NewzIntel.com

Category: Justice

  • MIL-OSI Security: Ten Defendants Plead Guilty to Drug Trafficking and Money Laundering Charges in Connection with Transnational Criminal Operation

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

    PITTSBURGH, Pa. – Ten individuals from Arizona, Ohio, Washington, and Mexico—including a member of the Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) Cártel de Sinaloa and one person illegally residing in the United States—pleaded guilty in federal court this week to charges of violating federal narcotics and money laundering laws in relation to an international drug trafficking organization (DTO), Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today. The defendants were among 35 individuals charged through a Second Superseding Indictment unsealed in January 2024 for their participation in a domestic and international narcotics and money laundering conspiracy involving substantial quantities of fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine (read the Second Superseding Indictment news release here).

    Pleading guilty this week before United States District Judge J. Nicholas Ranjan were:

    Plea Date

    Defendant

    Age

    Residence

    April 21

    		 Humberto Arredondo-Soto

    25

    		 Culiacan, Mexico

     

    		 Jaime Ledesma

    27

    		 Phoenix, Arizona

     

    		 Stephanie Ortiz

    26

    		 Avondale, Arizona

     

    		  

     

    		  

    April 22

    		 Samuel Aguirre

    23

    		 Phoenix, Arizona

     

    		 Jesus Lopez

    24

    		 Phoenix, Arizona

     

    		 Diego Monarrez

    23

    		 Phoenix, Arizona

     

    		 Adrian Lopez Rivera

    24

    		 Phoenix, Arizona

     

    		  

     

    		  

    April 23

    		 Donnell Collins

    29

    		 Cleveland, Ohio

     

    		 Luis Fentanes

    24

    		 Phoenix, Arizona

     

    		 Mohamed Kariye

    36

    		 Kent, Washington

    In connection with the guilty pleas, the Court was advised that, on various dates from in and around August 2021 to in and around June 2023, in the Western District of Pennsylvania and elsewhere, the defendants conspired to possess with intent to distribute and distribute large quantities of cocaine, fentanyl, and/or methamphetamine. Specifically, Arredondo-Soto, Ledesma (who was residing in Phoenix illegally), Ortiz, Aguirre, Lopez, Rivera, and Monarrez each conspired to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl and 500 grams or more of methamphetamine, with all except Monarrez also having conspired to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine. Similarly, from in and around August 2021 to in and around March 2023, Collins and Fentanes conspired to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl and 500 grams or more of cocaine, with Collins also having possessed with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine on March 2, 2023, while Kariye conspired to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl. The defendants were intercepted on a federal wiretap obtaining quantities of the drugs that they distributed to others. Further, from in and around April 2022 to in and around March 2023, Aguirre conspired to commit money laundering, packaging drug proceeds and delivering large amounts of U.S. currency to couriers to smuggle into Mexico to pay for re-supplies of drugs.

    Arredondo-Soto, a Mexican national with ties to the Sinaloa Cartel, was the source of supply for the DTO and was responsible for trafficking millions of fentanyl pills and hundreds of pounds of methamphetamine that the DTO distributed. Numerous military-grade firearms were trafficked into Mexico for Arredondo-Soto as payment from members of the DTO for the drugs. In coordination with Homeland Security Investigations, Arredondo-Soto was arrested in Mexico in November 2023 by Mexican law enforcement authorities and extradited to the United States in February 2024.

    Judge Ranjan scheduled sentencings for November 3-5, 2025. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of not less than 10 years and up to life in prison, a fine of up to $10 million, or both, or, for Kariye, not less than five years and up to 40 years in prison, a fine of up to $5 million, or both. Under the federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense(s) and the prior criminal history, if any, of each defendant.

    With this week’s 10 guilty pleas, 19 of the 35 defendants charged in the Second Superseding Indictment have now pleaded guilty in the case, with six defendants having been sentenced thus far. Included among those sentencings is Mark Camacho, 26, of Phoenix, Arizona, who Judge Ranjan sentenced this week to 57 months in prison for his role in the conspiracy.

    Assistant United States Attorneys Arnold P. Bernard Jr. and Tonya S. Goodman are prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

    The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Laurel Highlands Resident Agency and Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of the defendants. Additional agencies participating in this investigation include the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, United States Postal Inspection Service, and other local law enforcement agencies.

    The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs worked with law enforcement partners in Mexico to secure the arrest and extradition from Mexico of Arredondo-Soto.

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

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Colombian National Extradited to Houston to Face Narco-Terrorism and International Cocaine Distribution Charges

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

    HOUSTON – A 45-year-old Colombian national will make his initial appearance in U.S. federal court on charges of narco-terrorism and distributing kilogram quantities of cocaine from Colombia, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.

    Adrian Alberto Cano Gomez, an alleged member of the National Liberation Army (Ejército de Liberación Nacional aka ELN), was extradited from Colombia and is now in Houston. He will make his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Dena Hanovice Palermo April 25 at 2 p.m.

    The now unsealed indictment, returned March 23, 2023, alleges ELN is a Colombian guerrilla group officially designated as a foreign terrorist organization Oct. 8, 1997. It allegedly continues to operate as one of the largest narco-terrorism organizations in the world.

    Cano Gomez is charged with international cocaine distribution conspiracy. He is also charged with distribution of a controlled substance and knowing or intending to provide anything of pecuniary value to a person or organization that engages in terrorism or terrorist activity (narco-terrorism).

    “This is not a routine drug case, nor is the ELN the typical drug trafficking organization,” said Ganjei. “Rather, this terror group has used American communities to fund its violent activities and destroyed countless lives in the process. This extradition is a big step towards this office’s goal of dismantling the narcotics-to-terrorism pipeline, and a clear demonstration that no matter where you are, no matter who you are, you are not beyond the reach of the American justice system.”

    “The extradition of suspected narco-terrorists like Cano Gomez to the United States is another example of how FBI Houston’s reach extends beyond geographic borders,” said Special Agent in Charge Douglas Williams of the FBI. “For years, Cano Gomez has allegedly been a liaison of international drug trafficking for the ELN-drugs that are smuggled into the United States and make their way onto our streets. His arrest and extradition are a giant step into disrupting the drug trafficking operations and mass violence carried out at the hands of his foreign terrorist organization.”

    “For over a decade, this ELN foreign terrorist organization allegedly profited off American communities by trafficking in cocaine and devastating countless lives,” said acting Special Agent in Charge William Kimbell of the Houston division of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). “Gomez, who is an alleged ELN member believed to have facilitated cocaine distribution from Colombia, is now on American soil to face justice.”

    According to the indictment, Cano Gomez and others were involved in an ongoing 16-year conspiracy to distribute cocaine from Colombia to the United States knowing or intending to provide pecuniary support to the ELN.

    In November 2021, Cano Gomez and others allegedly participated in distributing approximately 15 kilograms of cocaine in Colombia, knowing it would be imported into the United States.

    Colombian authorities took him into custody at the request of the United States in March 2024.

    The indictment remains sealed as to those charged but not as yet in custody.

    The Houston Field Offices of the FBI and DEA conducted the investigation with assistance of U.S. Marshals Service as part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF). FBI and DEA agents in Bogota provided substantial support as did the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) multi-agency Special Operations Division, including assigned attorneys from the Narcotic and Dangerous Drug Section (NDDS) and National Security Division, as well as the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs, Criminal Division’s NDDS’ Office of Judicial Attaché in Bogotá, Colombia, with the cooperation of Colombian authorities and international partners including the Colombian Army, Colombian National Police, National Prosecutor’s Office and Technical Body of Investigation.

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

    Assistant U.S. Attorneys Casey N. MacDonald and Anibal Alaniz of the Southern District of Texas are prosecuting the case.

    An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Jasper County Man Sentenced to 22 Years in Federal Prison for Drug Trafficking in Newton County

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

    BEAUMONT, Texas – A Jasper man has been sentenced to 22 years in federal prison for drug trafficking violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Abe McGlothin, Jr.

    Jeremy O’Quinn Brown, 34, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and was sentenced to 264 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Marcia A. Crone on April 17, 2025.

    According to information presented in court, in October 2023, Brown was identified by law enforcement as a drug trafficker distributing large amounts of methamphetamine, cocaine, and marijuana in Newton County. A search warrant was executed at Brown’s residence resulting in the discovery of methamphetamine; cocaine; $94,997 in U.S. currency; and two firearms.  Brown is believed to have been responsible for distributing 497.44 grams of “actual” methamphetamine.

    This case was investigated by the FBI, Texas Department of Public Safety, Jasper Police Department, Newton County Sheriff’s Office and U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.  This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan Lee.

    ###

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: San Antonio Woman Sentenced to Federal Prison for Cocaine Trafficking

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

    SAN ANTONIO – A San Antonio woman was sentenced in federal court to 50 months in prison for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute five kgs or more of cocaine.

    According to court documents, Gisselle Cabrera Rodriguez, 25, was pulled over by Bexar County Sheriff’s Office deputies on Feb. 6, 2024, for committing multiple traffic violations. A search of her vehicle resulted in the discovery of 1.2 kgs of cocaine located in the front passenger compartment. Two cell phones were also seized in the search. Rodriguez was arrested and a federal search warrant was executed on her residence, leading to the discovery of another 2.3 kgs of cocaine packaged in two bundles. Agents also located $45,700 in cash, which was determined to be proceeds from Rodriguez’s drug trafficking activity. Rodriguez also admitted to trafficking at least five kgs of cocaine per week during the five to six months leading up to her arrest.

    Rodriguez pleaded guilty to one count of a two-count indictment. In addition to the imprisonment, Rodriguez was ordered to forfeit the $45,700 located in the search warrant.

    Acting U.S. Attorney Margaret Leachman for the Western District of Texas made the announcement.

    The FBI investigated the case with valuable assistance from BCSO and the San Antonio Police Department.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney John Fedock prosecuted the case.

    ###

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: U.S. Marshals-led Operation Triple Beam Targets Violent Criminals in Baltimore

    Source: US Marshals Service

    Baltimore, MD – The U.S. Marshals Service has concluded a high-impact fugitive apprehension initiative aimed at combating violent crime in Baltimore and the surrounding communities. The United States Marshals Service’s Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force (CARFTF), in close collaboration with the District of Maryland, Baltimore Police Department, and other task force partners launched Operation Triple Beam (OTB) in December 2024. OTB was a community-focused, strategic initiative focused on the reduction of violence and the disruption of organized criminal activity within Baltimore communities. The operation, which concluded on April 14th, resulted in the arrest of 318 fugitives, violent criminals, sex offenders and self-identified gang members.

    “Ensuring public safety is at the very heart of our mission and Operation Triple Beam is a great example of what the Marshals Service, together with its state and local law enforcement partners can achieve,” said District of Maryland’s United States Marshal Clinton J. Fuchs.  “Our community is safer today as a result of these efforts.”      

    From the months of December through April 14th, the U.S. Marshals Service used its broad arrest authority and network of task force partners to arrest individuals wanted on charges including 36 for homicide, 54 for attempted murder, 65 for robbery, 86 for assault, 20 for sexual offenses, and 20 for weapon offenses. Law enforcement officials closed 330 warrants during the operation and seized 88 firearms and 3.62 kilograms of narcotics. The operation also resulted in the arrest of 74 confirmed gang members.

    “The success of this operation is a powerful example of what we can accomplish when law enforcement agencies work together with a shared mission to arrests those responsible for violence in our city and making out communities safer,” said Police Commissioner Richard Worley. “I want to thank the U.S. Marshals, the men and women of the Baltimore Police Department and all of our law enforcement partners for their dedication and collaboration in targeting violent offenders. Reducing violent crime and protecting our residents requires a united effort and this operation reflects our unwavering commitment to that goal.”

    “These mass arrests demonstrate how relentless our federal, local, and state law-enforcement partners are with combating crime.  This show of force allows us to keep those who drive violence and other criminal activity out of our communities,” said Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland. “We’re committed to working with our partners to keep our communities safe, so we’re holding accountable the bad actors who insist on breaking the law.”

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Four Defendants Sentenced for Violent Robbery of Hopkins Grocery Store

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    ST. PAUL, Minn. – The fourth defendant in a Hobbs Act Robbery case has been sentenced to 34 months in federal prison for their role in an “inside job” armed robbery of a grocery and tobacco store, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Lisa D. Kirkpatrick.

    According to court documents, Darius Curtis Elam, 30, Ryan Michell Elam, 30, Katrice Rene Sanders, 32, and Kynesha Jhaunae Jones, 34, conspired together to rob the U.S. Grocery and Tobacco store in Hopkins, Minnesota. On February 15, 2024, Darius and Ryan Elam entered the store before 10:00 p.m., both armed with firearms. They bound three employees’ hands to their eyes with duct tape, demanded the code to the safe, and pistol-whipped the manager.

    According to court documents, the robbery was planned over a period of two weeks. Jones worked at the store and provided details about the store layout and how cash was handled. Sanders helped plan and owned the getaway vehicle used after the robbery. The robbery resulted in a $45,000 total loss to the store.

    Sanders was sentenced yesterday in U.S. District Court. Jones was previously sentenced to 32 months in prison; Darius Elam received a sentence of 112 months, and Ryan Elam was sentenced to 109 months. Each defendant pleaded guilty to one count of Hobbs Act Robbery, and all were sentenced by Judge Donovan W. Frank.

    This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI and the Hopkins Police Department.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney William C. Mattessich prosecuted the case.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Federal Grand Jury in Louisville Indicts 7 Foreign Nationals For Money Laundering and Firearms Offenses

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Louisville, KY – A federal grand jury in Louisville, Kentucky, returned a multi-count indictment on April 16, 2025, charging seven foreign nationals with money laundering related offenses and possession of a firearm by a prohibited person.   

    U.S. Attorney Michael A. Bennett of the Western District of Kentucky, Karen Wingerd, Special Agent in Charge, Cincinnati Field Office, IRS Criminal Investigation, Special Agent in Charge Rana Saoud of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Nashville, Special Agent in Charge John Nokes of the ATF Louisville Field Division, Special Agent in Charge Jim Scott of the DEA Louisville Field Division, Acting Special Agent in Charge Quincy R. Barnett of the FBI Louisville Field Office, and Chief Paul Humphrey of the Louisville Metro Police Department made the announcement.

    According to the indictment, Jose Malagon Castro, 49, a citizen of Mexico, operated three grocery stores in the Western District of Kentucky and offered, among other things, international money transmission services at each location. Yeimi Hernandez Barahona, 34, Kenia Hernandez Barahona, 35, Kelin Hernandez Barahona, 31, all citizens of Honduras, and Suri Rosmeri Hernandez Del Cid, 27, a citizen of Guatemala, were employed by Castro and conducted wire transfers as part of the money transmission service. Vanessa Avila Galaviz, 28, and Jose Martin Romero, 32, both citizens of Mexico, along with other individuals, were narcotics traffickers, who directed monetary wire transfers conducted at Castro’s stores to send drug proceeds to Mexico.

    The indictment alleges that between at least January 2020 and continuing until at least December 2024, all the named defendants engaged in a conspiracy to knowingly conduct, and attempt to conduct, millions of dollars’ worth of financial transactions affecting interstate and foreign commerce, knowing that the transactions were designed in whole or in part to conceal and disguise the nature, location, source, ownership, and control of the drug proceeds and to avoid federal and state reporting requirements for the transmission of those proceeds.

    The indictment further alleges between August 6, 2024, and August 30, 2024, all the named defendants, aided and abetted by each other and others, knowingly conducted financial transactions affecting interstate and foreign commerce, which involved approximately $62,042 in proceeds from the sale and distribution of controlled substances knowing that the transactions were designed in whole and in part to conceal and disguise the nature, location, source, ownership, and control of the proceeds of the drug trafficking and to avoid Federal and State reporting requirements for the transmission of those proceeds.

    The indictment further alleges that on April 23, 2024, Jose Malagon Castro, Kenia Hernandez Barahona, and Suri Rosmeri Hernandez Del Cid, aided and abetted by each other and others, knowingly conducted financial transactions, with undercover law enforcement agents acting as alleged narcotics traffickers, to conceal or disguise the nature, location, source, ownership, and control of property represented to be the proceeds of drug trafficking, and to promote the carrying on of the alleged drug trafficking, and to avoid a transaction reporting requirement under state and federal law.

    The indictment further alleges that, Jose Malagon Castro, possessed firearms on December 4, 2024, in Jefferson County, Kentucky, knowing he was an alien illegally and unlawfully in the United States. On that date he illegally possessed the following firearms: an Aguirre y Aranzabal (AYA), model 4/53, 12-gauge shotgun; a Marlin Firearms Company, model 336W, 30-30 rifle; a Henry Repeating Rifle Company, model H004GE Golden Eagle, .22lr rifle; a Maverick Arms, model 88, 12-gauge shotgun; a Colt, model King Cobra, .357 magnum revolver; a Smith & Wesson, model CSX, 9mm pistol; and ammunition.

    On April 24, 2025, defendants Jose Malagon Castro, Yeimi Hernandez Barahona, Kelin Hernandez Barahona, Suri Rosmeri Hernandez Del Cid, and Jose Martin Romero each made an initial court appearance before a U.S. Magistrate Judge in the United States District Court for the Western District of Kentucky. Defendants Kenia Hernandez Barahona and Vanessa Avila Galaviz remain fugitives with outstanding warrants for their arrest.

    If convicted, Jose Malagon Castro faces a maximum sentence of 475 years in prison and Yeimi Hernandez Barahona, Kenia Hernandez Barahona, Kelin Hernandez Barahona, Suri Rosmeri Hernandez Del Cid, Vanessa Avila Galaviz, and Jose Martin Romero each face a maximum sentence of 460 years in prison. The United States is seeking forfeiture of $516,800.00 in United States Currency seized from Jose Malagon Castro. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors.

    There is no parole in the federal system.

    This case is being investigated by the IRS, ATF, DEA, HSI, FBI, and LMPD.

    Assistant U.S. Attorneys Mac Shannon and Joseph Ansari are prosecuting this case.

    This investigation is a part of the IRS-CI’s Cincinnati Field Office’s Third Party Money Laundering (3PML) Project. This project focuses on Complicit Money Service Businesses (MSB) working for Mexican Drug Trafficking Organizations. The purpose of this project is to develop high-impact 3PML cases for IRS-CI and other agencies across the United States, by utilizing data analytics.

    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).

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

    ###

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Welch Statement on FBI’s Arrest of a Judge in Wisconsin 

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont)
    BURLINGTON, VT—U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, issued the following statement in reaction to the FBI’s arrest of Judge Hannah Dugan, a Milwaukee county circuit court judge: 
    “The FBI cannot be allowed to arrest a judge because she won’t assist President Trump in carrying out his illegal deportation agenda. This is a gross violation of the power of the executive. President Trump is using the once-independent Justice Department to run roughshod over the Judiciary. Every one of my colleagues must stand up against this assault on the rule of law, and call this what it is: a constitutional crisis.” 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Pressley Joins Warren, Massachusetts Lawmakers Sounding Alarm on Trump Cuts to National Endowment for the Humanities Staff, Grants

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07)

    “We write to seek answers about why you are crippling an agency that punches so far above its weight and is essential to enabling access to libraries, museums, archives, historic sites and more for Massachusetts residents and Americans in every state.” 

    Lawmakers highlight Massachusetts impacts, including canceled projects which helped state capture and preserve history and culture, promote learning, make humanities more accessible

    Text of Letter (PDF)

    WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) joins Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Ed Markey (D-MA), along with Representatives Jake Auchincloss (MA-04), Bill Keating (MA-09), Stephen Lynch (MA-08), Jim McGovern (MA-02), Seth Moulton (MA-06), Richard Neal (MA-01), and Lori Trahan (MA-03), in sending a letter to Michael McDonald, Acting Chairman of the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), regarding the impacts of recent staffing cuts and attempts to cancel grants in Massachusetts and across the country.

    During the week of April 1, 2025, following the Department of Government Efficiency’s (DOGE) recommendations, a majority of NEH staff were placed on administrative leave and hundreds of grants were canceled. In the following days, state humanities councils and other grant recipients received emails notifying them that their funding would be terminated immediately and that the Trump administration would be “repurposing its funding allocations in a new direction in furtherance of the president’s agenda.”

    “We write to seek answers about why you are crippling an agency that punches so far above its weight and is essential to enabling access to libraries, museums, archives, historic sites and more for Massachusetts residents and Americans in every state,” wrote the lawmakers.

    Congressionally appropriated NEH program funds directly benefit local communities. The NEH was founded by Congress in 1965 to “promote progress and scholarship in the humanities and the arts in the United States,” and the agency enables work in the humanities by funding libraries, museums, archives, historic sites, media outlets, research institutions, educators and independent scholars. These cuts will have devastating impacts on cultural institutions and scholarship in Massachusetts and across the country.

    The Trump administration’s actions put tremendous financial strain on researchers, universities, and institutions. According to one institution in Massachusetts, the termination notices sent to individual recipients of NEH grants included language that the individuals will remain “subject to audit.” Grant recipients now face concerns that they will have to repay their funds to NEH at an undetermined time.

    NEH-funded projects in Massachusetts — including research projects to better understand the impact of war on naval veterans and their families, projects to understand the role of historic textile mills in the American industrial revolution, and programs supporting museums’ efforts to digitize, archive, and modernize the products of Massachusetts art and culture — have enriched the state’s ability to capture and preserve history and culture, promote new knowledge and learning, and make the humanities more accessible.

    “These actions at NEH mark another instance of overreach by the Trump administration, causing more destruction and devastation to research institutions and scholars across the country, but providing little in savings,” wrote the lawmakers.

    A copy of the letter is available here.

    Congresswoman Pressley has been a leading voice in Congress speaking out against Elon Musk and Donald Trump’s unprecedented assault on our democracy and federal agencies, and she has been a steadfast advocate for protecting the essential services that federal workers and agencies provide.

    • On April 14, 2025, Rep. Pressley joined the Massachusetts delegation in sending a letter to HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy demanding answers on staff cuts to the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), a critical home energy program supporting vulnerable households.
    • On April 9, 2025, Rep. Pressley joined the Massachusetts delegation in sending a letter to HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. demanding answers after the abrupt shuttering of the entire HHS Regional Office in Boston.
    • On April 9, 2025, Rep. Pressley led lawmakers in sending a letter to Trump’s trade official demanding he resign from holding multiple positions with clear conflicts of interest that would further harm federal workers.
    • On March 28, 2025, Rep. Pressley issued a statement slamming Trump’s executive order to end collective bargaining rights for hundreds of thousands of federal employees.
    • On March 21, 2025, Rep. Pressley led Massachusetts lawmakers in a letter to the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) sharply criticizing and demanding answers about the impact of the Musk-Trump Administration’s mass firings of federal workers in Massachusetts.
    • On March 11, 2025, Rep. Pressley spoke out against the U.S. Department of Education’s mass layoffs of over 1,300 workers, which effectively guts the agency.
    • On March 11, 2025, Rep. Pressley voted against Republicans’ shameful government budget bill, which would harm vulnerable families and provide a blank check for Elon Musk and Donald Trump to continue their unprecedented assault on our democracy. She later issued a statement condemning its final passage in the Senate.
    • On March 11, 2025, Rep. Pressley joined 13 of her colleagues on a letter to the Department of Homeland Security demanding answers and the immediate release of Columbia student Mahmoud Khalil, whose illegal abduction is an attack on his constitutional right to free speech and due process.
    • On March 4, 2025, Rep. Pressley walked out of the House chamber in protest during Donald Trump’s presidential joint address to Congress.
    • On March 4, 2025, Rep. Pressley welcomed Claire Bergstresser, an Everett constituent, dedicated public servant, AFGE union member, and former HUD worker who was unjustly terminated as part of Musk and Trump’s assault on federal agencies as her guest to the presidential joint address to Congress.
    • On February 28, 2025, Rep. Pressley led 85 lawmakers in a letter urging the Office of Special Counsel to immediate reinstate and expand protections for all unfairly fired federal workers.
    • On February 28, 2025, Rep. Pressley joined over 200 Democrats in filing an amicus brief defending the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau before a U.S. District Court.
    • On February 26, 2025, in a House Oversight Committee hearing, Rep. Pressley discussed what true government efficiency looks like and denounced Elon Musk and Donald Trump for utilizing DOGE to gut the essential services that keep people safe, fed, and housed.
    • On February 25, 2025, in a House Oversight Committee hearing, Rep. Pressley condemned Elon Musk’s abuse of government efficiency through the fraudulent Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
    • On February 25, 2025, Rep. Pressley delivered a floor speech in which she railed against Republicans’ cruel budget resolution that would slash Medicaid by nearly $1 trillion.
    • On February 20, 2025, Rep. Pressley and her Haiti Caucus Co-Chairs issued a statement condemning the Trump Administration’s decision to end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haiti.
    • On February 13, 2025, in a House Financial Services Committee hearing, Rep. Pressley emphasized the critical role of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) in safeguarding consumers and sharply criticized Donald Trump and Elon Musk for halting the critical work of the agency.
    • On February 10, 2025, Rep. Pressley rallied with Senator Elizabeth Warren, Ranking Member Maxine Waters, and advocates to protest Donald Trump and Elon Musk’s unlawful takeover of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)
    • On February 11, 2025, in a House Financial Services Committee hearing, Rep. Pressley criticized the Trump-Musk administration for halting the critical work of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) with crypto scams on the rise.
    • On February 10, 2025, Rep. Pressley issued a statement slamming the Trump Administration’s harmful cuts to National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding to support hospitals, universities, and research institutions conducting lifesaving research.
    • On February 10, 2025, as Trump and Musk threaten to dismantle the essential work of the U.S. Department of Education, Rep.  Pressley delivered a powerful floor speech to affirm the role of public education in American democracy.
    • On February 6, 2025, in a House Oversight Committee hearing, Rep. Pressley delivered a powerful rebuke of Republicans’ efforts to gut diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives and eliminate essential services for vulnerable communities.
    • On February 5, 2025, Rep. Pressley rallied outside the U.S. Department of Treasury to protest Elon Musk’s unlawful assault on federal agencies and our democracy.
    • On January 30, 2025, Rep. Pressley slammed Donald Trump for blaming the tragic plane crash at Reagan National Airport, which killed over 60 people, including some families from Massachusetts, on diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.
    • In January 2025, Rep. Pressley issued a statement slamming Trump’s illegal freeze on federal grants and loans and its harmful impact on vulnerable communities.
    • On January 23, 2025, Rep. Pressley delivered an impassioned floor speech condemning Republicans’ cruel anti-abortion bill that criminalizes providers and denies families care.
    • On January 23, 2025, Rep. Pressley joined her colleagues to reintroduce the Neighbors Not Enemies Act, a bill to repeal an outdated law that has been used to target innocent immigrants without due process rights.
    • On January 22, 2025, Rep. Pressley issued a statement condemning the Trump Administration’s harmful executive actions on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Justice Department Corrects Past Administration’s Manipulation of Legal System that Sought to Force States to Provide Surgery to Transgender Inmates

    Source: US State of California

    In a pair of filings today in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia, the Justice Department undid the past administration’s abuse of the legal system that pushed an agenda driven by politics, not law. The Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division withdrew an incorrect statement of interest in one case and submitted a new statement of interest in a separate case brought by inmates seeking to force the state to provide — and taxpayers to fund — dangerous, elective surgery as treatment for inmates’ gender dysphoria claims. The Justice Department’s new filings lay bare the past administration’s manipulation of supposed medical guidelines to try to create an inmate’s right to optional surgeries where no such entitlement exists.

    “The prior administration’s arguments in transgender inmate cases were based on junk science. There has never been an Eighth Amendment right for inmates to demand elective and experimental surgeries. States’ limited resources need not be wasted to provide these dubious surgeries to inmates,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “The prior administration’s nonsensical reading of the Americans with Disabilities Act was an affront to the very people the statute intended to protect”

    In both Fuller v. Georgia Dep’t. of Corrections and Doe v. Fuller v. Georgia Dep’t. of Corrections, the plaintiffs sought sexual reassignment surgeries at state expense. The prior administration portrayed such claims as necessary medical care for gender dysphoria under the ADA. That portrayal was based on guidelines that were political motivated and based on junk science. The administration has now corrected the record by removing the statement that was filed in Doe and filing a new statement in Fuller that correctly explains the extent of the ADA and the Eighth Amendment.

    For more information on the Civil Rights Division, please visit www.justice.gov/crt. Complaints about discriminatory practices may be reported to the Civil Rights Division through its internet reporting portal at civilrights.justice.gov.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Justice Department Corrects Past Administration’s Manipulation of Legal System that Sought to Force States to Provide Surgery to Transgender Inmates

    Source: United States Attorneys General 13

    In a pair of filings today in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia, the Justice Department undid the past administration’s abuse of the legal system that pushed an agenda driven by politics, not law. The Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division withdrew an incorrect statement of interest in one case and submitted a new statement of interest in a separate case brought by inmates seeking to force the state to provide — and taxpayers to fund — dangerous, elective surgery as treatment for inmates’ gender dysphoria claims. The Justice Department’s new filings lay bare the past administration’s manipulation of supposed medical guidelines to try to create an inmate’s right to optional surgeries where no such entitlement exists.

    “The prior administration’s arguments in transgender inmate cases were based on junk science. There has never been an Eighth Amendment right for inmates to demand elective and experimental surgeries. States’ limited resources need not be wasted to provide these dubious surgeries to inmates,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “The prior administration’s nonsensical reading of the Americans with Disabilities Act was an affront to the very people the statute intended to protect”

    In both Fuller v. Georgia Dep’t. of Corrections and Doe v. Fuller v. Georgia Dep’t. of Corrections, the plaintiffs sought sexual reassignment surgeries at state expense. The prior administration portrayed such claims as necessary medical care for gender dysphoria under the ADA. That portrayal was based on guidelines that were political motivated and based on junk science. The administration has now corrected the record by removing the statement that was filed in Doe and filing a new statement in Fuller that correctly explains the extent of the ADA and the Eighth Amendment.

    For more information on the Civil Rights Division, please visit www.justice.gov/crt. Complaints about discriminatory practices may be reported to the Civil Rights Division through its internet reporting portal at civilrights.justice.gov.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Foreign National Arrested for Making False Statement During Attempted Firearms Purchases

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Paducah, KY – A federal criminal complaint and arrest warrant was issued this week charging an illegal alien with making false statements during multiple attempts to purchase firearms as well as falsely claiming to be a U.S. Citizen.  

    U.S. Attorney Michael A. Bennett of the Western District of Kentucky, Special Agent in Charge John Nokes of the ATF Louisville Field Division, and Special Agent in Charge Rana Saoud of Homeland Security Investigations, Nashville, made the announcement.

    According to the complaint, Ulises Macario Gonzaga-Guillen, age 32, a citizen of Mexico, was charged with making multiple false statements during attempts to purchase firearms from licensed dealers between January 15 and February 16, 2025, in McCracken and Marshall Counties, Kentucky. Gonzaga-Guillen, during one of the attempted purchases, also falsely claimed to be a U.S. Citizen. Gonzaga-Guillen was not able to successfully purchase a firearm from any of the firearm dealers involved.  

    This case is being investigated by the ATF Paducah Satellite Office and the HSI Paducah Office.

    The defendant was taken into federal custody this week and will make his initial appearance before a U.S. Magistrate Judge in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Kentucky on April 28, 2025. If convicted on the charges in the complaint, the defendant faces a maximum sentence of 43 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors.

    There is no parole in the federal system.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Seth A. Hancock, Chief of the U.S. Attorney’s Paducah Branch Office, is prosecuting 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).

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

    ###

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: 5 Defendants Arrested on Complaints Alleging They Submitted Fraudulent Claims Seeking FEMA Funds for Wildfire Disaster Relief

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    LOS ANGELES – Five defendants have been arrested on federal criminal complaints alleging they fraudulently obtained federal disaster-relief funds by falsely claiming their properties were damaged in the wildfires that struck Los Angeles County in January 2025, the Justice Department announced today.

    The allegedly false claims were made in the wake of the Eaton and Palisades fires that started on January 7. Together, the wildfires burned nearly 60,000 acres, destroyed more than 16,000 structures, and resulted in the deaths of 30 people. As a result, the President approved a Major Disaster Declaration, which prompted the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to develop a program to provide financial assistance to fire victims.

    Victims of the Eaton and Palisades fires, including renters who lost their residences, could qualify for a one-time payment of $750 noted as a FEMA relief payment, $43,600 for other needs assistance (personal property, transportation, medical, etc.), and housing assistance for up to 18 months at varying rates. Homeowners are also potentially eligible for additional relief up to $43,600 for home repair.

    Each defendant listed below – four of whom were arrested on Thursday; one of whom was in state custody in Arizona on Wednesday – is charged with fraud in connection with major disaster or emergency benefits, which carries a statutory maximum sentence of 30 years in federal prison.

    • United States v. Hogan

    Deanniah Hogan, 32, of Compton, on January 26 allegedly submitted a false claim for federal disaster assistance related to the Palisades Fire, listing an address in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles as the purportedly damaged dwelling in which she claimed to live and rent. After approving the application, FEMA sent a total of approximately $17,351 to Hogan, including for personal property damage and displacement assistance.

    The actual Pacific Palisades homeowner – and resident who lost the property in the fire – later confirmed to law enforcement that the property was not being rented out at that time.

    Hogan was arrested and made her initial appearance Thursday in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles. A federal magistrate judge ordered her released on $10,000 bond. Her arraignment is scheduled for May 20.

    Assistant United States Attorney Solomon Kim of the Major Frauds Section is prosecuting this case.

    • United States v. Johnson

    Delvonne Dashon Johnson, 31, of the East Hollywood area of Los Angeles, on February 4 allegedly submitted a fraudulent claim for FEMA benefits related to the Palisades Fire, listing an address in Pacific Palisades as his purported dwelling that he owned. Later in February 2025, FEMA sent Johnson a total of approximately $64,138 in federal disaster relief.

    On April 2, law enforcement interviewed the property’s actual owner, who stated she had lived at that residence since 2015, that it was her primary residence, and she was living there at the time of the Palisades Fire. She also said she never rented the property out to anyone and did not know Johnson. She further said when she submitted a disaster assistance application to advise authorities that her house had been destroyed, FEMA notified her that someone already filed such a claim on her property’s behalf.

    Johnson was arrested Thursday and is scheduled to make his initial appearance this afternoon in U.S. District Court in downtown Los Angeles.

    Assistant United States Attorney Steven M. Arkow of the Major Frauds Section is prosecuting this case.

    • United States v. Lowe

    Keandre Lowe, 21, of Long Beach, on January 22 allegedly submitted a fraudulent claim for FEMA benefits, claiming that he rented an Altadena property that was destroyed in the Eaton Fire. By February 13, FEMA had submitted approximately $28,286 in disaster relief to Lowe. 

    The actual property owner later confirmed to law enforcement that they were residing in the home at the time and since 2007 had not rented the property out to anyone.

    Lowe was arrested and made his initial appearance Thursday in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles. A federal magistrate judge ordered him released on $10,000 bond. Lowe’s arraignment is scheduled for May 27.

    Assistant United States Attorney Steven M. Arkow of the Major Frauds Section is prosecuting this case.

    • United States v. McIntre

    Zenalyn McIntre, 38, of Sherman Oaks, on January 20 allegedly submitted a false claim for federal disaster relief by claiming that she was a renter of a residence in Pacific Palisades that was destroyed in the Palisades Fire. Eight days later, she submitted additional documents online to FEMA, including her California driver’s license – which listed a Sherman Oaks address – and a natural gas utility bill that appeared to be fake.

    Based on her false claim, FEMA distributed approximately $25,229 in disaster-relief funds to McIntre.

    McIntre was arrested Thursday and is scheduled to make her initial appearance this afternoon in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles.

    Assistant United States Attorney Sarah S. Lee of the Major Frauds Section is prosecuting this case.

    • United States v. Woods

    Katrina Woods, 33, of Maricopa, Arizona, on January 30 allegedly submitted a fraudulent claim for disaster assistance, listing a nonexistent Altadena address as her primary residence that purportedly was destroyed in the Eaton Fire.

    FEMA eventually disbursed approximately $23,441 in disaster relief to Woods, who also made reservations through FEMA to stay at two hotels – one in downtown Los Angeles, the other in Hawthorne – during February and March of 2025 paid for by FEMA. On March 10, FEMA discontinued lodging for Woods at the hotel in downtown Los Angeles where she was staying.

    Woods has been in state custody in Arizona since Wednesday on an unrelated matter and is expected to make her initial appearance in federal court in the coming weeks.

    Assistant United States Attorney Steven M. Arkow of the Major Frauds Section is prosecuting this case.

    Complaints contain allegations of criminal conduct. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. 

    One defendant arrested last month, Hedeshia Robertson, 36, of Lakewood, is scheduled to plead guilty on May 2 to one count of fraud in connection with major disaster or emergency benefits. Robertson admitted in her plea agreement that she filed a fraudulent application for FEMA benefits on January 28, seeking disaster relief for a Pacific Palisades property that she neither owned nor rented. As a result of her fraudulent application, Robertson fraudulently obtained approximately $24,899 in FEMA benefits.

    Assistant United States Attorneys Scott Paetty and Roger Hsieh of the Major Frauds Section are prosecuting this case.

    Another defendant, Jaime Arturo Carrillo, 48, of South Los Angeles, pleaded guilty on Wednesday to one count of fraud in connection with major disaster or emergency benefits. On January 13, Carrillo falsely stated to FEMA on an application for wildfire-relief benefits that he rented property in South Los Angeles – approximately 20 miles from the Palisades and Eaton fires – and had suffered personal property damage and a disruption in his utilities. Carrillo was not renting at the South Los Angeles residence.

    As a result of Carrillo’s false statements, FEMA authorized him to receive transitional sheltering assistance. Using these benefits, Carrillo received free lodging for 13 nights at two Los Angeles County hotels, with a total cost of approximately $2,173. Carrillo also charged approximately $107 to the room paid for by FEMA at an El Segundo hotel for food and incidental costs.

    Carrillo’s sentencing hearing is scheduled for June 11.

    Assistant United States Attorney Elizabeth S.P. Douglas of the Major Frauds Section is prosecuting this case.

    The cases announced today were investigated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General and Homeland Security Investigations’ (HSI) El Camino Real Financial Crimes Task Force, a multi-agency task force that includes federal and state investigators who are focused on financial crimes in Southern California, including the Small Business Administration Office of Inspector General (SBA-OIG).

    To report fraud related to FEMA disaster-relief public assistance, please contact the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General (DHS-OIG) hotline at (800) 323-8603. The HSI tip line may be contacted at (866) 347-2423.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Name release: Fatal crash, Marton

    Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

    Police can now release the name of the woman who died in a crash on State Highway 1, Marton on 26 March.

    She was 24-year-old My Marie Harder Clemensen, from Khandallah, Wellington.

    Police send our condolences to her family and friends at this difficult time.

    Enquiries into the circumstances of the crash are ongoing.

    ENDS

    Issued by Police Media Centre

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Californians Report Over $2.5 Billion in Losses According to IC3 Annual Report

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

    LOS ANGELES—The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) has released its latest annual report. The 2024 Internet Crime Report combines information from 859,532 complaints of suspected Internet crime and details reported losses exceeding $16 billion – a 33% increase in losses from 2023.

    According to the 2024 report, California ranked #1 out of all states in the number of complaints received by the public. Moreover, California residents 60 and over, suffered the most losses at over $800 million and submitted the greatest number of complaints.

    The top three cybercrimes in California, by number of complaints reported by victims in 2024 were: Cryptocurrency Fraud, Extortion, and Phishing/Spoofing.

    “This report is a sobering reminder that we in California, especially our seniors, remain prime targets for scammers who will jump at every opportunity to defraud potential victims” said Akil Davis, assistant director in charge of the FBI Los Angeles Field Office. “It’s important for the public to remain vigilant to guard against ever-increasing cyber threats. At home, practicing good cyber hygiene is an effective way to create a safer online environment for you and your family. If anyone suspects they or someone they know may be a victim of fraud, we encourage them to report it to the FBI by calling our Los Angeles Field Office at 310-477-6565, online at tips.fbi.gov and submitting a report to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at ic3.gov.”

    To promote public awareness, the IC3 produces an annual report to aggregate and highlight the data provided by the general public. The quality of the data is a direct reflection of the information the public provides through the IC3 website. The IC3 standardizes the data by categorizing each complaint and analyzes the data to identify and forecast trends in Internet crime. The annual report helps the FBI develop effective relationships with industry partners and share information for investigative and intelligence purposes for law enforcement and public awareness.

    The IC3, which was established in May 2000, houses nine million complaints from the public in its database and continues to encourage anyone who thinks they’ve been the victim of a cyber-enabled crime, regardless of dollar loss, to file a complaint through the IC3 website. The more comprehensive complaints the FBI receives, the more effective it will be in helping law enforcement gain a more accurate picture of the extent and nature of Internet-facilitated crimes.

    The FBI recommends that everyone frequently review consumer and industry alerts published by the IC3. If you or your business is a victim of an Internet crime, immediately notify all financial institutions involved in the relevant transactions, submit a complaint to www.ic3.gov, contact your nearest FBI field office, and contact local law enforcement.

    Learn more about the history of IC3 by listening to this previously released podcast: FBI podcast episode “Inside the FBI: IC3 Turns 20.”

    The full 2024 Internet Crime Report can be found here: https://www.ic3.gov/AnnualReport/Reports/2024_IC3Report.pdf

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Representatives of the State University of Management became winners of the federal competition “Leaders of Law”

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: State University of Management – Official website of the State –

    The results of the VIII federal scientific and educational competition of draft laws among young lawyers “Leaders of Law” have been summed up; representatives of the State University of Management won.

    Over the course of six months and three stages, 50 teams from Moscow, Saratov, Penza, Altai Krai, Nizhny Novgorod, Veliky Novgorod and other regions competed for the title of best legislator. The works were assessed by a strict and competent jury of active judges, prosecutors, justice generals and other highly qualified specialists.

    The team of the State University of Education “AzBukiVedi”, headed by the 4th year student of the “Jurisprudence” program Karina Meshcheryakova, presented a draft law on the legal regulation of spiritual and moral security and protection of the Russian language, and in a difficult fight became the winner! The team also included Varvara Yupatova.

    Karina Meshcheryakova received a well-deserved winner’s diploma, a certificate from the deputy of the Legislative Assembly of St. Petersburg Lyubov Mendeleyeva and was awarded a valuable gift.

    In addition, the scientific supervisor of our legislators – candidate of legal sciences, associate professor, associate professor of the Department of Private Law Svetlana Titor was recognized as the winner in the nomination “Mentor in Law”.

    But that’s not all! The organizers of the “Leader of Law” competition invited the winners to take part in the XIII St. Petersburg International Legal Forum (youth section), which will be held from May 19 to 21, where our team will be able to present their draft law.

    The competition was organized by the Interregional Public Organization of Graduates “Association of Graduates of SYU-SGAP-SGUA” together with the Saratov State Law Academy and the Association of Lawyers of Russia.

    Subscribe to the TG channel “Our GUU” Date of publication: 04/25/2025

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Fatal crash, Owhata

    Source: New Zealand Police (District News)

    Police can confirm one person has died following a crash in Owhata overnight.

    The two-vehicle crash on the corner of Te Ngae Road and Tennyson Drive was reported at about 9:10pm.

    One person died at the scene. A second person received serious injuries.

    Police would like to speak with anybody who witnessed the crash. This includes any dashcam or CCTV footage around the area.

    If you have any information, please contact Police via 105, either online or over the phone.

    Please reference file number 250426/9296.

    ENDS

    Issued by Police Media Centre

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Former Turkey Leg Hut owner indicted for arson

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    HOUSTON – A 42-year-old Houston man has been taken into custody on charges of conspiracy to commit arson of a commercial building and conspiracy to use an interstate facility to commit arson of a vehicle, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.

    Lyndell “Lynn” Price, former owner of the Turkey Leg Hut who now owns The Oyster Hut, is set to make his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Dena Hanovice Palermo at 2 p.m. Also in custody and set to appear are Armani Williams, 27, and John Lee Price, 39, both also of Houston.

    The indictment, returned April 8 and unsealed upon the arrests, alleges Price and others conspired to set fire to Bar 5015. The charges allege the owner of that bar was a former co-owner of the Turkey Leg Hut and Price’s business partner. 

    In early June 12, 2020, Price had allegedly recruited a group which included Williams, John Price and others. The charges allege Williams, John Price and others were involved in pouring gasoline at the entrance ramp before igniting a fire at Bar 5015. Lynn Price later provided payment to them, according to the charges. 

    Prior to the arson, the indictment alleges that in April 2020, Lynn Price also paid John Price and others to set fire to a stolen blue 1975 Chevy Nova.

    Lynn Price and the others are charged with conspiracy to commit arson and arson and face up to 20 years in federal prison as well as a possible $250,000 maximum fine.   

    Lynn Price and John Price are also charged with conspiracy to use an interstate facility to commit arson of a vehicle and could receive another five years as possible punishment, upon conviction.   

    The indictment remains sealed to those charged but not as yet in custody. 

    FBI and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation with the assistance of the Houston Police Department, Texas Department of Public Safety and Harris County Constable’s Office – Precinct 4. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sebastian A. Edwards and Keri Fuller are prosecuting the case.

    An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law. 

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICE arrests illegally present Salvadoran alien in Maryland after detainer not honored by local authorities

    Source: US Immigration and Customs Enforcement

    BALTIMORE — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested illegal Salvadoran national Brayan Eleazar Angulo-Barrios, 26, in Hyattsville, Maryland, April 22, after the Prince Georges County Department of Corrections failed to honor another ICE immigration detainer.

    Angulo is a validated 18th street gang member and has been convicted of possession of a loaded handgun and possession with intent to distribute.

    “Once again, Prince George’s County — a non-cooperative jurisdiction has chosen to release a criminal alien back into the community, ignoring an ICE detainer and putting public safety at risk,” said ICE Baltimore Deputy Field Office Director Vernon Liggins. “This decision reflects a policy that prioritizes non-cooperation over addressing public safety threats while individuals are in custody with the Prince George’s County Department of Corrections. Consequently, ICE is forced to expand our at-large operations within Prince George’s County. Angulo was convicted of serious crimes that threaten the well-being of law-abiding citizens. We’re asking local law enforcement to help us protect our communities by honoring detainers and standing with ICE in prioritizing the safety of American citizens.”

    Angulo entered the United States on an unknown date at an unknown location without being inspected, admitted, or paroled by an immigration officer.

    The Prince George’s County Police Department arrested and charged Angulo Nov. 17, 2021, with possession with intent to distribute and possession of a loaded handgun. The Circuit Court for Prince George’s County convicted Angulo of possession with intent to distribute and possession of a loaded handgun Aug. 18, 2023, and sentenced him to one year in prison with three years’ supervised probation.

    The Maryland State Police arrested and charged Angulo with possessing a loaded handgun in his vehicle July 29, 2022. The District Court for Montgomery County in Silver Spring, Maryland, convicted Angulo of possessing a loaded handgun in his vehicle Nov. 14, 2022, and sentenced him to 110 days in jail.

    The PGCPD arrested and charged Angulo April 18, 2024, with violation of probation.

    ICE lodged an immigration detainer on Angulo with the Prince George’s County Department of Corrections April 19, 2024. The PGCDOC declined to honor ICE’s immigration detainer and released Angulo from custody April 23, 2024.

    ICE issued Angulo a final order of removal April 22, and he will remain in ICE custody pending removal from the United States to El Salvador.

    Members of the public can report crimes and suspicious activity by dialing 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or completing the online tip form.

    Learn more about ICE’s mission to increase public safety in our communities on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @EROBaltimore.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICE arrests illegal Guatemalan national charged with assaulting police officer in Massachusetts

    Source: US Immigration and Customs Enforcement

    CHELSEA, Mass. — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement apprehended an illegally present Guatemalan national charged with assault and battery on a police officer and assault with a dangerous weapon. Officers with ICE Boston arrested Luis Javier Chavez-Galiego, 20, in Chelsea Feb. 8.

    “Luis Javier Chavez-Galiego illegally came to this country and apparently assaulted members of our Massachusetts community to include an officer of the law,” said ICE Boston Enforcement and Removal Operations acting Field Office Director Patricia H. Hyde. “He represents a threat to our community that ICE Boston will not tolerate. We will continue to prioritize the safety of our public by arresting and removing criminal alien offenders.”

    USBP arrested Chavez after he illegally entered the United States near El Paso, Texas, Feb. 24, 2019. USBP served Chavez with a notice to appear before a Justice Department immigration judge.

    The Chelsea, MA District Court arraigned Chavez Sept. 20, 2024, for two counts of assault and battery on a police officer and three counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon.

    The Chelsea District Court arraigned Chavez Feb. 5 for default warrants, two counts of assault and battery on a police officer and three counts of assault and battery dangerous weapon – shod foot. Later that day, ICE Boston lodged an immigration detainer against Chavez with the Chelsea District Court; however, the court refused to honor the detainer and released Chavez from custody.  

    Officers from ICE Boston arrested Chavez in Chelsea Feb. 8. Chavez remains in ICE custody.

    Members of the public can report crimes and suspicious activity by dialing 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or completing the online tip form.

    Learn more about ICE’s mission to increase public safety in our communities on X: @EROBoston.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: WEEK 14 WINS: President Trump Drives Economic Growth and Strengthens National Security

    US Senate News:

    Source: The White House
    This week, President Donald J. Trump and his administration delivered another series of bold victories for the American people, advancing economic prosperity, enhancing national security, and restoring common sense to government. From unleashing American energy dominance to cracking down on illicit foreign activities, the Trump Administration continues its relentless pursuit of policies that prioritize American workers, families, and communities.
    Here is a non-comprehensive list of wins in week 14:
    President Trump’s unrelenting commitment to revitalizing American manufacturing delivered more results, driving job creation and economic growth nationwide.
    Roche, a Swiss drug and diagnostics company, announced a $50 billion investment in its U.S.-based manufacturing and R&D, which is expected to create more than 1,000 new full-time jobs.
    Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced a $3 billion agreement with Fujifilm Diosynth Biotechnologies to produce drugs at its North Carolina manufacturing facility.
    NorthMark Strategies, a multi-strategy investment firm, announced a $2.8 billion investment to build a supercomputing facility in South Carolina.
    Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc., announced a $2 billion investment in U.S. manufacturing and innovation.
    Chobani announced a $1.2 billion investment to build its third U.S. dairy processing plant in New York, which is expected to create more than 1,000 new full-time jobs.
    Fiserv, Inc. announced a $175 million investment to open a new strategic fintech hub in Kansas, which is expected to create 2,000 new high-paying jobs.
    Toyota Motor Corporation announced an $88 million investment to boost hybrid vehicle production at its West Virginia factory, securing employment for the factory’s 2,000 workers.
    Hyundai Motor Group secured an equity investment and agreement from Posco Holdings, South Korea’s top steel maker, for the automaker’s planned steel plant in Louisiana.
    Hitachi Energy announced a $22.5 million investment to expand its facilities in Virginia, which is expected to add 120 new jobs.
    Cyclic Materials, a Canadian advanced recycling company for rare earth elements, announced a $20 million investment in its first U.S.-based commercial facility, located in Mesa, Arizona.
    GM announced it will increase production at its Ohio transmission facility.
    Coinbase announced plans to add more than 130 new jobs and open a new office in Charlotte, North Carolina.

    President Trump continued to secure our border and rid our communities of illegal immigrant criminals.
    The Swanton sector of the U.S.-Canada border — previously overrun by illegal immigrants — saw illegal border crossings decline from 1,109 in March 2024 to just 54 in March 2025.
    New York Post: Northern border sector previously overrun by illegal migrants sees dramatic drop in crossings: ‘We haven’t seen anyone since November’

    The Washington Times: Under Trump, border catch-and-release has dropped 99.99% from worst Biden month
    CBS: ICE partnerships with local law enforcement triple as Trump continues deportation crackdown
    The Federal Bureau of Investigation apprehended Harpreet Singh, an alleged member of a foreign terrorist gang who was planning multiple attacks on law enforcement in the U.S. and India.
    Five suspected Tren de Aragua gang members were arrested in Fresno County, California.

    President Trump continued to pursue peace through strength around the world.
    The Trump Administration has directed attacks that have killed at least 74 terrorists seeking to attack the U.S. so far.

    The Trump Administration forged ahead on its unprecedented effort to secure American energy dominance.
    The Department of the Interior announced it will accelerate the onerous permitting process for energy and critical minerals, slashing approval times from years to just 28 days, at most.
    Chevron announced a massive oil and natural gas project in the Gulf of America, with 75,000 gross barrels of oil expected to be produced daily.

    The Department of Health and Human Services and the Food and Drug Administration announced a series of new measures to phase out all petroleum-based synthetic dyes from medications and the nation’s food supply by the end of 2026.
    President Trump took a series of executive actions to enhance educational and workforce opportunities for the American people.
    President Trump signed an executive order modernizing American workforce programs to prepare citizens for the high-paying skilled trade jobs of the future.
    Association of Equipment Manufacturers: “Our industry faces a persistent and growing shortage of skilled workers, and this action reflects the leadership needed to build a strong pipeline of talent for the jobs of the future. By aligning workforce programs with the realities of today’s labor market, the administration is taking a smart, strategic step to bolster U.S. manufacturing. We support the President’s continued focus on reshoring American manufacturing and ensuring our workforce is filled with the brightest and best talent in the world.”

    President Trump signed an executive order creating new educational and workforce development opportunities in artificial intelligence technology for America’s youth.
    President Trump signed an executive order revoking flawed Obama-Biden guidance that pressured schools to impose discipline based on “racial equity” and gives teachers the ability to ensure order in their classrooms.

    President Trump took action to further reform and enhance higher education in America.
    President Trump signed an executive order overhauling the nation’s higher education accreditation system to ensure colleges and universities deliver high-quality, high-value education free from unlawful discrimination and ideological bias.
    President Trump signed an executive order enhancing the capacity of the nation’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities to deliver high-quality education and innovation.
    President Trump signed an executive order requiring higher education institutions to promptly disclose foreign gifts and funding.

    President Trump signed a landmark executive order eliminating the use of so-called “disparate-impact liability,” which undermines civil rights by mandating discrimination to achieve predetermined, race-oriented outcomes.
    President Trump ordered an investigation into illegal “straw donor” and foreign contributions in American elections.
    President Trump signed an executive order strengthening probationary periods in the federal service — ensuring a merit-based federal workforce that serves the American people.
    President Trump signed an executive order to develop domestic capabilities for exploration, characterization, collection, and processing of critical deep seabed minerals.
    President Trump announced he will personally fund the installation of two beautiful 100-foot flagpoles flying the American flag on the North Lawn of the White House.
    Small business sentiment remained near its historic high in March, according to a new survey from the Job Creators Network Foundation.
    The Department of State launched an unprecedented reorganization to reverse decades of bloat and bureaucracy that rendered it unable to perform its essential diplomatic mission.
    The Department of Justice launched the Task Force to Eradicate Anti-Christian Bias as part of President Trump’s directive to end unlawful anti-Christian discrimination by the federal government.
    The Department of Education announced it will resume collections on defaulted federal student loans after a five-year pause, ending the Biden-era practice of zero-interest, zero-accountability student borrowing.
    The Department of the Interior officially unveiled the Jocelyn Nungaray National Wildlife Refuge, honoring the memory of 12-year-old Jocelyn Nungaray, who was savagely murdered by illegal immigrants in Texas.
    Secretary of the Navy John Phelan rescinded the Biden-era Navy Climate Action 2030 program, which prioritized ideologically motivated regulations over the Navy’s core mission of warfighting.
    The Department of Education returned oversight of higher education foreign funding disclosures to the Office of General Counsel, making clear that the Trump Administration will prioritize enforcement of federal law.
    The Department of Education initiated an investigation and records request into University of California, Berkeley, after a review of the university’s foreign funding disclosures found they may be incomplete or inaccurate.
    The Department of the Treasury sanctioned an Iranian liquefied petroleum gas magnate and his network as part of President Trump’s maximum pressure campaign.
    The Department of Agriculture announced $340.6 million in disaster assistance for farmers, ranchers, and rural communities impacted by natural disasters across the country.
    The Department of the Interior disbursed $13 million to revitalize coal communities.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Spree of Armed Carjackings in 2023 Nets District Man 10 Years in Federal Prison

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    WASHINGTON – Junious Plummer, 36, of the District of Columbia, was sentenced today to 10 years in federal prison in connection with a firearms offense and a spree of three armed carjackings in late 2023.

    The sentence was announced by U.S. Attorney Edward R. Martin Jr., Special Agent in Charge Sean Ryan of the FBI Washington Field Office Criminal and Cyber Division, and Chief Pamela Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department.

    Plummer pleaded guilty on Jan. 21, 2025, to one count of brandishing of a firearm during a crime of violence. U.S. District Court Judge Reggie B. Walton ordered Plummer to serve three years of supervised release.

    According to court documents, on Aug. 11, 2023, about 7:30 a.m., Plummer approached two men sleeping in a blue Hyundai Elantra parked in a lot on the 3900 block of Dix Street NE. Plummer, holding a black handgun, opened the driver’s side door and demanded that the person get out of the vehicle. The victim tried to close the door. Plummer struck him with the handgun and ordered the person in the passenger seat to get out. Plummer then took the car and drove away with the driver’s phone still in the vehicle.

    On Oct.18, 2023, Plummer, brandishing a silver revolver, approached the owner of a white 2007 Toyota Camry as the owner refueled at a gas station on the 4100 block of Hunt Place, NE. Plummer demanded the keys, and when the owner hesitated, Plummer hit the owner in the head with the revolver, causing the owner to drop his keys, iPhone, and headphones. Plummer scooped up the items and fled in the Camry.

    On Dec. 18, 2023, Plummer and another man approached a woman in the parking garage of her apartment building on the 400 block of Minnesota Ave., NE. The woman was getting into her block 2014 Chrysler 300. One of the men was armed with a rifle-style firearm. Plummer and his accomplice demanded the woman’s keys, forced her to the ground, and placed the gun against the side of her head. The woman told the men the cars were in the vehicle. Plummer and his accomplice took the Chrysler 300 and fled to Maryland. Shortly after, Plummer and the man used the woman’s credit cards to make purchases.

    Between the last two known carjackings, on Oct. 30, 2023, Plummer was found to be in possession of a black Charter Arms .357 firearm loaded with five rounds.

    This investigation was conducted by the MPD and the FBI Washington Field Office Violent Crimes Task Force. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Cameron Tepfer with valuable assistance from Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Kate MacLure Toth.

    24cr294

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Tampa Woman Pleads Guilty To Her Role In Two Convenience Store Robberies

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Tampa, FL – United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announces that Leanna Bryant (28, Tampa) has pleaded guilty to two robberies, conspiracy to commit those robberies, and aiding and abetting the brandishing a firearm during those robberies. Bryant faces up to 20 years in prison on each of the robbery counts. For each of the firearms counts, she faces a minimum sentence of seven years, up to life, in federal prison—consecutive to any other sentence. A sentencing date has not yet been set.

    According to court documents and proceedings, in August 2023, Bryant conspired with others to rob two convenience stores. A firearm was used and brandished during both robberies. During the investigation, officers discovered a vehicle’s license plate registering on license plate readers near both robbery locations, close in time to when each of the robberies had occurred. Bryant’s fingerprints were found in the vehicle.

    This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, the Tampa Police Department, the Temple Terrace Police Department, the Lakeland Police Department, and the North Port Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Samantha Newman.

    This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Cherry Creek Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal Prison for Abusive Sexual Contact

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    PIERRE – United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Eric C. Schulte has sentenced a Cherry Creek, South Dakota, man convicted of Abusive Sexual Contact. The sentencing took place on April 22, 2025.

    Pacer Hayes, age 27, was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

    Hayes was indicted by a federal grand jury in February 2024. He pleaded guilty on January 24, 2025.

    The conviction stems from an incident that occurred in November 2023 in Eagle Butte, South Dakota. On November 10, 2023, the victim agreed to give Hayes a ride from a bar after he had been drinking. After convincing the victim to let him sleep on her couch because he was locked out of his home, Hayes entered the victim’s bedroom during the night and sexually assaulted her. Hayes used his phone to photograph and video the victim’s body during the assault. The offense occurred in the Cheyenne River Indian Reservation.

    This matter was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office because the Major Crimes Act, a federal statute, mandates that certain violent crimes alleged to have occurred in Indian Country be prosecuted in Federal court as opposed to State court.

    This case was investigated by the FBI and the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services. Assistant U.S. Attorney Wayne Venhuizen prosecuted the case.

    Hayes was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.

     

     

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Guatemalan National Pleads Guilty To Illegal Reentry Into The United States By A Previously Deported Alien

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Jacksonville, Florida – United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announces that Samuel Ortiz-Ordonez (24, Guatemala) has pleaded guilty to illegal reentry into the United States by a previously deported alien. Ortiz-Ordonez faces a maximum penalty of two years in federal prison and subsequent deportation and removal from the United States. His sentencing hearing has not yet been scheduled.

    According to court documents, Ortiz-Ordonez was previously ordered to be removed from the United States on August 28, 2019. He was deported from the back to Guatemala on June 15, 2023. Ortiz-Ordonez has never applied to the Attorney General of the United States and/or the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security for permission to lawfully reenter the United States. On March 13, 2025, Ortiz-Ordonez was found voluntarily back in the United States in Jacksonville, where he was encountered by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers. After being approached by ICE officers, Ortiz-Ordonez abandoned the vehicle that he was driving and fled on foot through a local residential neighborhood. After a brief chase, he was apprehended.

    This case was investigated by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Enforcement Removal Operations (ERO). It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney D. Rodney Brown.

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

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Oak Grove Man Sentenced to 71 Months in Federal Prison for Committing Arson at a Federally Contracted Rehabilitation Center

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

          LITTLE ROCK—Nathan James Hester will spend the next 71 months in federal prison after intentionally starting multiple fires at a federally contracted rehabilitation center in Searcy, Arkansas. Jonathan D. Ross, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, announced the sentence, which was handed down on April 24, 2025, by Chief United States District Kristine G. Baker.

          An investigation revealed that Hester, 39, of Oak Grove, was suspected of setting fire to several residences in the Oak Grove community in North Little Rock between September 2022 and October 2022. On October 20, 2022, Hester set fire to a business located in North Little Rock, for which he was indicted by a federal grand jury on November 2, 2022. While under indictment, Hester was released on pretrial supervision and resided at a federally contracted rehabilitation center. On November 27, 2022, while at the rehabilitation center, Hester set multiple fires inside of his assigned room while the center was occupied.

          On October 3, 2023, in a superseding indictment, Hester was charged with arson relating to the fires at the federally contracted rehabilitation center. Hester pleaded guilty to the arson charge on August 8, 2024.

          “Nathan James Hester is a serial arsonist who endangered others and caused property damage,” Ross said. “These crimes deserve federal attention, and if there are others who make the choice to endanger others and set fire to destroy properties and endanger others, this office will ensure you are held accountable.”

          “ATF is dedicated to preventing and reducing violent crime involving the criminal misuse of arson like the kind Nathan James Hester inflicted on the residents of a rehabilitation center,” said ATF New Orleans Special Agent in Charge Joshua Jackson. “ATF remains vigilant about working fire investigations with our partners to solve these crimes and hold those accountable who use this dangerous violent tactic to harm the public.”

          Chief Judge Baker also sentenced Hester to three years’ supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.

          The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives with assistance from the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office, Maumelle Police Department, Maumelle Fire Department, Oak Grove Fire Department, Arkansas State Police, Searcy Police Department, and the Searcy Fire Department. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Erin O’Leary.

    # # #

    Additional information about the office of the

    United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, is available online at

    https://www.justice.gov/edar

    X (formerly known as Twitter):

    @USAO_EDAR 

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cameroonian Man Indicted for Conspiring to Provide Material Support to Armed Separatist Fighters to Murder, Kidnap, and Maim Individuals in Cameroon and For Making Threats

    Source: US Justice – Antitrust Division

    Headline: Cameroonian Man Indicted for Conspiring to Provide Material Support to Armed Separatist Fighters to Murder, Kidnap, and Maim Individuals in Cameroon and For Making Threats

    A federal grand jury in Baltimore returned an indictment yesterday charging a Cameroonian national residing in Maryland, Eric Tataw, also known as “the Garri Master,” 38, of Gaithersburg, Maryland, with conspiring to provide material support to armed separatist militias in Cameroon and threatening violence against Cameroonian civilians.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Infrastructure Improvements in Onondaga & Oswego Counties

    Source: US State of New York

    overnor Kathy Hochul today announced that work has begun on two significant infrastructure improvement projects that will enhance safety and improve mobility along a major corridor in northern Onondaga County and a heavily traveled route in southern Oswego County.

    The projects, supported by federal and state funds, represent a $5 million investment in the region’s transportation network that will provide necessary upgrades to the exit ramp from State Route 481 to East Circle Drive in the Town of Cicero, Onondaga County, and replace the State Route 49 bridge over Big Bay Creek in the Town of West Monroe, Oswego County. These undertakings illustrate Governor Hochul’s unparalleled commitment to modernize transportation infrastructure statewide and support the growth of communities through projects that prioritize safety, improve connectivity, and bolster economic opportunity for residents and visitors.

    “As we all bear witness to the extraordinary transformation of Central New York through the Interstate 81 Viaduct Project, it is imperative that we continue to shore up our infrastructure in surrounding areas,” Governor Hochul said. “These projects on State Route 481 and State Route 49 are critical to improving traffic flow, bolstering economic vitality and enhancing public safety. By modernizing aging infrastructure and reducing congestion, we are helping to ensure safer, more efficient travel for everyone who lives, works, and visits the region.”

    State Route 481 serves as vital corridor, connecting two of Central New York’s largest counties, Onondaga, and Oswego, and accommodating commuters headed to work, school and activities, along with patrons exploring local establishments or destined for a picturesque lakeside getaway along the shores of Oneida Lake or Lake Ontario.

    The Town of Cicero and Village of North Syracuse are the first stops along the heavily traveled route with high-traffic hotspots lining East Circle Drive and U.S. Route 11. Nearly 12,000 vehicles a day utilize the off-ramp from State Route 481 northbound to Exit 1B. During peak hours, particularly during the evening commute, motorists attempting to exit often experience heavy traffic and congestion.

    While temporary improvements were implemented last year to accommodate a detour associated with the I-81 Viaduct Project, permanent construction on the $3 million safety improvement project will help mitigate traffic by decreasing congestion from State Route 481 northbound to East Circle Drive. Reconstruction of the ramp includes a two lane exit that widens to three lanes, two permanent dedicated left turn lanes and a designated right turn lane onto East Circle Drive to improve traffic flow. Additionally, the traffic signal at the intersection will be modified to include a new signal head and will incorporate an overhead sign directing motorists’ attention to the “Right Turn Only,” lane, along with an upgrade to the video detection system.

    A new concrete median barrier along the northbound left shoulder of State Route 481 between the bridges over U.S. Route 11 and South Bay Road is also included in the safety improvement project, while the shoulder adjacent to the barrier will be widened to six feet. The new barrier and increased shoulder width will help reduce median crossovers along State Route 481 and further enhance safety and resiliency.

    The project is anticipated to be completed by fall 2025.

    The $2 million replacement of the State Route 49 bridge over Big Bay Creek in the Town of West Monroe, Oswego County, includes the construction of new bridge abutments with cast-in-place concrete piles, pre-stressed concrete beams, a new concrete bridge deck and new concrete approach slabs.

    The existing timber bridge, constructed in 1941, closed in June 2024 after a NYSDOT inspection raised safety concerns. The installation of a temporary bridge, planned as part of the replacement project was expedited and opened to traffic in November 2024, reducing the short-term and long-term impacts to the traveling public.

    An estimated 10,000 vehicles traverse the State Route 49 bridge over Big Bay Creek every day. The two-lane roadway meets Interstate 81 at Exit 32 in Central Square, with the eastern portion of State Route 49 providing access to residences, restaurants, local vendors, and water-based recreation along the north shore of Oneida Lake. This vital route also serves as a main thoroughfare for people bound for popular destinations like Sylvan Beach and Verona Beach in Oneida County.

    Traffic is expected to be moved from the temporary bridge to the newly constructed bridge in October.

    The project is expected to be completed by the end of 2025.

    New York State Department of Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez said, “Governor Hochul understands that by investing in transportation infrastructure is an investment in our communities and statewide, we are prioritizing the needs of the people who rely on these roadways and bridges each and every day. The improvements to the exit ramp from State Route 481 to East Circle Drive will add important safety upgrades and improve traffic flow, helping to ensure this bustling area is equipped to handle continued growth, while the modernization of the State Route 49 bridge over Big Bay Creek will strengthen the safety of this important route for the residents of Oswego County.”

    Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer said, “Thanks to millions in federal funding from my Bipartisan Infrastructure & Jobs Law, we are paving the way for a safer future in Central New York. This will upgrade the State Route 481 exit ramp in Cicero and replace the State Route 49 bridge over Big Bay Creek in West Monroe, improving traffic flow along this vital corridor and helping connect residents and visitors to Oneida Lake and Lake Ontario all while creating jobs, jobs, jobs. I’m grateful that Governor Hochul is putting these dollars to good use to improve safety and connectivity for Central New Yorkers.”

    Representative John W. Mannion said, “I’m committed to keeping Central New York’s roads and bridges smooth, safe, modern, and resilient for everyone who lives and travels in our region. The improvements to 481, including the Exit 1B ramp to East Circle Drive in the Town of Cicero, are important upgrades to our transportation infrastructure. I’m grateful for Governor Hochul’s continued commitment to building a stronger and more connected Central New York.”

    State Senator Christopher Ryan said, “These infrastructure investments are a win for Central New York. By easing congestion in Cicero and replacing a critical bridge in West Monroe, we’re making daily commutes safer and more efficient while supporting economic growth across Onondaga and Oswego Counties. I’m grateful to Governor Hochul for prioritizing projects that strengthen our communities and keep people moving.”

    Assemblymember Al Stirpe said, “The reconstruction of the on-ramp leading to Cicero will relieve everyday congestion and improve commutes for thousands of drivers. Looking at the long-term, our community will be safer, more connected, and better prepared to take on Central New York’s growing potential as an economic hub.”

    Assemblymember William Barclay said, “With thousands of motorists relying on State Route 481 and the Route 49 bridge, I’m pleased to see necessary infrastructure improvements underway. These upgrades are crucial investments in safety and efficiency, making daily commutes easier and more reliable. Modernizing key routes in Onondaga and Oswego counties will improve traffic flow and reinforce the connections that drive local growth and support vibrant communities.”

    Oswego County Legislature Chairperson James Weatherup said, “We are thrilled to hear about the $2 million replacement of the State Route 49 Bridge in West Monroe. The bridge has been closed since 2024 after a NYSDOT inspection deemed it unsafe. A temporary bridge was installed which helped with the flow of traffic; however, it was temporary, and this infrastructure investment will reopen the bridge that provides access to residences, restaurants, local vendors and water-based recreation that is vital to residents and tourists alike.”

    About the Department of Transportation
    It is the mission of the New York State Department of Transportation to provide a safe, reliable, equitable, and resilient transportation system that connects communities, enhances quality of life, protects the environment, and supports the economic well-being of New York State.

    Lives are on the line; slow down and move over for highway workers!

    For more information, find them on Facebook, follow them on X or Instagram, or visit their website. For up-to-date travel information, call 511, visit www.511NY.org or download the free 511NY mobile app.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Cameroonian Man Indicted for Conspiring to Provide Material Support to Armed Separatist Fighters to Murder, Kidnap, and Maim Individuals in Cameroon and For Making Threats

    Source: United States Attorneys General

    A federal grand jury in Baltimore returned an indictment yesterday charging a Cameroonian national residing in Maryland, Eric Tataw, also known as “the Garri Master,” 38, of Gaithersburg, Maryland, with conspiring to provide material support to armed separatist militias in Cameroon and threatening violence against Cameroonian civilians. He surrendered and will make his initial court appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge J. Mark Coulson today.

    According to court documents, multiple armed and violent secessionist groups in the Northwest and Southwest regions of Cameroon are fighting to form a new country called “Ambazonia.” The armed separatist militias sought to achieve secession by not only attacking the Cameroonian military, but also intentionally attacking the civilian population in Cameroon in an attempt to force the Cameroonian government into allowing these regions to secede. These separatist fighters are frequently referred to as “Amba Boys.”

    “The defendant is alleged to have ordered horrific acts of violence, including severing limbs, against Cameroonian civilians in support of a violent secessionist movement,” said Matthew R. Galeotti, Head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “This indictment represents the Justice Department’s commitment to hold accountable human rights violators who direct brutal political violence and fundraise for armed militias from the comfort of the United States.”

    “The Justice Department will not tolerate those who help murder, maim, and kidnap,” said Sue J. Bai, Head of the Justice Department’s National Security Division. “We will continue to hold accountable those who aim to turn American soil into a staging ground for political violence abroad.”

    “Tataw and his co-conspirators masterminded and financially supported a vicious scheme to overthrow a foreign government. They resorted to an unthinkable level of violence while instilling fear in innocent victims to advance their political agenda,” said U.S. Attorney Kelly O. Hayes for the District of Maryland. “We, along with our law enforcement partners, are committed to relentlessly pursuing anyone who attempts to inflict mayhem on others. Tataw and his co-conspirators demonstrated a total disregard for human life so now they must pay the price.”

    As alleged in the indictment, Tataw was a citizen of Cameroon living in Maryland and was a member of the Cameroonian diaspora with a large social media following. Beginning in April 2018, Tataw and others sought to raise funds for the Amba Boys to finance violent attacks in Cameroon. Tataw also allegedly called for the murder, kidnapping, and maiming of civilians and the destruction of public, educational, and cultural property in Cameroon. Tataw and his co-conspirators allegedly directed the maiming of Cameroonian civilians by severing their limbs, a practice Tataw called “Garriing.” Tataw allegedly used the phrase “small Garri” to refer to removing fingers or other small appendages and the phrase “large Garri” to refer to removing large limbs or killing people. Additionally, Tataw allegedly referred to himself as the “Garri Master,” or master of mutilation.

    Tataw and his co-conspirators allegedly targeted those believed to be working for or collaborating with the government, including municipal officials, traditional chiefs, and employees of the Cameroon Development Corporation (CDC), a public company that grew, processed, and sold bananas, palm oil, and rubber. As alleged, Tataw personally wrote hundreds of social media posts on Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter calling for attacks against Cameroonian civilians, seeking to raise funds to arm Amba Boys, and threatening those he viewed as cooperating with the government of Cameroon. These social media posts were regularly viewed by tens of thousands of people, including Amba Boys and their leaders, and were often further disseminated by third parties allegedly acting at Tataw’s direction or encouragement.

    Tataw is charged with one count of conspiracy to provide material support and four counts of interstate communication of a threat to harm. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison on the material support count and five years in prison on each count of communication of a threat to harm. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

    Matthew R. Galeotti, Head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; Sue J. Bai, Head of the Justice Department’s National Security Division; U.S. Attorney Kelly O. Hayes for the District of Maryland; and Special Agent in Charge Michael McCarthy of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations (ICE HSI) Maryland made the announcement.

    HSI and the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service, with assistance from the FBI, are investigating the case.

    Trial Attorney Chelsea Schinnour of the Criminal Division’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section, Assistant U.S. Attorney Christina Hoffman and Joseph Wenner for the District of Maryland, and Trial Attorneys Michael Dittoe and Andrew Briggs of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section are prosecuting the case, with assistance from the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs.

    An indictment is merely an allegation. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Gaffney Woman Pleads Guilty to Distribution of Methamphetamine and Fentanyl Conspiracy

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    SPARTANBURG, S.C. —Ashley Nicole Cromer, 39, of Gaffney, has pleaded guilty to conspiring to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine and a quantity of fentanyl.

    Evidence before the court established that in the fall of 2023, Cromer conspired with Jonathan Willingham, another man charged in this conspiracy, to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl. Specifically, on Oct. 27, 2023, law enforcement conducted surveillance on Cromer during a trip to Atlanta, Georgia. Law enforcement stopped Cromer and searched her car, recovering approximately 5 kilograms of methamphetamine. Cromer’s phone was searched, connecting the drug trafficking conspiracy with Willingham. Cromer additionally collected fentanyl for the conspiracy.

    Cromer faces a maximum of life in federal prison, a $10 million fine, and a maximum of lifetime supervision.

    United States District Judge Donald C. Coggins, Jr., accepted the guilty plea and will sentence the defendant after receiving and reviewing a sentencing report prepared by the U.S. Probation Office.

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

    This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, United States Postal Inspection Service, Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office, Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office, South Carolina State Law Enforcement Division, South Carolina Department of Corrections Office of the Inspector General, Greenville County Drug Enforcement Unit, and Greenville County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jamie Schoen is prosecuting the case.

    ###

    MIL Security OSI –