NewzIntel.com

Category: FBI

  • MIL-OSI: Baker Hughes Declares Quarterly Dividend

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    HOUSTON and LONDON, Oct. 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Baker Hughes (NASDAQ: BKR) announced today that the Baker Hughes Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.21 per share of Class A common stock payable on Nov. 14, 2024, to holders of record on Nov. 4, 2024.

    In line with our stated goal to responsibly grow the dividend over time, the dividend reflects a 5% increase, or $0.01, compared to the same quarter last year.

    Baker Hughes expects to fund its quarterly cash dividend from cash generated from operations.

    About Baker Hughes:
    Baker Hughes (NASDAQ: BKR) is an energy technology company that provides solutions to energy and industrial customers worldwide. Built on a century of experience and conducting business in over 120 countries, our innovative technologies and services are taking energy forward – making it safer, cleaner and more efficient for people and the planet. Visit us at bakerhughes.com.

    For more information, please contact:

    Investor Relations

    Chase Mulvehill
    +1 346-297-2561
    investor.relations@bakerhughes.com

    Media Relations

    Adrienne M. Lynch
    +1 713-906-8407
    adrienne.lynch@bakerhughes.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Fentanyl Trafficker and DC Rapper Sentenced for Bringing Thousands of Counterfeit Oxycodone Pills into the District

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

                WASHINGTON – Columbian Thomas, 26, of Washington D.C., was sentenced today in U.S. District Court to 160 months in federal prison for participating in a massive fentanyl trafficking conspiracy that distributed hundreds of thousands of fentanyl-laced counterfeit oxycodone pills from Southern California to destinations throughout the United States, including the District. Thomas, aka “Cruddy Murda,” was one of more than two dozen co-defendants arrested over the course of 2023 in D.C., Virginia, Maryland, San Diego, and Los Angeles and charged in the conspiracy.

                The sentence was announced by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves, DEA Special Agent in Charge Jarod Forget of the Washington Division, Inspector in Charge Damon E. Wood of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service Washington Division, and Chief Pamela A. Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department.

                Thomas pleaded guilty on May 30 to conspiring to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl. In addition to the 160-month prison term, U.S. District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly ordered Thomas to serve five years of supervised release.

                The impetus for this investigation was the overdose death of Diamond Lynch, a young mother in Southeast D.C. In addition to investigating and prosecuting the death-resulting case [1] , law enforcement followed the evidence and uncovered a vast network of traffickers who transported fentanyl from Mexico to Los Angeles to the District of Columbia. Since then, investigators have seized more than 450,000 fentanyl pills, 1.5 kilograms of fentanyl powder, and 30 firearms.        

    According to court documents, Thomas entered into the conspiracy after he was introduced to a Los Angeles-based drug trafficker, who was a distributor of fentanyl-laced counterfeit oxycodone pills. Thomas would travel to Southern California to purchase the fake oxycodone from the L.A. supplier and return to the District with the drugs. 

               Thomas and his co-conspirators employed two primary methods to transport the pills to the District: they smuggled them in luggage or carry-on items on airline flights, or they shipped the pills using commercial mail carriers.

               Thomas often bragged on social media about the lucrative business of fentanyl trafficking and proudly showcased the spoils of his drug trafficking. The below-pictured social media post shows Thomas holding a large stack of U.S. currency, exclaiming “I [love] Cali!!!!”

               On June 2, 2023, the date of his arrest, law enforcement found Thomas in the bedroom of his home and recovered a baggie containing about 100 blue M-30 fentanyl-laced counterfeit oxycodone pills, along with a loaded Glock 21 Gen4 pistol that had been equipped with a “giggle switch,” which converted the firearm into a fully automatic machine gun.

               In addition to possessing a machine gun and conspiring to distribute more than 400 grams of fentanyl, Thomas, whose rap stage name is “Cruddy Murda,” often boasted about firearms and acts of violence in his songs. Below is a chart outlining the status and charges of other defendants in the case:

    DEFENDANT

    AGE

    LOCATION

    CHARGES/SENTENCE  

    Hector David Valdez,

    aka “Curl”

     

    26

    		 Santa Fe Springs, California

    Conspiracy to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl;

    Conspiracy to commit international money laundering.

    Craig Eastman

     

    20

    		 Washington, D.C.

    Pleaded guilty July 25, 2024, to conspiracy to distribute more than 400 grams of fentanyl.

    Sentencing: January 7, 2025.
    Charles Jeffrey Taylor

    20

    		 Washington, D.C.

    Conspiracy to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl;

    Possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.
    Raymond Nava, Jr.

    20

    Bell Gardens,

    California

    		 Sentenced Sept. 17, 2024, to 14 years for conspiracy to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl.
    Ulises Aldaz

    28

    Bell Gardens,

    California

    		 Sentenced June 28, 2024, to 95 months in prison for conspiracy to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl.
    Max Alexander Carias Torres

    26

    Bell Gardens,

    California

    Conspiracy to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl;

    Conspiracy to commit international money laundering
    Teron Deandre McNeil, aka “Wild Boy”

    34

    		 Washington, D.C. Conspiracy to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl.

    Marvin Anthony Bussie,

    aka “Money Marr”

    21

    		 Washington, D.C. Sentenced June 28, 2024, to 120 months in prison for conspiracy to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl.
    Marcus Orlando Brown

    28

    		 Washington, D.C. Sentenced on October 9, 2024, to 108 months in prison for conspiracy to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl.

    Columbian Thomas, aka

    “Cruddy Murda”

    26

    		 Washington, D.C. Sentenced October 22, 2024, to 160 months in prison for conspiracy to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl.
    Wayne Rodell Carr-Maiden

    29

    		 Washington, D.C. Sentenced April 29, 2024, to 45 months in prison for conspiracy to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl.

    Andre Malik Edmond,

    aka “Draco”

    23

    		 Temple Hills, Maryland Sentenced July 22, 2024, to 130 months in prison for conspiracy to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl.

    Treyveon James Johnson,

    aka “Treyski”

    20

    		 Alexandria, Virginia Sentenced Sept. 5, 2024, to 108 months in prison for conspiracy to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl.

    Karon Olufemi Blalock,

    aka “Fat Bags”

    30

    		 Alexandria, Virginia Conspiracy to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl.

    Ronte Ricardo Greene,

    aka “Cardiddy”

    28

    		 Washington, D.C.

    Conspiracy to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl;

    Possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.
    Melvin Edward Allen, Jr., aka “21”

    38

    		 Washington, D.C. Conspiracy to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl.

    Darius Quincy Hodges,

    aka “Brick”

    34

    		 Glen Allen, Virginia Conspiracy to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl.

    Lamin Sesay,

    aka “Rock Star”

    27

    		 Alexandria, Virginia Conspiracy to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl.
    Paul Alejandro Felix

    25

    Glendale,

    California

    Pleaded guilty July 1, 2024, to conspiracy to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl.

    Sentencing: November 6, 2024

    Omar Arana,

    aka “Frogs”

    27

    Cudahy,

    California

    		 Conspiracy to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl.
    Edgar Balderas, Jr., aka “Nano”

    26

    San Diego,

    California

    		 Conspiracy to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl.
    Raul Pacheco Ramirez

    30

    Long Beach,

    California

    Pleaded guilty July 19, 2024, to conspiracy to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl.

    Sentencing: November 26, 2024.
    Giovani Alejandro Briones

    30

    		 Victorville, California

    Conspiracy to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl;

    Conspiracy to commit international money laundering.
    Alfredo Rodriguez Gonzalez

    26

    		 Rosarito, Mexico

    Conspiracy to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl;

    Conspiracy to commit international money laundering.

               The prosecutions followed a joint investigation by the DEA Washington Division and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service Washington Division, in partnership with the Metropolitan Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), with additional support from the DEA Los Angeles, San Diego, and Riverside Field Offices, the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Washington Field Office, and the Charles County, Maryland Sheriff’s Office. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Attorney’s Offices in the Central and Southern Districts of California, the Eastern District of Virginia, and the District of Maryland.

               The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew W. Kinskey, Solomon S. Eppel, and Iris McCranie of the Violence Reduction and Trafficking Offenses (VRTO) Section.

    23cr73

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Jury Convicts Klamath Falls Man Who Kidnapped and Sexually Assaulted Two Women and Held One in Cell

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    MEDFORD, Ore.— A federal jury found a Klamath Falls, Oregon man guilty after he kidnapped and sexually assaulted two women, and held one in a cell he constructed in his garage.

    Negasi Zuberi, 30, also known as Justin Joshua Hyche, was found guilty of kidnapping, transporting a victim for criminal sexual activity, and illegally possessing a firearm and ammunition as a convicted felon.

    According to court documents, on July 15, 2023, while in Seattle, Zuberi posed as a police officer and used a taser and handcuffs to detain his victim in the backseat of his vehicle. Zuberi then transported the victim approximately 450 miles to his home in Klamath Falls, stopping along the way to sexually assault her.

    When Zuberi arrived at his residence, he moved the victim from his vehicle into a cell he had constructed in his garage. The woman repeatedly banged on the cell door until it broke open and she escaped. The victim retrieved a handgun from Zuberi’s vehicle, fled his garage, and flagged down a passing motorist who called 911.

    The next day, on July 16, 2023, Reno Police Department officers and Nevada State Patrol officers located Zuberi in a parking lot in Reno, Nevada. After a short standoff, Zuberi surrendered to law enforcement and was taken into custody.

    While investigating Zuberi’s crimes, federal agents discovered that approximately six weeks prior to the kidnapping in Seattle, on May 6, 2023, Zuberi kidnapped and sexually assaulted another victim. While being held by Zuberi, his first victim observed stacked cinder blocks in his garage that he later used to construct the cell where he detained his second victim.

    On August 2, 2023, a federal grand jury in Medford returned an indictment charging Zuberi with kidnapping and transporting a victim with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity. Later, on February 15, 2024, a second kidnapping charge and charges for illegally possessing firearms, ammunition, and attempted escape were added by superseding indictment.

    Kidnapping is punishable by up to life in federal prison and transporting a victim across state lines with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity by up to 10 years. Illegally possessing firearms and ammunition, and attempted escape are punishable by up to 15 years.

    This case was investigated by the FBI Portland Field Office, Klamath Falls Police Department, and Oregon State Police with assistance from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Nevada; Klamath County District Attorney’s Office; Reno, Nevada Police Department; Washoe County, Nevada District Attorney’s Office; and Nevada State Police. It was prosecuted by Jeffrey S. Sweet, Marco A. Boccato, and Nathan J. Lichvarcik, Assistant U.S. Attorneys for the District of Oregon, with assistance from Appellate Chief Suzanne Miles, also of the District of Oregon.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: FBI Seeks Public Assistance in Locating Missing Montana Child

    Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation FBI Crime News

    Montana – The FBI is seeking the public’s assistance in locating Sa’Wade Birdinground, a 13-year-old member of the Crow Tribe, who has been missing since October 6, 2024.

    There have been no known contacts with her family or friends since she disappeared. Sa’Wade has been described as a quiet, kind and artistic child who likes to laugh. Sa’Wade is well liked by her peers and teachers. She has never run away from home or been in any serious trouble. Her disappearance from home is totally out of character for her, and her family is very concerned about her. A Missing Endangered Person Advisory (MEPA) has been issued by the Montana Department of Justice due to concerns for her safety.

    “We are doing everything we can to bring Sa’Wade home safely. The community’s help is crucial at this time, and we urge anyone with information to come forward immediately,” said Jeramie Middlestead, Big Horn County Sheriff. “Sa’Wade’s family is deeply worried, and any information, no matter how small, can make a difference.”

    “The FBI is working closely with local law enforcement to find Sa’Wade Birdinground,” said Rhys Williams, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Salt Lake City Division. “We are asking for the public’s assistance in locating her, and we won’t stop until we have answers. If you have any information, please contact us.”

    Based on the investigation thus far and the length of time that she has been missing, we are taking this case very seriously and chasing down every lead. Investigators are searching, canvassing multiple neighborhoods, and interviewing members of our community. We urge anyone with information to please call 406-665-9798. Any details, no matter how small, could assist in bringing her home safely.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Video: IACP 2024: Continuing to Build Partnerships

    Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) (video statements)

    The FBI participates in the IACP convention every year. It is an opportunity for all members of law enforcement to meet, share best practices, and identify ways to better help one another improve their efforts to police more effectively and safely. For a full transcript and download, visit:

    —————————————————
    Follow us on social media:
    X: https://twitter.com/fbi
    Facebook: https://facebook.com/FBI
    Instagram: https://instagram.com/fbi
    YouTube: youtube.com/user/fbi

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

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Former Pharmaceutical Executive Sentenced for Falsifying Financial Documentation

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

    DETROIT – A Northville man was sentenced Tuesday to one year and one day in prison, followed by two years of supervised release, for providing a financial institution with false documentation in connection with a bank loan, announced United States Attorney Dawn N. Ison.

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

    Theodore Toloff, 65, entered his guilty plea in January before United States District Judge David M. Lawson.

    According to court records, Toloff served as the Chief Financial Officer of the Frank W. Kerr Company (“Kerr”), a now-defunct pharmaceutical wholesaler that was based in Novi, Michigan. Kerr had a revolving credit agreement with two large financial institutions under which the company borrowed funds up to $60 million pursuant to a calculation dependent on the company’s eligible accounts receivable and inventory. Toloff admitted that he submitted false documentation to the financial institutions that included $18 million in ineligible accounts receivable and that Kerr borrowed additional funds after this false documentation was submitted.   The Court found that Toloff’s criminal conduct caused Kerr’s lenders to sustain a loss of $1.3 million, which Toloff was also ordered to pay back to the lenders as restitution.

    “Corporate executives should be held to the same standard of honesty as anyone else when they interact with lending institutions,” stated United States Attorney Dawn N. Ison. “When individuals lie to lenders, those lies cause loans to become more difficult and more expensive for honest consumers and businesses to access. My office is committed to ensuring that those who engage in dishonest financial crimes are held accountable.”

    “The defendant admitted to providing false documents to a financial institution, undermining the laws and integrity of our financial systems, said Special Agent in Charge Cheyvoryea Gibson of the FBI in Michigan. “The FBI works tirelessly with our law enforcement partners and regulatory agencies to investigate those who commit financial crimes. If you believe you have information related to financial crimes, I urge the public to submit tips on alleged crimes such as those detailed in this case to 1-800-CALLFBI (1-800-225-5324) or online at tips.fbi.gov.”

    The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew J. Yahkind. The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of investigation.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Kansas City Man Pleads Guilty to Three Fentanyl Overdose Deaths

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

    KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Kansas City, Mo., man pleaded guilty in federal court today to distributing fentanyl, which resulted in three overdose deaths in Belton and Raymore, Mo., as part of a drug-trafficking conspiracy.

    Tiger Dean Draggoo, 24, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Roseann A. Ketchmark to one count of conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and three counts of distributing fentanyl resulting in death.

    By pleading guilty today, Draggoo admitted that he distributed fentanyl on Sept. 3, 2022, the use of which caused the death of another person. Draggoo admitted that he distributed fentanyl between Aug. 22 and Sept. 13, 2022, the use of which caused the death of another person. Draggoo admitted that he distributed fentanyl between Dec. 7 and 20, 2022, the use of which caused the death of another person.

    Draggoo also admitted that the government’s evidence of the total amount of drugs he is responsible for distributing or possessing is at least 22,364 pills that contained a total of 2,460 grams of fentanyl.

    Victim #1 Fatality

    On Sept. 4, 2022, Cass County, Mo., sheriff’s deputies found a juvenile, identified in court documents as “Victim #1,” deceased in her bedroom. An autopsy report identified “Fentanyl Intoxication” as the cause of death. Investigators determined that Draggoo was selling fentanyl pills to the victim and had supplied her with fentanyl pills on the evening of Sept. 3, 2022.

    Victim #2 Fatality

    On Sept. 13, 2022, a deceased person, identified in court documents as “Victim #2,” was found in the Belton residence where she lived with her mother. A blue pill was found in her bedroom, which was tested and determined to contain fentanyl. An autopsy report identified the cause of death as “Acute Fentanyl Toxicity.” Investigators learned that Draggoo was selling fentanyl pills to Victim #2. Draggoo typically would drop off pills near midnight at Victim #2’s bedroom window, and cell phone GPS information indicated Draggoo was in the area of Victim #2’s residence at approximately 12:20 a.m on Sept. 13, 2022.

    Attempted Arrest of Draggoo

    On Sept. 22, 2022, law enforcement officers conducted surveillance of Draggoo’s apartment and attempted to arrest him. Draggoo got into a Jeep Renegade driven by his brother, co-defendant Colt Justin Draggoo, 21, of Kansas City, Mo. Officers attempted to conduct a traffic stop of the vehicle, but the vehicle fled. Tiger and Colt Draggoo later returned to the apartment complex, but when an officer drove into the parking lot, Tiger Draggoo ran into the apartment building and was able to escape.

    Colt Draggoo was arrested. Officers found a loaded Springfield Armory 9mm handgun sitting on the driver’s seat of the Jeep. A laundry bag in the back seat contained two fire safes that had a total of $184,500 in cash. Colt Draggoo has pleaded guilty to his role in the drug-trafficking conspiracy.

    Officers searched Tiger Draggoo’s apartment and found 17 firearms, including two machine guns, ammunition of various calibers, $246,769 in cash, a ballistic vest with plates, a money counter, numerous pills that contained fentanyl, eight suspected LSD tabs, and marijuana. The 17 firearms included a Del-Ton 5.56-caliber rifle (converted into a machine gun), a Glock switch (used to convert a Glock pistol into a machine gun), three Marlin .22-caliber rifles, a Norinco 7.62-caliber rifle, a Mosin-Nagant rifle, an Anderson Manufacturing AM-15 .223-caliber rifle, a Mossberg 12-gauge shotgun, an Armscorp USA .308-caliber rifle, a Century Arms 7.62-caliber rifle, a Herbert Schmidt .22-caliber revolver, a New England Firearms .22-caliber revolver, a Kimber 9mm pistol, a Glock 9mm pistol, a Sig Sauer 9mm pistol, and a Metro Arms .45-caliber pistol.

    Victim #3 Fatality

    On Dec. 20, 2022, Raymore police officers were dispatched to a residence in Raymore regarding a non-breathing female, identified in court documents as Victim #3. Victim #3 was transported to a local hospital where she was pronounced deceased. A small jewelry box in Victim #3’s bedroom contained three broken segments of a blue pill that were tested and determined to contain fentanyl. An autopsy report identified the cause of death as “Acute Fentanyl Toxicity.” Investigators learned that Tiger Draggoo had been selling fentanyl to Victim #3 since as early as May 31, 2022. The last Facebook Messengers conversation between Tiger Draggoo and Victim #3 occurred on Dec. 7, 2022, when they agreed to meet and an amount of $50 was agreed upon.

    Arrest of Draggoo

    Tiger Draggoo was arrested at his residence on Jan. 20, 2023. Tiger Draggoo was in possession of almost $2,000 in cash in his billfold and pockets. Officers searched Tiger Draggoo’s apartment and recovered pills from the toilet. Officers also found suspected psilocybin mushrooms, 144 grams of yellow THC wax, and more than $62,000 in additional cash. Officers searched Tiger Draggoo’s Honda Accord and found three handguns, a Palmetto State Armory multi-caliber rifle, an unregistered short-barreled 12-gauge shotgun, and $1,250 in cash. Officers searched his girlfriend’s Jeep Renegade, which was located at the apartment complex, and found a backpack that contained more than $82,000 in cash.

    Under federal statutes, Tiger Draggoo is subject to a mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years in federal prison without parole, up to a sentence of life in federal prison without parole. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.

    This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brad K. Kavanaugh and Robert Smith. It was investigated by the Jackson County Drug Task Force, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Belton, Mo., Police Department, the Raymore, Mo., Police Department, the Cass County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department, and the FBI.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Detroit Man Sentenced to 30 Years for Drug Trafficking and Discharging Firearm at Drug Deal

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    HONOLULU – United States Attorney Clare E. Connors announced that Gabriel Antone Eberhardt, 42, of Detroit, Michigan, was sentenced today by United States District Judge Jill A. Otake to 30 years in federal prison—including 12 years for conspiring to distribute fentanyl, heroin, and methamphetamine and a consecutive 18 years for discharging a firearm in connection with the distribution of heroin—as well as 5 years of supervised release. The court also ordered that Eberhardt forfeit his interests in $250,000 in drug proceeds, multiple firearms, hundreds of rounds of ammunition, and a vehicle. Additional firearms and ammunition were administratively forfeited by the government.

    According to court records, from October 2019 to June 30, 2021, Eberhardt, a/k/a “Stacks,” co-led a drug trafficking organization (DTO) in Honolulu that distributed large amounts of fentanyl, heroin, and methamphetamine. Eberhardt’s DTO obtained the drugs from suppliers in Philadelphia and Los Angeles, who mailed the drugs to Honolulu. The DTO distributed the fentanyl—a potent synthetic opioid 50 times stronger than heroin—in mixtures with heroin and in counterfeit oxycodone tablets. In connection with a heroin distribution on October 21, 2019, Eberhardt admitted he fired several shots from a semi-automatic pistol at a person accompanying his drug customer. One of the rounds struck the victim’s torso, requiring medical attention. The victim survived the shooting.

    During an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), and the Honolulu Police Department (HPD), agents made dozens of controlled purchases of fentanyl, heroin, and methamphetamine from the conspirators, and executed 15 search warrants on residences, rental storage units, and parcels. As a result of the controlled purchases and warrants, law enforcement agents seized 6.5 kilograms of fentanyl, 6.4 kilograms of heroin, 2.8 kilograms of methamphetamine, seven firearms, including assault rifles and semi-automatic pistols, hundreds of rounds of ammunition, a vehicle, and more than $250,000 in cash drug proceeds. 

    In addition to Eberhardt, the following conspirators were prosecuted in the District of Hawaii:

    • Jared Northern, a/k/a “White Boy Jay,” a/k/a “Gage,” 25, of Honolulu, pled guilty to conspiracy and two counts of distribution of controlled substances, and on May 15, 2024, was sentenced to 120 months in federal prison and five years of supervised release;
    • Zakiyyah Mareus, a/k/a “Kai,” 27, of Miami Gardens, Florida, pled guilty to conspiracy, and on August 8, 2024, was sentenced to 37 months in federal prison and three years of supervised release;
    • Isaiah Marks, a/k/a “Seh,” 25, of Honolulu, pled guilty to conspiracy and two counts of distribution of controlled substances, and on January 18, 2023, was sentenced to 24 months in federal prison and four years of supervised release;
    • Tishanah Iwalani Kaio-Barrozo, 33, of Honolulu, pled guilty to distribution of controlled substances, and on June 7, 2022, was sentenced to nine months in federal prison and three years of supervised release;
    • Michael Garrett, a/k/a “Sideburns,” a/k/a “Burns,” 41, of Romulus, Michigan, pled guilty to conspiracy, and on March 28, 2024, was sentenced to three months in federal prison and five years of supervised release;
    • Jennifer Ashcraft, a/k/a “Jessie,” a/k/a “Jess,” 33, of Honolulu, pled guilty to conspiracy and is scheduled for sentencing on November 22, 2024;
    • Martzes Junior, a/k/a “Green,” 43, of Southfield, Michigan, pled guilty to conspiracy and possession of a firearm in connection with a drug trafficking crime and is scheduled for sentencing on November 26, 2024;
    • Lynden David Lightburn, a/k/a “Soulja,” 51, of Los Angeles, pled guilty to conspiracy and is scheduled for sentencing on December 6, 2024; 
    • Jason Darnell Smith, a/k/a “Famous,” a/k/a “Sweets,” 41, of Detroit, Michigan, pled guilty to conspiracy and is scheduled for sentencing on December 9, 2024; and
    • Robert Adams, a/k/a “Tre,” a/k/a “Tre Block,” a/k/a “Block,” a/k/a “TBlock,” a/k/a “Ray Smith,” 37, of Philadelphia, pled guilty to conspiracy and is scheduled for sentencing on February 26, 2025. 

    “Increasingly, the influx of illegal, deadly narcotics through transnational distribution operations is accompanied by gun violence, which has exponentially harmful consequences for our community,” said United States Attorney Clare E. Connors. “This large-scale prosecution reflects the highest level of cooperation among multiple federal and local law enforcement entities, and today’s sentence affirms that there will be accountability for those who profit from causing such harm in our state.”

    “Today’s sentencing represents years of collaboration between multiple law enforcement agencies to bring down one of Hawaii’s most dangerous drug operations,” said FBI Honolulu Special Agent in Charge Steven Merrill. “This case serves as a warning that we will use every resource available to make our communities safer by dismantling their operations and bringing their members to justice.”

    “Gabriel Eberhardt, a leader of a greed-driven drug trafficking organization, will be off our streets and behind bars for a very long time,” said DEA Los Angeles Field Division Deputy Special Agent in Charge Anthony Chrysanthis. “I want to thank DEA investigators and all state and local law enforcement partners, who worked tirelessly and with urgency to bring these criminals to justice.  However, our job here is not complete. We will continue to investigate, pursue and take apart these operations.”  

    “Mr. Eberhardt’s egregious actions were exacerbated by his using a firearm to shoot a person in furtherance of his drug trafficking,” said ATF Seattle Special Agent in Charge Jonathan Blais. “When search warrants were executed for this operation, seven firearms were recovered, including semiautomatic rifles and handguns, which further shows the dangers to the community posed by Mr. Eberhardt and his co-conspirators. This significant sentence was clearly warranted.”

    “Sending illegal drugs in the mail harms our communities and endangers postal workers, said USPIS Inspector in Charge Stephen Sherwood. “Postal inspectors will not allow the U.S. Mail to be misused to facilitate drug trafficking activities. I want to express my gratitude to our law enforcement partners for their teamwork to disrupt and dismantle this dangerous drug trafficking organization.”

    “The success of this investigation is directly attributable to multi-agency cooperation and the shared commitment to making Honolulu safer for our residents and visitors,” said HPD Chief Arthur “Joe” Logan. “The Honolulu Police Department will continue to work closely with our Federal partners to identify, disrupt, and dismantle drug trafficking organizations operating across Oahu.”

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

    The case was investigated by FBI, DEA, ATF, USPIS, and HPD. Assistant U.S. Attorney Craig S. Nolan is prosecuting the case.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Houston Residents Charged With Stealing DoorDash Delivery Workers’ Wages

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    OAKLAND – A federal grand jury indicted Oluwatobi Otukelu and Evan Edwards on charges of conspiracy and causing damage to a computer in connection with an alleged scheme to steal wages earned by workers of a delivery service, announced United States Attorney Ismail J. Ramsey and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Special Agent in Charge Robert K. Tripp.  Defendant Otukelu made his first appearance in Oakland to face the charges after having previously appeared with Defendant Edwards in federal court in Houston, Tex.

    According to the indictment, Otukelu, 25, and Edwards, 24, both of Houston, conspired to carry out a scheme to defraud DoorDash, Inc. (DoorDash) by fraudulently obtaining wages of independent contractors, called “Dashers,” who made deliveries for the delivery service.  As part of this scheme, the co-conspirators allegedly obtained the personal identifying information of Dasher victims; falsely impersonated the Dasher victims to DoorDash support; took over Dashers’ existing online accounts; created new, unauthorized accounts using Dashers’ personal information; and directed payments of Dasher wages from DoorDash to accounts controlled by Otukelu and Edwards. The indictment further alleges that the defendants used the stolen funds to pay for and attempt to pay for goods and services, including vehicles, airline tickets, cosmetic procedures, and personal training. The indictment alleges that Otukelu and Edwards stole the DoorDash wages of at least 138 individual Dashers, amounting to over $1 million.

    Otukelu and Edwards were arrested in Houston on Sept. 26, 2024, and made their initial appearances in Houston the same day. Defendant Otukelu was ordered detained pending trial. Defendant Edwards was released on a $25,000 bond. Otukelu’s next scheduled appearance is at 10:30 a.m. on Oct. 22, 2024, for status regarding detention before the Hon. Kandis A. Westmore, U.S. Magistrate Judge. Edwards’ initial appearance in this District has not yet been scheduled.

    An indictment merely alleges that crimes have been committed, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. If convicted, the defendants face the following maximum penalties:

    CHARGE STATUTES MAXIMUM STATUTORY PENALTIES
    Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud 18 U.S.C. § 1349 Twenty years of imprisonment; $250,000 fine; three years of supervised release; $100 special assessment; forfeiture; and restitution
    Conspiracy 18 U.S.C. § 371 Five years of imprisonment, $250,000 fine; three years of supervised release; $100 special assessment; forfeiture; and restitution
    Causing Damage to a Protected Computer 18 U.S.C. §§ 1030(a)(5)(A), (c)(4)(A)(i)(I), and (c)(4)(B)(i) Ten years of imprisonment; $250,000 fine; three years of supervised release; $100 special assessment; forfeiture; and restitution

    However, any sentence following conviction would be imposed by the court after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of a sentence, 18 U.S.C. § 3553.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Michelle J. Kane is prosecuting the case with the assistance of Kathy Tat. The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the FBI.

    Oluwatobi Emmanuel Otukelu Indictment
     

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Seattle man sentenced for string of marijuana dispensary robberies

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Seattle – A 19-year-old Seattle-area man, was sentenced October 18, 2024, to 90 months in prison for a series of seven armed robberies of marijuana dispensaries, announced U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman. Caiden James Charlton was arrested in June 2023, in connection with three armed robberies in May and June 2023. He pleaded guilty in July 2024 admitting his involvement in all seven robberies. At the sentencing hearing U.S. District Judge Richard A. Jones imposed three years of supervised release to follow prison.

    “This defendant and his juvenile accomplices targeted small businesses – marijuana dispensaries – across our region. With guns drawn they frightened employees grabbing cash and product and in one case even stealing the safe,” said U.S. Attorney Gorman. “This dangerous conduct cannot be tolerated.”

    According to records filed in the case, Charlton pleaded guilty in July 2024 to committing three pot shop robberies on May 30, 2023, The first robbery was of Herb’s House on NW 65th Street in Seattle. The second was West Seattle Cannabis and the third robbery was of Hashtag Cannabis on Nickerson Street in Seattle. On June 10, 2023, Charlton and an accomplice robbed Oz Cannabis on Stone Way in Seattle. The next day, June 11, 2023, Charlton robbed Novel Tree MJ in Bellevue, and on June 12, he robbed Seaweed Cannabis in Edmonds, Washington. Finally, on June 21, he and accomplices robbed Dockside Cannabis in the Ballard neighborhood of Seattle. In each of the robberies, surveillance video shows clothing, tattoos, and jewelry that was linked to Charlton. Victims of the robberies noted distinctive face tattoos around Charlton’s eyes that were not concealed by his mask.

    In each of the robberies, one of two intruders displayed a handgun and ordered the dispensary staff to open safes or empty the till. In addition to money, the suspects stole a large amount of marijuana products. In some cases, the safes at the dispensaries could not be opened due to time locks used to discourage robberies. In one case, the robbers stole the safe by detaching it from the floor.

    The robbery crew would run to a getaway car after the robberies – two of the cars had been reported stolen.

    In asking for an eight-year prison sentence Assistant United States Attorney Todd Greenberg wrote to the court, “The offense conduct in this case is extremely serious. Charlton went on a violent crime spree, robbing seven marijuana dispensaries over the course of 30 days. During each robbery, he and/or his accomplices were armed with firearms and used them – brandishing the guns, pointing them directly at the victims, etc. It is very fortunate that no one was shot or otherwise injured. The Court is well aware that similar robberies often end up with shootings and/or deaths, when victims act in ways not expected by the perpetrators or with the accidental discharge of a firearm.”

    Some the robbery victims wrote to the court about the trauma the robberies caused in their life. One owner wrote, “… these robberies destroyed the business my wife and I worked to build over the nine plus years…. When they walk into a business with guns and demand money and product, the impact goes way beyond the loss of money and product.”

    The case was investigated by the FBI, the Seattle Police Department, and the Bellevue Police Department, as well as the King County and Snohomish County Sheriffs’ Offices.

    The case was prosecuted by former Assistant United States Attorneys Erin H. Becker and Assistant United States Attorney Todd Greenberg. 

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Van Nuys Man Sentenced to More Than 20 Years in Prison for Trafficking Fentanyl and Cocaine via Darknet Marketplaces and Possessing Guns

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    LOS ANGELES – A San Fernando Valley man who admitted in court documents to causing one fatal fentanyl overdose was sentenced today to 248 months in federal prison for using darknet marketplaces to sell hundreds of thousands of dollars’ worth of fentanyl-laced pills and cocaine to buyers nationwide.

    Brian McDonald, 23, of Van Nuys, whose aliases include “Malachai Johnson,” “SouthSideOxy,” and “JefeDeMichoacan,” was sentenced by United States District Judge Michael W. Fitzgerald. 

    McDonald pleaded guilty on July 17 to one count of conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and cocaine, and one count of possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. He has been in federal custody since May 2023.

    “This defendant led a drug-trafficking operation that used the dark corners of the internet to ship large quantities of fentanyl-laced pills – with deadly consequences,” said United States Attorney Martin Estrada. “My office will continue using every tool under federal law to prosecute and imprison criminals who prioritize greed over human life.” 

    From at least April 2021 until May 2023, McDonald and others conspired to sell fentanyl and cocaine via darknet marketplaces such as “White House Market,” “ToRReZ” and “AlphaBay.” McDonald, using aliases, created vendor profiles on these marketplaces to sell illegal drugs in exchange for cryptocurrency.

    McDonald created, monitored, and maintained the darknet vendor profiles, including by updating drug listings and shipment options, tracking drug orders received online, and offloading Monero cryptocurrency received as drug deal payments into cryptocurrency wallets that McDonald controlled. 

    McDonald recruited and hired accomplices to help with packaging and shipping the narcotics that they sold on the darknet. McDonald directed other co-conspirators on how to package and ship the narcotics, and he assisted them in the packaging and shipping. Specifically, McDonald purchased bulk quantities of fentanyl and cocaine, and then directed the activities of other co-conspirators to help sell these drugs on the dark web. 

    Among other activities, McDonald directed co-conspirators in receiving and tracking orders placed for fentanyl and cocaine on his dark web vendor profiles, packaging drug orders, and shipping drug orders to customers though the United States Postal Service. Over the course of the conspiracy, McDonald knowingly oversaw and carried out hundreds of drug sales involving the distribution of large quantities of both fentanyl and cocaine, including hundreds of thousands of fentanyl-laced pills that collectively contained more than 12 kilograms of fentanyl.

    As part of the conspiracy, McDonald distributed fentanyl-laced pills to victim Z.S., who ingested a fentanyl-laced pill sold to Z.S. by McDonald, which in turn resulted in Z.S.’s death. 

    McDonald also possessed firearms, specifically two gold-plated handguns – one without a serial number – to protect his drug trafficking business and the proceeds of drug sales made on darknet marketplaces.

    Ciara Clutario, 23, of Burbank, has pleaded guilty to a federal criminal charge in this case and is scheduled to be sentenced on January 13, 2025.

    The FBI and the Drug Enforcement Administration investigated this matter as part of JCODE. The Justice Department established the FBI-led JCODE team to lead and coordinate government efforts to detect, disrupt, and dismantle major criminal enterprises reliant on the darknet for trafficking opioids and other illicit narcotics, along with identifying and dismantling their supply chains. 

    Assistant United States Attorney Declan T. Conroy of the International Narcotics, Money Laundering, and Racketeering Section prosecuted this case.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Armed Robber Gets 10 Year Prison Sentence

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

                WASHINGTON – Antone Watkins, 29, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced today to 10 years in prison for armed robbery and other firearm-related offenses, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Chief Pamela A. Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department. 

    Watkins was found guilty by a Superior Court jury on July 3, 2024.

                Superior Court Judge Robert Salerno sentenced Watkins to 120 months in prison for armed robbery, 120 months for each of the two counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, 78 months for assault with a dangerous weapon, and 36 months for unauthorized use of a vehicle. Each sentence will run concurrent to each other. In addition, Judge Salerno imposed that Watkins serve five years of supervised release.

                According to the government’s evidence, at around 10:47 p.m., on June 17, 2022, the victim was led into an alley near Howison Place and N Street SW. In that alley, Watkins brandished a firearm and hit the victim across the face with it, chipping his tooth. Watkins and two others then robbed the victim of his cash, chains, watch, and car keys. Video footage showed Watkins running from the alley, getting into the victim’s truck, and driving off. Further video footage showed Watkins only a few minutes later rummaging through the victim’s belongings in the truck. Police arrested Watkins on September 15, 2022, and he has been detained since.

                In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Graves and Chief Smith commended the work of those who investigated the case from the Metropolitan Police Department. Invaluable assistance was provided by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and U.S. Probation Office from early in the case and through the trial. They also commended the work of Assistant U.S. Attorneys Mark Levy and Gregory Evans, who prosecuted the case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Tamara Rubb, who investigated the case.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Denver Man Sentenced In Connection With Five Bank Robberies

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    DENVER – The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado announces that Samuel Richard Ruthstrom, age 42, has been sentenced to 160 months in prison after pleading guilty to five counts of bank robbery.

    According to the plea agreement, Ruthstrom robbed four banks and attempted to rob a fifth in Denver. In several of the robberies, Ruthstrom used notes threatening tellers with physical harm if they failed to comply with his demands. Ruthstrom, who was on state parole and living at an inpatient facility at the time of the robberies, stole a box truck to commit three of the crimes.

    “Repeat offenders are a menace to our communities, and I strongly support sentences like this one that keep these criminals off our streets,” said Acting United States Attorney for the District of Colorado Matt Kirsch.

    “Robbing banks is not a career – it’s a series of crimes that will net you serious federal prison time. That is what this defendant learned once the FBI Rocky Mountain Safe Streets Task Force tracked him down,” said FBI Denver Special Agent in Charge Mark Michalek. “The FBI will continue to work with partners like the Denver Police Department and Metro Denver CrimeStoppers to identify and apprehend violent criminals.”

    “The Denver Police Department is proud to see justice served in the case of this repeat offender,” said Denver Police Chief Ron Thomas. “Partnerships between federal and local agencies are critical to stopping bank robberies and other violent crimes.”

    The defendant was sentenced by Judge Nina Y. Wang. The case was investigated by the FBI Rocky Mountain Safe Streets Task Force, and the Denver Police Department.  Assistant United States Attorney Brian Dunn handled the prosecution.

    Case Number: 1:24-mj-00025-KAS

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: High Wire Networks Named to MSSP Alert’s 2024 List of Top 250 MSSPs

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    BATAVIA, Ill., Oct. 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — High Wire Networks, Inc. (OTCQB: HWNI), a leading global provider of managed cybersecurity, announced it ranks among the Top 250 MSSPs (http://www.msspalert.com/top-250) for 2024, according to MSSP Alert, a CyberRisk Alliance resource.

    The Top 250 MSSPs for 2024 honorees were announced on October 15 at MSSP Alert Live. The 2024 MSSP Top 250 list reveal marks the first time the list has been unveiled at MSSP Alert’s annual live event. Honorees will also be celebrated at an evening party that coincides with MSSP Alert Live.

    The complete list is available at https://www.msspalert.com/top-250.

    MSSP Alert will release the full research report that goes with the MSSP 250 list on November 18. It will discuss the research results during a special webcast for which you may register for here: http://www.msspalert.com/webcast/top-250-mssps-for-2024

    High Wire Networks COO, Ed Vasko commented: “We are honored to be recognized for the fourth year in a row by MSSP Alert as a leading provider in the managed security service space. Our inclusion in the Top 100 is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our entire team in providing comprehensive, cutting-edge security solutions through our Overwatch managed security services ecosystem. By harnessing the full capabilities of our platform—from managed XDR to advanced edge protection—we effectively address the evolving needs of our partners and customers.”

    “MSSP Alert and CyberRisk Alliance congratulate High Wire on this honor,” said Jessica C. Davis, editorial director of MSSP Alert, a CyberRisk Alliance resource. “The Top 250 MSSPs are an elite group of cybersecurity service providers, and they continue to outperform the overall cybersecurity services market. Members of this list are the best of the best.”

    MSSP Alert’s Top 250 MSSPs list and research report are overseen by Jessica C. Davis, editorial director, MSSP Alert and ChannelE2E.

    Operating at the core of High Wire’s security operation center is Overwatch SOAR™, a proprietary security orchestration, automation and response (SOAR) technology.

    The unique AI embedded in Overwatch SOAR automatically consolidates alerts from various threat prevention and detection-and-response platforms and processes them with intelligence-based rules that provide enhanced visibility, improved correlation, and faster remediation.

    High Wire offers its Overwatch managed security services exclusively through a global network of managed service providers (MSPs) and managed security service providers totaling more than 200 worldwide.

    High Wire’s SOAR technology serves as an exponential force multiplier for its dedicated teams of professional security experts, empowering them to deliver the most secure and cost-effective cybersecurity solutions available on the market today.

    High Wire’s Overwatch offering addresses a global cybersecurity market that is projected to grow at a 14.3% CAGR to reach $563 billion by 2032.

    High Wire was also named to CRN’s MSP 500 and Elite 150 lists of the nation’s top IT managed service providers for 2023 and 2024. It also received top 15 ranking in the new Frost & Sullivan (F&S) report on the cybersecurity industry, Frost Radar™: Managed Security Services in Americas, 2024.

    Across a field of more than 200 competitors, Frost & Sullivan ranked High Wire among the Top 15 Managed Security Service Providers (MSSPs) that are delivering the greatest results in the categories of growth and innovation.

    Porter discusses the Frost & Sullivan’s 2024 Managed Security Services report in the company’s YouTube video here.

    About CyberRisk Alliance

    CyberRisk Alliance provides business intelligence that helps the cybersecurity ecosystem connect, share knowledge, accelerate careers, and make smarter and faster decisions. Through our trusted information brands, network of experts, and more than 250 innovative annual events we provide cybersecurity professionals with actionable insights and act as a powerful extension of cybersecurity marketing teams. Our brands include SCWorld, the Official Cybersecurity Summits, Security Weekly, InfoSec World, Identiverse, CyberRisk Collaborative, ChannelE2E, MSSP Alert, LaunchTech Communications and TECHEXPO Top Secret.
    Learn more at http://www.cyberriskalliance.com.

    About High Wire Networks
    High Wire Networks, Inc. (OTCQB: HWNI) is a fast-growing, award-winning global provider of managed cybersecurity. Through over 200 channel partners, it delivers trusted managed services for more than 1,100 managed security customers worldwide. End-customers include Fortune 500 companies and many of the nation’s largest government agencies. Its U.S. based 24/7 Network Operations Center and Security Operations Center is located in Chicago.

    Learn more at HighWireNetworks.com. Follow the company on X, view its extensive video series on YouTube or connect on LinkedIn.

    Forward-Looking Statements
    The above news release contains forward-looking statements. The statements contained in this document that are not statements of historical fact, including but not limited to, statements identified by the use of terms such as “anticipate,” “appear,” “believe,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “hope,” “indicate,” “intend,” “likely,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “potential,” “project,” “seek,” “should,” “will,” “would,” and other variations or negative expressions of these terms, including statements related to expected market trends and the Company’s performance, are all “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. These statements are based on assumptions that management believes are reasonable based on currently available information, and include statements regarding the intent, belief or current expectations of the Company and its management. Prospective investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performances and are subject to a wide range of external factors, uncertainties, business risks, and other risks identified in filings made by the company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements. The Company expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to update or revise any forward-looking statement contained herein to reflect any change in the company’s expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances upon which any statement is based except as required by applicable law and regulations.

    Frost Radar™ is a trademark of Frost & Sullivan, Inc.

    High Wire Contact
    Susanna Song
    Chief Marketing Officer
    High Wire Networks
    Tel +1 (952) 974-4000
    Email contact

    Investor & Media Relations:
    Ronald Both or Grant Stude
    CMA Investor & Media Relations
    Tel +1 (949) 432-7557
    Email contact

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/e06438d4-c5cc-43ee-9398-d444067df2fc

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Video: Ask an ASAC: Resident Agencies

    Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) (video statements)

    Watch Seattle Assistant Special Agent in Charge discuss our nine satellite offices for FBI Seattle, called resident agencies. One of the benefits of working in a resident agency is that these agents are exposed to many types of investigations. For a full transcript and download, visit:

    —————————————————
    Follow us on social media:
    X: https://twitter.com/fbi
    Facebook: https://facebook.com/FBI
    Instagram: https://instagram.com/fbi
    YouTube: youtube.com/user/fbi

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aDdZ6WUYAyw

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Security: North Carolina Man Sentenced for Assaulting Law Enforcement During the January 6 Capitol Breach

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

             WASHINGTON— A North Carolina man was sentenced to prison today after he previously pleaded guilty to assaulting law enforcement during the Jan. 6, 2021, breach of the U.S. Capitol. His actions and the actions of others disrupted a joint session of the U.S. Congress convened to ascertain and count the electoral votes related to the 2020 presidential election.

             Curtis Davis, 45, of Snow Hill, North Carolina, was sentenced to 24 months in prison, 36 months of supervised release, the first six months of which to be served on home detention, and ordered to pay $2,000 in restitution by U.S. District Judge Amit P. Mehta. Davis previously pleaded guilty to one count of assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers on June 10, 2024.

             According to court documents, at about 3:00 p.m., on Jan.6, 2021, Davis entered the U.S. Capitol building via the East Rotunda doors and made his way into the Rotunda, where law enforcement officers were attempting to disperse a crowd of rioters. Inside the Rotunda, while pressed against a line of police officers, Davis forcibly attacked a Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officer and attempted to grab ahold of the officer’s baton.

             At about 3:09 p.m., court documents say that Davis punched an MPD officer in the face shield and refused law enforcement orders to leave the building. A short while later, Davis punched another MPD officer in the head and forcibly pulled away a riot shield from another. Davis then used the shield to press against the backs of a line of rioters in an attempt to resist the efforts of police.

             Davis was then expelled from the Rotunda but later returned to the East Rotunda doors. Here, Davis, along with other rioters, attempted to push their way through a line of police officers into the Rotunda.  Davis then made his way to the front of the line of rioters and punched a riot shield held by an officer three times.

             Court documents say that later that night, Davis filmed a group of police officers with his cell phone camera before turning it around, filming his fist, and stating, “Them knuckles right there, from one of those m—f— faces at the Capitol.”

             The FBI arrested Davis on Dec. 8, 2023, in Snow Hill.

             The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and the Department of Justice National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section are prosecuting this case. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina provided valuable assistance.

             The FBI’s Charlotte and Washington Field Offices investigated this case. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Capitol Police and the Metropolitan Police Department.

             In the 45 months since Jan. 6, 2021, more than 1,532 individuals have been charged in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including more than 571 individuals charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement, a felony. The investigation remains ongoing.

             Anyone with tips can call 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or visit tips.fbi.gov.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida Supports Justice Department’s Nationwide Election Day Program

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

    Ahead of the Threat Podcast: Episode Zero

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

    Charity and Disaster Fraud

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

    RYAN JAMES WEDDING

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

    Capitol Violence

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

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Two Sudanese Nationals Indicted for Alleged Role in Anonymous Sudan Cyberattacks on Hospitals, Government Facilities, and Other Critical Infrastructure in Los Angeles and Around the World

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

    LOS ANGELES – A federal grand jury indictment unsealed today charges two Sudanese nationals with operating and controlling Anonymous Sudan, an online cybercriminal group responsible for tens of thousands of Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks against critical infrastructure, corporate networks, and government agencies in the United States and around the world.

    In March 2024, pursuant to court-authorized seizure warrants, the U.S. Attorney’s Office and FBI seized and disabled Anonymous Sudan’s powerful DDoS tool, which the group allegedly used to perform DDoS attacks, and sold as a service to other criminal actors.

    Ahmed Salah Yousif Omer, 22, and Alaa Salah Yusuuf Omer, 27, were both charged with one count of conspiracy to damage protected computers. Ahmed Salah was also charged with three counts of damaging protected computers.

    “Anonymous Sudan sought to maximize havoc and destruction against governments and businesses around the world by perpetrating tens of thousands of cyberattacks,” said United States Attorney Martin Estrada.  “This group’s attacks were callous and brazen—the defendants went so far as to attack hospitals providing emergency and urgent care to patients.  My office is committed to safeguarding our nation’s infrastructure and the people who use it, and we will hold cyber criminals accountable for the grave harm they cause.”

    “The FBI’s seizure of this powerful DDoS tool successfully disabled the attack platform that caused widespread damage and disruptions to critical infrastructure and networks around the world,” said Special Agent in Charge Rebecca Day of the FBI Anchorage Field Office. “With the FBI’s mix of unique authorities, capabilities, and partnerships, there is no limit to our reach when it comes to combating all forms of cybercrime and defending global cybersecurity.”

    “These charges and the results of this investigation, made possible through law enforcement and private sector partnerships, have an immeasurable impact on the security of networks in the U.S. and of its allies, and demonstrates the resolve of the Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS) to safeguard the Department of Defense from evolving cyber threats,” said Kenneth A. DeChellis, DCIS Cyber Field Office, Special Agent in Charge. “Cybercriminals need to understand that if they target America’s warfighters, they will face consequences.”

    According to the indictment and a criminal complaint also unsealed today, since early 2023, the Anonymous Sudan actors and their customers have used the group’s Distributed Cloud Attack Tool (DCAT) to conduct destructive DDoS attacks and publicly claim credit for them. In approximately one year of operation, Anonymous Sudan’s DDoS tool was used to launch over 35,000 DDoS attacks, including at least 70 targeting computers in the greater Los Angeles area.

    Victims of the attacks include sensitive government and critical infrastructure targets within the United States and around the world, including the Department of Justice, the Department of Defense, the FBI, the State Department, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, and government websites for the state of Alabama.  Victims also included major U.S. technology platforms, including Microsoft Corp. and Riot Games Inc., and network service providers. The attacks resulted in reported network outages affecting thousands of customers.

    Anonymous Sudan’s DDoS attacks, which at times lasted several days, caused damage to the victims’ websites and networks, often rendering them inaccessible or inoperable, resulting in significant damages. For example, Anonymous Sudan’s DDoS attacks shuttered the emergency department at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, causing incoming patients to be redirected to other medical facilities for approximately eight hours. Anonymous Sudan’s attacks have caused more than $10 million in damages to U.S. victims.

    The March 2024 disruption of Anonymous Sudan’s DCAT tool, called variously “Godzilla,” “Skynet,” and “InfraShutdown,” was accomplished through the court-authorized seizure of its key components. Specifically, the warrants authorized the seizures of computer servers that launched and controlled the DDoS attacks, computer servers that relayed attack commands to a broader network of attack computers, and accounts containing the source code for the DDoS tools used by Anonymous Sudan.

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

    If convicted of all charges, Ahmed Salah would face a statutory maximum sentence of life in federal prison, and Alaa Salah would face a statutory maximum sentence of five years in federal prison.

    The investigation of Anonymous Sudan was conducted by the FBI’s Anchorage Field Office, the Defense Criminal Investigative Service, and the State Department’s Diplomatic Security Service Computer Investigations and Forensics Division.

    Assistant United States Attorneys Cameron L. Schroeder and Aaron Frumkin of the Cyber and Intellectual Property Crimes Section are prosecuting this case, with substantial assistance from Trial Attorney Greg Nicosia of the National Security Division’s National Security Cyber Section. Assistant United States Attorneys Schroeder and Frumkin, along with Assistant United States Attorney James Dochterman of the Asset Forfeiture Section, also obtained the seizure warrants for computer servers constituting Anonymous Sudan’s DCAT tool.

    The DOJ Criminal Division’s Office of International Affairs, the FBI’s International Operations Division and Behavioral Analysis Unit, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Alaska aided in this investigation.

    These law enforcement actions were taken as part of Operation PowerOFF, an ongoing, coordinated effort among international law enforcement agencies aimed at dismantling criminal DDoS-for-hire infrastructure worldwide, and holding accountable the administrators and users of these illegal services.  Akamai SIRT, Amazon Web Services, Cloudflare, Crowdstrike, DigitalOcean, Flashpoint, Google, Microsoft, PayPal, SpyCloud and other private sector entities provided assistance in this matter.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Miami Man Sentenced to Over Five Years in Prison and Ordered to Pay Over $3.8 Million for Fraudulently Billing Medicaid for Psychosocial Rehabilitation Services

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

    MIAMI –Jose Davila Nunez, 51, of Miami, was sentenced on Oct. 11, to 63 months in federal prison to be followed by three years of supervised release for Medicaid fraud.  Davila was also ordered to pay $3,869,703 in restitution.

    Davila pled guilty to conspiracy to commit health care fraud on June 14.  According to the court record, to include the agreed upon factual proffer, Davila and his co-conspirators opened a mental health clinic called New Behavior Health Direction, Incorporated (New Behavior) located in Hialeah Gardens, Fla. and installed a nominee owner. Between April 2019 and September 2020, Davila and his co-conspirators submitted $3,869,703 in false claims to Medicaid for psychosocial rehabilitation (PSR) services, a type of mental health counseling designed to help people with depression, anxiety, and other mental disorders.  In September 2020, the nominee owner helped to withdraw the fraud proceeds, gave some of that money to Davila, and then the nominee owner fled to Cuba.  Davila’s company Max Medical Consulting Services, Incorporated of Miami, Fla. received approximately $500,000 in fraud proceeds from New Behavior.

    At the sentencing hearing, Davila was also held accountable for an additional $2,617,992 related to Davila and his co-conspirator’s conduct in paying illegal bribes to patients between November 2018 and December 2022 in exchange for PSR services at three other Miami clinics.  Those three clinics are Davila Medical Center, Incorporated, Advanced Community Wellness Center, and Larkin Behavior Health, Incorporated. 

    The U.S. government was able to seize approximately $1.7 million in cash related to New Behavior’s bank accounts. 

    U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida Markenzy Lapointe; Special Agent in Charge Stephen Mahmood of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG), Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey B. Veltri of the FBI, Miami Field Office, and Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody for the Florida Office of the Attorney General Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU) made the announcement.

    HHS-OIG Miami, FBI Miami, and MFCU investigated this case. AUSA Timothy Abraham prosecuted the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jorge Delgado is handling asset forfeiture.

    Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at http://www.flsd.uscourts.gov  or at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov under 23-cr-20390.

    ###

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: New York Man Pleads Guilty to Felony Civil Disorder During January 6 Capitol Breach

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

              WASHINGTON – A New York man pleaded guilty today to felony civil disorder during the Jan. 6, 2021, breach of the U.S. Capitol. His actions and the actions of others disrupted a joint session of the U.S. Congress convened to ascertain and count the electoral votes related to the 2020 presidential election.

              Christopher Douglas Finney, 32, of Hopewell Junction, New York, pleaded guilty to a single felony count of civil disorder before U.S. District Judge Trevor N. McFadden. Judge McFadden will sentence Finney on Jan. 24, 2025.

              According to court documents, Finney traveled from his home in New York State to attend a rally in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 6, 2021. While waiting near the Washington Monument for the rally to begin, Finney recorded himself asking, “what’s the building where they’re doing the counting at?” and after receiving an answer, stated, “we’re going up to the Capitol, eventually. We’re gonna storm the Capitol. They’re not gonna keep us outta there. We’re gonna make sure that this is done correct and that Donald Trump is still our president.”

              When he made the recording, Finney was wearing plastic goggles with a red border and a protective plate carrier vest with pouches containing white plastic flex cuffs and a silver canister similar to a container for chemical spray. Before leaving the area near the Monument, Finney repeated, “We’re gonna storm the Capitol. We’re gonna do this correct. We’re not gonna back down, stand down, we the people will not be silent anymore.” Finney was also recorded wearing a knife in a holster on his right hip.

              Finney entered the restricted perimeter around Capitol grounds and toward the West Lawn and gestured for the crowd to follow him. Finney recorded his approach to the Capitol across the lawn and as he scaled a wall. Finney remained near the Capitol’s West Front, moving from the scaffolding at its southwest corner to covered scaffolding above the northwest steps. Finney then ascended the steps, breached a police line leading to the Upper West Terrace Northwest Courtyard, and approached the Senate Wing Doors.

              At approximately 2:14 p.m., Finney entered the Capitol building through the Senate Wing Doors. Once inside, he turned north, encountered police, and hastily retreated, climbing out of a broken window. Finney re-entered the building through the Senate Wing Doors. After re-entering, Finney made his way through the Crypt and the OAP (Office of the Attending Physician) corridor and eventually exited the Capitol through the Memorial Doors.

              Finney eventually made his way to the Capitol’s Lower West Terrace, where he joined other rioters, including several carrying makeshift weapons, outside of the Lower West Terrace Tunnel, the site of some of the most violent attacks against law enforcement that day. There, rioters were struggling to forcibly breach a police line preventing the mob from accessing the Capitol’s interior. One rioter yelled, “Push, push, push,” and Finney responded by joining a crowd in a group push against the police line. The force from the group push reached officers in and behind the first line of officers, while rioters at the front of the group push made direct physical contact with officers at the front of the police line.

              Finney remained on the Lower West Terrace, watching and recording as other rioters violently attacked officers defending the Lower West Terrace exit. He remained within the Capitol’s restricted perimeter until after dark.

              The FBI arrested Finney on Feb. 8, 2024, in New York.

              This case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and the Department of Justice National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York.

              This case is being investigated by the FBI’s New York and Washington Field Offices. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Capitol Police and the Metropolitan Police Department.

              In the 45 months since Jan. 6, 2021, more than 1,532 individuals have been charged in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including more than 571 individuals charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement, a felony. The investigation remains ongoing.

              Anyone with tips can call 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or visit tips.fbi.gov.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: U.S. Attorney Announces District Election Officer for 2024 Election

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

              WASHINGTON – United States Attorney Matthew M. Graves announced today that Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) Elizabeth Aloi will lead the efforts of the Office in connection with the Justice Department’s nationwide Election Day Program for the upcoming November 5, 2024, general election.  AUSA Aloi has been appointed to serve as the District Election Officer (DEO) for the District of Columbia, and in that capacity is responsible for overseeing the District’s handling of election day complaints of voting rights concerns, threats of violence to election officials or staff, and election fraud, in consultation with Justice Department Headquarters in Washington.

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

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

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

              United States Attorney Graves stated that: “The franchise is the cornerstone of American democracy.  We all must ensure that those who are entitled to the franchise can exercise it if they choose, and that those who seek to corrupt it are brought to justice.  In order to respond to complaints of voting rights concerns and election fraud during the upcoming election, and to ensure that such complaints are directed to the appropriate authorities, AUSA/DEO Aloi will be on duty in this District while the polls are open.  She can be reached by the public at the following telephone numbers: 202-252-7212.”

              In addition, the FBI will have special agents available in each field office and resident agency throughout the country to receive allegations of election fraud and other election abuses on election day. The local FBI field office can be reached by the public at (202) 278-2000.

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

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

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

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: San Diego Man Admits to Sexual Exploitation of 14-Year-Old Girl

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

    SAN DIEGO – Eric Jin of San Diego pleaded guilty in federal court today, admitting that he persuaded a 14-year-old girl to send him sexually explicit photographs of herself, including an image of her leg where she had carved the defendant’s name into her skin with a knife at his direction.

    Jin was indicted on May 15, 2024. He pleaded guilty to Sexual Exploitation of a Minor in connection with his online communications with the girl. For example, according to his plea agreement, Jin demanded that she take sexually graphic pictures of herself without clothing in December 2022 and again in February 2023. The girl did as Jin directed and sent him the photos. It was on the February date that he ordered her to carve his first name into her skin and send him a photo.

    Jin also admitted to sending the victim images of other minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct.

    “This defendant repeatedly victimized, exploited, and literally scarred a child,” said U.S. Attorney Tara McGrath. “This horrific crime serves as a reminder to keep a very close eye on who kids are talking to online.”

    “While all crimes we investigate are deplorable, the sexual exploitation of children is an especially flagitious violation,” said FBI San Diego Acting Special Agent in Charge Houtan Moshrefi. “Let Eric Jin’s guilty plea be a clear message that the FBI and its partners will aggressively pursue people who intend to exploit children in such a despicable manner.”

    This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Andrew Sherwood and Katie Grammenidis.

    The defendant is scheduled to be sentenced on January 24, 2025.

    DEFENDANT                                   Case Number 24cr1071-JO                                    

    Eric Jin                                                Age: 30                                   San Diego, CA

    SUMMARY OF CHARGES

    Sexual Exploitation of a Minor – Title 18, U.S.C., Section 2251(a) and (e)

    Maximum penalty: Thirty years in prison, with a mandatory minimum of 15 years in prison and a $500,000 fine

    INVESTIGATING AGENCY

    Federal Bureau of Investigation

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Milwaukee Woman Indicted for Multimillion Dollar Health Care Fraud and Kickback Scheme

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Gregory J. Haanstad, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that on October 16, 2024, a federal grand jury indicted Lakia Jackson (age: 34) for perpetrating a $3.7 million health care fraud and kickback scheme that involved Jackson lying about having provided prenatal care coordination services and childcare coordination services to at-risk and low-income pregnant women and new mothers in Milwaukee.

    According to the indictment, from June 2020 through December 2021, Jackson owned We Care Services, which was a Prenatal Care Coordination (PNCC) agency operating in Milwaukee. PNCC agencies are reimbursed by Medicaid when they provide services intended to address Wisconsin’s historically high rate of infant mortality among at-risk populations. Specifically, PNCC services are supposed to ensure that women at high risk are identified as early as possible in their pregnancies, receive psychosocial support, prenatal care services, and health and nutrition education, and are referred to available community services that they need to help them achieve positive birth and parenting outcomes.

    The indictment alleges that Jackson offered and provided kickbacks to induce women to sign up for prenatal care coordination services with We Care Services, and then allegedly submitted millions of dollars of fraudulent claims for services never actually provided to those women. Jackson also allegedly submitted claims for services she contended were provided to her clients before she or anyone from her agency had ever met the client.

    The indictment charges Jackson with multiple counts of Health Care Fraud and False Statements Relating to Health Care Matters, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1347 and 18 U.S.C. § 1035, violations of the Anti-Kickback Statute, 42 U.S.C. § 1320a-7b, Money Laundering, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1957, and Aggravated Identity Theft, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1028A. If convicted, Jackson faces a mandatory sentence of two years in prison for each count of Aggravated Identity Theft, up to twenty years in prison for each count of Health Care Fraud, up to ten years in prison for each count of Anti-Kickback Statute violations and Money Laundering, and up to five years in prison for each count of False Statements. 

    The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Medicaid Fraud Control and Elder Abuse Unit of the Wisconsin Department of Justice investigated the case, which Assistant United States Attorneys Julie F. Stewart and Kate M. Biebel will prosecute.

    An indictment is only a charge and not evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

    ###

    For further information contact:

    Public Information Officer

    Kenneth.Gales@usdoj.gov

    (414) 297-1700

    Follow us on Twitter

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: U.S. Attorney Damien M. Diggs is committed to protecting the fairness and integrity of the electoral process in the Eastern District of Texas

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    PLANO, Texas – United States Attorney Damien M. Diggs announced today that Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) Anand Varadarajan will lead the efforts of his Office in connection with the Justice Department’s nationwide Election Day Program for the upcoming November 5, 2024, general election.  AUSA Varadarajan has been appointed to serve as the District Election Officer (DEO) for the Eastern District of Texas, and in that capacity is responsible for overseeing the District’s handling of election day complaints of voting rights concerns, threats of violence to election officials or staff, and election fraud, in consultation with Justice Department Headquarters in Washington.

    United States Attorney Diggs said, “Every citizen must be able to vote without interference or discrimination and to have that vote counted in a fair and free election.  Similarly, election officials and staff must be able to serve without being subject to unlawful threats of violence.  The Department of Justice will always work tirelessly to protect the integrity of the election process.  If you have specific information about voter discrimination, election fraud, or threats to election officials and staff, I encourage you to report it to my Office, the Civil Rights Division, or the FBI.”

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

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

    United States Attorney Diggs stated that: “The franchise is the cornerstone of American democracy.  We all must ensure that those who are entitled to the franchise can exercise it if they choose, and that those who seek to corrupt it are brought to justice.”  In order to respond to complaints of voting rights concerns and election fraud during the upcoming election, and to ensure that such complaints are directed to the appropriate authorities, AUSA/DEO Varadarajan will be on duty in this District while the polls are open.  He can be reached by the public at the following telephone numbers 972-509-1201.

    In addition, the FBI will have special agents available in each field office and resident agency throughout the country to receive allegations of election fraud and other election abuses on election day. The local FBI field office can be reached by the public at 972-559-5000.

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

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

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

    ###

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Illinois Man Sentenced to Prison for Assaulting Law Enforcement During January 6 Capitol Breach

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

               WASHINGTON— An Illinois man was sentenced to prison today after he previously pleaded guilty to assaulting law enforcement during the Jan. 6, 2021, breach of the U.S. Capitol. His actions and the actions of others disrupted a joint session of the U.S. Congress convened to ascertain and count the electoral votes related to the 2020 presidential election.

               Robin Lee Reierson, 69, of Schiller Park, Illinois, was sentenced to 18 months in prison, 36 months of supervised release, and ordered to pay $7,000 in restitution and fines by U.S. District Judge Reggie B. Walton.

               According to court documents, Reierson traveled to Washington, D.C., from his home outside of Chicago, Illinois, to attend former President Trump’s “Stop the Steal” rally on Jan. 6, 2021, at the Ellipse. After the rally, Reierson made his way toward the U.S. Capitol building, chanting “Stop the Steal” with the crowd.

               Reierson eventually positioned himself in front of an established police line on the West Plaza maintained by U.S. Capitol Police and Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers. At approximately 2:06 p.m., Reierson used his back and body to push against a bike rack barrier and into the line of assembled officers. The police line began to fall at approximately 2:25 p.m., and, minutes later, at approximately 2:30 p.m., Reierson physically pushed against police officers using both of his hands and by lowering his shoulder into officers. Reierson also attempted to take hold of an MPD officer’s baton.

               Reierson eventually withdrew from the confrontation between rioters and officers, but as he left the West Plaza, he told other rioters, “Don’t stop, keep going” and “Put the cameras down, keep going.”

               The FBI arrested Reierson on Aug. 23, 2023, in Illinois.

               The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and the Department of Justice National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section prosecuted this case. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Illinois provided valuable assistance.

               The FBI’s Chicago and Washington Field Offices investigated this case. Reierson was identified as BOLO (Be on the Lookout) #433 on its seeking information images. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Capitol Police and the Metropolitan Police Department.

               In the 45 months since Jan. 6, 2021, more than 1,532 individuals have been charged in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including more than 571 individuals charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement, a felony. The investigation remains ongoing.

               Anyone with tips can call 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or visit tips.fbi.gov.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: FBI Anchorage Seeks Information Regarding Serial Bank Robber

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

    ANCHORAGE, AK—The FBI Anchorage Field Office is seeking information regarding the identity and whereabouts of an individual with alleged involvement in three separate bank robberies that took place in Anchorage. With each robbery, the individual presented a note demanding money to a bank employee and stated he had a weapon. The robberies occurred on September 23, 2024; October 7, 2024; and October 16, 2024.

    The individual is believed to have robbed the following banks:

    • On September 23, 2024, at approximately 11:45 a.m., the subject allegedly robbed the Credit Union 1, Midtown Branch, located at 3525 Eureka Street in Anchorage. After the robbery, the subject fled the area on a dark-colored bicycle.
    • On October 7, 2024, at approximately 10:15 a.m., the subject allegedly robbed the Global Credit Union located at 8475 Hartzell Road in Anchorage. After the robbery, the subject entered a stolen vehicle and drove away.
    • On October 16, 2024, at approximately 12:30 p.m., the subject allegedly robbed the Global Credit Union located at 2300 Abbott Road in Anchorage. After the robbery, he departed the area on foot and headed north towards Abbott Road.

    The individual is described as a male, approximately 5’5” tall, with black hair and brown eyes, weighing approximately 155 lbs.

    Anyone with information concerning the identity and whereabouts of this individual should contact the FBI Anchorage Field Office at 907-276-4441 or submit a tip online at tips.fbi.gov.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: U.S. Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow Appoints Election Officer for the District of Puerto Rico

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

    SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – United States Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow announced today that the Chief of the Financial Fraud & Corruption Section, Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) Seth Erbe, will lead the efforts of his Office in connection with the Justice Department’s nationwide Election Day Program for the upcoming November 5, 2024, general election.  AUSA Erbe has been appointed to serve as the District Election Officer (DEO) for the District of Puerto Rico, and in that capacity is responsible for overseeing the district’s handling of election day complaints of voting rights concerns, threats of violence to election officials or staff, and election fraud, in consultation with Justice Department Headquarters in Washington.

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

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

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

    United States Attorney Muldrow stated that: “The franchise is the cornerstone of American democracy.  We all must ensure that those who are entitled to the franchise can exercise it if they choose, and that those who seek to corrupt it are brought to justice. In order to respond to complaints of voting rights concerns and election fraud during the upcoming election, and to ensure that such complaints are directed to the appropriate authorities, AUSA/DEO Erbe will be on duty in this District while the polls are open.  He can be reached by the public at the following telephone numbers: (787) 766-5656 and (787) 242-7400.”

    In addition, the FBI will have special agents available in each field office and resident agency throughout the country to receive allegations of election fraud and other election abuses on election day.  The local FBI field office can be reached by the public at (787) 987-6500.

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

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

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

    ###

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: U.S. Attorney’s Office Announces Point of Contact for Election Fraud and Voting Rights Concerns

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

    ALBANY, NEW YORK – United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman announced today that Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) Joshua R. Rosenthal will lead the efforts of the United States Attorney’s Office in connection with the Justice Department’s nationwide Election Day Program for the upcoming November 5, 2024, general election.  AUSA Rosenthal has been appointed to serve as the District Election Officer (DEO) for the Northern District of New York and in that capacity is responsible for overseeing the District’s handling of Election Day complaints of voting rights concerns, threats of violence to election officials or staff, and election fraud, in consultation with Justice Department headquarters in Washington, D.C.

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

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

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

    In order to respond to complaints of voting rights concerns and election fraud during the upcoming election, and to ensure that such complaints are directed to the appropriate authorities, AUSA/DEO Rosenthal will be working while the polls are open.  He can be reached by the public at the following telephone number: 518-431-0389.

    In addition, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) will have Special Agents available in each Field Office and Resident Agency Office throughout the country to receive allegations of election fraud and other election abuses on Election Day.  The FBI Albany Field Office can be reached by the public at 518-465-7551.

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

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

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Ex-Husband of ‘Real Housewives of New Jersey’ Star Sentenced to Seven Years in Prison for Violent Crime in Aid of Racketeering and Obstruction of Justice

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

    NEWARK, N.J. – The ex-husband of a former star of the Bravo reality television show “The Real Housewives of New Jersey,” was sentenced today to 84 months in prison for hiring, then assisting, a soldier in the Lucchese Crime Family to assault his ex-wife’s current husband, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced.

    Thomas Manzo, 59, of Franklin Lakes, New Jersey, was convicted on June 4, 2024, after a two-and-a-half week trial before Judge Susan D. Wigenton in Newark federal court. The jury convicted Manzo of one count of committing a violent crime in aid of racketeering, one count of conspiracy to commit a violent crime in aid of racketeering, and one count of falsifying and concealing documents related to a federal investigation.

     “Whether you’re actually in the Mafia or not, hiring the mob to assault someone because of your marital problems is abhorrent. Covering up the role you played only makes it worse. The jury’s verdict, and today’s sentence, make clear that this office will spare no resources to hold accountable anyone who commits such crimes.”

    U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger

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

    In the spring of 2015, Manzo, a co-owner of The Brownstone, a Paterson, New Jersey, catering hall, hired Lucchese Crime Family soldier John Perna to assault his ex-wife’s then-boyfriend, paying for the assault with a free wedding reception. Perna, a “made man” with his own crew, worked with them to carry out the assault on July 18, 2015. The Perna wedding, held in August 2015 at the Brownstone, was attended by approximately 330 people, many of whom also were members of the Lucchese Crime Family. Four years later, Manzo concealed and falsified documents related to the Perna wedding in response to a grand jury subpoena.

    In addition to the prison term, Judge Wigenton sentenced Manzo to three years of supervised release and ordered him immediately remanded.

    U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Nelson I. Delgado in Newark, with the investigation leading to the conviction. U.S. Attorney Sellinger also thanked special agents of the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of the Inspector General, Officers with the Lyndhurst Police Department, Officers with the Totowa Police Department, Investigators with the Monmouth County Prosecutors Office, Investigators of the New Jersey State Police, and the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office for their substantial assistance.

    The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kendall R. Randolph of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Organized Crime and Gangs Unit, Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas S. Kearney of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Special Prosecutions Division and Bruce P. Keller, Special Counsel to the U.S. Attorney. 

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Indiana Man Admits $500,000 Wire Fraud Scheme

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

    TRENTON, N.J. – An Indiana man admitted defrauding dozens of victims by fraudulently negotiating the sales of valuable and rare items that he did not own or possess, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced today.

    Brian Combs, 49, Fishers, Indiana, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Georgette Castner in Trenton federal court on Oct. 15, 2024, to an information charging him with three counts of wire fraud.

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

    From April 2018 through December 2023, Combs fraudulently obtained $581,605 from dozens of victims by fraudulently negotiating sales of valuable and rare items – which he did not own or possess – with unsuspecting victims, who believed Combs would deliver these items once they paid Combs. The items included rare bottles of whiskey, precious metals, silver coins, and a rare, collectable Mickey Mantle baseball trading card. Combs frequently requested that the victims wire payment for these valuable and rare goods to him directly, rather than through the e‑commerce website where he advertised the sale of these goods, to make it more difficult for the victims to recover payment for the items Combs fraudulently failed to deliver to them.

    The wire fraud charges each carry a maximum of 20 years in prison. Sentencing is scheduled for Feb. 20, 2025.

    U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of the FBI Newark Division, Trenton Resident Agency, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Nelson I. Delgado, with the investigation leading to the guilty plea.

    The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ashley Super Pitts of the Criminal Division in Trenton.

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