NewzIntel.com

Category: Justice

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Arrests – Aggravated burglary – Alice Springs

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    NT Police have arrested two males in relation to an aggravated burglary and property damage incident that occurred in Alice Springs this morning.

    Around 5:30am, the Joint Emergency Services Communication Centre (JESCC) received reports that a licensed premises on Todd Street had been broken into. Unknown offenders had allegedly gained entry by prying off a security screen and breaking a window, before stealing alcohol and fleeing the scene.

    CCTV was obtained and active patrols of the CBD were conducted by members from Strike Force Viper and general duties officers. At 7:20am, Strike Force Viper members located and arrested a 21-year-old male on Stuart Terrace, and a short time later at 7:23am, general duties members located and arrested a 14-year-male near Sturt Terrace in East Side.

    The 14-year-old was dealt with under the provisions of the Youth Justice Act 2005.

    The 21-year-old has been charged with Aggravated burglary, Damage to property, Theft, and Recruiting child to engage in criminal activity. He was remanded in custody to appear in court on 18 June.

    Police continue to urge anyone who witnesses crime or antisocial behaviour to contact police on 131 444. In an emergency dial 000. Anonymous reports can be made through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online via https://crimestoppersnt.com.au/.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Australians in the bush want tougher penalties on crime. Here’s why – and what’s needed now

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Caitlin Davey, Lecturer of Criminology, Griffith University

    New research has found that while Australians generally support strong punishments, people living in the bush are significantly more likely than city dwellers to want to punish more harshly those who break the law.

    It means Australians living in rural and regional areas are more likely to support tougher penalties for crime than those in the cities.

    However, it’s not for the reasons you might expect.

    So, what drives this divide?

    In short: fear of crime and a lack of confidence in the justice system.

    Our research, published today in the Journal of Rural Studies, surveyed a representative sample of Australians to better understand their views on punishment and what shaped their views.

    We found city residents with tough attitudes toward crime tend to focus on the individual and personal blame, thinking offenders commit crime due to internal attributes (such as having “a poor moral compass”). They tended to see lawbreakers as lacking the capacity to redeem themselves.

    But in rural areas, people are more likely to focus on what’s happening around them. Specifically, we found support for tougher penalties for crime was related to wider concerns about rising crime rates and a general lack of confidence in the criminal justice system.

    Consider the role of ‘rurality’

    To understand these differences, we thought about how living in rural areas may shape punitive attitudes.

    Contrary to popular belief, crimes occur at higher rates in many rural communities than in some urban areas.

    Crime may also be more visible and more confronting because towns are smaller. Personal relationships are denser, meaning people often know the victims or the offenders.

    This closeness creates a stronger emotional response and a heightened sense of risk at the local level – even if the actual chances of being victimised are statistically low.

    There’s also the issue of access to the criminal justice system. Courts may sit infrequently, meaning it can take a long time to get a case heard in court. In some cases, victims and offenders are forced to share courtroom space due to limited facilities.

    Police stations might not be staffed around the clock.

    Add to this long wait times for justice, and it’s no wonder rural Australians may feel the system isn’t working for them.

    The power of perception

    It’s important to understand perception doesn’t always match reality.

    Urban areas often have more total crime, but rural areas may have higher rates of certain offences, especially violent ones.

    But what really matters in shaping public opinion is not necessarily the total numbers, but how close, immediate and personal crime feels.

    Other research has found people who feel crime is psychologically “close” – meaning, that’s likely to happen to them or someone they know – are much more worried about it.

    That worry can translate into calls for tougher sentencing, stricter laws, and less tolerance for rehabilitation.

    This fear is made worse by a lack of confidence in the justice system. Many rural residents feel the system is too slow, too distant, or simply doesn’t understand local issues.

    Some research shows that rural residents may not have confidence in the police ability or capacity to solve certain crimes and that courts in general are too soft on crime.

    When people feel justice won’t be done, they’re more likely to demand punishment that feels immediate and severe.

    Why it matters

    These findings are more than just a snapshot of attitudes; they have real implications for public policy.

    Politicians often draw on public opinion when shaping criminal justice policies.

    If rural voters are more likely to support tough-on-crime platforms, that can influence laws that affect the whole country.

    But one-size-fits-all solutions won’t work.

    The factors shaping crime perceptions in Brisbane or Sydney are very different from those in Longreach or Wagga Wagga.

    To build trust and improve safety, we need justice strategies that take into account local realities, especially in rural areas.

    This means investing in better access to police and courts, improving communication between justice systems and rural communities, and helping the public understand what crime is really happening and what’s not.

    Australians in rural areas aren’t more punitive because they’re harsher people. Our research shows they are more worried, feel less supported, and have less confidence in the system designed to protect them.

    Understanding this difference is key to building smarter, fairer justice policies because when people feel seen, heard, and safe, they’re less likely to demand punishment to solve feelings of insecurity and more likely to support holistic solutions.

    What’s needed now

    Rural communities need tailored strategies that improve access to justice, rebuild trust, and respond to their unique experiences of crime.

    That means policymakers need to go beyond reactive, headline-driven responses.

    Rural justice strategies should include mobile court services, better resourcing for regional police and victim support, and culturally appropriate services for Indigenous communities.

    Community education campaigns can also help close the gap between crime perception and reality.

    Importantly, involving local voices in justice reform, through consultation and community partnerships, can help rebuild trust and ensure policies reflect rural realities, not just urban assumptions.

    As political debate over law and order grows, especially in rural communities, leaders must address the divide in how city and country Australians view crime and punishment.

    Kyle Mulrooney is a Senior Lecturer in Criminology and co-director of the Centre for Rural Criminology at the University of New England.

    Caitlin Davey and Sue Watt do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. Australians in the bush want tougher penalties on crime. Here’s why – and what’s needed now – https://theconversation.com/australians-in-the-bush-want-tougher-penalties-on-crime-heres-why-and-whats-needed-now-259131

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Arrest – Aggravated robbery – Alice Springs

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    A 31-year-old man has been arrested after allegedly threatening staff at a convenience store in Alice Springs in the early hours of this morning.

    Around 2:50am, the Joint Emergency Services Communication Centre (JESCC) received a report of an aggravated robbery at a convenience store on Todd Street. The offender had allegedly entered the store armed with a knife, threatened a staff member, and stolen items before leaving the store.

    The offender was tracked by police CCTV operators, resulting in his arrest by police within 3 minutes of the alleged offending. CCTV operators were also able to assist police in locating the discarded knife, which was seized.

    He was charged with Going armed in public and Aggravated Robbery, and was remanded in custody to appear in court on 18 June.

    Detective Acting Senior Sergeant Michael Curtiss said, “I want to acknowledge the excellent police work by our CCTV operators, alongside members on the ground, which resulted in the swift arrest of the offender.”

    Police continue to urge anyone who witnesses crime or antisocial behaviour to contact police on 131 444. In an emergency dial 000. Anonymous reports can be made through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online via https://crimestoppersnt.com.au/.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Woman charged over Port Adelaide robberies

    Source: New South Wales – News

    A woman has been charged over two robberies at Port Adelaide yesterday.

    Just before 3pm on Monday 16 June, it will be alleged a woman armed with a machete entered the service station on Grand Junction Road and demanded money from staff.

    The woman stole food items and left the store. Thankfully no one was physically injured.

    Police quickly responded and arrested a 30-year-old woman from Munno Para who was still in the area. The machete was safely recovered.

    Officers searched the woman and also found a taser in her bag.

    Western District Police will allege that the woman was also involved in an attempt robbery at another service station on Grand Junction Road just prior to this incident occurring.

    The woman was charged with two counts of attempt robbery, theft and possess dangerous article and is expected to face court later today.

    Anyone with information that may assist with investigation is asked to contact Crime Stoppers. You can anonymously provide information to Crime Stoppers online at www.crimestopperssa.com.au or freecall 1800 333 000

    CO2500024878

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Padilla, Van Hollen, Kaine Introduce Legislation to Sanction Salvadoran Officials for Human Rights Abuses, Collusion with Trump Administration in Violation of Constitutional Rights

    US Senate News:

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

    Padilla, Van Hollen, Kaine Introduce Legislation to Sanction Salvadoran Officials for Human Rights Abuses, Collusion with Trump Administration in Violation of Constitutional Rights

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), and Tim Kaine (D-Va.) introduced new legislation in a continuation of their efforts to hold El Salvador accountable for its human rights abuses and its collusion with the Trump Administration to imprison people from the United States without due process. The Senators’ legislation would apply sanctions on Salvadoran officials and others who have engaged in international human rights violations or worked to deprive individuals residing in the United States of their rights under the U.S. Constitution.

    The legislation would additionally explicitly sanction Salvadoran President Bukele and Vice President Ulloa, as well as El Salvador’s Ministers of Foreign Relations, Defense, and Justice and Public Security, among others. In addition to its actions alongside the Trump Administration to imprison people from the United States, Bukele and his government have continued to jail and persecute innocent Salvadoran citizens, including journalists and human rights advocates such as Ruth López.

    “President Bukele and his regime are continuing to commit abhorrent human rights atrocities and eradicate due process,” said Senator Padilla. “We must hold Bukele and all responsible parties accountable for the suspension of constitutional rights and continued collusion with the Trump Administration to imprison people from the United States without due process. Imposing economic sanctions and visa restrictions on Bukele and his corrupt government is a necessary step to push El Salvador to finally uphold international human rights law and respect fundamental civil liberties.”

    “President Bukele and the Government of El Salvador are colluding with the Trump Administration, taking American taxpayer dollars to imprison people as part of a scheme to violate their constitutional rights. We must hold Bukele and his cronies accountable for these wrongful actions as well as for the gross violations of human rights they are committing in El Salvador. This legislation would do just that by placing sanctions on Bukele and those in his government who are responsible for these abuses. We must send a clear signal that these injustices are unacceptable and must end,” said Senator Van Hollen.

    “Under President Bukele, tens of thousands of Salvadorans and even U.S. residents remain jammed in megaprisons without due process. President Bukele may think he has a friend in President Trump, but he should know that Americans will not tolerate his efforts to undermine the rule of law and democratic institutions—whether in El Salvador or here in the United States,” said Senator Kaine. “That’s why I’m introducing this legislation with my colleagues to sanction foreign nationals complicit in Bukele’s behavior and the Trump Administration’s illegal actions to deny due process to people living in the United States.”

    The Senators’ legislation is supported by the Latin America Working Group, the Washington Office on Latin America, Human Rights Watch, and Immigration Hub.

    Additional Background:

    • Sanctions: Imposes property-blocking and visa sanctions on President Bukele, key members of his cabinet, and other foreign persons working on behalf of the Salvadoran government that have:
      • engaged in gross violations of internationally recognized human rights, including in connection with the ongoing “state of exception” in El Salvador;
      • engaged in the scheme, including by accepting U.S. taxpayer dollars, to deprive individuals residing in the United States of their Constitutional rights; or
      • provided material support to any person that has engaged in the above activities.
    • Termination/Snapback of Sanctions: Sanctions cannot be terminated until at least four years after the bill is enacted and unless the President certifies to Congress that the Government of El Salvador is no longer engaged in gross violations of internationally recognized human rights and no longer engaged in the scheme, including by accepting U.S. taxpayer dollars, to deprive individuals residing in the United States of their Constitutional rights. If the President determines that either of those conditions resume, then sanctions shall be reimposed.
    • Reporting Requirements: Requires reports to Congress that provide transparency on Salvadoran officials subject to a variety of sanctions authorities, U.S. government assistance to El Salvador, bilateral written agreements between the United States and El Salvador, and compliance with U.S. laws including the Leahy Laws and the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act. Also requires a report on the actions of Salvadoran officials, including President Bukele, to use cryptocurrency as a mechanism for gross corruption, graft, and sanctions evasion.
    • Blocking International Financial Assistance: Instructs the United States to use its voice and vote in international financial institutions to oppose financial assistance to the Government of El Salvador until the appropriate Presidential certification is transmitted to Congress.
    • Prohibiting U.S. Funds for El Salvador: Prohibits any U.S. funding for the Government of El Salvador until the appropriate Presidential certification is transmitted to Congress.

    “Senators Van Hollen, Kaine, and Padilla’s bill to impose sanctions on the regime of President Nayib Bukele is timely and importantly puts a spotlight on the gross violation of human rights that have occurred under President Bukele’s state of exception. Since March 2022, 85,000 people have been detained, constitutional guarantees have been suspended, and over 350 people have died while under state custody. Systemic torture and persecution are state policies. Significantly, the bill also addresses the pervasive corruption that has occurred since President Bukele took office and prevents the IMF and other international financial institutions not to lend support. Not one penny of our tax dollars should support this regime until there is an end to the human rights violations, and the rule of law, judicial independence, and government transparency are restored.  All Members of Congress should get behind this bill,” said Vicki Gass, Executive Director, Latin America Working Group.  

    “Targeted individual sanctions for gross human rights violations are a critical diplomatic tool the U.S. can use to push for change and hold authoritarian actors accountable; as El Salvador’s political and human rights crisis deepens, strong international action like this becomes essential,” said Ana María Méndez-Dardón, Director for Central America at the Washington Office on Latin America.

    “We are heartened to see Senators confronting the human rights abuses of government officials in El Salvador. This bill an important reminder that uncritical US government support to President Bukele will not last forever and a recognition that nobody should be deported to Salvadoran prisons,” said Juan Pappier, Deputy Director of the Americas division, Human Rights Watch.

    Full text of the bill is available here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Padilla, Van Hollen, Kaine Introduce Legislation to Sanction Salvadoran Officials for Human Rights Abuses, Collusion with Trump Administration in Violation of Constitutional Rights

    US Senate News:

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

    Padilla, Van Hollen, Kaine Introduce Legislation to Sanction Salvadoran Officials for Human Rights Abuses, Collusion with Trump Administration in Violation of Constitutional Rights

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), and Tim Kaine (D-Va.) introduced new legislation in a continuation of their efforts to hold El Salvador accountable for its human rights abuses and its collusion with the Trump Administration to imprison people from the United States without due process. The Senators’ legislation would apply sanctions on Salvadoran officials and others who have engaged in international human rights violations or worked to deprive individuals residing in the United States of their rights under the U.S. Constitution.

    The legislation would additionally explicitly sanction Salvadoran President Bukele and Vice President Ulloa, as well as El Salvador’s Ministers of Foreign Relations, Defense, and Justice and Public Security, among others. In addition to its actions alongside the Trump Administration to imprison people from the United States, Bukele and his government have continued to jail and persecute innocent Salvadoran citizens, including journalists and human rights advocates such as Ruth López.

    “President Bukele and his regime are continuing to commit abhorrent human rights atrocities and eradicate due process,” said Senator Padilla. “We must hold Bukele and all responsible parties accountable for the suspension of constitutional rights and continued collusion with the Trump Administration to imprison people from the United States without due process. Imposing economic sanctions and visa restrictions on Bukele and his corrupt government is a necessary step to push El Salvador to finally uphold international human rights law and respect fundamental civil liberties.”

    “President Bukele and the Government of El Salvador are colluding with the Trump Administration, taking American taxpayer dollars to imprison people as part of a scheme to violate their constitutional rights. We must hold Bukele and his cronies accountable for these wrongful actions as well as for the gross violations of human rights they are committing in El Salvador. This legislation would do just that by placing sanctions on Bukele and those in his government who are responsible for these abuses. We must send a clear signal that these injustices are unacceptable and must end,” said Senator Van Hollen.

    “Under President Bukele, tens of thousands of Salvadorans and even U.S. residents remain jammed in megaprisons without due process. President Bukele may think he has a friend in President Trump, but he should know that Americans will not tolerate his efforts to undermine the rule of law and democratic institutions—whether in El Salvador or here in the United States,” said Senator Kaine. “That’s why I’m introducing this legislation with my colleagues to sanction foreign nationals complicit in Bukele’s behavior and the Trump Administration’s illegal actions to deny due process to people living in the United States.”

    The Senators’ legislation is supported by the Latin America Working Group, the Washington Office on Latin America, Human Rights Watch, and Immigration Hub.

    Additional Background:

    • Sanctions: Imposes property-blocking and visa sanctions on President Bukele, key members of his cabinet, and other foreign persons working on behalf of the Salvadoran government that have:
      • engaged in gross violations of internationally recognized human rights, including in connection with the ongoing “state of exception” in El Salvador;
      • engaged in the scheme, including by accepting U.S. taxpayer dollars, to deprive individuals residing in the United States of their Constitutional rights; or
      • provided material support to any person that has engaged in the above activities.
    • Termination/Snapback of Sanctions: Sanctions cannot be terminated until at least four years after the bill is enacted and unless the President certifies to Congress that the Government of El Salvador is no longer engaged in gross violations of internationally recognized human rights and no longer engaged in the scheme, including by accepting U.S. taxpayer dollars, to deprive individuals residing in the United States of their Constitutional rights. If the President determines that either of those conditions resume, then sanctions shall be reimposed.
    • Reporting Requirements: Requires reports to Congress that provide transparency on Salvadoran officials subject to a variety of sanctions authorities, U.S. government assistance to El Salvador, bilateral written agreements between the United States and El Salvador, and compliance with U.S. laws including the Leahy Laws and the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act. Also requires a report on the actions of Salvadoran officials, including President Bukele, to use cryptocurrency as a mechanism for gross corruption, graft, and sanctions evasion.
    • Blocking International Financial Assistance: Instructs the United States to use its voice and vote in international financial institutions to oppose financial assistance to the Government of El Salvador until the appropriate Presidential certification is transmitted to Congress.
    • Prohibiting U.S. Funds for El Salvador: Prohibits any U.S. funding for the Government of El Salvador until the appropriate Presidential certification is transmitted to Congress.

    “Senators Van Hollen, Kaine, and Padilla’s bill to impose sanctions on the regime of President Nayib Bukele is timely and importantly puts a spotlight on the gross violation of human rights that have occurred under President Bukele’s state of exception. Since March 2022, 85,000 people have been detained, constitutional guarantees have been suspended, and over 350 people have died while under state custody. Systemic torture and persecution are state policies. Significantly, the bill also addresses the pervasive corruption that has occurred since President Bukele took office and prevents the IMF and other international financial institutions not to lend support. Not one penny of our tax dollars should support this regime until there is an end to the human rights violations, and the rule of law, judicial independence, and government transparency are restored.  All Members of Congress should get behind this bill,” said Vicki Gass, Executive Director, Latin America Working Group.  

    “Targeted individual sanctions for gross human rights violations are a critical diplomatic tool the U.S. can use to push for change and hold authoritarian actors accountable; as El Salvador’s political and human rights crisis deepens, strong international action like this becomes essential,” said Ana María Méndez-Dardón, Director for Central America at the Washington Office on Latin America.

    “We are heartened to see Senators confronting the human rights abuses of government officials in El Salvador. This bill an important reminder that uncritical US government support to President Bukele will not last forever and a recognition that nobody should be deported to Salvadoran prisons,” said Juan Pappier, Deputy Director of the Americas division, Human Rights Watch.

    Full text of the bill is available here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Eugene Man Accused of Damaging Federal Government Property

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    EUGENE, Ore.— Kielan Robert Eugene Fitzsimonds, 33, of Eugene has been charged with willful depredation of government property for breaking the window of a federal government vehicle.

    According to court documents, on June 8, 2025, Fitzsimonds is alleged to have intentionally thrown rocks at a U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) vehicle parked at a federal building in Eugene. The rocks shattered the vehicle’s back window and dented its trunk and hood.

    On June 10, 2025, a federal agent discovered the damaged vehicle and found a large rock in the back seat. Investigators obtained surveillance footage from the building which showed a man, later identified as Fitzsimonds, attempting to enter the building and throwing objects at vehicles in the parking lot.

    Fitzsimonds made his first appearance in federal court today before a U.S. Magistrate Judge. He was ordered detained pending further court proceedings.

    The case is being investigated by the FBI with assistance from the Eugene Police Department. It is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon.

    A criminal complaint is only an accusation of a crime, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: This Gun Violence Prevention Month, Congressmen Amo, Neguse, Thompson Lead 60 Colleagues in Calling on Senate to Strip the Provision Deregulating Firearm Silencers from Republicans’ Big, Bad Bill

    Source: US Congressman Gabe Amo (Rhode Island 1st District)

    WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Gabe Amo (D-RI), Assistant Leader Neguse (D-CO), and Gun Violence Prevention Task Force Chair Mike Thompson (D-CA) led over 60 members of the Democratic Caucus in sending a letter to Senate Finance Committee Chairman Mike Crapo and Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley, urging them to remove language that eliminates excise taxes on firearm silencers and deregulates their use under the National Firearms Act currently included in the so-called “One Big Beautiful Bill Act.” 

    READ THE FULL LETTER HERE.

    Congressman Amo spoke at the marathon House Rules Committee hearing against Republicans’ last-minute move to eliminate firearm silencer regulations. A silencer, when attached to the barrel of a firearm, muffles the sound of gunfire—obstructing law enforcement efforts to respond to active shooters and making it more difficult to recognize the sound of gunfire and locate the source of gunshots quickly and effectively. 

    “In the dead of night, our Republican colleagues added a provision (Sec. 112029) to H.R.1 that would remove firearm silencers from the NFA. This change, which was ultimately included in the legislation, would be catastrophic to public safety and greatly impede law enforcement efforts to keep our communities safe,” wrote Amo, Neguse, and Thompson.

    The lawmakers continued: “As you know, the so-called ‘Byrd Rule’ under the Congressional Budget Act makes clear that, in short, non-budgetary provisions cannot be included in reconciliation legislation. Removing the regulatory structure for firearm silencers is thus not only dangerous, but blatantly violative of the Byrd Rule. Put simply, the provision represents a clear attempt to make a significant policy change to a century-old law, and cannot be adopted through the reconciliation process on that basis alone.” 

    “Congress has long maintained strong regulations for firearm silencers under the NFA for good reason. Law enforcement has identified silencers in crimes across the country–including in mass shootings in Monterey Park, California, Virginia Beach, Virginia, and by a gunman that killed two police officers during a 10-day shooting spree in Southern California. Furthermore, according to data from the ATF, in 2023 alone, over 400 silencers were recovered and traced from violent crime scenes. It is with this in mind, that we strongly urge you to remove Section 112029, and any provision that would deregulate and eliminate excise taxes on firearm silencers as the Senate considers the FY25 reconciliation bill. If enacted, these provisions would place the public and our brave law enforcement officers in harm’s way. The American people and our law enforcement deserve better,” they concluded. 

    The full letter is supported by Brady: United Against Gun Violence, Everytown for Gun Safety, and Giffords.  

    “The inclusion of the deregulation of silencers under the National Firearms Act in the budget reconciliation bill is unconscionable and demonstrates a complete disregard for public safety. In the wrong hands, silencers are extremely dangerous as they make it much more difficult for victims, bystanders, and law enforcement to recognize and react to gunfire and to identify shooters, even when in close proximity. Deregulating these under the NFA devices will enable mass shooters and other bad actors, putting the lives of law enforcement and the public at risk across the nation,” said Mark Collins, Director of Federal Policy at Brady.

    “The silencer provisions in this bill will put law enforcement and our communities at greater risk from gun violence while costing taxpayers more than a billion dollars. We urge the Senate to remove these harmful provisions, and thank Rep. Neguse for his leadership on this issue,” said Monisha Henley, Everytown’s Senior Vice President, Government Affairs.

    “Instead of fighting crime and keeping American families safe, House Republicans gave gun industry CEOs a $1.5 billion tax break to boost their bottom line. Silencers enable shooters to cause more violence without being detected. Law enforcement has opposed efforts to sell silencers without background checks for a reason — they make law enforcement’s jobs harder. We thank Rep. Neguse for his leadership on this issue, and urge the Senate to keep silencers out of the hands of dangerous people,” said Emma Brown, Executive Director of GIFFORDS.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Appeal for information following incident in New Brighton

    Source: New Zealand Police

    Canterbury Police are wanting to speak with the man in this photo, as we believe he can assist with our enquiries into an incident on New Brighton Pier at about 3:40pm on Saturday 14 June.

    The man has a distinctive hat and bike.

    If you have any information that could help our enquiries, please update us online now or call 105.

    Please use the reference number 250614/8679.

    ENDS

    Issued by the Police Media Centre.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Green’s fiscal strategy opportunity to debate new thinking on public investment – Better Taxes

    Source: Better Taxes for a Better Future

    The Better Taxes for a Better Future campaign welcomes the recognition in the Green Party’s Fiscal Strategy of the importance of government capability in building an economy and society that delivers what our communities need. Its fiscal strategy is a significant contribution towards moving thinking on from the fiscal conservatism and market fundamentalism that has dominated the conversation but has not delivered.

    “For the last 40 – 50 years governments in New Zealand have underinvested in public infrastructure and services which would support the kind of economic and social development that would enable our communities to thrive. We need to promote debate about different ways of doing things, about ‘economics as if people mattered’,” says Glenn Barclay, campaign spokesperson.

    “The Green’s discussion document is a serious starting point for that conversation.  We strongly support the recognition of the wider value of public expenditure to the economy. We need to be able to have a mature debate about growing tax revenue and the use of borrowing as sound economic strategies that are open to us.”

    “We have relatively low levels of public debt compared with other OECD countries – in 2024 the IMF ranked us as having the 6th lowest net debt as a proportion of GDP among advanced economies – and room to make wise decisions about borrowing more to invest in public infrastructure that will help to build a productive economy into the future. Government investment now would also help us get out of the current recession and relieve the pressure people are experiencing,” says Glenn Barclay.

    “But we cannot rely solely on debt to build government capability. We need to grow our tax revenue to provide the vital public services upon which people and the economy rely, and to alleviate poverty and inequality. The revenue must be raised in a way that ensures those who can afford to contribute more to the common good do, while addressing the impact of tax on the least well off.”

    “As the Green’s discussion document points out, underinvestment now in infrastructure, in our people and in responding to climate change, risks much more significant costs to address these challenges in the future. Underinvestment and deteriorating services may well create a greater risk than a moderate increase in the government’s debt level,” says Glenn Barclay.

    “Successive governments have made choices about fiscal management that have been driven by rigid thinking. That thinking has failed to support a productive economy that meets the needs of our people now and into the future. It is time that we made better choices, for a better future for New Zealanders.”

    The Better Taxes for a Better Future Campaign is a coalition of over 20 organisations led by Tax Justice Aotearoa.

    We believe that tax reform is the only solution to the current challenges facing Aotearoa NZ.  We need the tax system to:

    be transparent
    raise more revenue to enable us address the challenges we face
    make sure people who have more to contribute make that contribution: that we gather more revenue from wealth, gains from wealth, all forms of income, and corporates
    make greater use of fair taxes to promote good health and environmental health
    address the tax impact on the least well off in our society.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Swiss Government Fails to Act on “Nagorno-Karabakh Peace Forum” – CSI

    Source: Christian Solidarity International (CSI)

    CSI supports the Swiss sponsored peace negotiations between the Azerbaijani Government and representatives of the forcibly displaced Armenian Christian population of Nagorno Karabakh as required by the Swiss parliament. However, the Council of Ministers angered Swiss parliamentarians by tacitly accepting Azerbaijan’s ethno-religious cleansing of Nagorno Karabakh and refusing to communicate with representatives of the expelled population.

    Responding to questions by Lower House member Erich Vontobel (EDU), the Swiss Federal Council, headed this year by Karin Keller-Suter, stated on June 10 that “the Foreign Ministry is currently unable to plan the organization of a forum” as mandated by Parliamentary Motion 24.4259. The government cited Azerbaijan’s refusal to acknowledge the existence of the ethnically and religiously cleansed Nagorno-Karabakh and its rejection of a peace forum aimed at enabling the return of the 120,000 forcibly displaced Armenian Christians. Thus, the government made future Swiss monitoring and mediation efforts contingent on the consent of the very regime responsible for the expulsion.

    The response sparked strong criticism in Parliament. Lawmakers had explicitly tasked the government with “enabling open dialogue between Azerbaijan and representatives of the Nagorno-Karabakh Armenians” to negotiate conditions for the safe return of the displaced. The Federal Council is ignoring the core of Parliament’s mandate: giving those affected a voice in the peace process.

    At the end of May, 19 members of the Swiss Parliament established the cross-party Committee “Swiss Peace Initiative for Nagorno-Karabakh” for the purpose of supporting the Swiss government’s mandate to initiate a peace forum between Azerbaijan and the representatives of the displaces population of Nagorno Karabakh with a view to creating conditions for their safe an dignified return.

    Committee Co-Chair Stefan Müller Altermatt (Mitte) declared: The Council of Ministers must not be satisfied with a ‘no’ from Baku. Switzerland must now demonstrate that it is serious about its role as a neutral mediator.” Müller-Altermatt reminded the Swiss Foreign Ministry that Nagorno Karabakh remains on the agenda of the Organization for Security and Co-Operation in Europe (OSCE) and offers proven mechanisms to support such a forum at the international level – mechanisms that it should actively use.

    The displacement of 120,000 Karabakh Armenians in autumn 2023 represents a clear violation of international humanitarian law. “Switzerland, as the depositary state of the Geneva Conventions, cannot turn a blind eye when an entire people is expelled from their homeland. Otherwise, we lose our credibility,” warns Committee Co-Chair Erich Vontobel, demanding: “The Federal Council must fulfil its parliamentary mandate!”

    “CSI cannot accept that a state that has committed religio-ethnic cleansing can place a veto on Switzerland or any other state engaging in peaceful dialogue with representatives of a forcibly displaced community”, stated CSI’s International President Dr. John Eibner. He furthermore pledged that CSI will continue to press for Azerbaijan to engage in constructive dialogue with representatives of the expelled Armenian Christian population about their return to Nagorno Karabakh with fundamental human rights guaranteed.

    Christian Solidarity International (CSI) is a Christian human rights organization promoting religious liberty and human dignity.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Video: First Hearing of the Religious Liberty Commission, part 1

    Source: United States Department of Justice (video statements)

    The Religious Liberty Commission held its first hearing at the Museum of the Bible.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zsdFM-pNqc0

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Tasmania Police mourns fallen officer

    Source: New South Wales Community and Justice

    Tasmania Police mourns fallen officer

    Tuesday, 17 June 2025 – 9:26 am.

    Investigations continue today into the tragic shooting death of a Tasmania Police officer in the state’s North-West on Monday.
    With the permission of the officer’s family, Tasmania Police Commissioner Donna Adams has confirmed the officer is Constable Keith Anthony Smith, a 25-year veteran of the police service.
    Constable Smith, 57, was shot and killed at a rural property in North Motton on Monday morning as he and a fellow officer attended the premises to serve a court-ordered warrant to repossess the home.
    Commissioner Adams said Constable Smith was a dedicated officer over a distinguished career with Tasmania Police, who was highly regarded and admired by his colleagues.
    Constable Smith had worked in communities across the North and North-West and, for the past five years, was an officer working at Ulverstone police station.
    “Keith was a respected and committed officer, and his loss will be deeply felt across our policing family and the wider community,” Commissioner Adams said.
    “My heart goes out to Keith’s wife and family. We will be supporting them in every way we can during this incredibly difficult time.
    “The Blue Family will come together today, and over the next days and weeks, and will support the family and each other.”
    The family of Constable Smith has asked for privacy at this time.
    Constable Smith joined Tasmania Police on September 25, 2000, graduating on May 11, 2001, as part of Course 3/2000, and was a passionate cyclist, participating in the 2011 Charity Trust bike ride.
    Constable Smith served in Northern District in both the Northern Crime Management Unit and uniform roles until 2020, when he transferred to Ulverstone uniform.  He received the Commissioner’s Medal in 2011 and 20-year clasp in 2021, as well as the National Police Service Medal (15 years) in 2016.
    Commissioner Adams acknowledged emergency services who responded to the incident and assisted at the scene on Monday.
    She praised investigators and forensics officers who examined the scene and worked late into the night, through difficult weather conditions, gathering evidence.
    “While no other staff have been injured in this terrible incident, all will be impacted by their involvement in such a tragic event,” Commissioner Adams said.
    A 46-year-old North Motton man remains in Launceston General Hospital, under police guard, having undergone surgery for non life-threatening injuries.
    No charges have yet been laid.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Police seek arson suspects at Solomontown

    Source: New South Wales – News

    Police are investigating an arson at Solomontown and believe the suspects may have been injured during the fire.

    Just after midnight on Monday 16 June, police were called to a report of a car on fire in Young Street, Solomontown.

    When police officers arrived, they discovered a car on fire and a fire burning at the front of a nearby residence, which they extinguished with a fire extinguisher.

    The occupants of the house were not injured during the incident.  The exterior of the house was charred by flames.

    Investigations revealed three male suspects had attended an address in Young Street and doused the front of the residence with accelerant.

    The suspects then entered the vehicle, which became engulfed in flames.  They ran off, abandoning the car in the street.

    It is believed the men may have suffered significant burns or injuries in the fire and police urge them to seek medical attention.

    Anyone with information about the identity or location of anyone involved in this incident is encouraged to contact Crime Stoppers immediately on 1800 333 000 or online at www.crimestopperssa.com.au

    Anyone with CCTV or dashcam footage that may assist the investigation is asked to contact police.

    The vehicle has been seized for forensic examination.  Investigations are continuing.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Fire in Freemans Bay

    Source: New Zealand Police

    Police has been advised of a fire at a central Auckland supermarket on College Hill, Freemans Bay.

    Fire and Emergency NZ are currently leading the response.

    “Our advice is for the public to avoid the immediate area while emergency services are in attendance,” acting Inspector Ian Scoulding says.

    “We would also ask residents in the nearby area to close their windows at this time.”

    ENDS

    Jarred Williamson/NZ Police

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: ACT Budget 2025-26: Education equity support extended

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    As part of ACT Government’s ‘One Government, One Voice’ program, we are transitioning this website across to our . You can access everything you need through this website while it’s happening.

    Released 16/06/2025 – Joint media release

    The ACT Government will continue to support Canberra families with the cost of education through the 2025–26 ACT Budget, expanding two key programs that ensure every student has access to a full and inclusive school experience.

    Minister for Education and Youth Affairs Yvette Berry said the Budget will extend funding for both the Future of Education Equity Fund and the Free School Camps at Birrigai program, helping to ease financial pressure on families.

    “The cost of living is affecting Canberra families, which is why the Future of Education Equity Fund and Free School Camps at Birrigai are so important,” Minister Berry said.

    “Equity is at the heart of everything we do in education because all children and young people, regardless of their circumstances, deserve the support they need to achieve a good education.”

    The Equity Fund will be boosted by $600,000 for the 2025 school year, enabling support for an additional 1,000 eligible students through one-off payments for school-related costs like uniforms, books, excursions and extracurricular activities.

    In addition, $3.3 million over four years will ensure all ACT public primary school students can continue to attend a free school camp at Birrigai each year, a program which began in Term 1 this year.

    Treasurer Chris Steel said the funding reflects the ACT Government’s commitment to practical support that helps families right now.

    “Extending these equity programs delivers on our election commitments to support thousands of Canberra families,” Minister Steel said.

    “This is about making sure every child, no matter their background, has the chance to take part in the full educational experience, from classroom learning to outdoor adventure.”

    The Future of Education Equity Fund supports students from preschool through to college. In 2024, the program helped thousands of students access the essentials they need to succeed at school.

    View more information about the Future of Education Equity Fund.

    – Statement ends –

    Yvette Berry, MLA | Chris Steel, MLA | Media Releases

    «ACT Government Media Releases | «Minister Media Releases

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Pennsylvania Man Charged with Wire Fraud, Money Laundering, and Identity Theft

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    DENVER – The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado announces that Adepoju Babatunde Salako, 32, of Pennsylvania, has been charged with six counts of wire fraud; one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud; one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering; and four counts of aggravated identity theft.

    According to the indictment, between July 2020 and July 2021, Salako allegedly participated in a money laundering conspiracy involving fraudulent applications for COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loans to the Small Business Administration (SBA) and for unemployment insurance benefits to more than 30 states that obtained more than $5.6 million in government benefits using over 1,000 stolen or fake identities. Salako and his co-conspirators allegedly moved fraud proceeds through several intermediate accounts using various methods, eventually spending the money or transferring it overseas as currency or in the form of goods such as cars or solar panels.

    The indictment further alleges that between January 4, 2021, and March 20, 2021, Salako submitted approximately 15 fraudulent applications for unemployment insurance benefits to the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE), using stolen or false identities. Salako allegedly used names and addresses of residents of Colorado, which he looked up on personal information search websites such as TruthFinder, to submit applications using the Colorado residents’ actual identifiers.  The CDLE paid one unemployment insurance claim submitted by Salako, in the amount of $649, and paid an additional $15,431 to bank accounts controlled by Salako based on claims submitted by a co-conspirator.

    The indictment further alleges that in addition to submitting fraudulent unemployment insurance claims to Colorado, Salako submitted and aided and abetted in the submission of fraudulent claims in other states using stolen or false identities, including Maryland, Minnesota, New Hampshire, and New York,  at least 10 fraudulent applications for COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loans to the SBA, using stolen or false identities, and a fraudulent Paycheck Protection Program loan application in the name of Turn-Turn-Turn Woodturning, using the stolen identity of a Nevada resident.

    The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act was enacted in March 2020 and was designed to provide emergency financial assistance to Americans dealing with the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.  The CARES Act created the PPP, a program administered by the Small Business Administration (SBA) that provided loans to small businesses to retain workers, maintain payroll, and certain other expenses consistent with PPP rules. Additionally, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, several federal programs expanded eligibility for unemployment benefits.

    The defendant made his initial appearance in Colorado on June 13, 2025, before Magistrate Judge Scott T. Varholak.

    The charges contained in the indictment are allegations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

    This case is being investigated by the United States Postal Service Office of Inspector General, Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, and CDLE.  The case is being prosecuted by the Economic Crime Section of the United States Attorney’s Office.

    Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form

    Case Number: 25-cr-00162-CNS

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: ACCC to examine unsolicited selling and lead generation practices

    Source: Australian Ministers for Regional Development

    The ACCC has commenced a review into unsolicited selling and lead generation, including door-to-door selling and cold calling, in response to the Consumer Action Law Centre’s designated complaint.

    Unsolicited selling is when a salesperson approaches a consumer out of the blue to try and generate the sale of a good or service and the consumer has not invited the contact. It often occurs in the form of door-to-door selling, cold calling, or approaching a consumer in a shopping centre.  Unsolicited selling can be facilitated through ‘lead generation’, including social media advertising. Lead generation refers to the process of identifying people as potential sales targets.

    This is the first designated complaint received by the ACCC under the new designated complaints framework.

    The ACCC is satisfied that the conduct identified in the Consumer Action Law Centre’s complaint requires an in-depth review.

    “Unsolicited selling and lead generation has the potential to cause significant financial harm to consumers and it can often disproportionately impact consumers experiencing vulnerability or disadvantage,” ACCC Deputy Chair Catriona Lowe said.

    “We consider that a review into these practices is necessary in order to better understand how the practices are used and their impacts across different cohorts of consumers. Gaining a better understanding of these practices will help determine if further action is needed to better protect consumers.”

    As part of its review, the ACCC will further examine the issues raised in the designated complaint, focussing on:

    • the consumer experience of unsolicited selling
    • sales structures and practices, including the role of incentives such as commission-based remuneration.
    • the role of lead generation, including the role of advertising on social media channels.
    • whether there are any issues with the application of the Australian Consumer Law, including the unsolicited consumer agreement provisions.

    The ACCC has opened consultation and published a consultation paper and is seeking stakeholder feedback on the benefits and detriments of unsolicited selling and lead generation. Consultation closes on 31 July 2025.

    “We want to hear the views from a broad range of stakeholders, including businesses that use unsolicited selling, industry associations, government, consumers groups and consumers, to help inform our review,” Ms Lowe said.

    After the completion of the review, the ACCC will publish a report on our findings.

    In the meantime, the ACCC will, as usual, continue to consider conduct by individual businesses involving unsolicited consumer agreements for potential compliance or enforcement action, including those raised in the designated complaint, consistent with our Compliance and Enforcement Policy.

    Our review and report may also lead to further actions, pending our findings.

    The ACCC’s response to CALC’s designated complaint is available on our website.

    We thank the Consumer Action Law Centre for the time and effort in preparing and submitting the designated complaint on this important consumer issue. We value the insights and concerns the Consumer Action Law Centre has shared with us over many years through various other forums. The designated complaint avenue provides another means of drawing focus to key issues impacting consumers

    ACCC’s response to further designated complaints

    In general, the ACCC may take a broad range of actions in response to a designated complaint. This may include conducting in-depth investigations into specific businesses’ practices, reviews into a specific sector or issue, advocacy activities, and/or undertaking research, education or engagement.

    The ACCC’s response to a designated complaint may also include advising that we won’t take any further action. We may do this when:

    • The designated complaint doesn’t meet the necessary criteria.
    • We consider the subject matter of the designated complaint is already the focus of certain types of existing inquiries, reviews, investigations or legal proceedings, and has been or is likely to be adequately addressed through those other processes.
    • We consider no further action would be appropriate, having regard to the nature of the issue, the nature and extent of the harm or potential harm, and the likely impact ACCC action may have.

    Background

    A new designated complaints framework in the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 came into effect on 1 May 2024.

    Under the law, 3 bodies can be designated by the Minister as designated complainants. Currently these are Australian Consumers’ Association (CHOICE), Consumer Action Law Centre, and the Council of Small Business Organisations Australia (COSBOA).

    In March 2025 the Consumer Action Law Centre submitted the first designated complaint to the ACCC under the new framework.

    A designated complainant may only make one designated complaint within a 12-month period.

    Under the framework, designated complaints must meet certain criteria, including that they relate to a significant or systemic market issue affecting consumers or small business in Australia, and that they relate to a potential breach of the CCA or the ACCC’s powers or functions under the CCA.

    The ACCC is required to assess and publicly respond to the designated complaint within 90 days. The ACCC’s response must state what further action, if any, will be taken in response to the complaint.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Charges – Domestic violence – Parap

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    The NT Police Force have arrested a 29-year-old male, following a coordinated arrest operation led by Strike Force Lyra in Parap yesterday on 16 June 2025.

    The arrest was the resolution of an investigation into on-going offending reported between 7 – 16 June 2025.

    Utilising specialist resources, including but not limited to the Territory Response Group and the Police Negotiation Unit, the offender was safely taken into custody around 3:15pm. He was conveyed to the Palmerston Watch House and was charged with:

    1. Breach Domestic Violence Order x 2
    2. Damage to Property
    3. Breach of Bail

    He was remanded to appear in Darwin Local Court today.

    Domestic Violence Orders are put in place with conditions to protect victims, breaches of those orders will not be tolerated and police will continue to hold offenders to account for their actions.  

    If you or someone you know are experiencing difficulties due to domestic violence, support services are available, including, but not limited to, 1800RESPECT (1800737732) or Lifeline 131 114.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Pakistan native arrested, charged with illegal reentry

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    BUFFALO, N.Y. – U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Saima Qamar, 55, a citizen of Canada and native of Pakistan, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with re-entry of a removed alien, which carries a maximum penalty of two years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

    Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael J. Smith, who is handling the case, stated that according to the complaint, Qamar was detained by the Lewiston Police Department, which reached out to U.S. Border Patrol for assistance in identifying the defendant. A records check determined that Qamar was a citizen of Canada and national of Pakistan who was illegally present in the United States after previously having been removed in April 2019.

    Qamar made an initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeremiah J. McCarthy and was detained.

    This investigation is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.

    The complaint is the result of an investigation by U.S. Border Patrol Niagara Falls Station, under the direction of Patrol Agent in Charge Brady Waikal.

    The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.   

    # # # #

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Video: First Hearing of the Religious Liberty Commission, part 2

    Source: United States Department of Justice (video statements)

    The Religious Liberty Commission held its first hearing at the Museum of the Bible.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RCXX89g4ogA

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Capito and Justice Release Statement Following Flooding in Ohio and Marion Counties

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for West Virginia Shelley Moore Capito

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) and Jim Justice (R-W.Va.) issued a statement following the devastating flooding in Ohio and Marion counties:

    “Our hearts go out to the families and communities across West Virginia who are being impacted by the devastating flooding we have seen these last few days, especially those who have lost or are missing loved ones. I am also incredibly grateful to our first responders who have been on the ground and working tirelessly. I have and will continue to closely monitor the situation, and remain in close contact with local and state officials to ensure every available resource is available and deployed as quickly as possible. I urge all West Virginians to remain cautious, and continue helping friends and neighbors in need. Although the recovery won’t happen overnight, West Virginia is strong, and we will rebuild—just as we always do,” Senator Capito said.

    “Unfortunately, West Virginia is no stranger to flooding. As a result of the storms from this weekend, we’ve lost multiple West Virginians, and some folks are still missing. My heart breaks for the families who are grieving and those who are still waiting to hear from their loved ones. Cathy and I are certainly holding them close in our prayers. Our first responders deserve more thanks than we could ever put into words. When the water came rushing in, they didn’t blink—they ran straight into the danger, no questions asked. That’s just who they are. They’re heroes through and through. I’ve been talking with our emergency folks on the ground, and we’re going to do everything in our power to get help where it’s needed. When West Virginia gets knocked down, we don’t stay down. We pull the rope together and we lift each other back up. That’s exactly what we’re going to do because these folks need all of us badly right now,” Senator Justice said.

    BACKGROUND:

    • Ohio County was under a flash flood warning beginning Saturday night and around 8:00 p.m., up to four inches of rain fell in just 30 minutes, causing rapid and dangerous flooding.
    • Numerous roadways, homes, and neighborhoods in the area sustained significant damage.
    • On Sunday, a second round of storms brought additional flash flooding across parts of the state.
    • Marion County was particularly impacted, with severe damage reported in Fairmont and surrounding areas.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cassidy Introduces Bill to Remove Barriers to Telemental Health Care

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Louisiana Bill Cassidy

    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) introduced the Telemental Health Care Access Act to remove barriers to telemental and behavioral health services for Medicare beneficiaries by removing the statutory requirement that Medicare beneficiaries be seen in person within six months of being treated for mental or behavioral health services through telehealth.
    “Every Louisianan with a mental health condition must have access to telehealth services. For those in rural areas in my state who have a far drive to the nearest specialist, telehealth saves lives,” said Dr. Cassidy.  
    Cassidy was joined by U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-MN) in introducing the legislation.
    U.S. Representatives Doris Matsui (D-CA) and Troy Balderson (R-OH) introduced a companion version of this legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives.
    BackgroundIn 2020, Congress permanently allowed Medicare patients to be treated for mental health services at home or other non-clinical sites, but it also included an in-person visit requirement that limits access. This legislation eliminates that mandate and brings mental health telehealth rules in line with how Medicare covers substance use disorder services without requiring an in-person visit.
    The Telemental Health Care Access Act is supported by dozens of leading mental health, provider, and telehealth organizations, including: Alliance for Connected Care, Alliance of Community Health Plans, American Counseling Association, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, American Medical Association, American Psychiatric Association,American Psychological Association, American Telemedicine Association, ATA Action,Association for Behavioral Health & Wellness, Association of American Medical Colleges, California Medical Association, Center for Telehealth and e-Health Law, Centerstone, Eating Disorders Coalition for Research, Policy & Action, Health Innovation Alliance, Hims & Hers, HIMSS, Included Health, Mental Health America, National Alliance on Mental Illness, National Association for Behavioral Healthcare, National Association of Social Workers, Network of Jewish Human Service Agencies, REDC Consortium, Talkspace, Teladoc Health, United States of Care.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Don’t risk Dutton on TAFE

    Source: Reserve Bank of Australia

    15 April 2025

    The 2025 Federal Election will set the path for many aspects of the lives of TAFE students, teachers and educators, but none more pressing than the future of TAFE.

    We have seen landmark improvements to the sector since Anthony Albanese’s Labor government took office. TAFE once again holds its rightful place as the pre-eminent provider of vocational education in Australia. TAFE as a public institution must be supported and fully funded by state, territory and federal governments.

    In the three years since the election of the Albanese government, significant elements of the AEU’s Rebuild with TAFE campaign have been realised:

    • Major new sources of guaranteed funding for TAFE have been delivered realising that at least 70 per cent of total government vocational education funding is allocated to TAFE.

    • The contestable funding model that had marketised vocational education funding for more than a decade is being dismantled.

    • The mammoth task of restoring and investing in the TAFE workforce has begun with new workers employed across Australia and VET Workforce Blueprint projects underway.

    • Hundreds of thousands of students now have access to TAFE because of Free TAFE, many of whom would have been excluded from vocational education due to cost.

    • TAFE is once again recognised as the anchor of the vocational education system.

    • The creation of TAFE Centres of Excellence has recognised the outstanding quality of vocational education provided through TAFE and creates a mechanism for this to be coordinated and shared across Australia.

    • In a further recognition of the quality of TAFE, pilot programs are underway to empower TAFE to self-accredit qualifications at AQF level 5 and above.

    • TAFE workers are more central to decision making about government policy and actively involved.

    • Thousands of TAFE workers have security of employment through industrial relations reform and legislation restricting the indiscriminate use of fixed-term employment.

    • New collective bargaining laws have ensured that TAFE workers in several jurisdictions are the beneficiaries of long-overdue salary increases that have begun to address the imbalance between income and the cost of living.

    • The AEU has been elevated to a primary role as the voice of teachers and educators in TAFE, with critical roles on major new government bodies charged with setting policy and implementing change in vocational education, including Jobs and Skills Australia and the 10 Jobs and Skills Councils.

    The importance of the next government

    We have seen strong support in Parliament from the Australian Greens and members of the crossbench for Free TAFE and for progressive policies. But there’s more to be achieved, especially in terms of staff retention and attraction, boosting infrastructure funding, facilities and resources, and strengthening student support, and to achieve this and ensure that all the gains are not dismantled, the next federal government is key.

    Labor wants to legislate Free TAFE, recognising the value of TAFE and cementing its long-term future. Hundreds of thousands of people in Australia are enrolling in Free TAFE, they are getting the flexibility they need to study, work and raise families without a financial penalty.

    Already, Free TAFE has had a disproportionately positive impact for priority cohorts such as Aboriginal People and Torres Strait Islander People, women, people with disability, young people and those from low socio-economic backgrounds.

    Impact and reach of Free TAFE

    Data provided by the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations to the Senate inquiry indicates that more than 568,000 students have so far enrolled in Free TAFE courses, and many of these enrolments have been in national priority industry areas.

    In 2023:

    • Aboriginal Students and Torres Strait Islander Students represented 6.7 per cent of students in Free TAFE compared with 3.5 per cent in the wider VET sector.

    • Students with disability were 7.6 per cent compared with 3.8 per cent.

    • Women were 61.8 per cent compared with 46.2 per cent.

    • Regional and remote students were 35.9 per cent compared with 26.8 per cent.

    This demonstrates that Free TAFE is assisting those that need it most.

    Beyond just these cohorts, Free TAFE programs have also enabled many parents and older Australians to re-enter the workforce, or to make a change in their careers towards an in-demand area.

    Risks of a Coalition government

    Peter Dutton has threatened to end Free TAFE if he’s elected prime minister.

    The Coalition cut $3 billion from TAFE last time they were in government and almost 10,000 jobs were lost. When the current Liberal deputy leader Sussan Ley says: “TAFE is just the state-government-run trainer, just like public schools. The Liberal Party believes that you do not value something unless you pay for it” and Liberal MP Luke Howarth says: “We’ve said we won’t do Free TAFE, that’s another $1.5bn saved”, the same cuts are again expected.

    Dutton has not yet announced any policy but is already hinting at sending more federal funds to private RTOs rather than public TAFE. Australia cannot risk the Coalition getting in and stopping its investment in TAFE like they did last time they were in government.

    Also at risk is the suite of industrial reforms won under the Albanese government, which has seen swathes of the TAFE and AMEP workforce transitioned from contract to permanent positions, sector wage increases, allowed multi-employer bargaining, the right to disconnect from work after hours and strengthening workers’ rights across the board. The Coalition has already spoken of dismantling these worker-centred gains in favour of big business.

    Dutton has spent the last three years attacking and undermining teachers. He wants to spend $330 billion on nuclear power stations while investing nothing in building and upgrading public schools and public TAFE.

    TAFE needs a government that supports public education.

    Party Platform Comparisons

    ALP

    Climate action
    Supports:
    • Paris Climate Agreement
    • Net zero emissions by 2050
    • Just Transition to a clean energy
    Actions:
    • Has enshrined into law an emissions cut target of 43 per cent by 2030
    • A carbon cap for the biggest emitters
    • Legislated a Net Zero Authority
    • Restored the role of the Climate Change Authority (CCA)

    Aboriginal People and Torres Strait Islander People
    • Considering pathways to self-determination
    • Supports the states that want to work towards Treaty
    • Believes in community consultation

    Workplace Relations
    • Worker-friendly, inclusive of unions
    • Stronger worker protections
    • Introduced permanency for many workers, stronger protections for casuals, multi-employer bargaining, the right to disconnect
    • Delivered wage increases to ECEC workers
    • Supportive of the Fair Work Commission

    Schools
    • Fully funding public schools
    • Addressing teacher shortages and engaging with AEU
    • Addressing Aboriginal Teacher and Torres Strait Islander Teacher representation and engaging with Community experts

    TAFE
    • Supports Free TAFE and making it permanent
    • Centres TAFE as the anchor of vocational education in Australia
    • Supports Rebuilding TAFE and the TAFE workforce
    • Ongoing rollout of TAFE Centres of Excellence
    • Plans to establish a National TAFE Network to foster cross-country collaboration and innovation

    Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC)
    • Three day guarantee – a childcare subsidy for three days a week to all families earning up to $530,000 a year from January 2026
    • Scrapped the activity test
    • $1 billion Building Early Education Fund, which is the next step in creating a universal Early Childhood Education and Care system in Australia
    • 15 per cent pay rises for ECEC teacher and educator wages

    COALITION

    Workplace Relations
    • Unwind Labor’s industrial relations changes
    • Revert to a simple definition of a casual worker
    • Revoke the laws which provide for multi-employer bargaining
    • Remove the “right to disconnect”
    • Curtail unions in workplaces

    Schools
    • Believes government should continue to overfund private schools and that the federal government should only fund private schools
    • Says “children taught the basics – reading, writing and maths – through explicit instruction across our primary education system – and ensuring classrooms are places of education, not indoctrination”, which is the same coded language the Trump government used before banning books and threatening teachers in the USA
    • Has failed to declare their commitment to fully fund public schools

    TAFE
    • Opposes Free TAFE Bill and Free TAFE as a whole

    ECEC
    • Opposes scrapping the activity test

    Climate action
    Against climate action, instead:
    • Make our nation a mining powerhouse
    • Defund the Environmental Defenders Office
    • Slash resource approval timeframes in half
    • Stop the renewable energy roll-out, ramp-up domestic gas production and move to nuclear energy

    Aboriginal People and Torres Strait Islander People
    Against self-determination and Truth-telling, instead choosing punitive responses:
    • A full audit into spending on Aboriginal programs and Torres Strait Islander programs
    • Reintroduce the Cashless Debit Card
    • Bolster law and order in crime-heavy communities
    • A Royal Commission into Sexual Abuse in Indigenous Communities

    GREENS

    TAFE
    • Increase access and opportunity for people with disability and remove barriers to tertiary education for people with disability
    • Abolish all student debt, including HELP, SFSS, and VET, starting 1 July 2025

    ECEC
    • Fix the current broken system
    • Extend free preschool for three-year-olds to at least 15 hours a week

    Climate action
    • No new coal or gas
    • Protect precious water resources
    • Expand publicly owned renewable energy
    • End the billions in handouts to coal, oil and gas corporations
    • End native forest logging
    • Save koalas and wildlife from extinction
    • Create thousands of jobs during renewable transition

    Aboriginal People and Torres Strait Islander People
    • Truth, Treaty, Justice for Aboriginal Peoples and Torres Strait Islander Peoples
    • Connect kids to Country by funding school-based programs guided by Elders to learn about culture, language, and Country as a means of holistic healing and growth
    • Support language revival and bilingual instruction in schools

    Workplace Relations
    • Defend workers’ rights, lift wages

    Schools
    Make public schools free and fully funded:
    • Fully fund all public schools to 100% of the Schooling Resource Standard (SRS)
    • Ensure sustainable funding by indexing public school funding to the higher of the Wage Price Index, Consumer Price Index, or SRS indexation factor
    • Restore $5 billion to the system by closing Morrison-era loopholes
    • Abolish public school fees and charges with an additional allocation of $2.4 billion over the forward estimates
    • Establish a new capital grants fund for public schools to invest in capital works of $1.25 billion in its first year, and then $350 million annually
    • Develop a National Inclusive Education Transition Plan in collaboration with people with disability, families, unions and experts
    • $800 ‘back to school’ payments to parents

    Article by Correna Haythorpe, AEU Federal President
    Originally published in The Australian TAFE Teacher, Autumn 2025

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Truck Driver Sentenced to Life in Federal Prison for Kidnapping Leading to Death

    Source: US FBI

    A truck driver who kidnapped a 25-year-old woman and dumped her dead body in the woods in August 2024 was sentenced today to life in federal prison, announced Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Nancy E. Larson.

    Naasson Hazzard, 28, of Austin, was indicted in October 2024 on federal charges of kidnapping resulting in death, which carried a mandatory sentence of life imprisonment.  Hazzard’s victim was an army veteran who entered the military immediately after high school.  Information shared during the sentencing hearing today revealed that there were full military honors at her funeral.

    After an eight-day trial in late January this year, a jury convicted Hazzard.  Today, U.S. District Judge Sam A. Lindsay sentenced him to life in federal prison.

    “The tremendous, relentless work of multiple law enforcement partners brought the terrible acts of this predator to light, and the jury answered the call for justice by finding him guilty,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Nancy E. Larson. “Now, the life sentence he will serve reflects the value and sanctity of this victim’s life.  We hope that this sentence helps her family in the healing process.”

    “This defendant has been justly sentenced to prison for his abhorrent actions, ensuring that society will be safe from his predatory behavior for the remainder of his life,” said Travis Pickard, Special Agent in Charge HSI Dallas. “I applaud the unwavering commitment of the North Texas Trafficking Task Force, and all the law enforcement partners whose persistence led to this outcome.  May today’s judgment provide some solace to the victim’s family, reassuring them that HSI will never relent in our pursuit of sexual predators who aim to exploit and harm unsuspecting victims.”

    According to evidence presented at trial, surveillance video caught Hazzard’s victim, a young woman, entering his semi-truck in Dallas at 9:27 p.m. on Aug. 15, 2024.  Eight days later, her decomposing body was found in a wooded area off Texas Highway 11 in Pittsburg, Texas with a black plastic bag tied around her head.  

    Cell phone records showed that on the evening of Aug. 15, Mr. Hazzard traveled from the pickup location to a nearby parking lot, where he remained for approximately 17 minutes.  Evidence at trial reflected that Hazzard picked up the victim with the expectation of engaging in a sex act.  He then drove over three hours to a wooded area off Highway 11 in Pittsburg, Texas, where he texted his boss that he would be out sick the following day and remained for almost an hour before completing a load for work.

    The next day, he and his wife returned to the scene before going to dinner in Tyler, Texas.

    In the days that followed, Mr. Hazzard switched cell phones and deleted his Google and Life360 location sharing accounts.  He also cleaned the truck with bleach and searched “how many years for first second and third degree murders.”  Meanwhile, his wife searched for “Pittsburg Texas news.”

    On Aug. 23, the same day the victim’s body was recovered, agents found the victim’s cell phone shattered on the side of the road along Mr. Hazzard’s route the night she was killed.  

    “Your Honor, Naasson didn’t just take a life.  He destroyed futures.  He created a ripple effect of suffering that reaches further than he could ever understand,” the victim’s brother told the Court during his impact statement at today’s sentencing hearing.  “I ask you, please don’t see my sister as just a name in a case file.  She was a daughter.  A sister.  A mother.  A light in the lives of everyone who knew her.  Her life mattered.  And her death must mean something.”

    The North Texas Trafficking Task Force conducted the investigation with the assistance of the following agencies: the Dallas County District Attorney’s Office, the Dallas Police Department, the Midlothian Police Department, the Texas Rangers, the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Dallas Field Office, the Titus County Sheriff’s Office, the Buda Police Department, the Austin Police Department, the Hayes County Sheriff’s Office, and the Texas Department of Public Safety.  Homeland Security Investigation’s Dallas Field Office leads the Task Force.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brandie Wade and Renee Hunter prosecuted the case with the help of appellate liaison AUSA Jonathan Bradshaw.
     

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: DHS Arrests Dangerous Criminal Illegal Aliens who Escaped from Delaney Hall Detention Facility

    Source: US Department of Homeland Security

    Law enforcement is offering a $10,000 reward for any information leading to the arrest of the remaining two dangerous criminal illegal aliens

    WASHINGTON – The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced it captured two of the four dangerous criminal illegal aliens who escaped Delaney Hall on June 12, 2025. Two additional criminal illegal aliens remain at large.  

    Contrary to reporting, there has been no widespread unrest at the Delaney Hall Detention Facility. This privately held facility remains dedicated to providing high-quality services, including around-the-clock access to medical care, in-person and virtual legal and family visitation, general and legal library access, translation services, dietician-approved meals, religious and specialty diets, recreational amenities, and opportunities for detainees to practice their religious beliefs.  

    CAPTURED 

    On June 13, 2025, Joel Enrique Sandoval-Lopez, a criminal illegal alien from Honduras, was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), FBI, and Passaic Police in Passaic, New Jersey. During the arrest, Sandoval-Lopez kicked and threatened to kill the law enforcement officers. This criminal illegal alien’s criminal record includes unlawful possession of a handgun and aggravated assault.

    On June 13, 2025, Joan Sebastian Castaneda-Lozada, a criminal illegal alien from Colombia whose criminal record includes arrests for burglary, theft, and conspiracy to commit burglary, attempted to turn himself in to local authorities at the New Jersey State Police Bridgeton Station. Due to their sanctuary policies, the State Police refused to take him into custody because they do not work with ICE. On June 15, Castaneda-Lozada surrendered himself to Agents from FBI and ICE in Milleville, NJ. 

    “DHS has captured two of the detainees who escaped the privately held Delaney Hall Detention Facility. On June 13, Joel Enrique Sandoval-Lopez was apprehended. During his arrest, he kicked and threatened to kill law enforcement officers. Disturbingly, Joan Sebastian Castaneda-Lozada tried to turn himself into local authorities and was turned away because of the state’s sanctuary policies that prohibit law enforcement from working with ICE. Thankfully, this criminal alien has now been arrested and is no longer a threat to Americans,” said a Senior DHS Official. “We encourage the public to call 911 or the ICE Tip Line: 866-DHS-2-ICE if they have information that may lead to locating the two criminal illegal aliens who remain at large. DHS and FBI are offering a $10,000 reward for anyone who provides information that leads to the arrest of these public safety threats.” 

    DHS and the FBI are offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the two remaining criminal illegal aliens who escaped from Delaney Hall Detention Facility in New Jersey. The safety of Americans and the Newark community is DHS’ top priority. 

    Below are the two criminal illegal aliens who are evading federal law enforcement and pose a threat to public safety.  

    Franklin Norberto Bautista-Reyes is an illegal alien from Honduras who illegally entered the U.S. in 2021 under the Biden administration. On May 3, 2025, the Wayne Township, New Jersey Police Department arrested Bautista for aggravated assault, attempt to cause bodily injury, terroristic threats, and possession of a weapon for unlawful purposes.

    Andres Pineda-Mogollon is an illegal alien from Colombia who overstayed a tourist visa and entered the U.S. in 2023 under the Biden administration. On April 25, 2025, the New York City Police Department arrested Pineda-Mogollon for petit larceny. On May 21, 2025, the Union, New Jersey Police Department arrested Pineda-Mogollon for residential burglary, conspiracy residential burglary, and possession of burglary tools.

    Anonymous tips may be reported on this form and via the toll-free ICE tip line, (866) 347-2423. 

    ICE’s 24-hour tip line gives Americans the ability to report suspicious criminal activity by illegal aliens including terrorist activity, gang related crimes, and suspected sex trafficking. The tip line is manned by highly trained specialists who take reports from both the public and law enforcement agencies on the more than 400 laws enforced by ICE. Secretary Noem will be providing more resources and personnel to this tip line to ensure DHS is able to quickly identify, locate, and arrest these criminal illegal aliens.

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    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: DHS Arrests Dangerous Criminal Illegal Aliens who Escaped from Delaney Hall Detention Facility

    Source: US Department of Homeland Security

    Law enforcement is offering a $10,000 reward for any information leading to the arrest of the remaining two dangerous criminal illegal aliens

    WASHINGTON – The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced it captured two of the four dangerous criminal illegal aliens who escaped Delaney Hall on June 12, 2025. Two additional criminal illegal aliens remain at large.  

    Contrary to reporting, there has been no widespread unrest at the Delaney Hall Detention Facility. This privately held facility remains dedicated to providing high-quality services, including around-the-clock access to medical care, in-person and virtual legal and family visitation, general and legal library access, translation services, dietician-approved meals, religious and specialty diets, recreational amenities, and opportunities for detainees to practice their religious beliefs.  

    CAPTURED 

    On June 13, 2025, Joel Enrique Sandoval-Lopez, a criminal illegal alien from Honduras, was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), FBI, and Passaic Police in Passaic, New Jersey. During the arrest, Sandoval-Lopez kicked and threatened to kill the law enforcement officers. This criminal illegal alien’s criminal record includes unlawful possession of a handgun and aggravated assault.

    On June 13, 2025, Joan Sebastian Castaneda-Lozada, a criminal illegal alien from Colombia whose criminal record includes arrests for burglary, theft, and conspiracy to commit burglary, attempted to turn himself in to local authorities at the New Jersey State Police Bridgeton Station. Due to their sanctuary policies, the State Police refused to take him into custody because they do not work with ICE. On June 15, Castaneda-Lozada surrendered himself to Agents from FBI and ICE in Milleville, NJ. 

    “DHS has captured two of the detainees who escaped the privately held Delaney Hall Detention Facility. On June 13, Joel Enrique Sandoval-Lopez was apprehended. During his arrest, he kicked and threatened to kill law enforcement officers. Disturbingly, Joan Sebastian Castaneda-Lozada tried to turn himself into local authorities and was turned away because of the state’s sanctuary policies that prohibit law enforcement from working with ICE. Thankfully, this criminal alien has now been arrested and is no longer a threat to Americans,” said a Senior DHS Official. “We encourage the public to call 911 or the ICE Tip Line: 866-DHS-2-ICE if they have information that may lead to locating the two criminal illegal aliens who remain at large. DHS and FBI are offering a $10,000 reward for anyone who provides information that leads to the arrest of these public safety threats.” 

    DHS and the FBI are offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the two remaining criminal illegal aliens who escaped from Delaney Hall Detention Facility in New Jersey. The safety of Americans and the Newark community is DHS’ top priority. 

    Below are the two criminal illegal aliens who are evading federal law enforcement and pose a threat to public safety.  

    Franklin Norberto Bautista-Reyes is an illegal alien from Honduras who illegally entered the U.S. in 2021 under the Biden administration. On May 3, 2025, the Wayne Township, New Jersey Police Department arrested Bautista for aggravated assault, attempt to cause bodily injury, terroristic threats, and possession of a weapon for unlawful purposes.

    Andres Pineda-Mogollon is an illegal alien from Colombia who overstayed a tourist visa and entered the U.S. in 2023 under the Biden administration. On April 25, 2025, the New York City Police Department arrested Pineda-Mogollon for petit larceny. On May 21, 2025, the Union, New Jersey Police Department arrested Pineda-Mogollon for residential burglary, conspiracy residential burglary, and possession of burglary tools.

    Anonymous tips may be reported on this form and via the toll-free ICE tip line, (866) 347-2423. 

    ICE’s 24-hour tip line gives Americans the ability to report suspicious criminal activity by illegal aliens including terrorist activity, gang related crimes, and suspected sex trafficking. The tip line is manned by highly trained specialists who take reports from both the public and law enforcement agencies on the more than 400 laws enforced by ICE. Secretary Noem will be providing more resources and personnel to this tip line to ensure DHS is able to quickly identify, locate, and arrest these criminal illegal aliens.

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    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Mexican national guilty of immigration violations in the Eastern District of Texas

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    BEAUMONT, Texas –A Mexican national has pleaded guilty to an immigration violation in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.

    Rigoberto Rodriguez-Moreno, 44, a Mexican national illegally residing in Lufkin, pleaded guilty to illegal reentry by a previously deported person before U.S. Magistrate Judge Christine L. Stetson on June 16, 2025.

    According to information presented in court, on March 4, 2025, the Department of Homeland Security and Investigations (HSI) received information that Rodriguez-Moreno was being held in the Angelina County Jail on a state arrest warrant. An HSI investigation determined that Rodriguez-Moreno was previously deported from the United States to Mexico on October 4, 2017, and did not have permission to return to the United States.

    Immigration records reveal this was the second time Rodriguez-Moreno was deported. The first deportation occurred in 1999. He has previous federal convictions for bringing in and harboring illegal aliens in 1999 and illegal reentry by a deported person in 2015. 

    Rodriguez-Moreno faces up to 20 years in federal prison and deportation at sentencing.  The maximum statutory sentence prescribed by Congress is provided here for information purposes, as the sentencing will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors.  A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the U.S. Probation Office.  Rodriguez-Moreno still faces unrelated state charges in Angelina County.

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

    This case was investigated by the Lufkin Homeland Security Investigations and the Angelina County Sheriff’s Office.  This case was prosecuted by the Lufkin Division of the U.S Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Texas.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Member of Makah Tribe indicted federally for knife assault of intimate partner

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Seattle – A grand jury returned a two-count indictment last week charging 19-year-old Peyton Blaise Watson with stabbing his intimate partner in the neck, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Teal Luthy Miller. Watson, a member of the Makah Tribe, allegedly assaulted the victim on property within the Lower Elwha Klallam Reservation. Watson is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon and assault resulting in serious bodily injury. Watson remains detained at the Federal Detention Center in SeaTac. Trial is scheduled for August 18, 2025.

    According to records filed in the case, in the early morning hours of May 9, 2025, Lower Elwha Police and Clallam County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a home on the Lower Elwha Klallam Reservation where a witness called 911 to report that Watson had stabbed an adult female victim in the neck. Officers found the victim standing a few feet from Watson. Once Watson was taken from the room, the victim began crying and identified Watson as her assailant and that he had stabbed her in the neck. The victim was taken by ambulance to Olympic Medical Center in Port Angeles where she required surgery. Watson was booked into the Clallam County Jail on tribal charges.

    The FBI joined the investigation and secured items of evidence from the scene including a black folding knife about three inches long. The knife contained blood residue.

    The victim was hospitalized for five days as she recovered from her injuries, including damage to her esophagus and nerve damage. She was able to describe for investigators how Watson attacked her and allegedly threatened to kill her.

    Assault with a dangerous weapon and assault resulting in severe bodily injury are punishable by up to 10 years in prison, a 250,000 fine, and up to three years of supervised release.

    The charges contained in the indictment are only allegations.  A person is presumed innocent unless and until he or she is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

    The case is being investigated by the FBI and the Lower Elwha Klallam Police Department.

    The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Celia Lee and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Ajay Ravindran. Ms. Lee serves as a Tribal Liaison for the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Western District of Washington. 

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Hopkinsville, Kentucky Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal Prison for Methamphetamine Trafficking

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Paducah, KY – A Hopkinsville, Kentucky man was sentenced on June 11, 2025, to 10 years in federal prison for distributing methamphetamine.

    U.S. Attorney Kyle G. Bumgarner of the Western District of Kentucky, Special Agent in Charge Jim Scott of the DEA Louisville Field Division, Special Agent in Charge Karen Wingerd, Cincinnati Field Office, IRS Criminal Division, Commissioner Phillip Burnett, Jr. of the Kentucky State Police, Chief Jason Newby of the Hopkinsville Police Department, and Sheriff Tyler DeArmond of the Christian County Sheriff’s Office made the announcement.

    According to court documents, Troy Clark, 45, sold methamphetamine on three separate occasions. Specifically, Clark sold 46.46 grams of pure methamphetamine on November 24, 2021, 100.1 grams of pure methamphetamine on December 3, 2021, and 104.18 grams of pure methamphetamine on January 25, 2022. On January 27, 2022, a state search warrant was executed at Clark’s residence. Clark was in possession of approximately 2 ounces of methamphetamine that he intended to distribute.

    For his role in the offenses, Clark was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release, for three counts of distribution of methamphetamine.

    There is no parole in the federal system.

    This case was investigated by the DEA Paducah Post of Duty, the IRS-CI, Kentucky State Police, the Hopkinsville Police Department, and the Christian County Sheriff’s Office.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Leigh Ann Dycus, of the U.S. Attorney’s Paducah Branch Office, prosecuted the case.

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

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    MIL Security OSI –