 million in 2016 to an estimated 4 million in this election, according to the Sentencing Project. During the U.S. presidential election in 2020, that number was 5.2 million.

    So far in 2024 alone, officials in three states have tinkered with their laws on voter eligibility requirements for people convicted of felonies.

    In Virginia, lawmakers approved on April 5 a new law that allows registered voters who are imprisoned while awaiting trial or have been convicted of a misdemeanor to vote by absentee ballot.

    A month later, in May, Oklahoma lawmakers clarified their existing laws by passing a measure that allows people convicted of felonies to vote under certain conditions, such as receiving a pardon or a reduction of their felony conviction to a lesser misdemeanor.

    Though passed by state lawmakers in April 2024, the Nebraska Supreme Court ruled on Oct. 16 that the new law could take effect. The law eliminates the two-year waiting period following the completion of a prison sentence before voting rights could be restored.

    Increasing voter turnout

    Numerous studies of those with felony convictions have shown that they believe the voting process is unclear and confusing.

    In our study of voting behavior of people with convictions, we interviewed Raymond, a 49-year-old Black man in Michigan. When asked about the process of registering to vote, he told us: “I ain’t going to say scary, but it was unfamiliar. It can be overwhelming for people who don’t want to do it. You don’t know where to go, you don’t know who to really vote for.”

    To get the word out to newly eligible voters, community organizations across the U.S. have launched grassroots operations to inform people with convictions of their voting rights and help guide them through the registration process.

    As part of that effort, community organizations such as Alliance for Safety and Justice and TimeDone are working with academic researchers to further understand how different methods of outreach can increase voter turnout among people with felony convictions.

    With many people newly eligible to vote in their first presidential election this year, I believe providing them with accurate information about voting and their state’s felony voting laws is critical to ensuring that the idea of a second chance includes the right to vote.

    Naomi F. Sugie receives funding from the National Science Foundation, National Endowment for the Humanities, Council on Library and Information Resources, Orange County, Alliance for Safety and Justice, Crankstart, and Public Agenda.

    – ref. For an estimated 4 million people with felony convictions, restoring their right to vote is complicated – and varies state by state – https://theconversation.com/for-an-estimated-4-million-people-with-felony-convictions-restoring-their-right-to-vote-is-complicated-and-varies-state-by-state-239681

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

    January 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Security: Marystown — Man injured by shot from small game rifle, Burin Peninsula RCMP looks to identify hunters in area of Grand Le Pierre

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    Following the report of a gunshot injury sustained to an individual on the afternoon of October 26, 2024, Burin Peninsula RCMP is looking to identify hunters or any other individuals who may have been present when the incident occurred. The hunting area is located off Route 211, approximately 3 kilometers North/East of the community of Grand La Pierre.

    At approximately 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, Burin Peninsula RCMP received the report of a gunshot injury from the Burin Peninsula Health Care Centre. A man attended the hospital informing that he had been shot while scouting out the area to set some rabbit snares. A 22-Calibre round was removed from the man who was treated for minor injuries. The incident is believed to have occurred sometime earlier that afternoon between 1:00-1:30 p.m.

    No persons or vehicles were observed by the injured man. Police attended the described location but were unable to locate anyone in the area.

    The investigation is continuing.

    Anyone who may have been in the area on Saturday afternoon or who may have information about this incident is asked to contact Burin Peninsula RCMP at 709-279-3001. To remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers: #SayItHere 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), visit www.nlcrimestoppers.com or use the P3Tips app.

    MIL Security OSI –

    January 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Security: Holland Man Sentenced For Sexual Exploitation Of A Child, Penalties For Registered Sex Offenders

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

              GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN — U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Mark Totten today announced that Jared Hanner, 32, of Holland, was sentenced to 35 years in federal prison for Sexual Exploitation of a Child and Penalties for Registered Sex Offenders. Hanner previously pleaded guilty to the charges and faced a mandatory 35-year prison sentence.

              “Sexual exploitation crimes against our children are especially egregious,” said U.S. Attorney Mark Totten. “We will continue to hold sexual predators and their coconspirators accountable by working with our law enforcement partners to secure a measure of justice for the minor victims and prevent future harm.”

              Last year, Hanner met Tasha Erin Blake, 38, of Grand Haven, online and convinced her to text him explicit photos of a minor in her care and custody, under 13 years of age. Blake complied, but subsequently confessed her actions to the police. Law enforcement executed a search warrant on Hanner’s phone and found the explicit photos and his request for them. Blake pleaded guilty to Distribution of Child Pornography earlier this year and was sentenced to 18 years in federal prison.

              “Anyone who means to manipulate and sexually exploit children should face severe consequences, and the FBI will never stop seeking justice for victims,” said Cheyvoryea Gibson, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Michigan. “This sentencing would not be possible without the dedicated work of our FBI West Michigan Based Child Exploitation Task Force (WEBCHEX) and collaboration with our law enforcement partners who we remain committed to working alongside to protect our communities.”

              The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Grand Haven Department of Public Safety, Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office, and Kent County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Doaa Al-Howaishy prosecuted it.

              This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, county prosecutor’s offices, the Internet Crimes Against Children task force (ICAC), federal, state, tribal, and local law enforcement are working closely together to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children. The partners in Project Safe Childhood work to educate local communities about the dangers of online child exploitation, and to teach children how to protect themselves. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov. Individuals with information or concerns about possible child exploitation should contact local law enforcement officials.

    ###

    MIL Security OSI –

    January 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Security: Elsipogtog — Man arrested and charged in connection with Elsipogtog arson and mischief

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    The Elsipogtog RCMP Detachment has arrested a 29-year-old man in connection with an arson and mischief in Elsipogtog.

    On October 23, 2024, at approximately 8:20 p.m., members working at the Elsipogtog RCMP Detachment heard a loud bang. A short time later, it was discovered that the detachment building and one unmarked police vehicle had been vandalized. The same night at approximately 8:41 p.m., police received a report of a residence on fire on Levi Street in Elsipogtog.

    Upon investigation, police were able to identify a person of interest. A 29-year-old man from Elsipogtog First Nation was located and arrested without incident.

    On October 25, 2024, 29-year-old Sonny Travis Bayley Francis appeared in Moncton Provincial Court where he was charged with:

    – Arson
    – Two counts of mischief under $5000
    – Three counts of failure to comply with a release order

    He was remanded in custody and is scheduled to return to court on November 8, 2024, for a bail hearing.

    Anyone with information that could help further the investigation is asked to contact the Elsipogtog RCMP Detachment at 506-523-8282. Information can also be provided anonymously through Crime Stoppers by calling 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), by downloading the secure P3 Mobile App, or by Secure Web Tips at www.crimenb.ca.

    The investigation is ongoing.

    MIL Security OSI –

    January 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Security: Muskegon Heights Man Sentenced For Illegally Possessing Gun As A Felon

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

            Case Reflects Ongoing Commitment to Protect Victims of Domestic Violence

              GRAND RAPIDS – U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Mark Totten today announced that Dequarius Quitman Day, 32, of Muskegon Heights, was sentenced to 60 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release for being a felon in possession of a firearm. Day’s crime was especially concerning because of his history of domestic violence, including his threatening actions in this case.  He previously pleaded guilty in July 2024.

              “Too many women who crossed Mr. Day’s path lived in fear of violence,” said U.S. Attorney Mark Totten. “For the millions of Americans who face domestic violence, an abuser’s access to a gun can mean the difference between life and death. We stand with the victims of domestic violence and will continue to do everything we can to protect them.”

              On December 25, 2023, Day pointed a firearm at the mother of one of his children and threatened to shoot her. While on the phone with 911 requesting assistance, the woman provided the operator Day’s name, a description of his vehicle, a description of the firearm, and informed the operator he had a warrant for his arrest.

              Day fled the scene in a vehicle but soon returned on foot to retrieve his cell phone. At that time, law enforcement placed him under arrest. Day lied to officers, claiming he did not have a vehicle. Law enforcement searched the surrounding area and located his vehicle parked a few blocks away. A loaded Taurus 9-millimeter pistol was found under a seat in the car as well.

              Day had prior felony convictions prohibiting him from possessing firearms and had an active warrant for an alleged assault against the victim’s pregnant sister on December 9, 2023. He has been charged by the Muskegon County Prosecutor’s Office for both the December 9 and December 25 assaults and is presumed innocent of those changes until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

              Domestic violence is a pattern of abusive behavior in any relationship that is used by one partner to gain or maintain power and control over another intimate partner. Across the nation and in Michigan domestic violence is a serious threat. According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men have experienced some form of physical violence by an intimate partner. Moreover, studies have shown that domestic violence perpetrators often use firearms to abuse and control their victims, who are five times as likely to be killed if their abuser has access to a firearm.

              The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Michigan has brought other cases to address the threat of domestic violence, which include the following:

              In addition, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Michigan recently announced a special partnership with the City of Lansing to address domestic violence in that city as part of a nationwide program.

              Victims of domestic violence who feel they are in imminent danger or fear a threat of harm should call 911.  The following national hotlines are also available to help victims:

    • Victim Connect: 1-855-4VICTIM (1-855-484-2846)
    • National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1−800−799−7233 or TTY 1−800−787−3224 (or text START to 88788)
    • The National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-HOPE (4673)

              The Muskegon Township Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated this case, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexia Jansen is prosecuting it.

              This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement, and the local community to develop effective, locally based strategies to reduce violent crime. For more information, visit www.justice.gov/psn.

    # # #

    MIL Security OSI –

    January 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: NASA Helps Find Thawing Permafrost Adds to Near-Term Global Warming

    Source: NASA

    Earth’s far northern reaches have locked carbon underground for millennia. New research paints a picture of a landscape in change.
    A new study, co-authored by NASA scientists, details where and how greenhouse gases are escaping from the Earth’s vast northern permafrost region as the Arctic warms. The frozen soils encircling the Arctic from Alaska to Canada to Siberia store twice as much carbon as currently resides in the atmosphere — hundreds of billions of tons — and most of it has been buried for centuries.
    An international team, led by researchers at Stockholm University, found that from 2000 to 2020, carbon dioxide uptake by the land was largely offset by emissions from it. Overall, they concluded that the region has been a net contributor to global warming in recent decades in large part because of another greenhouse gas, methane, that is shorter-lived but traps significantly more heat per molecule than carbon dioxide.

    The findings reveal a landscape in flux, said Abhishek Chatterjee, a co-author and scientist at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California. “We know that the permafrost region has captured and stored carbon for tens of thousands of years,” he said. “But what we are finding now is that climate-driven changes are tipping the balance toward permafrost being a net source of greenhouse gas emissions.”
    Carbon Stockpile
    Permafrost is ground that has been permanently frozen for anywhere from two years to hundreds of thousands of years. A core of it reveals thick layers of icy soils enriched with dead plant and animal matter that can be dated using radiocarbon and other techniques. When permafrost thaws and decomposes, microbes feed on this organic carbon, releasing some of it as greenhouse gases.
    Unlocking a fraction of the carbon stored in permafrost could further fuel climate change. Temperatures in the Arctic are already warming two to four times faster than the global average, and scientists are learning how thawing permafrost is shifting the region from being a net sink for greenhouse gases to becoming a net source of warming.
    They’ve tracked emissions using ground-based instruments, aircraft, and satellites. One such campaign, NASA’s Arctic-Boreal Vulnerability Experiment (ABoVE), is focused on Alaska and western Canada. Yet locating and measuring emissions across the far northern fringes of Earth remains challenging. One obstacle is the vast scale and diversity of the environment, composed of evergreen forests, sprawling tundra, and waterways.

    Cracks in the Sink
    The new study was undertaken as part of the Global Carbon Project’s RECCAP-2 effort, which brings together different science teams, tools, and datasets to assess regional carbon balances every few years. The authors followed the trail of three greenhouse gases — carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide — across 7 million square miles (18 million square kilometers) of permafrost terrain from 2000 to 2020.
    Researchers found the region, especially the forests, took up a fraction more carbon dioxide than it released. This uptake was largely offset by carbon dioxide emitted from lakes and rivers, as well as from fires that burned both forest and tundra.
    They also found that the region’s lakes and wetlands were strong sources of methane during those two decades. Their waterlogged soils are low in oxygen while containing large volumes of dead vegetation and animal matter — ripe conditions for hungry microbes. Compared to carbon dioxide, methane can drive significant climate warming in short timescales before breaking down relatively quickly. Methane’s lifespan in the atmosphere is about 10 years, whereas carbon dioxide can last hundreds of years.
    The findings suggest the net change in greenhouse gases helped warm the planet over the 20-year period. But over a 100-year period, emissions and absorptions would mostly cancel each other out. In other words, the region teeters from carbon source to weak sink. The authors noted that events such as extreme wildfires and heat waves are major sources of uncertainty when projecting into the future.
    Bottom Up, Top Down
    The scientists used two main strategies to tally greenhouse gas emissions from the region. “Bottom-up” methods estimate emissions from ground- and air-based measurements and ecosystem models. Top-down methods use atmospheric measurements taken directly from satellite sensors, including those on NASA’s Orbiting Carbon Observatory-2 (OCO-2) and JAXA’s (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency)Greenhouse Gases Observing Satellite.
    Regarding near-term, 20-year, global warming potential, both scientific approaches aligned on the big picture but differed in magnitude: The bottom-up calculations indicated significantly more warming.
    “This study is one of the first where we are able to integrate different methods and datasets to put together this very comprehensive greenhouse gas budget into one report,” Chatterjee said. “It reveals a very complex picture.”
    News Media Contacts
    Jane J. Lee / Andrew WangJet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif.818-354-0307 / 626-379-6874jane.j.lee@jpl.nasa.gov / andrew.wang@jpl.nasa.gov
    Written by Sally Younger
    2024-147

    MIL OSI USA News –

    January 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Security: Hanwell  — RCMP seeking public’s help following break, enter and theft

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    The Keswick RCMP Detachment is seeking the public’s assistance in connection with a break, enter and theft in Hanwell, N.B.

    The break, enter and theft is believed to have occurred on October 20, 2024, between 4 a.m. and 5 a.m., at a business on Route 640 in Hanwell.

    An individual forcibly gained entry to the business by breaking the glass of the front door. An unknown number of items were stolen.

    Police are now releasing surveillance footage photos of the individual, in hopes that someone may recognize them. The individual is described as a man with a thin build. At the time of the theft, he was wearing black clothing, a black helmet and black gloves. He was also carrying a black backpack and riding a bicycle.

    Anyone who lives in the area and witnessed suspicious activity at the time of the incident, who has surveillance footage from the time of the incident, or who has information that could help further the investigation is asked to contact the Keswick RCMP at 506-357-4300. Information can also be provided anonymously through Crime Stoppers by calling 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), by downloading the secure P3 Mobile App, or by Secure Web Tips at www.crimenb.ca.

    MIL Security OSI –

    January 25, 2025
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