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Category: Intelligence

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

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Oluwatobi Emmanuel Otukelu Indictment
     

    MIL Security OSI –

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

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    MIL Security OSI –

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

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    MIL Security OSI –

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

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Breast cancer: why it’s difficult to treat and what new approaches are on the horizon

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Anna-Mart Engelbrecht, Professor in physiological sciences, Stellenbosch University

    Breast cancer is the number one cancer among women: more than 2 million cases were diagnosed worldwide in 2022. It is also particularly challenging to treat. Physiologist Anna-Mart Engelbrecht, who heads the Cancer Research Group at Stellenbosch University, explains why this is so and how precision medicine could help.

    How do tumours work?

    Normally, cell growth, cell division and cell death are tightly regulated processes. But mutations in a cell’s DNA can disrupt this regulation, leading to abnormal cell proliferation, forming tumours.

    Tumours can be benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous). Malignant tumours are dangerous because they invade surrounding tissues and can metastasize (spread) to other body parts, such as bones, liver or lungs.

    Cancer cells can evade the immune system, create their own blood supply (angiogenesis), and adapt to survive under different conditions, such as low oxygen or treatment pressure.

    Only 5%-10% of all cancers arise from germline (inherited) mutations, which are present in all cells of the body from birth, predisposing the individual to developing cancer.

    Most cancers are preventable through a healthy lifestyle and regular exercise.

    What are the different types of tumours?

    For breast cancer, the tumours can be classified into types:

    Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS): Non-invasive cancer (meaning it has not invaded the underlying tissue beneath the epithelial cells, and abnormal cells are confined only to the milk ducts.

    Invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC): The most common type, where cancer cells break through the duct walls (the cells lining the ducts become cancerous) and invade surrounding breast tissue.

    Invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC): Begins in the milk-producing lobules and invades nearby tissue. (The lobules are the part of the breast which produce milk. They are anatomically different from the ducts, which transport the milk to the nipples.)

    Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC): The breast tissue lacks estrogen receptors, progesterone receptors, and HER2 protein receptors that control how cells grow and divide. Triple-negative breast cancer is often more aggressive and more challenging to treat.

    HER2-positive breast cancer: Overexpression of the HER2 protein, which promotes cancer cell growth.

    Hormone receptor-positive breast cancer: Cancer that grows in response to hormones like estrogen or progesterone.

    What makes breast cancer so difficult to treat?

    Breast cancer is particularly challenging to treat because there are so many subtypes with unique genetic and molecular characteristics.

    These variations mean that a treatment effective for one subtype might not work for another. The approach has to be tailored for each patient’s breast cancer.

    Another challenge is the tumour microenvironment. Cancer cells “hijack” the normal cells in this microenvironment to sustain cell growth.

    The tumour microenvironment shapes tumour behaviour. Certain cells in this environment can shield cancer cells from therapies, making treatment less effective.

    Drug resistance further complicates treatment. Over time, breast cancer cells can adapt and develop resistance to chemotherapy, hormonal treatments and targeted therapies.

    This adaptation can involve genetic mutations or the use of alternative signalling pathways that allow the cancer cells to continue growing despite treatment efforts.

    Metastasis, or the spread of cancer to other organs, is another major hurdle. Metastatic cells often behave differently from those in the primary tumour. This is true for all cancers.

    Lastly, breast cancer cells sometimes escape detection by the immune system. Usually, the immune system would recognise and attack abnormal cells. But some breast cancer cells can disguise themselves or suppress the immune response.

    This makes immunotherapy less effective. Unlike traditional therapies such as chemotherapy, immunotherapy enhances the immune system’s natural ability to fight cancer.

    Immunotherapy has shown success in treating cancers like melanoma, non-small cell lung cancer, kidney cancer and certain lymphomas, particularly those with a high number of genetic mutations that make them more visible to the immune system.

    But immunotherapy is not universally effective. Response rates can vary greatly between patients, and side effects can be severe.

    Breast cancer tends to have fewer genetic changes for the immune system to recognise as foreign.

    How would precision medicine make a difference?

    Precision medicine takes into account the genes, environment, and lifestyle of each person and tailors treatments to a tumour’s genetic and molecular characteristics.

    It enables targeted therapies that improve efficacy and reduce unnecessary side effects.

    Ongoing monitoring through techniques like liquid biopsies (for example a blood test) allows treatment strategies to be adapted as the tumour evolves, and identifying genetic predispositions aids in early detection and prevention.

    Precision medicine has transformed cancer care, particularly in cancers like breast, lung, and melanoma, where targeted therapies guided by genetic profiling are now routine for patients who can afford it.

    Research and clinical trials continue to expand the reach of precision medicine, promising more effective, individualised treatments for a broader range of patients in the future.

    Anna-Mart Engelbrecht receives funding from the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC), National Research Foundation (NRF) and CANSA. SAMRC and NRF currently, CANSA previously. I am director and shareholder of two Stellenbosch University start-up companies, BIOCODE and PHYENTI.

    – ref. Breast cancer: why it’s difficult to treat and what new approaches are on the horizon – https://theconversation.com/breast-cancer-why-its-difficult-to-treat-and-what-new-approaches-are-on-the-horizon-241690

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Developers can apply for residency in Russia’s first video game and animation cluster

    Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    Until November 30, Moscow animation studios and video game development companies will be able to apply for residency in Russia’s first video game and animation cluster. Agreements will be concluded after the second stage of selection in the first half of 2025. This was reported by the Minister of the Moscow Government, head of the Moscow Department of Culture Alexey Fursin.

    “We are announcing the start of the first stage of accepting applications for residency in the first video game and animation cluster in Russia. The participant status will provide an opportunity to place a company office on the territory of the cluster and, using the provided equipment, create new video game and animation products of any complexity. Working in such conditions will help individual specialists and companies develop their projects and the Russian gaming industry,” noted Alexey Fursin.

    Earlier, more than 40 companies expressed their desire to become residents of the cluster. This status will make it possible to place an office of no more than 500 square meters on its territory, as well as use modern infrastructure and advanced equipment that allows creating video game and animation products of any complexity.

    You can submit an application on the website Creative Industries Agencies (CIA)At the beginning of 2025, the expert council will hold a second round of selection and determine the companies that will receive residency.

    Candidates must have the status of an individual entrepreneur or a legal entity registered in Moscow. In addition, they must have at least one completed video game or animation product in their professional portfolio, as well as another project in the development stage.

    The country’s first video game and animation cluster will be located in the Stratos business center on Nikola Tesla Street. The operator is the Agency for Creative Industries. The cluster will cover about 40,000 square meters. In addition to office space, coworking, and exhibition halls, Stratos will house technological infrastructure for creating video games and animation.

    With the help of a motion capture studio, it will be possible to create realistic characters: record the movements of actors or animals and transform them into high-quality digital images or animation.

    The recording studio will record background sounds, music and soundtracks for video games and animated films, as well as voice their characters.

    A cinema hall with high-resolution screens is provided for viewing and adjusting finished materials. They will provide the precise color rendering necessary for working on videos. A technically equipped lecture hall with a modular system is provided for holding lectures, training sessions and other events.

    The conference hall and exhibition area will host business and creative events, exhibitions and presentations. Companies will be able to demonstrate their developments to visitors. There are several meeting rooms in the cluster for business meetings.

    The residents of the cluster will be beginning and experienced Russian development companies and animation studios. The platform will cover all areas of the industry – from training to support for Moscow specialists in export activities. Residents will have access to professional high-tech equipment, as well as participate in international exhibitions, accelerators, lectures and master classes.

    The cluster is expected to become a center of attraction for talented developers from all over the country and open up new opportunities for the development of the creative industry. The support measures provided by the city will help to consolidate Moscow’s position among the leaders in the field of video game and animation creation.

    Since 2023, the Moscow Agency for Creative Industries has been actively supporting the video game industry. This year, the Moscow Agency for Creative Industries launched the Video Game Factory accelerator, whose participants refine their ideas and then present them to investors. The most successful of them are distributed on the largest gaming platforms in Russia and the world. The first stream has already ended with the creation of 20 unique projects, and there are two more streams ahead.

    Over 25 projects and cooperation with 70 countries: results of 2023 in the creative industries

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    Please note; This information is raw content directly from the information source. It is accurate to what the source is stating and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    https://vvv.mos.ru/nevs/item/145603073/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

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

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    About CyberRisk Alliance

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Turbo Energy Teams with Connection Holdings to Introduce All-in-One, AI-Optimized SUNBOX Home Energy Storage System to U.S. Market

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    VALENCIA, Spain, Oct. 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Turbo Energy, S.A. (NASDAQ:TURB) (“Turbo Energy” or the “Company”), a global provider of leading-edge, AI-optimized solar energy storage technologies and solutions, today announced that the Company has partnered with Florida-based Connection Holdings, LLC (“CH”), the managing entity of brands operating in the performance marketing and lead generation sectors with focus on a broad range of industries, including the U.S. solar energy market. 

    Pursuant to the strategic advisory agreement entered into on October 18, 2024, CH will employ its organization’s award-winning market penetration capabilities and leverage its extensive nationwide network of leading U.S. solar installation companies to assist Turbo Energy in introducing and winning U.S. market share for the Company’s proprietary, all-in-one, Artificial Intelligence (“AI”)-optimized SUNBOX solar energy storage system designed specifically for residential application (“SUNBOX Home”).

    Turbo Energy Partners with Connection Holdings to Introduce SUNBOX Home to U.S. Market

    Mariano Soria, the Chief Executive Officer of Turbo Energy, stated, “With virtually thousands of SUNBOX Home installations spanning nine countries throughout Europe, we have been actively engaged over the past several months in progressing through extensive U.S. testing and certification processes to affirm that SUNBOX Home meets and exceeds American public and product safety standards for energy storage systems and equipment. We are very excited to be partnering with Connection Holdings to take the next pivotal step in our global expansion plan, introducing SUNBOX Home to the U.S. market in hopes that we will achieve meaningful market awareness and rapid adoption of what we believe is the industry’s most price-competitive, smart, all-in-one solar energy storage solution on the market today.”

    “We are very proud to have been chosen by Turbo Energy to lead the market launch of SUNBOX Home in the U.S.,” noted Edmond Pain, Managing Principal and Co-Founder of CH. “Considering that SUNBOX Home features scalable energy storage capacity that is up to four times greater than other leading residential energy storage systems available in the U.S., coupled with the fact that all components – inverter, batteries and AI-optimized software — are fully integrated in an innovative, all-in-one, elegantly designed system, we expect that market demand will be strong and immediate and grow exponentially in the coming years as sustainable solar energy storage solutions become a must-have for homeowners nationwide.”

    According to the Q3 2024 industry research report released by the Solar Energy Industries Association and Wood Mackenzie, homeowners and businesses are increasingly demanding solar systems that are paired with battery storage. California’s shift in net metering policy and state incentives for solar-plus-storage in other markets have driven attachment rates up in recent quarters. The report further states that by 2028, 28% of all new distributed solar capacity will be paired with storage, compared to under 12% in 2023.

    SUNBOX Home is a complete intelligent solar energy storage system powered by Turbo Energy’s patented AI algorithms and processes that allow homeowners to fully optimize the energy efficiency of their solar power panel installations. Moreover, the cloud-based Turbo Energy mobile app gives SUNBOX Home users total control over the storage system, including determining best times of day when to use the surplus energy stored, as well as providing complete real-time visibility into battery status, energy production, actual power usage and monthly cost savings. In addition, the app provides data-driven insight into weather and electricity price forecasts, among other vital metrics.  

    Turbo Energy’s  U.S. market launch will be led by a multi-month beta test, whereby Connection Holdings will coordinate the deployment of several SUNBOX Home system installations in residences located in key, high growth markets across the nation.  Following the conclusion of the beta test and analysis of collected data and feedback from installers and homeowners, Connection Holdings is tasked with implementing a national marketing campaign designed to ramp sales of SUNBOX Home and help to define and refine, as necessary, the U.S.-based infrastructure needed to support anticipated market demand in the months and years to come.

    About Connection Holdings, LLC

    Connection Holdings has built and consolidated a portfolio of U.S. companies which are trusted to provide award-winning performance marketing and comprehensive data analytic services to the nation’s leading solar, roofing, home improvement, consumer financial and health insurance companies. Its brands, which have collectively generated nearly $500 million in sales for its valued customers, include Solar Direct Marketing, Connecting the Dots, Home Direct Marketing, Senior Direct Marketing, Encompass Leads, Debt Direct Marketing, Vested Exchange and Blockhub. In 2021, 2022 and 2023, Solar Direct Marketing earned distinction as one of Inc. Magazine’s fastest growing, privately held companies in the country. Connecting the Dots was also named to Inc.’s top 500 fastest growing companies in 2022; and in 2023 and 2024 was nominated as the premiere Data Provider of the Year at the prestigious Affy Awards. For more information, please visit http://www.connectionholdings.com.  

    About Turbo Energy, S.A.

    Founded in 2013, Turbo Energy is a globally recognized pioneer of proprietary solar energy storage technologies and solutions managed through Artificial Intelligence. Turbo Energy’s elegant all-in-one and scalable, modular energy storage systems empower residential, commercial and industrial users expanding across Europe, North America and South America to materially reduce dependence on traditional energy sources, helping to lower electricity costs, provide peak shaving and uninterruptible power supply and realize a more sustainable, energy-efficient future. A testament to the Company’s commitment to innovation and industry disruption, Turbo Energy’s introduction of its flagship SUNBOX represents one of the world’s first high performance, competitively priced, all-in-one home solar energy storage systems, which also incorporates patented EV charging capability and powerful AI processes to optimize solar energy management.  Turbo Energy is a proud subsidiary of publicly traded Umbrella Global Energy, S.A., a vertically integrated, global collective of solar energy-focused companies.

    For more information, please visit http://www.turbo-e.com.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    Statements in this press release about future expectations, plans and prospects, as well as any other statements regarding matters that are not historical facts, may constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are neither historical facts nor assurances of future performance. Instead, they are based only on current beliefs, expectations and assumptions regarding the future of the business of the Company, future plans and strategies, projections, anticipated events and trends, the economy and other future conditions. The words “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “target,” “will,” “would” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict and many of which are outside of our control, including the risks described in our registration statements and annual report under the heading “Risk Factors” as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Actual results and financial condition may differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. Therefore, you should not rely on any of these forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date hereof, and Turbo Energy, S.A. specifically disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

    For more information, please contact:

    At Turbo Energy, S.A.
    Dodi Handy, Director of Communications
    Phone: 407-960-4636
    Email: dodihandy@turbo-e.com

    At Connection Holdings, LLC
    David Stodolak, Chief Executive Officer
    Phone: 919-802-1555
    Email: david@solardirectmarketing.com

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Endexx Corporation’s HYLA Division Partners With American Shaman, Expanding Distribution Across U.S. Locations

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    PHOENIX, Oct. 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Endexx Corporation (OTC: EDXC), a leading provider of plant-based wellness and lifestyle products, today announced a major new partnership between its HYLA™ division and American Shaman, a well-established wellness retailer based in Kansas City, Missouri. This partnership will introduce HYLA’s innovative no-nicotine vape products to 40 corporate-owned American Shaman locations, with the potential to expand into 300 stores nationwide.

    This collaboration is a key part of Endexx’s growth strategy as the HYLA division continues to secure distribution agreements across the U.S. The partnership with American Shaman is just one of many anticipated deals, positioning HYLA for significant expansion in the domestic market.

    HYLA’s Strategic Partnership with American Shaman

    HYLA’s no-nicotine, plant-based vape products will initially launch in 40 corporate-owned American Shaman locations as part of a tray display program, focusing on educating consumers about the benefits of nicotine-free alternatives. American Shaman, known for its commitment to customer education and high-quality wellness products, will play a crucial role in introducing HYLA’s products to a broader audience.

    “We are excited to partner with American Shaman,” said Brad Listermann, Interim CEO of Endexx Corporation. “Their store members are highly knowledgeable in consumer education, and we believe they will do an excellent job of helping customers understand the benefits of our HYLA products. This partnership marks another milestone in making HYLA’s no-nicotine products a household name.”

    A Promising Future for HYLA and Endexx

    HYLA continues to target a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 300% over the next three to five years. The collaboration with American Shaman is expected to accelerate product distribution and market penetration, with more partnerships on the horizon.

    Dustin Sullivan, VP of HYLA, added, “This is a great opportunity to introduce our all-natural, nicotine-free vape products to more U.S. consumers. With American Shaman’s strong retail presence and commitment to customer education, we are confident this partnership will fuel further growth.”

    About American Shaman

    American Shaman is a well-established leader in the wellness industry with over 360 locations across the United States. Founded by Vince Sanders in Kansas City, Missouri, the company has built a reputation for providing high-quality, fast-acting wellness solutions through advanced technology. With a dedicated team of experts, American Shaman continues to innovate and expand its reach, offering effective products that meet the diverse needs of customers

    About Endexx Corporation

    Endexx Corporation, through its operating divisions CBD Unlimited, Inc., and HYLA, develops and distributes all-natural, plant-based topical products, as well as non-nicotine vape products in the wellness and health market. HYLA is a wholly owned subsidiary of Endexx, offering a proprietary non-nicotine vape product, rapidly expanding its market share internationally through unique and all-natural botanical formulations. CBD Unlimited produces and distributes high-end CBD-based products derived from hemp, designed to address various health issues and promote wellness in humans and pets. Endexx has developed a wide distribution network that includes pharmacies, mass retailers, and e-commerce platforms.

    Safe Harbor Statement

    This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, those regarding the company’s expectations, intentions, strategies, and beliefs concerning future performance. These forward-looking statements involve certain risks and uncertainties, including uncertainties regarding economic conditions, customer acceptance of products, regulatory actions, competition, and other factors, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by law.

    Contact:
    Endexx Corporation
    480-595-6900
    IR@Endexx.com
    http://www.endexx.com

    Partnership Opportunities
    To learn more about becoming a distribution partner with HYLA, visit: https://www.hyladistribution.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Descope Named SINET16 Innovator, Included in Cyber 150 List of Fastest Growing Security Companies

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    LOS ALTOS, Calif., Oct. 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Descope, the drag & drop customer identity and access management (CIAM) platform, today announced that it has been named a 2024 winner of the SINET16 Innovator Award and has been included in the annual Cyber 150 list, both recognitions validating the company’s fast growth and innovation in the customer identity space.

    The Descope no / low code CIAM platform helps organizations easily create and customize their entire authentication and user journey using visual workflows. Hundreds of customers including GoFundMe, Databricks, and Navan use Descope to reduce user friction during onboarding, enhance protection against account takeover attacks, and unify identities across customer-facing apps.

    The SINET16 and Cyber 150 recognitions follow on the back of Descope being named in the Redpoint InfraRed 100, Fortune Cyber 60, and Notable Capital’s Rising in Cyber. The company was also recently named a Momentum Leader based on customer reviews in the G2 Crowd Fall 2024 Reports in the CIAM and Passwordless categories.

    The SINET16 Innovator Award selected Descope as one of 16 emerging companies identified as the most innovative and compelling technologies in their fields to address cybersecurity threats and vulnerabilities. Winners were selected from a pool of 230 applications from 13 countries, with applications being evaluated by the SINET Judging Committee composed of over 100 security professionals including security and risk leaders, government intelligence and defense experts, venture capitalists, and investment bankers.

    Robert D. Rodriguez, Chairman of SINET, said: “SINET is a purpose-driven community whose mission is to advance innovation to defeat Cybersecurity threats. In support of this calling, I am proud to congratulate this year’s class of SINET16 winners. We look forward to watching these companies continue to mature as they progress on their amazing entrepreneurial journeys and their goal to protect our critical infrastructures and national security interests.”

    The Cyber 150 list is annually curated by IT-Harvest and was founded by noted industry analyst Richard Stiennon. The list used a variety of objective metrics to highlight the 150 fastest growing cybersecurity companies in the world with employees between 50-500. The Cyber 150 acts as a benchmark for the industry, highlighting companies that lead and redefine security standards and practices.

    Richard Stiennon, Chief Research Analyst at IT-Harvest, said: “Congratulations to the Descope team for being named in the Cyber 150. As one of the youngest companies in the list, Descope’s inclusion is a testament to their fast growth and customer momentum in a crowded IAM market. I look forward to seeing where their journey leads.”

    Slavik Markovich, Co-Founder and CEO of Descope, said: “We’re delighted to be named a SINET16 Innovator and to be included in the IT-Harvest Cyber 150 list. Any industry recognition Descope receives is a result of the trust our customers place in us and the work our employees put in every second. This reaffirms our commitment to improving the way organizations manage their customer identities by making it less about code and more about the user journey. We’re already booted up and ready to climb the next mountain!”

    About Descope

    Descope is a drag & drop CIAM platform. Our no / low code solution helps hundreds of organizations easily create and customize their entire user journey using visual workflows – from authentication and authorization to MFA and federated SSO. Hundreds of customers use Descope to reduce user friction, prevent account takeover, and get a unified view of their customer journey. Founded in 2022, Descope is backed by Lightspeed and Notable Capital (previously GGV Capital) and is a member of the FIDO Alliance.

    Media Contact

    Erica Anderson

    Offleash for Descope

    descope@offleashpr.com

    The MIL Network –

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

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

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

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

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

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Klaas Knot: Strengthening financial resilience – lessons from Pittsburgh

    Source: Bank for International Settlements

    Good morning everyone.

    It could have been right here in New York City.

    That would have been fitting, as this city was, and still is, the center of gravity for global finance. But, as it happened, the US administration made a last-minute decision to pick Pittsburgh as the venue for the G20 summit.

    We are back in the fall of 2009. Less than a year earlier, when G20 leaders first met in Washington DC, the world economy had been facing its greatest crisis in generations. At the Pittsburgh Summit, the memory of the crisis was still fresh. The fall of Lehman. The rescue of AIG. The race against the clock to prevent a total meltdown of the financial system. Leaders from the 20 largest nations in the world had all gone through those fateful crisis days. They shared a conviction that this should not happen again. Ever. They decided on a massive strengthening of regulation to address the weaknesses in the global financial system and to curb excessive risk taking. And they endorsed the mandate of the newly established Financial Stability Board to coordinate and monitor progress. Pittsburgh turned the tide.

    The rest is history. But it is an unfinished history. For sure, the reforms that were agreed in Pittsburgh did substantially strengthen the global financial system.

    In recent years, markets have experienced several episodes of turmoil, and we have seen potentially destabilising failures of banks and non-banks. But the core of the system has held up relatively well. So, one interpretation is that the financial system has proved to be resilient. But that is not entirely true. Take March 2020 for example. This turmoil was contained both through improved resilience and unprecedented policy actions. Without the combined force of these policy actions, the reforms implemented since 2009 may have not been sufficient to stave off another financial crisis. And it’s not only in 2020 that unprecedented policy actions were needed. In 2023 the fire brigade had to turn out again.

    So, we’ve made progress, but there is much left to do if we want a truly resilient financial system. One that can finance the economy through thick and thin without recourse to extraordinary support. Furthermore, the financial system is evolving, and so must our regulations. Can we keep up the pace? Allow me to share some concerns about that.

    First of all, our work to make the banking sector more resilient is not yet complete. For one thing, the final Basel III standards still need to be implemented in many jurisdictions. In the meantime, the banking turmoil in March last year was a reminder that bank runs are not a thing of the past. The demise of Silicon Valley Bank and Credit Suisse not only brought lessons for banks and supervisors.

    They also highlighted that 13 years after the FSB issued its Key Attributes for Effective Resolution Regimes, authorities still face challenges in dealing with failing banks.

    Next to the unfinished agenda in banking, the non-bank financial sector continues to face serious vulnerabilities. Partly as a response to strengthening banking regulation, non-bank financial institutions are playing a larger role in financing the real economy, now accounting for nearly half of total global financial assets. And as we have seen over the past few years, structural vulnerabilities in the sector have the potential to cause systemic risk. These include liquidity mismatches, leverage, and inadequate margin preparedness. The FSB, working with other standard setters, has done a great deal of work on this issue. We have issued policy recommendations in several key areas. Drawing up these policy recommendations, however, is not enough to stem systemic risk in NBFI. For that to happen, we must implement them. That means authorities must not only put them into national laws and regulations, they must also have the capacity to operationalize them.

    Third, technological innovation continues to shape the way the financial sector functions, and it adds another layer of complexity. Technology can create new interdependencies, for example when many financial institutions rely on the same service providers. It can also increase the speed at which a crisis unfolds. And technology raises important questions about the regulatory perimeter. Above all technology related risks can exacerbate pre-existing vulnerabilities in the financial system and may create new ones. Take crypto-assets. This fast-growing market has seen more than its fair share of bankruptcies, liquidity crises and outright fraud, even as its links with traditional finance continue to grow. The FSB has issued recommendations to regulate the market for crypto-assets. The G20 has endorsed these recommendations and, again, they now need to be implemented globally.

    As you might notice, I’m talking a lot about implementation, because that’s where my concern lies. It seems that, 16 years after Lehman, implementation fatigue has started to set in. Political commitment for maintaining financial stability is usually the highest when the collective memory of the last crisis is still fresh. When this memory starts to fade, there is the risk that financial stability is taken for granted. Something that can be left to the bureaucrats, to the technicians. Not least because there are so many other policy priorities to deal with for governments. But that would be a mistake. We do need the involvement of politicians, of lawmakers, because without them, it becomes even harder to implement necessary regulations. After all, financial stability is the foundation for almost all public policy. If financial stability is gone, as a government you can forget about the other policy priorities. You will spend most of your time drawing up rescue plans for an economy in free fall. So we should not wait for the next crisis.

    We also need commitment in good times, when the work to develop and implement policy needs to get done. This commitment is even more important in a world that is getting more fragmented, both politically and economically. I am concerned about our capacity to work together on cross-border challenges in such a world. During the Global Financial Crisis, policymakers around the globe were able to respond swiftly and effectively. In a fragmented world, such a swift response could become more complicated. This could prove costly because the most important challenges to financial stability are precisely the cross-border issues that we can only solve if we work together.

    And to the financial industry I would say: rules that strengthen the resilience of the financial system are in your best interest too. Some in the industry view regulation as a constraint, something that limits profitability and imposes undue costs. But it’s just the other way around. Financial regulation is not an obstacle, it is an enabler of sustainable, long-term growth. Globally implemented regulation strengthens international financial stability, levels the playing field, and, in turn, enhances the confidence of your shareholders, clients, and counterparties. Strong regulation is not a constraint on the financial industry, it is an asset.

    15 years after Pittsburgh, strengthening the financial system is an unfinished history. Partly that comes with the job. The financial system is always evolving, so our policy also needs to evolve. But, that’s not the only reason. It is also important that authorities finish implementing the measures we’ve all agreed are needed to address existing vulnerabilities. Vulnerabilities that could lead to the next crisis, if they are allowed to persist.

    This calls for maintaining our ambition as policy makers, and for law makers to take the agreed policies all the way through to implementation. I wish for us to have the determination and collaborative spirit that the leaders in Pittsburgh collectively felt. Let’s work together to finish what we started. Let’s stay sharp, focused and committed to preserving financial stability. And where better to express that commitment than in the city that never sleeps.

    MIL OSI Economics –

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    MIL Security OSI –

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

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

    Ahead of the Threat Podcast: Episode Zero

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

    Charity and Disaster Fraud

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

    RYAN JAMES WEDDING

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

    Capitol Violence

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

    MIL Security OSI –

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    MIL Security OSI –

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    ###

    MIL Security OSI –

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    MIL Security OSI –

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    MIL Security OSI –

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    DEFENDANT                                   Case Number 24cr1071-JO                                    

    Eric Jin                                                Age: 30                                   San Diego, CA

    SUMMARY OF CHARGES

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

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

    INVESTIGATING AGENCY

    Federal Bureau of Investigation

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: Five Star Bancorp Declares Third Quarter Cash Dividend

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    RANCHO CORDOVA, Calif., Oct. 18, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Five Star Bancorp (Nasdaq: FSBC) (“Five Star” or the “Company”), a holding company that operates through its wholly owned banking subsidiary, Five Star Bank (the “Bank”), announced today the declaration of a cash dividend of $0.20 per share on the Company’s voting common stock. The dividend is expected to be paid on November 12, 2024, to shareholders of record as of November 4, 2024.

    About Five Star Bancorp
    Five Star is a bank holding company headquartered in Rancho Cordova, California. Five Star operates through its wholly owned banking subsidiary, Five Star Bank. The Bank has eight branches in Northern California. For more information, visit https://www.fivestarbank.com.

    Special Note Concerning Forward-Looking Statements
    This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements represent plans, estimates, objectives, goals, guidelines, expectations, intentions, projections, and statements of the Company’s beliefs concerning future events, business plans, objectives, expected operating results, and the assumptions upon which those statements are based. Forward-looking statements include without limitation, any statement that may predict, forecast, indicate, or imply future results, performance, or achievements, and are typically identified with words such as “may,” “could,” “should,” “will,” “would,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “aim,” “intend,” “plan,” or words or phases of similar meaning. The Company cautions that the forward-looking statements are based largely on the Company’s expectations and are subject to a number of known and unknown risks and uncertainties that are subject to change based on factors which are, in many instances, beyond the Company’s control. Such forward-looking statements are based on various assumptions (some of which may be beyond the Company’s control) and are subject to risks and uncertainties, which change over time, and other factors, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those currently anticipated. New risks and uncertainties may emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for the Company to predict their occurrence or how they will affect the Company. If one or more of the factors affecting the Company’s forward-looking information and statements proves incorrect, then the Company’s actual results, performance, or achievements could differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, forward-looking information and statements contained in this press release. Therefore, the Company cautions you not to place undue reliance on the Company’s forward-looking information and statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements are set forth in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and June 30, 2024, in each case under the section entitled “Risk Factors,” and other documents filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time.

    The Company disclaims any duty to revise or update the forward-looking statements, whether written or oral, to reflect actual results or changes in the factors affecting the forward-looking statements, except as specifically required by law.

    Investor Contact:
    Heather C. Luck, Chief Financial Officer
    Five Star Bancorp
    (916) 626-5008
    hluck@fivestarbank.com

    Media Contact:
    Shelley R. Wetton, Chief Marketing Officer
    Five Star Bancorp
    (916) 284-7827
    swetton@fivestarbank.com

    The MIL Network –

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

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    ###

    MIL Security OSI –

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    MIL Security OSI –

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

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

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

    The individual is believed to have robbed the following banks:

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

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

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

    MIL Security OSI –

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    ###

    MIL Security OSI –

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    MIL Security OSI –

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

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

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

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

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

    U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger

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

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

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

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

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

    MIL Security OSI –

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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  • MIL-OSI Security: FBI Investigation Leads to Historic Hate Crime Sentencing

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

    “Every FBI field office has a civil rights program and is responsible for maintaining relationships in their local communities,” said Snead. “At the FBI Headquarters level, the Civil Rights Unit engages with internal partners to build and maintain relationships with national advocacy groups.”

    The Bureau offers resources, forensic expertise, and experience in identification of proof of hate-based motivations. FBI field offices participate in working groups or task forces to develop strategies to address local hate crime problems. And the FBI conducts hundreds of operational seminars, workshops, and annual training sessions for local law enforcement, minority and religious organizations, and community groups.

    “Hate incidents are under reported in South Carolina, and that’s something we’re trying to change through education and relationship building,” said Supervisory Special Agent Craig Januchowski, who supervises FBI Columbia’s Civil Right squad. “One way we’re doing that is through our partnership with the U.S. attorney’s office in the United Against Hate outreach initiative.”

    The United Against Hate community outreach program aims to help people report hate crimes more effectively. The program teaches community members how to spot and report these incidents while also building trust between the public and law enforcement. Participants engage in discussions and real-life examples to understand the importance of reporting acts of hate to local police and the FBI.

    FBI Columbia also provides training to all police recruits at the South Carolina Police Academy. Trainings focuses on hate crimes, civil rights, and public corruption and include sessions where agents educate each graduating class on identifying hate crimes and incidents, as well as the importance of contacting the FBI for further investigation when necessary.

    “The most important thing is trust,” Januchowski said, particularly for individuals who have felt unheard or were once reluctant to reach out for help. “We know we’re only as strong as our relationships, and we’ve made significant strides in bridging those gaps through proactive outreach and education.”

    “Historically, reporting hate crimes is hard,” said Snead. “But it takes work on our end as well. We must be vulnerable and transparent in our relationships with communities.”

    Following this landmark verdict, Snead says the FBI wants members of the LGBTQIA+ community to feel protected and to know the FBI is fighting for their protections. Nothing can erase the pain Doe’s family will endure, but the FBI anticipates this case will be a deterrent to future crimes.

    “We want members of the LGBTQIA+ community to feel heard and to feel comfortable being who they are,” said Snead. “Because no one should be victimized for being who they are.”

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Upshur County Woman Sentenced to Federal Prison for Defrauding Employer

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

    TYLER, Texas – An Upshur County woman has been sentenced to federal prison and ordered to pay restitution for federal violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Damien M. Diggs.

    Tamarisk Trejo Mathews, 52, of Big Sandy, pleaded guilty to wire fraud and was sentenced to 33 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Jeremy Kernodle on October 16, 2024.  Mathews was also ordered to pay $334,252.00 in restitution.

    According to information presented in court, Mathews was responsible for accounting duties of a restaurant and music venue in Wood County, Texas.  She worked in accounts receivable, accounts payable, and had access to the financial accounts of the business.  Mathews also had authority to issue invoices to customers and issue checks and other payments to creditors.  Beginning in about December 2018, Mathews devised and began executing a scheme to wrongfully obtain money, funds, and assets under the custody and control of the restaurant.  Among other things, she wrote checks that she was not authorized to write for personal expenditures, made charges in the business’s name from vendors such as Amazon, and used business funds to make purchases through PayPal.  Mathews also opened an American Express account in the name of the business and obtained an American Express credit card. She then used the card and account to make personal purchases and expenditures and paid American Express for those purchases and expenditures using business funds and the business bank account.  The scheme resulted in a loss to the business of $334,252.00.

    This case was investigated by the FBI and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Alan Jackson.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Twelve Charged with Fentanyl Trafficking in Abilene

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

    Twelve alleged fentanyl traffickers were arrested in a large-scale drug bust in Abilene, announced U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Leigha Simonton.

    The takedown – the second in an operation that previously resulted in the prosecution of 17 drug traffickers arrested during a large-scale bust in late February  – involved agents and officers from the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Dallas Field Office –  Abilene Resident Office, the Taylor County Sheriff’s Office, the Abilene Police Department, and the Callahan County Sheriff’s Office. 

    Those charged in two separate indictments unsealed today include:

    • Christopher Thompson, charged with possession with intent to distribute fentanyl
    • Marquee Anthony Aboso, aka OC, charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl
    • Kurtney Bernard Jones, aka KP, charged with conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and two counts of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl
    • Steven Lattimore, aka PNut, charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl
    • Mckenzee Marie Lane, charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl
    • Maxine Gonzales, charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl
    • Tylik Ojur Johnson, charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl
    • Jeremiah Greene, aka Lil Mexico, charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl
    • Paul Eli Snyder, charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl
    • Robert Lee Mason, charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl
    • Glen Edward Lee, Jr., charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl
    • Christopher Anthony Glaze, charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl

    Over the course of the operation into these individuals, agents seized more than 14,856 fentanyl pills, 45.4 grams of heroin, 2.56 grams of meth, and 15.56 grams of crack cocaine, as well as multiple firearms.

    An indictment is merely an allegation of criminal conduct, not evidence. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

    If convicted, some defendants named in these indictments face up to 20 years in federal prison.

    Sixteen of the 17 defendants arrested in February’s takedown have already been convicted. Fourteen have already been sentenced to a combined 187 years in federal prison; two pleaded guilty and await sentencing, and one is awaiting trial. The lead defendant, Diana Perez, deemed responsible for more than 109,221 kilograms of drugs, was sentenced Thursday to more than 24 years in federal prison.  

    The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Dallas Field Office – Abilene Resident Agency, the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Dallas Field Division – Fort Worth Resident Agency, and the Taylor County Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation with the assistance of Homeland Security Investigations, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, & Explosives’ Dallas Field Division, and the IRS – Criminal Investigations. The cases are being prosecuted by the West Texas Branch of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Texas.

    This prosecution stems from an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) instigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transitional criminal organizations that threaten the Untied States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks. Additional information about the OCDETF program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF. 

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