Category: housing

MIL-OSI Security: Justice Department Announces Results of Operation Restore Justice: 205 Child Sex Abuse Offenders Arrested in FBI-Led Nationwide Crackdown, Including Three Men in the District of Alaska

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

ANCHORAGE, Alaska – Today, the Department of Justice announced the results of Operation Restore Justice, a coordinated enforcement effort to identify, track and arrest child sex predators. The operation resulted in the rescue of 115 children and the arrests of 205 child sexual abuse offenders in the nationwide crackdown. The coordinated effort was executed over the course of five days by all 55 FBI field offices, the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section in the Department’s Criminal Division, and United States Attorney’s Offices around the country.

“The Department of Justice will never stop fighting to protect victims — especially child victims — and we will not rest until we hunt down, arrest, and prosecute every child predator who preys on the most vulnerable among us,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “I am grateful to the FBI and their state and local partners for their incredible work in Operation Restore Justice and have directed my prosecutors not to negotiate.”

“Every child deserves to grow up free from fear and exploitation, and the FBI will continue to be relentless in our pursuit of those who exploit the most vulnerable among us,” said FBI Director Kash Patel. “Operation Restore Justice proves that no predator is out of reach and no child will be forgotten. By leveraging the strength of all our field offices and our federal, state and local partners, we’re sending a clear message: there is no place to hide for those who prey on children.”

“This joint initiative underscores the unwavering commitment of our law enforcement partners to find alleged child predators and protect children from exploitation and lasting harm,” said U.S. Attorney Michael J. Heyman for the District of Alaska. “I want to thank the FBI Anchorage Field Office, and our law enforcement partners statewide for their dedicated efforts in safeguarding Alaska’s children—one of our most vital and vulnerable populations.”

“Through collaborative efforts, this wide-ranging operation was designed to identify and apprehend those accused of child sexual exploitation crimes, regardless of where they live or operate,” said Special Agent in Charge Rebecca Day of the FBI Anchorage Field Office. “Protecting our children is one of the highest callings in law enforcement. I commend the outstanding work by members of the FBI’s Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force, as well as our law enforcement partners across Alaska, in their commitment to fostering safer communities for our children.”

As a result of the operation, the following individuals are now facing charges alleged through three separate indictments in the District of Alaska:

U.S. v. Herra:

Jonathan Herra, 25, of Kenai, was arrested at his mother’s residence in Kenai on April 24, 2025, for allegedly purchasing child sexual abuse material (CSAM) from an online platform.

Herra is charged with one count of sexual attempted receipt of child pornography, one count of access with intent to view child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography. If convicted, he faces between 5-20 years in prison.

U.S. v. Nungasak:

Donovan Nungasak, 31, of Utqiagvik, was arrested at his residence on April 28, 2025, for allegedly producing and possessing child pornography.

In August 2024, the FBI received a tip suggesting that Nungasak had CSAM on his phone. The tip prompted an investigation that revealed Nungasak allegedly had sexually explicit conversations with a minor victim on a digital messaging application. Law enforcement also found 27 images of suspected CSAM on Nungasak’s phone that appeared to depict prepubescent victims.

Nungasak is charged with one count of production or attempted production of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography. If convicted, he faces between 15-30 years in prison.

U.S. v. Seward:

Kristian Seward, 30, of Anchorage, was arrested in California on April 28, 2025, for allegedly receiving and possessing child pornography.

On June 21, 2024, Seward allegedly received and attempted to receive CSAM using a digital device. Between June 21, 2024, and Oct. 8, 2024, Seward also possessed and attempted to possess CSAM using a digital device.

Seward is charged with one count of receipt of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography. If convicted, he faces between 15-40 years in prison.

Operation Restore Justice was led by the FBI Anchorage Field Office, with substantial assistance from the Anchorage Police Department, as part of the FBI’s Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force. Operational assistance was provided by the Alaska State Troopers, North Slope Borough Police Department and Kenai Police Department in conducting the arrests. These cases are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ainsley McNerney, Mac Caille Petursson and Carly Vosacek.

Others arrested around the country are alleged to have committed various crimes including the production, distribution, and possession of child sexual abuse material, online enticement and transportation of minors, and child sex trafficking. In Minneapolis, for example, a state trooper and Army Reservist was arrested for allegedly producing child sexual abuse material while wearing his uniforms. In Norfolk, VA, an illegal alien from Mexico is accused of transporting a minor across state lines for sex. In Washington, D.C., a former Metropolitan Police Department Police Officer was arrested for allegedly trafficking minor victims.

In many cases, parental vigilance and community outreach efforts played a critical role in bringing these offenders to justice. For example, a California man was arrested about eight hours after a young victim bravely came forward and disclosed their abuse to FBI agents after an online safety presentation at a school near Albany, N.Y.

This effort follows the Department’s observance of National Child Abuse Prevention Month in April and underscores the Department’s unwavering commitment to protecting children and raising awareness about the dangers they face. While the Department, including the FBI, investigates and prosecutes these crimes every day, April serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of preventing these crimes, seeking justice for victims, and raising awareness through community education.

The Justice Department is committed to combating child sexual exploitation. These cases were 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, visit www.justice.gov/psc.

The Department partners with and oversees funding grants for the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), which receives and shares tips about possible child sexual exploitation received through its 24/7 hotline at 1-800-THE-LOST and on missingkids.org.

The Department urges the public to remain vigilant and report suspected exploitation of a child through the FBI’s tipline at 1-800-CALL-FBI (225-5324), tips.fbi.gov, or by calling your local FBI field office.

Other online resources:

Electronic Press Kit

Violent Crimes Against Children

How we can help you: Parents and caregivers protecting your kids

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

A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

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MIL Security OSI –

May 10, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: Two South Gate Men Charged with over a Dozen Highway Robberies Following Gamblers Targeted for Their Casino Winnings

Source: Office of United States Attorneys

LOS ANGELES – Two South Gate men have been charged in a federal indictment unsealed today for allegedly committing more than a dozen armed robberies, stealing gambling winnings from individuals leaving local casinos.

Juan Gabriel Gonzalez, 22, was arrested and will make his initial appearance in federal court today. Dereck Nathan Lopez, 21, is currently in state custody and expected to appear in federal court in the coming weeks.

Both defendants are charged with multiple counts of interference and attempted interference with commerce by robbery (Hobbs Act), one count of Hobbs Act conspiracy, and multiple counts of using firearms during a crime of violence. Lopez is also charged with one count of being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition.

According to the 10-count indictment, Lopez and Gonzalez entered local casinos under false names to hunt gamblers appearing to win or cash-in a large number of chips. Lopez, Gonzalez and other co-conspirators then followed the victims’ vehicles from the casino, ambushed them on the highway, brandished firearms, smashed the vehicle’s windows, demanded money or chips, and fled. Lopez, Gonzalez, and other conspirators allegedly robbed and attempted to rob individuals leaving casinos in this manner on at least 15 different occasions, including three on a single night.

Before one incident, Lopez is seen on casino surveillance video celebrating a gambling victory with a victim he was scouting, including high-fiving the victim after the win, according to court documents. Within an hour, Lopez’s co-conspirators had blocked in her vehicle, brandished firearms, and stolen $21,000 in cash. In a separate incident, Lopez, Gonzalez and their co-conspirators stole at least $130,000 in casino winnings.

Lopez is also charged with being a felon in possession of three firearms and over 30 rounds of ammunition found at his home in December 2023. Lopez is not legally permitted to possess a firearm or ammunition because his criminal history includes a conviction in San Bernardino Superior Court for grand theft in November 2023 during the pendency of the indicted robbery spree.

An indictment contains allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.

If convicted of all charges, each defendant would face a statutory maximum sentence of life in federal prison.

Operation Safe Cities establishes strategic enforcement priorities with an emphasis on prosecuting the most significant drivers of violent crime. Across this region, the most damaging and horrific crimes are committed by a relatively small number of particularly violent individuals. This strategic enforcement approach is expected to increase the number of arrests, prosecutions and convictions of recidivists engaged in the most dangerous conduct. It is designed to improve public safety across the region by targeting crimes involving illicit guns, prohibited persons possessing firearms, or robbery crews that cause havoc and extensive losses to retail establishments.

The FBI, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, the Los Angeles Police Department, the California Highway Patrol, the California Department of Justice Bureau of Gambling Control, and the Montebello Police Department are investigating this matter.

Assistant United States Attorneys Kevin J. Butler and Jena A. MacCabe of the Transnational Organized Crime Section are prosecuting this case.

MIL Security OSI –

May 10, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: New Jersey Woman Sentenced to Prison for Forced Labor and Other Federal Crimes

Source: Office of United States Attorneys

CAMDEN, N.J. – A Burlington County woman was sentenced to 45 months in prison for forced labor and other crimes related to her coercive scheme to compel two victims to perform domestic labor and childcare in her home, U.S. Attorney Alina Habba and Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division announced.

Bolaji Bolarinwa, 51, of Moorestown, previously was found guilty of two counts of forced labor, one count of alien harboring for financial gain and two counts of document servitude following a two-week trial before U.S. District Judge Karen M. Williams in Camden federal court. Judge Williams imposed the sentence in Camden federal court.

“This sentence vindicates the rights of two vulnerable women who the defendant subjected to grueling hours and coercive abuse in her home. Forced labor and human trafficking are atrocious crimes that have no place in our society. My office and the entire Department of Justice is committed to standing up for vulnerable human trafficking victims and holding their traffickers accountable.”

– U.S. Attorney Alina Habba

“The defendant exploited her relationship with the victims to lure them to the United States with false promises,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “The defendant confiscated the victims’ immigration documents and subjected them to threats, physical force, and mental abuse to coerce them to work long hours for minimal pay. This prosecution should send a strong message that such forced labor will not be tolerated in our communities. The Justice Department is committed to fully enforcing our federal human trafficking statutes to vindicate the rights of survivors and hold human traffickers accountable for such shameful exploitation of vulnerable victims.”

“Human nature is generally good. There are situations though that prove some people display more cruel and inhumane behavior,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Terence G. Reilly of the FBI Newark Field Office. “Bolarinwa lured women with false promises, held them captive, and forced them clean her home and care for her children. Then took it a sickening step further by physically abusing them. Luckily, one of the victims had the courage to tell someone. We ask anyone who notices an odd situation, something that doesn’t look or feel right, to please call us so we can help victims that may be hiding in plain sight.”

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

From December 2015 to October 2016, Bolarinwa – originally from Nigeria, but living in New Jersey as a U.S. citizen – recruited two victims to come to the United States and then coerced them to perform domestic labor and childcare services for her children through physical harm, threats of physical harm, isolation, constant surveillance and psychological abuse. The defendant engaged in this conduct knowing that one of the victims was out of lawful status while working in her home.

Once the first victim arrived in the United States in December 2015, Bolarinwa confiscated her passport and coerced her through threats of physical harm to her and her daughter, verbal abuse, isolation and constant surveillance to compel her to work every day, around-the-clock for nearly a year. Bolarinwa then recruited a second victim to come to the United States on a student visa. When the second victim arrived in the United States in April 2016, Bolarinwa similarly confiscated her passport and coerced her to perform household work and childcare but relied more heavily on physical abuse. The two victims lived and worked in Bolarinwa’s home until October 2016, when the second victim notified a professor at her college, who reported the information to the FBI.

In addition to the prison term, Judge Williams sentenced Bolarinwa to 3 years of supervised release, imposed a $35,000 fine, and ordered Bolarinwa to pay $87,518.72 in restitution to the victims of her offenses.

U.S. Attorney Habba credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Terence G. Reilly in Newark, with the investigation leading to this sentence.

This case was prosecuted as part of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey’s Human Trafficking Task Force, which was formed in 2025. The Task Force brings together federal and state agencies to collaborate and dedicate resources to combat human trafficking and prosecute human trafficking offenders who endanger the safety of the community. The Human Trafficking Task Force is composed of the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Department of Labor, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, the Internal Revenue Service, and the New Jersey Office of Attorney General.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey Bender for the District of New Jersey and Trial Attorney Elizabeth Hutson of the Civil Rights Division’s Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit.

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Defense counsel: Jeffrey Zucker, Esq.

MIL Security OSI –

May 10, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: Leader of drug trafficking ring connected to Aryan prison gangs sentenced to more than 17 years in prison

Source: Office of United States Attorneys

Tacoma – A co-leader of a drug distribution ring selling fentanyl pills, methamphetamine, and heroin throughout the Puget Sound region was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Tacoma to 17 and a half years in prison for his role in the conspiracy to distribute narcotics, conspiracy to commit money laundering, and for possessing firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Teal Luthy Miller. Bryson Gill, 32, most recently of Buckeye, Arizona, attempted to evade law enforcement by moving the headquarters of his drug distribution ring to Arizona after the Shelton, Washington, stash house he and his co-conspirators operated was raided in December 2022. When law enforcement moved in on the multi-faceted drug conspiracy in March 2023, Gill was arrested in Arizona.

At today’s sentencing hearing Chief U.S. District Judge David G. Estudillo said, “The seriousness of these offenses cannot be understated. There are so many people out there that become addicted on these drugs or suffer overdoses and are no longer with us.”

“Make no mistake, Gill’s drug ring used violence and threats of violence as their stock in trade. Gill was heard on the wiretap plotting to kidnap another drug dealer and expressing a desire to murder a law enforcement officer,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Miller. ““With the more than $1 million he laundered, Gill bragged that he was going to set up a compound with an airfield in Arizona to further his drug trafficking. This conviction and sentence successfully ended those plans.”

According to records filed in the case, this drug organization was one branch of three investigated for dealing substantial amounts of drugs in the Puget Sound region. Participants in the drug rings have ties to Aryan prison gangs in the Washington State Department of Correction.

In the fall of 2022, Gill was in touch with his right-hand man, Michael Slocumb, as the latter made multiple trips to Arizona to pick up and transport narcotics to a stash house in Shelton. Gill instructed Slocumb and other coconspirators about using two pill presses to manufacture fentanyl pills. When Gill’s home and the stash house property was searched on December 9, 2022, law enforcement seized more than 640,000 pills containing fentanyl, as well as a kilogram of fentanyl powder and 12 kilograms of methamphetamine, along with more than $81,000 in cash proceeds from drug trafficking.

The stash house property also contained 23 firearms, including a shotgun kept where the drugs were stored, and the pills manufactured.

During this conspiracy, law enforcement intercepted Gill and Slocumb discussing kidnapping another drug dealer who was also under investigation by federal authorities. Slocumb was surveilling the target’s apartment when law enforcement made a show of being in the vicinity to get Slocumb to leave and ward off any violence.

Following the stash house raid, Gill and Slocumb were heard on the wiretap discussing plans to move drug operations to Arizona. Gill discussed with his mother his plan to acquire property in Arizona in her name and talked with an incarcerated friend about coming to work for him as a pilot when the man got out of prison. Gill had said he planned to put in an airfield on the property in Arizona where the conspirators had relocated their drug trafficking organization.

Gill and Slocumb remained in Arizona until they were arrested in March 2023. When law enforcement searched the Arizona property Gill and Slocum had purchased, they seized approximately 70 illegally possessed firearms and thousands of rounds of ammunition.

From May of 2021 until December 2022, Gill laundered at least $927,059 through bank accounts set up to appear to be for a dog training business. The money was used for things such as luxury cars, expensive jewelry, airline tickets and Seattle Seahawks tickets. Over $81,000 in cash seized from Gill and his conspirators at various locations was forfeited to the government.

In asking for a 17.5-year sentence, prosecutors wrote to the court, “Gill played a leadership role in purchasing, processing, and distributing massive quantities of fentanyl pills, fentanyl powder, and methamphetamine. He directed his fellow co-conspirators to transport narcotics from Arizona to Washington, use pill presses to manufacture fake OxyCodone pills laced with fentanyl, and distribute large quantities of methamphetamine and fentanyl pills throughout the Western District of Washington. … (Washington State Department of Health) data shows the number of drug overdose deaths occurring annually in the state more than doubled from 2019 to 2023. “

Bryson Gill pleaded guilty on February 7, 2025.

Law enforcement made two dozen arrests on federal charges on March 22, 2023. The coordinated takedown involved ten swat teams and more than 350 law enforcement officers. On that day law enforcement seized 177 firearms, more than ten kilos of methamphetamine, 11 kilos of fentanyl pills and more than a kilo of fentanyl powder, three kilos of heroin, and more than $330,000 in cash from eighteen locations in Washington and Arizona. Earlier in the investigation law enforcement seized 830,000 fentanyl pills, 5.5 pounds of fentanyl powder, 223 pounds of methamphetamine, 3.5 pounds of heroin, 5 pounds of cocaine, $388,000 in cash, and 48 firearms.

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

This investigation was led by the FBI with critical investigative teamwork from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Washington State Department of Corrections and significant local assistance from the Tacoma Police Department, Pierce County Sheriff’s Office, and the Thurston County Narcotics Task Force, led by the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office. Throughout this investigation the following agencies assisted the primary investigators: Washington State Patrol, Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine, Lewis County Sheriff’s Office, Lakewood Police Department, and U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS).

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Zach Dillon, Max Shiner, and Jehiel Baer.

MIL Security OSI –

May 10, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Durbin Discusses Trump Cuts To AmeriCorps Programs With Program Alumni

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for Illinois Dick Durbin

May 09, 2025

CHICAGO ? U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today joined leaders from Public Allies Chicago and North Lawndale Employment Network (NLEN) , as well as AmeriCorps alumni, to discuss the impact of the Trump Administration’s elimination of federal funding for AmeriCorps programs.

“From rebuilding homes and providing rural health care, to tutoring kids after school and cleaning up after natural disasters, AmeriCorps supports our most under-resourced communities,” said Durbin. “Service providers like Public Allies and North Lawndale Employment Network are left in the lurch thanks to President Trump’s decision to eliminate this critical, bipartisan-supported funding. I will continue urging my Republican colleagues to fight against this Administration’s senseless attempts to eliminate such small amounts of funding that have such incredible, positive impact in their communities like here in Chicago.”

“Since its founding 1993, Public Allies Chicago has equipped young community leaders with the skills to improve the lives of Chicagoans through service placements at more than 400 local nonprofit and government partners working on critical issues like education, violence prevention and underemployment,” said Mark Payne, Executive Director, Public Allies Chicago. “In just the last few years, Public Allies Chicago has turned $3.7 million in federal funds into a $7.5 million investment in Chicago’s communities. Cuts to AmeriCorps harm Chicago’s service-minded young people and our most vulnerable communities.”

“Public Allies has been an incredible capacity builder for NLEN, enhancing our ability to serve the community effectively while investing in residents like Michael Bradley and Ronnie Branch, our community leaders of tomorrow.” said Brenda Palms-Barber, NLEN CEO

Photos of today’s meeting are available here.

The Trump Administration’s elimination of federal funding for AmeriCorps will lead to the shuttering of 1,000 programs and will end service for more than 32,000 AmeriCorps members across the nation. In Illinois, $12 million in federal grants will be terminated, impacting 632 AmeriCorps employees, including Public Allies Chicago and North Lawndale Employment Network, which provide critical community and career services to Chicagoans.

Earlier this week, Durbin spoke on the Senate floor about the direct impact that eliminating AmeriCorps funding will have on Illinois, including the Lessie Bates Davis Neighborhood House in East St. Louis, Illinois, which Durbin visited last month.

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MIL OSI USA News –

May 10, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Attorney General Bonta Sues Trump Administration over “Declaring a National Energy Emergency” Executive Order

Source: US State of California

20th lawsuit against Trump Administration asks court to block executive order and directive to expedite non-emergency permitting procedures

OAKLAND — California Attorney General Rob Bonta today co-led a coalition of 14 attorneys general in filing a lawsuit challenging President Donald Trump’s Executive Order (EO) entitled “Declaring a National Energy Emergency,” along with the actions taken by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) and the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation pursuant to the EO. Although national energy production reached an all-time high under President Biden and has continued growing, President Trump unlawfully invoked authority under the National Emergencies Act to improperly declare a national energy emergency. Congress passed the National Emergencies Act to prevent Presidents from declaring national emergencies for frivolous or partisan matters — exactly what the President has done here. Based on that declaration, the EO directs federal agencies to exercise their emergency authorities – reserved for disaster prevention and recovery – to facilitate and expedite the development of energy projects. Notably, the directives under the EO would expedite fossil fuel projects but exclude solar and wind power. Attorney General Bonta and the multistate coalition allege that the President’s directive is not only unlawful, but will unnecessarily fast-track non-emergency projects, which the states allege will result in damage to their states’ waters, historic properties, and tribal lands and the people and wildlife that rely on our precious natural resources.

“Just another unlawful directive from the President, this time acting well beyond the scope of his emergency powers,” said Attorney General Bonta. “The invocation of the country’s emergency authorities is reserved for actual emergencies— not changes in Presidential policy or because the President feels like it. These procedures misuse authorities meant for disaster response and bypass important health and environmental protections for the benefit of the fossil fuel industry. That’s why my fellow attorneys general and I are filing this lawsuit to hold the President accountable for breaking the law, again.”

On January 20th, his first day in office, President Trump issued an executive order, which declared a “national energy emergency” under the National Emergencies Act. Pursuant to this directive, the Corps was instructed to identify projects for accelerated permitting under the Clean Water Act (CWA). Under Section 404 of the CWA, the Corps issues permits for the discharge of dredged or fill materials into navigable waters nationwide, typically for water resource projects such as dams and levees, infrastructure development such as highways and airports, mining projects, and flood control projects. The Corps subsequently issued “special emergency permit processing procedures” for Corps districts across the country. Other agencies, including the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, have followed suit, issuing emergency procedures and/or guidance to expedite permitting of energy projects. Until now, federal agencies have used emergency procedures during actual emergencies such as hurricanes and catastrophic oil spills — for example, the Deepwater Horizon disaster in the Gulf of Mexico. Now agencies are acting under emergency procedures only due to the President’s decision to declare a national energy emergency when no such emergency actually exists.

In the lawsuit, the attorneys general allege that the President’s directive, and federal agencies’ subsequent implementation of it, violate multiple federal laws, including the Administrative Procedure Act. The attorneys general are asking the Court to declare the President’s directive illegal and prevent the Administration from taking any action to pursue emergency permitting for non-emergency projects.

Joining California Attorney General Bonta and Washington Attorney General Brown in filing this lawsuit are the attorneys general of Arizona, Connecticut, Illinois, Massachusetts, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Wisconsin.

A copy of the complaint can be found here.

MIL OSI USA News –

May 10, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: Edmond Man Pleads Guilty to Sexual Exploitation of a Child

Source: Office of United States Attorneys

OKLAHOMA CITY – KENNETH LYNCH, 45, of Edmond, has pleaded guilty to sexual exploitation of a child, announced U.S Attorney Robert J. Troester.

On February 20, 2025, a federal Grand Jury returned a three-count Indictment, charging Lynch with sexual exploitation of a child, transportation of child pornography, and possession of and accessing with intent to view material containing child pornography. According to public record, in October 2024, agents with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) discovered images depicting child sexual abuse material (CSAM) that were shared in a chat site on the darkweb, a computer network within the internet that is restricted and cannot be accessed by the general public using a standard search engine. In the course of their investigation, HSI identified the minor victim in the photo, and spoke with her on November 12, 2024. The victim told agents Lynch sexually abused her on multiple occasions and captured the images in question. Edmond police arrested Lynch at his home on January 15, 2025, after executing a search warrant. On Lynch’s phone, law enforcement found some of the CSAM images that started the investigation.

On May 7, 2025, Lynch pleaded guilty to Count 1 of the Indictment, and admitted he used a minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing a picture of that conduct. At sentencing, Lynch faces at least 15 years and up to 30 years in federal prison, and a fine of up to $250,000.

This case is the result of an investigation by HSI and the Edmond Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jordan Ganz is prosecuting the case.

This case is the result of an investigation by the Tornado Alley Child Exploitation Task Force, which is led by HSI. The Tornado Alley Child Exploitation Task Force is an implementation of Project Safe Childhood (PSC), a nationwide initiative by the Department of Justice (DOJ) to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse. PSC 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 PSC, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.

Reference is made to public filings for additional information.

MIL Security OSI –

May 10, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Senator Coons, colleagues urge Trump to press for immediate resumption of humanitarian aid to Gaza and return to Israel-Gaza hostage and ceasefire negotiations

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for Delaware Christopher Coons
WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), along with Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), and Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) led a letter of 25 Democratic senators to President Trump in advance of the president’s upcoming travel to the Middle East next week, urging him to take an active role in pressing for humanitarian aid and a return to ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas in order to ensure Israel’s security and end more than 15 months of devastating conflict in Gaza.
When Trump took office, the January 15 ceasefire deal negotiated under the presidential transition of the Biden administration was in effect––30 Israeli hostages were reunited with their families, Hamas’ military capacity had been effectively obliterated, and humanitarian aid was reaching Gaza. In the months since Trump’s inauguration, however, negotiations towards long-term regional security have collapsed, and dozens of hostages remain imprisoned by Hamas.
Before next week’s visit, the senators wrote to President Trump that “the United States is not providing much needed leadership to drive peace forward in the region.” President Trump’s planned visit to the region does not include a stop in Israel. He has chosen to conclude a truce with Houthi terrorists even as they pledge to continue striking Israel. He also appears to be turning a blind eye towards the core task of ensuring Israel’s security for today and for the long term.
The senators described Gaza’s catastrophic humanitarian crisis under a months-long blockade of aid. More than 116,000 metric tons of food assistance have been stuck outside Gaza, and an estimated 90 percent of Gaza’s population face high levels of acute food and water insecurity. According to the United Nations, most civilians face emergency or crisis levels of hunger.
This week, Israel also announced its intent to expand military operations and pursue a long-term occupation of Gaza. “The announcement has already escalated tensions in the Middle East, once again threatening to engulf the volatile region in conflict,” wrote the senators. “The Houthis struck Israel’s Ben Gurion airport on May 4 and have vowed to further retaliate against the proposed occupation. Jordan, one of our most important regional security partners, is facing intensifying pressure amid continued public anger over Gaza. Saudi Arabia has made it clear there can be no progress towards normalization with Israel without a pathway toward Palestinian statehood.”
“Israel’s proposed occupation plans take us further away from permanently ending the Israel-Gaza war and upholding Israel’s security, both goals that you have promised to achieve under your administration,” the senators added.
Specifically, the senators asked Trump to press all parties to agree to a deal that:
Secures the immediate release of all remaining hostages
Ushers in a ceasefire
Works towards the creation of a security force backed by Arab partners to administer Gaza without Hamas
Creates a path toward a lasting solution that will allow the Israeli and Palestinian people to live in security, dignity, and prosperity
The senators ended the letter by reaffirming their unequivocal commitment to Israel’s security and its right to defend itself.
“It has been nearly 20 months since Hamas murdered more than 1,200 people and took about 250 hostages, including American citizens,” the senators concluded. “This period has also been marked by severe humanitarian suffering of civilians in Gaza, where more than 52,000 Palestinians have been killed and millions displaced. All of us are longstanding advocates of the U.S.-Israel security partnership, and we will continue to fight for the defense of the Israeli people. That is why, today, we stand with the nearly three-quarters of the Israeli public who are fighting for the release of the remaining hostages in Gaza in exchange for a ceasefire.”
In addition to Senator Coons, Reed, Schatz, Shaheen, and Warner, the letter is signed by Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Angus King (I-Maine), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Edward Markey (D-Mass.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.).
Senator Coons is the Ranking Member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense and a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
You can read the full letter here.

MIL OSI USA News –

May 10, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Valadao Introduces Legislation to Expand Domestic Energy Production
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman David G Valadao (CA-21)

WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman David Valadao (CA-22) joined Reps. Jen Kiggans (VA-02), Andrew Garbarino (NY-02), Mark Amodei (NV-02), and Dan Newhouse (WA-04) in introducing the Certainty for Our Energy Future Act. This legislation would provide some much-needed clarity surrounding renewable energy projects and ensure our nation’s resources do not enrich adversarial nations.

“The Central Valley is leading the way in renewable energy production, and our communities deserve policies that provide stability and certainty for the future,” said Congressman Valadao. “The Certainty for Our Energy Future Act preserves the clean energy tax credits farmers and energy producers rely on, while phasing out long-term subsidies for technologies that can now stand on their own. I’m proud to join my colleagues in introducing this bill to expand domestic energy production and keep the door open for new technologies to grow and compete.”

“The Certainty for Our Energy Future Act is a critical step toward aligning our clean energy priorities with today’s economic and national security realities,” said Congresswoman Kiggans. “By responsibly phasing out subsidies for technologies like wind and solar, and ensuring foreign adversaries like China and Russia can’t exploit American tax benefits, we are safeguarding both our energy independence and our taxpayers. Energy security is national security, and the bottom line is that in order to increase American energy dominance, we need to protect as much production and innovation as possible. I am proud to introduce this legislation and help secure America’s energy future!”

“Certainty for the energy industry is essential to securing American energy dominance, driving innovation, and lowering costs for consumers,” said Congressman Garbarino. “The Certainty for Our Energy Future Act provides the predictability businesses need to invest with confidence while protecting taxpayers from foreign threats. I look forward to working with my colleagues to responsibly deliver on the President’s energy agenda and meet our nation’s growing energy demand with a stronger, more secure energy future.”

“America’s path to energy independence must involve an all-of-the-above clean energy approach that puts American manufacturers at the center,” said Rep. Amodei. “By excluding foreign adversaries from tax benefits and prioritizing American innovation, we are one step closer to a more secure and self-reliant energy future.”

“The United States has the opportunity to lead the world in clean energy production while lowering costs for consumers,” said Congressman Newhouse. “By phasing out tax incentives supporting wind and solar projects, Congress can provide long-term certainty to utilities and investors. This legislation provides critical protections to ensure federal investments are not being utilized by foreign adversaries, including Communist China. I thank Rep. Kiggans for her leadership as we work to ensure American clean energy is safe, reliable, and affordable as new forms of energy emerge.”

“CRES is grateful for the leadership of Reps. Kiggans, Valadao, Newhouse and Amodei on introducing the Certainty for Our Energy Future Act,” said Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions. “Right sizing policies in parallel with offering business and investment certainty is both critical and commonsense. As America seeks to beat China in the global AI race, legislation like this strengthens our nation’s competitive edge while also ensuring American energy remains abundant and affordable.”

“ACP commends Reps. Kiggans, Garbarino, Valadao, Newhouse, and Amodei for introducing the Certainty for our Energy Future Act. The Act ensures that we protect business certainty for projects currently under planning and development and offers a very constructive starting point for discussions on the clean energy tax credits. With electricity demand projected to increase by up to 50% over the next 15 years, we need an all-of-the-above energy strategy. This legislation helps provide a roadmap to lawmakers as they continue to address this important issue,” said Frank Macchiarola, Chief Advocacy Officer, American Clean Power Association.

“As electric companies work to meet growing customer demands for electricity and to strengthen our nation’s energy security, we must have policy certainty. We are grateful to Reps. Kiggans, Amodei, Garbarino, Newhouse, and Valadao for their ongoing leadership and for recognizing that clear timelines for tax credits and access to tools like transferability support investment in critical energy infrastructure, while helping to keep costs to customers as low as possible,” said Edison Electric Institute interim President and CEO Pat Vincent-Collawn. “We look forward to continuing to work with Reps. Kiggans, Amodei, Garbarino, Newhouse, Valadao, and other leaders in Congress as they deliberate on tax policy changes that could impact the costs customers pay for electricity.”

The Certainty for Our Energy Future Act would:
- Extend the 45Y and 48E tax credit for solar and wind projects with a phase out in 2030.
- Ensure safe harbor rules apply for 10 years on public lands and 4 years everywhere else—codifying rules already in effect.
- Restrict or disqualify companies created, organized, or owned by foreign entities of concern (FEOC) from claiming energy tax credits. FEOCs include China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea.
Read the full bill here.

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MIL OSI USA News –
May 10, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Enacted Budget Cuts Taxes for Middle-Class New Yorkers

Source: US State of New York

overnor Kathy Hochul today signed new legislation as part of the FY26 Enacted Budget to put money back in the pockets of millions of New Yorkers. This includes tripling the size of New York’s Child Tax Credit, cutting taxes for middle class New Yorkers, sending inflation refund checks to millions of households and ensuring free school meals for students statewide. These initiatives help address the rising cost of living for families of all sizes and across the income spectrum. When accounting for their collective impact, these policies will deliver nearly $5,000 of relief for many families of five in New York over the coming year and beyond.

“The cost of living is still too damn high, so I promised to put more money in your pockets — and we got it done,” Governor Hochul said. “Putting money back in the pockets of millions of families means helping New Yorkers afford the rising costs of groceries, raising kids, and just enjoying life. When I said your family is my fight, I mean it — and I’ll never stop fighting for you.”

Expanding New York’s Child Tax Credit

The FY 2026 Budget includes Governor Hochul’s plan to give 1.6 million New York families an annual tax credit of up to $1,000 per child under age four and up to $500 per child from four through sixteen. This is the largest expansion of New York’s child tax credit in its history — and it will benefit approximately 2.75 million children statewide. Governor Hochul’s expansion of the credit will double the size of the average credit going out to families from $472 to $943.

This historic expansion of New York’s child tax credit will drive significant assistance to families with the youngest children and help families across the income spectrum. By eliminating a longstanding provision that restricted New York’s poorest families from accessing the credit while also delivering new relief to many middle-class families whose incomes were previously too high to qualify for the credit. As a result, more than 187,000 children will now be newly eligible for the credit.

The revamped credit will be instrumental in helping to address child poverty in New York State, cutting poverty among children statewide by 8.2 percent, and when combined with other measures already advanced by Governor Hochul, including drastically expanding subsidized child care, reducing child poverty by 17.7 percent.

For example, under New York’s newly expanded child tax credit, a family of four with a toddler and school-age child, and a household income up to $110,000, would receive a credit of $1,500 per year — representing nearly $1,000 more per year than what that family receives under the current program. Additionally, the expanded credit means that even a family of four with household income of $170,000 would receive over $500 per year. That family would not have qualified for any credit under the current program.

Cutting Taxes for the Middle Class

The FY 2026 Budget includes Governor Hochul’s plan to cut taxes for more than 75 percent of all tax filers in New York. This huge win will deliver nearly $1 billion annually in tax relief to 8.3 million New Yorkers. This will provide savings to taxpayers earning up to $323,000 for joint filers.

Under this tax cut, nearly 80% of New Yorkers will start to see fewer state taxes taken out in your first payroll check of 2026.

Once the rate change is fully phased in, the middle class tax cut will deliver hundreds of dollars in average savings to three out of every four taxpayers in the state. This will bring taxes for the middle class to their lowest level in 70 years.

Sending Inflation Refund Checks to New Yorkers

While inflation has driven prices higher, sapping the income of New Yorkers, it has also driven sharp increases in the State’s collection of sales tax. Governor Hochul believes that money belongs to hardworking New York families and should be returned to their pockets as an Inflation Refund.

The FY 2026 Budget includes Governor Hochul’s plan to send New York’s first-ever inflation refund checks, which will put $2 billion back in the pockets of over 8 million New York taxpayers. Later this year, New York State will send direct payments to everyday New Yorkers.

Joint tax filers with income up to $150,000 will receive a $400 check, and joint filers with income over $150,000 but no greater than $300,000 will receive a $300 check. Single tax filers with income up to $75,000 will receive a $200 check, and single filers with incomes over $75,000 but no greater than $150,000 will receive a $150 check.

There are no age restrictions. Filers do not need to do anything to receive a refund. If you filed a tax return, are below the income (NYS AGI) thresholds, and no one else claimed you as a dependent, you will receive a refund.

More details regarding the timing for sending inflation refund checks will be announced in the near future.

Free School Meals for New York Students

The FY 2026 Budget includes Governor Hochul’s plan to ensure all of New York’s over 2.7 million students can receive breakfast and lunch for free at school, including roughly 280,000 students who would not otherwise be eligible for free meals. This monumental program will help save parents money, address food insecurity among New York kids, and create more opportunities for students to succeed.

By eliminating any financial requirements to receive this benefit, New York State will level the playing field and give parents back the money they would be spending. Free school meals are estimated to save families $165 per child in grocery spending each month and have been shown to support learning, boost test scores, and improve attendance as well as classroom behavior.

MIL OSI USA News –

May 10, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: Conquerall Mills — Police officers arrest two people for drug trafficking

Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

The South Shore Integrated Street Crime Enforcement Unit has arrested two people following an investigation into cocaine trafficking in Lunenburg and Queens counties.

On May 8, at 1:50 p.m., RCMP officers conducted a targeted traffic stop in Hebbville in connection with the ongoing investigation. The occupants of the vehicle, a 30-year-old woman and a 26-year-old man, were safely arrested.

A short time later, officers executed a search warrant at a home on Charles Boliver Rd. in Conquerall Mills. A search of the home and of the vehicle led officers to seize a quantity of cocaine, hydromorphone, cash, ammunition and cell phones.

Both the woman and man will face Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking (two counts) charges. They were released on conditions and are scheduled to appear in Bridgewater Provincial Court on August 20.

The Lunenburg District RCMP and Bridgewater Police Service assisted with the ongoing investigation.

Note: The South Shore Integrated Street Crime Enforcement Unit is made up of members from the Lunenburg District RCMP and Bridgewater Police Service.

MIL Security OSI –

May 10, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: Western District of Texas Adds 316 Immigration Cases in First Week of May

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 316 new immigration and immigration-related criminal cases from May 2 through May 8.

Among the new cases, Cirilo Delgado-Alderete, Dilan Karim Valenzuela-Baca, and Antelmo Eligio Ramirez-Bernardo were arrested at an alleged stash house in Anthony, New Mexico. According to an affidavit, U.S. Border Patrol and Homeland Security Investigations agents observed three vehicles that had been identified as being used to smuggle illegal aliens to Albuquerque, New Mexico, parked at the residence. When agents questioned Ramirez-Bernardo, a Guatemalan national, they allegedly discovered he possessed a key to the residence on his keychain. Agents then located 25 individuals inside the residence who admitted to being citizens of Mexico, Peru, Honduras, Guatemala, Dominican Republic, and Pakistan without documentation to be in the U.S. Two of the individuals, Delgado-Alderete and Valenzuela-Baca, were identified as alleged stash house caretakes and drivers to harbor and transport the illegal aliens. Delgado-Alderete, Valenzuela-Baca, and Ramirez-Bernardo are charged with one count of conspiracy to transport illegal aliens and one count of conspiracy to harbor illegal aliens. The drivers allegedly picked up aliens in El Paso before transporting them to New Mexico.

Mexican national Erasmo Soto-Aguilar and Cesar Jared Garcia-Raucho, a U.S. citizen, were charged with statutes related to harboring illegal aliens after agents arrested them outside an alleged stash house in El Paso. A criminal complaint alleges that Soto-Aguilar had been involved in multiple smuggling schemes in which he coordinated pick-up drivers to meet and exchange illegal aliens. The complaint also alleges that Garcia-Raucho admitted to working as an illegal alien caretaker.

Leonel Sotelo-Santillan, a Mexican national, was arrested after allegedly entering a National Defense Area near El Paso illegally on May 2. Sotelo-Santillan is a convicted felon with two 2015 convictions for domestic abuse battery and theft in Louisiana, as well as a felony conviction in June 2024 for illegal re-entry. He has two prior removals, the last one being Dec. 28, 2024.

In San Antonio, Mexican national Joandel De Jesus Tierrablanca-Tellez aka Joandel Tierras Blanca was arrested after law enforcement officers allegedly observed him sell four firearms to a buyer in New Braunfels. Homeland Security Investigations had previously learned the firearms were to be sold and trafficked to Mexico for a predetermined amount of U.S. currency. A search of Tierrablanca-Tellez’s vehicle allegedly revealed his Mexican passport and an additional firearm along with .223 caliber and .308 caliber ammunition. Tierrablanca-Tellez is charged with one count of illegal alien in possession of a firearm and, if convicted, faces up to 15 years in federal prison.

Alejandro Mata-Zavala, also a Mexican national, was arrested during a traffic stop in Guadalupe County on May 6. An Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)/Enforcement Removal Operations (ERO) immigration history inquiry determined Mata-Zavala had been convicted in April 2021 for conspiracy to transport illegal aliens, was sentenced to 24 months in federal prison, and was removed from the U.S. to Mexico on or about June 2, 2022. He’s currently charged with one count of illegal re-entry and faces up to 20 years in federal prison, if convicted.

USBP agents arrested Mexican national Tomas Medina-Martinez near Brackettville on May 1. Medina-Martinez is a two-time convicted felon with three prior removals from the U.S., the most recent being Feb. 12. Mexican national Mauro Morales-Lopez was also arrested by USBP on May 1 near Eagle Pass. Morales-Lopez was deported Nov. 12, 2024 through Atlanta, Georgia following multiple violent misdemeanor convictions for family violence.

On May 5, Mexican national Sergio De La Cruz-Ruiz was arrested near Brackettville for being illegally present in the U.S. His criminal record includes nine deportations and multiple felony convictions. De La Cruz-Ruiz was also convicted in January 2024 for assault on a family member. His latest removal was April 18 through Harlingen.

Jorge Luis Benavides-Alvarado, a Mexican national, was encountered by federal law enforcement at the Williamson County Jail and charged with illegal re-entry. He was convicted for possession of a dangerous drug in Georgetown on May 7. In 2017, Benavides-Alvarado was convicted for aggravated robbery in Dallas. He was removed from the U.S. July 26, 2019. Also encountered at the Williamson County Jail, Mexican national Agustin Ruiz-Vazquez was convicted May 7 for assault causing bodily injury. Federally charged with illegal re-entry, Ruiz-Vazquez was previously removed from the U.S. July 10, 2014, two years after being convicted of injury to a child in Austin.

And in Midland, Salvadoran national Edenilzon Hernandez was encountered at the Ector County Detention Center in Odessa, where he was being held for indecency with child sexual contact. Now facing a federal illegal re-entry charge, Hernandez has three prior removals and a criminal history that includes convictions for burglary of a habitation, assault on a public servant and an additional assault charge.

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 –

May 10, 2025
MIL-OSI Canada: SIRT Investigating in Custody Death at Melfort RCMP Detachment

Source: Government of Canada regional news

Released on May 9, 2025

On Tuesday May 6, 2025 at approximately 7:13 p.m., the Saskatchewan Serious Incident Response Team (SIRT) received a notification from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) regarding an in-custody death at the Melfort RCMP Detachment.

SIRT’s Civilian Executive Director accepted the notification as within SIRT’s mandate and directed an investigation by SIRT.

On May 6 at approximately 9:48 a.m., members of the Melfort RCMP detachment responded to a disturbance call at a residential address in Melfort, where they encountered a 44-year-old man who was acting erratically and had sustained an injury to his hand. The man was taken into custody pursuant to the provisions of The Mental Health Services Act. The man was transported to the Melfort RCMP Detachment, where at 10:14 a.m., he was lodged in a cell, pending the arrival of EMS who had been contacted on the drive to the detachment. At approximately 10:18 a.m., the man was assessed by EMS, and following that examination was transported to hospital by EMS. The man was unrestrained during transport in the ambulance. The EMS vehicle transporting the man was accompanied to hospital by a member of the RCMP in an RCMP vehicle.

The man arrived at hospital at approximately 10:27 a.m. While the man was being examined, a further disturbance occurred and he was taken back into custody by the accompanying RCMP member. During the process of taking the man back into custody, a physical altercation occurred. The man was handcuffed and transported back to the Melfort RCMP Detachment, and at approximately 10:44 a.m., was once again placed in a cell.

The man remained in custody at the Melfort RCMP Detachment until approximately 5:10 p.m., when he was observed to have gone into medical distress. RCMP members entered the man’s cell, commenced first aid, and contacted EMS. The man was moved into the cellblock hallway by RCMP members to allow for more room for first aid. At approximately 5:16 p.m., EMS arrived and assumed responsibility for the man’s care before transporting him to hospital at 5:36 p.m. The man was treated at hospital, but despite resuscitation efforts, was pronounced deceased.

Following the notification, a SIRT team consisting of the Civilian Executive Director and five SIRT investigators was deployed to Melfort to begin their investigation. A community liaison will also be appointed pursuant to S.91.12 (1) (a) of The Police Act, 1990. SIRT’s investigation will examine the conduct of police during this incident, including the circumstances surrounding the man’s arrest and the cause of his death. The RCMP will maintain responsibility for any investigation into the original incident. No further information will be released at this time. A final report will be issued to the public within 90 days of the investigation ending.

SIRT’s mandate is to investigate alleged cases of serious injury, death, sexual assault or interpersonal violence arising from the actions or omissions of on and off-duty police officers, or while an individual is in police custody.

For updates on SIRT investigations, follow SIRT on X, formerly known as Twitter, at Serious Incident Response Team – Saskatchewan (@SIRT_SK) / X.

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For more information, contact:

MIL OSI Canada News –

May 10, 2025
MIL-OSI Canada: B.C. supports projects that help communities prepare for climate emergencies
Source: Government of Canada regional news

The new Disaster Resilience and Innovation Funding (DRIF) program provides support to First Nations and local governments for projects that will enhance their ability to withstand and adapt to natural hazards and climate-caused disasters.

Funding is available in two categories:
- Structural projects
- Foundational and non-structural projects
Local governments and First Nations throughout British Columbia are receiving approximately $21 million for 46 projects as follows:

Structural projects

City of Pitt Meadows: Kennedy Drainage Pump Station upgrades
This project will increase the resilience of the City of Pitt Meadows and help protect people, businesses, farmers and critical transportation networks from flooding.
Amount: $3.65 million

City of Merritt: Installation of the next phase of the City of Merritt flood-protection dikes
Planning to begin construction of another section of dike to help protect the city from flooding. This dike section protects the Middlesboro area and the downtown core.
Amount: $3,398,150

Nazko First Nation: Natural infrastructure disaster risk-reduction project
An urban forest will be created to offer relief during extreme heat and provide flood mitigation through increased soil stability.
Amount: $1,102,560

Regional District of Central Okanagan: Community hall HVAC installations
This project strengthens critical community infrastructure against extreme temperatures and associated power outages, particularly supporting vulnerable populations during emergencies.
Amount: $200,000

Foundational and non-structural projects

Aitchelitz First Nation: Cost benefit analysis for flood-risk and mitigation strategies
Enhance the understanding of flood-risk and flood-mitigation strategies in the community, and support future projects to reduce flood risk.
Amount: $147,845

City of Burnaby: Burnaby Strategies and Actions for Earthquake Resilience (B-SAFER)
B-SAFER focuses on developing seismic resiliency strategies, including recommendations for infrastructure improvements, upgrades and revision of bylaws and guidelines.
Amount: $400,000

City of Castlegar: Floodplain mapping and climate change hazard risk assessment
This project will provide a better understanding of areas within the city that are at a higher risk of flooding. This will allow the city to co-ordinate and communicate with residents in times of higher flood risk.
Amount: $399,920

City of Chilliwack: Chilliwack Creek catchment flood-mitigation project
The project will improve the city’s resilience to natural and climate-driven disasters through improved understanding of flood risks, vulnerabilities and available risk-reduction options.
Amount: $110,000

City of Courtenay: Anderton Dike remediation assessment, design and engagement
The planning phase of the dike remediation project will determine how to best apply engineering and biology to naturalize the shore to mitigate the risk associated with erosion and flooding.
Amount: $400,000

City of Delta: Climate-adaptation and resilience strategy
Delta will improve its understanding of risks, vulnerabilities and impacts to climate-related hazards through a review of climate-change projections and impacts, and a review of the city’s hazard, risk and vulnerability analysis (HRVA).
Amount: $75,000

City of Kamloops: Thompson River watershed climate-adaptation plan
Drought risk in Kamloops is increasing annually, with a trend of water-level decline found in recent floodplain mapping. To complete planning for critical infrastructure, the study will include hydrologic and hydraulic analysis of the Thompson River watershed.
Amount: $400,000

City of Merritt: Hazard risk and vulnerability analysis (HRVA)
An updated, modernized HRVA is essential to identify hazards of biggest concern and to allow communities to reduce risks through identifying future risk-reduction projects.
Amount: $60,000

City of Merritt: Sandbagging machine
A sandbagging machine improves flooding resiliency by allowing the rapid sealing of manholes and catch basins. It reduces the labour required to produce sandbags in an emergency, freeing up personnel to conduct other response actions.
Amount: $100,000

City of Nanaimo: Sea-level rise management plan
This project helps the city plan for and manage potential sea-level rise before severe impacts occur, and ensure new infrastructure is designed and located to be resilient to sea-level rise and coastal flooding impacts.
Amount: $400,000

City of Richmond: North Dike preliminary design project
This project improves the city’s resilience to flood, addressing both current and future risks associated with sea-level rise and climate change.
Amount: $400,000

Cowichan Valley Regional District: Tsunami modelling and mapping – Regional partners: Municipality of North Cowichan, Town of Ladysmith
Resiliency will be increased by improving the understanding of disaster risk from tsunami caused by earthquake and underwater landslide/sand slide.
Amount: $400,000

District of North Vancouver: Disaster risk-reduction action plan for the North Shore – Regional partners: City of North Vancouver, District of West Vancouver
This project is a collaboration between the three North Shore municipalities, the Tsleil-Waututh Nation, Squamish Nation and critical infrastructure partners. The action plan will reduce risk and empower residents, organizations and communities to share the responsibility to reduce disaster risk and adapt to climate change.
Amount: $997,000

Dzawada’enuxw First Nation: Disaster risk assessment, and resilience and innovation planning-mitigation options assessment
The disaster risk assessment will identify potential solutions to mitigate hazards and identify adaptation and risk-reduction options. The resilience and innovation assessment will increase the remote Nation’s resilience through a mitigation and planning analysis.
Amount: $400,000

Fraser Valley Regional District: Landslide hazard assessment at Boston Bar, and risk-management framework for catastrophic landslides
This project includes a technical evaluation of the landslide hazard above the community, and an examination of existing risk-management policies. It will build resiliency through co-ordination and engagement with First Nations, infrastructure owners and the regional district.
Amount: $345,434

Lytton First Nation: Enhancing climate resilience through infrastructure planning
This project is part of a five-year strategy to improve the Nation’s ability to plan, prioritize and implement infrastructure projects and programs to improve resilience in the face of growing impacts caused by climate change.
Amount: $325,000

Metro Vancouver (Regional District): Rice Lake dams – Seismic hazard and stability assessments
The Rice Lake dams are classified as “very high consequence” under the BC Dam Safety Regulation, indicating the importance of understanding potential risks.
Amount: $300,000

District of Peachland: Hazard, risk and vulnerability analysis (HRVA) and climate-change risk assessment (CCRA)
The project will assess hazard probabilities by comparing annual climate hazard occurrences with historical climate trends and thresholds for specific assets or systems.
Amount: $70,000

Regional District of Central Kootenay: Updated floodplain bylaws and associated mapping – Regional partner: Village of Salmo
This project will improve resilience of the small rural communities by providing updated and detailed floodplain and hazard mapping and bylaws related to land adjacent to flood-prone and steep creek areas.
Amount: $194,000

Regional District of Central Okanagan: Comprehensive hazard risk and vulnerability assessment
The project will improve resilience by enhancing co-ordination and engagement, informing mitigation strategies and existing infrastructure upgrades, promoting green infrastructure and guiding the development of new infrastructure.
Amount: $125,000

Regional District of Kootenay Boundary: Floodplain and alluvial fan mapping, Electoral Areas D and E
This region experiences regular and destructive flooding. The two electoral areas were identified in previous risk assessments as requiring updated flood mapping that incorporates climate change forecasting.
Amount: $400,000

Saulteau First Nation: Water-related hazard management plan
The project will improve resilience through increased and more accessible planning/mapping resources. This work aids the Nation in working with external partners toward regional resiliency.
Amount: $245,987

Skowkale First Nation: Disaster risk reduction and climate adaptation plan – Regional partners: Aitchelitz First Nation, Yakweakwioose First Nation
This regional project increases resilience of the First Nations to natural and climate disasters through a deeper understanding of their specific risks and the development of community-centred solutions.
Amount: $486,579

Strathcona Regional District: Walters Island water system study
The regional district will assess the system’s vulnerabilities and develop a more resilient design that reduces the risk of catastrophic water shortages.
Amount: $70,000

Village of Kaslo: Enhancing Kaslo’s resilience to flooding and geohazards
A two-part project that helps ensure a sustainable future for Kaslo’s drinking-water sources, and planning for flood and erosion mitigation on the Kaslo River by identifying hazards and mitigating the effects of extreme weather events.
Amount: $150,000

Town of Princeton: Diking system ownership study and Similkameen dike upgrades pre-design report
The pre-design project identifies dike sections to upgrade, alternatives for flood protection upgrades, and provide the foundational work for a future structural project.
Amount: $400,000

Town of Sidney: Disaster-safe water supply
This project will help the town access alternate sources of potable water when primary infrastructure is damaged during an earthquake or cannot deliver expected volumes or quantities.
Amount: $176,000

Ts’kw’aylaxw First Nation: Pesqatwa7 (Pavilion Lake) landslide hazard mitigation planning
Continual monitoring of existing landslide hazards to better define their extents and magnitude. Community resilience will be increased by the development of preliminary mitigation measures and designs.
Amount: $400,000

Uchucklesaht Tribe Government: Shoreline protection analysis
A shoreline protection analysis will examine nature-based and engineering approaches to shoreline protection that could result in new infrastructure that enhances resilience to coastal storms, flooding and tsunamis.
Amount: $400,000

Village of Cumberland: Perseverance watershed initiative
This project provides hydrometric and soil data to improve understanding of water scarcity, drought and flood issues in the region.
Amount: $75,000

Village of Lumby: Duteau Creek flood-mitigation works preliminary design
Continuation of the village’s flood-mitigation plan that will reduce the risk of flooding and increase resilience. A proposed new dike will provide structural flood mitigation to the project area.
Amount: $400,000

Village of Pemberton: Ayers Dike flood mitigation project
This project will inform decision-making around structural and non-structural flood mitigation to increase resilience in the Pemberton Valley, ensuring flood mitigation strategies are cost-effective, data-driven and sustainable.
Amount: $297,589

Wei Wai Kum First Nation: IR #11 disaster resilience and development planning
The project includes a flood-mitigation-and-erosion-control plan, including floodplain mapping, a seismic assessment and an environmental assessment, including consideration of future structural disaster risk-reduction projects.
Amount: $400,000

Witset First Nation: Comprehensive study for water supply resilience
Detailed hydrologic modelling, flow, water-quality monitoring and infrastructure assessments will generate vital data on risks such as water shortages, reduced water quality and system failures.
Amount: $399,226

Xaxli’p First Nation: IR1 Landslide hazard assessment and preliminary mitigation design
This study will provide the framework for future detailed mitigation design and continued monitoring as part of the next phase of the project, increasing the resiliency of this remote community.
Amount: $400,000

City of Vancouver: Reducing extreme heat risk in multi-family buildings
This project forms the foundation for increasing city resilience through municipal actions, policies or programs to reduce the risk of extreme heat in homes across Vancouver.
Amount: $215,000

Kitselas Band Council: Assessment and design to mitigate sediment inputs from the Clore Slide
The project will develop mitigation options and a detailed design to reduce the potential for landslide activity, which will reduce the risks to people and infrastructure.
Amount: $170,000

Leq’a:mel First Nation: Building resilience and strengthening relationships for disaster risk mitigation – Partnering proponent: Sumas First Nation
The two First Nations will lead a project in developing partnerships with 15 Coast Salish Nations to create a regional resilience plan, promoting disaster risk reduction around drought and water scarcity, extreme temperatures, flood and geohazards.
Amount: $200,000

Regional District of Kitimat-Stikine: Climate action plan
The climate action plan will provide a better understanding of the impacts of climate change and the risks it poses on the region, where vulnerabilities lie and what options are available to reduce these risks.
Amount: $174,558

Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) First Nation: Nature-based solutions assessment
This work will identify potential structural and non-structural mitigation works to support the Nation to adapt to climate change and impacts from sea-level rise and shifting precipitation patterns.
Amount: $233,832

Town of Smithers: Integrated climate change and natural-assets management plan
The plan will help the town understand the risks posed by climate change to natural assets, the value that they provide from an economic and ecological perspective, and the options available to mitigate that risk.
Amount: $199,300

Village of Cache Creek: Sewer protection options analysis and design
An options analysis and detailed plan contribute to a better understanding of risks and vulnerabilities to floods, avalanches and landslides.
Amount: $394,000

MIL OSI Canada News –
May 10, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Murkowski Presses DOE, DOI Nominees on Alaska Priorities

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for Alaska Lisa Murkowski
05.09.25
Washington, DC – This week, the Senate Energy and Natural Resources (ENR) Committee held a hearing to consider the nominations of William Doffermyre to be Solicitor at the Department of the Interior, Kyle Haustveit to be an Assistant Secretary of Energy (Fossil Energy), and Catherine Jereza to be an Assistant Secretary of Energy (Electricity). U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), former Chairman of the committee, pressed the nominees on carbon capture projects on Alaska’s North Slope, the need to improve transmission in the Railbelt region and across the state, and the need for the Interior to return to following the law as written by Congress.
Just prior to the hearing, ENR held a business meeting and favorably reported four nominations to the full Senate for confirmation. Murkowski supported all four nominees, including her former ENR staff member, Tristan Abbey, to lead the Energy Information Administration and Leslie Beyer to be Assistant Secretary for Land and Minerals Management at Interior.
Click here to watch the Senator’s full line of questioning.
The full transcript of Murkowski’s comments during this week’s ENR hearing is below.
TRANSCRIPT
Murkowski: Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and I apologize that I’ve missed most of your testimony. My commitment to you is that I’m going back to read it all. Some very quick questions today, as we’re running between different committees, first to Mr. Haustveit: carbon capture. We’ve got some key projects that we’re anticipating as we’re looking to process North Slope natural gas. This is central to the viability of our Alaska LNG project. DOE has already awarded funding for two CCS initiatives. One is ASRC’s CarbonSAFE hub and then a direct air capture feasibility study. Both of these are in limbo right now where we’re concerned that they may be on a DOE list of cuts going to the White House. It’s something, again, that we have been working with industry in a very collaborative way, working with the agencies, and we look at this piece as really very strategic for the energy initiative that we have up there. I know you’re not in yet, but I’m just asking for your commitment to look critically at this, (and) to have the ability to defend these Alaska-based projects given their strategic energy importance.
Haustveit: Senator, thank you for the question. As you stated, I’m not in, so I don’t know the details, but I do commit to looking at projects that are part of the Department. Carbon capture, especially when used for extracting additional hydrocarbons, is something that I’m passionate about. Prudhoe Bay benefited greatly from reinjection because you didn’t have a place to put the gas for a long time, and you reinjected it; it resulted in higher recovery.
Murkowski: We’re still doing that.
Haustveit: My home state is recovering somewhere between 10% and 15% of the oil in place. And CO2 is a potential solution to inject into the reservoir to recover more oil. We’ve got tremendous resources in our country. Alaska is blessed greatly with resources across the entire state. And CO2, if available at affordable levels, can be a great injectant, can be a great solution to recover more of that resource.
Murkowski: We look forward to sharing more of the details about these projects and the opportunity to show you firsthand.
Haustveit: Thank you, Senator.
Murkowski: Let me turn to you, Ms. Jereza. As you know, the map shows we’re not connected. We’re not connected by geography to the Lower 48 and our grid is not part of a continental grid. And so we have some unique reliability and affordability challenges. Our grid is what we call the Railbelt. So, it goes up as far as the railroad and then kind of comes back down the other way. But we have aging infrastructure, aging transmission infrastructure, that we’re dealing with. We’ve got limited redundancy. We’ve got high cost to our ratepayers. So, I need you, and again, same point that I just made previously: I understand you’re not there yet—but we have a grid modernization effort that is underway, significant grant funding that came a couple years ago to help us with this integration of the transmission grid, to kind of boost it up, to allow it to take us forward for the next decade or so. So, I just need your commitment to look critically at what our needs are in Alaska, again, when we’re not part of anybody else’s interrelated grid.
Jereza: Senator, it would be my pleasure to do that. I actually was fortunate enough to go to Cordova and see the great innovations that are happening at Cordova, so I can’t wait to go back.
Murkowski: Good. You will have that invitation. And finally, Mr. Doffermyre, I know you’ve got a little bit of a connection to Alaska through some of your law school buddies who are very focused on Alaska: Kaleb Froehlich, who is around here, he speaks highly of you, by the way. We saw in the last administration just a torrent of decisions and regulations from Interior that were absolutely, contrary to what we passed into law here in Congress. It was pretty tough. And this was on our petroleum reserve. It was on the non-wilderness portion of the Coastal Plain. It was on the Ambler Access Project, our Public Land Orders, we’ve got a whole list of them. I just need your commitment—and I hope that this is the easiest question that you will ever get: your commitment to ensure that Interior returns to following the law, the law as it is written, if you are confirmed as Solicitor.
Doffermyre: Yes, ma’am.
Murkowski: See how easy that was. I appreciate that, because we feel like we’re pretty clear here in our policies, and then when it is not followed through on the other end, (we have) great frustration. So, I look forward to seeing you keep that commitment. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and I appreciate the opportunity to blast in at the very end. Thank you.

MIL OSI USA News –

May 10, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: Mobile Man Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison for Distribution of Child Pornography

Source: Office of United States Attorneys

MOBILE, AL – Michael Jerome Elder, age 50, was sentenced today to 180 months in prison after entering a guilty plea to a count of Distribution of Child Pornography. Elder entered his guilty plea on January 16, 2025.

According to court documents, a Mobile County Sheriff’s Office deputy was conducting an investigation to identify individuals in the Southern District of Alabama who demonstrate a sexual interest in children. To do so, he utilized law enforcement software to investigate users sharing files of Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) via a file-sharing network. The investigator located an IP address that was involved in the sharing of numerous files of CSAM. He was able to identify Elder as a resident at the residential address associated with the IP address. The investigator obtained a search warrant and located Elder in the home, and a search team was able to discover a cell phone that Elder had hidden in a vent. The cell phone was examined and found to contain CSAM.

Elder had previously been convicted of five counts of Being in Possession of Obscene Material of Minors, violations of Alabama Code 13-A-012-0192(B), in the Circuit Court of Mobile County. He had been released from custody on that offense on November 15, 2022, less than a year before the MCSO investigator discovered him distributing child pornography.

At sentencing, Judge DuBose imposed the 180-month sentence of incarceration and a 15-year term of supervised release upon his future release. During his term of imprisonment, Elder will be subject to sex offender treatment, substance abuse testing and treatment, and mental health treatment. Elder will be required to register as a sex offender and is to have no contact with minors. Elder was ordered to pay $5,100 in special assessments.

The Federal Bureau of Investigations and Mobile County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kacey Chappelear and Tandice Blackwood prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.

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 Attorneys’ 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, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. For more information about Internet safety education, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc/publications-resources

MIL Security OSI –

May 10, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Padilla, Smith, Baldwin, Sanders Slam Trump Admin Proposal to Dissolve Mental Health Agency

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.)

Padilla, Smith, Baldwin, Sanders Slam Trump Admin Proposal to Dissolve Mental Health Agency

Senators to Secretary Kennedy: “We demand that HHS not unlawfully dismantle SAMHSA, which would only serve to further exacerbate a growing mental health and substance use disorder crisis.”
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), co-founder of the bipartisan Senate Mental Health Caucus, Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), and Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Ranking Member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, condemned the Trump Administration’s proposed dissolution of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) as part of the Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) restructuring plan and the White House Office of Management and Budget’s HHS budget proposal. In their letter to HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., the Senators expressed deep concerns about the consequences of dismantling SAMHSA, outlined the impacts on the worsening behavioral and mental health crisis, and detailed why the proposal is unlawful.
According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, nearly 50 million Americans aged 12 and older battled a substance use disorder and 58.7 million Americans aged 18 and older experienced a mental illness in 2023. The programs administered by SAMHSA are crucial to addressing this national crisis. The Trump Administration’s actions harm the operations of crucial programs, including roughly $7 billion in grant distribution, access to early intervention for mental health care, and support services for crisis care, many of which are statutorily required.
“At a time when America is in a dual mental health and substance use crisis, a time when youth suicide is at all-time highs, a time when synthetic opioids are destroying communities and taking lives, this proposed destruction of SAMHSA will harm the American people,” wrote the Senators. “This proposed reorganization and your proposed cuts of over $1 billion to mental health and substance use programs threaten the lives of millions of Americans and appear to violate federal law.”
“SAMHSA, its functions, its role, and many of its positions are clearly outlined and required by federal law. Firing most of SAMHSA’s staff and breaking up SAMHSA appear to violate these statutory requirements,” continued the Senators. “Downsizing SAMHSA into a new ‘division’, dismantling its functions, and firing over half its workforce puts at risk the lives of the 58.7 million Americans who experience a mental health condition and 48.5 million of those who are impacted by a substance use disorder.”
The Senators emphasized the importance of SAMHSA’s essential work in administering programs including State Opioid Response grants, the National Survey of Drug Use and Health for crucial behavioral health data collection, the Assisted Outpatient Treatment Program for funding community-based care, and FindTreatment.gov for connecting people to mental health care resources, including the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
Furthermore, the Senators stressed that Congress has passed multiple bills creating and expanding SAMHSA’s behavioral and mental health services, and that eliminating SAMHSA would violate the law. The bipartisan Alcohol, Drug Abuse, and Mental Health Administration Reorganization Act (ADAMHA), signed into law by President George H.W. Bush in 1992, established SAMHSA and included requirements for various grant programs and roles that the Trump Administration has proposed eliminating. The ADAMHA Reorganization Act codified additional positions and transferred numerous authorities to SAMHSA.
Moreover, the 21st Century Cures Act established the Interdepartmental Serious Mental Illness Coordinating Committee through 2027, which the Trump Administration terminated, and codified SAMHSA’s Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality to administer the annual National Survey of Drug Use and Health, but the team responsible for the survey was reportedly eliminated in the mass layoffs.
The Senators concluded by demanding answers on the Trump Administration’s plans for the continuity of SAMHSA’s statutorily required roles and programs and the impacts of HHS’ restructuring.
“We demand that HHS not unlawfully dismantle SAMHSA, which would only serve to further exacerbate a growing mental health and substance use disorder crisis,” concluded the Senators.
Senator Padilla is a leading advocate for expanding mental health care access, especially for underserved communities. Earlier this year, Padilla led 12 Democratic Senators in warning HHS Secretary Kennedy that additional staffing cuts at SAMHSA would have disastrous ramifications for millions of Americans struggling with mental and behavioral health challenges. In 2023, Padilla launched the bipartisan Senate Mental Health Caucus to serve as a forum for Senators to collaborate on and promote bipartisan legislation and solutions, hold events to raise awareness of critical mental health issues, and destigmatize mental health. Padilla applauded the Federal Communications Commission for making critical improvements to the 9-8-8 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by adopting the main provisions of his Local 9-8-8 Response Act of 2023.
Additionally, Padilla recently introduced bipartisan legislation to combat the growing youth mental health crisis in America through early intervention and prevention services. Last year, Padilla passed a Senate resolution to raise the alarm about the mental health care crisis American children face and highlight the urgent need to increase our investment in mental health care for children and adolescents. Padilla previously introduced a trio of bills to address the unique mental health needs of military children, Latinos, and farm workers.
Full text of the letter is available here and below:
Dear Secretary Kennedy,
We write in strong opposition to the proposed dissolution of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA) outlined in the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) fact sheet on March 27, 2025, and by the proposal from the White House Office of Management and Budget. At a time when America is in a dual mental health and substance use crisis, a time when youth suicide is at all-time highs, a time when synthetic opioids are destroying communities and taking lives, this proposed destruction of SAMHSA will harm the American people. This proposed reorganization and your proposed cuts of over $1 billion to mental health and substance use programs threaten the lives of millions of Americans and appear to violate federal law, including the Alcohol, Drug Abuse, and Mental Health Administration (ADAMHA) Reorganization Act and the 21st Century Cures Act.
President George H.W. Bush signed the bipartisan ADAMHA Reorganization Act into law in 1992. This law formed SAMHSA, a new agency to be the nation’s lead on community-based mental health and substance use disorder prevention, treatment, and recovery services. In addition to creating a variety of grant programs to be administered by SAMHSA, the ADAMHA Reorganization Act created the role of the Assistant Secretary, transferred numerous authorities to SAMHSA, and created Centers and Center Director and Associate Administrator positions. Therefore, SAMHSA, its functions, its role, and many of its positions are clearly outlined and required by federal law. Firing most of SAMHSA’s staff and breaking up SAMHSA appear to violate these statutory requirements.
SAMHSA leads the government’s efforts to promote mental health, prevent substance misuse, and advance the behavioral health of people across this country. SAMHSA’s programs provide a model for behavioral health care. Downsizing SAMHSA into a new “division”, dismantling its functions, and firing over half its workforce puts at risk the lives of the 58.7 million Americans who experience a mental health condition and 48.5 million of those who are impacted by a substance use disorder.
The White House Office of Management and Budget HHS Budget Proposal eliminates SAMHSA and creates a new “Mental Health Division”, demotes substance use from its focus, and guts budgets focused on prevention, treatment, and recovery. Amid a dual crisis, this undoes the bipartisan work that Congress and past Administrations have worked to improve. And the federal investments, the expansion of SAMHSA’s work through grant programs and expertise, have worked – for the first time in years, the U.S. has seen a decline in opioid overdose deaths. As the mental health crisis grows, as new synthetic opioids continue to surge, restructuring the agency stands to reverse this historic decline. Now is not the time to change course and risk American lives.
Congress has passed numerous bills expanding SAMHSA services to reach more Americans. In 2014, the Protecting Access to Medicare Act (PAMA) was signed into law, creating the Assisted Outpatient Treatment (AOT) Program, which funds community-based programs for adults with serious mental illness. This program allows individuals to stay in their community and their homes while also receiving “medically prescribed mental health treatment.” For example, using SAMHSA funds, an AOT program in Montana is working to reduce homelessness and incarceration while improving health and social outcomes for individuals with serious mental illness. Because HHS is dissolving SAMHSA and firing its staff, Montana is in jeopardy of losing the ability to provide their patients with up-to-date, evidence-based services, a key SAMHSA function. Any interruption to the effective delivery of these programs has detrimental consequences.
In 2016, Congress again prioritized SAMHSA and expanded its services and programming by passing the 21st Century Cures Act. This bill codified SAMHSA’s Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality (CBHSQ), requiring CBHSQ to perform several functions. One of these requirements was to publish an annual report on mental health and substance use disorder, also known as the National Survey of Drug Use and Health (NSDUH). NSDUH is the only source of behavioral health data for people 12 and older in the U.S. and is a critical tool to combat these dual crises. Without this data, states would not be able to implement State Opioid Response grants with fidelity.
The State Opioid Response (SOR) grant was created to address the overdose crisis, which is now driven by illicit fentanyl, and is meant to help states provide a continuum of care, including prevention, harm reduction, treatment, and recovery services. Funding to support states in combating this epidemic is critical, especially as the crisis is exacerbated by other synthetic opioids. States use SOR funding to purchase and distribute naloxone, test strips, buprenorphine, and much more. SOR is proven to be effective – in 2023, the percentage of people who did not use substances increased by 29.7 percent. SOR funding and NSDUH data give states the ability to purchase these medications, implement these programs, and track outcomes. Reports suggest the entire team running NSDUH was fired on April 1, 2025. Without NSDUH data, states will have inaccurate information on how opioids are affecting their communities, which will result in a lack of resources, incomplete strategies, and an increase in deaths.
In addition to data collection, CBHSQ is responsible for operating FindTreatment.gov, a critical tool where individuals can find treatment for mental health and substance use disorder care. Launched in 2019 under the first Trump Administration, FindTreatment.gov provides individuals with resources in their communities and connects those in crisis with helplines, including the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Without adequate staffing of FindTreatment.gov, people across this country are left stranded, not knowing where to turn to find treatment and services. The mass terminations at SAMHSA’s CBHSQ and HHS’s announced reorganization make unclear who is operating and overseeing this program that President Trump proudly launched. It is unclear how HHS can now live up to its claim of continuing “to support people who seek substance use treatment on their journey to recovery.”
The 21st Century Cures Act not only expanded data collection but also improved interdepartmental coordination, something that you claim to prioritize. This bill established the first ever Interdepartmental Serious Mental Illness Coordinating Committee (ISMICC) to better direct mental health services for adults and children with a serious mental illness. ISMICC is tasked with evaluating the effects of federal programs, including programs for suicide prevention and overdose reduction, so they can provide “recommendations for actions that agencies can take to better coordinate the administration of mental health services.” By law, ISMICC must be operating to achieve these goals through at least September 30, 2027. However, HHS terminated ISMICC on April 9, 2025. By dismissing ISMICC, HHS is actively putting people in crisis at risk and violating a statutory requirement to protect the American people.
We demand that HHS not unlawfully dismantle SAMHSA, which would only serve to further exacerbate a growing mental health and substance use disorder crisis. To better understand HHS’s plans and statutory compliance, we request responses to the following questions by May 16, 2025.
1) Per the 21st Century Cures Act, SAMHSA is required to have an Assistant Secretary, a Chief Medical Officer, and a Director, with specific qualifications, at each of its four mandated Centers – the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment, the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention, the Center for Mental Health Services, and CBHSQ.
a. Who is currently serving in these roles, and what are their qualifications?
b. Have any of the people in these roles been subject to the reduction in force that occurred on April 1, 2025? If so, please explain why these legally mandated positions were part of the reduction.
c. What is HHS’s plan to maintain these positions and centers under the restructuring at HHS?
2) SAMHSA is required to have Associate Administrators for Alcohol Prevention and Treatment Policy and Women’s Services.
a. Who is currently serving in these roles, and what are their qualifications?
b. Have any of the people in these roles been subject to the reduction in force that occurred on April 1, 2025? If so, please explain why these legally mandated positions were part of the reduction.
c. What is HHS’s plan to maintain these positions under the restructuring at HHS?
3) SAMHSA is required to have a National Mental Health and Substance Use Policy Laboratory to coordinate policy changes, review programs, identify duplication, and more.
a. Please provide a list of all employees in SAMHSA’s Policy Laboratory as of January 19, 2025, and as of April 15, 2025, including job title and General Schedule rank. Please indicate which staff were part of the reduction in force that occurred on April 1, 2025.
b. How did HHS determine that the proposed restructuring will not prevent fulfilling these statutory duties?
4) Which Centers and Branches are overseeing each of SAMHSA’s grant programs, including AOT? Please provide the number of employees currently employed for each Center and Branch, and the number of grants each employee is required to supervise.
5) Who is overseeing each of CBHSQ’s data collection and roles, including NSDUH and FindTreatment.gov? Please provide a list of staff working on each service and provide their qualifications.
6) Is NSDUH data still being collected through its contract with RTI International?
a. Does HHS plan to continue its contract with RTI International and ensure all payments are received promptly?
b. Has there been any break in data collection since January 20, 2025? If so, why, and what did HHS do to restore any missing information?
7) Why did HHS terminate statutorily-required ISMICC?
a. When will ISMICC be restored?
8) What is HHS’s long-term plan with SAMHSA under the restructuring? Please explain how HHS plans to remain in compliance with all relevant statutes under this restructure.
9) Explain how your decision to dissolve SAMHSA into a “division” will increase efficacy and improve mental health and substance use disorder outcomes for Americans.
Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter.
Sincerely,

MIL OSI USA News –

May 10, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Padilla Sounds Alarm on DOJ Threats to Journalists, Joins Resolution Condemning Trump Attacks on Free Press

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.)

Padilla Sounds Alarm on DOJ Threats to Journalists, Joins Resolution Condemning Trump Attacks on Free Press

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, joined his colleagues in blasting President Trump’s continued attacks on the freedom of the press, a fundamental First Amendment right guaranteed by the Constitution. Padilla joined a letter pressing Attorney General Pam Bondi on her decision to change Justice Department policies to make it easier for the Department to subpoena journalists to obtain confidential information about their sources and potentially harass journalists who write stories critical of the Trump Administration. He also cosponsored a resolution calling for the Executive Branch to respect the rights of journalists and demanding they be allowed to perform their duties “without fear of retaliation.”
“We write to express our deep concern with the Department of Justice’s April 25, 2025 memorandum changing the guidance that set limitations on the Department’s ability to subpoena materials from journalists and news organizations,” wrote the Senators in their letter to Attorney General Bondi. “The free press is a bedrock of our democracy and reporters must be able to do their jobs without fear of being investigated or prosecuted.”
“When asked at your confirmation hearing to commit to ‘respect the importance of a free press,’ you said ‘absolutely,’” continued the Senators. “Yet your decision to rescind important limits on the Justice Department’s ability to compel information from the press threatens the ability of journalists to fully perform their critical jobs, as guaranteed by the First Amendment.”
The letter was led by Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and signed by Senator Padilla and every other Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee: Senators Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.).
The bicameral resolution Padilla cosponsored was led by Senator Whitehouse in the Senate and cited President Trump’s various attacks on the operations of the press, including:
Accusing media outlets such as The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, MSNBC, CNN, ABC, CBS and NBC of “illegal” behavior during a speech at the Department of Justice;
Claiming CNN and MSNBC networks are “political arms of the Democrat Party” during a speech at the Department of Justice;
Excluding the Associated Press from White House press pool access due to disputes over naming conventions, leading to legal challenges concerning First Amendment violations;
Filing a lawsuit against CBS News over a “60 Minutes” interview with Vice President Kamala Harris, alleging biased editing and calling for CBS to lose broadcast licenses;
Seeking to defund National Public Radio and Public Broadcasting Service (PBS), including launching a Federal Communications Commission probe and issuing an executive order instructing the Corporation for Public Broadcasting to cease providing direct and indirect funds to either broadcaster;
Refusing to take questions from NBC News reporters, claiming the network is “discredited;”
Seeking to impose the Administration’s policy preferences on independent news organizations by forcing PBS to eliminate its diversity, equity, and inclusion office using threats of government funding cuts and ignoring reporters who list pronouns in their email signatures; and
Rescinding a Department of Justice policy against subpoenaing journalists, exposing journalists’ sources to the threat of possible identification and punishment.
The resolution is endorsed by PEN America, National Press Photographers Association, American Governance Institute, Radio Television Digital News Association, and Society of Environmental Journalists.
Full text of the resolution is available here.
Full text of the letter to Attorney General Bondi is available here and below:
Dear Attorney General Bondi:
We write to express our deep concern with the Department of Justice’s April 25, 2025 memorandum changing the guidance that set limitations on the Department’s ability to subpoena materials from journalists and news organizations.
The free press is a bedrock of our democracy and reporters must be able to do their jobs without fear of being investigated or prosecuted. When asked at your confirmation hearing to commit to “respect the importance of a free press,” you said “absolutely.” Yet your decision to rescind important limits on the Justice Department’s ability to compel information from the press threatens the ability of journalists to fully perform their critical jobs, as guaranteed by the First Amendment.
Under the previous guidance, the Justice Department was authorized to subpoena journalists engaged in news gathering only “[w]hen necessary to prevent an imminent or concrete risk of death or serious bodily harm.” Under the 2025 guidance, Justice Department officials can take the extraordinary step of subpoenaing journalists merely to investigate “unauthorized disclosures that undermine President Trump’s policies,” extending far beyond disclosures of classified information. In other words, under this new guidance, there is little protection for journalists who publish any story critical of the Administration from being threatened with a subpoena and litigation to enforce the subpoena. The threat to journalists is especially concerning given Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Kash Patel’s claims prior to his confirmation that the news media is “the most powerful enemy the United States has ever seen” and that he would “come after the people in the media . . . criminally or civilly.”
Nor does it appear that the Justice Department would subpoena reporters’ records only as a last resort. Under the guidelines, the Justice Department may subpoena journalists after the Attorney General has made only a few subjective determinations, such as whether the information sought is “essential to a successful prosecution,” whether “reasonable attempts” to obtain the information from alternative sources were made, and whether engaging in negotiations would threaten “the integrity of the investigation.” These factors make it far too easy for the Attorney General to compel journalists to reveal sources.
This change will also deter whistleblowers from coming forward with information to the news media, depriving the public of valuable information about its government. Whistleblowers that violate the law—for example by disclosing classified information—should be subject to the legal consequences of that action, but the government should not be allowed to intimidate or harass journalists who lawfully report the news.
As the Office of Legal Policy prepares regulations to implement your memorandum, we respectfully request that you provide responses to the following questions:
1. What protections are in place to ensure that journalists are not targeted because they published a news article critical of the Administration?
2. Will you commit to ensuring that issuing a subpoena to a journalist or news organization will be used only as a last resort when there is a compelling and overriding interest in the information, such as protecting national security?
3. Will the regulations require the Department to comply with state shield laws?
4. Is the Department consulting with outside organizations, including organizations representing journalists, as part of the preparation of regulations? If so, what organizations?
5. What measures will the regulations put in place to ensure that the White House is not allowed to order or influence the issuance of a subpoena to a journalist or news organization?
6. What process for review, if any, will be put in place to ensure the new regulations are being followed and are not being abused for political or any other inappropriate purpose?
7. Has the Justice Department issued any subpoenas to journalists or news organizations under this new guidance? If so, to whom and seeking what information?

MIL OSI USA News –

May 10, 2025
MIL-OSI Canada: B.C. supports people experiencing homelessness in Nanaimo

Source: Government of Canada regional news

Sheila Malcolmson, MLA for Nanaimo –

“The additional 187 housing units and supports are about helping people who’ve been struggling with homelessness get back on their feet. We’re working together to make sure no one in our community is left behind. When people are supported, they can start to re-establish stability in their lives and build a better future.”

George Anderson, MLA for Nanaimo-Lantzville ––

“When people experiencing homelessness have a safe and supportive place to call home, everything changes. These 187 new homes aren’t just units, they are new beginnings. These units will offer people the chance to rebuild their lives and help create a stronger, healthier community for everyone.”

Mark Miller, CEO, Connective Support Society –

“We’re honoured to respond to the urgent need for safe housing through operation of these 50 new units in Nanaimo. Building on our 35 years of local experience, we look forward to working with residents to support long-term housing stability and with neighbours to ensure this program positively impacts the community.”

Taryn O’Flanagan, executive director, Vancouver Island Mental Health Society (VIMHS) –

“VIMHS is pleased to partner with BC Housing and community partners to provide 59 units of housing to people in Nanaimo. These needed housing units will create a safe and supportive access point in a continuum of housing, which we believe is an important step in ensuring the well-being of people in this community.”

Carolina Ibarra, CEO, Pacifica Housing Society –

“Pacifica Housing is heartened to know that a program like Sparrow will be soon coming online. Through Sparrow, we will have the opportunity to support individuals who are seeking to reduce substance use and move forward on their journeys to wellness and independence. This is a desperately needed model and we are honoured and humbled to operate it.”

MIL OSI Canada News –

May 10, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Gov. Kemp Signs Legislation Cutting Red Tape and Streamlining Government

Source: US State of Georgia

ATLANTA – Governor Brian P. Kemp, joined by First Lady Marty Kemp, constitutional officers, and members of the Georgia General Assembly, signed SB 96 and HB 113 into law, streamlining government and helping safeguard the state from interference from foreign adversaries.

SB 96 was a priority of Governor Kemp, sponsored by Senator Drew Echols and carried in the House by Representative Matthew Gambill. It decreases the administrative burden on state agencies by reducing the number of boards that have grown inactive or perform duplicative roles.

“Every day we serve the people of Georgia, it’s important for us to remember that we work for them,” said Governor Brian Kemp. “It’s our job to help streamline their experiences with the government, make it easier for them to access opportunity, and limit as best we can the challenges they may face in accessing new skills and good careers. Thanks to the diligent work of our partners in the General Assembly, I’m proud to say that the bills I’ve signed today will help us accomplish that.”

HB 113 was another priority of Governor Kemp, sponsored by Representative Lauren McDonald and carried in the Senate by Senator Bo Hatchett. It directs the Georgia Technology Authority to establish and keep updated a list of companies and products that are produced and/or sold by citizens or governments of countries designated as “foreign adversaries” by the U.S. Secretary of Commerce. This list will be utilized by the Department of Administrative Services (“DOAS”) and other state agencies in state purchasing decisions to bring greater security to our state agencies.

Governor Kemp signed several additional pieces legislation that further his commitment to eliminate government waste and cut red tape:

HB 148, sponsored by Representative John Carson and carried in the Senate by Senator Billy Hickman, authorizes two additional pathways towards obtaining a CPA, while maintaining the current CPA pathway – 150 Credit Hours, one year of experience, CPA Exam. The first requires a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, two years of experience, and the CPA exam; while the second allows for a Master’s degree in Accounting, one year of experience, and the CPA exam. The other change clarifies that out-of-state CPAs in good standing in their home state and a passing grade on the national CPA exam can practice in Georgia without the need for a second state certification.

HB 322, sponsored by Representative Lee Hawkins and carried in the Senate by Senator Max Burns, allows the Georgia Board of Dentistry to issue a teacher’s or instructor’s license to applicants who are licensed to practice in another state, country, or territory while they are employed at an accredited school or college.

HB 579, sponsored by Representative Matt Reeves and carried in the Senate by Senator Larry Walker, grants the Professional Licensing Board Division Director administrative approval for licenses – streamlining the licensure process and removing barriers of entry for individuals to get to work in Georgia.

HB 630, sponsored by Representative Marcus Wiedower and carried in the Senate by Senator Larry Walker, streamlines the administration of the State Board of Registration of Used Motor Vehicle Dealers and Used Motor Vehicle Parts Dealers and clarifies the requirements applicants for licensure must satisfy, while preserving the protections against bad actors within the industry.”.

HB 635, sponsored by Representative Marcus Wiedower and carried in the Senate by Senator Larry Walker, makes licensing requirements more objective by reducing individual discretion, promoting fairness, and streamlining the three pathways to licensure for Residential Basic, Residential Light Commercial, and Commercial General Contractors.

SB 125, sponsored by Senator Larry Walker and carried in the House by Representative Lee Hawkins, decouples the pathway to licensure for professional engineers and land surveyors, allowing individuals to take their licensing exam after they graduate from their schooling and before acquiring their experiential requirements. Additionally, this bill authorizes the Secretary of State’s Office to implement a third-party electronic database to monitor the compliance of certain licenses where continuing education courses are required for license renewal. Lastly, the bill revises grammar and out of date language for electrical contractors, plumbers, conditioned air contractors, low-voltage contractors, and utility contractors with few regulatory changes.

Governor Kemp extends his appreciation to all of those whose diligent work and efforts led to him being able to sign these bills today.

MIL OSI USA News –

May 10, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: Happy Valley-Goose Bay — Happy Valley-Goose Bay RCMP investigates community vandalism

Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

Happy Valley-Goose Bay RCMP is investigating a recent spree of vandalism that occurred in the community during the night of May 7 and the morning of May 8, 2025.

So far, 12 residential properties have been identified as being tagged with graffiti where spray paint was used. Graffiti was also discovered in the same area on roadways, signs, and other property owned by the Town of Happy Valley-Goose Bay. The vandalism occurred in the areas of Mesher, Learning, and Lethbridge Streets, which are all within three blocks of one another.

The investigation is ongoing.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to please contact Happy Valley-Goose Bay RCMP at 709-896-3383 or, to remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers: #SayItHere 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), visit www.nlcrimestoppers.com or use the P3Tips app.

MIL Security OSI –

May 10, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Welch, Wyden, Merkley, Schumer, Lead Colleagues in Fight to Protect Head Start, Meals on Wheels, Social Services from Republican Budget Cuts

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont)

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), a member of the Senate Finance Committee, Ranking Member of the Senate Finance Committee Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Ranking Member of the Senate Budget Committee Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), and Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) today led the Senate Democratic Caucus in sending an open letter to the public exposing the Trump Administration and Congressional Republicans’ plan to gut Meals on Wheels, Head Start, and other essential social services.
Republican Senators are currently writing legislation that will give a tax break to the wealthiest by ripping away programs American seniors, children, and working families rely on. Republicans have targeted two essential funding sources for social services programs—Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and the Social Services Block Grant (SSBG) —putting nearly 25 million children, seniors, and families at risk across the country.
“We write to make our position on this legislation perfectly clear: Congress should not give tax breaks to the wealthiest Americans by ripping away programs that almost 25 million Americans – close to 50% of whom are children – rely on for basic needs,” the Senators wrote to the American public.
“Earlier this month, Congressional Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate passed a budget that sets the stage for existential cuts to the safety net. Republican leaders claim they have no plans to eliminate essential services, but tens of billions in catastrophic cuts to these programs appeared on Republicans’ published wish list, alongside cuts to Medicaid and SNAP,” the Senators continued. “State and local leaders confirm that eliminating SSBG and TANF would reduce programs that serve our most vulnerable as states and localities are already operating under tight budget constraints.”
The Senators’ letter concludes: “Right now, Republicans are writing the most consequential legislation contemplated in decades entirely behind closed doors. That’s because Trump and Congressional Republicans must hide the ugly truth – their legislation feeds corporate and wealthy individuals’ greed by abandoning vulnerable children, starving seniors, and cutting off families in need. You, your family, and your neighbors deserve far better. Democrats are fighting to protect your communities from Republican cuts. Join us and keep up the fight.”
The open letter to the public was signed by U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) and the entire Senate Democratic Caucus, including Ranking Member of the Senate Finance Committee Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Ranking Member of the Senate Budget Committee Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), and Senators Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Ben Ray Lujan (D-N.M.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Richard J. Durbin (D-Ill.), Andy Kim (D-N.J.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.), Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), John Fetterman (D-Pa.), and Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.).
Read and download the full letter.

MIL OSI USA News –

May 10, 2025
MIL-OSI Canada: Traffic safety tips: Motorcycle safety
Source: Government of Canada regional news (2)
As spring weather brings more motorcycles onto Alberta’s roads, it’s important for all road users to stay alert and share the road responsibly to ensure everyone gets home safe. Motorcycle crashes can lead to serious injury or death because riders lack the protection of an enclosed vehicle.

Unfortunately, about one-third of collisions involving a motorcycle end in death or injury, compared with about one in 10 deaths or injures for all other vehicle collisions.

When driving, please remember:
- Be aware of motorcyclists.
- Be cautious when driving near motorcyclists because they are smaller and less visible than cars.
Motorcyclists can improve their own safety by doing the following:
- Ride defensively and avoid blind spots.
- Obtain the proper training – motorcycles demand a high degree of skill.
- Start out on a smaller bike if you’re a new driver and move up to a bigger bike when you have more experience.
- Focus on riding with no distractions. Riding takes all of your attention.
- Wear the right gear, including a certified helmet, leathers, closed shoes and eye protection:
Quick facts
- Between 2018 and 2022, 137 motorcyclists died and 1,091 were injured on Alberta roads.
- As of Dec. 31, 2024, there were 144,846 motorcycles registered in Alberta.
Related information
- Motorcycle safety | Alberta.ca
- Traffic Safety playlist: YouTube.com
MIL OSI Canada News –
May 10, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Attorney General James Secures Conviction of Former Mortgage Broker for Role in Queens Deed Theft Ring
Source: US State of New York

EW YORK – New York Attorney General Letitia James today announced that she won her case against former mortgage bank branch manager Stacie Saunders for her role in a Queens deed theft ring that stole homes in Jamaica and St. Albans, Queens, owned by elderly or disabled New Yorkers or their estates. Saunders was part of a deed theft ring that fraudulently sold three homes without the knowledge and permission of the rightful property owners, yielding over $1 million from the sale proceeds. After a two-week trial, a jury in Queens found Saunders guilty of all charges. Saunders is the final defendant to be convicted in the Office of the Attorney General’s (OAG) investigation into the Queens deed theft ring led by Marcus Wilcher. All five defendants charged by OAG have since been convicted.

“Deed theft is a heartless crime that targets the most valuable assets in vulnerable communities,” said Attorney General James. “With the conviction of Stacie Saunders, my office is proud to have secured justice for the elderly New Yorkers that Saunders and her co-conspirators targeted with their predatory scheme. We will always work to combat deed theft and keep New Yorkers in their homes.”

Saunders, who was also a licensed real estate salesperson, is the last to be convicted in a deed theft ring that stole three homes in Jamaica and St. Albans, Queens, and attempted to steal an additional home from an elderly homeowner in Jamaica in 2019. The ring included Wilcher, disbarred attorney Anyekache Hercules, Jerry Currin, and Dean Lloyd. Wilcher located homes in Jamaica and St. Albans in poor or run-down condition with absentee owners. Hercules created forged legal documents used to steal and sell the properties and Saunders then marketed the homes to investors at prices significantly below the market rate for quick sales. After an investor expressed interest in purchasing a home, Wilcher would secure personal information about the real owners, including Social Security numbers and birth dates, to create falsified driver’s licenses, social security cards, and bank cards. Wilcher then found people to impersonate the owners of the properties at contract signings and closings. Saunders arranged attorneys, collected closing documents, and scheduled the closings to fraudulently sell the homes.

After the sales were finalized, the defendants opened bank accounts in the names of the homes’ real owners and used these bank accounts and other entities and LLCs they controlled to funnel more than $1 million in proceeds to themselves.

After a two-week trial, a jury in Queens convicted Saunders of 18 total counts, including:
- Three counts of Grand Larceny in the Second Degree, a class C felony;
- Two counts of Attempted Grand Larceny in the Second Degree, a class D felony;
- One count of Scheme to Defraud in the First Degree, a class E felony;
- Five counts of Money Laundering in the Second Degree, a class C felony;
- Two counts of Forgery in the Second Degree, a class D felony;
- Three counts of Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree, a class E felony; and
- Two counts of Conspiracy in the Fourth Degree, a class E felony.
The maximum sentence on the top count is five to 15 years in prison, with the possibility of consecutive sentences. Saunders will be sentenced on June 11, 2025 by Judge Leigh Cheng.

In December 2022, Attorney General James announced the arrests and indictments of Wilcher, Saunders, Hercules, Currin, and Lloyd. Hercules, who was previously convicted of Grand Larceny in Kings County in 2018, pleaded guilty to Scheme to Defraud in the First Degree and was sentenced to one and a half to three years in prison. Wilcher pleaded guilty to Grand Larceny in the Second Degree and sentenced to three to nine years in prison for the thefts of five homes in July 2024. Jerry Currin and Dean Lloyd pleaded guilty to felony counts of Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree.

This is the latest in Attorney General James’ efforts to protect New York homeowners from deed theft and other housing-related scams. In February, Attorney General James announced the indictment and arraignment of Satwattie Martinez and Joseph Uwagba for their roles in a deed theft and forgery scam that stole the home and personal funds of an elderly Queens resident. In October 2024, Attorney General James announced the arrests and indictments of Marcia Campbell, her husband Fred Campbell, and their associate Frank Palmer for their roles in a deed theft scheme and a series of real estate investment scams that stole over $250,000 from vulnerable New Yorkers. In September 2024, Attorney General James announced a win after the New York County Supreme Court denied Joseph Makhani’s motion to dismiss the case against him for deed theft. In April 2023, Attorney General James announced two pieces of legislation to strengthen protections and remedies for victims of deed theft, which have both been signed into law. In February 2021, Attorney General James announced an $800,000 grant to combat deed theft in vulnerable neighborhoods. Attorney General James also launched the Protect Our Homes initiative in January 2020 and announced the formation of an interagency law enforcement task force to respond to deed theft and other real estate fraud.

The case was investigated for OAG by Detective Supervisor Anna Ospanova, Assistant Chief Samuel Scotellaro, and Deputy Chief Juanita Bright of the Major Investigations Unit. The Investigations Bureau is led by Chief Oliver Pu-Folkes.

Assistant Attorneys General Nicholas Kyriacou and Aida Vernon handled the prosecution in this matter under the supervision of Public Integrity Bureau Chief Gerard Murphy, Deputy Bureau Chief Kiran Heer, and Real Estate Enforcement Unit Section Chief Nick Batsidis, with assistance from Senior Analyst Crystal Bisbano. The audit was undertaken by Principal Auditor Investigator Danielle Dudley under the supervision of Deputy Chief Auditor Sandy Bizzarro. The audit team is led by Chief Auditor Kristen Fabbri. Both the Investigations Bureau and the Public Integrity Bureau are part of the Division for Criminal Justice. The Division for Criminal Justice is led by Chief Deputy Attorney General José Maldonado and overseen by First Deputy Attorney General Jennifer Levy.

MIL OSI USA News –
May 10, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Expanding Access to Affordable Child Care
Source: US State of New York

overnor Kathy Hochul today signed new legislation as part of the FY26 Enacted Budget to support children and families, including investing $2.2 billion in affordable child care and providing new resources for low-income parents to help them raise healthy babies.

“Parenthood is an incredible experience — but these days, it’s definitely not cheap,” Governor Hochul said. “By expanding access to affordable child care and providing resources to new parents, we’re helping to make New York an even better place to raise a family.”

The FY26 Budget includes landmark new investments to help families in New York meet the cost of daily necessities and services like child care. These investments include:
- Expanding access to child care by investing $2.2 billion statewide, including up to $350 million investment to save child care subsidies for tens of thousands of New York City families
- Investing $110 million in child care capital funding to build new child care facilities and repair existing sites, as well as home-based programs
- Advancing another nation-leading legislative proposal to improve maternal and infant health through the provision of a birth allowance — the New York State BABY Benefit
- Investing $9 million to distribute free diapers and other postpartum supplies to low-income New York families
- Securing a historic increase in New York’s Child Tax Credit that will provide eligible families with a $1,000 credit for kids younger than 4 years old and a $500 credit for kids ages 4-16, effectively doubling the credit for the average family
- Providing $340 million to ensure free breakfast and lunch for every K-12 student in New York, over 2.7 million kids, saving families an average of $1,600 per child
Expanding Access to Child Care and Saving Child Care Subsidies
The FY26 Budget includes a $400 million investment to save child care subsidies for families statewide through the state’s Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) with up to $350 million available for tens of thousands of New York City families. Since taking office, State funding for CCAP has more than doubled, bringing low-cost, affordable childcare to a record 150,000 families statewide. These investments in CCAP further build on Governor Hochul’s historic $7 billion investment to expand and improve child care accessibility and affordability for working families. This includes initiatives to help families by raising the eligibility threshold for child care assistance so families of four making up to $108,000 are eligible for child care that costs only $15 per week. The Governor also launched a new online portal last year to make the application process as easy as possible for eligible families.

Providing Capital Grants for Child Care Providers
The FY 26 Budget includes $100 million in capital grants for child care providers to renovate and build new child care centers, especially in child care deserts. This investment will help child care providers facilitate opening new seats and serve additional children. Further, $10 million will be made available to family child care providers to renovate and repair their home-based child care locations.

Establish the Birth Allowance for Beginning Year (BABY) Benefit
The FY 26 Budget includes $8.5 million to advance another nation-leading initiative to improve maternal and infant health through the provision of a birth allowance — the New York State BABY (Birth Allowance for Beginning Year) Benefit — to low-income parents on public assistance. As part of her agenda to make New York the best, most affordable place to start and raise a family, Governor Hochul will provide a one-time $1,800 benefit at birth for New Yorkers who receive public assistance when they have a new baby. The BABY Benefit will increase household income for thousands of New York’s most under-resourced families at a most crucial time in their lives, help defray birth-related expenses, and overall ease the financial stress that can come with caring for a new baby. This investment builds on Governor Hochul’s record of support for pregnant people, new parents and infants, ensuring a stronger and more stable foundation for both parent and child, uplifting working families by putting more money in their pockets, and continuing the State’s progress reducing child poverty.

Free Diapers and Other Postpartum Supplies
The FY26 Budget includes $9 million to provide an estimated 100,000 families with maternal health and newborn baby resources, educational materials, self-care products and diapers. This funding will be allocated pending approval from the federal government. Governor Hochul will partner with Baby2Baby — a national nonprofit that provides essential items to one million children living in poverty annually — to deliver maternal health and newborn supply boxes to expectant mothers enrolled in Medicaid and those reached through community-based organizations and hospitals serving lower-income areas. Additionally, New York State will distribute millions of diapers to low-income families, with the intent to grow that number each year. Governor Hochul will also expand maternal behavioral health services and will build upon previous investments through the co-location of mental health services into OBGYN practices in high-needs communities across New York State.

Expanding New York’s Child Tax Credit
The FY 2026 State Budget includes Governor Hochul’s plan to give 1.6 million New York families an annual tax credit of up to $1,000 per child under age four and up to $500 per child from four through sixteen. This is the largest expansion of New York’s child tax credit in its history — and it will benefit approximately 2.75 million children statewide. This historic expansion will assist families with young children and help families across the income spectrum.

Governor Hochul’s expansion of the credit will double the size of the average credit going out to families from $472 to $943, providing relief to low-income and middle-income households. A family of four with a toddler and school-age child, earning up to $110,000, would receive a $1,500 annual credit, nearly $1,000 more than under the current program. Even a family of four with an income of $170,000, which was previously ineligible, would receive over $500 per year. Additionally, the Governor’s reforms eliminate a provision that restricted the poorest families from accessing the full credit. Over 187,000 children will now be eligible for the credit. This expansion and reform will help build on New York’s progress reducing child poverty. The credit alone is estimated to reduce child poverty by up to 8.2 percent.

MIL OSI USA News –
May 10, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: PM meeting with Prime Minister Støre  of Norway: 9 May 2025
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

Press release

PM meeting with Prime Minister Støre  of Norway: 9 May 2025

The Prime Minister met Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre of Norway this afternoon onboard a Norwegian coastguard vessel.
The Prime Minister met Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre of Norway this afternoon onboard a Norwegian coastguard vessel.

The Prime Minister began by thanking Prime Minister Støre for hosting the Joint Expeditionary Force summit today. It was a vital forum to address evolving defence and security issues, the leaders agreed.

Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to providing steadfast support to Ukraine and welcomed President Trump’s ongoing efforts to deliver a secure and lasting peace.

The leaders also discussed joint efforts between the UK and Norway to protect critical subsea infrastructure to safeguard economic security and working people at home. The Prime Minister updated on his visit to the Carrier Strike Group last month and thanked Prime Minister Støre for Norway’s vital contribution to the deployment.

Turning to the situation in Gaza, both agreed the situation on the ground was intolerable and more needed to be done to secure a lasting peace that delivered long-term security and stability for both Palestinians and Israelis.

The Prime Ministers also welcomed the signing of the Green Industrial Partnership by UK and Norwegian energy ministers earlier this week.

The leaders agreed to stay in close touch.

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Published 9 May 2025
MIL OSI United Kingdom –
May 10, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Redstone Rising: FBI Director Patel Touts Redstone Arsenal as “Premier” Law Enforcement Capability Center; Recommits to 500 new agents

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Dale Strong (Alabama)

WASHINGTON— Today, U.S. Representative Dale Strong, Vice Chairman of Commerce, Justice, Science Appropriations Subcommittee, spoke with Federal Bureau of Investigation Director, Kash Patel, regarding the Bureau’s Fiscal Year 2026 budget request.

The hearing focused on the agency’s budget requests to fight crime and protect the homeland. During the hearing, Representative Strong questioned Director Patel on Huntsville’s role in keeping Americans safe.

Read Rep. Strong’s remarks below or watch on YouTube.

STRONG: Let me start by shining a light on my district, Alabama’s Fifth Congressional District, which includes Huntsville, Alabama, and Redstone Arsenal. The FBI’s presence at Redstone Arsenal dates back over 50 years to 1971. Currently, FBI Redstone seats over 2,000 personnel and includes personnel from 20 of the FBI’s 30 sections.

Time and again North Alabama has answered the call to support the FBI with a second to work for state-of-the-art facility and plenty of room for cost-effective and responsible growth. Director Patel, a few weeks ago you visited Redstone Arsenal in my hometown. Could you share with us what you saw while you were there and the impression to visit left with you?

PATEL: What I saw while I was there was the best example of what I see when appropriators work with the bureau to defend the nation and I wish everybody would go down to Huntsville, Alabama. It is our premier, premier experienced law-enforcement capability center and training facility that the interagency only wishes they had.

What we have down there in cyber, in long-range missile defense capabilities, nested there with NASA and the Department of Defense and further programs, including our terrorism explosive device center, which the world relies on to stop bombs from going off and so much more is down in Huntsville, Alabama.

And the reason it’s there is because appropriators were brilliant enough to provide a space outside of Washington, D.C. to take a geographic footprint and save money instead of rebuilding here in Washington to do it for half the cost in Alabama and that’s why we’re moving 500 FBI employees this year to Huntsville because the technical expertise they possess and we do not want to remove from the FBI is nested in Huntsville and not Washington DC and in order to train the future men and women the FBI, the DHS, the DOD and every other intelligence agency we have they’re already asking us “When do we get to go to Redstone?” So, I encourage everyone to go down there.

STRONG: Director Patel, I applaud your efforts to making America safe again and returning the FBI to its core mission. We must continue to get our dedicated FBI agents into the field and out of the beltway to protect America. There’s no better place to achieve this than Redstone in Huntsville, Alabama. Huntsville provides the most cost-effective location, distinct partnership opportunities, a high quality of life for personnel and remarkable talent.

Director Patel, could you expand on the plans for moving personnel and programs to Huntsville as it’s often called FBIHQ2? What are the timelines for executing this and do you have the necessary resources to execute this move?

PATEL: Taking those in reverse order, the short answer is no. So, we’ve got the North Campus in the South Campus down there. The North Campus is largely constructed and filled. The South Campus land has been leveled, and the plots have been mapped out. In order to fill it, and in order to build buildings three and four and five as we call them and the new training facilities—that we and the appropriators have already looked into and approved—we’re going to need another $160 million to accomplish that. And once those buildings are built in the next three years, we will move another 1,300 Maybe it’s 1,400 employees down Huntsville.

Because again, we are not removing them out of Washington D.C. to remove them. We need a place that allows their skills to be met and it’s not in Washington D.C. and tragically, it’s not Quantico either. I wish it worked, and we wouldn’t move, but that’s what we’re looking to build this for, the future— and it also gives us a landing platform in a more centrally located area of the country for the specialized teams to deploy out into the rest of America when something goes ‘boom’ or when there’s a tragic accident. So, I am asking the appropriators not only for the $145 million to finish the build but for the $60 million for the Operation and Maintenance (O&M) to keep the facilities up.

STRONG: With the great work occurring in Huntsville, I want to highlight the agency collaboration between the FBI, ATF, and DHS to address bombing instances and the use of explosives. The FBI’s hazardous device school Terrorist Explosive Device Analytic Center or TEDAC is located at Redstone. The ATF’s National Center for Explosive Training and Research and the US bomb data center are also located in Huntsville likewise DHS routinely collaborates with these partners specifically for bombing prevention.

Director Patel, could you talk a little bit about the interagency efforts to address bombing instances in the use of explosives?

PATEL: Yes, I’ll try to be brief. Just like with drone technology, our adversaries when it comes to explosive devices, their technical capabilities have exponentially increased. And in order to keep up and stay ahead and not behind the boom— what we have to do is train.

And this is another point of training for Redstone Arsenal. Everyone that’s qualified as a bomb technician the FBI and the rest of the country gets that training in Huntsville, Alabama. And that’s the reason we need these schools to exist to stay ahead of the fight and these explosive devices that are being engineered in people‘s basements and places across the world and being shipped here we need to know how to shut those off before they explode and that’s what Redstone does.

Representative Strong serves as the Vice Chair of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies which oversees the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

MIL OSI USA News –

May 10, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Strong Leads Bipartisan Effort to Support Veterans, Law Enforcement
Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Dale Strong (Alabama)

WASHINGTON— Today, U.S. Representatives Dale W. Strong (R-AL), Lou Correa (D-CA), Maria Elvira Salazar (R-FL), and Glenn Ivey (D-MD) introduced the Supporting Every at-Risk Veteran In Critical Emergencies (SERVICE) Act. Nine additional Members joined as original cosponsors of the bill.

The SERVICE Act would establish a pilot program to allow local law enforcement agencies to use the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) grants to establish dedicated “Veterans Response Teams” within departments to respond to emergency calls involving veterans in crisis.

A Veterans Response Team is a team of law enforcement officers who also have a background in military service. Members of the team would be available 24/7 to respond to instances of a veteran in crisis, including mental health or substance abuse situations. Following the initial response, members of the team would assist in connecting the individual with community and U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) resources.

“The SERVICE Act is a crucial step toward ensuring our veterans get the care and understanding they deserve in times of crisis,” said Rep. Dale Strong. “We owe our servicemembers a debt that cannot be repaid, and it is my honor to introduce this legislation and work toward providing our veterans with the compassionate and effective resources they need. This legislation honors their service by meeting them with support, not stigma.”

“When our nation’s veterans return home, we owe it to them to make sure they’re met with the support they deserve and have earned—and we must keep our moral commitment to them,” said Rep. Lou Correa. “Many of our veterans return home with invisible wounds and respond better to their fellow veterans in times of need. This common-sense, bipartisan legislation is key to fulfilling our promise to those who’ve offered their lives for our freedom—and will save countless lives along the way.”

“Research shows that when a veteran is in crisis, they are most receptive to help and support provided by fellow veterans. Nearly 20% of our U.S. law enforcement has served in the military, and they are undoubtedly the most well-equipped to respond to other veterans in need,” said Rep. Maria Salazar. “Our veterans have sacrificed so much for our freedoms, and we owe them the best care possible when they return from their service. I am proud to co-lead the SERVICE Act to provide support to our brave men and women in uniform.”

“Veterans have served us in our nation’s time of need. Now we must keep this sacred covenant to serve our veterans in their darkest hour. The SERVICE Act will help them get mental health services and prevent suicides. Service men and women who now face PTSD, psycho-social trauma, and physical symptoms of being in war zones across our world must get treatment for what ails them,” said Rep. Glenn Ivey. “My father and father-in-law both served in the military, so I know what it means to be a part of a military family. They deserve the respect and dignity of getting the care they rightly earned. I co-lead this bill because this is about doing what’s best for veterans in crisis and helping our law enforcement personnel assist in this effort.”

This program was first implemented in Cincinnati, Ohio, and now serves as the blueprint for the state. Sergeant Dave Corlett (Ret.), a veteran himself, established the program and maintains that having a fellow veteran respond to these calls is more effective in de-escalating and ensuring that veterans are aware of the resources available to them.

“I couldn’t be more thrilled than to hear about the reintroduction of the SERVICE Act. As a military veteran and 30-year first responder, I have seen the effects of trauma on our warfighters. We all want to reduce the stigma of seeking help for mental health issues and reduce the number of military and first responder suicides. This program has proven itself in the real world to be a great step in that direction,” said Dave Corlett.

The SERVICE Act has been endorsed by the American Legion, Hope for the Warriors, Vietnam Veterans of America, Military Order of the Purple Heart, National Policing Institute, Small and Rural Law Enforcement Executives Association, and the CJ3 Foundation.

Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) strongly supports this legislation, saying, in part: “The SERVICE Act will provide veterans in law enforcement with tools and training to help our fellow veterans and the law enforcement community to better deal with veterans in crisis,” said Jack McManus, National Vietnam Veterans of America President. “The SERVICE Act presents an opportunity to improve community relations while saving the lives of our nation’s veterans.”

“At HOPE for the Warriors, we stand firmly behind the SERVICE Act as a critical lifeline for veterans in crisis,” said Robin Kelleher, Hope for the Warriors CEO. “By empowering specialized Veteran Response Teams—who truly understand the unique challenges veterans face—communities can respond with compassion, defuse crisis situations more effectively, and create safer, healthier outcomes for everyone involved.”

“Having served in both the military and law enforcement, I believe we have a sacred duty to support those who have protected us. Our veterans, much like our law enforcement officers, have answered the call in our nation’s time of need,” said Sheriff Eli Rivera, Small and Rural Law Enforcement Executives Association President. “This bill presents an opportunity to uphold that covenant, ensuring our veterans receive the care and resources they deserve in their darkest hour. SRLEEA is committed to advocating for policies that honor and support our nation’s heroes, both on and off the battlefield.”

“The SERVICE Act is a vital and strategic support for the critical role of trained veterans in responding to their peers in times of need—because no one understands a veteran like another veteran,” said Jim Burch, President of the National Policing Institute. “By establishing dedicated Veterans Response Teams, law enforcement can provide immediate, informed, and empathetic care, bridging the gap between crisis intervention and long-term support.”

“CJ3 Foundation is proud to endorse Congressman Dale Strong’s introduction of the Supporting Every at Risk Veteran In Critical Emergencies (SERVICE) Act of 2025, which proposes that the Attorney General support the creation and operation of ‘Veterans Response Teams’ in the law enforcement agencies of states, local government, and similar entities to assist veterans in need and strengthen local law enforcement relationships with the veteran communities they serve,” said Eric Thomas, CJ3 Foundation Founder and Director.

Original cosponsors of the SERVICE Act include Representatives Lou Correa (D-CA), Maria Elvira Salazar (R-FL), Glenn Ivey (D-MD), Clay Higgins (R-LA), Derek Tran (D-CA), David Valadao (R-CA), Don Davis (D-NC), Barry Moore (R-AL), Dan Goldman (D-NY), Scott Franklin (R-FL), Maggie Goodlander (D-NH), and Mike Rogers (R-AL).

BACKGROUND:

There were 6,407 veteran suicides in 2022, according to the most recent VA data. Most veterans who committed suicide were not receiving any form of care at the VA.

VA studies suggest that strides can be made toward prevention with greater community-based intervention and coalition-building and by increasing awareness of and access to mental health services, among other things.

It is estimated that 20-25% of law enforcement officers have a background in military service. Establishing Veterans Response Teams affords an opportunity for positive engagement for veterans both within their departments and within their broader communities – which could assist in the transition between military and civilian life and improve recruitment and retention efforts within law enforcement.

To that end, the SERVICE Act aims to take steps toward assisting veterans in crisis by allowing DOJ COPS grants to be used to:
- Train and educate law enforcement officers on mental health issues related to military service.
- Outfit law enforcement officers with insignia that indicate their branch of service.
- Provide overtime pay for law enforcement officers who participate in a Veterans Response Team.
- Grow awareness of the program within their communities and promote VA resources.
MIL OSI USA News –
May 10, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Attorney General Bonta Urges Court to Immediately Halt Mass Firings Across Federal Government
Source: US State of California

OAKLAND — California Attorney General Rob Bonta joined a coalition of 21 attorneys general in submitting an amicus brief in American Federation of Government Employees, AFL-CIO, et al. v. Trump, in support of the request for a temporary restraining order (TRO) to halt the Trump Administration’s illegal mass firings in agencies across the federal government.

“The illegal ransacking of federal agencies and the mass firing of federal workers that make these agencies run has sown tremendous chaos, instilled distrust among the American people, and caused deep harm to our country,” said Attorney General Bonta. “Beyond the on-the-ground impacts we are seeing, the continued uncertainty surrounding the fate of various federal agencies has a real and lasting impact on states that must devote substantial time and resources to prepare for agencies that may or may not cease to exist. I urge the court to order an immediate end to the Trump Administration’s firing rampage.”

In the brief, the attorneys general argue that the Trump Administration is acting beyond its authority in dismantling agencies across the federal government — the Trump Administration does not have the power to incapacitate a department that Congress created, nor can it decline to spend funds that were appropriated by Congress for that department.

Massive federal layoffs substantially disrupt the ability of the states to protect and serve their residents and pose serious risks and harms to their citizens’ health, safety, and lives by impacting state programs ranging from emergency planning and response, infrastructure repair, environmental protection, public health, among many more.

The brief includes multiple examples of federal statutes inviting or requiring federal and state collaboration to solve problems, including:
- The United States Geological Survey’s work to identify, assess, and plan for potential landslide hazards;
- The tsunami hazard mitigation program created by the Environmental Protection Agency and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA);
- The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) national suicide and mental health hotlines;
- The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s deployment of a team to address crises such as food-borne pathogens’ threat to human health; and
- FEMA’s responsibility to develop operational plans and lead infrastructure workers who respond to disasters, establish programs for temporary housing during emergencies, and ensure that federal agencies work in coordination with state and local officials.
Attorney General Bonta has forcefully stood up to the Trump Administrations illegal efforts to dismember and impair the federal government though mass firing.

This week, Attorney General Bonta filed a lawsuit against the Trump Administration challenging the unlawful mass firing of roughly 10,000 full-time HHS employees, the consolidation of 28 HHS divisions into 15 divisions, and the closing of half of HHS’s ten regional offices — in addition to previously filed lawsuits challenging the illegal firing of probationary federal workers and U.S. Department of Education workers.

Attorney General Bonta has submitted two amicus briefs (here and here) in lawsuits challenging the Trump Administrations dismantling of the Consumer Protection Financial Bureau — actions that include issuing a suspension of work across the agency and terminating probationary employees — and rapidly and substantially increases the burden on state agencies to protect consumers.

Last month, Attorney General Bonta filed an amicus brief in support of a lawsuit challenging operational changes to Social Security Administration policies. These changes, including staffing cuts, field office closures, and the illegal shuttering of departments, have hampered SSA’s ability to help older adults and persons with disabilities access the benefits and services they depend on.

In filing the brief, Attorney General Bonta joins the attorneys general of Washington, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, and the District of Columbia.

A copy of the brief can be found here.

MIL OSI USA News –
May 10, 2025
MIL-OSI United Nations: IOM Spokesperson: Statement On Assisted Voluntary Return (AVR) of Migrants in the United States

Source: International Organization for Migration (IOM)

9 May 2025, Geneva – For decades, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) has supported Assisted Voluntary Return (AVR) programs in more than 100 countries—helping people without resources, legal options, or support return to their countries of origin safely and with dignity. AVR is a proven, rights-based tool that allows migrants facing the challenges of a complex global migration system to regain agency and make informed decisions.

At the request of the U.S. government, IOM is providing AVR to people in the U.S. who register to voluntarily return to their countries of origin. Our role is to ensure that those who lack the means to return on their own can do so in a safe, dignified, and informed way. This reflects IOM’s global mandate to protect vulnerable people, uphold human dignity, and ensure that migration—whether to a new home or in return—is safe, orderly, and rights-based.

The United States determines its own migration policy. IOM does not facilitate or implement deportations. Our involvement begins only after an individual, required by U.S. law to leave the country, gives informed consent to receive assistance. In these moments, IOM ensures that people have access to accurate information and essential services, in line with international standards.

IOM helps people navigate the complexities of the migration system to find stability, safety, and the ability to make meaningful choices about their future. In the United States, many migrants face a challenging reality—navigating complex systems with limited options and resources. This initiative provides support to those who choose to return, helping them make a life-changing decision with care and clarity.

*ENDS*

MIL OSI United Nations News –

May 10, 2025