NewzIntel.com

Category: Federal Bureau of Investigation

  • MIL-OSI USA: Heinrich, Luján Statement on President Trump’s 2026 Budget Request

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-New Mexico)
    Heinrich and Luján: “Donald Trump and Elon Musk’s budget will further tank the economy and throw working families under the bus. As New Mexico’s senators, we’ll fight back”
    WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, and U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) released the following statement onPresident Trump’s Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) Preliminary Budget Request, which proposes slashing critical investments that benefit New Mexico families to fund massive tax cuts for billionaires like Elon Musk:
    “Donald Trump’s budget doesn’t put New Mexico families first — it jeopardizes Medicaid and slashes nutrition programs and services hardworking people rely on, all to fund massive tax handouts to Trump, Elon Musk, and their billionaire donors.
    “This proposal would drive up the cost of health care, groceries, housing, and utilities; gut public school and pre-K funding; defund cancer research; weaken law enforcement’s ability to fight drug trafficking; and strip resources from wildland firefighters, farmers, Tribes, and rural communities. It also threatens our public lands — paving the way for Republicans’ massive sell-off. 
    “Donald Trump and Elon Musk’s budget will further tank the economy and throw working families under the bus. As New Mexico’s senators, we’ll fight back — to protect Medicaid and Social Security, defend every dollar we’ve secured for our communities, and keep putting New Mexico families first.”
    Among all of his proposed cuts, President Trump’s Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) Preliminary Budget Request:
    HEALTH:
    Slashes funding for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) by $33 billion (-26%).
    Slashes funding for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) by $674 million. CMS helps ensure over 100 million Americans have access to affordable, high-quality health insurance by overseeing Medicare, Medicaid, the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and Affordable Care Act marketplaces.
    Cuts funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) by $18 billion or more than 40% — decimating funding for lifesaving medical treatments and cures.
    Decimates funding for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) by cutting $3.6 billion — hollowing out the agency’s ability to save lives and protect Americans from health threats.
    Guts funding for substance use prevention and treatment and mental health services by $1 billion (roughly –15%) and eliminates the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration — the agency with expertise in tackling the substance use and mental health crises.
    Eliminates the Title X program, which helps nearly 3 million patients get preventative care, birth control, cancer screenings, and more in every state.
    EDUCATION:
    Guts funding for the U.S. Department of Education by $12 billion (-15%).
    Eliminates all funding for Preschool Development Grants, which help states strengthen their early childhood education system and get parents the child care and pre-K they need.
    Eliminates and cuts dozens of elementary and secondary education programs (the vast majority of which are not specified), underscoring that President Trump’s vision for returning education to the states means state and local taxpayers will pay more to support students and educators at their local schools as a result of major cuts in federal funding.
    Eliminates several higher education programs, including TRIO, GEAR UP, Federal Work Study, Child Care Access Means Parents in Schools (CCAMPIS), and more, which help Americans pursue a postsecondary education and further their careers.
    Slashes funding for the U.S. Department of Labor by $4.6 billion (-35%).
    Proposes to “Make America Skilled Again” by cutting workforce training programs that help Americans develop skills and secure good-paying jobs by roughly a third. 
    Eliminates Job Corps and the Senior Community Service Employment Program.
    Eliminates AmeriCorps, which enables over 200,000 Americans to help serve communities across the country, including by responding to natural disasters, supporting veterans, fighting the opioid epidemic, helping older Americans age with dignity, and working in our schools, educating and supporting students.
    HOUSING:
    Eviscerates the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) with a 43.6% cut.
    Slashes HUD rental assistance programs by 42.8% while foisting responsibility over those programs onto state and local governments. Over 10 million Americans rely on HUD rental assistance, the vast majority of whom are seniors, people with disabilities, and children. This will rip the roofs off Americans’ heads and put even more families at risk of homelessness.
    Eliminates or cuts federal programs most targeted to build more affordable housing and address this country’s housing supply shortage, including in Tribal country. 
    Eliminates the Community Development Block Grant that cities and towns across the country use to improve the quality of life for their citizens every day.
    PUBLIC SAFETY:
    Slashes the U.S. Department of Justice’s (DOJ) budget by at least $3.7 billion (-10%).
    Guts funding for grants to help keep communities safe by over $1 billion (-26%).
    Cuts funding for Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) salaries and expenses by $545 million (-5%), endangering Americans’ safety.
    Cuts funding for Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) salaries and expenses by $212 million (-7%), weakening the agency’s capacity to crack down on drug trafficking. Also proposes shuttering major DEA offices in countries around the world, noting that those countries “are equipped to counter drug trafficking on their own.”
    Cuts funding for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ (ATF) salaries and expenses by $468 million (-29%) as part of the administration’s ongoing attempt to dismantle the agency in charge of enforcing our country’s gun laws.
    Cuts $1.386 billion (-22%) from the U.S. Forest Service, gutting grant funding for state and Tribal wildfire risk reduction, volunteer fire departments, and much more. The proposal would cut at least 2,000 National Forest System staff positions, which will severely harm the administration’s stated goals of improving forest management.
    Cuts funding for International Narcotics Control and Law Enforcement account by $1.3 billion (-91%) which helps prevent human trafficking, stop drug trafficking, and much more, with direct implications for American communities.
    Proposes a reckless $209 million cut for NOAA’s weather satellites, which play a critical role in ensuring Americans have accurate weather forecasting and will result in a gap in observations when the current satellites retire early in the next decade.
    NUTRITION:
    Eliminates the Commodity Supplemental Food Program, which provides food assistance to low-income individuals 60 years of age and older to supplement diets and addressing potential nutrient deficiencies. The preliminary budget request does not mention any of the other 16 Nutrition Programs, including WIC, The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), and the National School Lunch Program.
    PUBLIC LANDS:
    Cuts $900 million (- 30%) from National Park Service operations, abandoning national parks the administration says should now be transferred to the states, while providing no funding for states to manage massive new obligations that such a dramatic move would entail. This would incentivize states to sell off public lands to the highest bidder, threatening valued open space and areas of natural and historical value to local communities.
    AGRICULTURE:
    Guts funding for agricultural research, which is critical to ensuring American agriculture is competitive with the rest of the world and provides key resources to help farmers and ranchers prepare and adapt in an uncertain environment. Zeroes out foreign food aid that supports American farmers and is a lifeline for people living in extreme poverty across the world.
    TRIBES:
    Slashes $911 million (-24%) for core Tribal programs that uphold the federal government’s legally-obligated and court-ordered trust and treaty responsibilities to Tribal nations. 
    Decimates core Tribal programs, including road maintenance, housing, and programs for children and families. 
    Nearly eliminates funding for construction of Tribal schools, which are already too often dilapidated, and cuts Tribal law enforcement funding by 20%.
    RURAL COMMUNITIES:
    Slashes investments in core Rural Development programs by $721 million, including investments in safe drinking water, affordable housing, and resources to bolster the rural economy.
    Cuts funding for the U.S. Department of Commerce by $1.9 billion (-18%). Outright eliminates the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA), which helps economically distressed communities across America get ahead.
    Eliminates all Community Services Block Grant funding ($770 million) for community-based anti-poverty programs that help individuals and families access services to alleviate the causes of poverty.
    Eliminates funding to 27 states by zeroing out funding for 6 of 7 regional commissions, which provide grants in economically distressed communities for disaster mitigation, opioid crisis support programming, workforce training, and much more. This includes eliminating the Southwest Border Regional Commission (SBRC).
    The Southwest Border Regional Commission (SBRC) is one of eight authorized federal regional commissions and authorities, which are congressionally-chartered, federal-state partnerships created to promote economic development in their respective regions. Congress first authorized the establishment of the SBRC in 2008 to promote economic development in the southern border regions of New Mexico, Arizona, California, and Texas.
    Last year, Heinrich secured an expansion of the SBRC’s jurisdiction to include the following counties in New Mexico: Bernalillo, Cibola, Curry, De Baca, Guadalupe, Roosevelt, Torrance, Lea, and Valencia. These are in addition to Catron, Grant, Hidalgo, Luna, Sierra, Socorro, Lincoln, Otero, Eddy, Doña Ana, and Chaves Counties in New Mexico, which are already included within the SBRC’s jurisdiction.
    In 2023, Heinrich led the introduction of the Southwest Border Regional Commission Reauthorization Act, legislation to reauthorize and fully fund the Southwest Border Regional Commission (SBRC). The bill was cosponsored by U.S. Senators Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), and former-U.S. Senators Kyrsten Sinema (I-Ariz.), and Laphonza Butler (D-Calif.).
    INFRASTRUCTURE:
    Cuts funding for the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation by $600 million (-34%), gutting investments in key restoration projects.
    Cuts funding for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers by $2 billion (-23%), slashing funding used to maintain our nation’s ports and harbors.
    Cuts funding for Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) non-disaster grants that help communities prepare for disasters, support efforts to prevent violence and terrorism, prepare emergency responders, and more.
    Eliminates funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, ending support for more than 1,500 local public television and radio stations. 
    Eliminates funding for the Institute of Museum and Library Services and the support provided to libraries and museums throughout the United States.
    Cuts funding for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) by more than half by abandoning state and Tribal programs that build and maintain drinking water and sewer systems, starving states of longstanding federal funding provided to pay for states’ work enforcing federal laws, and decimating funding for cleaning up toxic Superfund sites. The request would also effectively eliminate research funding used to better understand the impacts on human health from polluted air and water and from toxic chemicals. 
    ENERGY:
    Slashes funding for the Department of Energy overall by $4.7 billion (-9.4%).
    Guts funding for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy programs by $2.572 billion (-74%) and proposes to rescind $15.25 billion from Infrastructure Law energy programs, which will raise energy costs for American consumers by halting vital innovation and energy projects.
    Eliminates the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), which helps 6 million American households heat and cool their homes.
    ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT:
    Slashes funding for the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Entrepreneurial Development Programs by $167 million, proposing the elimination of nearly all programs, including programs that support veterans as they work to start and grow a small business.
    Eliminates $291 million in funding for all current Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) financial assistance awards, which help leverage private capital to support the development of child care centers, housing, health care facilities, and small businesses. Since 2010, CDFIs have financed over 1.3 million businesses and 557,000 affordable homes.
    Completely eliminates the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities, which provide funding for every state and every congressional district for cultural economic development and the creative economy.
    Guts funding for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) by $1.5 billion, which would eliminate all manner of programs that create good jobs, help local economies, and support ocean research, health, and coastal resilience.
    More than halves funding for the National Science Foundation (NSF) with a $5.2 billion (-57%) cut. Cuts funding for the Department of Energy’s Office of Science by $1.148 billion (-14%). Together, these proposed cuts would decimate America’s edge in essential scientific research that would otherwise drive future economic growth.
    FOREIGN ASSISTANCE:
    Guts funding for the U.S. Department of State and America’s international security, economic, and humanitarian assistance programs by $31.2 billion (-48%).
    Cuts funding for lifesaving and other humanitarian assistance by $4.7 billion (-54%), which will lead to preventable deaths and suffering across the globe, and threaten Americans’ safety and well-being by undercutting our efforts to stop disease outbreaks and prevent conflict. A cut of this magnitude will also lead to more migration of people fleeing poverty, conflict, and natural disasters.
    Slashes economic growth and development funding across multiple agencies and accounts by $6 billion (67%) and proposes the final dissolution of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).
    Guts funding for global health initiatives by $6.2 billion (-62%).
    Reneges on our treaty dues for the United Nations (U.N.), U.N. Peacekeeping operations, and a majority of other international organizations.
    SPACE EXPLORATION:
    Cuts National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) funding by $6 billion (-24%), the largest single-year cut to NASA in U.S. history, which would mark an incredible retreat for American leadership and ambition in space. Terminates the Artemis Campaign to establish a human presence on the Moon after the Artemis III mission. Slashes funding for the Science Mission Directorate by $3.43 billion (-47%), which would cancel numerous current and planned missions to better understand our universe, solar system, and Earth.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Duncan Man Pleads Guilty after Fatal Shooting in Indian Country

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    OKLAHOMA CITY – JESSE WAYNE JAMES KEENAN, 18, of Duncan, has pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter and discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, announced U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester.

    According to public record, on July 19, 2024, officers with the Duncan Police Department (“DPD”) responded to a Duncan apartment complex on a reported shooting. At the apartment, DPD located a male victim who had been shot and attempted to provide medical care, but the victim died on scene. Witnesses at the complex identified Keenan as the person who shot the weapon.  He was located and arrested a short time later. After speaking with Keenan, FBI agents learned Keenan went to the apartment complex after an argument between Keenan and his girlfriend. After Keenan arrived, a fist fight ensued between Keenan and the victim. During the altercation, Keenan shot the victim with a pistol and fled from the scene. The pistol was later recovered by the FBI.

    On April 7, 2025, Keenan was charged by Superseding Information with voluntary manslaughter and discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.

    On May 1, 2025, Keenan pleaded guilty to the Superseding Information, and admitted that during a quarrel, he intentionally and unlawfully shot the victim, while intending to cause serious bodily injury, which resulted in the victim’s death. At sentencing, he faces no less than 10 years and up to life in federal prison, and a fine of up to $500,000.

    This case is in federal court because Keenan is a member of the Choctaw Nation, and the crime occurred within the boundaries of the Chickasaw Nation.

    This case is the result of an investigation by the FBI Oklahoma City Field Office and the Duncan Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Tiffany Edgmon and Bow Bottomly are prosecuting the case.

    Reference is made to public filings for additional information.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICE HSI Gulfport, partners, investigate illegal immigration, cockfighting operations

    Source: US Immigration and Customs Enforcement

    Gulfport, Miss. – U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, jointly with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and other partners, executed search warrants involving illegal immigration, cockfighting and other criminal activity in Southern Mississippi May 3.

    The investigation was led by the ICE Homeland Security Task Force and the Border Enforcement Security Task Force. In addition to possible state and federal charges relating to animal fighting and gambling, other investigative areas included illegal aliens, narcotics and weapons. Partners in the operation include ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations, Harrison County Sheriff’s Office, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and FBI.

    ICE Gulfport special agents and deportation officers are in the process of positively identifying all encountered individuals, as well as checking immigration records.

    ICE Gulfport will seek state and federal criminal or administrative charges as appropriate. Federal prosecutions will be led by the Southern District of Mississippi United States Attorney’s Office.

    “In addition to the acts of animal cruelty perpetrated by the operators and encouraged by the participants, underground gambling operations such as these often have ties to other significant crimes including narcotics violations, money laundering, and acts of violence,” said ICE HSI New Orleans Special Agent in Charge Eric DeLaune. “These crimes degrade the safety of our communities, and we are proud to be the ones stopping these illegal operations.”

    “The Office of Inspector General is committed to working with all of our law enforcement and prosecutorial partners in pursuing individuals who choose to participate in animal fighting activities and engage in violations involving animal welfare, while also committing other serious offenses in our communities,” said Special Agent-in-Charge Dax Roberson of the U.S. Department of Agriculture-Office of Inspector General.

    “The United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Mississippi is working with our law enforcement partners to ensure that those who violate our nation’s immigration, narcotics, and animal cruelty laws are held accountable,” said Acting Southern District of Mississippi U.S. Attorney Patrick Lemon.

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

    The public is reminded that all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Agawam Man Charged with Possession of Child Pornography

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

    BOSTON – An Agawam man was charged with possession of child sexual abuse material (CSAM).

    Warren Messeck, 75, was charged by criminal complaint with one count of possession of child pornography. He made an initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Katherine A. Robertson in Springfield.

    In 2021, Messeck was identified as a user of an internet-based peer-to-peer network downloading CSAM. A subsequent search of his residence resulted in the recovery of over 40 electronic devices including a laptop, hard drives and other electronic storage devices. A forensic examination allegedly revealed over 10,000 files depicting CSAM on six of the seized devices.

    The charge of possession of child pornography provides for a sentence of at least 10 years and up to 20 years in prison, a minimum of five years and up to life of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

    United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and James Crowley, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Agawam Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Caroline Merck of the Springfield Branch Office is prosecuting the case.

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

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

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Baltimore Man Charged in Second Superseding Indictment for Robbery, Kidnapping, and Shooting Death in Queens

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

    Defendant Jalon Lenny Garrett is One of Six Defendants Arrested in Connection with the July 25, 2024 Crime Spree

    Earlier today, a seven-count second superseding indictment was unsealed in federal court in Brooklyn charging Jalon Lenny Garrett, also known as “Lips,” Marcus Pittman, also known as “Nacho” and “Cheese,” Delonta Pittman, also known as “D Lo,” and Jerome Waters, also known as “the Engineer” and “Rome,” for their alleged roles in the kidnapping, robbery, and shooting of marijuana dealers on July 25, 2024.  Garrett was arrested this morning in Baltimore, Maryland, and will make his initial appearance in the Eastern District of New York at a later date.  Marcus Pittman is also newly charged with being a felon in possession of ammunition for his role in the fatal shooting.  The remaining defendants are already in custody and will be arraigned at a later date.

    John J. Durham, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York; Christopher G. Raia, Assistant Director in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI); and Jessica S. Tisch, Commissioner, New York City Police Department (NYPD) announced the arrests and charges.

    “As alleged, the defendants took part in an interstate armed robbery and kidnapping scheme that resulted in the brutal murder of a targeted victim.  This prosecution underscores the ongoing threat of guns and drugs in our communities,” stated United States Attorney Durham.  “This Office is committed to holding violent offenders accountable and ensuring justice for every victim.”

    “These four defendants allegedly traveled across the northeast to brutally kidnap and rob two unsuspecting individuals, ultimately murdering one of the victims,” stated FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge Raia.  “This alleged fatal robbery highlights the volatile and random violence that the illicit drug trade can fuel. With our law enforcement partners, the FBI will continue to dismantle any organization implementing lethal tactics to bolster their criminal lifestyles and jeopardize the safety of our city.”

    “These individuals came to New York City armed with guns and zip ties — ready to rob, kidnap, and kill,” stated NYPD Commissioner Tisch.  “It was a deliberate, brutal attack meant to terrorize our communities.  They thought they could hit and run. They were wrong — and anyone else thinking the same should take note.  I’m grateful to our partners in Project Safe Neighborhoods for their shared commitment to protecting New Yorkers.”

    According to the superseding indictment and other public court filings, the defendants are members of a Baltimore-based robbery crew that conspired to commit an armed robbery and kidnapping of marijuana dealers in Queens, New York.  On the evening of July 24,2024, the defendants and their co-conspirators executed a violent armed robbery and kidnapping plot that resulted in John Doe #1’s death.  As described below, Garrett robbed and kidnapped John Doe #2 at gunpoint, and Marcus Pittman shot and killed John Doe #1.

    Specifically, the defendants drove from Maryland to New York for the purpose of robbing two drug dealers, John Doe #1 and John Doe #2. Once in New York, defendants Jerome Waters and William Barnett met with John Doe #1 and John Doe #2 at a stash house in Queens, New York, under the guise of purchasing marijuana.

    At the stash house, Waters and Barnett pulled out their weapons and held up John Doe #1 and John Doe #2 at gunpoint. Next, they let their co-defendants into the stash house to assist in the robbery and kidnapping.  While in the stash house, the defendants and their co-conspirators tied up John Doe #1 and John Doe #2 with zip ties and forced them outside and into the back of a Jeep and a U-Haul van, which were driven by Barnett and Israel.  At the same time, the defendants and their co-conspirators stole approximately 30 pounds of marijuana from the stash house.

    The defendants and their co-conspirators drove John Doe #1 and John Doe #2, who were still tied up, through Queens at gunpoint, demanding drugs and money.  Garrett held a gun to John Doe #2 as he was being driven through Queens.  Marcus Pittman shot John Doe #1 to death in the back of the U-Haul van.  When his body was found by first responders, John Doe #1 still had a zip tie binding one of his hands and was surrounded by bags of marijuana.  After the shooting, the defendants fled back to Maryland.

    If convicted, defendants Marcus Pittman, Delonta Pittman, and Waters each face mandatory minimum sentences of life imprisonment, and Garrett faces a mandatory minimum of ten years’ imprisonment and a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.  The charges in the superseding indictment are allegations and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

    This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.  As part of the program, U.S. Attorneys’ Offices work in partnership with federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement and their local communities to develop effective, locally based strategies to reduce violent crime. 

    The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s International Narcotics and Money Laundering Section.  Assistant United States  Attorneys Chand Edwards-Balfour and Adam Amir are in charge of the prosecution, with the assistance of Paralegal Specialist Samuel Ronchetti.

    New Defendant:

    JALON LENNY GARRETT
    Age: 20
    Maryland

    Previously Charged Defendants:

    MARCUS PITTMAN (also known as “Nacho” and “Cheese”)
    Age:  30
    Maryland

    DELONTA PITTMAN (also known as “D Lo”)
    Age:  31
    Maryland

    JEROME WATERS (also known as “the Engineer” and “Rome”)
    Age:  23
    Maryland

    CALVIN ISRAEL
    Age:  23
    Maryland

    WILLIAM BARNETT
    Age:  27
    Maryland

    E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 24-CR-413 (S-2) (KAM)

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Former PICC Correctional Officer and Two Co-Conspirators Plead Guilty to Scheme to Smuggle Contraband Into the Prison Facility

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

    PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney David Metcalf announced that Breyanna Cornish, 30, Jawayne Brown, 40, and Ahmad Nasir, aka Hussain Abdussamad, 44, all of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, entered pleas of guilty before United States District Court Judge Gerald J. Pappert this week in connection with a scheme to smuggle contraband — including drugs, phones, chargers, cigarettes, and knives — into the Philadelphia Industrial Correctional Center (“PICC”) from April through July of 2021.

    The defendants were charged by indictment in August of last year, with Nasir pleading guilty this morning to one count of conspiracy to commit federal program bribery, one count of federal program bribery, one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of buprenorphine, and one count of possession with intent to distribute a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of buprenorphine.

    Brown pleaded guilty on Monday to one count of conspiracy to commit federal program bribery, one count of federal program bribery, and one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of buprenorphine.

    Cornish pleaded guilty on Monday to one count of conspiracy to commit federal program bribery and one count of federal program bribery.

    As detailed in court filings and admitted to by the defendants, Nasir, who was then detained pre-trial at PICC, worked with Brown, who was not incarcerated, Cornish, who was then a PICC correctional officer (“CO”) employed by the Philadelphia Department of Prisons (“PDP”), and several other associates to purchase and assemble contraband. Cornish then smuggled the contraband into PICC, where Nasir sold the contraband to other inmates for a profit. Nasir then instructed associates to pay Cornish for her role smuggling the contraband into the prison and Brown for his work purchasing and assembling the packages.

    On July 10, 2021, PDP conducted a search of the cell Nasir shared with another inmate. In a compartment in the ceiling behind a light fixture, officers recovered 19 cellphones, 20 cellphone chargers, one rapid charger, two super glues, two screwdrivers, one roll of tape, three hunting knives, one Ziploc bag containing the synthetic cannabinoid commonly known as K2, one Ziploc bag of tobacco, one alprazolam pill, and at least 110 packets of Suboxone.

    Following the search of the cell, officers conducted a search of Nasir and his cellmate. Officers recovered a cellphone from the person of each of them. Text messages and WhatsApp messages extracted from the cell phone recovered from Nasir’s person revealed that from June 19, 2021, to July 6, 2021, CO Cornish, Nasir, and Brown discussed via text specific contraband items to be acquired, the delivery of contraband packages, and payments for the items and to co-conspirators. Nasir simultaneously sent messages to multiple inmates about the purchase and delivery of contraband.

    The defendants are scheduled to be sentenced in August. Cornish faces a maximum possible term of 15 years’ imprisonment, Brown a maximum possible term of 25 years’ imprisonment, and Nasir a maximum possible term of 35 years’ imprisonment.

    The case was investigated by the FBI, with significant assistance from the Philadelphia Department of Prisons, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Meghan Claiborne and Ruth Mandelbaum.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Former Amtrak Director of Network Planning and Engineering, Two Vendors Indicted for Extensive Bribery Scheme

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

    PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney David Metcalf announced that Richard Thompson, 57, of Falls Church, Virginia, Shaun Hanrahan, 66, of Hampton, Virginia, and Darren Hannam, 57, of Haymarket, Virginia, were charged by indictment with honest services fraud through bribery for engaging in schemes to pay off Thompson, in exchange for Thompson steering millions of dollars in Amtrak work to companies owned by Hanrahan, Hannam, and others.

    Thompson was the Director of Network Planning and Engineering for Amtrak and had a leadership role in designing information technology (“IT”) systems and selecting IT vendors and subcontractors to perform IT work for Amtrak. Hanrahan was the owner of Awarity, LLC, a small business providing management consulting and computer-related services. Hannam and Co-schemer #1 were the principals of Arch Technology, an IT company.

    The indictment alleges that, from about 2015 through 2021, Thompson engaged in bribery schemes with each of three companies who were his favored vendors in the Amtrak contracting process — Awarity, Arch Technology, and 20/20 Teknology, owned by Co-schemer #2. In each of these schemes, as alleged, Thompson repeatedly shared proprietary Amtrak bid information and other documents with his favored vendors before Amtrak contracts were awarded, giving the favored vendors advantages in the Amtrak contracting processes.

    The indictment further alleges that Thompson likewise collaborated with them on bid and contracting documents, manipulated bidding lists, and structured existing contractual relationships, so that his favored vendors would get lucrative subcontracting deals and bypass Amtrak’s competitive bidding process. The defendants allegedly tried to conceal their scheme from Amtrak and other authorities by communicating with Thompson on his personal email accounts rather than his Amtrak email.

    The Amtrak work involved in these schemes included, among other things, the design and installation of nationwide WiFi networks, IT equipment purchases, the installation of audio-visual equipment in Amtrak’s offices in Washington, DC, and a major project to improve the gates that provided access to Amtrak railroad tracks across the country. According to the indictment, for steering and attempting to steer this work to his favored vendors, Thompson received a stream of benefits from each vendor. For example, Hanrahan provided Thompson with payments of cash totaling at least $97,000; Hannam and Co-schemer #1 provided Thompson with expensive electronics valued at approximately $9,500, including Apple computers. Co-schemer #2 provided Thompson with an automobile, free hotel and condominium stays in Ocean City, Maryland, and $40,000 in cash.

    The defendants are all charged with multiple counts of honest services wire fraud through bribery. Hannam is also charged with falsification of records for allegedly trying to cover up the scheme after federal agents executed search warrants in this matter.

    If convicted, the defendants face maximum possible sentences of 20 years in prison for each count of honest services fraud in the indictment.

    The case was investigated by the FBI and the Amtrak Office of Inspector General and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Louis D. Lappen and Jason Grenell.

    The charges and allegations contained in the indictment are merely accusations. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Boston City Councilor Pleads Guilty to Federal Public Corruption Charges

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    City Councilor for Boston’s District 7, Tania Fernandes Anderson, pocketed $7,000 cash from staff member’s city-funded bonus

    BOSTON – Boston City Councilor Tania Fernandes Anderson pleaded guilty today in federal court in Boston to public corruption charges after receiving a $7,000 kickback from a staff member’s city funded bonus.

    Tania Fernandes Anderson, 46, of Boston, pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud and one count of theft concerning a program receiving federal funds. U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani scheduled sentencing for July 29, 2025. Fernandes Anderson was indicted in December 2024. Per the plea agreement, the government is recommending a sentence of one year and one day in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release and restitution in the amount of $13,000.

    “Councilor Fernandes Anderson abused her position of trust for personal gain and turned a public checkbook into her own private slush fund. Her constituents deserve better than this. They deserve a city representative who respects the role of public service and does not use the power and position to line her own pockets,” said United States Attorney Leah B. Foley. “Her guilty plea today says what she refuses to admit in her media interviews: she broke the law, lied to the public, and used her office for her own personal gain. Ms. Fernandes Anderson leaves a legacy not of a selfless trailblazer, but one of fraud, greed, and deceit. The United States Attorney’s Office is committed to ensuring elected officials are held accountable for this kind of corruption and dishonesty.”

    “Tania Fernandes Anderson used the city of Boston.  She wielded her official powers for her own financial gain, and grossly betrayed the trust of the residents she was elected to serve,” said James Crowley, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division. “Insidious corruption like this undermines people’s faith in, and expectations of, their government. Today’s conviction should reinforce, to both Boston’s politicos and the public, that the FBI remains committed to bringing to justice any elected official who deprives constituents of the honest services to which they are entitled.”

    “The guilty plea of Tania Fernandes Anderson demonstrates IRS-CI’s commitment to identifying, investigating, and prosecuting all instances of public corruption, both in the Commonwealth and across New England,” said Thomas Demeo, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, Boston Field Office. “Elected officials are held to a higher standard when they take an oath to serve their constituents, but Fernandes Anderson forsook this oath when she conspired to orchestrate a kickback scheme to enrich herself at the cost of the American taxpayers.”

    Fernandes Anderson currently serves as City Councilor for Boston’s District 7, which includes Roxbury, Dorchester, Fenway and part of the South End. She was first elected to a two-year term in November 2021 and won re-election in November 2023.

    In or about 2022, Fernandes Anderson hired two members of her immediate family as salaried employees of her City Councilor Staff. Because City Councilors are prohibited by law from hiring immediate family members to their paid staff, Fernandes Anderson was required to terminate their salaried employment in or about August 2022. Additionally, in May 2023, the Massachusetts State Ethics Commission notified Fernandes Anderson that it would be seeking a $5,000 civil penalty payment from her as a result of the violation.

    In or about November 2022, Fernandes Anderson emailed a City of Boston employee regarding her hiring of Staff Member A – a relative of Fernandes Anderson who was not an immediate family member – as a salaried employee. In her email to the City of Boston employee, Fernandes Anderson falsely represented that she and Staff Member A were not related:

    From in or about early to mid-2023, Fernandes Anderson was facing personal financial difficulty, which included the outstanding $5,000 civil penalty payment to the Ethics Commission. In or about early May 2023, Fernandes Anderson told Staff Member A that she would give them extra pay in the form of a large bonus, but that Staff Member A would have to give a portion of the bonus back to Fernandes Anderson. Staff Member A agreed to the arrangement with Fernandes Anderson.  

    On May 3, 2023, Fernandes Anderson emailed a City of Boston employee instructing them to process a $13,000 bonus for Staff Member A – more than twice the total bonuses given to her other staff – without disclosing the repayment arrangement. Staff Member A deposited the check on May 26, 2023 and, following Fernandes Anderson’s instructions, made three separate cash withdrawals over the following weeks in the amounts of $3,000; $3,000; and $4,000. Following the last withdrawal on June 9, 2023, the two met in a bathroom at Boston City Hall, where Staff Member A handed Fernandes Anderson $7,000 in cash.

    According to the signed plea agreement, in 2022 and 2023, Fernandes Anderson used funds from her campaign account for her own personal enrichment, and not for campaign-related expenses. Additionally, for tax years 2021, 2022 and 2023, Fernandes Anderson filed fraudulent federal income tax returns with the IRS. Specifically, Fernandes Anderson omitted approximately $11,000 in income that she earned from a Massachusetts-based corporation from her 2021 tax return; willfully omitted campaign funds that she used for her own personal enrichment from her 2022 and 2023 tax returns; and willfully omitted the $7,000 kickback that she received from Staff Member A from her 2023 tax return.

    The charge of wire fraud provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of theft concerning programs receiving federal funds provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

    U.S. Attorney Foley, FBI Acting SAC Crowley and IRS Acting SAC Demeo made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys John T. Mulcahy and Dustin Chao of the Public Corruption & Special Prosecutions Unit are prosecuting the case.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Ohio Man Sentenced to 27 Years in Prison After Admitting to Sexually Abusing and Exploiting Minors

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    TOLEDO, Ohio – Michael D. Aspinwall, 38, of Toledo, Ohio, was sentenced to 27 years in prison by U.S. District Judge James R. Knepp, after he admitted to creating and distributing child sexual abuse materials (CSAM). Aspinwall pleaded guilty to one count of sexual exploitation of a minor and one count of receipt and distribution of child pornography. He was also ordered to serve lifetime supervised release after imprisonment and register as a sex offender, per the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act.

    According to court documents, from about Oct. 1, 2023 to Feb. 9, 2024, Aspinwall admitted to producing sexual abuse materials of children and sending and receiving the digital files through mobile applications. FBI-Toledo, along with the assistance of Toledo Police officers, executed a search warrant on Feb. 9, 2024, and seized the defendant’s cellphone which was found to contain sexually explicit photos and videos of minors, including infants and toddlers. Additionally, during conversations with an online covert investigator, Aspinwall admitted to sexually abusing children−whom he babysat−while they were sleeping.

    The investigation was conducted by the FBI Toledo Field Office and the Toledo Police Department. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sara Al-Sorghali for the Northern District of Ohio.

    To report child exploitation, please visit cybertipline.org, or call 1-800-843-5678, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Two Men Sentenced for Roles in Straw Purchase of a Firearm

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

    CHARLESTON, S.C. — Joshua Paul Stewart Turner, 25, of Summerville, and Noah Olen Fowler, 26, of Moncks Corner, have each been sentenced for their roles in a conspiracy to straw-purchase a firearm.

    Evidence obtained in the investigation revealed that Fowler, knowing Turner was prohibited from possessing and/or purchasing a firearm, purchased a firearm for Turner. During the purchase of the firearm, Fowler false certified on the ATF Form 4473 that he was purchasing the firearm for himself. Evidence also revealed that Turner sent Fowler information on which firearm to purchase and, further, paid him for the firearm via CashApp. When Fowler purchased the firearm for Turner he was employed as a correctional officer at the Berkeley County Detention Center.

    “Straw purchases undermine our efforts to keep firearms out of the hands of those legally prohibited from possessing them,” said U.S. Attorney Bryan Stirling for the District of South Carolina. “We’ll continue to work with our law enforcement partners to prosecute individuals who attempt to circumnavigate the proper procedure to purchase firearms.”

    “Straw purchasing is a dangerous tactic that circumvents our laws and puts guns in the hands of prohibited individuals,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge Alicia Jones. “Whether you are the prohibited individual in possession of a firearm or the individual who lied to supply that firearm, both are considered threats to public safety and both face serious consequences.”

    “Weapons in the hands of those prohibited from possessing them are a direct threat to public,” said Reid Davis, acting Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Columbia field office. “These sentences underscore the serious consequences of violating federal firearms laws and send a clear message: the FBI and our law enforcement partners are committed to ensuring those who violate these laws are held accountable.”

    United States District Bruce H. Hendricks sentenced Turner to 20 months’ imprisonment, to be followed by a three-year term of court-ordered supervision. United States District Bruce H. Hendricks sentenced Fowler to a time-served sentence, to be followed by a three-year term of court-ordered supervision.  There is no parole in the federal system.

    This case was prosecuted under the new criminal provisions of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, which Congress enacted and the President signed in June 2022.  The Act is the first federal statute specifically designed to target the unlawful trafficking and straw-purchasing of firearms.

    This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the FBI Columbia field office, and the Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Amy Bower is prosecuting the case.

    ###

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Charlotte Clinic Owner Agrees to Settle Allegations of Medicaid Fraud

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

    CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Steven Osbey, of Kernersville, N.C., has agreed to entry of a consent judgment against him in the amount of $4,711,159.00 in favor of the United States and State of North Carolina (the Governments), subject to a separate agreement regarding his participation in the Governments’ ability to pay process. The judgment represents repayment to the government for allegations that Reign & Inspirations, LLC (R&I), a clinic co-owned by Osbey and Aljihad Shabazz, charged Medicaid for physician home visits that never occurred.

    More specifically, the Governments alleged Osbey and Shabazz conspired to carry out an extensive health care fraud scheme wherein they submitted or caused to be submitted claims to NC Medicaid for in-home physician visits with patients that simply never occurred—in all, billing more than 30,000 hours of these purported physician visits and sometimes billing as if the physician provided over 100 in-home visits in a single day, purportedly lasting an hour each (an obvious physical impossibility).

    This investigation was conducted in parallel between the civil and criminal divisions of the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Shabazz pleaded guilty to criminal healthcare fraud conspiracy and money laundering charges and was sentenced to 52 months in prison followed by two years of supervised release.

    The civil settlement obtained in this matter was the result of a coordinated effort between the Department of Justice and the FBI field offices in Charlotte, with assistance from the Medicaid Investigations Division of the North Carolina Attorney General’s Office, and the Office of Inspector General of the United States Department of Health and Human Services. AUSAs Caroline McLean and Seth Johnson were responsible for the civil investigation.

    The investigation and resolution of this matter illustrates the government’s emphasis on combating health care fraud. One of the most powerful tools in this effort is the False Claims Act. Tips and complaints from all sources about potential fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement, can be reported to the Department of Health and Human Services at 800-HHS-TIPS (800-447-8477).

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: H.R. 2659, Strengthening Cyber Resilience Against State-Sponsored Threats Act

    Source: US Congressional Budget Office

    H.R. 2659 would establish an interagency task force to detect, analyze, and respond to cybersecurity threats from state-sponsored actors. Under the bill, the task force would publish a list of federal resources available to help safeguard information technology systems at critical infrastructure facilities. The bill also would require the task force to report annually to the Congress on its findings and actions.

    The task force would consist of representatives from federal agencies, including the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Using information about the cost of similar efforts, CBO estimates that implementing H.R. 2659 would cost $5 million over the 2025-2030 period for staff salaries, travel, and other administrative expenses to operate the task force; satisfying the reporting requirements would cost less than $500,000. Such spending would be subject to the availability of appropriated funds.

    The costs of the legislation, detailed in Table 1, fall within budget function 050 (national defense).

    Table 1.

    Estimated Increases in Spending Subject to Appropriation Under H.R. 2659
     

    By Fiscal Year, Millions of Dollars

    		  
     

    2025

    2026

    2027

    2028

    2029

    2030

    2025-2030

    Estimated Authorization

    *

    1

    1

    1

    1

    1

    5

    Estimated Outlays

    *

    1

    1

    1

    1

    1

    5

    * = between zero and $500,000.

    The CBO staff contact for this estimate is Aldo Prosperi. The estimate was reviewed by Christina Hawley Anthony, Deputy Director of Budget Analysis.

    Phillip L. Swagel

    Director, Congressional Budget Office

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Westerville Man Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison for Aiding & Abetting Aggravated Postal Robberies, Firearms Crime

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

    COLUMBUS, Ohio – Cameron D. Newton, 21, was sentenced in U.S. District Court today to 240 months and one day in prison for his roles in four armed robberies against postal carriers.

    According to court documents, between December 2022 and May 2023, Newton aided and abetted the aggravated robberies of mail and the use of a firearm during the crimes of violence.

    Newton, who was on probation and consequently wearing a GPS ankle monitor at the time, recruited two juveniles to assist with an armed robbery in German Village on Dec. 22, 2022. Newton also arranged for the use of the handgun that his co-conspirator used during the crime.

    On Jan. 23, 2023, Newton provided surveillance for an armed postal robbery on East Columbus Street. Newton was in his vehicle nearby, using the cover of making DoorDash deliveries to evade his home confinement.

    Later that same day, Newton provided surveillance again for a third postal robbery and worked to arrange buyers for the stolen postal keys.

    Newton also obtained a firearm for a co-conspirator to use in the May 11, 2023, robbery of an elderly female postal worker. He picked up accomplices near Goodale Park following the robbery. Newton then paid the robbers several hundred dollars via CashApp.

    On May 18, 2023, law enforcement agents executed a search warrant at Newton’s residence and discovered $22,000 in cash, hundreds of washed and altered checks and money orders totaling more than $590,000, two Postal keys and hundreds of pieces of stolen mail.

    A total of six defendants have been charged in connection with six separate armed robberies of postal carriers in central Ohio.

    “Newton and his accomplices terrorized postal workers in an effort to steal their keys and loot mailboxes,” stated FBI Cincinnati Special Agent in Charge Elena Iatarola. “Through the hard work of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, local police, and the FBI, we were able to arrest those responsible for these violent crimes and ensure they are held accountable.”

    Kelly A. Norris, Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Elena Iatarola, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division; Lesley Allison, Inspector in Charge, U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS); Columbus Police Chief Elaine Bryant; Westerville Police Chief Charles Chandler and Whitehall Police Chief Mike Crispen announced the sentence imposed this afternoon by U.S. District Judge Algenon L. Marbley. Assistant United States Attorney Noah R. Litton is representing the United States in these cases.

    # # #

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Texas Man Sentenced For Federal Controlled Substances Act Violations

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – SAUL MACEDO-RODRIGUEZ (“MACEDO-RODRIGUEZ”), age 38, a resident of Texas, was sentenced on April 30, 2025, after previously pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute, and possess with intent to distribute, five kilograms or more of cocaine, and possession with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine.  MACEDO-RODRIGUEZ was sentenced to one hundred twenty (120) months imprisonment, three (3) years of supervised release, and a $200 mandatory special assessment fee.

    According to court documents, MACEDO-RODRIGUEZ and other co-conspirators distributed multi-kilogram quantities of cocaine, fentanyl, and heroin within the Eastern District of Louisiana.

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

    This investigation was led by the Drug Enforcement Administration – New Orleans Field Division Office and assisted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the United States Border Patrol, the Gretna Major Crimes Task Force, the Kenner Police Department, the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, the St. John’s Parish Sheriff’s Office, the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office, and the New Orleans Police Department.  The prosecution is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Lynn E. Schiffman of the Narcotics Unit.

    *        *        *

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Prince George’s County Man Faces Federal Indictment for Sexual Exploitation of a Minor

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Greenbelt, Maryland – A federal grand jury has indicted Joel Thomas Biermann, 46, of University Park, Maryland, for multiple child exploitation offenses. Biermann is charged with two counts of producing child sexual abuse material, one count of distributing child sexual abuse material, and one count of possessing child sexual abuse material.

    Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the indictment with Special Agent in Charge William J. DelBagno of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) – Baltimore Field Office and Chief Malik Aziz of the Prince George’s County Police Department (PGPD).

    According to the indictment, between approximately October 26, 2012, and October 28, 2024, Biermann employed, used, persuaded, induced, enticed, and coerced one or more victims to engage in sexually explicit conduct.  Biermann also produced and possessed visual depictions of the exploitation.  Additionally, the indictment alleges that Biermann distributed child sexual abuse material on March 13, 2016. 

    If convicted, Biermann faces a mandatory minimum of 15 years and a maximum of 30 years in federal prison for the production of child sexual abuse material; a mandatory minimum of five years and a maximum of 20 years for the distribution of child sexual abuse material; and a maximum of 20 years for possession of child sexual abuse material. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge determines sentencing after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

    An indictment is not a finding of guilt.  Individuals charged by indictment are presumed innocent until proven guilty at a later criminal proceeding.

    This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse.  Led by the United States Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims.  For more information about Project Safe Childhood, visit www.justice.gov/psc. Click the “Resources” tab on the left side of the page to learn about Internet safety education.

    U.S. Attorney Hayes commended the FBI and PGPD for their work in the investigation. Hayes also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Megan S. McKoy and Trial Attorney Gwendelynn Bills, Justice Department’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, who are prosecuting the federal case.

    For more information about the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, please visit www.justice.gov/usao-md/project-safe-childhood  and https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach.

    # # #

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Level One Sex Offender Charged with Possession of Child Pornography

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    BOSTON – A Holyoke man, who is a registered sex offender, has been charged with possession of child sexual abuse material (CSAM).

    Justin Ouimette, 34, was charged with possession of child pornography. Ouimette will make an initial appearance in federal court in Springfield at a later date.  

    In October 2022, Ouimette was convicted of possession of child pornography in Massachusetts Superior Court. According to the charging documents, in July 2024, during a search of Ouimette’s residence and person, over 200 files that appeared to depict CSAM, including children as young as three years old, were allegedly located on Ouimette’s electronic devices. A search of  Ouimette’s Dropbox resulted in the discovery of  an additional 200 files allegedly depicting CSAM.

    On July 25, 2024, Ouimette was issued a probation violation, and he was subsequently sentenced to one year incarceration, which he is currently serving.

    The charge of possession of child pornography as a registered sex offender provides for a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and up to 20 years in prison, five years to life of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

    United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and James Crowley, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica L. Soto of the Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.

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

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

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: California Man Pleads Guilty to Wire Fraud for $1 Million Fraud Scheme

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

    Seattle – A 43-year-old Laguna Niguel, California man pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Seattle to wire fraud for his scheme to steal nearly $1 million from his employer, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Teal Luthy Miller. Paul Joseph Welch was the IT manager of Kent, Washington energy manufacturing company Algas-SDI when he used various schemes to steal more than $950,000 from the company. Welch is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Jamal N. Whitehead on August 21, 2025.

    According to records in the case, Welch worked for the company from 2011 to 2024. He was promoted to Information Technology Manager in 2018. As early as 2017, Welch used the company’s Amazon business account to make unauthorized personal purchases from Amazon.com. Between 2017 and 2023, those purchases totaled at least $43,000. Welch primarily purchased electronics such at televisions, laptops and more—all for personal use. In 2019, Welch began using his company credit card for personal purchases through other online retailers such as Apple, Alaska Airlines, Instacart, and BestBuy. Between 2019 and 2024, those unauthorized personal purchases totaled at least an additional $60,000.

    The scheme really accelerated in January 2021 when Welch began making payments to himself disguised as payments to a computer services company. Welch created a series of email addresses and payment processor accounts using a business name that was very similar to a legitimate computer services company based in Washington State. Welch then used Algas-SDI company credit cards to pay the computer services company under the guise that the company was providing IT equipment and services to Algas-SDI.  However, the legitimate computer services company had no relationship with Welch and never provided any services or equipment to Algas-SDI. The credit card payments Welch made from Algas-SDI’s credit cards went directly to the payment processor accounts that Welch controlled. Between 2021 and 2024 Welch used this scheme to transfer approximately $879,175 from company accounts to his own accounts.

    Algas-SDI tried to verify the legitimacy of Welch’s activity on multiple occasions, but each time, Welch provided false or misleading information to cover up his scheme. Algas-SDI employees asked Welch to submit invoices to substantiate his charges, but Welch emailed phony documents designed to look like invoices from the legitimate computer services company. At one point in 2023, an Algas-SDI accounting employee identified personal purchases on Welch’s company credit card. Welch claimed the charges were inadvertent and said he would repay the company. Welch never repaid the charges and continued to defraud the company through unauthorized personal purchases and more fake vendor charges. In January 2024, alone, Welch submitted phony invoices to Algas-SDI showing that the computer services company had purportedly invoiced Algas-SDI more than $55,000 for equipment and services in that timeframe.

    On January 19, 2024, Algas-SDI employees confronted Welch about the charges from the computer services company accounts that Welch controlled. After Welch again told Algas-SDI that the vendor was a real vendor for the company, the company fired him.

    The wire fraud charge is representative of the overall scheme. It represents the times Welch emailed the company false statements or invoices purported to be from a legitimate computer services company.

    In all, between 2017 and January 2024 Welch secretly made at least 250 fraudulent charges for the third-party vendor he controlled. He made at least 140 unauthorized purchases with retailers using the company credit card and at least 100 fraudulent purchases on the company’s Amazon account. While Welch profited some $950,000 from his theft, the loss to ALGAS-SDI was approximately $982,520 due to various fees on the transactions.

    Welch has agreed to make full restitution to the company.

    Wire fraud is punishable by up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Prosecutors have agreed to recommend no more than 27 months in prison. The actual sentence will be determined by Judge Whitehead after considering the sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors.

    The case was investigated by the FBI. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Dane A. Westermeyer.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Wyden Presses State Department for Update on Use of Fallon Smart Policy, Urges Trump to Reset U.S.-Saudi Policy

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore)
    May 05, 2025
    Senator: “I will not be silent when Saudi Arabia tries to cleanse its blood-stained hands, nor will I cease to hold Saudi officials accountable for the death of Fallon Smart and others like hers.”
    Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Ron Wyden today asked the Trump administration to provide an update on the State Department’s implementation of the Fallon Smart Policy, which requires the department to identify and revoke visas of any foreign official helping foreign criminal suspects evade prosecution by absconding from the United States.
    The State Department policy secured by Wyden two years ago takes its name from a 15-year-old Portland girl struck and killed by a speeding car while riding her bicycle in 2016. The driver accused in her hit-and-run death on Portland’s Southeast Hawthorne Boulevard was a Saudi national who The Oregonian reported fled the country before trial – ultimate resurfacing in Saudi Arabia — with the likely assistance of the Saudi government.
    “The Fallon Smart Policy sends a strong message that there is no place in our country for foreign officials helping criminal suspects evade the law,” Wyden wrote Secretary of State Marco Rubio in today’s letter.  “As I promised the family of Fallon Smart, I will birddog the implementation of this policy and make sure the Fallon Smart Policy is applied whenever there is evidence of foreign officials undermining the American justice system.  I will not be silent when Saudi Arabia tries to cleanse its blood-stained hands, nor will I cease to hold Saudi officials accountable for the death of Fallon Smart and others like hers.  To that end, I ask you to provide me with details about the implementation of the policy.”
    Wyden has long worked since 2018 to expose a pattern of Saudi nationals committing violent crimes in the United States and evading U.S. justice with help from the Saudi government. 
    “In most of these cases, local law enforcement confiscated the passports of the accused criminals and set bail at thresholds the individuals were unlikely to pay themselves,” Wyden wrote, noting passage of his bill in 2019 to declassify an FBI report on Saudi assistance of fugitives that concluded the Saudis wouldn’t stop until the United States addresses Saudi Arabia about its lawlessness. “Yet, many of these individuals somehow made bail and quickly received the resources and travel documents necessary to board a plane and leave our country, only to resurface in Saudi Arabia later.
    Wyden also noted he traveled last month to Saudi Arabia to raise these issues directly with Saudi government officials, and urging those Saudi officials to return to the United States all Saudi nationals accused of crimes so they may stand trial. 
    “I ask that you pursue this issue with the highest levels of leadership within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and formally press for the return of all Saudi nationals who evaded justice,” Wyden wrote. “Finally, I ask that you promptly declassify and make public any information about foreign officials engaging in the practice of helping foreign criminal suspects evade the U.S. justice system.  As the declassification of the 2019 FBI report demonstrated, transparency is necessary if local judicial and law enforcement officials are to be notified of the threat and if the U.S. Government, in coordination with Congress, are to develop and implement policies to protect Americans and the rule of law.
    In a second Wyden letter today, Wyden wrote President Trump to urge a full reset of the U.S.-Saudi Arabia relationship to protect the American people and safeguard U.S. interests. 
    In that letter, Wyden again cited the Fallon Smart Policy as well as the role of Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman Al Saud and Saudi government officials in the brutal slaying of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi along with the surveillance, detention, torture and killing of dissidents, journalists, women’s rights activists and foreign laborers.
    “I understand that you are planning a visit to Saudi Arabia, and I urge you to seek accountability for Saudi abuses against our country, including its punitive economic actions that have undermined U.S. interests,” Wyden wrote Trump. “You must push for Saudi recognition of these actions.  You must also seek retribution for these actions and refrain from handing out favors to the Saudis until they follow through with meaningful reform.” 
    The entire letter to Trump is here. The entire letter to Rubio is here.
    Related Files

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: District of Arizona Charges 287 Individuals for Immigration-Related Criminal Conduct in Arizona this Week

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

    PHOENIX, Ariz. – During this week of enforcement operations from April 26, 2025, through May 5, 2025, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona brought immigration-related criminal charges against 287 defendants. Specifically, the United States filed 107 cases in which aliens illegally re-entered the United States, and the United States also charged 156 aliens for illegally entering the United States.  In its ongoing effort to deter unlawful immigration, the United States filed 21 cases against 24 individuals responsible for smuggling illegal aliens into and within the District of Arizona.

    These cases were referred or supported by federal law enforcement partners, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ICE ERO), ICE Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), U.S. Border Patrol, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS), and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).

    Recent matters of interest include:

    United States v. Krystal Lopez: On April 29, 2025, BPAs ran a registration check on a vehicle which showed a positive history of alien smuggling. The vehicle pulled into a gas station. The driver exited the vehicle and entered the store. BPAs approached the vehicle and saw a person hiding in the back seat underneath a blanket. A search of the vehicle revealed two additional people in the trunk. All three people were determined to be citizens of Mexico illegally present in the United States. The driver, Krystal Lopez, had been arrested one month prior for alien smuggling and was released pending trial in that case. She was charged by complaint in this case and ordered detained pending trial.  [Lopez CR-25-02060 and MJ-25-07625]

    United States v. Gloria Lopez Corona: On April 29, 2025, Gloria Lopez Corona crossed into the United States through the San Luis Port of Entry attempting to smuggle a five-year-old child. Corona presented a birth certificate for a two-year-old, which was inconsistent with the child she was presenting for entry. After being referred to secondary, she admitted to smuggling the child. The child had been given melatonin gummies and was sleepy and disoriented. Agents were able to find the child’s mother, Reyna Cecilia Hernandez Reyes, a Mexican citizen. Reyes admitted to giving her child to an unknown female to be smuggled into the United States.  Both women were charged. [Lopez Corona et al 25-01540MJ]

    United States v. Carlos Murillo: On April 30, 2025, Carlos Murillo, a Naturalized United States Citizen, was encountered by Border Patrol after transporting Marcelino Garcia-Alejo, an illegal alien. Murillo had been recruited to smuggle aliens via Facebook. He admitted to previously smuggling aliens, and believed he would be paid $700.00 for smuggling Garcia-Alejo. [Murillo 25-01544MJ]

    Criminal complaints and indictments are simply methods by which a person is charged with criminal activity and raises no inference of guilt. An individual is presumed innocent until evidence is presented to a jury that establishes guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

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

    RELEASE NUMBER:    2025-071_May 2 Immigration Enforcement

    # # #

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

     

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Registered Sex Offender Charged With Sending Obscenity To A Massachusetts Minor

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Jay Clayton, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and James Crowley, the Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Boston Field Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), announced today the arrest of DAVID FERNANDES III.  FERNANDES is charged with sending obscenity to a minor and being a registered sex offender when he sent obscenity to a minor.  FERNANDES was arrested Thursday, May 1, and presented Friday, May 2, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Judith C. McCarthy in White Plains federal court and detained.

    U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton said: “Allegedly, David Fernandes III, a registered sex offender, was not deterred by his previous involvement with the criminal justice system. This case underlines the urgent need for law enforcement to continue its efforts to protect children. The women and men of the Southern District and the FBI will use every tool available to investigate and prosecute those who sexually exploit children.”   

    FBI Acting Special Agent in Charge James Crowley said: “Anyone willing to sexually exploit children deserves to feel the full force of the law. The FBI has arrested David Fernandes, a registered sex offender, for sending sexually explicit material to an 11-year-old child in Massachusetts. Each time we’re able to step in and protect a child from further sexual exploitation, it’s a good day.”

    As alleged in the Complaint filed on April 29, 2025, in White Plains federal court and statements made in court[1]:

    On or about October 8, 2024, FERNANDES knowingly transmitted to an 11-year-old an obscene photo of an adult male hand holding a penis. At the time FERNANDES engaged in this felony offense involving a child, he was required to register as a sex offender.

               On March 19, 2019, FERNANDES was convicted in New York state of Disseminating Indecent Material to a Minor, for which he received a sentence of five years’ probation. He completed this sentence on or about September 12, 2024.   

    On or about October 11, 2024, the mother of an 11-year-old child (“Victim-1”) reported to the Holden Police Department, in Holden, Massachusetts, that she had discovered sexually explicit images and communications on Victim-1’s phone with a phone number ending in 4245 (the “4245-Phone”). She also reported that her daughter had advised her that her daughter’s 12-year-old friend (“Victim-2”) had been in communication with the user of the 4245-Phone. 

    A forensic review of Victim-1’s phone revealed over 4000 messages exchanged between Victim-1’s phone and the 4245-Phone between October 4, 2024, and October 8, 2024. In the messages, the user of the 4245-Phone identified himself as a 26-year-old man and transmitted sexually explicit videos and photos of an adult man to Victim-1’s phone. At approximately 4:41 a.m. on October 4, 2024, the 4245-Phone transmitted a video to Victim-1’s phone revealing an adult holding an erect penis, masturbating and ejaculating. At approximately 3:58 a.m. on October 8, 2024, the 4245-Phone texted, “I wanna feel u,” “Like genuinely feel inside u” and “I wanna be all the way inside you.” At approximately 4:00 a.m. on October 8, 2024, the 4245-Phone transmitted a photo of a male hand holding an erect penis. Shortly thereafter, the 4245-Phone texted, “Imagine that inside u.”

    Victim-1 advised law enforcement that she first communicated with the 4245-Phone on or about October 4, 2024. Victim-2 advised law enforcement that she began communicating with the user of the 4245-Phone, who identified himself to her as “David,” in approximately September 2024 and communicated with him on Snapchat, Roblox, and through video chats on Google Meet. Victim-2 advised that “David” requested sexually explicit pictures and videos of Victim-2 and that she transmitted them to him, mostly via Snapchat. Victim-2 provided “David” with Victim-1’s phone number so that she and David could message one another.

    Anyone who may have encountered FERNANDES, who used the Snapchat user names “tazjazz,” “diamondboy24k,” “itsmagikyouknow,” and “retrovxrse, or whose child may have had any communications with FERNANDES, is asked to contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (225-5324).

    *                *                *

    FERNANDES, 27, of Lagrangeville, New York, is charged with one count off transferring obscene material to a minor, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, and one count of committing the offense while being required to register as a sex offender, which carries a mandatory consecutive sentence of 10 years in prison. 

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

    Mr. Clayton praised the efforts of the FBI, including the FBI New York Hudson Valley Safe Streets Task Force and FBI Boston; the Holden Police Department; the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts; the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office; and the Town of Poughkeepsie Police Department in connection with this investigation.

               The prosecution is being handled by the Office’s White Plains Division.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Marcia S. Cohen is in charge of the prosecution.   

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

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

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Former FBI Electronics Technician Sentenced to 20 Years on Child Exploitation Charges

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    NASHVILLE – A former FBI electronics technician was sentenced last week to 20 years in federal prison having previously been found guilty after a jury trial on one count of sexual exploitation of a minor, one count of coercion and enticement of a minor to engage in unlawful sexual activity, two counts of receipt of child pornography, and three counts of transferring obscene material on an individual under the age of sixteen, announced Acting United States Attorney Robert E. McGuire for the Middle District of Tennessee.

    According to evidence presented at trial, between June 2020 and April 27, 2021, Justin Carroll, who was employed by the Federal Bureau of Investigation as an electronics technician, engaged in sexually explicit chats and exchanged sexually explicit images with three fourteen-year-old females over various social media platforms after connecting with the minors on chatting websites. Carroll’s conduct was discovered after one of the victims mailed a Valentine’s Day package to the FBI office.  Sexually explicit images of the minor females were found in Carroll’s social media accounts and on his cell phone.  Images of Carroll were found in one of the minor’s social media accounts and on another minor’s cell phone.  Carroll continued communicating with the fourteen-year-old victim who mailed the package, even after receiving an e-mail from her mother inquiring why her daughter mailed him a package and advising him of her daughter’s age.

    “When someone in law enforcement dishonors their responsibilities by committing criminal acts, we will seek the most serious penalties in order to restore the public’s trust,” said Acting United States Attorney Robert E. McGuire. “Justin Carroll dishonored the men and women of the FBI by his deplorable actions and now, thanks to the prosecution team and our law enforcement partners, he faces the consequences of those actions.”

    “Today’s sentencing underscores that no matter who you are, you will be brought to justice if you are found guilty of such criminal behavior,” said Special Agent in Charge Joseph E. Carrico of the FBI Nashville Field Office. “The FBI will continue to work with our partners to protect children from exploitation and hold accountable those who exploit or endanger them.”

    “HSI is committed to justice by working with our law enforcement partners to hold anyone accountable for misconduct, reaffirming our dedication to upholding the trust the American people place in us daily,” said Homeland Security Investigations Nashville Special Agent in Charge Rana Saoud. “We will pursue these investigations vigorously as it is paramount that we maintain the trust and integrity of those we swore an oath to protect.”

    Following his term of incarceration, Carroll will be on supervised release for 10 years.

    This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Nashville Field Office and Providence Field Office, with assistance from Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Monica R. Morrison and Juliet Aldridge prosecuted the case.

    # # # # #

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Video: Inside the FBI Podcast: Joint Terrorism Task Forces

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

    On this episode of the Inside the FBI Podcast, we’ll mark the 45th anniversary of FBI Joint Terrorism Task Forces by discussing what JTTFs are, how the model came to be, why it’s stood the test of time, and how law enforcement agencies across the country can benefit from joining their local JTTF. For a full transcript and additional resources, visit fbi.gov/news/podcasts. And you can visit fbi.gov/terrorism to learn more about the Bureau’s counterterrorism efforts.
    —————————————————
    Subscribe to Inside the FBI wherever you get your podcasts:
    Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4H2d3cg…
    Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast…
    Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0…
    More ways to follow us: https://inside-the-fbi.transistor.fm/…

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

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1tKEpiXXwEI

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Video: Inside the FBI Podcast: Transnational Repression

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

    On this episode of the Inside the FBI Podcast, we’ll define transnational repression (also known as TNR), explain the different forms it can take and why the FBI investigates it, and teach you how you can report suspected incidents to the Bureau. For a full transcript and additional resources, visit fbi.gov/news/podcasts. You can also visit fbi.gov/tnr to learn more about transnational repression and access relevant resources. And you can report suspected transnational repression to the FBI by calling us at 1-800-CALL-FBI—that’s 1-800-225-5324—or by submitting an online tip at tips.fbi.gov.

    —————————————————
    Subscribe to Inside the FBI wherever you get your podcasts:
    Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4H2d3cg…
    Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast…
    Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0…
    More ways to follow us: https://inside-the-fbi.transistor.fm/…

    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=SvQxczPaLPg

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Former Teacher in New York City Charged with Distribution and Possession of Child Pornography

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

    Jay Clayton, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York and Christopher G. Raia, the Assistant Director in Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”) announced today the arrest of SAMUEL GONZALEZ, a former teacher at an acting school in New York City.  GONZALEZ is charged with distributing and possessing child pornography, including videos depicting the sexual abuse of infants and toddlers.  GONZALEZ will be presented later today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Barbara Moses.

    U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton said: “As alleged, Samuel Gonzalez distributed a large volume of child pornography, including images of sexual abuse of children as young as a few months old.  The lasting scars from the horrific abuse of children are deeply troubling to all New Yorkers.  Together with our partners, we will relentlessly pursue those who victimize children and prosecute them to the fullest extent of the law.”

    FBI Assistant Director in Charge Christopher G. Raia said: “Samuel Gonzalez allegedly distributed thousands of pornographic images of infants and minors to an undercover federal agent over a brief period.  Gonzalez’s alleged actions grossly disregarded the victims’ welfare and repeatedly violated their privacy by sharing this twisted material.  The FBI is deeply committed to preventing crimes against children and will continue to apprehend any individual who supplies these explicit images.”   

    According to the allegations contained in the Complaint:[1]

    GONZALEZ is an actor, dancer, theater producer, and former teacher at an acting school in New York City.  In or about January 2023 and April 2023, GONZALEZ used an online messaging application to send links containing over 1,500 files of child pornography to a federal law enforcement agent acting in an undercover capacity.   In addition, in or about June 2023, federal agents executed a judicially-authorized search warrant of GONZALEZ’s apartment.  Pursuant to that warrant, federal agents seized and searched GONZALEZ’s phone and laptop, which were found to contain over 80 unique files of child pornography, including videos and images of infants and prepubescent adolescents who had not attained 12 years of age.

    *                *                *   

    GONZALEZ, 31, of Brooklyn, New York, is charged with one count of distribution of child pornography, which carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison and a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.  GONZALEZ is further charged with one count of possession of child pornography, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.

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

    Mr. Clayton praised the outstanding investigative work of the FBI and the FBI/New York City Police Department Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force. 

    This case is being handled by the Office’s General Crimes Unit.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Katherine Cheng and Diarra M. Guthrie are in charge of the prosecution.

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

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

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: U.S. Attorney Announces $202 Million Settlement with Gilead Sciences for Using Speaker Programs to Pay Kickbacks to Doctors to Induce Them to Prescribe Gilead’s Drugs

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

    Gilead Admits to Paying Hundreds of Thousands of Dollars to High Prescribers of Gilead’s HIV Drugs to Serve as Speakers at Programs and to Holding Programs at Luxury Restaurants

    Jay Clayton, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York; Naomi Gruchacz, the Special Agent in Charge of the New York Regional Office of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (“HHS-OIG”); Christopher M. Silvestro, the Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Northeast Field Office of the Defense Criminal Investigative Service (“DCIS”), the law enforcement arm of the Department of Defense’s Office of Inspector General (“DOD-OIG”); and Christopher G. Raia, the Assistant Director in Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), announced today that the U.S. has settled a civil fraud lawsuit against GILEAD SCIENCES, INC (“GILEAD”), a large pharmaceutical manufacturer, that, among other things, develops, manufactures, and sells drugs for the treatment of infectious diseases, including HIV/AIDS. The settlement resolves claims that GILEAD offered and paid kickbacks in the form of honoraria payments, meals, and travel expenses to healthcare practitioners who spoke at or attended Gilead speaker events to induce them to prescribe Stribild®, Genvoya®, Complera®, Odefsey®, Descovy®, and Biktarvy® (the “Gilead HIV Drugs”) in violation of the Anti-Kickback Statute (“AKS”) and thereby caused false claims for the Gilead HIV Drugs to be submitted to and paid by federal healthcare programs in violation of the False Claims Act.

    Under the settlement, which was approved yesterday by U.S. District Judge Paul A. Engelmayer, GILEAD agreed to pay a total sum of $202 million, of which $176,927,889.28 will be paid to the U.S. and the remainder will be paid to various states.  As part of the settlement, GILEAD also made extensive factual admissions regarding its conduct.

    U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton said: “For years, Gilead unlawfully sought to increase sales of its HIV drugs, by using its speaker programs to funnel kickbacks to doctors.  As alleged, Gilead spent tens of millions of dollars on these programs, including over $20 million in speaking fees and millions more in exorbitant meals, alcohol and travel, all in an effort to induce doctors to prescribe Gilead’s HIV drugs and drive up sales.  With this settlement, Gilead has taken responsibility for its conduct and agreed to pay a significant financial penalty.  The message is clear, companies that illegally drain taxpayer dollars from federal healthcare programs will be held accountable.”

    HHS-OIG Special Agent in Charge Naomi Gruchacz said: “This impactful settlement is the result of collaborative work by law enforcement partners, revealing Gilead’s unlawful practice of providing kickbacks to physicians under the guise of its HIV educational speaker programs.  Violations of the Anti-Kickback Statute, which in this case involved expensive HIV medications, can inappropriately influence physicians’ decision-making and divert the monies of taxpayer-funded federal healthcare programs.”

    DCIS Acting Special Agent in Charge Christopher M. Silvestro: “This settlement is the result of the partnership among law enforcement and the Department of Justice to aggressively investigate and hold accountable companies and their employees who value greed over healthcare.  Protecting TRICARE, the healthcare system for Service members and their families, and investigating kickback schemes are priorities for DCIS.”

    FBI Assistant Director in Charge Christopher G. Raia said: “This settlement ensures Gilead is held accountable for their illicit use of perks and kickbacks to entice doctors to prescribe the company’s medicine.  These types of schemes are not victimless – illegal kickbacks directly affect taxpayer funded healthcare programs.  The FBI will continue to investigate and stop healthcare companies attempting to benefit from deceitful and illegal practices.”

    As alleged in the Complaint filed in Manhattan federal court:

    The Gilead HIV Drugs are antiretroviral drugs (i.e., drugs that act against retroviruses such as HIV) used for the treatment of HIV.  These drugs are very expensive—Medicare typically paid well in excess of a thousand dollars for a one-month supply of Complera®, and significantly more for many of the other Gilead HIV Drugs.

    As part of its marketing efforts and to increase sales, Gilead conducted events known as “HIV Speaker Programs” at which a healthcare provider involved in the treatment of HIV was engaged to present a slide deck (prepared by Gilead) and facilitate discussion about one of the drugs or a topic concerning HIV (an “HIV Disease State Topic”) to other healthcare providers involved in the treatment of HIV (“Attendees”).  Gilead’s HIV Speaker Programs were often held in the evening at restaurants (“HIV Dinner Programs”).

    From January 2011 to November 2017 (the “Relevant Time Period”), Gilead conducted HIV Speaker Programs in order to promote and increase the sales of the Gilead HIV Drugs.  The HIV Speaker Programs were supposed to be educational in nature and the cost of any meals provided was supposed to be modest.  But in practice, during the Relevant Time Period, Gilead’s HIV Speaker Programs provided kickbacks to healthcare providers by: holding HIV Dinner Programs at high-end restaurants that were wholly inappropriate for educational events; allowing Attendees to attend HIV Dinner Programs on the exact same topic again and again and, thereby, obtain free lavish meals for events that held minimal educational value for them; and paying for HIV Speakers to travel to speak at desirable destinations—at times at the HIV Speaker’s request.  Further, Gilead’s compliance program failed to prevent these improper practices, even though Gilead knew that it had to comply with the AKS and the company’s own data should have put Gilead on notice of many of these abuses. 

    Many healthcare providers who received these improper kickbacks then prescribed the Gilead HIV Drugs.  As a result, federal healthcare programs paid millions of dollars in reimbursements for tainted prescriptions.

    As part of the settlement, GILEAD admitted and accepted responsibility for certain conduct alleged by the U.S., including the following:

    • Gilead paid many high-volume prescribers of HIV drugs tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars in honoraria to prepare and present as HIV Speakers.  For instance, one HIV Speaker, who received over $300,000 in total honorarium payments, wrote prescriptions for Gilead HIV Drugs that resulted in over $6 million in Medicare, Medicaid, and TRICARE payments.
    • On many occasions, Gilead covered the travel costs of HIV Speakers who traveled long distances to speak at HIV Speaker Programs at desirable travel destinations, such as Hawaii, Miami, and New Orleans.  This was sometimes in response to an HIV Speaker’s request to be booked for an HIV Speaker Program in that city.
    • Sales representatives in Gilead’s HIV therapeutic area (“Sales Representatives”) organized HIV Speaker Programs at high-end restaurants across the country.  For instance, a significant percentage of the HIV Speaker Programs held in New York City were held at expensive restaurants, such as the James Beard House, Del Posto, Asiate, Palma, Vaucluse, Ilili, and Limani.  In particular, Gilead held 157 HIV Speaker Programs at the James Beard House, making it one of Gilead’s most used venues for HIV Speaker Programs.  A dinner at the James Beard House typically included approximately six courses with alcoholic beverage pairings.
    • Sales Representatives repeatedly invited numerous doctors and other healthcare providers to attend the same HIV program over and over.  Many repeatedly attended HIV Speaker Programs covering the exact same topic, often within a short period of time.
    • Over 250 prescribers of the Gilead HIV Drugs attended HIV Dinner Programs on the same topic three times or more within a six-month period.  And over 80 of them attended five or more HIV Dinner Programs on the same topic within a six-month period.
    • Further, many healthcare providers who were paid to be HIV Speakers on a particular topic also attended HIV Dinner Programs on exactly the same topic, often within less than six months after speaking.
    • In certain instances, the same group of doctors repeatedly attended the same HIV Speaker Programs together at various restaurants.  In many instances, they attended a HIV Dinner Program less than two weeks after speaking on the same topic.
    • During the Relevant Time Period, Gilead’s policies and procedures failed to prevent Sales Representatives and Regional Directors in its HIV therapeutic area from improperly providing honoraria payments, meals, and travel expenses to healthcare providers who spoke at or attended HIV Speaker Programs to induce them to prescribe the Gilead HIV Drugs. 

    In connection with the filing of the lawsuit and settlement, the Government joined a private whistleblower lawsuit that had been filed under seal pursuant to the False Claims Act.

    *                *                *

    Mr. Clayton thanked the New York Medicaid Fraud Control Unit for their extensive collaboration in the investigation and resolution of this case, and also praised the outstanding investigative work of the FBI, HHS-OIG and DCIS.

    The case is being handled by the Office’s Civil Frauds Unit.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jacob M. Bergman, Allison M. Rovner, Rebecca S. Tinio, and Lucas Issacharoff are in charge of the case.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Bessemer Man Sentenced to More Than Four Years in Prison for His Role in an Elder Fraud Scheme

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

    BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – A Bessemer man has been sentenced for his role in an elder fraud scheme, announced U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona.

    U.S. District Court Judge Anna Manasco sentenced Terrance Alonzo Pruitt, 47, to 50 months in prison. In December 2024, Pruitt was convicted by a jury of two counts of wire fraud.

    According to evidence presented at trial, in September 2023, Pruitt executed a Power of Attorney over an elderly family member with dementia without the victim’s knowledge or permission.  Between September 2023 and December 2023, Pruitt devised a scheme to defraud the victim by becoming a joint account holder on the victim’s bank accounts, changing the address on the victim’s bank accounts from the victim’s address to his address, removing two payable on death (POD) beneficiaries from one of the accounts, and adding two POD beneficiaries to another account. Pruitt then transferred $550,000 in funds from the victim’s accounts to his personal bank accounts. Pruitt used some of these funds for his own personal benefit, and he moved $500,000 to a new bank account that did not include the victim as an account holder. When confronted, Pruitt told various, inconsistent stories attempting to excuse his conduct.

    Pruitt’s sentencing range was increased because he received an enhancement for obstruction of justice after it was determined that he committed perjury when he testified in his own defense at trial.

    The FBI investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ryan S. Rummage and Brett Janich prosecuted the case.

    Reporting from consumers about fraud and attempted fraud is critical to law enforcement’s efforts to investigate and prosecute schemes targeting older adults. If you or someone you know is age 60 or older and has been a victim of financial fraud, help is standing by at the National Elder Fraud Hotline: 1-833-FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311). This U.S. Department of Justice hotline, managed by the Office for Victims of Crime, is staffed by experienced professionals who provide personalized support to callers by assessing the needs of the victim, and identifying relevant next steps. Case managers will identify appropriate reporting agencies, provide information to callers to assist them in reporting, connect callers directly with appropriate agencies, and provide resources and referrals on a case-by-case basis. Reporting is the first step. Reporting can help authorities identify those who commit fraud, and reporting certain financial losses due to fraud as soon as possible can increase the likelihood of recovering losses. The hotline is staffed 10am-6pm Eastern Time, Monday-Friday. English, Spanish, and other languages are available.  More information about the Department’s elder justice efforts can be found on the Department’s Elder Justice website, www.elderjustice.gov.  Victims are encouraged to file a complaint online with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at this website or by calling 1-800-225-5324.  

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Rochester Man Pleads Guilty to Stealing $168,000 From His Employer

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

    BUFFALO, N.Y. – U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Michael Torres, 37, of Rochester, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeremiah J. McCarthy to financial institution fraud, which carries a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison and a fine of $1,000,000.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Douglas A. C. Penrose, who is handling the case, stated that between September 2021 and February 2022, Torres was employed as a Relationship Manager at Financial Institution 1. While in this position, he misused his position to apply for loans through Financial Institution 1 in the names of individuals without their knowledge or authorization. Torres applied for 19 loans for a total of $168,000, which was deposited into bank accounts that he controlled.

    The plea is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Miraglia.

    Sentencing will be scheduled at a later date.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Torres on GOP “Skinny Budget”: A Full-On Assault on Working Families, Trump’s Plan to Make America Unsafe Again

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Norma Torres (35th District of California)

    May 02, 2025

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congresswoman Norma Torres (CA-35) issued a statement on the administration’s plan for Fiscal Year 2026, calling it a dangerous, extremist blueprint ripped straight from Donald Trump’s playbook — a plan to Make America Unsafe Again.

    “Let’s be clear: this isn’t a budget — it’s a declaration of war on working families. Republicans want to gut the programs that keep our kids in school, our families healthy, and our communities safe — just to bankroll tax cuts for billionaires and Trump’s MAGA cronies. Even by their own math, the Trump-Musk budget slashes $163 billion from domestic investments — a brutal 23% cut,” said Torres. “These aren’t just numbers on a page — they’re programs that families in the Inland Empire rely on to make ends meet. Meanwhile, Republicans want to gut $880 billion from Medicaid, raid Social Security, and permanently freeze over $400 billion owed to the American people. All to protect yacht-buying tax breaks? Not on my watch.”

    The Trump-Musk budget would: 

    Raise the Cost of Living and Harm the Economy

    • Evict hundreds of thousands of seniors, veterans, and people with disabilities by slashing affordable housing programs — and force homeless shelters to halt operations, even as more than 771,000 people are experiencing homelessness.

    • Zero out the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, turning off the heat and air conditioning for 6 million households.

    • Eliminate the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program, forcing more than 1,000 mayors and governors to abandon street, water, and sewer improvements and vital services for youth and seniors.

    Decimate Public Education

    • Make it harder for students to afford college by need-based financial aid for 1.7 million students by cutting Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (SEOG) and ending the Federal Work Study Program for more than 500,000 students.

    • Eliminate English Language Acquisition programs, cutting services for over 5 million English learners.

    Make Americans Less Safe

    • Slash funding for public safety by cutting resources at the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Drug Enforcement Administration.

    • Eliminate thousands of FBI positions, including intelligence analysts who help prevent domestic and international threats.

    • Defund grants to prevent hate crimes and protect civil rights.

    • Cut weather satellite funding, crippling storm forecasting and emergency response capabilities during natural disasters.

    Make Communities Less Healthy

    • Eviscerate the CDC by eliminating dozens of programs — from HIV/AIDS, tobacco, and asthma prevention to maternal health and emergency preparedness.

    • Slash substance use prevention and treatment programs at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, undermining the fight against opioids.

    • Cut food assistance programs, including the Commodity Supplemental Food Program, which provides food assistance for seniors.

    • Slash NIH funding by 40%, halting progress toward cures for cancer, Alzheimer’s, diabetes, and more.

    • Eliminate air pollution control programs, increasing Americans’ exposure to harmful pollutants.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Gillibrand Statement On President Trump’s Preliminary Budget Request

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New York Kirsten Gillibrand
    Today, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, released the following statement on President Trump’s fiscal year 2026 preliminary budget request, which proposes slashing critical investments in programs related to education, health, affordable housing, scientific research, environmental protection, and much more. The Trump administration says this proposal will cut domestic funding by $163 billion (-23%); however, the real cut may exceed $200 billion.
    “President Trump’s budget is playing games with American lives. By attempting to defund the programs that help communities stay safe, families pay their bills and keep a roof over their heads, and doctors treat their patients, this administration is abandoning the people who have built our country. Make no mistake — this budget proposal will not ‘make America great again’ — it will set us back decades and make life harder for working families.
    By slashing funding for basic needs like health programs, medical research, and nutrition aid, this proposal will make America sicker. By cutting billions of dollars for the Department of Education, removing investments to prevent violent crime, and divesting from agencies that protect our environment, it will make our country a worse place to live. And by eliminating affordable housing and energy assistance programs, divesting from small businesses, and gutting the funds that help economically distressed communities, it will make it harder for American families to survive.
    This administration has made it clear: they’re willing to cut at least $163 billion in vital investments that benefit everyday Americans just to deliver trillions in tax breaks to billionaires and corporations. That’s not just misguided policy; it’s an insult to every hardworking, tax-paying American.
    I am committed to working with my colleagues in Congress to firmly reject this dangerous proposal. We cannot stand idly by while the Trump administration eviscerates the programs that keep our country safe, healthy, and prosperous.”
    Among other things, President Trump’s preliminary FY2026 budget request:
    EDUCATION: Guts funding for the Department of Education by $12 billion (-15%). Eliminates and cuts dozens of elementary and secondary education programs (the vast majority of which are not specified), underscoring that President Trump’s vision for returning education to the states means state and local taxpayers will pay more to support students and educators at their local schools as a result of major cuts in federal funding. Eliminates several higher education programs, including TRIO, GEAR UP, Federal Work Study, Child Care Access Means Parents in Schools (CCAMPIS), and more, which help Americans pursue a postsecondary education and further their careers.
    HOUSING: Eviscerates the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) with a 43.6% cut.
    Slashes HUD rental assistance programs by 42.8% while foisting responsibility over those programs onto state and local governments. Over 10 million Americans rely on HUD rental assistance, the vast majority of whom are seniors, people with disabilities, and children. This will rip the roofs off Americans’ heads and put even more families at risk of homelessness.
    Eliminates or cuts federal programs most targeted to build more affordable housing and address this country’s housing supply shortage, including in Tribal country.
    Eliminates the Community Development Block Grant that cities and towns across the country use to improve the quality of life for their citizens every day.
    HEALTH: Slashes funding for the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) by $33 billion (-26%).
    Cuts funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) by $18 billion or more than 40%—decimating funding for lifesaving medical treatments and cures.
    Decimates funding for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) by cutting $3.6 billion—hollowing out the agency’s ability to save lives and protect Americans from health threats.
    Guts funding for substance use prevention and treatment and mental health services by $1 billion (roughly –15%) and eliminates the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration—the agency with expertise in tackling the substance use and mental health crises.
    Slashes funding for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) by $674 million. CMS helps ensure over 100 million Americans have access to affordable, high-quality health insurance by overseeing Medicare, Medicaid, the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and Affordable Care Act marketplaces.
    The limited budget materials do not detail President Trump’s proposed funding level for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which is essential for protecting the safety of our food and drugs.
    TITLE X: Eliminates the Title X program, which helps nearly 3 million patients get preventative care, birth control, cancer screenings, and more in every state.
    LIHEAP: Eliminates the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), which helps 6 million American households heat and cool their homes.
    PRE-K: Eliminates all funding for Preschool Development Grants, which help states strengthen their early childhood education system and get parents the child care and pre-K they need. The limited budget materials released today don’t mention Head Start or the Child Care and Development Block Grant, but leaked budget documents show Trump wants to eliminate Head Start.
    DEPARTMENT OF LABOR: Slashes funding for DOL by $4.6 billion (-35%). Proposes to “Make America Skilled Again” by cutting workforce training programs that help Americans develop skills and secure good-paying jobs, by roughly a third. Eliminates Job Corps and the Senior Community Service Employment Program.
    DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE: Slashes the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) budget by at least $3.7 billion (-10%).
    Guts funding for grants to help keep communities safe by over $1 billion (-26%).
    Cuts funding for FBI salaries and expenses by $545 million (-5%), endangering our Americans’ safety.
    Cuts funding for Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) salaries and expenses by $212 million (-7%), weakening the agency’s capacity to crack down on drug trafficking. Also proposes shuttering major DEA offices in countries around the world, noting that those countries “are equipped to counter drug trafficking on their own.”
    Cuts funding for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ (ATF) salaries and expenses by $468 million (-29%) as part of the administration’s ongoing attempt to dismantle the agency in charge of enforcing our country’s gun laws.
    TRIBES: Slashes $911 million (-24%) for core Tribal programs that uphold the federal government’s legally-obligated and court-ordered trust and treaty responsibilities to Tribal nations. This cut would decimate core Tribal programs including road maintenance, housing, and programs for children and families. The proposal would nearly eliminate funding for construction of Tribal schools, which are already too often dilapidated, and it cuts Tribal law enforcement funding by 20%.
    SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH: More than halves funding for the National Science Foundation (NSF) with a $5.2 billion (-57%) cut. Cuts funding for the Department of Energy’s Office of Science by $1.148 billion (-14%). These proposed cuts would decimate America’s edge in essential scientific research that will drive future economic growth.
    EPA: Cuts funding for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) by more than half by abandoning state and Tribal programs that build and maintain drinking water and sewer systems, starving states of longstanding federal funding provided to pay for states’ work enforcing federal laws, and decimating funding for cleaning up toxic Superfund sites.  The request would also effectively eliminate research funding used to better understand the impacts on human health from polluted air and water and from toxic chemicals.  
    NATIONAL PARKS: Cuts $900 million (- 30%) from National Park Service operations, abandoning national parks that the administration says should suddenly be transferred to the states, while providing no funding for states to manage massive new obligations that such a dramatic move would entail. This would incentivize states to sell off public lands to the highest bidder, threatening valued open space and areas of natural and historical value to local communities.
    AGRICULTURE: Guts funding for agricultural research, which is critical to ensuring American agriculture is competitive with the rest of the world and provides key resources to help farmers and ranchers prepare and adapt in an uncertain environment. Zeroes out foreign food aid that supports American farmers and is a lifeline for people living in extreme poverty across the world.
    RURAL AMERICA: Slashes investments in core Rural Development programs by $721 million, including investments in safe drinking water, affordable housing, and resources to bolster the rural economy.
    NUTRITION: Eliminates the Commodity Supplemental Food Program, which provides food assistance to low-income individuals 60 years of age and older to supplement diets and addressing potential nutrient deficiencies. The preliminary budget request does not mention any of the other 16 Nutrition Programs, including WIC, The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), and the National School Lunch Program.
    VETERANS: Without more details, it is unclear whether the President is proposing to shift tens of billions of dollars in funding for veterans’ care to mandatory funding (which Republicans have long vociferously opposed) or to decimate funding for non-medical care.
    FOREST SERVICE: Cuts $1.386 billion (-22%) from the Forest Service, gutting grant funding for state and tribal wildfire risk reduction, volunteer fire departments, and much more. The proposal would cut at least 2,000 National Forest System staff positions, which will severely harm the Administration’s stated goals of improving forest management and increasing domestic timber production.
    ARMY CORPS: Cuts funding for the Army Corps of Engineers by $2 billion (-23%), slashing funding used to maintain our nation’s ports and harbors.
    DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE: Cuts funding for the Department of Commerce by $1.9 billion (-18%). Outright eliminates the Economic Development Administration (EDA), which helps economically distressed communities across America get ahead.
    NOAA: Guts funding for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) by $1.5 billion, which would eliminate all manner of programs that create good jobs, help local economies, and support ocean research, health, and coastal resilience. Proposes a reckless $209 million cut for NOAA’s weather satellites, which play a critical role in ensuring Americans have accurate weather forecasting and will result in a gap in observations when the current satellites retire early in the next decade.
    ENERGY: Slashes funding for the Department of Energy overall by $4.7 billion (-9.4%). Guts funding for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy programs by $2.572 billion (-74%) and proposes to rescind $15.25 billion from Bipartisan Infrastructure Law energy programs, which will raise energy costs for American consumers by halting vital innovation and energy projects.
    SMALL BUSINESSES: Slashes funding for SBA’s Entrepreneurial Development Programs by $167 million, proposing the elimination of nearly all programs, including programs that support veterans as they work to start and grow a small business.
    FEMA GRANTS: Cuts funding for FEMA non-disaster grants that help communities prepare for disasters, support efforts to prevent violence and terrorism, prepare emergency responders, and more.
    STATE DEPARTMENT & FOREIGN ASSISTANCE: Guts funding for the State Department and America’s international security, economic, and humanitarian assistance programs by $31.2 billion (-48%).
    The United States already spends less than 0.2% of our GDP on diplomacy and foreign assistance, which is less than a third of the percent we spent under President Reagan’s peace through strength approach, and Trump is proposing to halve these critical investments.
    Cuts funding for lifesaving and other humanitarian assistance by $4.7 billion (-54%), which will lead to preventable deaths and suffering across the globe, and threaten Americans’ safety and well-being by undercutting our efforts to stop disease outbreaks and prevent conflict. A cut of this magnitude will also lead to more migration of people fleeing poverty, conflict, and natural disasters.
    Cuts funding for International Narcotics Control and Law Enforcement account by $1.3 billion (-91%) which helps prevent human trafficking, stop drug trafficking, and much more, with direct implications for American communities.
    Slashes economic growth and development funding across multiple agencies and accounts by $6 billion (67%) and proposes the final dissolution of USAID.
    Guts funding for global health initiatives by $6.2 billion (-62%).
    Reneges on our treaty dues for the United Nations (UN), U.N. Peacekeeping operations, and a majority of other international organizations.
    COMMUNITY SERVICES BLOCK GRANT: Eliminates all funding ($770 million) for community-based anti-poverty programs that help low income individuals and families access services to alleviate the causes of poverty.
    COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS: Eliminates $291 million in funding for all current CDFI financial assistance awards, which help leverage private capital to support the development of child care centers, housing, health care facilities, and small businesses. Since 2010, CDFIs have financed over 1.3 million businesses and 557,000 affordable homes. 
    AMERICORPS: Eliminates AmeriCorps, which enables over 200,000 Americans to help serve communities across the country, including by responding to natural disasters, supporting veterans, fighting the opioid epidemic, helping older Americans age with dignity, and working in our schools, educating and supporting students.
    CORPORATION FOR PUBLIC BROADCASTING: Eliminates funding for CPB, ending support for more than 1,500 local public television and radio stations. 
    INSTITUTE OF MUSEUM AND LIBRARY SERVICES: Eliminates funding for IMLS and the support provided to libraries and museums throughout the United States.
    BUREAU OF RECLAMATION: Cuts funding for the Bureau by $600 million (-34%), gutting investments in key restoration projects.
    CULTURAL GRANTS FOR LOCAL COMMUNITIES: Completely eliminates the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities, which provide funding for every state and every congressional district for cultural economic development and the creative economy.
    NASA: Cuts NASA funding by $6 billion (-24%), the largest single-year cut to NASA in U.S. history, which would mark an incredible retreat for American leadership and ambition in space. Terminates the Artemis Campaign to establish a human presence on the Moon after the Artemis III mission. Slashes funding for the Science Mission Directorate by $3.43 billion (-47%), which would cancel numerous current and planned missions to better understand our universe, solar system, and Earth.
    ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: Eliminates funding to 27 states by zeroing out funding for 6 of 7 regional commissions, which provide grants in economically distressed communities for disaster mitigation, opioid crisis support programming, workforce training, and much more. 
    INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE: Likely cuts IRS enforcement by nearly $2.5 billion (-89%). This significant reduction will help billionaire tax cheats game the system while working families continue to pay their fair share.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Dan Goldman’s Statement on the Reported Detention of Union Organizers in Western New York

    Source: US Congressman Dan Goldman (NY-10)

    “I am deeply disturbed about reports out of Western New York today that federal immigration agents stopped a bus carrying farm workers to target and detain union organizers.  

    “According to the reports, the agents carried a list of names of United Farm Workers union organizers who were then removed and detained while the bus and its remaining passengers were allowed to proceed to the worksite. 

    “The prospect that the federal government is using its immigration authority to target, silence and intimidate labor leaders is a chilling abuse of power, reminiscent of a dark time decades ago when the FBI used fear, surveillance, and xenophobia in an attempt to crush the labor movement and smear Cesar Chavez. 

    “I call on the Trump administration to immediately inform Congress and the American people of the lawful basis for detaining these workers. If there is none, they must be released immediately.” 

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    MIL OSI USA News –