NewzIntel.com

Category: Internet

  • MIL-OSI: Nykredit announces final result of the takeover offer

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Nykredit has announced the final result of the takeover offer

    NOT FOR DIRECT OR INDIRECT RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION IN OR TO ANY JURISDICTION IN WHICH SUCH RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION WOULD BE CONTRARY TO APPLICABLE LEGISLATION OR RULES OF SUCH JURISDICTION

    With reference to Spar Nord Bank A/S’ (Spar Nord) company announcement no. 13/2025 concerning the preliminary result of the all-cash voluntary takeover offer from Nykredit Realkredit A/S (Nykredit) for all shares (other than treasury shares held by Spar Nord) in Spar Nord (the Offer), Nykredit has today announced the final result of the Offer. Nykredit’s announcement is attached.

    Final result
    The offer period expired on 20 May 2025 at 23:59 (CEST), and the preliminary result was announced on 21 May 2025.

    Nykredit has announced the final result of the Offer and informed Spar Nord that it has received acceptances representing 72,169,763 Spar Nord shares. Together with Nykredit’s holding of Spar Nord shares, this corresponds to 94.15% of the entire share capital and total number of voting rights in Spar Nord. On that basis, Nykredit will upon completion of the Offer hold 96.54% of the share capital and voting rights in Spar Nord, excluding treasury shares held by Spar Nord.

    Relevant public authority approvals have been obtained (cf. company announcement no. 12/2025), and the final summation of acceptances confirms that the minimum condition for acceptance is also fulfilled. Nykredit therefore considers all conditions to completion pursuant to the Offer as satisfied, and Nykredit intends to complete the Offer on the terms as set forth in the offer document.

    Completion and settlement
    The Offer will be completed and settled in accordance with the terms and conditions of the offer document.

    Settlement is expected on 28 May 2025 where the cash consideration will be paid to each shareholder who has validly accepted and not validly withdrawn the acceptance of the Offer.

    Compulsory acquisition and delisting
    Based on the final result, Nykredit will hold more than 90% of the share capital and voting rights in Spar Nord, excluding treasury shares held by Spar Nord, as a result of the Offer. On that basis, Nykredit will, after completion of the Offer, seek to initiate and complete a compulsory acquisition of the Spar Nord shares held by the remaining minority shareholders in Spar Nord.

    In addition, Nykredit will request that Spar Nord seeks to have the Spar Nord shares removed from trading and official listing on Nasdaq Copenhagen A/S.

    Information about the compulsory acquisition and removal from trading and official listing of the Spar Nord shares will be announced separately.

    Questions may be directed to Neel Rosenberg (media) on +45 25 27 04 33 or to CFO Rune Brandt Børglum (investors)on +45 96 34 42 36.

    Yours faithfully

    Spar Nord Bank A/S
    The board of directors

    Attachments

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Security: International Investigation Leads to Shutdown of Ransomware Group

    Source: US FBI

    “Radar/Dispossessor” servers and domains successfully dismantled

    On August 12, FBI Cleveland announced the disruption of “Radar/Dispossessor”—the criminal ransomware group led by the online moniker “Brain”—and the dismantling of three U.S. servers, three United Kingdom servers, 18 German servers, eight U.S.-based criminal domains, and one German-based criminal domain.

    Since its inception in August 2023, Radar/Dispossessor has quickly developed into an internationally impactful ransomware group, targeting and attacking small-to-mid-sized businesses and organizations from the production, development, education, healthcare, financial services, and transportation sectors. Originally focused on entities in the United States, the investigation discovered 43 companies as victims of the attacks, from countries including Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Honduras, India, Canada, Croatia, Peru, Poland, the United Kingdom, the United Arab Emirates, and Germany. During its investigation, the FBI identified a multitude of websites associated with Brain and his team.

    Ransomware is a type of malicious software, or malware, that encrypts data on a computer making it unusable. A malicious cybercriminal holds the data hostage until the ransom is paid. If the ransom is not paid, the victim’s data remains unavailable. Cybercriminals may also pressure victims to pay the ransom by threatening to destroy the victim’s data or to release it to the public.

    Radar Ransomware follows the same dual-extortion model as other ransomware variants by exfiltrating victim data to hold for ransom in addition to encrypting victim’s systems. Simply, the ransomware identifies and attacks new victims and, re-victimizes current victims.

    Radar/Dispossessor identified vulnerable computer systems, weak passwords, and a lack of two-factor authentication to isolate and attack victim-companies. Once the criminals gained access to the systems, they obtained administrator rights and easily gained access to the files. The actual ransomware was then used for encryption. As a result, the companies could no longer access their own data. Once the company was attacked, if they did not contact the criminal actor, the group would then proactively contact others in the victim company, either through email or phone call. The emails also included links to video platforms on which the previously stolen files had been presented. This was always with the aim of increasing the blackmail pressure and increasing the willingness to pay.

    Finally, the compromise was announced by the attackers on a separate leak page and a countdown set until public release of the victim data if no ransom was paid.

    As ransomware can have many variants, such as this case, the total number of businesses and organizations affected is yet to be determined. The FBI encourages those with information about Brain or Radar Ransomware—or if their business or organization has been a target or victim of ransomware or currently paying a criminal actor—to contact its Internet Crime Complaint Center at ic3.gov or 1-800-CALL-FBI. Your identity can remain anonymous.

    The investigation and joint takedown were conducted in conjunction with the the U.K.’s National Crime Agency, Bamberg Public Prosecutor’s Office, Bavarian State Criminal Police Office (BLKA), and U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Ohio.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Schertz Man Sentenced to 14 Years in Prison for Transporting a Minor for Criminal Sexual Activity

    Source: US FBI

    SAN ANTONIO – Yesterday, a Schertz man was sentenced to 168 months in prison for transporting a minor to engage in criminal sexual activity.

    According to court documents, in early January 2020, Kraig David Van Winkle, 36, used a social media application to start chatting with a minor in Arkansas.  Shortly thereafter, the conversation became sexual in nature. On January 9, 2020, Van Winkle arranged to meet with and ultimately brought the minor back to Texas with the intent to engage in sexual activity.  During the trip back to Texas, Van Winkle made the minor throw the minor’s cell phone in a drainage ditch.  He also handcuffed, bound the child with rope and placed tape across the child’s mouth when he left the victim alone in his residence.

    On October 5, 2021, Van Winkle pleaded guilty to one count of transportation of a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity.  Van Winkle has remained in federal custody since his arrest on January 13, 2020.

    “I am thankful for the FBI and Springdale Police Department’s tireless efforts in locating the victim in this case,” said U.S. Attorney Ashley C. Hoff.  “Our office will continue to hold child predators accountable and to deliver justice for survivors.”

    “This sentencing sends a strong message to those who would commit these types of heinous crimes, they will face justice and be held accountable for their actions,” said FBI San Antonio Division Special Agent in Charge Oliver E. Rich Jr.

    The FBI, with valuable assistance from the FBI Little Rock Field Office and the Springdale, AR Police Department, investigated the case.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Tracy Thompson prosecuted the case.

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

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    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: FBI Little Rock Presents National Safe Online Surfing Award to LISA Academy West Elementary in Little Rock

    Source: US FBI

    LITTLE ROCK, AR—Today, LISA Academy West Elementary in Little Rock, Arkansas, was presented with the FBI Safe Online Surfing (FBI-SOS) Internet Challenge’s national award. Under the guidance of computer teacher Vickie Carroll, LISA Academy students scored a composite score of 95.33 percent to win the March 2022 award in the Starfish category. For the month of March 2022, a record-breaking 173,011 students from 2,086 schools across all 50 states and fpur U.S. territories participated in the FBI-SOS Internet Challenge.

    “The impressive accomplishment achieved by the students and teachers at LISA Academy West Elementary reflects highly upon Little Rock and the entire state of Arkansas,” said FBI Little Rock Special Agent in Charge James A. Dawson. “We hope Arkansas students and teachers continue to educate themselves through our SOS program about online safety.”

    “Educating students about staying safe online is extremely important to us at LISA Academy West Elementary,” said Vickie Carroll. “Our students completed several online courses on Internet safety to educate themselves and prepare for the FBI-SOS competition. They were thrilled to learn they placed first in the competition and were even more excited about meeting real-life FBI agents!”

    FBI-SOS is a free initiative designed to educate third through eighth-grade students about cyber safety. All public, private, and home schools are eligible to participate in this entertaining and educational web-based program which can be accessed year-round. The website features six grade-specific “islands” for students to visit. Each island includes games, videos, and interactive features which address the protection of personal information, password strength, cell phone safety, social networking, and online gaming safety. The videos also include real-life stories of kids who have encountered cyberbullies and online predators.

    Each month of the academic year, schools compete for the national award in one of three categories determined by the number of students participating from each school: Starfish (5-50 participants); Stingray (51-100); and Shark (100+). Kids and adults of all ages can explore the site, play the games, watch the videos, and learn about cyber safety. However, the competitive exam can only be taken by third to eighth-grade students whose classes have been registered by their teachers.

    The FBI-SOS Internet Challenge was developed with the assistance of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children with input from teachers and schools throughout America. Visit the FBI-SOS website at sos.fbi.gov for more information or contact the FBI Little Rock Office Community Outreach Specialist at (501) 221-9100.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: FBI Warns Public to Beware of Scammers Impersonating FBI Agents and Other Government Officials

    Source: US FBI

    PORTLAND, OR—The FBI Portland Division has seen an increase in reports of scammers falsely representing themselves as FBI agents, or a representative of another government agency, and sending couriers to pick up cash or gold payments.

    Be advised, federal agencies do not call or e-mail individuals threatening arrest or demanding money. Scammers often spoof caller ID information, and these phone calls are fraudulent even if they appear to be coming from an agency’s legitimate phone number. Recipients should hang up immediately and report the call.

    There are many versions of the government impersonation scam, and they all exploit intimidation tactics. Typically, scammers will use an urgent and aggressive tone, refusing to speak to or leave a message with anyone other than their targeted victim; and will urge victims not to tell anyone else, including family, friends, or financial institutions, about what is occurring.

    Payment is demanded in various forms, in this new version of the scam, victims are asked to withdraw money as either cash or gold and give that to a courier who arrives at their home. Other tactics include prepaid cards, wire transfers, and cash, sent by mail or inserted into cryptocurrency ATMs. Victims are asked to read prepaid card numbers over the phone or text a picture of the card.

    According to the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), 14,190 people reported being victims of government impersonation scams in 2023, with losses totaling more than $394 million dollars. Here in the Portland Division, which includes all of Oregon, financial losses exceeded $1.7 million dollars in 2023.

    The scammers typically target older adults. In 2023, almost half the complainants reported to be over 60 (40%), and experienced 58% of the losses (almost $770 million) nationally. Complainants over the age of 60 lost more to these scams than all other age groups combined, and reportedly remortgaged/foreclosed homes, emptied retirement accounts, and borrowed from family and friends to cover losses in these scams. Some incidents have resulted in suicide because of shame or loss of sustainable income.

    The FBI will never:

    • Call or e-mail private citizens to demand payment or threaten arrest. You will also not be asked to wire a “settlement” to avoid arrest.
    • Ask you to use large sums of your own money to help catch a criminal.
    • Ask you for wire transfers or gift cards.
    • Call you about “frozen” Social Security numbers or to coordinate inheritances.

    Scams impersonating the FBI and other government agencies are a persistent problem and can also occur via e-mail. Common hallmarks of a scam e-mail include misspellings, missing words, and incorrect grammar. Fraudulent e-mails may give the appearance of legitimacy by using pictures of the FBI Director and/or the FBI seal and letterhead.

    Members of the public seeking to confirm that they have been contacted by an actual FBI employee are encouraged to call the FBI Portland Division at 503-224-4181 and ask to be connected directly.

    If you think you are a victim of this, or any other online scam please file a report with your local law enforcement agency and the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) at ic3.gov.

    More information about government impersonation schemes and other online fraud schemes can be found at https://www.fbi.gov/scams-and-safety/common-fraud-schemes.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Arkansas Man Sentenced to 50 Years in Federal Prison for Sexual Exploitation of a Minor

    Source: US FBI

    FAYETTEVILLE – A Tontitown man was sentenced today to 600 months in prison without the possibility of parole on two counts of Sexual Exploitation of a Minor via Production of Child Pornography. The Honorable Judge Timothy L. Brooks presided over the sentencing hearing in the U.S. District Court in Fayetteville.

    According to court documents, in July 2021 Agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigations received a lead regarding the exchange of child sexual abuse material between an individual in Florida with a user located in Tontitown, Arkansas. The investigation led the FBI to Joshua Paul Brown, 32.

    A residential search warrant was obtained and executed at Brown’s residence. Subsequent forensic examination of the electronics taken from Brown’s residence revealed Brown had produced multiple videos of child sexual abuse material with a minor. 

    Brown was indicted by a Grand Jury in the Western District of Arkansas in November 2021 and entered a plea of guilty in February 2022.

    U.S. Attorney David Clay Fowlkes of the Western District of Arkansas made the announcement.

    The FBI, Benton County Sheriff’s Office and Tontitown Police Department investigated the case.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Carly Marshall prosecuted the case.

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

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Butte County Man Indicted for Child Enticement

    Source: US FBI

    SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A federal grand jury returned an indictment today against Kevin Leslie Gipson, 58, of Oroville, charging him with attempted coercion and enticement of a minor to engage in sexual activity, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

    According to court documents, Gipson attempted to persuade, coerce, and entice a minor to engage in oral copulation and to commit lewd and lascivious acts on a child under 14 years old.

    This case is the product of an investigation by the Sacramento Sheriff’s Office, the Sacramento Valley Hi-Tech Crimes Task Force/Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica Delaney is prosecuting the case.

    If convicted, Gipson faces a maximum statutory penalty of life in prison and a $250,000 fine. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. The charges are only allegations; the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

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

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Birmingham Attorney Sentenced to More Than Eight Years in Prison for Possession of Child Pornography

    Source: US FBI

    Birmingham, Ala. – A federal judge sentenced a Birmingham attorney today for possession of child pornography announced U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona and Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge Carlton L. Peeples.

    U.S. District Court Judge Annemarie Axon sentenced Chase Tristian Espy, 36, of Vestavia, to 97 months in prison followed by 20 years supervised release. Espy pleaded guilty to possession of child pornography in October 2022. Espy was also ordered to pay additional special assessments of $15,000.00 pursuant to the Amy, Vicky, and Andy Child Pornography Victim Assistance Act and $5,000.00 pursuant to the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act.  Assessments collected under these statutes are used to fund and enhance victim services. Espy was remanded into the custody of the U.S. Marshal.

    “No one is above the law, and today’s sentence sends a message to anyone who preys on innocent children.  We will use every tool available to us to investigate and prosecute those who target children for abuse,” U.S. Attorney Escalona said.  “I commend the hard work and commitment of our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners to bring this defendant to justice.” 

    In October 2022, Espy pleaded guilty to possession of child pornography arising out of events that occurred from March 2021 to August 2021.  Court documents reveal that the investigation was initiated when Espy engaged in online chats with an undercover law enforcement officer whom Espy believed was a 15-year-old girl.  Upon being arrested, Espy’s cell phone was seized, and a search warrant was obtained.  From this search, approximately 69 videos and four images of child sexual abuse material were found.

    The FBI Birmingham’s Child Exploitation Human Trafficking Task Force (CEHTTF), the Homewood Police Department, and the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) participated in this investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys R. Leann White and Jonathan Cross are prosecuted the case.

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

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Massachusetts Man Pleads Guilty to Sexual Exploitation of a Child and Travel with Intent to Engage in Unlawful Sexual Activity

    Source: US FBI

    ALBANY, NEW YORK – Frank Twing, Sr., age 33, of West Stockbridge, Massachusetts, pled guilty today to one count of sexual exploitation of a child involving a then-15-year-old victim and one count of travel with intent to engage in unlawful sexual conduct involving an approximately 12-year-old victim. United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Craig L. Tremaroli, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), made the announcement.

    Twing admitted that he engaged in a sexual relationship with a 15-year-old child during which he created sexually explicit videos depicting that child. He also admitted to traveling from his home in Massachusetts to New York, planning to have sex with an approximately 12-year-old child.

    At sentencing scheduled for March 6, 2025, before United States District Judge Mae A. D’Agostino, Twing faces a mandatory minimum imprisonment term of 15 years and a maximum imprisonment term of 60 years, post-release supervision of at least 5 years and up to life, a fine of up to $250,000, special assessments, restitution to the victims, and forfeiture of the property he used to commit he offenses. Twing also will be required to register as a sex offender upon his release from prison.

    This case was investigated by the FBI’s Albany Division Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force, the New York State Police, and the Massachusetts State Police Detective Unit assigned to the Berkshire County District Attorney’s Office, which itself also assisted in the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael D. Gadarian and Benjamin A. Gillis are prosecuting the case as part of Project Safe Childhood.

    Launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice, Project Safe Childhood is led by United States Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS).  Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Ketchikan Man Pleads Guilty to Distribution of Child Pornography

    Source: US FBI

    JUNEAU – A Ketchikan man pleaded guilty to distribution of child pornography charges.

    According to court documents, Walter William Onstad, of Ketchikan, plead guilty to a charge of  distribution of child pornography.  Onstad admitted in court that he was an administrator of a Kik group “Anything Goes,” which was used exclusively for the purpose of distributing child pornography.  As administrator of the group, Onstad solicited images of child pornography to be posted to the group from others as a requirement to be admitted to the group. Once images were verified and approved by Onstad, those individuals were admitted to the group where they had complete access to images of children being sexually exploited on the Kik group “Anything Goes.”

    Onstad was detained at his change of plea hearing pending his sentencing scheduled on August 17, 2023. Onstad faces a mandatory minimum of five years and/or maximum penalty of life in prison and five years to life on supervised release. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

    U.S. Attorney S. Lane Tucker of the District of Alaska made the announcement.

    The Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated the case.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Jack Schmidt is prosecuting the case.

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

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    usao/ak/23-035

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Birmingham Attorney Pleads Guilty to Possession of Child Pornography

    Source: US FBI

    BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Chase Tristian Espy, 36, pleaded guilty to possession of child pornography arising out of events that occurred from March 2021 to August 2021, announced United States Attorney Prim F. Escalona and Federal Bureau of Investigation Acting Special Agent in Charge Felix A. Rivera-Esparra.

    U.S. District Judge Annemarie Carney Axon accepted the plea and set sentencing for January 24, 2023, at 9:00 a.m.

    The plea agreement filed states the investigation was initiated when Espy engaged in online chats with undercover law enforcement whom Espy believed was a 15-year-old girl.  Upon being arrested, Espy’s cell phone was seized, and a search warrant was obtained.  From this search, approximately 69 videos and four images of child sexual abuse material were found.

    “The hard work of the agents involved in this case reflect how local, state, and federal law enforcement are committed to protecting children from predators,” U.S. Attorney Escalona said.  “Possessing child pornography is not a ‘victimless’ crime. Each time images of the innocent are shared or viewed, the child is re-victimized.”

    “The FBI is committed to protecting our children from sexual abuse and exploitation, and we will continue to work with our partners to bring to justice those who would prey on our most vulnerable,” Acting Special Agent in Charge Rivera said. “I want to thank the members of the FBI Birmingham Child Exploitation & Human Trafficking Task Force and our partners for their outstanding work in this case.”

    Possession of Child Pornography carries a maximum punishment of 20 years in prison. The U.S. Attorney’s Office will seek imprisonment of Espy consistent with the high end of the advisory United States Sentencing Guideline range as calculated by the Court at the time of sentencing.

    The FBI Birmingham’s Child Exploitation Human Trafficking Task Force (CEHTTF), the Homewood Police Department, and the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) participated in this investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys R. Leann White and Jonathan Cross are prosecuting the case.

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

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Chugiak Man Indicted for Sexually Exploiting Children

    Source: US FBI

    ANCHORAGE – A federal grand jury returned an indictment on February 23, 2023, charging Jeremy Scott Daniels, 37, of Chugiak for crimes involving the sexual exploitation of children.

    The indictment and additional details set out in court documents filed by the government allege that, in December 2021, Daniels used social media to entice and induce a minor to engage in sexually explicit activity and produce child pornography with him. The filings further allege that in October 2010, Daniels communicated online with undercover law enforcement, unbeknownst to him, and attempted to entice a fictitious child, whom he believed to be an 8-year-old girl, to engage in sexually explicit activity with him. The same filings also allege that Daniels distributed, received, and possessed child pornography at various points throughout 2020 and 2022. Between May and June 2020, on ten occasions, Daniels used the messaging application Kik to transmit child pornography videos to other users. On January 28, 2022, the date of Daniel’s arrest, the FBI also recovered child pornography involving prepubescent minors on Daniel’s cellphone.

    If the public has any further information regarding Daniels’s activities, please contact the FBI Anchorage Field Office at 907-276-4441.

    Daniels was previously taken into federal custody on January 28, 2022, following the government’s filing of a complaint. The indictment charges Daniels with production of child pornography; coercion and enticement; and distribution, receipt and possession of child pornography. The defendant previously made his initial court appearance on the complaint on February 2, 2022, before U.S. Chief Magistrate Judge Matthew M. Scoble of the U.S. District Court for the District of Alaska. If convicted, Daniels faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 15 years imprisonment and maximum penalty of 30 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

    U.S. Attorney Lane S. Tucker of the District of Alaska made the announcement.

    The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force conducted the investigation leading to the indictment in this case.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney George Tran is prosecuting the case.

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

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

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    usao/ak/23-011

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: GirlsDoPorn Owner Michael Pratt Extradited to Face Sex Trafficking Charges

    Source: US FBI

    SAN DIEGO – Michael Pratt, the alleged mastermind behind the GirlsDoPorn commercial sex trafficking ring, made his first appearance in federal court today following his extradition from Spain Monday night.

    Pratt, who was the owner of the website GirlsDoPorn, was charged in October 2019 in the Southern District of California with sex trafficking crimes in connection with a scheme to deceive and coerce young women to appear in pornographic videos. Pratt was an international fugitive for more than three years before he was arrested in Spain in December 2022. Earlier in 2022, he was named to the FBI’s Top Ten Most Wanted list.

    At today’s hearing, Pratt was arraigned and entered a not-guilty plea before U.S. Magistrate Judge Daniel E. Butcher. A detention hearing is scheduled for March 21 at 3 p.m. before Judge Butcher, followed by a motion hearing/trial setting on April 19 at 1:30 p.m. before U.S. District Judge Janis L. Sammartino.

    “We cast a wide net in search of Mr. Pratt and now that he is in San Diego, we are prepared to bring him to justice,” said U.S. Attorney Tara K. McGrath. “We extend our deep appreciation to the government of Spain for its assistance in securing his arrest and extradition.”

    “Michael Pratt’s initial appearance in San Diego is tangible proof that the pursuit of justice never stops, regardless of length of time or location,” said FBI San Diego Special Agent in Charge, Stacey Moy. “Pratt’s arrest and extradition back to the United States reflects a great collaboration among multiple agencies, both in the United States and Spain who were dedicated to seeking justice for the young women he allegedly victimized. This large, internationally coordinated effort could not have been successful without support from our law enforcement partners in Spain, the U.S. Marshals Service, U.S. Department of Justice, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement.”

    According to public court filings, Pratt and his co-defendants used force, fraud, and coercion to recruit hundreds of young adult women – most in their late teens – and at least one minor victim, to appear in GirlsDoPorn videos.

    Pratt is accused of recruiting the victims from throughout the United States and Canada using internet advertisements for clothed modeling jobs. Even after the victims were told the gig involved an adult video-shoot, Pratt and his co-defendants convinced the women that their videos would be provided solely to private collectors on DVD in foreign countries, that they would remain anonymous, and that the videos would not be posted on the internet – assurances that Pratt and his co-defendants knew to be false.

    Most of the video shoots took place in San Diego – at local hotels and short-term rental units.  Although the women were promised that the video shoots would be brief, they often took hours. Once the video productions began, some women were not permitted to leave the shooting locations until the videos were completed; some were threatened with lawsuits or cancelled flights home if they did not complete the videos; and others were allegedly forced to perform certain sex acts, which they had earlier declined to do.

    After the victims returned home, still believing that they would remain anonymous, Pratt and his co-defendants posted clips of the videos on heavily trafficked adult film sites, like Pornhub, to funnel traffic to the full-length versions of the videos on his website, GirlsDoPorn. Pratt charged visitors to GirlsDoPorn a subscription fee. The site generated more than $17 million in revenue for Pratt.

    Pratt faces 19 felony counts stemming from the operation of GirlsDoPorn. The charges include:

    •           Fifteen counts of sex trafficking by force, fraud, and coercion;

    •           Conspiracy to commit sex trafficking by force, fraud, and coercion;

    •           Production of child pornography;

    •           Sex trafficking of a minor by force, fraud, and coercion; and

    •           Conspiracy to commit money laundering.

    The U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Southern District of California recognizes the outstanding efforts of the FBI in San Diego; the FBI Legal Attaché in Spain; the U.S. Marshals Service; Spain’s Ministry of Justice; and law enforcement officials in Spain and Portugal; as well as the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs, for their substantial assistance in securing the arrest and extradition of Pratt.

    DEFENDANTS                                             Case Number 19cr4488                                   

    Michael James Pratt                                        Age:       36                 Unknown

    Matthew Isaac Wolfe                                      Age        37                     San Diego, CA

    Ruben Andre Garcia                                       Age:       31                      San Diego, CA

    Theodore Gyi                                                  Age,       46                        Solana Beach, CA  

    Valorie Moser                                                 Age:       37                       San Diego, CA

    SUMMARY OF CHARGES IN SUPERSEDING INDICTMENT

    Count 1

    Conspiracy to Commit Sex Trafficking by Force, Fraud and Coercion, 18 U.S.C. § 1594

    Maximum Penalty:  Life in prison, $250,000 fine.

    Counts 2-16

    Sex Trafficking by Force, Fraud and Coercion 18 U.S.C. §1591(a) and (b)(1)

    Minimum penalty: Fifteen years in prison; Maximum penalty: life in custody, $250,000 fine.

    Count 17

    Production of Child Pornography, 18 U.S.C. § 2251(a) and (e)

     Minimum penalty: Fifteen years in prison; Maximum penalty: thirty years in prison, $250,000 fine.

    Count 18

    Sex Trafficking of a Minor and By Force, Fraud and Coercion, 18 U.S.C. § 1591(a)(1), (a)(2), and (c)

    Minimum penalty: Fifteen years in prison; Maximum penalty: life in custody, $250,000 fine.

    Count 19

    Conspiracy to Launder Monetary Instruments, 18 U.S.C. § 1956(a)(1)(A)(i) and 1956(h).

    Civil penalty of the greater of (A) the value of the property, fund or monetary instruments involved in the transaction or (B) $10,000

    INVESTIGATING AGENCIES

    FBI – Southern District of California and Legal Attaché in Spain

    U.S. Marshals Service

    U.S. Department of Justice, Office of International Affairs

    Spanish National Police

    Spain’s Ministry of Justice

    Spain’s Ministry of Interior

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

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Las Vegas Resident Sentenced to Prison for Possession and Distribution of Thousands of Child Sexual Abuse Material

    Source: US FBI

    LAS VEGAS – A Las Vegas man who committed an additional felony offense while on release was sentenced today by United States District Judge Jennifer A. Dorsey to 111 months in prison followed by a 20 year term of supervised release for collecting and sharing thousands of child sexual abuse materials depicting children as young as infants to other people — including people who did not want to view the images.

    Colby Matthew Olen (36) pleaded guilty in July 2023 to distribution of child pornography and possession of child pornography. In addition to imprisonment, under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act, Olen must register as a sex offender and keep the registration current.

    According to court documents, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department received CyberTips from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) about Olen’s involvement with child sexual abuse materials. In September 2020, a search warrant was executed at Olen’s residence. A forensic examination of electronic devices belonging to Olen found images and videos of child sexual abuse materials.

    On November 25, 2020, a criminal complaint charged Olen with distribution of child pornography. Although the government moved for detention, Olen was released on a personal recognizance bond with conditions and was advised of potential enhanced penalties for committing another felony offense while on release. In June 2021, a second search warrant was executed at Olen’s residence after a report to the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. A forensic examination of Olen’s electronic devices revealed child sexual abuse materials to include videos of children as young as infants. Olen was arrested and a federal grand jury returned a superseding indictment charging Olen with an additional felony offense committed while on release.

    Olen admitted he distributed child sexual abuse materials depicting children as young as infants being sexually abused to others through an online cloud storage and file hosting service. In total, he distributed 2,716 videos and 5,203 images of child sexual abuse materials.

    United States Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada and Special Agent in Charge Spencer L. Evans for the FBI made the announcement.

    The case was investigated by the FBI and Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Supriya Prasad prosecuted the case.

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

    Anyone with information on suspected child sexual exploitation can contact the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678) or https://report.cybertip.org.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Baldwinsville Man Pleads Guilty to Sexual Exploitation of a Child and Distribution and Receipt of Child Pornography

    Source: US FBI

    Kenneth Koegel, Jr. Has a Prior Conviction for Sexual Abuse in the 1st Degree Involving a 6-Year-Old

    SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Kenneth Koegel, Jr., age 40, of Baldwinsville, New York pled guilty today to seven (7) counts of Sexual Exploitation of a Child, one count of Commission of a Felony Offense Involving a Minor by a Registered Sex Offender, one count of Distribution of Child Pornography, and one count of Receipt of Child Pornography. United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Craig L. Tremaroli, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) made the announcement.

    As part of his guilty plea today, Koegel admitted that he was previously convicted in 2004 in Monroe County (New York) Court of Sexual Abuse in the First Degree for exposing his penis to a 6-year-old girl in a public park and touching her vagina with his hand, and that he was required to register as a sex offender because of that conviction. He further admitted that starting in or about 2014 and continuing until October 2022, he sexually abused a girl from the time she was approximately 2 years old until she was approximately 9 years old. During that time, Koegel created numerous sexually explicit images and videos depicting the sexual abuse of his victim, including Koegel subjecting her to multiple sex acts. He also used a social messaging application to distribute the material he produced to someone else, with whom he also traded thousands of other child pornography files.

    Sentencing is scheduled for March 5, 2025, before United States District Judge Glenn T. Suddaby. If the Court accepts the parties’ agreed-upon disposition, Koegel will be sentenced to serve between 35 and 50-years imprisonment, with a lifetime term of supervised release to follow. Koegel also will have to pay restitution to the victim of his exploitation and to the victims in whose depictions he trafficked. He also will continue to be required to register as a sex offender upon release.

    The case was investigated by the FBI’s Albany Division Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force – comprised of FBI Special Agents, and state and local police investigators, including from the New York State Police. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Michael D. Gadarian and Adrian S. LaRochelle as part of Project Safe Childhood.

    Launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice, Project Safe Childhood is led by United States Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS). Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Bismarck Man Sentenced to 30 Years in Federal Prison for Sexual Exploitation of a Minor

    Source: US FBI

    HOT SPRINGS, ARK. – Aaron Edward Briggs, 28, formerly of Morgan City, Louisiana, was sentenced yesterday to thirty (30) years in prison without the possibility of parole on one count of Sexual Exploitation of a Minor via the Production of Child Pornography. The Honorable Chief Judge Susan O. Hickey presided over the sentencing hearing in the U.S. District Court in Hot Springs.

    According to court documents, in 2019, Briggs met and began a sexual relationship with a 15-year-old female. During the course of the sexual relationship, Briggs sent a picture of his genitals to the minor via Facebook Messenger. During a subsequent online conversation, Briggs requested that the minor take and send him sexually explicit images of herself. The evidence recovered during the investigation revealed numerous sexually explicit images of the minor that were sent to Briggs.

    Acting U.S. Attorney David Clay Fowlkes of the Western District of Arkansas made the announcement.

    The Federal Bureau of Investigations, Little Rock Division investigated the case.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Kyra Jenner prosecuted the case for the United States.

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

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: FBI San Diego Warns of Romance Scams

    Source: US FBI

    SAN DIEGO—Scammers are targeting victims using online dating sites. A whirlwind online romance can turn into fraud that causes victims to lose large amounts of money. Romance scams, a type of confidence fraud, begin when an individual believes they are in a romantic relationship and is tricked into sending money, personal information, financial information, or items of value to the perpetrator. They may also be deceived into laundering money or other valuable items to assist the perpetrator.

    In a romance scam, the scammers target and take advantage of people looking for companionship or romantic partners and con them out of their money. The criminals who carry out romance scams typically target victims via social media messaging and emails with the intention of establishing a relationship and building trust as quickly as possible.

    Confidence fraud/romance scams have resulted in one of the highest amounts of financial losses when compared to other Internet-facilitated crimes. The FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) received more than 19,000 complaints about confidence fraud in 2022, with reported losses of nearly $740 million.

    FBI San Diego is monitoring a trend where romance scams turn into crypto investment fraud schemes. The scam starts similarly as an online relationship, but instead of asking for cash, the scammer convinces the victim to invest in cryptocurrency. To demonstrate the returns on investment, victims are directed to websites that appear authentic but are instead controlled by the scammer. Once the victim makes a purchase, they are unable to cash out their investments and the scammer disappears.

    If you develop a relationship with someone you meet online, FBI San Diego suggests the following tips to avoid becoming a victim of a romance scam:

    • If it doesn’t feel right, then it probably isn’t. Trust your instincts.
    • If you suspect an online relationship is a scam, stop all contact immediately.
    • Do not give any personal information or money to anyone you have only communicated with by telephone or online.
    • Be careful what you post online. Scammers can use details shared on social media platforms and dating sites to legitimize their story.
    • If you are planning to meet someone in person you have met online, proceed with caution, especially if you plan to travel to a foreign country. Review the State Department’s travel advisories before arranging travel. (travel.state.gov)

    Anyone who believes they’ve been a victim of fraud or knows someone who may be a victim should file a report on ic3.gov or call the FBI San Diego Field Office at (858) 320-1800. For more information on romance scams, visit www.fbi.gov/romancescams.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Colorado Recidivist Sex Offender Sentenced to 35 Years in Prison for Crimes Against Children

    Source: US FBI

    DENVER – A Colorado man was sentenced yesterday to 35 years in prison and a lifetime term of supervised release for his distribution of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) and involvement with a dark-web website dedicated to CSAM.

    According to court documents, while still on parole for a 2013 Colorado conviction for sexual exploitation of a child, registered sex offender Christopher Carl Meier, 41, of Denver, became a member of a dark-web website dedicated to CSAM depicting boys and the discussion of the sexual abuse of minor boys. On July 9, Meier pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute CSAM and five counts of distribution of CSAM. Meier was a member of the website for more than 18 months and made more than 600 posts on the website. On this website, Meier advertised and distributed images and videos depicting minor boys engaged in sexual conduct. He made statements on the website admitting that he produced this material by tricking the boys into thinking that they were interacting online with a girl their own age, and by enticing them to disrobe and engage in sex acts on webcam. The FBI is aware of at least 65 victims of Meier’s conduct.

    Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; Acting U.S. Attorney Matthew Kirsch for the District of Colorado; Assistant Director Chad Yarbrough of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division; and Special Agent in Charge Mark D. Michalek of the FBI Denver Field Office made the announcement.

    The FBI Child Exploitation Operational Unit and Denver Field Office investigated the case.

    Acting Deputy Chief Kyle Reynolds of the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS) and Assistant U.S. Attorney Alecia L. Riewerts for the District of Colorado prosecuted the case.

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

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Nye County Resident Sentenced to Prison for Distribution and Receipt of More Than 250,000 Images of Child Sexual Abuse Material

    Source: US FBI

    LAS VEGAS – A Pahrump, Nye County, resident was sentenced today by United States District Judge James C. Mahan to 108 months in prison followed by a lifetime term of supervised release for distributing and receiving more than 250,000 images depicting the sexual abuse of children as young as infants on an online peer-to-peer file sharing network.

    David Michael Burak (41) pleaded guilty on February 24, 2023, to distribution or receipt of child pornography.

    According to court documents, investigators with the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force were investigating the sharing of child sexual abuse material on a peer-to-peer file sharing network. During the investigation, it was observed that a device was distributing files depicting child sexual abuse material. On July 19, 2022, investigators executed a search warrant on Burak’s residence. Part of the residence was used for a daycare business catering to pre-school age children. Investigators seized multiple digital devices that were later found to contain more than 250,000 files of child sexual abuse material. Forensics also showed that Burak used these devices to receive and make available for download files of child sexual abuse material on the internet.

    United States Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada and Special Agent in Charge Spencer L. Evans for the FBI made the announcement.

    The FBI and the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department investigated the case. United States Attorney Supriya Prasad prosecuted the case.

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

    Anyone with information on suspected child sexual exploitation can contact the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678) or online at www.cybertipline.org.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Reno Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison for Receiving Thousands of Images and Videos of Child Sexual Abuse Material

    Source: US FBI

    RENO, Nev. – A Reno resident was sentenced yesterday by United States District Judge Larry R. Hicks to 10 years in prison followed by lifetime supervised release for receiving more than 3,000 sexually explicit images and videos of children. Judge Hicks ordered $108,000 in total restitution: $68,000 in restitution to the 10 known victims, $5,000 in restitution under the Justice for Victims Trafficking Act of 2015, and $35,000 in restitution under the Amy, Vicky, and Andy Child Pornography Victim Assistance Act of 2018.

    Ryan Thomas Eley (26) pleaded guilty in March of 2023 to one count of receipt of child pornography. In addition to imprisonment, Eley will be required under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act to register as a sex offender.

    According to court documents, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children forwarded at least 12 CyberTips to law enforcement. Law enforcement determined the IP address was being used by Eley. On August 4, 2020, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Eley’s residence and seized USB flash drives, an external hard drive, and a cell phone belonging to him. Forensic analysis of the seized devices revealed that some of the images and videos depicted prepubescent children — including children under 12 years old — engaged in sexually explicit conduct and intercourse with adults. In total, over 2,700 images and over 400 videos of child sexual abuse material were recovered from electronic devices seized from Eley.

    United States Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada and Special Agent in Charge Spencer L. Evans for the FBI made the announcement.

    This case was investigated by the FBI, Washoe County Sheriff’s Office, Sparks Police Department, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Nevada Attorney General’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Randolph J. St. Clair prosecuted the case.

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

    Anyone with information on suspected child sexual exploitation can contact the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678) or https://report.cybertip.org.

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    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Las Vegas Felon Sentenced to Nearly 12 Years in Prison for Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Material

    Source: US FBI

    LAS VEGAS – A Las Vegas man who was serving his prison sentence for a prior conviction for possession of child pornography was sentenced today by United States District Judge Anne R. Traum to 140 months in prison followed by 10 years of supervised release for possession of child sexual abuse material.

    Ronald William Dougherty (52) pleaded guilty on March 30, 2023, to one count of possession of child pornography. In addition to imprisonment, under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act, Dougherty must register as a sex offender after completion of his prison term.

    According to court documents, on January 7, 2015, Dougherty was convicted of possession of child pornography, and he was permitted to complete his sentence at the Las Vegas Community Corrections Center. Staff at the residential re-entry center located an iPhone belonging to Dougherty. A forensic search of the iPhone found 179 images and 35 videos of child sexual abuse material, including depictions of children as young as toddlers. Dougherty also admitted to distributing child sexual abuse material using his personal email address.

    United States Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada and Special Agent in Charge Spencer L. Evans for the FBI made the announcement.

    The FBI and Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Supriya Prasad prosecuted the case.

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

    Anyone with information on suspected child sexual exploitation can contact the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678) or online at www.cybertipline.org.

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    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Three Darknet Fentanyl Vendors Sentenced to More Than 20 Years in Prison

    Source: US FBI

    ALEXANDRIA, Va. – A Tempe, Arizona, woman was sentenced today to 5 years in prison for her role in operating multiple darknet pages selling illicit drugs alongside two previously sentenced co-conspirators.

    According to court documents, from at least in and around January of 2022 through August 2022, Veronica Dittman, 28, along with co-conspirators Rick Schiffner, 31, and Devin Langer, 30, both based in Phoenix, Arizona, ran the darknet monikers “TrustedTraphouse,” “GoldenTrails,” “PopcornPlug,” and others across at least dozen different darknet markets. On these markets, the co-conspirators advertised various controlled substances, including crystal methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin, and fentanyl-laced counterfeit pills that the conspirators advertised as oxycodone. During the course of the conspiracy, the conspirators made over 1,300 sales of controlled substances over the darknet using these accounts, distributing at least 800 grams of counterfeit pills containing fentanyl, 500 grams of methamphetamine, 16 grams of heroin, and 7 grams of cocaine. The conspirators described the pressed pills containing fentanyl on one marketplace as “Not normal OxyCodone”, informing potential customers “These are MUCH stronger than pharmaceutical OxyCodone… These were NOT made by a pharmacy,” and warning customers to “BE CAREFUL.” Dittman worked primarily with Schiffner to process orders over the darknet and then package and ship them. Dittman also operated her own vendor accounts on the darknet using the monikers “VirtualPeddler” and “Darkette”. By the time of her arrest, she had made at least 74 sales of controlled substances through those accounts, the majority of which were fentanyl.

    The darknet, also called the darkweb, is a portion of the Internet that hosts darknet markets, or hidden commercial websites. A darknet market operates as a black market, selling or brokering transactions involving legal products, as well as drugs, weapons, counterfeit currency, stolen credit card details, forged documents, unlicensed pharmaceuticals, steroids, and other illicit goods.

    Co-conspirators Schiffner was sentenced on April 14, 2023, to 150 months imprisonment. Co-conspirator Langer was sentenced on April 17, 2023, to 84 months imprisonment.

    Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Wayne A. Jacobs, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Washington Field Office Criminal Division; Damon E. Wood, Inspector in Charge of the Washington Division of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS); and George A. Scavdis, Special Agent in Charge of the FDA Office of Criminal Investigations Metro Washington Field Office, made the announcement after sentencing by Senior U.S. District Judge T.S. Ellis, III.

    The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia expresses its appreciation to the FBI Phoenix Field Office, USPIS Phoenix Division, Homeland Security Investigations Phoenix, the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office, the Arizona Department of Public Safety, FBI Las Vegas Field Office, and the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department for their significant assistance in this case.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Heather Call prosecuted the case.

    A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:23-cr-31.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Central New York Man Sentenced to 10 Years for Possession of Child Pornography

    Source: US FBI

    David Hughes, aka Danielle Starr, Obtained a Sexually Explicit Video from a Minor He was Communicating with Over the Internet

    SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – David Hughes, aka Danielle Starr, 50, of Syracuse, and formerly of Oneida County, was sentenced today to serve 10 years in federal prison for possession of a sexually explicit video of a 13-year-old boy he received from the child over the internet.

    United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Craig L. Tremaroli, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) made the announcement. 

    In his earlier guilty plea, Hughes, who previously served 210 months in federal prison for a prior conviction for receipt and possession of child pornography, admitted that while on federal supervised release he used his monitored smart phone to communicate with a person he knew to be a 13-year-old boy.  Hughes identified himself as, “Danielle Starr.” In communications captured by the monitoring program, Hughes discussed engaging in sexual conduct with the child, and knowingly received a sexually explicit video the child produced for and sent to Hughes. Law enforcement identified the child as a minor from out of state, and notified the child’s parents of the online activity.

    In addition to the 10-year sentence, Hughes was sentenced to a concurrent 2-year term of imprisonment for violating the conditions of supervised release from his prior offense.  He will be placed on supervision for 20 years when released from prison, and will continue to be required to register as a sex offender.

    This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) Albany Division Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force and the United States Probation Department.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Lisa M. Fletcher, Project Safe Childhood Coordinator for the Northern District of New York, prosecuted the case.

    Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Schenectady Man Sentenced to 20 Years in Federal Prison for Receiving Child Pornography

    Source: US FBI

    ALBANY, NEW YORK – Richard Nejame, age 29, of Schenectady, New York, was sentenced today to serve 240 months (20 years) in federal prison, to be followed by 25 years of supervised release, for receiving and attempting to receive child pornography.

    United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Craig L. Tremaroli, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), made the announcement.

    As part of his guilty plea, Nejame admitted that between about October 2022 and May 1, 2023, he communicated with several different minor females over various social media applications to include Snapchat.  Nejame further admitted that his online personas on social media claimed that he was a teenage boy.  During Nejame’s online communications with the minor females, he encouraged them to take nude pictures and videos of themselves, and to then send the pictures and videos to him.  Once in receipt of the nude picture and videos of the minor females, Nejame directed the females to take more sexually explicit pictures and videos of themselves, to send those sexually explicit pictures and videos of themselves to him, and that if the females did not comply with his demands, Nejame would threaten to embarrass and expose the females by publishing their pictures and videos on the Internet. 

    In addition to the imprisonment and supervised release terms, Nejame will be required to register as a sex offender upon release from imprisonment. 

    The FBI’s Albany Division Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force investigated this case.  The Task Force includes members of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies. Assistant United States Attorneys Rick Belliss and Benjamin S. Clark prosecuted the case as part of Project Safe Childhood.

    Launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice, Project Safe Childhood is led by United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS).  Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locates, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Three High-Ranking MS-13 Gang Members Plead Guilty to Racketeering Charges in Connection with Nine Murders

    Source: US FBI

    Two Defendants Were the New York Leaders of the Gang’s Hollywood and Sailors Cliques

    Earlier today and on January 16, 2025, in federal court in Central Islip, three members of the violent transnational criminal organization La Mara Salvatrucha, also known as the MS-13, pleaded guilty to multiple crimes, including nine murders committed on Long Island and elsewhere between 2016 and 2017.  David Sosa-Guevara, also known as “Risky,” the New York regional leader of the Hollywood Locos Salvatruchas (Hollywood) clique of MS-13, and Victor Lopez-Morales, also known as “Persa,” a high-ranking member of the Hollywood clique, pleaded guilty on January 16, 2025.  Kevin Torres, also known as “Inquieto” and “Quieto,” the New York regional leader of the Sailors Locos Salvatruchas Westside (Sailors) clique of MS-13, pleaded guilty on January 17, 2025.  

    Collectively, the three defendants pleaded guilty to racketeering charges in connection with their respective roles in nine MS-13 driven murders: (1) the April 26, 2016 murder of Samuel Martinez-Sandoval in Freeport; (2) the April 29, 2016 murder of Oscar Acosta in Brentwood; (3) the May 21, 2016 murder of Kerin Pineda in Freeport; (4) the September 4, 2016 murder of Josue Amaya-Leonor in Roosevelt; (5) the September 5, 2016 murder of Marcus Bohannon in Central Islip; (6) the October 10, 2016 murder of Javier Castillo in Freeport; (7) the October 14, 2016 murder of Carlos Ventura-Zelaya in Roosevelt; (8) the July 21, 2017 murder of Angel Soler in Roosevelt; and (9) the August 29, 2017 murder of David Rivera in Maryland, as well as narcotics trafficking. Additionally, Sosa-Guevara and Lopez-Morales pleaded guilty to participating in an August 2017 conspiracy to kidnap an individual identified in the superseding indictment as “John Doe #3.”

    The three guilty plea proceedings were held before United States Magistrate Judge Lee G. Dunst.  When sentenced by United States District Judge Joan M. Azrack, pursuant to the terms of their plea agreements, Sosa-Guevara and Torres each face up to 65 years in prison, and a minimum sentence of 40 years in prison.  Victor Lopez-Morales faces up to 60 years in prison and minimum sentence of 40 years. 

    Carolyn Pokorny, Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, James E. Dennehy, Assistant Director in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI), Robert E. Waring, Acting Commissioner, Suffolk County Police Department (SCPD), Patrick J. Ryder, Commissioner, Nassau County Police Department (NCPD) and Anne T. Donnelly, Nassau County District Attorney, announced the guilty pleas.

    “The defendants have admitted to their participation in numerous murders savagely committed with machetes and guns, all on behalf of the MS-13 and to increase their status in that depraved criminal organization,” stated Acting United States Attorney Pokorny.  “As a result of the guilty pleas, the defendants will be severely punished by serving decades in prison and provide some measure of relief and closure to the families of the many victims.” 

    FBI Assistant Director in Charge Dennehy stated: “MS-13 callously used murder in an attempt to exert control over territory for their ruthless gang operations.   As demonstrated by the guilty pleas of these three, high-ranking MS-13 members for their roles in nine murders, this type of extreme and senseless violence will not go unpunished. The FBI’s Long Island Gang Task Force, along with our law enforcement partners, will continue to bring to justice members of MS-13 or any other violent gang using violence and murder to terrorize our communities.”

    “These defendants used their rank in the gang to help orchestrate multiple brutal murders and other crimes,” stated SCPD Acting Commissioner Waring.  “We in law enforcement will never stop working to fight the pervasive violence sowed throughout these gangs.”

    “The charges brought forth is a clear example of the results when Law Enforcement Personnel from Federal and Local Agencies combine their efforts and resources,” stated NCPD Commissioner Ryder.  “Their relentless and continued investigations resulted with the charging of these criminals who were responsible for committing these murders. This combined investigation demonstrates the diligence of the well trained and determined investigators.  The Nassau County Police Department remains committed in working with our law enforcement partners halting any gang activity on our streets and keeping our residents safe.  I would like to thank all of the assisting agencies and their investigators on a job well done.”

    “These defendants carried out vicious and senseless violence to instill fear and assert their dominance. Today’s guilty pleas bring us one step closer to ridding this dangerous gang activity from Nassau County communities,” stated Nassau County District Attorney Donnelly.  “Together with our partners, we remain committed to protecting Long Island from this criminal organization’s brutality and ensuring individuals involved in these devastating acts are held accountable for their crimes.”  

    According to court filings and statements made during the guilty plea proceedings, Torres was the New York regional leader of the Sailors clique, Sosa-Guevara was the New York regional leader of the Hollywood clique, and Lopez-Morales was a high-ranking member of the Hollywood clique.  The defendants admitted to committing the crimes set forth below in order to maintain and increase their membership and status within the gang, and to further the mission of the MS-13.

    April 26, 2016 Murder of Samuel Martinez-Sandoval

    The defendants pleaded guilty to the murder of 20-year-old Martinez-Sandoval, which was carried out in April 2016, by the defendants and other members from the Sailors, Hollywood and Normandie Locos Salvatruchas cliques, who planned a joint operation to lure and kill Martinez-Sandoval because they believed that he was a member of the rival Sureños gang.   

    On April 26, 2016, MS-13 members convinced Martinez-Sandoval to drive with them to a secluded, wooded area near Freeport Lake in Roosevelt, under the guise of smoking marijuana.  Separately, more than a half dozen MS-13 members, including the defendants, armed with machetes and other weapons, had gathered at a designated location along Freeport Lake where it was agreed that the other gang members would bring the victim.  When Martinez-Sandoval arrived, Sosa-Guevara, Torres, Lopez-Morales and the other MS-13 members surrounded and attacked the victim, each taking turns hacking him with a machete and other weapons.  After the victim was killed, the MS-13 members dug a shallow grave and buried the victim.  However, because the initial hole was not deep enough to conceal Martinez-Sandoval’s body, a group of MS-13 members went back the following day, reburied the victim and covered his body with cement and dirt.  Martinez-Sandoval’s body was not found until September 2024.

    April 29, 2016 Murder of Oscar Acosta

    Torres pleaded guilty to the murder of 19-year-old Acosta.  In early 2016, Torres, as leader, ordered a “greenlight” authorizing other gang members to murder Acosta because the gang suspected that he was associating with the rival 18th Street gang after previously aligning himself with the MS-13.  Torres assigned roles as to which members would take the lead in planning and carrying out the murder. 

     On April 29, 2016, MS-13 members met Acosta in a wooded area near an elementary school in Brentwood where he had been lured under the guise of smoking marijuana.  They brutally beat Acosta with tree limbs, knocking him unconscious. They bound Acosta’s hands and feet, wrapped an article of clothing around his mouth to prevent him from making noise and summoned other MS-13 members who arrived in two cars.  The MS-13 members loaded Acosta into the trunk of one of the cars and drove to a more secluded area in Brentwood near the abandoned Pilgrim State Psychiatric Hospital.  The MS-13 members then removed Acosta, who was still alive, from the trunk and carried him deeper into the woods where they took turns hacking him to death with a machete.  The murder was supervised by the local leaders of the Sailors clique who reported back to Torres once completed.  After killing Acosta, the MS-13 members buried his body in a shallow grave.

    Acosta’s body was discovered by law enforcement nearly five months later, on September 16, 2016, during a search for another MS-13 victim.  His cause of death was homicidal violence, including sharp and blunt force injuries to his head and torso.

    May 21, 2016 Murder of Kerin Pineda

    The defendants also pleaded guilty to the murder of 20-year-old Pineda, who, like Acosta, was killed because of his suspected membership in the 18th Street gang. Torres, again, ordered the “greenlight” for Pineda, marking him for death.  In response, MS-13 members from the Sailors and Hollywood cliques, including Sosa-Guevara and Lopez-Morales, devised a plan to kill Pineda.

    On May 21, 2016, MS-13 members, armed with machetes, lured Pineda to a secluded wooded area near the Merrick-Freeport border.  Torres, Lopez-Morales, and Sosa-Guevara acted as lookouts for police and coordinated the attack, staying in contact with the MS-13 members in the woods while they waited for Pineda.  When Pineda arrived, he was surrounded and violently attacked by the group of MS-13 members, each of whom took turns hacking and slashing him with the machetes. Pineda’s body was then buried in a hole that had been dug in the ground the day before, in anticipation of the murder. Before leaving the scene, the MS-13 members contacted the lookouts – Torres, Lopez-Morales, and Sosa-Guevara – who advised them that they could safely come out of the woods and drove them away from the scene.

    September 4, 2016 Murder of Josue Amaya-Leonor

    Sosa-Guevara and Lopez-Morales pleaded guilty for their roles in the murder of 19 year-old Amaya-Leonor on September 4, 2016.  Like the other victims, Amaya-Leonor was lured to a secluded wooded area and killed because of his perceived association with the 18th Street gang.  On the evening of the murder, MS-13 members convinced Amaya-Leonor to venture deep into the Roosevelt Preserve, in Roosevelt, to smoke marijuana.  Sosa-Guevara was in communication with the gang members by cell phone and was directing them on where to bring the victim.  Once there, Amaya-Leonor was surrounded by the MS-13 members who were armed with machetes; he was struck repeatedly, and killed.  Thereafter, Lopez-Morales, who was in the immediate area of the murder looking out for police, arrived on the scene and supervised the other MS-13 members as they dug a hole and buried Amaya-Leonor’s body, which was not found until May 2018 – over a year and a half after the murder had occurred.

    September 5, 2016 Murder of Marcus Bohannon

    Torres pleaded guilty to authorizing the murder of 27-year-old Marcus Bohannon.  On September 4, 2016, members of the Sailors clique met at the house of local clique leaders Alexi Saenz and Jairo Saenz, in Central Islip, where Torres directed the gang members to go out hunting for rival gang members to kill.  The MS-13 members separated into several cars and drove around Central Islip and Brentwood, until one of the cars spotted Bohannon walking along Lowell Avenue in Central Islip in the early morning hours of September 5.  Suspecting that Bohannon was a member of the rival Bloods gang, two MS-13 members, carrying firearms, got out of the vehicle, approached him and started shooting. Bohannon was struck nine times, including in his head, neck, and chest, and died from his wounds.

    October 10, 2016 Murder of Javier Castillo

    Torres also pleaded guilty to the murder of 15-year-old Javier Castillo.  In October 2016, the MS-13 targeted Castillo because he was believed to be a member of the 18th Street gang.  On October 10, 2016, members of the Sailors clique in Brentwood convinced Castillo, who lived in Central Islip, to go with them to Freeport – approximately 30 miles away – to smoke marijuana.  Torres authorized the members of the clique operating in Brentwood to bring Castillo to his territory in Freeport to be killed.  The MS-13 members took Castillo to an isolated marsh area along the water in Cow Meadow Park, in Freeport, where they attacked and killed him, taking turns hacking him with a machete.  Torres also served as the lookout for police in the area during the murder. Thereafter, the MS-13 members dug a hole and buried Castillo’s body, which was not recovered until one year later, in October 2017.

    October 14, 2016 Murder of Carlos Ventura-Zelaya

    Sosa-Guevara and Lopez-Morales pleaded guilty to the murder of 24-year-old Ventura-Zelaya, who had been marked for death by the MS-13 because of his suspected membership in the rival 18th Street gang.  On the day of the murder, Ventura-Zelaya was observed at a deli in Roosevelt by a member of the Hollywood clique. Sosa-Guevara mobilized other members of the clique to kill Ventura-Zelaya and conducted surveillance of the victim until the other gang members arrived.  The gang members tasked with carrying out the murder first drove to pick up a gun from Lopez-Morales.  After obtaining the weapon, the group drove in the direction of the deli to look for and kill the victim.  Once they spotted Ventura-Zelaya walking on Hudson Street in Roosevelt, two MS-13 members got out of the car, approached him and one

    of them fired multiple times, striking and killing the victim.  They then ran back to the car and drove away from the scene.  

    July 21, 2017 Murder of Angel Soler

    Sosa-Guevara and Lopez-Morales also pleaded guilty to the murder of 15-year-old Soler. The MS-13 suspected Soler was an 18th Street gang member, and Sosa-Guevara ordered his murder. Lopez-Morales and other MS-13 members carried out the murder, luring Soler to wooded lot near Milburn Creek in Roosevelt to smoke marijuana.  The group attacked Soler with machetes and a pickaxe, and buried his body in a shallow grave.  The following day, MS-13 members went back to lay cement over Soler’s body, in order to better conceal it.  Soler’s remains were recovered in October 2017.

    August 2017 Conspiracy to Kidnap John Doe #3

    Lopez-Morales and Sosa-Guevara also admitted that, just weeks after the Soler murder, they and other MS-13 members planned the kidnapping, assault, and/or murder of John Doe #3, an MS-13 member who had violated the rules of the gang. Specifically, Sosa-Guevara assigned Lopez-Morales and two other MS-13 members to carry out the kidnapping and attack. Lopez-Morales was instructed that, once they had John Doe #3, to wait for further guidance from MS-13 leadership as to whether to kill or brutally assault him.  On August 6, 2017, Lopez-Morales and the other gang members’ plan to kidnap John Doe #3 was foiled by law enforcement, who had been intercepting the calls arranging the attack, pursuant to court-ordered wiretaps of certain MS-13 members’ cell phones, and Lopez-Morales was taken into custody.

    August 29, 2017 Murder of David Rivera

    Sosa-Guevara also admitted to his participation in the murder of 16-year-old Rivera in Maryland.  To avoid law enforcement in New York, Sosa-Guevara and another Hollywood member from Long Island relocated to Maryland where they connected with the local Hollywood clique.  After arriving, Sosa-Guevara learned of a plan to kill a rival gang member and directed the other Long Island member of his clique to participate.  On August 29, 2017, Sosa-Guevara drove the other gang member to a park outside of Edgewater, Maryland, for him to participate in the Rivera murder.  The victim was brought to that location by other MS-13 members, attacked with machetes and killed.  After the murder, Sosa-Guevara drove the member of his clique away from the scene. Rivera’s body was not found until June 7, 2024.

    Narcotics Trafficking Conspiracies

    Finally, Torres pleaded guilty to conspiring with the members of the Sailors clique to distribute cocaine and marijuana, and Sosa-Guevara and Lopez-Morales pleaded guilty to conspiring with members of the Hollywood clique to distribute marijuana. These charges stemmed from the MS-13 cliques’ street-level sales of cocaine and marijuana on Long Island, the proceeds of which were used to help finance the MS-13’s criminal operations.

                                                                  *          *          *          *

    These guilty pleas are the latest achievements in a series of federal prosecutions by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York targeting members of the MS-13, a violent, transnational criminal organization.  The MS-13’s leadership is based in El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala and Mexico, but the gang has thousands of members across the United States.  With numerous branches, or “cliques,” the MS-13 is the most violent criminal organization on Long Island.  Since 2003, hundreds of MS-13 members, including dozens of clique leaders, have been convicted on federal felony charges in the Eastern District of New York. A majority of those MS-13 members have been convicted on federal racketeering charges for participating in murders, attempted murders and assaults.  Since 2010, this Office has obtained indictments charging MS-13 members with carrying out more than 70 murders in the Eastern District of New York, resulting in the convictions of dozens of MS-13 leaders and members in connection with those murders.  These prosecutions are the product of investigations led by the FBI’s Long Island Gang Task Force, which is comprised of agents and officers of the FBI, SCPD, NCPD, Nassau County Sheriff’s Department, Suffolk County Probation Office, Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office, the New York State Police, the Hempstead Police Department, the Rockville Centre Police Department and the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision.

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

    The government’s case is being handled by the Criminal Section of the Office’s Long Island Division.  Assistant United States Attorneys Paul G. Scotti, Justina L. Geraci and Megan E. Farrell are in charge of the prosecution, with assistance from Assistant District Attorney Jared Rosenblatt of the Nassau County District Attorney’s Office and Paralegal Specialist Kerry Ucci and Automated Litigation Specialist Michael Compitello.

    The Defendants:

    VICTOR LOPEZ-MORALES (also known as “Persa”)
    Age:  36
    Roosevelt, New York

    DAVID SOSA-GUEVARA (also known as “Risky”)
    Age:  33
    Roosevelt, New York

    KEVIN TORRES (also known as “Quieto” and “Inquieto”)
    Age:  29
    Freeport, New York

    E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 20-CR-251 (S-1)(JMA)

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: St. Lawrence County Man Sentenced for Sexual Exploitation of a Child

    Source: US FBI

    Skyler Keleher to Serve 30 Years in Federal Prison for Livestreaming his Abuse of a 2-Year-Old Victim

    SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Skyler Keleher, age 23, of St. Lawrence County, was sentenced today to serve 30 years in federal prison for his conviction on two counts of Sexual Exploitation of a Child.  United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman, Craig L. Tremaroli, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James made the announcement.

    In his prior guilty plea, Keleher admitted that on at least two separate occasions in 2017 he sexually abused a two-year-old child and livestreamed the abuse to others over the Internet, using Facebook Messenger and Facebook Live.  Since then, video recordings of the abuse have been widely circulated over the Internet, and recovered by law enforcement in at least 26 separate investigations across the United States and abroad.  While the videos were first documented by law enforcement in 2018, Keleher’s identity was not confirmed until 2022, at which time he was arrested by authorities. 

    Following his term of imprisonment, Keleher will be placed on a term of supervised release for life, and will be required to register as a sex offender.

    This case was investigated by FBI Operation Rescue Me, the FBI’s Albany Division Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force, and the New York State Police, Troop B.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Lisa M. Fletcher, Project Safe Childhood Coordinator for the Northern District of New York, prosecuted the case.

    Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Latham Man Arrested for Receipt of Child Pornography

    Source: US FBI

    ALBANY, NEW YORK – Eduardo Abreu, age 48, of Latham, New York, was arrested yesterday on a criminal complaint charging him with receipt of child pornography. 

    United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Craig L. Tremaroli, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), made the announcement.

    The criminal complaint alleges that on or about August 21, 2024, Abreu received approximately 225 images of child pornography over the internet.  The charges in the complaint are merely accusations.  The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

    Abreu appeared yesterday in Albany before United States Magistrate Judge Christian F. Hummel, and ordered detained pending a detention hearing scheduled for Thursday, August 29. 

    Abreu faces at least 15 years and up to 40 years in prison, a maximum fine of $250,000, and a term of post-imprisonment supervised release of at least 5 years and up to life. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors. Abreu may also be ordered to pay restitution to the victims of his offense and forfeit any devices used in the offense. Abreu would also have to register as a sex offender upon his release from prison.

    The FBI’s Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force is investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Allen J. Vickey is prosecuting the case.

    Launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice, Project Safe Childhood is led by United States Attorney’s offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), and is designed to marshal federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Convicted Sex Offender is Sentenced to 37 Years for Producing Child Sexual Abuse Material

    Source: US FBI

    The Defendant Used a Minor Victim’s Snapchat Account to Victimize Other Children

    CHARLOTTE, N.C. – A convicted sex offender was sentenced today to 37 years in prison and a lifetime of supervised release for producing child sexual abuse material (CSAM), announced Lawrence J. Cameron, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. Jesse Thomas Cunningham, 30, of Morven, N.C., was also ordered to register as a sex offender after he is released from prison.

    Robert M. DeWitt, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Charlotte Division,  Cardell T. Morant, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in North Carolina and South Carolina, Roger “Chip” Hawley, Director of the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI), and Sheriff Scott Howell of the Anson County Sheriff’s Office, join Acting U.S. Attorney Cameron in making this announcement.

    According to court documents and court proceedings, in 2021, Cunningham assumed the identity of a minor on Snapchat to communicate with an 11-year-old female. Court records show that Cunningham induced the minor to send him sexually explicit images and videos of herself via Snapchat. Over the course of his communications with the minor victim, Cunningham gained access to the victim’s Snapchat account and used it to persuade two other minor females to create and send him images and videos of themselves engaged in sexually explicit conduct.

    According to court records, on December 7, 2021, law enforcement obtained a search warrant for Cunningham’s phone. A forensic examination of the phone revealed that Cunningham possessed CSAM, including images and videos of the three minor victims he had contacted via Snapchat. During the investigation, law enforcement also found evidence that Cunningham had coerced the minor victims, threatening to expose them publicly online if they did not comply with his demands for additional CSAM. Cunningham has prior criminal convictions of Possessing Obscenity With Intent to Disseminate, Attempting to Extort Another, Felony Secret Peeping, and Indecent Liberties with a Child.

    On October 11, 2024, Cunningham pleaded guilty to producing CSAM. Cunningham will remain in federal custody until he is transferred to the custody of the Federal Bureau of Prisons.

    The FBI, HSI, SBI and the Anson County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Nick J. Miller with the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte prosecuted the case.

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

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Recidivist Sex Offender is Sentenced to 10 Years for Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Material

    Source: US FBI

    CHARLOTTE, N.C. – A registered sex offender was sentenced to 120 months in prison for possession of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) yesterday, announced Lawrence J. Cameron, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. Thomas Robert Boehm III, 36, of Charlotte, was also ordered to register, again, as a sex offender after his release from prison and to pay restitution to his victims.

    Robert M. DeWitt, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Charlotte Division, and Chief Johnny Jennings of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD), join Acting U.S. Attorney Cameron in making this announcement.

    According to court documents and court proceedings, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) referred a tip to law enforcement that a Dropbox account user had uploaded and maintained several video files containing CSAM.  Law enforcement determined that the Dropbox user was Boehm.  Law enforcement executed a search warrant for Boehm’s Dropbox account, and a forensic analysis of Boehm’s files revealed that Boehm possessed the equivalent of over 6,000 images depicting the sexual abuse of children, including children under the age of 12.  Some of the materials maintained by Boehm portrayed sadistic or masochistic conduct or other depictions of violence.  Court documents show that Boehm was a registered sex offender for state convictions related to taking indecent liberties with a child.

    On February 22, 2024, Boehm pleaded guilty to possession and access with intent to view child pornography involving prepubescent minors.  Boehm remains in federal custody.  He will be transferred to the custody of the Federal Bureau of Prisons upon designation of a federal facility.

    The FBI and CMPD investigated the case.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Katherine Armstrong with the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte prosecuted the case.

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

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: Bitget and Cryptita Plays Inspire Next Generation with Young Learners’ Encyclopedia

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    VICTORIA, Seychelles, May 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Bitget, the leading cryptocurrency exchange and Web3 company, has announced its collaboration with Cryptita Plays on the Young Learners’ Encyclopedia, an illustrated book designed to introduce blockchain and crypto concepts to youths through engaging stories and visuals.

    The collaboration aligns perfectly with Bitget’s Blockchain4Youth and Blockchain4Her, which aims to make blockchain education accessible to young people and underrepresented communities worldwide. The encyclopedia serves as a new channel to simplify complex topics and spark early curiosity in crypto in the next generation.

    Developed by Cryptita Plays, the Young Learners’ Encyclopedia will break down key Web3 topics such as decentralization and NFTs in a manner that is both fun and digestible for young minds. The project is designed not only for children but also for educators looking to integrate future-facing content into their classrooms. As part of its outreach, the book will be distributed in underserved regions, starting with schools and community centers in the Philippines where access to blockchain education remains limited.

    Bitget’s involvement reflects a broader strategy to encourage learning and innovation at the grassroots level. The encyclopedia will offer a hands-on, creative approach to education that supports early awareness and long-term participation in the digital economy.

    “This book is more than just a creative educational tool. It is a bridge that connects the next generation to the world of Web3 through stories, illustrations, and imagination,” said Gracy Chen, CEO of Bitget. “It speaks to the heart of what Blockchain4Youth and Blockchain4Her stands for — empowering the youth, and elevating the voices of the underrepresented who are driving real change in this space. The future of Web3 belongs to them and it begins here.”

    Further details on the distribution of the Young Learners’ Encyclopedia will be announced in due course, with a target launch by the end of 2025. Initial distribution will begin in the Philippines, with plans for global rollout to follow.

    About Bitget

    Established in 2018, Bitget is the world’s leading cryptocurrency exchange and Web3 company. Serving over 120 million users in 150+ countries and regions, the Bitget exchange is committed to helping users trade smarter with its pioneering copy trading feature and other trading solutions, while offering real-time access to Bitcoin price, Ethereum price, and other cryptocurrency prices. Formerly known as BitKeep, Bitget Wallet is a world-class multi-chain crypto wallet that offers an array of comprehensive Web3 solutions and features including wallet functionality, token swap, NFT Marketplace, DApp browser, and more.

    Bitget is at the forefront of driving crypto adoption through strategic partnerships, such as its role as the Official Crypto Partner of the World’s Top Football League, LALIGA, in EASTERN, SEA and LATAM markets, as well as a global partner of Turkish National athletes Buse Tosun Çavuşoğlu (Wrestling world champion), Samet Gümüş (Boxing gold medalist) and İlkin Aydın (Volleyball national team), to inspire the global community to embrace the future of cryptocurrency.

    For more information, visit: Website | Twitter | Telegram | LinkedIn | Discord | Bitget Wallet

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

    Risk Warning: Digital asset prices are subject to fluctuation and may experience significant volatility. Investors are advised to only allocate funds they can afford to lose. The value of any investment may be impacted, and there is a possibility that financial objectives may not be met, nor the principal investment recovered. Independent financial advice should always be sought, and personal financial experience and standing carefully considered. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results. Bitget accepts no liability for any potential losses incurred. Nothing contained herein should be construed as financial advice. For further information, please refer to our Terms of Use.

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/f65aa5c7-664a-4736-8bbd-eebc2d27a020

    The MIL Network –