Category: Intelligence Agencies

  • MIL-OSI Security: Preston County Man Admits to Federal Child Exploitation Offenses

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

    CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Steven David Seeger, 46, of Bruceton Mills, West Virginia, has admitted to the coercion and enticement of a minor for sex and production of child pornography.

    According to court documents and statements made in court, Seeger was communicating with minor girls online.  During those communications, he persuaded multiple victims to produce and send him sexually explicit images and videos.

    Seeger faces 10 years to life in federal prison for the enticement charge and faces 15 to 30 years for the production of child pornography charge. If convicted, a federal district court judge will determine the appropriate sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberley Crockett is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government.

    The Federal Bureau of Investigation, the West Virginia State Police, and the Preston County Sheriff’s Office investigated.

    U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael John Aloi presided.

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI Security: Richmond Man Sentenced to 25 Years for Child Pornography

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

    KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Richmond, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for receiving child pornography, after having a prior state conviction for possession of child pornography.

    Derek Shain, 36, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Roseann Ketchmark to 25 years in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered Shain to serve supervised release for Life following his incarceration.

    On January 16, 2025, Shain pleaded guilty to one count of receiving child pornography, after having a prior state conviction for possession of child pornography. According to court documents, Shain communicated with a 15-year-old minor female on a social media platform.  He requested and received an image of child pornography from the minor female.  A background investigation of Shain confirmed that Shain was a registered sex offender at the time of this offense. Shain also has prior state convictions for attempted child molestation in the first degree and age misrepresentation with intent to solicit a minor.

    This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Maureen A. Brackett. It was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Sugar Creek, Missouri Police Department.

    Project Safe Childhood

    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 www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab “resources.”

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI Security: Father and Son Sentenced for Role in International Market Manipulation Scheme Related to New Jersey Deli

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    CAMDEN, N.J. – A father and son were sentenced on May 13, 2025, for their roles in orchestrating a large-scale market manipulation scheme related to two publicly traded companies, U.S. Attorney Alina Habba announced.

    Peter Coker, Sr., 82, of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, and Peter Coker, Jr., 56, formerly of Hong Kong, China, had pleaded guilty, on December 19, 2024, before U.S. District Judge Christine P. O’Hearn to securities fraud and conspiracy to commit securities fraud. Coker, Sr. was sentenced to six months’ imprisonment, three years’ supervised release, including six months’ home detention, and fines totaling $500,000. Coker, Jr. was sentenced to 40 months’ imprisonment, three years’ supervised release, and fines totaling $250,000.

    James Patten, 65, of Winston-Salem, North Carolina also previously pleaded guilty to the same charges and is awaiting sentencing.

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

    From 2014 through September 2022, Peter Coker Sr., Peter Coker Jr., and Patten conspired to enrich themselves through a scheme to manipulate securities prices via a pattern of coordinated trading, which injected inaccurate information into the marketplace, creating false impressions of supply and demand for these securities.

    As part of the securities fraud scheme, the defendants targeted two publicly traded companies—Hometown International Inc. and E-Waste Corp.—which both traded on the OTC Link Alternative Trading System, also known as the OTC Marketplace. The OTC Marketplace is an alternative trading system that contains three tiers of markets, which are largely based on the quality and quantity of the listed companies’ information and disclosures.

    Coker Sr., Coker Jr., and Patten took steps to gain control of both entities’ management and stock with the ultimate intention of entering reverse mergers, a transaction through which an existing public company merges with a private operating company. A successful reverse merger would allow the defendants to sell shares of each entity at a significant profit.

    In or around 2014, two New Jersey residents began the process of opening a local deli in Paulsboro, New Jersey. One of the individuals discussed his interest in opening the deli with Patten, a long-time friend, who suggested the creation of Hometown International, an umbrella corporation, under which the deli would operate as a wholly owned subsidiary. Unbeknownst to the deli owners, after Hometown International was formed, Patten and his associates began positioning Hometown International as a vehicle for a reverse merger that would yield substantial profit to them.

    Around October 2019, Hometown International began selling shares on the OTC Marketplace. Patten, Coker Sr., and Coker Jr. furthered their scheme by gaining control of Hometown International’s management and its shares from the deli owners. Coker Sr., Coker Jr., and Patten took similar actions to gain control of E-Waste Corporation’s stock and management. The defendants also arranged for the transfer of millions of shares of stock to a number of nominee entities, including entities controlled by Coker Jr., in an effort to mask their control of the shares.

    In addition, the defendants transferred shares to family members, friends, and associates and gained control over their trading accounts by obtaining their log-in information to conceal the defendants’ involvement. The defendants then used those accounts to commit a number of coordinated trading events, often referred to as match and wash trades, to trade in Hometown International and E-Waste Corp.’s stock on both sides of the transaction.

    These tactics artificially inflated the price of Hometown International and E-Waste’s stock by giving the false impression that there was a genuine market interest in the stock. Their scheme had the ultimate impact of artificially inflating Hometown International’s stock by approximately 939 percent and E-Waste’s stock by approximately 19,900 percent.

    U.S. Attorney Habba credited special agents of the FBI’s Philadelphia Division, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Wayne A. Jacobs, and special agents of IRS-Criminal Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Jenifer L. Piovesan in Newark, with the investigation. He also thanked special agents from FBI Charlotte, FBI Los Angeles, FBI San Francisco, FBI Denver, and FBI Knoxville, for their assistance.

    The government is represented by Lauren E. Repole, Deputy Chief of the Criminal Division, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron Webman of the Economic Crimes Unit. 

                                                                           ###

    Defense counsel:

    Peter Coker, Sr.: John Azzarello, Esq. (Morristown, New Jersey), William McGovern, Esq. (New York, New York)

    Peter Coker, Jr.: Zach Intrater and Marc Agnifilo (New York, New York)

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senators Peters and Blackburn Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Protect U.S. Nuclear Facilities from Drone Threats

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Michigan Gary Peters
    Published: 05.14.2025

    WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI) and Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) introduced bipartisan legislation to protect our nation’s nuclear facilities from the growing threat of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), or drones. The senators’ Nuclear Ecosystem Drone Defense (NEDD) Act would expand the Department of Energy’s (DOE) authority to counter drones presenting threats to U.S. nuclear facilities and assets, specifically to cover facilities that store and transport nuclear material as well as facilities used to research, design, or manufacture components for nuclear weapons. As drones become more advanced, this legislation would help to better secure America’s major nuclear sites as well as smaller facilities that are critical to national security.  
    “As drone technologies evolve and advance, we need to be taking every step necessary to protect our national security and keep America’s nuclear assets, and the communities near them, safe,” said Senator Peters. “This bill would give the Department of Energy the additional authority it needs to counter evolving drone threats and protect some of our nation’s most sensitive and critical infrastructure.” 
    “Unmanned aircraft systems are threatening our nuclear and national security,” said Senator Blackburn. “The NEDD Act would protect nuclear facilities from unauthorized drones, enhancing the Department of Energy’s ability to safeguard its assets, and counter threats to our national security.”
    Between 2022 and 2024, the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) reported six unauthorized drone sightings at the Nevada National Security Site (NNSS), one suspicious UAS overflight of the Pantex Plant (PTX), and five suspicious drone overflights of the Los Alamos National Labs (LANL) restricted airspace. These events have underscored the need for DOE to have expanded authorities and capabilities to combat evolving drone threats. 
    The NEDD Act would help address weaknesses in DOE’s current drone authorities to better counter nefariously operated drones. While current law focuses on protecting high-profile sites where special nuclear materials are stored, the U.S. is also home to other important facilities, such as those involved in research or production, that are not thoroughly covered. This bipartisan bill would help close those gaps and ensure that DOE can respond quickly to threats and implement comprehensive safeguards for all sites under its purview.  Peters has been fighting to expand authorities to ensure our nation is prepared to address public safety threats from drones. Last year, he pressed his colleagues to pass long overdue, bipartisan legislation he authored that would provide state and law enforcement with tools to better detect and track drones so they can protect their communities. Peters’ legislation is supported by a wide range of stakeholders including the National Football League, airports and law enforcement organizations.   

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI Security: 5 Defendants Federally Charged in Los Angeles, Orange Counties as Part of Nationwide Crackdown on Child Sexual Abuse Offenders

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    LOS ANGELES – Attorney General Pamela Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel recently announced an unprecedented national initiative to protect the most vulnerable members of our communities. The FBI launched a coordinated effort with all field offices in a sweeping action to identify, track and arrest child sex predators.

    Since the end of April, the FBI arrested 205 subjects across the country and rescued 115 children during Operation Restore Justice. These subjects are accused of various crimes including the production, distribution, and possession of child sexual abuse material, online enticement and transportation of minors, and child sex trafficking. They include school leaders and registered sex offenders, among others. 

    In the Central District of California, a seven-county jurisdiction that includes Los Angeles and Orange counties, five defendants were charged with federal crimes as follows:

    • Andrew Castillon, 47, of El Monte, was arrested May 1 on a federal criminal complaint charging him with possession of child pornography. A federal magistrate judge ordered him released on $5,000 bond. Castillon’s arraignment is scheduled for May 27 in United States District Court in Los Angeles. Assistant United States Attorney Thi H. Ho of the General Crimes Section is prosecuting this case.
    • Jose Olvera, 34, of North Hollywood, was arrested May 1 on a federal indictment charging him with two counts of distribution of child pornography and five counts of possession of child pornography. He pleaded not guilty to all charges at his arraignment and a June 23 trial was scheduled in this case. A federal magistrate judge ordered him jailed without bond. Assistant United States Attorney Mikaela W. Gilbert-Lurie of the General Crimes Section is prosecuting this case.
    • Steven Martin Nuss, 66, of San Juan Capistrano, was arrested May 9 on a two-count federal grand jury indictment charging him with distribution of child pornography and possession of child pornography. He pleaded not guilty to both charges and a federal magistrate judge ordered him jailed without bond. He is scheduled to go to trial on July 1. Assistant United States Attorney Melissa S. Rabbani of the Orange County Office is prosecuting this case.
    • David Eugene Parker, 55, of La Palma, was arrested April 30 on federal grand jury indictment charging him with two counts of possession of child pornography. He pleaded not guilty to the charge and a federal magistrate judge ordered him released on $100,000 bond. A June 24 trial date is scheduled in this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Lauren E. Border of the General Crimes Section is prosecuting this case.
    • Gregory Cole Jr., 30, of Lancaster, was arrested April 30 in Arizona after he failed to appear at his trial earlier last month in which a jury found him guilty in absentia of one count of production of child pornography, one count of enticement of a minor to engage in criminal sexual activity, and one count of receipt of child pornography. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for June 23, at which time he will face a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in federal prison and a statutory maximum sentence of life in federal prison. Assistant United States Attorney Derek R. Flores of the Violent and Organized Crime Section is prosecuting this case.

    Two additional individuals were arrested in Los Angeles for sexual exploitation of a child and charges of coercion and enticement, respectively; however, those cases are being prosecuted in separate districts.

    “Sexual predators who target children leave emotional scars that can last a lifetime,” said United States Attorney Bill Essayli. “Along with our law enforcement partners, we seek to bring a measure of solace to victims and put criminals on notice that they risk lengthy prison sentences and severe penalties for harming children.”

    “The amount of child predators arrested during Operation Restore Justice should shock the conscience of any law-abiding citizen and parents or guardians, in particular,” said Akil Davis, the Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office.  “Each day, our agents are tackling criminal allegations involving children, whether it be online dangers such as ‘sextortion,’ emerging nihilist extremist networks such as ‘764,’ or children being groomed by someone close to them. We urge caretakers of all children to educate themselves about these constant threats targeting the most vulnerable members of our society.”

    As the nation marked National Child Abuse Prevention month in April, the timing of this effort was a culmination of countless hours by hundreds of FBI agents. It further underscores the FBI’s unwavering commitment to protecting children and raising awareness about the dangers they face. While the Bureau works relentlessly to investigate these crimes every day, April serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of prevention and community education.

    The FBI takes a proactive approach to identify unknown individuals involved in the sexual exploitation of children and the production of child sexual abuse material. We do that through our Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Forces (CEHTTFs) located in each field office. This allows the FBI to combine resources with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies. The FBI also partners with the nonprofit National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), which receives and shares tips about possible child sexual exploitation received through its 24-hour hotline at 1-800-THE-LOST and on missingkids.org

    In 2004, the FBI created the Endangered Child Alert Program (ECAP) to identify individuals involved in the sexual abuse of children and the production of child sexual abuse material. The program is a collaborative effort between the FBI and the NMCEC.

    The FBI also offers resources for parents and caregivers to stay engaged with their children’s online and offline activities. The FBI’s Safe Online Surfing (SOS) program teaches students in grades 3 to 8 how to navigate the web safely.

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

    Other online resources:

    • Electronic Press Kit:

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICE, FBI investigation reveals illegal alien from Guatemala fraudulently sponsored unaccompanied alien children

    Source: US Immigration and Customs Enforcement

    WASHINGTON — An illegal alien from Guatemala was charged in a criminal complaint filed in the District of New Jersey for allegedly submitting sponsorship applications with false statements to the U.S. government to gain custody of two unaccompanied alien children after they entered the United States illegally, following a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, FBI investigation.

    “Attempting to exploit the sponsorship system to gain custody of unaccompanied alien children puts those minors at serious risk,” said ICE acting Director Todd Lyons. “ICE works alongside our law enforcement partners to prevent trafficking and exploitation by individuals falsely claiming to be family. ICE remains firmly committed to detecting deception, upholding the integrity of the immigration process, and, above all, protecting these at-risk children.”

    According to the criminal complaint, Luciano Tinuar Quino, also known as “Luciano Tinuar Guino,” 57, who illegally entered the United States in 2016 and previously resided in the area of Orange, New Jersey, submitted multiple applications to the Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Refugee Resettlement under penalties of perjury to sponsor and obtain custody of two UACs.

    “Protecting children means holding individuals accountable when they use deception to exploit our systems. ORR acted swiftly to identify the fraud and share with our law enforcement counterparts who located the children and ensured justice was served,” said ORR acting Director Angie M. Salazar.

    As alleged in the complaint, after a 15-year-old Guatemalan male (UAC-1) illegally entered the United States in April 2022, Tinuar Quino submitted applications to sponsor this UAC that falsely: (1) claimed to be his father; (2) claimed his own name was “A.S.T.” as listed on a Guatemala national identification card he submitted; and (3) provided his date of birth. To prove his relationship with UAC-1, Tinuar Quino submitted a photoshopped image, which he asserted was a photo of himself with UAC-1’s mother. As a result, the boy was transported from Texas to New Jersey to live with Tinuar Quino.

    “The prior administration’s border policies created chaos and allowed bad actors to prey upon the most vulnerable among us,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “This Department of Justice will always seek strong legal penalties to protect children from those who would do them harm.”

    “This prosecution is an example of my office’s dedication to keeping children safe,” said U.S. Attorney Alina Habba for the District New Jersey. “We will continue to bring to justice those who take advantage of our country’s Unaccompanied Alien Children program and threaten the safety of our community.”

    “This was a clear attempt from an individual unlawfully in the United States seeking to undermine our laws and target children, and the FBI will not tolerate it,” said FBI Director Kash Patel. “We remain laser-focused on ensuring people who come into the United States intending to wreak havoc and intentionally violate our rule of law will face serious consequences.”

    Tinuar Quino is also charged with submitting false information in an attempt to obtain custody of another UAC. Specifically, the complaint charges that in June 2022, Tinuar Quino submitted an application to sponsor a 17-year-old Guatemalan male (UAC-2) who had entered the United States illegally. As alleged, Tinuar Quino falsely: (1) claimed to be UAC-2’s father; (2) stated that his name was “J.R.M.” as listed on a Guatemala national identification card he submitted; and (3) provided his date of birth. ORR did not approve this application.   

    Tinuar Quino is charged with two counts of making a false, fictitious, or fraudulent statement. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison on each count. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

    These charges are the result of the coordinated efforts of Joint Task Force Alpha. JTFA, a partnership with the Department of Homeland Security, has been elevated and expanded by the Attorney General with a mandate to target cartels and other transnational criminal organizations to eliminate human smuggling and trafficking networks operating in Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Panama, and Colombia that impact public safety and the security of our borders. JTFA currently comprises detailees from U.S. Attorneys’ Offices along the southwest border. Dedicated support is provided by numerous components of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, led by the Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section and supported by the Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section, the Office of Enforcement Operations, and the Office of International Affairs, among others. JTFA also relies on substantial law enforcement investment from DHS, FBI, DEA, and other partners. To date, JTFA’s work has resulted in more than 365 domestic and international arrests of leaders, organizers, and significant facilitators of alien smuggling; more than 334 U.S. convictions; more than 281 significant jail sentences imposed; and forfeitures of substantial assets.

    The ICE Homeland Security Investigations and FBI Newark field offices are jointly investigating with assistance from the FBI’s Legal Attaché team in Guatemala. Additionally, the DHS Center for Countering Human Trafficking in Washington, D.C. and ORR have provided valuable assistance.

    Senior Trial Attorney Christian Levesque of HRSP, JTFA Trial Attorney Spencer M. Perry of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Rebecca Sussman of the District of New Jersey are prosecuting the case, with assistance from HRSP Analyst/Latin America Specialist Joanna Crandall.

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

    As a federal criminal investigatory agency, ICE HSI’s role is to take swift action to investigate any criminal activity for which HSI has jurisdiction related to UAC. This includes investigating the exploitive smuggling networks that bring UAC to the United States as well as any criminals who may exploit these at-risk youths here in the United States.

    Individuals across the world can report suspicious criminal activity to the ICE Tip Line 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 866-DHS-2-ICE. Highly trained specialists take reports from both the public and law enforcement agencies on more than 400 laws enforced by ICE.

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

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI Security: Somerset Man Charged with Receipt and Possession of Child Pornography

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    TRENTON N.J. – A Somerset man was charged with receipt and possession of child pornography, U.S. Attorney Alina Habba announced.

    Elliott Souder, 51, was charged by complaint and appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Rukhsanah L. Singh in Trenton federal court on May 6, 2025.

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

    From at least September 20, 2021 through November 16, 2021, Souder, via his home computer, connected to an Internet-based peer-to-peer network and requested three videos depicting child sexual abuse. When members of law enforcement executed a search warrant at Souder’s Somerset residence in March 2022, they found over 1,000 images and videos of child pornography on Souder’s computer’s hard drive, including two of the aforementioned videos previously requested over the peer-to-peer network. Some of the images and videos depicted prepubescent children, toddlers and infants, and sadomasochism on children.

    The charge of receipt of child pornography carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 5 years in prison, a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison, and a $250,000 fine. The charge of possession of child pornography carries a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

    U.S. Attorney Habba credited special agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, specifically the Violent Crimes Against Children Unit, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Terence G. Reilly, with the investigation. This investigation was conducted under FBI’s Operation Restore Justice. 

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

    The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Tracey Agnew of the Criminal Division in Trenton.

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

                                                   ###

    Defense counsel: Steven D. Altman, Esq., New Brunswick, NJ

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI Security: U.S. Attorney’s Office Forfeits $736,040 Associated with DoorDash Scam

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, Anish Shukla, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the FBI, and Paul J. Ferencek, State’s Attorney for the Judicial District of Stamford/Norwalk today announced that the U.S. Attorney’s Office has forfeited $736,040 associated with a DoorDash scam.

    As alleged in the forfeiture complaint, on January 5, 2023, Stamford Police responded to a Stamford apartment for a domestic violence incident.  David Smith was taken into custody and a victim was transported to the hospital.  Later that day, investigators searching the apartment for a firearm found a 9mm handgun with an extended magazine, and also found multiple safes containing a total of $736,040 in cash, and 118 credit and debit cards, almost all of which were in the names of other individuals.  The investigation revealed that Smith was operating a scam in which he used multiple phones to place DoorDash orders for delivery.  After the order was picked up, he would contact the drivers using a spoofed number and, using social engineering, convince the drivers to hand over their DoorDash account information.  Using this information, Smith would steal the victim’s delivery money that had been pooled in their account.  The cash that was seized and forfeited represents the proceeds from this scheme.

    Smith, who was being prosecuted by the State of Connecticut, was murdered in New York on January 6, 2025.

    The U.S. Attorney’s Office filed a civil forfeiture complaint against the seized money and, on April 30, 2025, the U.S. District Court granted the government’s motion for a Decree of Forfeiture.

    Generally, the U.S. Attorney’s Office first forfeits the money, then returns it to the crime victims, so that the crime victims have clear title to the property without risk of further litigation.

    If you believe that you were a victim of this scheme, please visit this web page or this FBI New Haven Facebook post.  There, victims of this particular scheme will find the instructions to make a petition for remission.  Should the Department of Justice’s Money Laundering Asset Recovery Unit approve your petition for remission, you may recoup some or all of your losses.

    This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney David C. Nelson.

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI Security: FBI Honors Fallen Law Enforcement During National Police Week

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

    On Tuesday, May 13, a candlelight vigil on the National Mall, organized by the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, included a roll-call of officers who died on the job in 2024. The organization’s memorial—a short distance from the U.S. Capitol—features two curving, 304-foot marble walls engraved with the names of more than 22,600 officers who have died while performing their duty since 1791.

    Police Week regularly draws 25,000 to 40,000 visitors to the nation’s capital. The observance comprises several events—including some that occur before Police Week officially starts.

    These collective events include the Blue Mass at St. Patrick Catholic Church; a Police K-9 Memorial Service at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial; a 5K fundraising run; the arrival of the Police Unity Tour, where more than 2,000 bicycle riders simultaneously arrive in Washington, D.C.; the annual candlelight vigil; and the National Peace Officers Memorial Service on May 15 at the U.S. Capitol.

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI USA: Sinaloa cartel leaders charged with narco-terrorism, material support of terrorism and drug trafficking in ICE, FBI investigation

    Source: US Immigration and Customs Enforcement

    SAN DIEGO – An indictment unsealed May 13 is the first in the nation to charge alleged leaders of the Sinaloa Cartel with narco-terrorism and material support of terrorism in connection with trafficking massive amounts of fentanyl, cocaine, methamphetamine and heroin into the United States. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the FBI are investigating this case.

    “These charges highlight the unwavering efforts of transnational criminal organizations like the Sinaloa Cartel to flood our communities with deadly drugs,” said ICE Homeland Security Investigations San Diego Special Agent in Charge Shawn Gibson. “HSI and our law enforcement partners will not allow cartel-driven drug trafficking to threaten the safety and stability of our neighborhoods. We are all lasered focused on a unified effort to dismantling these networks and their factions in bringing those responsible to justice.”

    Pedro Inzunza Noriega and his son, Pedro Inzunza Coronel, are charged with narco-terrorism, drug trafficking and money laundering as key leaders of the Beltran Leyva Organization, a powerful and violent faction of the Sinaloa Cartel that is believed to be the world’s largest known fentanyl production network. Five other BLO leaders are charged with drug trafficking and money laundering. The indictment is a direct result of President Trump’s Executive Order 14157 which designated the Sinaloa Cartel as a Foreign Terrorist Organization and the Secretary of State’s subsequent designation of the same on February 20, 2025.

    “The Sinaloa Cartel is a complex, dangerous terrorist organization and dismantling them demands a novel, powerful legal response,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “Their days of brutalizing the American people without consequence are over — we will seek life in prison for these terrorists.”

    “Operation Take Back America initiatives reflect the reality that narco-terrorists operate as a cancer within a state,” said U.S. Attorney Adam Gordon. “They metastasize violence, corruption and fear. If left unchecked, their growth would lead to the death of law and order. This indictment is what justice looks like when the full measure of the Department of Justice along with its law enforcement partners is brought to bear against the Sinaloa Cartel.”

    “BLO, under the leadership of Inzunza Noriega, is allegedly responsible for some of the largest-ever drug seizures of fentanyl and cocaine destined for the United States,” said FBI San Diego Acting Special Agent in Charge Houtan Moshrefi. “Their drugs not only destroy lives and communities, but also threaten our national security. The law enforcement efforts against the Noriegas reaffirms our commitment to dismantling and disrupting this very dangerous narco-terrorist group and combating narco-trafficking.”

    According to court documents, since its inception the Beltran Leyva faction has been considered one of the most violent drug trafficking organizations to operate in Mexico, engaging in shootouts, murders, kidnappings, torture and violent collection of drug debts to sustain its operations. The Beltran Leyva faction controls numerous territories and plazas throughout Mexico – including Tijuana – and operates with violent impunity, trafficking in deadly drugs, threatening communities, and targeting key officials, all while making millions of dollars from their criminal activities.

    Pedro Inzunza Noriega works closely with his son, Pedro Inzunza Coronel, to produce and aggressively traffic fentanyl to the United States, the government has alleged. Court documents indicate that together the father and son lead one of the largest and most sophisticated fentanyl production networks in the world. Over the past several years, they have trafficked tens of thousands of kilograms of fentanyl into the United States. On December 3, 2024, Mexican law enforcement raided multiple locations in Sinaloa that are controlled and managed by the father and son and seized 1,500 kilograms (more than 1.65 tons) of fentanyl – the largest seizure of fentanyl in the world.

    These indictments follow a notable tradition in the Southern District of California for targeting leadership and operations of powerful Mexican cartels – from the dismantling of the Arellano Felix Cartel to major strikes against today’s most dangerous, powerful and violent cartels, including the Sinaloa Cartel, Jalisco New Generation Cartel and now the Beltran Leyva Organization. It is the first indictment from the newly formed Narco-Terrorism Unit which was established upon the swearing in of U.S. Attorney Gordon on April 11, 2025.

    The indictment of Pedro Inzunza Noriega reflects the Southern District of California’s pursuit of the Sinaloa Cartel. Federal drug trafficking indictments are pending against all alleged leaders of its Beltran Leyva faction, including:

    • Fausto Isidro Meza Flores aka “Chapo Isidro,” case number: 19-CR-1272 in the Southern District of California and 12-116BAH in the District of Columbia
    • Oscar Manuel Gastelum Iribe aka “El Musico,” case number 19-CR-3736 in the Southern District of California; 09-CR-00672 in the Northern District of Illinois; 15-CR-00195 in the District of Columbia, and
    • Pedro Inzunza Noriega aka “Sagitario,” case number 25cr1505.

    The Southern District of California also has indictments pending against other leaders of the Sinaloa Cartel, including:

    • Ivan Archivaldo Guzman Salazar aka “El Chapito,” case number 14-cr-00658 in the Southern District of California and 09-CR-383 in the Northern District of Illinois
    • Ismael Zambada Sicairos aka “Mayito Flaco,” case number: 14-cr-00658 in the Southern District of California; and
    • Jose Gil Caro Quintero aka “El Chino,” case number 22-cr-00036 in the District of Columbia

    This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joshua Mellor and Matthew Sutton.

    Defendants for Case Number 25cr1505

    Name Age Location
    Pedro Inzunza Noriega | aka “Sagitario,” aka “120,” aka “El De La Silla” 62 Los Mochis, Sinaloa, Mexico
    Pedro Inzunza Coronel | aka “Pichon,” Aka “Pajaro”, aka “Bird” 33 Los Mochis, Sinaloa, Mexico
    David Alejandro Heredia Velazquez | aka “Tano,” aka “Mr. Jordan” 50 Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico and Culiacan, Sinaloa, Mexico
    Oscar Rene Gonzalez Menendez | aka “Rubio” 45 Guatemala City, Guatemala
    Elias Alberto Quiros Benavides 53 San Jose, Costa Rica
    Daniel Eduardo Bojorquez | aka “Chopper” 47 Nogales, Sonora, Mexico
    Javier Alonso Vazquez Sanchez | aka “Tito”, aka “Drilo” 31 Los Mochis, Sinaloa, Mexico

    Summary of Charges

    • Title 21, U.S.C., Secs. 960a and 841 – Narco-Terrorism
      Maximum penalty: Life in prison, mandatory minimum 20 years in prison; $20 million fine
    • Title 18, U.S.C. Sec. 2339B – Providing Material Support to Terrorism
      Maximum penalty: Twenty years in prison and $250,000 fine
    • Title 21, U.S.C., Sec. 848(a) -Continuing Criminal Enterprise
      Maximum penalty: Life in prison, mandatory minimum 20 years; $10 million fine
    • Title 21, U.S.C., Secs. 952, 959, 960, and 963 – International Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances
      Maximum penalty: Life in prison, mandatory minimum 10 years; $10 million fine
    • Title 21, U.S.C., Secs. 841(a)(1) and 846 – Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances
      Maximum penalty: Life in prison, mandatory minimum 10 years in prison; $10 million fine
    • Title 21, U.S.C., Secs. 952, 960 and 963 – Conspiracy to Import Controlled Substances
      Maximum penalty: Life in prison, mandatory minimum 10 years; $10 million fine
    • Money Laundering Conspiracy – Title 18, U.S.C., Section 1956(h)
      Maximum penalty: Twenty years in prison and a fine of the greater of $500,000 or twice the value of the monetary instrument or funds involved

    The charges and allegations contained in an indictment or complaint are merely accusations, and the defendants are considered innocent unless and until proven guilty.

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

    This case is the result of ongoing efforts by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force, a partnership that brings together the combined expertise and unique abilities of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt, dismantle and prosecute high-level members of drug trafficking, weapons trafficking and money laundering organizations and enterprises.

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI: Track Group Reports 2nd Quarter Fiscal 2025 Financial Results

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NAPERVILLE, Ill., May 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Track Group, Inc. (OTCQB: TRCK), a global leader in offender tracking and monitoring services, today announced financial results for its fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2025 (“Q2 FY25”). In Q2 FY25, the Company posted (i) total revenue of $8.4 Million (“M”), a decrease of approximately 7% over total revenue of $9.0M for the quarter ended March 31, 2024 (“Q2 FY24”); (ii) Q2 FY25 gross profit of $4.1M representing an increase of approximately 4% over Q2 FY24 of $4.0M; (iii) Q2 FY25 operating income of $0.04M compared to Q2 FY24 operating loss of ($0.96M); and (iv) net loss attributable to common shareholders of ($0.5M) in Q2 FY25 compared to ($1.9M) in Q2 FY24.

    FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS 

    • Total Q2 FY25 revenue of $8.4M was down 7% compared to Q2 FY24 revenue of $9.0M. Revenue for the six months ended March 31, 2025 (“6M FY25’) of $17.0M was down approximately 5% compared to revenue of $18.0M for the six months ended March 31, 2024 (“6M FY24”). The decrease in monitoring revenues is driven principally by a decrease in people assigned to monitoring for clients in Virginia, and due to our recently sold Chilean subsidiary. This decrease was partially offset by revenue increases for clients in Illinois, Puerto Rico and the Bahamas who experienced increases in the number of people assigned to monitoring.
    • Gross Profit of $4.1M rose by 4% ($0.1M) in Q2 FY25 compared to Q2 FY24. Gross profit for 6M FY25 was $8.5M compared to gross profit of $8.2M for 6M FY24. This improvement stems from factors including reduced monitoring center costs, partly offset by a decrease in revenue. 
    • Operating income in Q2 FY25 of $0.04M was up approximately 105% compared to an operating loss of ($0.96M) in Q2 FY24. Operating income for 6M FY25 of $0.2M was up approximately 115% compared to operating loss of ($1.1M) for 6M FY24. This rise in operating income is primarily due to a decrease in cost of revenue and a decrease in operating expense, partially offset by a decrease in revenue. Operating expenses were down $0.8M in Q2 FY25 compared to Q2 FY24, primarily due to a decrease in general and administrative payroll, benefits, and payroll taxes of $0.5M due to the sale of our Chilean subsidiary on November 1, 2024 and a settlement expense related to a contract dispute of $0.5M in Q2 FY24.
    • Adjusted EBITDA for Q2 FY25 was $1.3M compared to $0.8M for Q2 FY24. Adjusted EBITDA for 6M FY25 was $2.6M compared to Adjusted EBITDA for 6M FY24 of $1.9M primarily due to negative currency exchange rate movements of $0.6M in Q2 FY25 compared to Q2 FY24. Adjusted EBITDA in 6M FY25 as a percentage of revenue increased to 15.1%, compared to 10.3% for 6M FY24.
    • Cash balance of $3.4M at March 31, 2025 declined 4% compared to $3.6M at September 30, 2024.  The modest decrease in cash position was due to increases in inventory purchases and payments to vendors, partially offset by an increase in accrued liabilities.
    • Net loss attributable to shareholders in Q2 FY25 was ($0.5M) compared to ($1.9M) in Q2 FY24, a decrease of $1.4M. Net loss attributable to shareholders in 6M FY25 was ($2.5M), compared to ($1.9M) for 6M FY24, a change principally attributable to negative currency exchange rate movements, partially offset by an increase in operating income.

    “In the quarter ended March 31, 2025, we achieved strong gains in profitability, with both gross profit and operating income showing robust growth and Adjusted EBITDA surpassing Q2 FY24 results,” said Derek Cassell, Track Group’s CEO. “Gross profit rose by 4% year-over-year ($4.1M vs $4.0M in Q2 FY24), marking a clear indication of our operational resilience and focus on delivering higher-value, higher-margin business. Adjusted EBITDA also climbed to $1.3M in Q2 FY25, a 63% increase from $0.8M in Q2 FY24, reflecting our focus on cost management and strategic execution over the last six months.”

    Business Outlook

    Despite previous challenges from supply chain delays, the impact of the Coronavirus, and the phase-out of our 3G-based cellular devices in the U.S., Track Group stands resilient. The demonstrated financial growth evidenced in Q2 FY25 reinforces our confidence in the strategic reinvestment in technology and the implementation of new programs initiated in late FY24. These endeavors position us well for a sustained return to growth throughout FY25. Our outlook for FY25 is as follows: 

      Actual     Outlook
      FY 2023     FY 2024     FY 2025
    Revenue (in millions): $ 34.5 M   $ 36.9 M   $34.5 35.5M
                           
    Adjusted EBITDA Margin:   11.1 %     14.6 %    13.5 16.5%
                           

    About Track Group, Inc.

    Track Group designs, manufactures, and markets location tracking devices; as well as develops and sells a variety of related software, services, and accessories, networking solutions, and monitoring applications. The Company’s products and services are designed to empower professionals in security, law enforcement, corrections, and rehabilitation organizations worldwide with single-sourced offender management solutions that integrate reliable intervention technologies to support re-socialization and monitoring initiatives.

    The Company currently trades under the ticker symbol “TRCK” on the OTCQB exchange. For more information, visit www.trackgrp.com

    Forward-Looking Statements

    Any statements contained in this document that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements as defined in the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “forecast,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “project,” “predict,” “if”, “should” and “will” and similar expressions as they relate to Track Group, Inc., and subsidiaries (“Track Group”) are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These statements are only predictions and reflect Track Group’s current beliefs and expectations with respect to future events and are based on assumptions and subject to risks and uncertainties and subject to change at any time. Track Group may from time-to-time update these publicly announced projections, but it is not obligated to do so. Any projections of future results of operations should not be construed in any manner as a guarantee that such results will in fact occur. These projections are subject to change and could differ materially from final reported results. For a discussion of such risks and uncertainties, see “Risk Factors” in Track Group’s annual report on Form 10-K, its quarterly report on Form 10-Q, and its other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. New risks emerge from time to time. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the dates on which they are made.

    Non-GAAP Financial Measures

    This release includes financial measures defined as “non-GAAP financial measures” by the Securities and Exchange Commission including non-GAAP EBITDA. These measures may be different from non- GAAP financial measures used by other companies. The presentation of this financial information, which is not prepared under any comprehensive set of accounting rules or principles, is not intended to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Reconciliations of these non-GAAP financial measures are based on the financial figures for the respective period.

    Non-GAAP Adjusted EBITDA excludes items included but not limited to interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, impairment charges, gains and losses, currency effects, one-time charges or benefits that are not indicative of operations, charges to consolidate, integrate or consider recently acquired businesses, costs of closing facilities, stock based or other non-cash compensation or other stated cash and non-cash charges (the “Adjustments”).

    The Company believes the non-GAAP measures provide useful information to both management and investors when factoring in the Adjustments. Specific disclosure regarding the Company’s financial results, including management’s analysis of results from operations and financial condition, are contained in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2023, and other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Investors are encouraged to carefully read and consider such disclosure and analysis contained in the Company’s Form 10-K and other reports, including the risk factors contained in such Form 10-K.

    James Berg
    Chief Financial Officer
    jim.berg@trackgrp.com 

    TRACK GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
    CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                   
        (Unaudited)          
        March 31,     September 30,  
        2025     2024  
    Assets                
    Current assets:                
    Cash   $ 3,416,045     $ 3,574,215  
    Accounts receivable, net of allowance for credit losses of $396,667 and $432,904, respectively     5,085,595       4,428,535  
    Prepaid expense and deposits     432,520       638,293  
    Inventory, net of reserves of $88,024 and $82,848, respectively     915,816       582,481  
    Assets held for sale           969,481  
    Total current assets     9,849,976       10,193,005  
    Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $300,052 and $430,003, respectively     392,423       317,206  
    Monitoring equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $5,295,826 and $5,982,972, respectively     4,367,904       4,598,864  
    Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $20,460,576 and $19,699,966, respectively     13,337,224       13,959,571  
    Goodwill     7,859,645       7,941,190  
    Other assets     1,160,885       660,170  
    Total assets   $ 36,968,057     $ 37,670,006  
                     
    Liabilities and StockholdersEquity (Deficit)                
    Current liabilities:                
    Accounts payable   $ 2,398,228     $ 3,082,467  
    Accrued liabilities     3,318,453       2,639,318  
    Liabilities held for sale           732,028  
    Total current liabilities     5,716,681       6,453,813  
    Long-term debt, net of current portion     42,680,070       42,639,197  
    Long-term liabilities     631,709       186,407  
    Total liabilities     49,028,460       49,279,417  
                     
                     
                     
    Stockholdersequity (deficit):                
    Common stock, $0.0001 par value: 30,000,000 shares authorized; 11,863,758 and 11,863,758 shares outstanding, respectively     1,186       1,186  
    Preferred stock, $0.0001 par value: 20,000,000 shares authorized; 0 shares outstanding            
    Series A Convertible Preferred stock, $0.0001 par value: 1,200,000 shares authorized; 0 shares outstanding            
    Paid in capital     302,600,546       302,600,546  
    Accumulated deficit     (315,791,294 )     (312,691,811 )
    Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)     1,129,159       (1,519,332 )
    Total stockholders’ equity (deficit)     (12,060,403 )     (11,609,411 )
    Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity (deficit)   $ 36,968,057     $ 37,670,006  
                     
    TRACK GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
    CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME/(LOSS)
    (Unaudited)
                 
        Three Months Ended     Six Months Ended  
        March 31,     March 31,     March 31,     March 31,  
        2025     2024     2025     2024  
    Revenue:                                
    Monitoring and other related services   $ 7,867,975     $ 8,758,650     $ 16,309,282     $ 17,433,136  
    Product sales and other     484,345       232,570       711,366       525,057  
    Total revenue     8,352,320       8,991,220       17,020,648       17,958,193  
                                     
    Cost of revenue:                                
    Monitoring, products and other related services     3,515,023       4,230,498       7,023,784       8,204,487  
    Depreciation & amortization included in cost of revenue     723,331       793,887       1,458,556       1,583,351  
    Total cost of revenue     4,238,354       5,024,385       8,482,340       9,787,838  
                                     
    Gross profit     4,113,966       3,966,835       8,538,308       8,170,355  
                                     
    Operating expense:                                
    General & administrative     2,127,145       3,173,866       4,558,263       5,931,753  
    Selling & marketing     964,743       810,441       1,865,932       1,516,972  
    Research & development     750,650       701,183       1,420,040       1,383,646  
    Depreciation & amortization     227,385       236,524       454,938       476,284  
    Loss on sale of subsidiary                 (66,483 )      
    Total operating expense     4,069,923       4,922,014       8,365,656       9,308,655  
                                     
    Operating income (loss)     44,043       (955,179 )     172,652       (1,138,300 )
                                     
    Other income (expense):                                
    Interest expense, net     (565,844 )     (428,868 )     (1,134,804 )     (866,791 )
    Currency exchange rate gain (loss)     34,830       (519,933 )     (1,464,432 )     19,013  
    Other income (expense), net           (3,443 )           (3,443 )
    Total other income (expense)     (531,014 )     (952,244 )     (2,599,236 )     (851,221 )
    Income (loss) before income taxes     (486,971 )     (1,907,423 )     (2,426,584 )     (1,989,521 )
    Income tax expense (benefit)     30,145       (4,348 )     101,381       (86,907 )
    Net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders     (517,116 )     (1,903,075 )     (2,527,965 )     (1,902,614 )
    Release of cumulative translation adjustment for sale of subsidiary                 1,390,913        
    Equity adjustment for sale of subsidiary                 571,518        
    Foreign currency translation adjustments     (85,709 )     (36,754 )     686,060       (143,456 )
    Comprehensive income (loss)   $ (602,825 )   $ (1,939,829 )   $ 120,526     $ (2,046,070 )
                                     
    Net income per sharebasic                                
    Net income per common share   $ (0.04 )   $ (0.16 )   $ (0.21 )   $ (0.17 )
    Weighted average common shares outstanding     11,863,758       11,863,758       11,863,758       11,863,758  
    Net income per sharediluted                                
    Net income per common share   $ (0.04 )   $ (0.16 )   $ (0.21 )   $ (0.17 )
    Weighted average common shares outstanding     11,863,758       11,863,758       11,863,758       11,863,758  
                                     
    TRACK GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
    NON-GAAP ADJUSTED EBITDA MARCH 31 (Unaudited)
    (amounts in thousands, except share and per share data)
                 
        Three Months Ended
    March 31,
        Six Months Ended
    March 31,
     
        2025     2024     2025     2024  
    Non-GAAP Adjusted EBITDA                                
    Net Income (loss) attributable to common shareholders   $ (517 )   $ (1,903 )   $ (2,528 )   $ (1,903 )
    Interest expense, net     566       432       1,135       870  
    Depreciation and amortization     951       1,030       1,913       2,060  
    Income taxes (1)     30       (4 )     101       (87 )
    Board compensation and stock-based compensation     75       50       150       103  
    Foreign exchange (gain)/loss     (35 )     520       1,464       (19 )
    Loss on sale of subsidiary                 66        
    Other charges, net (2)     249       663       267       826  
    Non-GAAP Adjusted EBITDA   $ 1,319     $ 788     $ 2,568     $ 1,850  
    Non-GAAP Adjusted EBITDA, percent of revenue     15.8 %     8.8 %     15.1 %     10.3 %
    Weighted average common shares outstanding – basic     11,863,758       11,863,758       11,863,758       11,863,758  
    Non-GAAP earnings per share   $ 0.11     $ 0.07     $ 0.22     $ 0.16  
    Weighted average common shares outstanding – diluted     11,863,758       11,863,758       11,863,758       11,863,758  
    Non-GAAP earnings per share   $ 0.11     $ 0.07     $ 0.22     $ 0.16  
    (1 ) Currently, the Company has significant U.S. tax loss carryforwards that may be used to offset future taxable income, subject to IRS limitations. However, the Company is still subject to certain state, commonwealth, and other foreign based taxes.
    (2 ) Other charges include expenses related to the board of directors, severance, a settlement related to a contract dispute, and other Chile monitoring center costs for our recently sold subsidiary.

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Young Kim Delivers Opening Statement at East Asia and Pacific Subcommittee Hearing

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Young Kim (CA-39)

    Washington, DC – Today, U.S. Representative Young Kim (CA-40), chairwoman of the House Foreign Affairs East Asia and Pacific Subcommittee, delivered an opening statement at today’s hearing titled, “National Economic Security: Advancing U.S. Interests Abroad.”  

    Watch her remarks HERE or read her opening statement below. 

    Good morning and welcome to the East Asia and Pacific Subcommittee’s hearing on “National Economic Security: Advancing U.S. Interests Abroad.”  

    In 2019, Ambassador William Burns, one of our most decorated diplomats and the former CIA Director, described the Department of State as “adrift.”  

    Over the years, the Department has had trouble finding its purpose as functions and authorities have been stripped away or absorbed by the National Security Council, Department of Defense, and even agencies traditionally focused on domestic issues.  

    For more than 170 years, economic statecraft was led by the Department of State. This changed in 1961 when President Kennedy sought to expand the administrative state, pulling functions and authorities out of the Department to create new agencies and organizations, including the United States Trade Representative which would be responsible for conducting all U.S. trade and investment diplomacy.   

    The justification for pulling these trade and investment functions out of the Department was to improve the Government’s capacity to prioritize and support U.S. businesses, strengthen the export performance of U.S. industry, and assure fair international trade practices.  

    However, it has effectively split our economic interests from our diplomatic priorities, which has resulted in several challenges:  

    First, it has not helped increase the ability of U.S. businesses to access foreign markets.   

    In practice, the Foreign Commercial Service (F-C-S) and Foreign Agricultural Service (F-A-S) officers are few in number and often positioned at U.S. embassies without alignment to our foreign policy priorities.    

    When I travel abroad, I routinely meet with FCS personnel who explain that they spend most of their time engaged in trade shows and organizing events with minimal direct work on increasing and securing market access for American businesses.   

    Because they are siloed off from our diplomatic efforts of the Department of State, they’re restricted in leveraging the other tools in our diplomatic toolkit to assist American companies.   

    Second, the American market has been left susceptible to predatory foreign competition.   

    Our ability to protect American businesses and workers has been severely hampered, leading to calls from across the country for the Executive to act and repatriate entire industries and sectors.  

     

    President Trump, like his predecessors, has repeatedly said that “economic policy IS foreign policy.”   Unfortunately, we have not implemented the structural reforms needed to mobilize that sentiment.    

    Even President Obama asked Congress for the authority to consolidate six agencies with trade and investment functions in 2012; this request was not supported by Congress.  

    Bipartisan administrations have independently come to the same conclusion: the current alignment of functions and agencies charged with leading our economic statecraft effort is in need of structural reform.  

    I agree that “economic security is national security”, and the key question we will be asking today is: what structural reforms are necessary to reflect this prioritization?   

    We intend to answer that question in the Committee’s first comprehensive State Authorization legislation in more than 20 years.   

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICE Los Angeles announces 239 illegal aliens were arrested during recent operation

    Source: US Immigration and Customs Enforcement

    LOS ANGELES – U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested 239 illegal aliens during a weeklong operation from May 4 to May 10 focused on bolstering public safety in the greater Los Angeles area.

    ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations and interagency partners, identified, detained and removed dangerous criminals throughout Los Angeles and surrounding cities. Criminal aliens in the U.S. illegally should utilize the CBP Home app to self-deport and avoid arrest by ICE.

    Among the criminal aliens arrested during the operation included:

    • Lan Pham, 49, of Vietnam, convicted involuntary manslaughter, assault with a deadly weapon, parole violations, drug violations and more.

    • Manuel Angel Rodriguez Martinez, 40, of El Salvador, accused of aggravated rape of a minor or incapacitated individual in the category of continuing crime in his home country.

    • Jorge Artero Meza-Rodriquez, 52, of Mexico, convicted of vehicle theft, assault with a deadly weapon and illegal reentry to the United States.

    • Sung Park, 52, of Korea, convicted of voluntary manslaughter.

    Several federal law enforcement agencies assisted ICE during the operation including the Drug Enforcement Administration, the FBI, the ATF, and the U.S. Marshals Service, along with state and local law enforcement partners.

    Members of the public can report crime and suspicious activity by calling 866-347-2423 or completing the online tip form. Follow us on X at @ICEgov to learn more about ERO’s missions and operations.

    Learn more about ICE Los Angeles’ mission to increase public safety in your community on X at @EROLosAngeles.

    Download b-roll of an arrest made during the operation.

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA: AG Labrador Announces 12 Arrests in Statewide Crackdown on Child Exploitation

    Source: US State of Idaho

    Home Newsroom AG Labrador Announces 12 Arrests in Statewide Crackdown on Child Exploitation

    BOISE — Attorney General Raúl Labrador announced the completion of Operation Unhinged, a statewide initiative led by the Idaho Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force in April 2025. The operation resulted in 12 arrests for internet crimes against children, doubling the 6 arrests made last April. Additional arrests may follow pending forensic reviews of seized devices.
    Operation Unhinged involved the execution of 17 residential search warrants. Three cases were accepted for federal prosecution and the rest will be prosecuted in state court.
    “Because of the structural changes we’ve made within the Attorney General’s Office—along with the dedication of our investigators and strong partnerships with law enforcement across the state—the ICAC Task Force is achieving results like never before,” stated Attorney General Labrador. “We are identifying more offenders, rescuing more victims, and sending a clear message: anyone who targets children in Idaho online will be found, and our office will use every tool available to prosecute them to the fullest extent of the law.”
    The following individuals were arrested during Operation Unhinged: 

    Joseph Bingham, 25, Ada County 
    Alexander Buttle, 30, Ada County
    William Strength, 43, Bannock County 
    Zachary Gilbert, 39, Bannock County 
    Connor Robinson, 28, Bonneville County
    Luke Hughes, 38, Bonneville County
    Alfred Brown, 61, Canyon County  
    Hector Martinez- Cabrerra, 34, Jerome County
    Adam Tyler,34, Kootenai County
    Shandon Singer, 33, Kootenai County  
    Dustin Angele, 21, Kootenai County 
    Jake Baptista, 25, Madison County

    “We’re seeing incredible results with the number of arrests we are making across the state,” stated Nicholas Edwards, Chief Investigator in the Attorney General’s Office. “We are going to keep arresting those who commit these crimes, but we also need to focus on outreach, training, and education to protect Idaho’s children.”
    Operation Unhinged resulted in a spike in public presentations and education. The Task Force conducted 53 community outreach events with approximately 1,390 attendees. The Task Force also had an opportunity to showcase its newest weapon in the fight against online sexual exploitation: Badger the ESD K9.
    “It’s a privilege to serve as the first K9 officer in the Attorney General’s Office, and Badger has already proven himself an incredible asset to the Task Force,” stated Investigator Lauren Lane. “Badger is a triple threat: he helps us find electronic devices on search warrants, the public—especially kids—love seeing him at our presentations, and he supports the mental wellness of our officers and other staff who have to view terrible images and videos depicting the sexual abuse of children.”
    Badger attended 7 public presentations and helped investigators find electronic storage devices on 8 search warrants during April’s Operation Unhinged. 
    The Task Force also trained 106 law enforcement professionals in April and will continue to direct substantial resources to training law enforcement throughout the state.
    Operation Unhinged was Idaho’s contribution to the national Operation Safe Online Summer, a joint effort of all 61 ICAC Task Forces throughout the country to arrest those engaged in the online sexual exploitation of children.
    The operation was supported by a coalition of agencies, including the Idaho State Police, Boise Police Department, Coeur d’Alene Police Department, Idaho Falls Police Department, Meridian Police Department, Post Falls Police Department, Pocatello Police Department, Nampa Police Department, Chubbuck Police Department, Rexburg Police Department, Bonners Ferry Police Department, Moscow Police Department, Fruitland Police Department, Spirit Lake Police Department, Homedale Police Department, Twin Falls Police Department, Sun Valley Police Department, Jerome Police Department, Wilder Police Department, Middleton Police Department, Rupert Police Department, Heyburn Police Department, Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office, Canyon County Sheriff’s Office, Ada County Sheriff’s Office, Minidoka County Sheriff’s Office, Benewah County Sheriff’s Office, Cassia County Sheriff’s Office, Clearwater County Sheriff’s Office, Canyon County Prosecutor’s Office, Kootenai County Prosecutor’s Office, Idaho Probation and Parole, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).
    The Idaho ICAC Task Force urges the public to report suspected online exploitation to local law enforcement, the ICAC Unit at 208-947-8700, or the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at 1-800-843-5678 or www.cybertipline.com. For more information or to access resources, visit ICACIdaho.org.
    To learn more about ESD K9 Badger or to request a demonstration, visit the Idaho ICAC Task Force’s website: https://www.icacidaho.org/esd-k9-badger/. 
    About the Idaho ICAC Task Force: The Idaho ICAC Task Force, led by the Idaho Attorney General’s Office, is a coalition of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies dedicated to investigating and prosecuting internet crimes against children while promoting community education to prevent exploitation.
    The charges listed above are merely accusations and the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI Security: Jefferson County Man Admits to Role in Drug Trafficking Operation in Eastern Panhandle

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

    MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Matthew David Viands, age 32, of Summit Point, West Virginia, has admitted to his role in a drug trafficking organization that distributed fentanyl and other illicit drugs in the Eastern Panhandle. 

    According to court documents, Viands was a distributor of fentanyl for the organization. Viands also admitted to failing to appear following his pretrial release in the case.

    Viands faces up to 20 years in prison for the drug charge and faces up to 10 years for failing to appear. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

    Of the 82 defendants, 80 others have been convicted. Fifty-nine defendants have been sentenced. One defendant, Charles Delroy Singletary, age 44, of Baltimore, Maryland, remains a fugitive. More in a recent release here: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndwv/pr/six-more-sentenced-eastern-panhandle-fentanyl-drug-trafficking-operation

    Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lara Omps-Botteicher and Kyle Kane are prosecuting the case on behalf of the government.

    U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert W. Trumble presided.

    Investigative agencies include the Federal Bureau of Investigation (Pittsburgh Field Division and Baltimore Field Division); the Drug Enforcement Administration; the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Investigations; the United States Postal Inspection Service; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; the United States Marshals Service;  the Eastern Panhandle Drug Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative; the West Virginia State Police; the West Virginia Air National Guard; the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office; the Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office; Ranson Police Department; Martinsburg Police Department; Charles Town Police Department; the Berkeley County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office;  Stafford County Sheriff’s Office (Virginia); Frederick County Sheriff’s Office (Maryland); Frederick County Sheriff’s Office (Virginia); Winchester Police Department; and the Clarke County Sheriff’s Office (Virginia).

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

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI: COFACE SA: Combined Shareholders’ General Meeting of 14 May 2025 approved all the proposed resolutions

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    COFACE SA: Combined Shareholders’ General Meeting of 14 May 2025 approved all the proposed resolutions

    Paris, 14 May 2025 – 17.45

    The Combined Shareholders’ General Meeting of COFACE SA was held on 14 May 2025 at the Company’s headquarters in Bois-Colombes, and it was chaired by Mr Bernardo Sanchez Incera, Chairman of the Board of Directors.

    All the proposed resolutions were adopted by COFACE SA’s shareholders, including the payment of a dividend of €1.40 per share for the 2024 financial year with the coupon date set at 20 May 2025, and the payment date at 22 May 2025.

    All documents related to this General Meeting are available on COFACE SA institutional website (www.coface.com) and more precisely under “Investors/General Assembly”.

    The resolution voting results are online at:

    https://www.coface.com/investors/regulated-information/documents-relating-to-the-general-assembly

    CONTACTS

    ANALYSTS / INVESTORS
    Thomas JACQUET: +33 1 49 02 12 58 – thomas.jacquet@coface.com
    Rina ANDRIAMIADANTSOA: +33 1 49 02 15 85 – rina.andriamiadantsoa@coface.com

    MEDIA RELATIONS
    Saphia GAOUAOUI: +33 1 49 02 14 91 – saphia.gaouaoui@coface.com
    Adrien BILLET: +33 1 49 02 23 63 – adrien.billet@coface.com

    FINANCIAL CALENDAR 2025
    (subject to change)
    H1-2025 results: 31 July 2025 (after market close)
    9M-2025 results: 3 November 2025 (after market close)

    FINANCIAL INFORMATION
    This press release, as well as COFACE SA’s integral regulatory information, can be found on the Group’s website: http://www.coface.com/Investors

    For regulated information on Alternative Performance Measures (APM), please refer to our Interim Financial Report for H1-2024 and our 2024 Universal Registration Document (see part 3.7 “Key financial performance indicators”).

    Regulated documents posted by COFACE SA have been secured and authenticated with the blockchain technology by Wiztrust.
    You can check the authenticity on the website www.wiztrust.com.
     

    COFACE: FOR TRADE
    As a global leading player in trade credit risk management for more than 75 years, Coface helps companies grow and navigate in an uncertain and volatile environment.
    Whatever their size, location or sector, Coface provides 100,000 clients across some 200 markets with a full range of solutions: Trade Credit Insurance, Business Information, Debt Collection, Single Risk insurance, Surety Bonds, Factoring.
    Every day, Coface leverages its unique expertise and cutting-edge technology to make trade happen, in both domestic and export markets.
    In 2024, Coface employed ~5,236 people and registered a turnover of €1.84 billion.

    www.coface.com

    COFACE SA is quoted in Compartment A of Euronext Paris
    Code ISIN: FR0010667147 / Ticker: COFA

    DISCLAIMER – Certain declarations featured in this press release may contain forecasts that notably relate to future events, trends, projects or targets. By nature, these forecasts include identified or unidentified risks and uncertainties, and may be affected by many factors likely to give rise to a significant discrepancy between the real results and those stated in these declarations. Please refer to chapter 5 “Main risk factors and their management within the Group” of the Coface Group’s 2024 Universal Registration Document filed with AMF on 5 April 2024 under the number D.25-0227 in order to obtain a description of certain major factors, risks and uncertainties likely to influence the Coface Group’s businesses. The Coface Group disclaims any intention or obligation to publish an update of these forecasts, or provide new information on future events or any other circumstance.

    Attachment

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI USA: East Asia and Pacific Subcommittee Chairwoman Kim Delivers Opening Remarks at Hearing on National Economic Security

    Source: US House Committee on Foreign Affairs

    Media Contact 202-321-9747

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, House Foreign Affairs East Asia and Pacific Subcommittee Chairwoman Young Kim delivered opening remarks at a full committee hearing titled, “National Economic Security, Advancing US Interests Abroad.”

    Watch Here

    -Remarks-

    Good morning and welcome to the East Asia and the Pacific Subcommittees, national security, national economic security advancing U.S. interests abroad. In 2019, William Burns, one of our most decorated diplomats and former CIA director described the Department of State as adrift. Over the years, the department has had trouble finding its purpose as functions and authorities have been stripped away or absorbed by the National Security Council, Department of Defense, and even agencies traditionally focused on domestic issues.

    For more than 170 years, economic statecraft was led by the Department of State. This changed in 1961 when President Kennedy sought to expand the administrative state, pulling functions and authorities out of the department to create new agencies and organizations, including the United States Trade Representative, which would be responsible for conducting all US trade and investment diplomacy. The justification for pulling these trade and investment functions out of the department was to improve the government’s capacity to prioritize and support US businesses, strengthen the export performance of U.S. industry and assure fair international trade practices. However, it has effectively split our economic interests from our diplomatic priorities, which has resulted in several challenges.

    First challenge is that it has not helped to increase the ability of U.S. businesses to access foreign markets. In practice, the foreign commercial service and foreign agriculture service officers are few in number and often positioned at U.S. embassies without alignment to our foreign policy priorities. When I travel abroad, I routinely meet with FCS personnel who explain that they spend most of their time engaged in trade shows and organizing events with minimal direct work on increasing and securing market access for American businesses. Because they are siloed off from our diplomatic efforts of the Department of State, they are restricted in leveraging the other tools in our diplomatic toolkit to assist American companies.

    Second challenge is that the American market has been left susceptible to predatory foreign competition. Our ability to protect American businesses and workers has been severely hampered, leading to calls from across the country for the executive to act and repatriate entire industries and sectors. President Trump, like his predecessors, has repeatedly said that economic security, economic policy is foreign policy. Unfortunately, we have not implemented the structural reforms needed to mobilize that sentiment.

    Even President Obama asked Congress for the authority to consolidate six agencies with trade and investment functions in 2012. This request was not supported by Congress. Bipartisan administrations have independently come to the same conclusion. The current alignment of functions and agencies charged with leading our economic statecraft effort is in need of structural reform. I agree that economic security is national security, and the key question we’ll be asking today is what structural reforms are necessary to reflect this prioritization. So we intend to answer that question in our committee’s first comprehensive state authorization legislation that we will be doing in more than 20 years.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI Security: Suffolk Man Sentenced to 25 Years in Prison for Sexually Exploiting Minors

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

    NORFOLK, Va. – A Suffolk man was sentenced today to 25 years in prison for sexual exploitation of children.

    According to court documents, Gary Owens Jr., 42, of Suffolk, engaged in a scheme to “catfish” teenage boys. Using images of a real, adult woman, including sexually explicit images, Owens pretended to be a minor female named “Jessica Lincon” on Instagram before enticing boys to Kik to obtain sexually explicit images and videos from them.

    Owens exploited children over at least a five-year period from 2019 to 2023 and amassed a collection of at least 1,800 images and videos of child sexual abuse material and age questionable material. Law enforcement identified at least 35 minor victims in 2022 alone.

    Erik S. Siebert, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Sean Ryan, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Washington Field Office’s Criminal and Cyber Division, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Elizabeth W. Hanes. This case was investigated by the FBI Washington Field Office Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force. Significant assistance was provided by the FBI’s Norfolk Field Office.

    Assistant U.S. Attorneys Laura D. Withers and Rebecca Gantt prosecuted the case.

    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 U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.

    A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:24-cr-78.

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI Security: Columbia Sex Offender Charged with Child Pornography Offense

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

    JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – A Columbia, Mo., man has been indicted in federal court for transportation and possession of child pornography.

    Andrew Charles Nicholls, 38, previously charged by complaint, was indicted by a federal grand jury on May 13, 2025.  The indictment alleges that Nicholls, who has a prior conviction for child molestation in the second degree, transported and possessed child pornography images and videos depicting pre-pubescent children engaging in sexually explicit conduct using TOR, a dark web browser intended to conceal one’s online activities.   

    The charges contained in this indictment are simply accusations, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charges must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.

    Under federal statutes, if convicted, Nicholls faces federal prison sentence of up to 40 years to be served without parole. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.

    This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ashley Turner. It was investigated by the Boone County Sheriff’s Cyber Crime Task Force with assistance from the FBI.

    Project Safe Childhood

    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 www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab “resources.”

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Gabe Vasquez Highlights How Republican SNAP Cuts Will Devastate New Mexico

    Source: US Representative Gabe Vasquez’s (NM-02)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Gabe Vasquez (NM-02) issued a forceful rebuke of Republican efforts to slash the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) as part of their proposed reconciliation framework, warning that the cuts would devastate working families, small businesses, and rural communities in New Mexico. The reconciliation bill would cut billions of dollars from SNAP, as well as critical health care programs, in order to give tax cuts to the ultra-wealthy. 

     

    “This committee has historically come together across party lines to support farmers and families. But today, I’m ashamed that we are throwing that legacy aside to gut SNAP, one of the most effective anti-hunger programs in our country,” Vasquez said during his opening remarks. “And I’m not just ashamed—I’m angry. Angry because some members of this committee are taking food off the table from the families I represent in southern New Mexico.” 

    WATCH: VASQUEZ OPENING REMARKS

    This afternoon, Vasquez reached out to his constituents to hear how SNAP cuts could impact them:

    • “My son and his partner depend on SNAP to get nutritious food. My son is a disabled veteran with medically based nutritional deficiencies. We have paid taxes all of our lives, and believe the most important priority is to provide for our veterans.” – Miriam, Quemado
    • “I’m 63, disabled, and on food stamps because my $900 a month Social Security check barely covers my bills. Last month, my rent increased by 35%, and my auto insurance increased by 11%. If I lose food stamps, I won’t be able to afford to buy food. I live in a rural area where our food bank depends on the federal government. Their shelves are empty right now, and the government has cut out assistance to food banks.” – Michelle, Deming
    • “Cuts to SNAP would have a devastating impact on my family by making it harder to afford basic groceries and forcing us to choose between food, rent, and other essentials. Reducing these benefits threatens our health, our children’s ability to focus and succeed in school, and our overall stability. It also harms local economies by pulling money out of grocery stores and small businesses. SNAP isn’t a handout, it’s a lifeline that allows families to survive with dignity, and cutting it will only increase hunger, poverty, and long-term hardship.” – Bernadine, Zuni

    Vasquez also warned that the partisan attack on SNAP threatens to derail progress on a bipartisan Farm Bill, jeopardizing key programs for New Mexico’s farmers, ranchers, and conservation efforts.

    ***

    PARA PUBLICACIÓN INMEDIATA

    13 de mayo de 2025

    Vásquez Destaca Cómo los Recortes a SNAP Devastarán a Nuevo México

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Hoy, el Congresista Gabe Vásquez (NM-02) condenó los esfuerzos republicanos de recortar el Programa de Asistencia Nutricional Suplementaria (SNAP) como parte de su propuesta de proyecto de reconciliación, advirtiendo que estos recortes devastarían a las familias trabajadoras, los pequeños negocios y las comunidades rurales de Nuevo México. El proyecto de reconciliación recortaría miles de millones de dólares de SNAP, así como programas críticos de atención médica, con el propósito de otorgar recortes fiscales a los ultra-ricos.

    “Este comité, históricamente, ha trabajado de forma bipartidista para apoyar a nuestros agricultores y familias. Pero hoy, me avergüenza que estemos dejando de lado ese legado para desmantelar SNAP, uno de los programas contra el hambre más efectivos en nuestro país,” dijo Vásquez durante sus declaraciones iniciales. “Y no solo me siento avergonzado—estoy indignado. Indignado porque algunos miembros de este comité están quitándole la comida de la mesa a las familias que represento en el sur de Nuevo México.”

    VEA: COMENTARIOS INICIALES DEL CONGRESISTA VÁSQUEZ

     

    Esta tarde, el Congresista Vásquez se comunicó con sus constituyentes para escuchar cómo los recortes a SNAP podrían afectarlos:

    • “Mi hijo y su pareja dependen de SNAP para obtener alimentos nutritivos. Mi hijo es un veterano discapacitado con deficiencias nutricionales médicas. Hemos pagado impuestos toda nuestra vida y creemos que la prioridad más importante es cuidar a nuestros veteranos.” – Miriam, Quemado
    • “Tengo 63 años, estoy discapacitada y dependo de los cupones de alimentos porque mi cheque del Seguro Social de $900 al mes apenas cubre mis cuentas. El mes pasado, mi renta aumentó un 35 % y mi seguro de auto subió un 11 %. Si pierdo los cupones de alimentos, no podré comprar comida. Vivo en una zona rural donde el banco de alimentos depende del gobierno federal. Sus despensas están vacías en este momento, y el gobierno ha eliminado la asistencia para los bancos de alimentos.” – Michelle, Deming

    • “Los recortes al Programa de Asistencia Nutricional Suplementaria (SNAP) tendrán un impacto devastador en mi familia al dificultar la compra de comestibles básicos y obligarnos a elegir entre comida, renta y otras necesidades esenciales. Reducir estos beneficios pone en riesgo nuestra salud, la capacidad de nuestros hijos para concentrarse y tener éxito en la escuela, y nuestra estabilidad general. También daña las economías locales al quitar dinero de los supermercados y pequeños negocios. SNAP no es una limosna, es una línea de vida que permite a las familias sobrevivir con dignidad, y recortarlo solo aumentará el hambre, la pobreza y las dificultades a largo plazo.” – Bernadine, Zuni

    Vásquez también advirtió que este ataque partidista contra SNAP amenaza con descarrilar el progreso hacia una Ley Agrícola bipartidista, poniendo en riesgo programas clave para los agricultores, ganaderos y esfuerzos de conservación en Nuevo México.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICE removes Chinese national convicted of photographing military installations

    Source: US Immigration and Customs Enforcement

    PHILADELPHIA — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Philadelphia removed Fengyun Shi, a citizen of China with a final order of removal, to China on May 7. ICE’s Office of the Principal Legal Advisor designated Shi as a national security risk based on his conviction for use of an aircraft for the unlawful photographing of designated military installations.

    “The removal of Fengyun Shi reflects ICE’s steadfast dedication to protecting the American people and upholding national security. His unlawful actions posed a significant risk to sensitive military installations, and his removal ensures that he is no longer a threat to the nation,” said acting ERO Philadelphia Field Office Director Brian McShane. “ICE will continue to enforce immigration laws with the highest priority placed on safeguarding the United States and its citizens.”

    On Aug. 11, 2021, U.S. Customs and Border Protection admitted Shi to the United States at the San Francisco International Airport in San Francisco, California, as an F-1 nonimmigrant for the duration of his status as an agricultural engineering graduate student at the University of Minnesota.

    The FBI arrested Shi in San Francisco on Jan. 18, 2024, for prohibited operation of an unmanned aircraft system, violation of national defense airspace, and photography of defense installations after an investigation revealed Shi utilized a commercial drone to take photographs of U.S. naval bases in the Norfolk, Virginia, area.

    The U.S. Department of State terminated Shi’s F-1 nonimmigrant visa due to his pending criminal charges on Jan. 25, 2024, and on Feb. 7, 2024, the University of Minnesota terminated him from the Student and Exchange Visitor Program.

    The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia’s Newport News Division convicted Shi for use of an aircraft for the unlawful photographing of designated installation without authorization on Oct. 2, 2024. He was sentenced to six months of incarceration and one year of supervised release.

    ERO Philadelphia encountered Shi at Federal Correctional Institution Allenwood in White Deer, Pennsylvania, and lodged an immigration detainer against him on Nov. 13, 2024.

    On March 7, ERO Philadelphia arrested Shi upon his release from FCI-ALS and detained him at the Clinton County Correctional Facility in McElhatten, Pennsylvania. On the same date, ERO Philadelphia served him with a notice to appear charging removability pursuant to Section 237 of the Immigration and Nationality Act.

    On March 24, an immigration judge in Elizabeth, New Jersey, ordered Shi removed from the United States to China.

    Members of the public with information can report crimes or suspicious activity by dialing the ICE Tip Line at 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or by completing ICE’s online tip form.

    Learn more about ICE Philadelphia’s mission to increase public safety in our Pennsylvania, Delaware and West Virginia communities on X at @EROPhiladelphia.

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI: XenDex Prepares to Reveal Full Platform Mockup Design as $XDX Presale Nears Final Countdown

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SYDNEY, May 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — XenDex, the first all-in-one decentralized exchange on the XRP Ledger, is proud to announce that its full platform is actively in development, and a first-look mockup design is set to be revealed in a few hours.

    With all core features being built into a sleek, user-friendly interface, XenDex is delivering what no other XRPL-based project has offered to date: a unified DeFi experience that combines AI-powered copy trading, non-custodial lending and borrowing, staking, cross-chain trading, and DAO governance, all within a single platform.

    Purchase $XDX At A low Price

    XenDex Platform Preview Coming Soon

    To demonstrate the depth of development underway, XenDex will release visual mockups of the upcoming platform, giving investors and community members an exclusive preview of how the platform will look, feel, and function.

    From live trading interfaces to lending dashboards, staking portals, and AI copy trading modules, this upcoming design reveal will provide a clear glimpse into the future of decentralized finance on XRP.

    Buy $XDX Now & Earn Rewards

    Why You Should Join the $XDX Presale Before It’s Too Late

    As development accelerates, the $XDX token presale is rapidly approaching sellout, and the current entry price will not last much longer.

    • Current Rate: 1.25 XRP = 10 XDX
    • Minimum Buy: 150 XRP
    • Soft Cap: Reached

    Buy Now Before Presale Ends: https://xendex.net/presale

    Once sold out, the next chance to acquire $XDX will be on major centralized exchanges, at a significantly higher price.

    $XDX: The Utility Token Powering XenDex

    The $XDX token unlocks full access to all features on the XenDex platform, including:

    • Governance voting
    • Reduced trading & borrowing fees
    • Staking rewards & liquidity incentives
    • Copy trading integration
    • Collateral for lending protocols
    • Priority access to new features and airdrops

    Buy XDX Before Listing On Exchange

    XenDex Platform Key Features

    • AI-Powered Copy Trading – Mirror professional traders to maximize gains
    • Lending & Borrowing – Borrow and lend XRP and $XDX with smart contract security
    • Cross-Chain Trading – Swap XRP with tokens across BNB Chain, Solana, and more
    • Staking & Yield Farming – Earn while supporting platform liquidity
    • DAO Governance – $XDX holders vote on upgrades, proposals, and token listings

    With its clean, mobile-friendly design, XenDex is being built to onboard everyone, from DeFi beginners to institutional traders.

    Join the XenDex Movement

    Website: https://xendex.net
    Presale: https://xendex.net/presale
    Telegram: https://t.me/xendexcommunity
    Twitter/X: https://x.com/xendex_xrp
    Docs: https://xdxdocs.gitbook.io

    Contact:
    Frank Richards
    Frank@xendex.net

    Disclaimer: This is a paid post provided by XenDex. The statements, views, and opinions expressed in this content are solely those of the content provider and do not necessarily reflect the views of this media platform or its publisher. We do not endorse, verify, or guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information presented. We do not guarantee any claims, statements, or promises made in this article. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, investment, or trading advice. Investing in crypto and mining-related opportunities involves significant risks, including the potential loss of capital. It is possible to lose all your capital. These products may not be suitable for everyone, and you should ensure that you understand the risks involved. Seek independent advice if necessary. Speculate only with funds that you can afford to lose. Readers are strongly encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions. However, due to the inherently speculative nature of the blockchain sector—including cryptocurrency, NFTs, and mining—complete accuracy cannot always be guaranteed.

    Neither the media platform nor the publisher shall be held responsible for any fraudulent activities, misrepresentations, or financial losses arising from the content of this press release. In the event of any legal claims or charges against this article, we accept no liability or responsibility. Globenewswire does not endorse any content on this page.

    Legal Disclaimer: This media platform provides the content of this article on an “as-is” basis, without any warranties or representations of any kind, express or implied. We assume no responsibility for any inaccuracies, errors, or omissions. We do not assume any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information presented herein. Any concerns, complaints, or copyright issues related to this article should be directed to the content provider mentioned above.

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/aefbc255-de35-4f03-a6ec-b8786296bf8d

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI Security: Michigan Man Arrested and Charged with Attempting to Attack Military Base on Behalf of ISIS

    Source: United States Attorneys General 1

    A Melvindale man – and former member of the Michigan Army National Guard – was arrested today after he attempted to carry out a plan to conduct a mass-shooting at a U.S. military base in Warren, Michigan, on behalf of the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS), a foreign terrorist organization.

    Ammar Abdulmajid-Mohamed Said, 19, is charged in a criminal complaint with attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization and distributing information related to a destructive device.

    “This defendant is charged with planning a deadly attack on a U.S. military base here at home for ISIS,” said Sue J. Bai, head of the Justice Department’s National Security Division. “Thanks to the tireless efforts of law enforcement, we foiled the attack before lives were lost. We will not hesitate to bring the full force of the Department to find and prosecute those who seek to harm our men and women in the military and to protect all Americans.”

    “ISIS is a brutal terrorist organization which seeks to kill Americans. Helping ISIS or any other terrorist organization prepare or carry out acts of violence is not only a reprehensible crime – it is a threat to our entire nation and way of life,” said U.S. Attorney Jerome F. Gorgon Jr. for the Eastern District of Michigan. “Our office will not tolerate such crimes or threats, and we will use the full weight of the law against anyone who engages in terrorism.”

    “The defendant allegedly tried to carry out an attack on a military facility in support of ISIS, which was disrupted thanks to the good work of the FBI and our partners,” said Assistant Director Donald M. Holstead of the FBI’s Counterterrorism Division. “The FBI is steadfast in our commitment to detect and stop terrorist plans aimed at the American homeland or at U.S. interests overseas.”

    “The arrest of this former soldier is a sobering reminder of the importance of our counterintelligence efforts to identify and disrupt those who would seek to harm our nation,” said Brig. Gen. Rhett R. Cox, the commanding general of Army Counterintelligence Command. “I commend the tireless work of our special agents and FBI partners who worked together to investigate and apprehend this individual. We will continue to collaborate with our partners to prevent similar incidents in the future. We urge all soldiers to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to their chain of command, as the safety and security of our Army and our nation depends on our collective efforts to prevent insider threats.”

    According to the complaint, Said informed two undercover law enforcement officers of a plan he had devised and formulated to conduct a mass-shooting at the U.S. Army’s Tank-Automotive & Armaments Command (TACOM) facility at the Detroit Arsenal in Warren, Michigan. In April 2025, the two undercover officers indicated they intended to carry out Said’s plan at the direction of ISIS. In response, Said provided material assistance to the attack plan, including providing armor-piercing ammunition and magazines for the attack, flying his drone over TACOM to conduct operational reconnaissance, training the undercover employees on firearms and the construction of Molotov cocktails for use during the attack, and planning numerous details of the attack including how to enter TACOM and which building to target.

    On May 13 – the scheduled day of the attack – Said was arrested after he traveled to an area near TACOM and launched his drone in support of the attack plan. He will make his initial court appearance today in the Eastern District of Michigan. The U.S. Attorney’s Office will be asking the court to hold Said in pretrial detention because of his danger to the community and the risk that he will flee.         

    Based on the charges in the complaint, Said faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for each count if convicted.

    The FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force is investigating the case.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Douglas Salzenstein for the Eastern District of Michigan and Trial Attorneys John Cella and Charles Kovats of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section are prosecuting the case.

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

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI Security: Bakersfield, California, Man Pleads Guilty to Striking a Sheriff Helicopter with a Laser

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

    Brett Curtis Hair, 23, of Bakersfield, pleaded guilty today to aiming the beam of a laser pointer at an aircraft, Acting U.S. Attorney Michele Beckwith announced.

    According to court documents, on Sept. 11, 2024, at approximately 12:17 a.m., Kern County Sheriff’s Office helicopter Air 1 was on routine patrol when the cockpit was struck by a bright green laser beam. The Tactical Flight Officer pinpointed the source of the laser emanating from a residence within the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Critical Flight Zone of Bakersfield’s Meadow Field Airport. At least 15 additional laser strikes appeared to be intentional as the light tracked and struck the helicopter. Once Air 1 arrived above the residence, Hair exited the garage and immediately began striking the helicopter’s cockpit again with the high-powered laser. During the laser strikes, the pilot and Tactical Flight Officer experienced visual interference as the laser repeatedly struck and illuminated the cockpit, making it difficult to see the aircraft’s instruments.

    According to the FAA, aiming a laser at an aircraft is a serious safety risk, because many high-powered lasers can incapacitate pilots and interfere with the safe operation of their aircraft. In 2024, pilots reported 12,840 laser strikes to the FAA.

    This case is the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Kern County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Karen Escobar is prosecuting the case.

    Hair is scheduled for sentencing on Aug. 4, 2025. He faces a maximum statutory penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The actual sentence, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI Security: Pharmaceutical Manufacturer Assertio Therapeutics, Inc. to Pay $3.6 Million to Resolve Allegations That it Violated the False Claims Act in Connection with Marketing Its Fentanyl Product

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

    The Justice Department announced on May 5, 2025, that Assertio Therapeutics, Inc., formerly known as Depomed, Inc., a pharmaceutical company headquartered in Lake Forest, Illinois, has agreed to pay $3.6 million to resolve claims that Assertio violated the False Claims Act by causing the submission of false claims for the transmucosal immediate-release fentanyl drug Lazanda for individuals who did not have breakthrough cancer pain.

    The settlement was announced by U.S. Attorney Edward R. Martin, Jr., Acting Assistant Attorney General Yaakov Roth of the Justice Department’s Civil Division, Deputy Inspector General Christian J. Schrank of the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General, and FBIActing Assistant Director Darren Cox of the Criminal Investigative Division.

    Lazanda, a fentanyl nasal spray, is approved by the FDA solely for break-through cancer pain in patients who are already receiving and who are tolerant to opioid therapy for their underlying persistent cancer pain. The United States alleges that between 2013 and 2017, Assertio caused the submission of false claims to the Medicare and TRICARE programs by focusing its marketing on pain specialists who were prescribing high volumes of transmucosal immediate-release fentanyl, known as TIRF products, including those who were flagged for diversion or who were later indicted.

    The United States further alleges that Assertio placed high-volume TIRF prescribers on its speakers’ bureau and advisory boards and developed its “Signature Support Program” to ensure that Lazanda prescriptions would be approved by insurance companies, including Medicare Part D plans. The United States contends that, as a result of Assertio’s marketing, prescribers wrote Lazanda prescriptions for Medicare and TRICARE beneficiaries who did not have breakthrough cancer pain and that Assertio therefore caused false claims to be submitted to Medicare and TRICARE from high-volume thirteen prescribers.

    “This company took steps to boost its profits despite the risk of boosting the deadly opioid epidemic,” said U.S. Attorney Martin. “My office will continue to seek out violations like this that demonstrate a brazen disregard for the safety of the public.”

    “The Department is committed to pursuing companies that contributed to the tragic opioid epidemic,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Roth. “This resolution demonstrates that companies that recklessly marketed powerful opioids, like fentanyl, will be held accountable for their role in the opioid crisis, which continues to plague our country today.”

    “As today’s settlement demonstrates, the FBI and our law enforcement partners remain committed to investigating violations of the False Claims Act,” said FBI Assistant Director in Charge Steven J. Jensen of the Washington Field Office. “We will continue holding companies accountable for fraudulent marketing that puts patients at risk.”

    “Violations of the False Claims Act such as the illegal prescribing practices alleged in this settlement are especially egregious considering the opioid epidemic,” said Deputy Inspector General Schrank. “HHS-OIG will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to ensure health care providers and corporations involved in schemes that threaten patient safety are held accountable.”

    The civil settlement includes the resolution of claims brought in 2017 under the qui tam, or whistleblower, provisions of the FCA by Noelle Webb and Nicole Novellino, who previously worked at Depomed as sales representatives. The FCA authorizes private parties to sue on behalf of the United States for false claims and share in any recovery. The qui tam case is captioned United States ex rel. Webb et al. v. Assertio Therapeutics, Inc., f/k/a Depomed, Inc., No. 1:17-02309 (D.D.C.). The relators’ share of these proceeds has not yet been determined.

    The Justice Department’s Civil Division, Commercial Litigation Branch – Fraud Section, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia handled this matter. The FBI, led by its Washington Field Office; the FDA’s Office of Criminal Investigations; and the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General provided substantial assistance in the investigation and resolution.

    Today’s settlement illustrates the government’s emphasis on combating healthcare fraud. One of the most powerful tools in this effort is the FCA. Tips and complaints from all sources about potential fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement, can be reported to the Department of Health and Human Services at 800-HHS-TIPS (800-447-8477).

    The Justice Department is committed to holding responsible those who have fueled the opioid crisis by violating the law.

    This case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Darrell Valdez for the District of Columbia, Senior Trial Counsel Sarah Arni, Trial Attorney Matthew Arrow, and Assistant Director Natalie Waites of the Civil Division’s Fraud Section.

    The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only and there has been no determination of liability.

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI Security: Charleston Man Sentenced for Federal Tax Crime

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

    CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Luther A. Hanson, 72, of Charleston, was sentenced today to three years of federal probation, including eight months on home detention, and fined $5,000 for willful failure to pay over taxes. The Court previously determined that Hanson owed $146,771.37 to the United States Department of the Treasury as a result of his criminal scheme. Hanson paid the entire $146,771.37 prior to today’s sentencing.

    According to court documents and statements made in court, from at least 2015 to September 2020, Hanson willfully and intentionally did not withhold or pay over approximately $149,905.38 in employment taxes to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for two employees of his accounting services businesses. Hanson owns, manages, controls and operates The Estate Planning Group Inc. and L.A. Hanson Accounting Services, and the two employees provided accounting and account services for both.

    Hanson admitted that some time prior to June 30, 2015, he and the two employees agreed that he would begin treating them as independent contractors. Hanson further admitted that he knew this arrangement would relieve him of paying the employer portion of the employment taxes to the IRA and of withholding the employee withholdings of the two employees.

    As a result of this arrangement, Hanson paid gross wages by check to the two employees even though neither changed their job duties or responsibilities. Hanson admitted that he knew that neither was an independent contractor while he paid each by check throughout their continued employment. Hanson further admitted that he did not pay the trust fund taxes to the IRS that were owed and did not pay over the employer’s share of employment taxes for the two employees each quarter during the duration of this arrangement.

    One of the employees paid a portion of the taxes owed, resulting in the adjusted figure of restitution owed by Hanson.

    Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigations (IRS-CI) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

    Senior United States District Judge John T. Copenhaver, Jr. imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorney Erik S. Goes prosecuted the case.

    A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:24-cr-119.

    ###

     

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI Security: Port Arthur woman sentenced to federal prison for trafficking fentanyl

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

    BEAUMONT, Texas – A Port Arthur woman has been sentenced to federal prison for possessing fentanyl for distribution in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Abe McGlothin, Jr.

    Kailynn Ina Hardy, 25, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl and was sentenced to 57 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Marcia A. Crone on May 13, 2025.

    According to information presented in court, in August 2023, law enforcement began investigating Hardy for suspicion of drug trafficking in Jefferson County.  During the investigation, officers were able to obtain fentanyl-laced pills which Hardy had distributed.  Hardy admitted to being involved in a drug trafficking conspiracy involving at least 400 grams of fentanyl.   

    This case was investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration; Beaumont Police Department; Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office; Port Neches Police Department; FBI; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; and the Port Arthur Police Department.  This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jonathan C. Lee and Matt Quinn.

    ###

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI Security: Security News: Michigan Man Arrested and Charged with Attempting to Attack Military Base on Behalf of ISIS

    Source: United States Department of Justice 2

    A Melvindale man – and former member of the Michigan Army National Guard – was arrested today after he attempted to carry out a plan to conduct a mass-shooting at a U.S. military base in Warren, Michigan, on behalf of the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS), a foreign terrorist organization.

    Ammar Abdulmajid-Mohamed Said, 19, is charged in a criminal complaint with attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization and distributing information related to a destructive device.

    “This defendant is charged with planning a deadly attack on a U.S. military base here at home for ISIS,” said Sue J. Bai, head of the Justice Department’s National Security Division. “Thanks to the tireless efforts of law enforcement, we foiled the attack before lives were lost. We will not hesitate to bring the full force of the Department to find and prosecute those who seek to harm our men and women in the military and to protect all Americans.”

    “ISIS is a brutal terrorist organization which seeks to kill Americans. Helping ISIS or any other terrorist organization prepare or carry out acts of violence is not only a reprehensible crime – it is a threat to our entire nation and way of life,” said U.S. Attorney Jerome F. Gorgon Jr. for the Eastern District of Michigan. “Our office will not tolerate such crimes or threats, and we will use the full weight of the law against anyone who engages in terrorism.”

    “The defendant allegedly tried to carry out an attack on a military facility in support of ISIS, which was disrupted thanks to the good work of the FBI and our partners,” said Assistant Director Donald M. Holstead of the FBI’s Counterterrorism Division. “The FBI is steadfast in our commitment to detect and stop terrorist plans aimed at the American homeland or at U.S. interests overseas.”

    “The arrest of this former soldier is a sobering reminder of the importance of our counterintelligence efforts to identify and disrupt those who would seek to harm our nation,” said Brig. Gen. Rhett R. Cox, the commanding general of Army Counterintelligence Command. “I commend the tireless work of our special agents and FBI partners who worked together to investigate and apprehend this individual. We will continue to collaborate with our partners to prevent similar incidents in the future. We urge all soldiers to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to their chain of command, as the safety and security of our Army and our nation depends on our collective efforts to prevent insider threats.”

    According to the complaint, Said informed two undercover law enforcement officers of a plan he had devised and formulated to conduct a mass-shooting at the U.S. Army’s Tank-Automotive & Armaments Command (TACOM) facility at the Detroit Arsenal in Warren, Michigan. In April 2025, the two undercover officers indicated they intended to carry out Said’s plan at the direction of ISIS. In response, Said provided material assistance to the attack plan, including providing armor-piercing ammunition and magazines for the attack, flying his drone over TACOM to conduct operational reconnaissance, training the undercover employees on firearms and the construction of Molotov cocktails for use during the attack, and planning numerous details of the attack including how to enter TACOM and which building to target.

    On May 13 – the scheduled day of the attack – Said was arrested after he traveled to an area near TACOM and launched his drone in support of the attack plan. He will make his initial court appearance today in the Eastern District of Michigan. The U.S. Attorney’s Office will be asking the court to hold Said in pretrial detention because of his danger to the community and the risk that he will flee.         

    Based on the charges in the complaint, Said faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for each count if convicted.

    The FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force is investigating the case.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Douglas Salzenstein for the Eastern District of Michigan and Trial Attorneys John Cella and Charles Kovats of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section are prosecuting the case.

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

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI: Bitget Wallet Launches In-App Crypto Shopping Across 300+ Global Brands

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador, May 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Bitget Wallet, the leading non-custodial crypto wallet, has launched “Shop with Crypto,” a new in-app marketplace enabling users to spend cryptocurrencies directly on goods and services. The service removes the need for fiat conversion, offering a streamlined crypto-native checkout experience from within the wallet.

    The in-app shop grants access to more than 300 global brands, spanning digital wallet top-ups, mobile recharges, e-commerce gift cards, gaming, entertainment and travel. Users can make purchases directly using crypto through global merchants such as Amazon, Walmart, Google Play, Steam, Shopee, Tmall, and JD.com and more—with no need to off-ramp to fiat. The integration significantly broadens crypto’s practical utility and underscores Bitget Wallet’s commitment to real-world adoption.

    “Bitget Wallet is the only self-custodial wallet offering maximum spending flexibility—users will be able to scan QR codes, tap cards, or shop in-app across hundreds of brands,” said Alvin Kan, COO of Bitget Wallet. “We’ve built a simple, seamless, and secure experience that bridges digital assets with everyday spending.” Kan added that the company plans to extend Shop with Crypto to include lifestyle subscriptions, additional travel options, and an expanded roster of merchant integrations.

    To access the service, users navigate to the “Shop with Crypto” section in the Discovery tab of the app. Purchases can be completed directly with the Bitget Wallet balance, and redemption instructions are sent via email immediately after checkout. The entire process is designed to offer a user experience comparable to mainstream e-commerce, but crypto-native at its core.

    A central offering of the new marketplace is its gaming feature, launched in partnership with DotMart. Users can purchase in-game credits for titles such as PUBG Mobile, Free Fire MAX, and Mobile Legends at prices up to 30% lower than buying directly in-game. Transactions are completed via the DotMall app within Shop with Crypto, with codes redeemable instantly.

    For more information, please visit Bitget Wallet blog.

    About Bitget Wallet
    Bitget Wallet is a non-custodial crypto wallet designed to make crypto simple, seamless and secure for everyone. With over 60 million users, it brings together a full suite of crypto services, including swaps, market insights, staking, rewards, a DApp browser, and payment solutions. Supporting 130+ blockchains and a million tokens, Bitget Wallet enables seamless multi-chain trading across hundreds of DEXs and cross-chain bridges. Backed by a $300+ million user protection fund, it ensures the highest level of security for users’ assets.

    For more information, visit: XTelegramInstagramYouTubeLinkedInTikTokDiscordFacebook

    For media inquiries, please contact media.web3@bitget.com

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/158f36b1-b391-46e3-a2c2-a37d2b932aea

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI USA: Nevada Man Sentenced to 46 Months in Prison for Threatening U.S. Senators

    Source: US State of California

    A Las Vegas man who pleaded guilty to threatening a U.S. Senator from Nevada and threatening family members of two United States Senators was sentenced today to over three years in prison followed by three years of supervised release.

    “The threats against these U.S. Senators and their families were vile, dehumanizing, and shameful,” said Sue J. Bai, head of the National Security Division. “Today’s sentence reflects the Department’s firm resolve to holding accountable those who seek to intimidate and harm our public officials. Such threats of violence have no place in our country.”

    “With today’s sentencing, the defendant will pay the price for making threats of violence,” said Assistant Director Donald M. Holstead of the FBI’s Counterterrorism Division. “It is unacceptable to threaten public officials or anyone else, and the FBI will work with our law enforcement partners to identify and hold accountable anyone who engages in such illegal activity.” 

    According to court documents, from Oct. 11 to 25, 2023, John Anthony Miller left numerous threatening voicemails at the offices of two U.S. Senators. Miller threatened to assault and murder a U.S. Senator with intent to impede, intimidate, and interfere with U.S. Senator while engaged in the performance of official duties, and with intent to retaliate against the U.S. Senator on account of the performance of official duties.

    The following week, on Oct. 24 and Oct. 25, Miller threatened to assault and murder a member of the immediate family of two U.S. Senators, with intent to impede, intimidate, and interfere with the U.S. Senators while engaged in the performance of official duties, and with intent to retaliate against the U.S. Senators on account of the performance of official duties.

    Miller pleaded guilty to one-count of threatening a federal official and two-counts of influencing, impeding, or retaliating against a federal official by threatening a family member. U.S. District Judge Jennifer A. Dorsey presided over the sentencing hearing.

    The FBI Las Vegas Field Office investigated the case with valuable assistance provided by the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, the U.S. Marshals Service, and the U.S. Capitol Police.

    Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jacob Operskalski and Daniel Schiess for the District of Nevada prosecuted the case.

    To report suspected threats or violent acts, contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (225-5324) or file an online complaint at www.tips.fbi.gov. If someone is in imminent danger or risk of harm, contact 911 or your local police immediately.

    MIL OSI USA News