Category: Federal Bureau of Investigation

  • MIL-OSI Security: Emmanuel College Assistant Admissions Director Arrested for Allegedly Soliciting a College Applicant to Engage in Commercial Sex

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    BOSTON – An Assistant Admissions Director for Emmanuel College in Boston was arrested this evening and charged with soliciting an underage college applicant to engage in commercial sex with him.

    Jacob Henriques, 29, of Boston, is charged in a criminal complaint with one count of Attempted Sex Trafficking of a Minor. He will appear in U.S. District Court in Boston on Monday May 5, 2025.  

    According to the charging document, Henriques used his position as an Assistant Admissions Director to allegedly gain access to the personal information of various admitted or prospective students, who he later contacted to solicit to engage in commercial sex with him. Specifically, on April 25, 2025, Henriques met with multiple admitted or prospective students.   After meeting with  at least three such students, Henriques allegedly gained access to their personal information and began contacting them, offering to “pay them for some fun,” offering to provide them with pornography, and, in some instances, sending them pornographic videos or images. It is alleged that Henriques began contacting a fourth victim after she formally committed to attend the college on April 25, 2025. He allegedly offered to pay her for “some fun” and began sending pornographic videos to her.

    Henriques is charged with attempting to traffic a 17-year-old victim, who was a prospective student. Henriques allegedly reviewed the victim’s tour registration form, which contained her date of birth, just before giving her a tour of the college on or about April 25, 2025. Henriques asked the victim what grade she was in and the victim told Henriques what local high school she attended. Within hours of finishing the tour, it is alleged that Henriques began texting the victim on her phone number provided on her admissions form. Henriques allegedly offered to pay the victim $400 for “some fun” right now and told her that he had pornographic videos and pictures for her. Henriques continued to contact the minor victim that night, refusing to tell her who he was or how he got her number.  He allegedly told the victim that “porn” and “$” was ready for her. Henriques then allegedly sent the minor victim five pornographic videos depicting men and women engaged in sex acts and asked her whether or not she wanted to participate in a “gangbang” and whether or not she wanted to have sex with him. It is further alleged that despite the victim rejecting Henriques’s offer multiple times, Henrique continued to text her telling her to let him know if she changed her mind and that he would buy her anything she wanted. Between April 25, 2025 and April 28, 2025, it is alleged that Henriques accessed the minor’s profile 47 times. After the victim blocked his phone number, Henriques allegedly began soliciting the victim via email.

    The charge of attempted sex trafficking of a minor provides for a sentence of up to life in prison, with a minimum mandatory sentence of 10 years, at least five 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 other statutory factors.

    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 Boston Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Craig E. Estes of the Human Trafficking & Civil Rights Unit is prosecuting the case.

    If you believe that you may be a victim of the alleged crime, please reach out to the Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force by filling out this short short form.

    If you have information or questions about this investigation, or someone you know may be impacted or experiencing commercial sex trafficking or child exploitation, please contact USAMA.VictimAssistance@usdoj.gov.

    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 USA: ICE New York City arrests illegal alien charged with numerous sex crimes

    Source: US Immigration and Customs Enforcement

    NEW YORK — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested Uzbekistan national Ulugbek Davronov April 28. The 21-year-old illegal alien is currently pending charges for rape: oral sexual contact without consent-other than incapacity consent; sexual misconduct: engage in oral sexual contact without consent; attempted assault: with intent to cause physical injury; and sexual abuse: subject another person to sex contact without consent.

    “ICE places a high priority on arresting and removing criminal aliens who pose a threat to public safety, especially those who commit heinous crimes against residents of New York City,” said ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations New York City acting Field Office Director William P. Joyce. “Thankfully, ICE officers and agents, with the help of our FBI partners, were able to safely apprehend this alien subsequent to his release from local custody, before he could do any further harm.”

    U.S. Border Patrol encountered Davronov Dec. 28, 2022, near Lukeville, Arizona, after he illegally entered the United States from Mexico without admission or parole by an immigration official. Border Patrol officials arrested him and placed him in removal proceedings. On July 28, 2023, an immigration judge ordered him removed in absentia from the U.S. The Queens County Criminal Court arraigned Davronov on the aforementioned charges Feb. 19. ICE New York City identified Davronov as a criminal alien amenable to removal and lodged an immigration detainer with Queens Central Booking that same day. The following day, Queens County Central Booking released him without honoring the request or notifying ICE of his release.

    ICE New York City Fugitive Operations officers and Homeland Security Investigations special agents arrested Davronov on Staten Island during a targeted operation and transported him to the ICE field office for processing. He is currently detained in ICE custody.

    Members of the public can report crimes and suspicious activity by dialing 866-347-2423 or completing ICE’s online tip form.

    Learn more about ERO New York City’s mission to preserve public safety on X at @ERONewYork.

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI Security: U.S. Attorney’s Office Filed 124 Border-Related Cases This Week

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    SAN DIEGO – Federal prosecutors in the Southern District of California filed 124 border-related cases this week, including charges of assault on a federal officer, bringing in aliens for financial gain, reentering the U.S. after deportation, and importation of controlled substances.

    The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of California is the fourth-busiest federal district, largely due to a high volume of border-related crimes. This district, encompassing San Diego and Imperial counties, shares a 140-mile border with Mexico. It includes the San Ysidro Port of Entry, the world’s busiest land border crossing, connecting San Diego (America’s eighth largest city) and Tijuana (Mexico’s second largest city).

    In addition to reactive border-related crimes, the Southern District of California also prosecutes a significant number of proactive cases related to terrorism, organized crime, drugs, white-collar fraud, violent crime, cybercrime, human trafficking and national security. Recent developments in those and other significant areas of prosecution can be found here.

    A sample of border-related arrests this week:

    • On April 28, Jose Maria Murillo Estrada, a Mexican national, was arrested and charged with Assaulting, Resisting, or Impeding Federal Officers and reentry after deportation. According to a complaint, the assault happened after Murillo attempted to make entry into the United States from Mexico through the San Ysidro Port of Entry by running through vehicle primary lanes and was intercepted by officers.
    • On April 27, Emma Alejandra Medina, a U.S. citizen, was arrested and charged with Attempted Bringing in Aliens for Financial Gain. According to a complaint, Medina was captain of a boat that was transporting eight undocumented immigrants on San Diego Bay.
    • On April 26, Jorge Alexandro Tellez, a U.S. citizen, was arrested and charged with Importation of a Controlled Substance. According to a complaint, Tellez was taken into custody by Customs and Border Protection officers after he attempted to cross the border in his vehicle in the San Ysidro Port of Entry’s SENTRI lane with 286 pounds of methamphetamine concealed in all four doors, the seats, the spare tire, the tailgate, and in multiple tool bags located inside the vehicle.

    Also this week, a number of defendants with criminal records were convicted by a jury or sentenced for border-related crimes such as illegally re-entering the U.S. after previous deportation. Here are a few of those cases:

    • On May 1, Juan Morales-Lopez, a Mexican national who was last deported in November 2024 and immediately returned on December 10th, was sentenced in federal court to 18 months in custody consecutive to 12 months custody for violating the terms of his supervised released for his earlier illegal entry conviction, for a total of 30 months in custody. Morales-Lopez has 10 illegal entry felony convictions in total and has been removed from the United States a total of 35 times.
    • On May 1, Jose Ramon Ochoa-Monteverde, a Mexican national living in the United States on a Visa, was sentenced in federal court to 84 months in custody for his role as a coordinator and courier for a drug trafficking organization based in Mexico, Imperial Valley, and the Central District of California. In one instance, Ochoa-Monteverde loaded a tractor trailer with duffel bags containing 106.38 kilograms of methamphetamine at a truck stop in Brawley, CA.
    • On April 28, Alejandro Gutierrez-Aguilar, who was previously convicted of Possession with Intent to Distribute in 2014, was sentenced in federal court to 30 months in custody for again entering the U.S illegally.

    Pursuant to the Department’s Operation Take Back America priorities, federal law enforcement has focused immigration prosecutions on undocumented aliens who are engaged in criminal activity in the U.S., including those who commit drug and firearms crimes, who have serious criminal records, or who have active warrants for their arrest. Federal authorities have also been prioritizing investigations and prosecutions against drug, firearm, and human smugglers and those who endanger and threaten the safety of our communities and the law enforcement officers who protect the community.

    The immigration cases were referred or supported by federal law enforcement partners, including Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ICE ERO), Customs and Border Protection, 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), with the support and assistance of state and local law enforcement partners.

    Indictments and criminal complaints are merely allegations and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI Security: Florida Man Sentenced for Assaulting Gate Agent at DFW Airport

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    A Florida man who assaulted a gate agent at DFW Airport was sentenced to four months in federal prison, announced Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Chad E. Meacham. 

    Keith Charles Owens, 53, was charged via criminal complaint in November 2024 and pleaded guilty to a criminal information charging interference with security screening personnel in January 2025.  He was sentenced to four months’ imprisonment and three years of supervised release by U.S. District Judge Reed C. O’Connor, who also ordered Owens to pay nearly $6,000 in restitution.

    In plea papers, Mr. Owens admitted that he assaulted an American Airlines gate agent at DFW Airport on Oct. 5, 2024.  Security footage showed Mr. Owens repeatedly punched the gate agent in the head.

    According to court documents, around 4:42 p.m., Mr. Owens approached the gate agent at gate A36, explained he was late, and attempted to scan his boarding pass. When the gate agent informed him he was at the wrong gate, Mr. Owens cursed and walked away. The agent then radioed the correct gate, A35, to inform airline personnel that Mr. Owens was headed their way and appeared to be intoxicated. 

    Mr. Owens then walked onto the A35 jet bridge without scanning his boarding pass.  Airline personnel removed him from the jet bridge. 
     

    A few moments later, at 4:48 p.m., Mr. Owens again approached gate A36.  He began yelling at the gate agent, grabbed him by the shoulders, and punched him repeatedly in the face and neck.  Eventually, airline personnel were able to restrain him. 

    Both the gate agent and the personnel who assisted in restraining Mr. Owens sustained minor injuries.  The flight departing from gate A36 was delayed. 

    The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Dallas Field Division conducted the investigation with the DFW Airport Department of Public Safety.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin Beck prosecuted the case.

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI USA News: WEEK 15 WINS: President Trump’s 100th Day Marked by More Success

    Source: The White House

    This week, President Donald J. Trump celebrated his 100th day in office — and set the course for the next 100 days of growth, prosperity, and success for the American people.

    Here is a non-comprehensive list of wins in week 15:

    • The economy added 177,000 new jobs in April, according to the latest jobs report — smashing expectations for another month as the workforce grows and businesses onshore jobs.
    • President Donald J. Trump’s relentless pursuit of manufacturing dominance spurred onshoring and additional U.S. investment.
      • Mercedes-Benz announced it will move production of another vehicle to its Tuscaloosa, Alabama, manufacturing facility.
      • AstraZeneca announced it will shift production of some medicines from Europe to the U.S.
      • Walmart expanded its support for American-made products.
      • IBM announced a $150 billion investment over the next five years in its U.S.-based growth and manufacturing operations.
      • Pratt Industries announced a $5 billion investment that will result in 5,000 new manufacturing jobs across several key industrial states.
      • Kimberly-Clark announced a $2 billion investment in its U.S. manufacturing sites, which will create 900 new jobs.
      • Corning announced it is expanding its Michigan manufacturing facility investment to $1.5 billion.
      • Merck & Co. announced a $1 billion investment to build a new state-of-the-art biologics manufacturing plant in Delaware, which will create at least 500 new jobs — part of the company’s commitment to invest more than $9 billion over the next four years.
        • “Since the advent of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, Merck has allocated more than $12 billion to enhance our domestic manufacturing and research capabilities, with additional planned investments of more than $9 billion over the next four years.”
      • Amgen announced a $900 million investment in its Ohio-based manufacturing operation.
        • “Pro-growth policies like the @POTUS @WhiteHouse 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act helped make investments like this possible. Since enactment, Amgen has invested ~$5B in capital expenditures. This amounts to an additional downstream output to the U.S. economy of approximately $12B.”
      • The Bel Group announced a $350 million investment to expand its U.S.-based production, including at its South Dakota, Idaho and Wisconsin facilities — which will create 250 new jobs.
    • President Trump continued to secure our border and rid our communities of illegal immigrant criminals.
      • New York Post: Illegal border crossings remained near historic lows in April after President Trump’s crackdown
      • The Trump Administration directed an operation at an underground nightclub in Colorado “frequented by TdA and MS-13 terrorists” that resulted in 100 illegal immigrant arrests.
      • ICE arrested more than 1,000 illegal immigrants in Florida in just six days as part of Operation Tidal Wave.
      • Uzbekistan agreed to pay for and accept 131 illegal immigrants from Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan.
    • President Trump continued to pursue peace through strength around the world.
      • President Trump secured a historic agreement with Ukraine that gives the U.S. an economic stake in securing a free, peaceful, and sovereign future for Ukraine and allows for the long-term reconstruction and modernization of the country after Russia’s invasion.
      • President Trump announced secondary sanctions on any country or person who purchases Iranian oil.
      • President Trump secured the release of a wrongfully detained U.S. citizen in Belarus and a U.S. citizen imprisoned in Kuwait — for a total of 47 detained citizens abroad freed since President Trump took office.
      • The Trump Administration brokered a joint pledge for peace between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
      • The Department of the Treasury cracked down on vessels delivering oil derivatives to Houthi terrorists in Yemen.
      • The Department of the Treasury sanctioned six Iranian and Chinese firms linked to procuring missile propellant ingredients for the Iranian regime.
    • The Trump Administration forged ahead on its unprecedented effort to secure American energy dominance.
      • Woodside Energy Group financially approved a $17.5 billion liquefied natural gas (LNG) project.
      • The Environmental Protection Agency granted an emergency waiver that allows Americans to buy cheaper, higher-ethanol gasoline through the summer, which will save Americans money.
    • President Trump took a series of executive actions to improve Americans’ lives.
      • President Trump strengthened the ability of state and local law enforcement to pursue criminals and protect innocent Americans.
      • President Trump signed an executive order to protect Americans in so-called “sanctuary” jurisdictions from dangerous criminal illegal immigrants.
      • President Trump established the Religious Liberty Commission to safeguard and promote America’s founding principle of religious freedom.
      • President Trump incentivized American automobile production.
      • President Trump ordered that commercial truck drivers must be properly qualified and proficient in English.
      • President Trump ended the taxpayer subsidization of NPR and PBS.
    • President Trump unveiled his proposed budget, which would save taxpayers $163 billion in wasteful spending, gut the weaponized deep state, and provide historic increases for defense and border security.
    • President Trump launched the FEMA Review Council to help fix the broken disaster response system and return power to the states.
    • President Trump announced Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Michigan will soon be home to the new F-15EW Eagle II fighter jets.
    • President Trump renamed May 8 as “Victory Day for World War II” and November 11 as “Victory Day for World War I” in recognition of America’s role in winning the two wars.
    • The Department of Health and Human services released a comprehensive review of so-called “gender-affirming care,” finding no strong medical or scientific evidence exists to support the treatment’s irreversible effects.
    • The Trump Administration ended the Biden-era lawfare against South Dakota cattle ranchers who were wrongfully persecuted over a minor land dispute.
    • The Department of State designated Haitian gangs Viv Ansanm and Gran Grif as Foreign Terrorist Organizations.
    • The Department of Education launched a civil rights investigation into the New York Department of Education over its threat to withhold funding from the Massapequa School District if it does not eliminate its Native American mascot.
    • The Department of Education announced its finding that the University of Pennsylvania violated Title IX, notifying the institution that they have ten days to resolve the violations or risk a referral to the Department of Justice for enforcement proceedings.
    • The Department of Education and the Department of Health and Human Services announced investigations into Harvard University and the Harvard Law Review based on reports of race-based discrimination permeating the operations of the journal.
    • The Department of the Interior announced 42 new proposed hunting opportunities across 87,000 acres within the National Wildlife Refuge System and National Fish Hatchery System, which would more than triple the number of opportunities and quintuple the number of stations opened or expanded compared to the previous administration.
    • The Department of Energy announced it will lift a range of unnecessary regulations on certain indoor and outdoor gas products — expanding choice and lowering costs for consumers.
    • The Department of Transportation unveiled a new package of actions to further supercharge the air traffic controller workforce.
    • Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard added counter narcotics to the National Counter Terrorism Center in order to “focus intelligence and vetting resources against these terrorists who traffic deadly narcotics into the country.”
    • The Department of Justice arrested two individuals on charges of operating an international child exploitation enterprise.
    • The Department of Agriculture secured an agreement with Mexico for an immediate transfer of water from international reservoirs to Texas farmers and ranchers.
    • The White House Council on Environmental Quality established the Permitting Innovation Center to cut red tape and accelerate the environmental review process.
    • The National Institutes of Health announced it will publish studies it funds online for free to empower Americans’ own research and promote maximum transparency.
    • PepsiCo announced it will remove artificial ingredients from some popular food offerings by the end of the year following the Trump Administration’s push to end artificial food dyes.

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI Security: Three Individuals Charged in Scheme to Defraud Department of Veterans Affairs of Over $9.1M

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Three men were charged with participating in a scheme to defraud the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) of over $9.1 million in education benefits, including funds from the Post 9/11 GI Bill education benefit program. One of the men has pleaded guilty for his role in the scheme.

    According to court documents, Brian Matsudo, 58, of Honolulu, Hawaii, Marshall Scott, 39, of Kapolei, Hawaii, and Raheem Wells, 37, of Indianapolis, Indiana, conspired to defraud the VA. Matsudo was the owner of a massage therapy training school in Honolulu, Hawaii. From approximately November 2016 to November 2022, Matsudo conspired with Scott and others to obtain tuition assistance payments from the VA by intentionally failing to disclose that Matsudo’s massage training school was not in compliance with applicable VA rules and regulations.

    As alleged in the indictment, Scott began working for the massage training school owned by Matsudo in or about November 2016. As part of the conspiracy, Scott submitted enrollment certification forms to the VA on behalf of at least 40 military veterans supposedly enrolled at the massage training school. Scott knew that these forms contained false enrollment information and falsely certified that the school had complied with applicable rules and regulations. Wells was a student at the massage training school in 2020 and 2021. From about May 2020 to November 2022, Wells and Scott recruited “students” who allowed the school to lie to the VA by falsely representing that they were actually enrolled in courses.

    Both Scott and Wells allegedly profited from the scheme. Matsudo paid Scott for each person that he and Wells had recruited with the proceeds of the tuition payments made by the VA. Wells received monthly payments from the individuals he recruited to participate in the scheme.

    In April 2025, Matsudo pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

    Scott and Wells were both charged with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and three counts of wire fraud. If convicted, they face a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison on each count. Wells was also charged with obstruction of justice for instructing a witness to lie to federal law enforcement agents. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.

    Matthew R. Galeotti, Head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; Acting U.S. Attorney Kenneth M. Sorenson for the District of Hawaii; Special Agent in Charge Dimitriana Nikolov of the VA Office of Inspector General (VA OIG); and Special Agent in Charge David Porter of the FBI Honolulu Field Office made the announcement.

    The VA OIG and FBI are investigating the cases.

    Trial Attorney Ariel Glasner of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section is prosecuting the case against Matsudo, with substantial assistance from Trial Attorney Jennifer Bilinkas of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section. Trial Attorney Glasner and Assistant U.S. Attorney Craig Nolan for the District of Hawaii are prosecuting the case against Scott and Wells.

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

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI USA: Four Mexican Nationals Residing Unlawfully in the United States Charged for Their Roles in an International Conspiracy to Smuggle Aliens from Canada into the U.S.

    Source: US State of California

    Four Mexican nationals unlawfully residing in the United States have been charged for their roles in an international human smuggling conspiracy that illegally brought aliens across the Canadian border to the United States for profit.

    Edgar Sanchez-Solis, 23, unlawfully residing in Kansas City, Kansas; Ignacio Diaz-Perez, 35, unlawfully residing in Oakwood, Georgia; Samuel Diaz-Perez, 26, unlawfully residing in Dublin, Ohio; and Salvador Diaz-Diaz, 32, unlawfully residing in Columbus, Ohio, were charged by indictment with conspiracy to bring aliens to the United States and 25 counts of bringing aliens illegally to the United States for profit. The defendants were arrested at multiple locations throughout the United States and are currently detained. Ignacio Diaz-Perez and Salvador Diaz-Diaz had been previously removed from the United States.

    “As alleged, these defendants illegally entered this country and then sought to smuggle hundreds of aliens per week to the United States from Mexico, Central America, and South America through the Canadian border,” said Matthew R. Galeotti, Head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “The defendants instructed smuggled aliens to make testimonial videos touting the enterprise’s services. In reality, the defendants imperiled their human cargo and innocent American lives when they repeatedly engaged in life-threatening conduct, including multiple high-speed getaways from law enforcement.”

    “This case demonstrates our relentless efforts to secure our northern border against the criminal organizations profiting from human smuggling and other illegal activities,” said U.S. Attorney John A. Sarcone III for the Northern District of New York. “We are grateful for our partnership with Joint Task Force Alpha as we work to dismantle these transnational criminal organizations and make our North Country communities safer.”

    According to court documents, the four defendants were part of an alien smuggling organization that has been operating for the last two years in Mexico, Canada, and the United States. The four defendants, in exchange for money, conspired with others to smuggle hundreds of aliens per week from Mexico, Central America, and South America through Canada, into northern New York, including Franklin and Clinton Counties, as alleged in court documents. The aliens or their family members paid thousands of dollars to be smuggled into the United States. The defendants and their co-conspirators allegedly facilitated the illegal travel of the aliens from Mexico to Canada and then across the northern border, where they were picked up and driven farther into the United States.

    On multiple occasions members of the alien smuggling organization led local and federal law enforcement officers on high-speed vehicle chases along the U.S. northern border, creating a grave public safety risk, according to court documents. For example, in April 2023, smugglers allegedly fled the Burke Border Patrol Station’s sector at a high rate of speed after setting off a border sensor. Border Patrol successfully stopped the vehicle and apprehended the smugglers, who were transporting seven adult aliens and three minors. In another incident, in May 2023, the Clinton County Sheriff’s Office used a tire deflation device to stop a van carrying aliens after it allegedly failed to yield to both federal and state law enforcement. The smugglers and aliens allegedly fled on foot after the vehicle was disabled. As additionally alleged, in August 2023, a vehicle carrying aliens that was fleeing from Border Patrol drove into Plattsburgh, New York, where it drove erratically, passed vehicles in a congested traffic area, ran a red light, and struck a motorist at an intersection. The driver and six illegal aliens fled the accident scene on foot but eventually were apprehended.

    “These individuals acted in blatant disregard of our nation’s laws, allegedly smuggling hundreds of aliens into the United States for thousands of dollars each,” said Special Agent in Charge Erin Keegan of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Buffalo. “They’re alleged to have repeatedly put the public at risk through dangerous vehicle chases with law enforcement further demonstrating their contempt for the law and safety of others. We work every day with our partners in the U.S. Border Patrol and are proud to support the security of our borders and uphold public safety in our communities.”

    “These charges are a testament to the hard work of the men and women of the United States Border Patrol and its partner agencies,” said Chief Patrol Agent Robert N. Garcia of the U.S. Border Patrol’s Swanton Sector. “The days of catch-and-release are over, and the reality is clear; if you attempt to enter the United States illegally, if you attempt to smuggle or traffic human beings, you will be apprehended and you will face severe consequences.”

    The investigation and arrests of the defendants were coordinated under Joint Task Force Alpha (JTFA). JTFA, a partnership with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), has been elevated and expanded by the Attorney General with a mandate to target cartels and other transnational criminal organizations to eliminate human smuggling and trafficking networks operating in Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Panama, and Colombia that impact public safety and the security of our borders. JTFA currently comprises detailees from U.S. Attorneys’ Offices along the border. Dedicated support is provided by numerous components of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, led by the Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section (HRSP) and supported by the Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section, the Office of Enforcement Operations, and the Office of International Affairs, among others. JTFA also relies on substantial law enforcement investment from DHS, the FBI, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and other partners. To date, JTFA’s work has resulted in more than 360 domestic and international arrests of leaders, organizers, and significant facilitators of alien smuggling; more than 330 U.S. convictions; more than 275 significant jail sentences imposed; and forfeitures of substantial assets.

    Mr. Galeotti expressed his gratitude to Joint Task Force Alpha, which is focused on combatting human smuggling organizations, and its partners in this case, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of New York and HSI. HSI Rouses Point and U.S. Border Patrol Burke Station led U.S. investigative efforts, with substantial assistance from HSI’s Human Smuggling Unit in Washington, D.C. and CBP’s National Targeting Center International Interdiction Task Force.

    Trial Attorney Jenna Reed of the Criminal Division’s HRSP and Assistant U.S. Attorney Carling Dunham for the Northern District of New York are prosecuting the case.

    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 other 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 Project Safe Neighborhood.

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

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA: The White House Office of Management and Budget Releases the President’s Fiscal Year 2026 Skinny Budget

    US Senate News:

    Source: The White House
    Washington, D.C.–Today, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) sent President Trump’s topline discretionary Budget request for fiscal year 2026 to the U.S. Congress.
    The Budget, which reduces non-defense discretionary by $163 billion or 23 percent from the 2025 enacted level, guts a weaponized deep state while providing historic increases for defense and border security.  The Budget also provides support for air and rail safety as well as key infrastructure and our Nation’s veterans and law enforcement.
    This is the lowest non-defense spending level since 2017.  Savings come from eliminating radical diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and critical race theory programs, Green New Scam funding, large swaths of the Federal Government weaponized against the American people, and moving programs that are better suited for States and localities to provide. 
    Defense spending would increase by 13 percent, and appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security would increase by nearly 65 percent, to ensure that our military and other agencies repelling the invasion of our border have the resources they need to complete the mission.  These increases will be made possible through the passage of President Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill, which will be enacted with a simple majority in the Congress, and not be held hostage by Democrats for wasteful spending increases that have been the status quo in Washington.
    “For decades, the biggest complaint about the Federal Budget was wasteful spending and bloated bureaucracy.  But over the last four years, Government spending aggressively turned against the American people and trillions of our dollars were used to fund cultural Marxism, radical Green New Scams, and even our own invasion.  No agency was spared in the Left’s taxpayer-funded cultural revolution.  At this critical moment, we need a historic Budget—one that ends the funding of our decline, puts Americans first, and delivers unprecedented support to our military and homeland security.  The President’s Budget does all of that,” said Russ Vought, Director of the Office of Management and Budget.
    Highlights of the President’s key priorities include the following:
    End Weaponization and Reduce Violent Crime.  The Budget ends the previous Administration’s weaponization of the Government by eliminating programs like the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency’s disinformation offices that targeted and censored Americans, eliminating so-called Fair Housing programs that waged war on America’s suburbs, ending the Environmental Protection Agency’s unfair harassment of citizens over “environmental justice” directives, and halting the ATF’s criminalizing of gun-owning Americans and instead, focusing on stopping illegal firearms traffickers and violent gang members.
    The Budget prioritizes Department of Justice (DOJ) key functions—restoring law and order to America’s communities, fighting crime, and supporting America’s men and women in Blue.  To that end, the Budget proposes to eliminate more than 40 DOJ grant programs that fund things like a “feminist, culturally specific nonprofit” to address “structural racism and toxic masculinities” and training Fa’afafine advocates—an organization of biological men that describes themselves as a “third-gender” in Samoa.  The Budget also reflects the President’s priority of reducing violent crime in American cities and protecting national security by getting Federal Bureau of Investigation agents into the field. 
    Defund the Harmful Woke, Marxist Agenda.  Every single agency across the Federal Government was engaged in funding and advancing DEI and other radical, harmful ideologies such as:  $315 million for grant programs to push “intersectionality,” “racial equity,” and LGBTQIA+ programming for preschoolers; housing grants that funded activities such as an “Equity Audit” to reverse “land use patterns that have roots in systemically racist policies in L.A. County; and “addressing White Supremacy in the STEM profession.”  The Budget ends all of that.
    Secure the Border.  The Budget request empowers the Department of Homeland Security to implement the President’s mass removal campaign and secure the border.  This funding is in addition to historic investments in border security the Administration proposes to provide through mandatory funding, as part of the congressional Budget reconciliation process.  The discretionary request includes an additional $500 million for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to expedite the removal of illegal aliens through the support of 50,000 detention beds, $766 million to procure cutting-edge border security technology funding, and funding to maintain 22,000 Border Patrol Agents and hire additional Customs and Border Protection officers for a total of 26,383 officers.  The Budget also cuts off the flow of taxpayer funds that have been abused to facilitate migrant caravan invasions.  Departments whose task it was to prevent those invasions allocated billions in funding to non-governmental organizations running “border aid stations” and legal services to criminal aliens—all of which will be eliminated under this new budget.
    Realign Foreign Aid.  The Budget ensures that foreign aid spending is efficient and consistent with U.S. foreign policy under the America First agenda.  The Budget reorganizes the U.S. Agency for International Development into the Department of State to meet current needs and eliminates non-essential staff that were hired based on DEI and preferencing practices.  The Budget also expands the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) to support U.S. national security and American interests—generating returns to the taxpayer and reducing reliance on foreign aid.  This includes $3 billion for a new revolving fund to allow DFC to recycle any realized returns from its initial investments.
    Rebuild our Nation’s Military.  The Budget request for the Department of Defense builds on the President’s promise to achieve peace through strength by providing the resources to rebuild our military, re-establish deterrence, and revive the warrior ethos of our Armed Forces.  In combination with $119 billion in mandatory funding, the Budget increases Defense spending by 13 percent, and prioritizes investments to strengthen the safety, security, and sovereignty of the homeland, deter Chinese aggression in the Indo-Pacific, and revitalize our defense industrial base. 
    Achieve American Energy Dominance.  The Budget supports the President’s commitment to unleash America’s affordable and reliable energy and natural resources.  The Budget cancels over $15 billion in Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) Green New Scam funds provided to the Department of Energy for unreliable renewable energy, removing carbon dioxide from the air, and other costly technologies that burden ratepayers and consumers.  The Budget reorients Department of Energy funding toward research and development of technologies that could produce an abundance of domestic fossil energy and critical minerals, innovative concepts for nuclear reactors and advanced nuclear fuels, and technologies that promote firm baseload power.  The Budget also cancels an additional $5.7 billion in IIJA funding provided to the Department of Transportation for failed electric vehicle charger grant programs.
    Make America Healthy Again (MAHA).  The Budget request builds on the President’s MAHA Commission.  The Budget provides resources to the Department of Health and Human Services that would allow the Secretary to tackle issues related to nutrition, physical activity, healthy lifestyles, over-reliance on medication and treatments, the effects of new technological habits, environmental impacts, and food and drug quality and safety.  The Budget also supports the creation of MAHA food boxes, that would be filled with commodities sourced from domestic farmers and given directly to American households.  The Budget includes resources to ensure food safety nationwide, including support for increased production and demand for services.
    Support Our Veterans.  The Budget provides increased funding for healthcare services tailored to U.S. veterans’ needs, both at Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical centers and in the community.  Combined with $50 billion in mandatory funding from the Toxic Exposures Fund, the Budget ensures that the Nation’s veterans are provided with the world-class healthcare that they deserve.  In addition, veterans who qualify for access to care with local community providers would be empowered to make the choice to see them, rather than having to drive in some cases hours to access the nearest VA facility.  The Budget includes $1.1 billion in new VA funding to make a down payment on President Trump’s commitment to eradicate veterans’ homelessness, the largest funding increase in the last decade.
    Preserve Social Security.  The Budget supports the President’s promise to not touch Social Security benefits.  It also includes sufficient resources for the Social Security Administration (SSA) to improve customer service by expanding and improving online services, and reducing customer wait times in field offices and on the phone.  The Budget also includes investments in program integrity, to reduce fraud and abuse in Social Security programs, and in investments in artificial intelligence to increase employee productivity and automate routine workloads.  These efforts would help ensure that SSA delivers timely and accurate Social Security services to the public.
    Streamline K-12 Education Funding and Promote Parental Choice.  The Budget continues the process of shutting down the Department of Education.  The Budget maintains full funding for Title I, that provides Federal financial assistance to school districts for children from low-income families, and special education funding under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).  To limit the Federal role in education, and provide States with more flexibility, the Budget creates a new K-12 Simplified Funding Program that consolidates 18 competitive and formula grant programs into a new formula grant, and a Special Education Simplified Funding Program that consolidates seven IDEA programs into a single grant.  The Budget also invests $500 million, a $60 million increase, to expand the number of high-quality charter schools, that have a proven track record of improving students’ academic achievement and giving parents more choice in the education of their children.
    Make America Skilled Again (MASA).  The Budget proposes to give States and localities the flexibility to spend Federal workforce dollars to best support their workers and economies, instead of funneling taxpayer dollars to progressive non-profits finding work for illegal immigrants or focusing on DEI.  Under this proposal, States would now have more control and flexibility to coordinate with employers and would have to spend at least 10 percent of their MASA grant on apprenticeship, a proven model that trains workers while they earn a paycheck and offers a valuable alternative to college. 
    Support Space Flight.  The Budget refocuses the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) funding on beating China back to the Moon and on putting the first human on Mars.  By allocating over $7 billion for lunar exploration and introducing $1 billion in new investments for Mars-focused programs, it ensures that America’s human space exploration efforts remain unparalleled, innovative, and efficient.  To achieve these objectives, the Budget would streamline the NASA workforce, IT services, NASA Center operations, facility maintenance, and construction and environmental compliance activities.  The Budget also eliminates “green aviation” and other climate scam programs as well as failing space propulsion projects.
    Maintain Support for Tribal Nations.  The Budget preserves Federal funding for the Indian Health Service and supports core programs at the Bureau of Indian Affairs and Bureau of Indian Education, sustaining the Federal Government’s support for core programs that benefit tribal communities.  The Budget also weeds out radical woke grants and programs and streamlines other programs for tribal communities that were ineffective.
    Address Drug Abuse.  The Administration is committed to combatting the scourge of deadly drugs that have ravaged American communities.  The Budget prioritizes Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) resources on traffickers of fentanyl and other dangerous drugs that are driving America’s overdose crisis.  This includes redirecting DEA’s foreign spending to regions with criminal organizations that traffic significant quantities of deadly drugs into the United States—Mexico, Central America, South America, and China. 
    Support Artificial Intelligence and Quantum Research.  The Budget amply funds research in artificial intelligence and quantum information science at key agencies to ensure the United States remains on the cutting edge of these critical technologies’ development and responsible use.
    Improve Wildland Firefighting.  Federal wildfire responsibilities currently are split across five agencies in two departments.  The Budget would consolidate firefighting responsibilities into a new Federal Wildland Fire Service at the Department of the Interior that would coordinate with non-Federal partners to combat the wildfire crisis.

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI Security: Former Indiana Congressional Candidate Sentenced to Federal Prison for Falsifying Campaign Finance Records

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    INDIANAPOLIS— Gabriel Whitley, 27, of Indianapolis, has been sentenced to three months in federal prison followed by one year of supervised release after pleading guilty to making materially false statements to the Federal Election Commission.

    According to court documents, during the 2024 primary election, Gabriel Whitley was a candidate for United States Congress in Indiana’s 7th Congressional District. Whitley did not win the primary election, which was held on May 7, 2024. As set forth below in more detail, rather than raise funds in the normal course for his campaign, Whitley fabricated contributions that he had received and falsely reported to the Federal Election Commission (“FEC”) that he had in fact received those contributions. Whitley knew the FEC filings were riddled with falsehoods, and in making those fraudulent statements, deceived the American public about his candidacy.

    As set forth in Court documents, on October 11, 2023, Whitley, acting as Treasurer for his principal campaign committee, “Honest Gabe for Congress,” filed a report with the FEC covering the period from July 1, 2023, to September 30, 2023. In that report, Whitley lied and falsely documented that 67 people, not including himself, made contributions to his campaign, totaling approximately $222,690. These reports included made-up names, occupations, employers, and addresses for multiple fictitious contributors.

    On January 31, 2024, Whitley, again acting as Treasurer for his campaign committee, filed another report with the FEC repeating the same scheme he had engaged in previously, lying and falsely reporting contributions that he knew he had never received.

    Finally, on April 15, 2024, Whitley filed yet another false report with the FEC. In that report, he lied again and falsely conveyed that he loaned his campaign $100,000 on March 7, 2024, while knowing that he had not in fact loaned his campaign this money and did not have the funds to do so.

    In total, approximately $234,000 of the purported contributions to Honest Gabe for Congress never occurred.

    “Gabriel Whitley intentionally created an illusion that he was a legitimate candidate for office with the financial support of the electorate, denying the public of its most powerful tool for casting informed ballots: transparency,” said John E. Childress, Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. “Federal election laws require all federal candidates to make a true, accurate accounting of the contributions they have received, so that citizens can properly choose their own leaders. This sentence should reassure the public of our government’s ability to police and punish conduct that corrupts elections and denies the public the right to cast informed votes.”

    “When you are a candidate for public office, you have the same responsibility to follow the law just like the people you seek to represent,” said FBI Indianapolis Acting Special Agent in Charge Dominique Evans. “This wasn’t a mistake by Mr. Whitley – it was a deliberate effort to deceive the public by violating campaign finance laws for his own gain. The FBI remains committed to investigating those who violate public trust and ensure they are held accountable.”

    The Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated this case. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Judge James R. Sweeney II.

    Acting U.S. Attorney Childress thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Tiffany J. Preston and Trial Attorney of the Public Integrity of the Criminal Division of the Department of Justice, Nicole Lockhart, who prosecuted this case, with substantial assistance from former PIN Trial Attorney Jacob Steiner

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    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI Security: Federal Grand Jury Indicts Louisville Man for Methamphetamine, Fentanyl, and Cocaine Trafficking Conspiracy

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Louisville, KY – A federal grand jury in Louisville, Kentucky, has indicted a local man with a drug conspiracy involving methamphetamine, fentanyl, and cocaine.  

    U.S. Attorney Michael A. Bennett of the Western District of Kentucky, Acting Special Agent in Charge Olivia Olson of the FBI Louisville Field Office, Chief Paul Humphrey of the Louisville Metro Police Department, and Sheriff John Aubrey of the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office made the announcement.

    According to the indictment, Jordan Watkins, 34, is charged with one count of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute over 500 grams of methamphetamine, over 40 grams of fentanyl, and cocaine for an offense occurring between September 24, 2023, and March 9, 2025, in Jefferson County, Kentucky.

    On April 25, 2025, Watkins made an initial court appearance before a U.S. Magistrate Judge in the United States District Court for the Western District of Kentucky. A detention hearing is scheduled for May 5, 2025. If convicted, he faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and a maximum sentence of life. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors.

    There is no parole in the federal system.

    This case is being investigated by the FBI and LMPD, with assistance from the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Frank Dahl is prosecuting this case.

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

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

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    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI Security: Four Mexican Nationals Residing Unlawfully in the United States Charged for Their Roles in an International Conspiracy to Smuggle Aliens from Canada into the U.S.

    Source: United States Department of Justice

    Four Mexican nationals unlawfully residing in the United States have been charged for their roles in an international human smuggling conspiracy that illegally brought aliens across the Canadian border to the United States for profit.

    Edgar Sanchez-Solis, 23, unlawfully residing in Kansas City, Kansas; Ignacio Diaz-Perez, 35, unlawfully residing in Oakwood, Georgia; Samuel Diaz-Perez, 26, unlawfully residing in Dublin, Ohio; and Salvador Diaz-Diaz, 32, unlawfully residing in Columbus, Ohio, were charged by indictment with conspiracy to bring aliens to the United States and 25 counts of bringing aliens illegally to the United States for profit. The defendants were arrested at multiple locations throughout the United States and are currently detained. Ignacio Diaz-Perez and Salvador Diaz-Diaz had been previously removed from the United States.

    “As alleged, these defendants illegally entered this country and then sought to smuggle hundreds of aliens per week to the United States from Mexico, Central America, and South America through the Canadian border,” said Matthew R. Galeotti, Head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “The defendants instructed smuggled aliens to make testimonial videos touting the enterprise’s services. In reality, the defendants imperiled their human cargo and innocent American lives when they repeatedly engaged in life-threatening conduct, including multiple high-speed getaways from law enforcement.”

    “This case demonstrates our relentless efforts to secure our northern border against the criminal organizations profiting from human smuggling and other illegal activities,” said U.S. Attorney John A. Sarcone III for the Northern District of New York. “We are grateful for our partnership with Joint Task Force Alpha as we work to dismantle these transnational criminal organizations and make our North Country communities safer.”

    According to court documents, the four defendants were part of an alien smuggling organization that has been operating for the last two years in Mexico, Canada, and the United States. The four defendants, in exchange for money, conspired with others to smuggle hundreds of aliens per week from Mexico, Central America, and South America through Canada, into northern New York, including Franklin and Clinton Counties, as alleged in court documents. The aliens or their family members paid thousands of dollars to be smuggled into the United States. The defendants and their co-conspirators allegedly facilitated the illegal travel of the aliens from Mexico to Canada and then across the northern border, where they were picked up and driven farther into the United States.

    On multiple occasions members of the alien smuggling organization led local and federal law enforcement officers on high-speed vehicle chases along the U.S. northern border, creating a grave public safety risk, according to court documents. For example, in April 2023, smugglers allegedly fled the Burke Border Patrol Station’s sector at a high rate of speed after setting off a border sensor. Border Patrol successfully stopped the vehicle and apprehended the smugglers, who were transporting seven adult aliens and three minors. In another incident, in May 2023, the Clinton County Sheriff’s Office used a tire deflation device to stop a van carrying aliens after it allegedly failed to yield to both federal and state law enforcement. The smugglers and aliens allegedly fled on foot after the vehicle was disabled. As additionally alleged, in August 2023, a vehicle carrying aliens that was fleeing from Border Patrol drove into Plattsburgh, New York, where it drove erratically, passed vehicles in a congested traffic area, ran a red light, and struck a motorist at an intersection. The driver and six illegal aliens fled the accident scene on foot but eventually were apprehended.

    “These individuals acted in blatant disregard of our nation’s laws, allegedly smuggling hundreds of aliens into the United States for thousands of dollars each,” said Special Agent in Charge Erin Keegan of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Buffalo. “They’re alleged to have repeatedly put the public at risk through dangerous vehicle chases with law enforcement further demonstrating their contempt for the law and safety of others. We work every day with our partners in the U.S. Border Patrol and are proud to support the security of our borders and uphold public safety in our communities.”

    “These charges are a testament to the hard work of the men and women of the United States Border Patrol and its partner agencies,” said Chief Patrol Agent Robert N. Garcia of the U.S. Border Patrol’s Swanton Sector. “The days of catch-and-release are over, and the reality is clear; if you attempt to enter the United States illegally, if you attempt to smuggle or traffic human beings, you will be apprehended and you will face severe consequences.”

    The investigation and arrests of the defendants were coordinated under Joint Task Force Alpha (JTFA). JTFA, a partnership with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), has been elevated and expanded by the Attorney General with a mandate to target cartels and other transnational criminal organizations to eliminate human smuggling and trafficking networks operating in Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Panama, and Colombia that impact public safety and the security of our borders. JTFA currently comprises detailees from U.S. Attorneys’ Offices along the border. Dedicated support is provided by numerous components of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, led by the Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section (HRSP) and supported by the Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section, the Office of Enforcement Operations, and the Office of International Affairs, among others. JTFA also relies on substantial law enforcement investment from DHS, the FBI, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and other partners. To date, JTFA’s work has resulted in more than 360 domestic and international arrests of leaders, organizers, and significant facilitators of alien smuggling; more than 330 U.S. convictions; more than 275 significant jail sentences imposed; and forfeitures of substantial assets.

    Mr. Galeotti expressed his gratitude to Joint Task Force Alpha, which is focused on combatting human smuggling organizations, and its partners in this case, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of New York and HSI. HSI Rouses Point and U.S. Border Patrol Burke Station led U.S. investigative efforts, with substantial assistance from HSI’s Human Smuggling Unit in Washington, D.C. and CBP’s National Targeting Center International Interdiction Task Force.

    Trial Attorney Jenna Reed of the Criminal Division’s HRSP and Assistant U.S. Attorney Carling Dunham for the Northern District of New York are prosecuting the case.

    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 other 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 Project Safe Neighborhood.

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

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI Security: Butler Man Indicted for Threats to Assault and Murder President Trump and Other U.S. Officials

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    PITTSBURGH, Pa. – A resident of Butler, Pennsylvania, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh with making threats to assault and murder President Donald J. Trump, other United States officials, and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.

    The eight-count Indictment named Shawn Monper, 32, currently detained in the Butler County Prison, as the defendant. Monper was previously charged by federal criminal complaint with making the threats that are charged in the Indictment (read the criminal complaint news release here).

    On April 9, 2025, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), with the assistance of the Butler Township Police Department, arrested Monper on the federal criminal complaint, with law enforcement at that time seizing three handguns purchased by Monper between February and March 2025. After preliminary and detention hearings on April 14, 2025, the Court found that Monper was a danger to the community and ordered that he be detained pending trial.

    The law provides for a maximum total sentence on each count of up to five or 10 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, or both. Under the federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

    Assistant United States Attorney Brendan J. McKenna is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

    The FBI and the Butler Township Police Department conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment.

    An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI Security: Las Vegas Man Sentenced To Over 13 Years In Prison For Coercion And Enticement Of Multiple Children

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    LAS VEGAS – A Las Vegas man was sentenced Thursday by Chief United States District Judge Andrew P. Gordon to 160 months in prison to be followed by 15 years of supervised release. Denzel Renyal Michael Loyd’s sentence follows his conviction for four counts of coercion and enticement after he solicited multiple children to engage in prostitution. The defendant utilized Facebook to contact the minors and solicit them to engage in sexual acts, send him sexually explicit images and videos of themselves, and prostitute themselves on his behalf.

    “Today’s sentence reflects the seriousness of the offense,” said United States Attorney Sigal Chattah for the District of Nevada. “Over the span of a few months, the defendant, a self-described pimp, solicited numerous minors to send him sexually explicit photographs and videos of themselves, induced them to engage in various sex acts – at least one victim complied to his sex demands in exchange for food, and attempted to convince the victims to engage in prostitution. The U.S. Attorney’s Office continues to work closely with the FBI to protect our youth from predators, and we will seek justice for victims.”

    “Denzel Renyal Michael Loyd deserves each and every day of his 13-year prison term,” said Special Agent in Charge Spencer L. Evans for the FBI. “This sentence delivers a message to anyone intent on harming children. The FBI and our law enforcement partners are committed to protecting children from the clutches of offenders like Loyd. Every time a child predator is brought to justice, potential victims are spared immeasurable harm.”

    In addition to imprisonment, under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act, Loyd must register as a sex offender and keep the registration current.

    United States Attorney Sigal Chattah for the District of Nevada and Special Agent in Charge Spencer L. Evans for the FBI Las Vegas Division made the announcement.

    The FBI and Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorneys Jean Ripley and Supriya Prasad prosecuted the case with the assistance of the Department of Justice Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS).

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

    Anyone who has information about the physical or online exploitation of children are encouraged to call the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324) or submit a tip online at tips.fbi.gov.

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    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI Security: More than 350 New Immigration Cases Filed in the Western District of Texas

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    SAN ANTONIO – Acting United States Attorney Margaret Leachman for the Western District of Texas announced today, that federal prosecutors in the district filed 352 new immigration and immigration-related criminal cases from April 25 through May 1.

    Among the new cases, David Ysturiz-Villalobos and Yilber Gabriel Caldera-Espinoza were arrested by the San Antonio Police Department during an April 22 traffic stop. Both were identified as Venezuelan nationals unlawfully present in the United States. Ysturiz-Villalobos was observed in possession of a .40 caliber pistol with a loaded magazine and one chambered round. Caldera-Espinoza later admitted the pistol was his. Ysturiz-Villalobos and Caldera-Espinoza are each charged with one count of illegal alien in possession of a firearm and, if convicted, face up to 10 years in federal prison.

    Mexican national Rogelio Cruz-Ramirez was federally charged with illegal re-entry in Austin after being encountered at the Hays County Jail, where he was serving a 271-day sentence for possession of a controlled substance. Cruz-Ramirez has three prior removals from the United States and two voluntary returns to Mexico. In 2015 he was convicted of assault causing bodily injury to a family member, adding to an unlawful carry conviction and fraudulent use/possession of identifying information in 2007. Cruz-Ramirez also has three unlawful entry convictions on his record.

    Jesus Soto-Reyes, a Mexican national, was encountered at the Bastrop County Jail, where he was being held for an alleged aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and assault causing bodily injury to a family member. Soto-Reyes has five previous removals from the United States in addition to two voluntary returns.

    Angel Navarro-Miranda, also of Mexico, was encountered at the Travis County Jail, where he was being held for an alleged DWI and collision involving damage. Navarro-Miranda’s criminal record includes four additional DWI charges dating back to August 2000.

    Near Eagle Pass, Honduran national Alicia Lourdes Mendoza-Fuentes was arrested by U.S. Border Patrol (USBP) agents on April 23. Mendoza-Fuentes is charged with illegal re-entry, having been deported three times before. Mendoza-Fuentes was convicted May 15, 2024 for a smuggling of persons offense and was subsequently deported to Honduras May 29, 2024.

    USBP agents arrested a Salvadoran national, Daniel Isai Gonzalez-Martinez, near Eagle Pass on April 24. Gonzalez-Martinez also has three prior removals, the most recent being Dec. 13, 2024. Gonzalez-Martinez is a three-time convicted felon with two illegal re-entry convictions and one conviction in 2018 for bringing in and harboring certain aliens.

    Mexican national Jose Torres-Galaviz was arrested by USBP agents near Eagle Pass on April 28. Torres-Galaviz has multiple felony convictions that include resisting law enforcement, auto theft and battery by bodily waste in January 2024, along with possession of cocaine and battery by bodily waste convictions in August 2021. He was recently deported through El Paso on Feb. 22 and now faces an illegal re-entry charge.

    Jose Luis Padron Arredondo, also a Mexican national, was arrested by USBP agents on April 25 for an illegal re-entry offense. Padron Arredondo has been deported four times, the last one being Oct. 17, 2024 through Del Rio. His criminal record includes a felony conviction for illegal re-entry in 2013 and two convictions for improper entry by an alien in 2009 and 2010.

    In El Paso, Eddie Gonzalez Jr., a U.S. citizen, was arrested April 28 and charged with smuggling illegal aliens. USBP agents were responded to reports of three individuals making an illegal entry within five miles of the Tornillo Port of Entry when they noticed a vehicle speed away. Gonzalez Jr. is alleged to have been the driver and fled from USBP agents multiple times at a high rate of speed. A criminal complaint alleges that Gonzalez Jr. eventually exited his vehicle, ran on foot, and boarded a second vehicle driven by a juvenile. Agents were able to pull the second vehicle over and arrest both Gonzalez Jr. and the juvenile. One of the individuals apprehended in the area of the reported illegal entry was also apprehended and allegedly admitted to being a Mexican citizen. The criminal complaint alleges Gonzalez Jr. admitted to entering into an agreement with a smuggler and was expecting to be paid $1,800 for picking up illegal aliens.

    USBP agents at Fort Hancock also arrested Yonni Rios-Ibarra, a Mexican national who allegedly served as a foot guide for two other Mexican nationals entering the U.S. illegally. Agents allegedly observed the three aliens attempting to high in the brush alongside a canal. Rios-Ibarra is charged with bringing in and harboring certain aliens.

    Mexican national Francisco Reyna-Espinosa was transferred to federal custody in Odessa after being convicted April 25 of driving while intoxicated, for which he was sentenced in the 161st Judicial District Court to 10 years of confinement. Reyna-Espinosa was previously convicted in federal court on Jan. 30, 2014, for illegal re-entry after deportation and sentenced to three years of probation. Reyna-Espinoza has two additional DWI convictions on his criminal record.

    These cases were referred or supported by federal law enforcement partners, including Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ICE ERO), 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), with additional assistance from state and local law enforcement partners.

    The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Texas comprises 68 counties located in the central and western areas of Texas, encompasses nearly 93,000 square miles and an estimated population of 7.6 million people. The district includes three of the five largest cities in Texas—San Antonio, Austin and El Paso—and shares 660 miles of common border with the Republic of Mexico.

    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).

    Indictments and criminal complaints are merely allegations and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI Security: Hawaii Man Pleads Guilty to Defrauding Elderly Orange County Victim Out of Nearly $2 Million that Cost the Victim His Home and His Yacht

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    SANTA ANA, California – A Hawaii man has pleaded guilty to a federal criminal charge for defrauding a 78-year-old Orange County victim out of nearly $2 million by false promises of brokering the sale of the victim’s yacht, the Justice Department announced today.

    John Tamahere McCabe, 42, of Kailua, Hawaii, pleaded guilty Thursday to one count of wire fraud.

    According to his plea agreement, McCabe offered to help the victim sell his yacht. What the victim didn’t know was McCabe used fabricated documents to change the ownership of the yacht to McCabe’s name. Once in his name, McCabe then diverted the proceeds to his own personal bank account and used most of the proceeds for his own personal purposes.

    McCabe further convinced him to transfer his million-dollar Irvine residence into a McCabe-controlled limited liability company (LLC), claiming that it would protect the victim’s most-valuable asset and provide tax benefits. Without the victim’s knowledge or consent, McCabe caused himself to be the sole manager of the LLC and caused $1 million in loans to be taken out and secured by the victim’s residence, draining all its equity.

    Once McCabe spent the loan proceeds, he defaulted on the loans and the victim’s residence was sold at a foreclosure sale, leaving the victim homeless. Through this scheme, McCabe defrauded the victim out of approximately $1,814,000.

    United States District Judge Fred W. Slaughter scheduled an October 16 sentencing hearing, at which time McCabe will face a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison.

    The FBI investigated this case with the help of the Irvine Police Department.   

    First Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Waier is prosecuting this case.

    If you or someone you know is age 60 or older and has been a victim of financial fraud, help is available at the National Elder Fraud Hotline: 1-833-FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311). This 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. 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. English, Spanish and other languages are available. 

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI Security: Registered Sex Offender Pleads Guilty to Sexual Exploitation of Minors

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Baltimore, Maryland – Harrison James Miller, 32, of Hagerstown, Maryland, has pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual exploitation of a child and the commissioning of a felony crime involving a minor by a registered sex offender.

    Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the guilty plea with Special Agent in Charge William J. DelBagno of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) – Baltimore Field Office; Gina M. Cirincion, State’s Attorney for Washington County; and Chief Paul Kifer, Hagerstown Police Department.

    According to court documents and the guilty plea, Miller was ordered to register as a sex offender after a conviction in Pennsylvania involving an 8-year-old child.  In August 2022, upon release from prison, Miller moved to Hagerstown, Maryland, but did not register as a sex offender as required by law.

    He then gained access to two children, ages 4 and 5, and sexually abused them over a period of several months. Additionally, Miller took images of the minors which he stored in a password protected folder on his cell phone. Miller was arrested and charged after one of the minors disclosed the abuse to his mother. Through a search of Miller’s phone, law enforcement uncovered the hidden images and other evidence.

    Miller faces a minimum mandatory sentence of 25 years and a maximum of 80 years in federal prison followed by up to lifetime of supervised release for these offenses. 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. U.S. District Judge Brendan A. Hurson scheduled sentencing for July 25, 2025, at 2 p.m.

    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, Washington County State’s Attorney’s Office, and Hagerstown Police Department for their work in the investigation.  Ms. Hayes also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Colleen Elizabeth McGuinn who is prosecuting the federal case.

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

    # # #

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI Security: Bloomsburg Man Convicted of Drug Distribution Resulting in Death

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    WILLIAMSPORT – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Tysheem Dunlap, age 28, of Williamsport, Pennsylvania, was convicted of drug delivery resulting in death after a four-day jury trial in front of Chief United States District Judge Matthew W. Brann.

    According to Acting United States Attorney John Gurganus, on August 20, 2022 in Bloomsburg, PA, Dunlap delivered a substance to four individuals who were current or recent students at Bloomsburg University and were seeking to use cocaine that night.  The substance delivered by Dunlap, however, was fentanyl and not cocaine.  After using it, three of the four individuals overdosed.  The fourth individual called 911.  Emergency responders were able to revive two of the overdose victims, but the third victim’s overdose was fatal.

    Laboratory analysis of the substance sold to the victims by Dunlap revealed it contain fentanyl.  Autopsy and post-mortem toxicology confirmed the presence of fatal levels of fentanyl in the deceased victim’s bloodstream.  During the trial, expert testimony established that but for the toxic level of fentanyl, which is 50-100 times more potent than morphine, the otherwise healthy victim would not have died.  At the conclusion of trial, the jury returned a verdict finding Dunlap guilty on one count of drug distribution resulting in death; two counts of drug delivery resulting in serious bodily injury; and two counts of distribution of cocaine.

    This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bloomsburg Police Department, and the Pennsylvania State Police. Assistant United States Attorneys Geoffrey W. MacArthur and Alisan V. Martin prosecuted the case.

    This case is 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 gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

    # # #

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI Security: Inmate Sentenced To 72 Months’ Imprisonment For Assault With A Dangerous Weapon

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    SCRANTON – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Victor Blanco, age 42, formerly an inmate at United States Penitentiary Canaan, Waymart, Pennsylvania, was sentenced yesterday to 72 months’ imprisonment by Senior United States District Judge Robert D. Mariani for assaulting another inmate with a dangerous weapon.

    According to Acting United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, Blanco was previously found guilty after a bench trial of one count of assault with a dangerous weapon for his role in the stabbing of another inmate using a sharpened piece of metal with a bed sheet handle.  The assault occurred at USP-Canaan’s outdoor recreation yard. A co-defendant, Isaac Carreno, was previously sentenced to 31-months’ incarceration after pleading guilty to the same offense.

    The matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Prisons and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Assistant United States Attorneys James Buchanan and Gerard Donahue prosecuted the case.

    # # #

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI Security: Machete threat leads to federal charges

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    HOUSTON – A 28-year-old Houston woman has been charged with assaulting a law enforcement officer with a machete, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.

    Authorities have now taken Jennifer Jesselle Perez-Rodriguez into custody. She is expected to make her initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Dena Hanovice Palermo at 2 p.m.

    According to the now unsealed criminal complaint, on April 17, federal agents were on duty and traveling on Anderson Road in Houston in unmarked vehicles. Perez-Rodriguez allegedly walked into the roadway wielding a machete. She began swinging the weapon and advanced on two of the vehicles, according to the charges. 

    Authorities allegedly activated a siren in one of those vehicles as Perez-Rodriguez began running towards them with the machete. As she continued to advance, an FBI agent opened the door of his vehicle and verbally commanded Perez-Rodriguez to drop the machete, according to the allegations. Perez-Rodriguez allegedly did not comply. 

    Details from the criminal complaint indicate the agent then discharged his duty weapon at Perez-Rodriguez until she no longer posed a threat. Perez-Rodriguez was struck by the gunfire and subsequently transported to a hospital for medical attention, according to the charges.  

    If convicted of assaulting a federal agent, Perez-Rodriguez faces up to 20 years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine.  

    The FBI conducted the investigation with the assistance of Houston Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Byron H. Black is prosecuting the case. 

    A criminal complaint is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law. 

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI Security: Marshall County Man Sentenced to 15 Years for Possessing Child Sexual Abuse Material

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    OXFORD, MS – James Thomas Arnold, 38, of Potts Camp, was sentenced yesterday to 15 years in prison for possessing child sexual abuse material.

    The investigation began when law enforcement discovered Arnold used a peer-to-peer network to download videos and images of children, including minors under the age of 12, that depicted sexual abuse.

    U.S. District Court Judge Michael P. Mills sentenced Arnold to 180 months imprisonment followed by a 10-year term of supervised release for the offense. He is required to register as a sex offender pursuant to the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act. The Court ordered that Arnold pay restitution to the victims who were identified in the offense in the amount of $41,500.00.

    “Protecting children always has been and always will be a top priority of this office,” said U.S. Attorney Clay Joyner. “We are proud of the partnership with the Mississippi Attorney General’s Office and the FBI that has yet again produced a lengthy sentence for an individual who views children as sexual objects.”

    “My office is committed to holding individuals who exploit children accountable for their crimes. Thanks to the diligent work of our cyber-crime investigators, we successfully stopped a predator from doing more harm,” said Attorney General Lynn Fitch. “I am grateful to our partners at the FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for their work to secure this sentence. Together, we are making Mississippi a safer place for everyone.”

    “The FBI remains committed to protecting our most vulnerable citizens—our children,” said Special Agent in Charge Robert Eikhoff of the FBI Jackson Field Office. “Mr. Arnold’s sentencing underscores the seriousness of crimes against children and strengthens our dedication to holding offenders accountable. We will continue working with our law enforcement partners to ensure these predators are brought to justice.”

    The case was investigated and conducted by the Mississippi Attorney General’s Office and the FBI.

    Assistant U.S. Attorneys Paul Roberts and Julie Addison prosecuted the case.

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

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI Security: North Bergen Woman Charged with Distribution of Child Pornography

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    NEWARK, N.J. – A North Bergen woman was charged with distribution of child pornography involving a prepubescent minor child, U.S. Attorney Alina Habba announced.

    Natasha Rivas, 23, was charged by complaint and appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jessica S. Allen in Newark federal court.

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

    After an individual (the “Individual”) was arrested in January 2025 for possession of child pornography, law enforcement discovered that the Individual exchanged messages with Rivas wherein Rivas distributed images containing child sexual abuse material (“CSAM”) to the Individual and discussed sexually assaulting children for Rivas’s and the Individual’s mutual sexual gratification.  The images Rivas distributed involved a prepubescent minor child whom she was with at a hotel in Ridgefield Park, New Jersey in July 2024.

    The charge in the complaint carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 5 years’ imprisonment and a maximum penalty of 20 years’ imprisonment as well as a fine of up to $250,000.

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

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

    The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Stern of the Opioid Abuse Prevention and Enforcement Unit in Newark.

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

                                                                           ###

    Defense counsel: Timothy Donahue, Esq.

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI Security: Former Greensburg Police Chief Sentenced to Prison for Conspiring to Distribute Methamphetamine and Cocaine

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    PITTSBURGH, Pa. – The former police chief of Greensburg, Pennsylvania, was sentenced on May 1, 2025, to 15 months in federal prison for narcotics charges, Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.

    United States District Judge Cathy Bissoon imposed the sentence on Shawn Denning, 44, of Delmont, Pennsylvania. Denning pleaded guilty on April 16, 2024, to conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine and a quantity of cocaine.

    According to information presented to the Court, during the time that he was the Greensburg police chief, Denning was involved in a nationwide drug conspiracy and had helped numerous individuals purchase narcotics from suppliers in California. Those narcotics included cocaine and methamphetamine disguised as counterfeit Adderall pills. One of the individuals with whom Denning conspired was former Greensburg police officer Regina McAtee, who also pleaded guilty to the drug conspiracy and will be sentenced later this month.

    Despite Denning’s argument during the sentencing hearing that he should not serve any time in prison, Judge Bissoon sentenced Denning to 15 months in federal prison, to be followed by two years of supervised release, and a $2,000 fine. Prior to imposing sentence, Judge Bissoon stated that “When law enforcement becomes the bad guys, our civil society cannot function.”

    Assistant United States Attorney Nicole Vasquez Schmitt prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

    Acting United States Attorney Rivetti commended the Drug Enforcement Administration, Internal Revenue Service, United States Postal Inspection Service, and Federal Bureau of Investigation for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Denning.

    This prosecution is a 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.

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI Security: Northwest Arkansas Business Owners Plead Guilty to Scheme to Defraud Pandemic Relief Loan Programs

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

    FAYETTEVILLE —A Florida couple, formerly of Northwest Arkansas, pleaded guilty Monday to defrauding Pandemic Relief Loan Programs. U.S. District Judge Timothy L. Brooks presided over the plea hearing, in which Fawaad Welch, age 41, and Julia Youngblood, age 41, both waived indictment and pleaded guilty to a criminal information.  Welch pled to wire fraud and Youngblood pled to misprision of a felony related to the scheme.

    According to court documents and statements made in court, between May of 2020 through October of 2021, Welch and Youngblood applied for Pandemic Relief Loan Programs through their Arkansas business, Slipstream Creative, LLC, which was a Northwest Arkansas advertising and marketing company located in Fayetteville, Arkansas.

    Throughout the applications, Welch provided the lenders with false statements regarding their assets and liabilities and the intended use of funds received through the SBA7(a), Economic Injury Disaster Loan and Main Street Loan Programs.  Youngblood them signed those application on behalf of the business.   According to the information filed by the Government, after receiving the loan funds, Welch then diverted large parts of the loan proceeds for the personal benefit of the couple.  For example, in the applications submitted for these loans, the couple failed to disclose material information such as tax liabilities and the fact that they were receiving loans from the other loan programs.  Also, within months of receiving $1.5 million in “working capital” Economic Injury Disaster Loan funds in October 2021, Welch transferred $1.3 million of that loan to the couple’s personal bank account.  The couple then purchased a home in Florida using $445,000 of those Government program loan funds.  

    According to the plea agreement entered into by Welch, after being asked by Generations Bank officials if Welch and Youngblood take salaries and informed that “the Fed restricts changes to your salaries with the [Main Street Loan Program] and doesn’t allow distributions, Welch replied, “Yes sir we do at 10k a month so all is good there.  5k a piece.”  After receiving the $3 million in program funds, within a month Welch had transferred $950,000 in Main Street Loan Program funds out of the business and to himself. 

    In the plea agreements with the Government, the couple agrees that pursuant to this scheme, they should be held accountable for more than $3.5 million but less than $9.0 million in intended loss.

    Following the preparation of a presentence investigation report by the U.S. Probation Office, Welch and Youngblood will be scheduled to be sentenced at a later date. Welch faces a maximum penalty of twenty (20) years in prison, and Youngblood faces a maximum penalty of three (3) years in prison.  Both individuals will also be assessed a period of supervised release, monetary penalties, and restitution. U.S. District Judge Timothy L. Brooks will determine the couple’s sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

    United States Attorney David Clay Fowlkes announced the change of plea hearings.

    The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Office of Inspector General for the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, and the Special Inspector General for Pandemic Relief investigated the case.

    U. S. Attorney David Clay Fowlkes and Assistant U.S. Attorney Ben Wulff are prosecuting the case for the United States.

    The Fraud Section leads the Criminal Division’s prosecution of fraud schemes that exploit the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). Since the inception of the CARES Act, the Fraud Section has prosecuted over 150 defendants in more than 95 criminal cases and has seized over $75 million in cash proceeds derived from fraudulently obtained PPP funds, as well as numerous real estate properties and luxury items purchased with such proceeds. More information can be found at

    Justice.gov/OPA/pr/justice-department-takes-action-against-covid-19-fraud.

    Related court documents may be found on the Public Access to Electronic Records website at www.pacer.gov.

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI Security: Post Falls Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Pointing Laser at Helicopter

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    COEUR D’ALENE – Aspen August Schaffer, 31, of Post Falls, was sentenced to 35 months in federal prison for aiming a laser pointer at an aircraft, Acting U.S. Attorney Justin Whatcott announced today.  Schaffer will serve an additional 3 years on supervised release after he is released from prison.

    According to court records, Schaffer was indicted in September 2024 by a grand jury and charged with aiming a laser pointer at an aircraft in violation of federal law.  On August 16, 2024, Schaffer was out with friends and pointed a bright green laser at the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office helicopter as it flew overhead.  The laser struck the helicopter multiple times and impaired the vision of the pilot, the sergeant and the deputy who were on board.  The helicopter lost altitude, but the pilot regained control and brought the helicopter back up to altitude.  Law enforcement tracked the car Schaffer was in and arrested him.  Schaffer had a blood alcohol level of .11 when he was booked into jail.  Schaffer was known to law enforcement and has prior felony convictions.

    Acting U.S. Attorney Whatcott commended the work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office, and the City of Coeur d’Alene Police Department which led to the charges.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Traci J. Whelan prosecuted the case.

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    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI Security: Father Sentenced to Life Plus 10 Years for First Degree Murder and Assault; Sons Sentenced for Their Involvement

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    TULSA, Okla. – A father was sentenced after being convicted by a jury of first-degree murder and assault, announced U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson.

    U.S. District Judge Gregory K. Frizzell sentenced James William Buzzard, 52, to life imprisonment, plus 10 years, after a jury convicted Buzzard of First Degree Murder in Indian Country, Assault with a Dangerous Weapon with Intent to do Bodily Harm in Indian County, and Carrying, Using, or Discharging a Firearm During and in Relation to a Crime of Violence.

    Before the trial began, James Buzzard’s co-defendants and sons pleaded guilty to their involvement in the murder of Jerry Tapp.

    Cody Dwayne Buzzard, 31, pled guilty to Second Degree Murder in Indian Country, and Carrying, Using, Brandishing, and Discharging a Firearm During and in Relation to a Crime of Violence. Judge Frizzell ordered Cody Buzzard to serve 300 months’ imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release.

    Dakota Chase Buzzard, 23, pled guilty to Conspiracy to Carry, Use, Brandish, and Discharge a Firearm During and in Relation to a Crime of Violence. Judge Frizzell ordered Dakota Buzzard to serve 78 months’ imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release.

    In August 2019, the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office responded to a 911 call about a shooting. Upon arrival, deputies discovered Jerry Tapp deceased in his front yard with multiple gunshot wounds. Deputies found a second victim alive, who was shot in the arm. 

    Witness interviews led law enforcement to Dakota Buzzard, who was driving a white, 4-door Altima, matching the description of the vehicle seen leaving. Law enforcement found spent casings in the yard, driveway, and roadway. They also found additional casings in the vehicle and the rifle used in the shooting.

    Court documents showed that the defendants waited for Jerry Tapp to return home from work. Once Jerry Tapp exited the vehicle, James Buzzard shot at Jerry, and handed the gun to Cody Buzzard, who continued shooting.

    The FBI, the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, and the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case, and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Reagan Reininger and Eric O. Johnston prosecuted the case.

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI Security: FBI: Scammers Stole More Than $243 Million From Coloradans in 2024

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

    Scammers stole $243,517,403 from Colorado victims in 2024, according to the latest report from the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3). Colorado was 7th in the nation in terms of complaints filed per capita, with 14,848 reports made to IC3.

    Reported losses in the state increased nearly $56 million over the 2023 dollar amount.

    The top three schemes with the largest dollar amount losses in 2024 in Colorado were investment fraud ($90 million); business email compromise ($48 million); and personal data breach ($23 million).

    The top three schemes in terms of numbers of reports from Colorado were extortion (2,320); phishing/spoofing (1,385); and personal data breach (1,187).

    The age group that reported the most complaints was people age 60 and older: 3,125 individuals reported losing $74,462,501.

    “This report serves as a sobering reminder that Coloradans — especially senior citizens — continue to be prime targets for scammers who will jump at every opportunity to defraud potential victims,” said FBI Denver Special Agent in Charge Mark Michalek. “Public vigilance is critical as cyber-enabled threats become more sophisticated and pervasive, impacting both our workplaces and our personal lives.”

    In 2024, the IC3 received 859,532 complaints nationwide of suspected Internet crime with reported losses of $16.6 billion. That is a 33 percent increase in losses from 2023.

    These are only the reports made to IC3; not every victim files a complaint—or even realizes he or she is a victim—so the actual numbers are probably higher in terms of victims and losses.

    Nationwide, the top three scams most frequently reported by victims were phishing/spoofing, extortion, and personal data breaches. Victims of investment fraud, specifically those involving cryptocurrency, reported the most losses — totaling more than $6.5 billion.

    Cryptocurrency investment fraud increased 29 percent over 2023. Ransomware complaints were up 9 percent across the country

    As a group, people 60 and older suffered the most losses in 2024 at nearly $5 billion and submitted the greatest number of complaints.

    If you feel you have been a victim of a cyber-enabled crime, file a complaint at IC3.gov.

    Read the full IC3 report here: https://www.ic3.gov/AnnualReport/Reports/2024_IC3Report.pdf

    Breakdowns by state are here: https://www.ic3.gov/AnnualReport/Reports/2024State/

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI Security: La Oficina Regional del FBI de Denver Informa Que en 2023 Estafadores Robaron a Los Residentes de Colorado Más de $243 Millones

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

    En 2024, estafadores robaron $243,517,403 a víctimas en Colorado, según el informe más reciente del Centro de Quejas de Delitos en Internet (IC3 por sus siglas en inglés) del FBI. El estado ocupó el séptimo lugar a nivel nacional en cuanto a la cantidad de denuncias per cápita, con un total de 14,848 reportes presentados ante el IC3.

    Las pérdidas reportadas en el estado experimentaron un aumento de casi 56 millones de dólares en comparación con el monto registrado en 2023.

    Los fraudes que generaron mayores pérdidas económicas en Colorado fueron: estafas de inversión ($90 millones); compromiso de correos electrónicos empresariales ($48 millones); y filtración de datos personales ($23 millones).

    Por volumen de reportes, los fraudes más comunes en el estado fueron: extorsión (2,320 casos);
    phishing o suplantación de identidad (1,385 casos); y filtración de datos personales (1,187 casos)

    El grupo etario más afectado fue el de personas mayores de 60 años, con 3,125 denuncias que reportaron pérdidas por un total de $74,462,501.

    “Este informe es una advertencia clara de que los habitantes de Colorado —especialmente los adultos mayores— siguen siendo blanco frecuente de estafadores que buscan cualquier oportunidad para cometer fraudes”, afirmó Mark Michalek, agente especial a cargo del FBI de Denver. “La vigilancia del público es fundamental frente a amenazas cibernéticas cada vez más sofisticadas y generalizadas, que afectan tanto nuestra vida laboral como personal.”

    A nivel nacional, el IC3 recibió en 2024 más de 859,532 denuncias relacionadas con delitos cibernéticos, con pérdidas totales que superaron los $16.6 mil millones, lo que representa un incremento del 33 % en comparación con 2023.

    Cabe destacar que estas cifras incluyen únicamente los reportes realizados al IC3. No todas las víctimas presentan una denuncia —o ni siquiera se dan cuenta que han sido víctimas—, por lo que es probable que las cifras reales sean aún mayores tanto en número de víctimas como en montos perdidos.

    En todo Estados Unidos, los tres fraudes más comúnmente reportados fueron phishing/suplantación de identidad, extorsión y violación de datos personales. Sin embargo, las mayores pérdidas económicas las generó el fraude de inversión, particularmente aquellos relacionados con criptomonedas, con un total de más de $6.5 mil millones en pérdidas.

    El fraude de inversión con criptomonedas aumentó un 29 % respecto a 2023. Además, las denuncias por ransomware aumentaron un 9 % a nivel nacional.

    Como grupo, las personas mayores de 60 años fueron las más afectadas en 2024, con casi $5 billones en pérdidas y la mayor cantidad de denuncias presentadas.

    Si cree que ha sido víctima de un delito cibernético, puede presentar una denuncia en: IC3.gov

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI USA: Gov. Pillen Announces Chief Bryan Waugh to Lead Nebraska State Patrol

    Source: US State of Nebraska

    . Pillen Announces Chief Bryan Waugh to Lead Nebraska State Patrol

     

    LINCOLN, NE – Today, Governor Jim Pillen announced his appointment of Chief Bryan Waugh as the next superintendent for the Nebraska State Patrol. He will assume his duties on June 2. Waugh replaces Colonel John Bolduc, who is retiring on May 4.

    Wauch is the 19th superintendent to oversee the agency, consisting of more than 700 public servants, of which over 400 are sworn officers. For the past six years, he has been the police chief in Kearney.

    “Chief Waugh brings over 30 years of law enforcement experience, marked by innovation, collaboration, and a public servant’s heart,” said Gov. Pillen. “As Kearney’s chief for six years, he has led a growing department, managed a $13 million budget, achieved accreditation, and launched programs like the Mental Health Co-Responder Initiative and a citywide license plate reader system that sparked a statewide effort. His leadership during the 2019 flood kept Kearney safe while strengthening community trust. I am confident we’ve chosen the right person to lead the Patrol and build on its 88-year-old legacy.”

    Four candidates were interviewed for the leadership position. Lt. Governor Joe Kelly noted that all were highly qualified.

    “It’s encouraging to know that there are many good law enforcement officers in Nebraska capable of fulfilling a role like this,” he said.  

    Speaking about Waugh in particular, the Lt. Governor said he was very impressed with his experience interacting with federal, state and local government.

    “You have to be able to play across the field with everybody in law enforcement. Bryan is someone who can reach across those lines and bring everyone together.”

    Senator Stan Clouse, who hired Waugh in 2019 when he was Kearney’s mayor, joked that today felt like a proud dad moment.

    “The things that Bryan brought to our city are incredible. What stands out to me most is his professionalism. You can see that in the officers he hired and in the culture that he changed. We are going to miss him in Kearney, and I think the state will be very pleased with the leadership role that Bryan is taking on. He understands policing.”

    Originally from West Virginia, Waugh served four years of active duty as a U.S. Air Force security police/law enforcement specialist at Offutt Air Force Base. He had two tours of duty in Southeast Asia during Operation Desert Shield and Operation Southern Watch/Enduring Freedom. He has nearly 32 combined years of law enforcement experience, serving 21 years with the La Vista Police Department, prior to making the move to Kearney.

    Waugh holds multiple law enforcement certifications, including through the FBI. He is president of the Police Chiefs Association in Nebraska. Waugh earned his master’s degree in administrative leadership from the University of Oklahoma.

    “I am incredibly humbled, proud, and honored by the faith Governor Pillen has placed in me to become the 19th colonel of the Nebraska State Patrol. This storied organization’s professional men and women are first-class, dedicated, committed, and driven toward providing the highest level of public safety and professional services for the entire state of Nebraska,” said Waugh.

    At today’s announcement, Gov. Pillen also took time to highlight the service of Col. Bolduc, who has reached the Patrol’s mandatory retirement age of 60. He has been superintendent since 2017. Gov. Pillen thanked Bolduc “on behalf of every Nebraskan.”

    Acknowledging the Governor’s appreciation, Col. Bolduc remarked that it had been an incredible honor to serve as colonel for the State Patrol.

    “I’m proud of the work our team has done and the constant effort our troopers, investigators, and professional staff put forth every day to serve Nebraskans. As this chapter of the agency closes and a new one begins under Chief Waugh’s leadership, I have no doubt that our team will remain dedicated to providing excellent public service and our shared mission to keep Nebraska safe.”

    “I am eager, motivated, and committed to leading our premier law enforcement organization into the future,” said Waugh. “With enthusiasm, integrity, care, and a strong vision to strengthen our ranks, leverage technology, broaden efficiencies, build on our successes, and embrace our challenges I look forward to getting started. We will honor the past, live in the present, and reimagine our future, together.”

    Until Waugh begins his new position in June, Gov. Pillen has appointed Lt. Colonel Jeff Roby to serve as the interim superintendent for the Patrol.

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI Security: Jefferson County Man Sentenced to Prison on Gun Charge

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

    BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – A Jefferson County man has been sentenced on a gun charge, announced U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona.

    U.S. District Court Judge Madeline H. Haikala sentenced Jaden O’Neal Cooper, a.k.a. “Tallapoosa Jay,” 21, of Midfield, Alabama to 27 months in prison. In January, Cooper pleaded guilty to possession of a machinegun.

    According to court documents, on February 1, 2024, detectives with the Leeds Police Department, Birmingham Police Department East Task Force, FBI, and Jefferson County Sheriff Department’s Star One Aviation Unit were conducting surveillance in the Inglenook area. Detectives had previously interacted with an individual they saw driving a red 2021 Hyundai Sonata. A detective ran the tag number on the vehicle, and the tag returned as belonging to a white 2014 Hyundai Sonata. Detectives confirmed that the tag had been switched, and a Birmingham Police officer initiated a traffic stop on the vehicle.

    As the Birmingham Police officer approached the vehicle, the officer noticed Cooper—a   known member of the Hard to Kill “H2K” street gang—was a passenger in the vehicle. The officer could also see an AM-15 pistol (assault style rifle) located at Cooper’s feet. Other officers provided backup at the traffic stop, and a Leeds Police Department detective removed the firearm from the vehicle. The firearm was determined to be loaded and was equipped with plastic piece—a 3-D printed “swift link” conversion device—in the trigger assembly. This device converted the firearm to a fully automatic machine gun.

    The Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated the cases along with the Leeds Police Department, Birmingham Police Department East Task Force, and the Jefferson County Sheriff Department’s Star One Aviation Unit.  Assistant United States Attorney Darius C. Greene prosecuted the case. 

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI Security: Rhode Island Man Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison in One of Rhode Island’s Largest Fentanyl Seizures

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

    PROVIDENCE – Jorge Pimentel, a/k/a “Big Head,” 36, of Cranston, has been sentenced to twenty years in federal prison, announced Acting United States Attorney Sara Miron Bloom.

    Pimentel previously admitted to a federal judge that he ran a highly productive drug lab and a stash house in Pawtucket from which 19,315 fentanyl-laced pills made to resemble pharmaceutical grade Percocet pills and nearly 9 kilograms of powder fentanyl were seized by law enforcement.  The seizure of a combined total of over sixteen kilograms of fentanyl-laced pills and fentanyl powder, an industrial grade high-speed pill press, and twenty-eight thousand grams of cutting agents used in the manufacturer of the fake pill seized in September 2023, is among the largest seizures of fentanyl in Rhode Island. 

    The fentanyl powder and already cut mixture seized in this case represented the potential production of more than 633,000 fentanyl-laced pills.

    Court documents detail that Pimentel was already a “well-established, large scale fentanyl trafficker” when, on multiple occasions between May 31, 2023, and September 29, 2023, he brokered sales of a total of approximately 34,000 fentanyl-laced pills for which he was paid $37,000.

    Pimentel was sentenced on Tuesday by U.S. District Court Chief Judge John J. McConnell, Jr., to 240 months of incarceration to be followed by five years of federal supervised release. He pleaded guilty in December 2024 as charged by indictment with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl, and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. No plea agreement was filed in this case.

    The matter was investigated by the FBI’s Rhode Island Safe Streets Task Force. The Safe Streets Task Force consists of agents and law enforcement officers from the FBI, Rhode Island State Police, the Cranston, Woonsocket, Pawtucket, West Warwick, and Central Falls Police Departments, the U.S. Marshals Service, and the Rhode Island Department of Corrections.

    The United States Attorney’s Office thanks the Providence Police Department and the DEA for their partnership.

    This case is 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 gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. 

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    MIL Security OSI