NewzIntel.com

Category: Justice

  • MIL-OSI USA: Greenville man arrested on three Child Sexual Abuse Material* chargesRead More

    Source: US State of South Carolina

    (COLUMBIA, S.C.) – South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson announced the arrest of Sammy Lee Knight, 30, of Greenville, S.C., on three charges connected to the sexual exploitation of minors. Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force investigators with the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office made the arrest. Investigators with the Attorney General’s Office and the City of Greenville Police Department, both also members of the state’s ICAC Task Force, assisted with the investigation.

     

    Investigators received a CyberTipline report from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), which led them to Knight. Investigators state Knight distributed files of child sexual abuse material.  

     

    Knight was arrested on April 4, 2025. He is charged with three counts of sexual exploitation of a minor, second degree (§16-15-405), a felony offense punishable by up to 10 years imprisonment on each count.

     

     

    This case will be prosecuted by the Attorney General’s Office.

     

    Attorney General Wilson stressed all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until they are proven guilty in a court of law.

     

     

     

    * Child sexual abuse material, or CSAM, is a more accurate reflection of the material involved in these heinous and abusive crimes. “Pornography” can imply the child was a consenting participant.  Globally, the term child pornography is being replaced by CSAM for this reason.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Trenton Man Sentenced To 168 Months In Prison For Assaulting, Robbing And Discharging A Firearm At A Federal Agent (DOJ)

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

    RENTON, N.J. – A Trenton man was sentenced to 168 months in prison for assaulting a federal agent with a deadly weapon, armed robbery, and discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, U.S. Attorney Alina Habba announced.

    Jabree Johnson, 30, of Trenton, New Jersey, previously pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Michael A. Shipp to a three-count indictment charging him with one count of assault on a federal officer with a deadly weapon, one count of robbery with a dangerous weapon of an individual with custody of federal property, and one count of using and carrying a firearm during and relation to a crime of violence, in which the firearm was discharged. 

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

    On March 22, 2021, federal law enforcement officers were conducting an investigation of firearms trafficking and other illegal activities in and around Trenton and Hamilton, New Jersey. In connection with the investigation, a federal law enforcement agent, working in an undercover capacity, arranged to purchase multiple firearms from an individual later identified as Johnson.

    After arriving at an agreed-upon location for the firearms transaction, Johnson entered the undercover federal agent’s vehicle, and handed the agent a black, semi-automatic firearm. The undercover federal agent inspected the firearm and then returned it to Johnson and requested to see the other firearms that Johnson had agreed to sell. Instead, Johnson pointed the loaded firearm directly at the undercover federal agent and demanded money from the agent. In response, the undercover federal agent provided Johnson with an amount of U.S. currency that the agent had on him to purchase the guns. Johnson then ordered the undercover federal agent out of the vehicle at gunpoint. The agent exited the vehicle as ordered and immediately drew his/her service-issued firearm and fired at Johnson, striking Johnson in the shoulder. Johnson also fired his handgun multiple times at the undercover federal agent.  Johnson fled the area with the money. Johnson was later identified at a local hospital as the individual who had assaulted and robbed the undercover federal agent at gunpoint and placed under arrest.    

    In addition to the prison term, Judge Shipp sentenced Johnson to five years of supervised release and ordered him to forfeit the firearm using during the commission of the crimes.

    U.S. Attorney Alina Habba credited special agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Newark Field Division, Trenton Satellite Office, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge L.C. Cheeks, Jr.; special agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Newark Field Office, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge­­­­ Terence G. Reilly; officers of the Trenton Police Department, under the direction of Police Director Steve E. Wilson; officers of the Hamilton Township Police Division, under the direction of Police Chief Kenneth DeBoskey; troopers of the New Jersey State Police, under the direction of Col. Patrick J. Callahan; and detectives and prosecutors of the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Prosecutor Janetta D. Marbrey, with the investigation leading to today’s sentencing.

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

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    Defense Counsel: Mark Catanzaro, Esq.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Proposals Sought for New Cruise Terminal in Buffalo

    Source: US State of New York

    overnor Kathy Hochul today announced the state is moving forward with plans to bring Great Lakes cruises to Buffalo. A Request for Proposals was issued today by the state’s Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation seeking proposals to design, develop and create a new cruise terminal to support Great Lakes cruise operations at Slip 2 on the Outer Harbor. Based on expressed interest by cruise companies, it is expected that Buffalo could serve as a port as early as 2027. This request follows ECHDC’s previously completed Market Demand Study for the cruise industry in Buffalo, which is available on the Empire State Development website. Proposals must be submitted to ESD by May 7 at 2 p.m. with an anticipated contract start date in June 2025.

    “Adding Buffalo as a terminal on a Great Lakes cruise itinerary is a tremendous opportunity for the City of Buffalo and Western New York,” Governor Hochul said. “Buffalo is well-positioned as a destination in the growing industry, allowing the city and region to benefit from the increased visitors and resulting positive economic impact. New York State is committed to providing the facilities needed to accommodate the cruise operations and ensure smooth sailing ahead.”

    The project aims to reimagine the current site for cruise ship docking for both domestic and international travel. Site improvements will include upgrades to seawall shoring; site remediation; improved public access; landscaping, drainage, lighting, and a small parking lot. The scope of work also includes design of one or two small, single-story buildings for customs processing and public restroom facilities.

    In 2024, ECHDC completed a Market Demand Study for the cruise ship industry in Buffalo, that focused on the potential and viability for Buffalo to become a destination for cruise lines already touring the Great Lakes. The study also analyzed six potential locations along the Buffalo waterfront that could support cruise operations. The recommended site for this is at the south berth space of Slip 2, near the former location of the Pier Restaurant that was demolished in 2007. ECHDC used this study to initiate conversations with several Great Lakes cruise lines to bolster the city’s potential as a cruise destination. Based on these conversations, ECHDC is issuing this RFP for a consultant to work with ECHDC and various state, federal, and local agencies to develop a comprehensive site plan to support cruise operations. The building and site design will be reflective of the aesthetic created by previous ECHDC projects at the nearby Bell Slip and Wilkeson Pointe.

    While a small subset of the cruise ship industry, the Great Lakes cruise sector has nearly tripled its total passenger numbers—from 9,000 in 2010 to more than 25,000 in 2023. The post-COVID growth of the industry is expected to continue, with larger numbers of passengers, vessels, revenues, and related activities in Great Lakes port cities. Cleveland, Milwaukee, Duluth, Detroit, and other coastal cities are already taking advantage of these upward trends. Buffalo’s strategic position at the southern end of the Welland Canal – the only access point for cruise ships into the Great Lakes from the St. Lawrence River – coupled with its unique attractions and assets make the destination a logical stopover point. Given Buffalo’s variety of tourist sites, airports, hotels, and access to consumers within a four- to six-hour drive, the community has in place the primary destination infrastructure necessary to support homeport status, meaning starting or ending a cruise itinerary, activities as well.

    Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation Chairperson Joan Kesner said, “With a cruise terminal on the Outer Harbor, Buffalo can play an important and growing role as a unique, seasonal destination for small vessels across the industry, whether luxury, expedition, or niche market cruises. Governor Hochul recognizes the tremendous cultural, architectural, and other assets our region offers and now we’re ready to share them with the rest of the world.”

    Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said, “Buffalo offers diverse cultural and historical experiences, making it ideal for cruise operations and their customers on the Great Lakes. As we take the first step toward establishing a cruise terminal on the Outer Harbor, we are also taking steps toward contributing to economic development in a new industry for Western New York by the associated boost in local tourism that will support local businesses and create new jobs.”

    The Buffalo waterfront and its development are priorities for Governor Hochul, with today’s announcement being the latest milestone in a series of her Buffalo waterfront announcements. Construction on the Wilkeson Pointe Improvement Project on the Outer Harbor and the Gateway Building at Canalside are slated to be complete by Memorial Day with the Waterway of Change exhibit at the Longshed also opening then. The Slip 2 ecosystem restoration continues this summer with the North Aud Block and Terminal B water’s edge project in the planning phase. Terminal B and the Bell Slip were completed last year.

    State Senator April Baskin said, “I applaud Governor Hochul for her forward thinking in developing a cruise terminal on the Outer Harbor and the economic impact it will undoubtedly have on tourism in Western New York. I value any economic development, and this project is uniquely positioned to highlight the beautiful assets only our area can tout.”

    Assemblymember Jon D. Rivera said, “Reimagining Buffalo’s Outer Harbor to allow for Great Lakes Cruises will give locals and visitors the chance to explore what makes Western New York special. This project is yet another way we can chart our own course using natural resources to expand the blue economy in Buffalo and along other port cities. I look forward to seeing this site grow into another tourism asset on our Great Lakes thanks to the leadership of Governor Hochul.”

    Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz said, “It makes tremendous sense to include Buffalo as a port on the Great Lakes Cruise schedule and is another way that Erie County can showcase all that it has to offer. This plan will bring more visitors to our area to enjoy our restaurants, sports teams, shopping and recreation. I thank Governor Hochul for moving this plan forward and I look forward to cruise ships full of tourists arriving here.”

    City of Buffalo Mayor Christopher P. Scanlon said, “Buffalo has long been known for its waterfront and its revitalization, and today’s announcement by Governor Hochul marks an exciting new chapter in how we can connect that asset to tourism and economic development. The potential to welcome Great Lakes cruises to Buffalo not only elevates our city as a premier destination, but also opens the door to new jobs, businesses, and investment opportunities. I thank Governor Hochul and the Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation for their continued commitment to revitalizing our waterfront.”

    About Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation

    As a subsidiary of ESD, the state’s chief economic development agency, ECHDC supports and promotes the creation of infrastructure and public activities at Canalside, the Ohio Street corridor and the Outer Harbor that is attracting critical mass, private investment and enhance the enjoyment of the waterfront for residents and tourists in Western New York. Its vision is to revitalize Western New York’s waterfront and restore economic growth to Buffalo based on the region’s legacy of pride, urban significance, and natural beauty.

    ECHDC is governed by a nine-member board consisting of seven voting directors and two non-voting, ex-officio directors. The seven voting directors are recommended by the New York State Governor and are appointed by the New York State Urban Development Corporation d/b/a ESD as sole shareholder of ECHDC. The two non-voting, ex-officio director positions are held by the Erie County Executive and the City of Buffalo Mayor.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Minister for Foreign Affairs introduces Iceland’s fourth National Action Plan for Women, Peace and Security

    Source: Government of Iceland

    Iceland’s fourth National Action Plan (NAP) on Women Peace and Security has been published. The NAP sets out the government’s policy for implementing UN Security Council Resolution 1325, and the broader Women, Peace and Security Agenda until 2030. Focus will be on three areas; First, achieving full, equal and meaningful participation of women in peace processes, security and defence. Second, protection of women and girls in conflict settings and third, integrating gender perspectives into security and defence in Iceland. Iceland ranks number four on the Women’s Peace and Security Index by Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security. 

    The Ministry for Foreign Affairs led the policy work in collaboration with ministries, civil organizations in the area of security and defence, academia and research institutions and civil society.

    The action plan will be implemented by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs in collaboration with eight partners, who are responsible for specific actions: The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), Ministry of Justice (MOJ), Ministry of Social Affairs and Housing (MSL), National Commissioner of the Icelandic Police (NCP), Icelandic Coast Guard (ICG), Gender Equality Studies and Training Program (GRÓ/GEST), Institute of International Affairs (IIA), Directorate of Labour (DL).

    Emphasis will be on facilitating collaboration and discussions with civil society, and women’s grassroot organizations, and institutions on international affairs in order to keep the Women, Peace and Security Agenda high on the domestic and international agenda. The Ministry for Foreign Affairs (MFA) will oversee the overall implementation of the NAP and, in collaboration with partners, report on it to government, and parliament and international partners on a regular basis.

    Iceland’s fourth National Action Plan for Women, Peace and Security.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: District Man Indicted for Possession of a Firearm as a Felon Following Arrest in Southwest

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

               WASHINGTON – Dajon Malloy, 29, of Washington, D.C., has been indicted on a federal gun charge as part of the “Make D.C. Safe Again” initiative. The indictment was announced by U.S. Attorney Edward R. Martin Jr., Special Agent in Charge Anthony Spotswood of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and Chief Pamela Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).

              Malloy was indicted on one count of unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon.  On April 1, U.S. Magistrate Judge Matthew Sharbaugh ordered Malloy detained pre-trial.

              According to court documents, on March 5, 2025, officers from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) observed an individual, later identified as defendant Malloy, walking in the 100 block of M Street, Southwest. Officers engaged Malloy and observed a clearly defined “L” shaped object inside a crossbody satchel he was wearing, consistent with a concealed firearm. Upon questioning, Malloy initially denied having any contraband but later admitted to possessing marijuana and a scale. Malloy then removed from the satchel approximately nine bags of suspected marijuana.

              Court documents say that as officers moved to take him into custody, Malloy began behaving evasively and attempted to obscure the bag from view. Another MPD officer subsequently looked into the open satchel and allegedly observed the magazine of a handgun protruding from inside. It is alleged that officers recovered a firearm containing one round in the chamber and 14 additional rounds in the magazine. A database check confirmed Malloy did not possess a valid firearm license in the District of Columbia.

              A further investigation revealed that Malloy possessed prior felony convictions, including Assault with a Dangerous Weapon and Unlawful Possession of a Firearm in D.C., and Burglary in Maryland, confirming that Malloy was prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition.

              This case is being investigated by the ATF Washington Field Office and the Metropolitan Police Department. This case is being prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Emily Reeder-Ricchetti.

              This case is part of Make D.C. Safe Again, a public safety initiative led by U.S. Attorney Martin that is surging resources to reduce violent crime in the District of Columbia. This initiative was created to address gun violence in the District, prioritize federal firearms violations, pursue tougher penalties for offenders, and seek detention for federal firearms violators.

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

    View the Malloy indictment: 

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Former Boone County Schools Maintenance Supervisor Pleads Guilty to $3.4 Million Fraud Scheme

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Michael David Barker, 47, of Foster, pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to commit mail fraud. Barker admitted to a scheme to defraud the Boone County Schools system by more than $3.4 million while employed as the maintenance director.

    According to court documents and statements made in court, from about November 2019 through December 2023, Barker ordered custodial and janitorial supplies for Boone County Schools from Jesse Marks and his company, Rush Enterprises. These supplies included hand soap, trash can liners, face masks, face shields, and hand sanitizer.

    Barker admitted that he and Marks agreed that Rush Enterprises would overbill the Boone County Board of Education for these supplies. As part of this scheme, Barker approved invoices on behalf of Rush Enterprises that significantly inflated the number of products that were actually delivered to Boone County Schools. Barker submitted these fraudulent invoices to the Boone County Board of Education, which relied on them to mail checks to Rush Enterprises using the United States Mail.

    Marks deposited the checks from Boone County Schools into the business bank account for Rush Enterprises, wrote himself checks on that account that he cashed at various banks, and personally delivered some of that cash to Barker in manila envelopes. Barker admitted that he spent the cash delivered by Marks to buy vehicles and equipment and make substantial improvements to his residence in Foster.

    Marks deducted the cost of the products actually delivered to Boone County Schools from the proceeds of the overbilling scheme. Boone County Schools paid Rush Enterprises $4,310,714.82 from in or about November 2019 through in or about December 2023. Barker admitted that approximately 80 percent of the total payments received by Rush Enterprises, or $3,448,571.85, was based on fraudulent invoices.

    Barker is scheduled to be sentenced on July 31, 2025, and faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine. Barker also owes $3,400,000 in restitution.

    “Mr. Barker took advantage of COVID-19 pandemic relief funds and put his own greed above the interests of the Boone County School system and the children it serves,” said Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston. “His actions caused serious reputable harm and diminished the trust in the Boone County School system.”

    Marks, 65, of Rush, Kentucky, pleaded guilty on February 27, 2025, to conspiracy to commit mail fraud and is scheduled to be sentenced on July 28, 2025.

    Barker’s parents, Michael P. Barker, 68, and Lana Barker, 66, both of Foster, pleaded guilty on March 3, 2025, to structuring transactions with one or more domestic financial institutions. They admitted to making 11 cash deposits to their bank accounts totaling $97,215 starting on or about November 7, 2023, through on or about November 28, 2023. Financial institutions are required to report cash deposits of more than $10,000, and federal law prohibits structuring multiple cash deposits to avoid this reporting requirement. The deposits were in amounts ranging from $8,000 to $9,500 specifically to avoid the currency reporting requirement. The structuring scheme was uncovered by the same investigation that resulted in the indictment of their son. Michael P. Barker is scheduled to be sentenced on June 23, 2025, and Lana Barker is scheduled to be sentenced on July 1, 2025.

    Johnston made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the U.S. Department of Education-Office of Inspector General, the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigations (IRS-CI), the West Virginia State Police, and the West Virginia State Auditor’s Office (WVSAO) Public Integrity and Fraud Unit (PIFU), and the assistance provided by the West Virginia Department of Education.

    “This case is a result of outstanding teamwork and reflects the tireless dedication of this office and its law enforcement partners to bring to justice those who stole from the American people during a national emergency,” Johnston said. “We will continue to pursue all available avenues to recover defrauded public funds and identify and prosecute those responsible.”

    United States District Judge Thomas E. Johnston presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Gabriel Price is prosecuting the case.

    A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:24-cr-194.

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    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Fifteen Defendants Charged with Federal Immigration Crimes (DOJ)

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

    IRMINGHAM, Ala. – A federal grand jury in the Northern District of Alabama has charged 15 individuals with immigration crimes, announced U.S. Attorney Prim Escalona.

    The following defendants were indicted for illegally reentering the United States after having previously been deported:

    • Salvador Rodriguez-Villa, of Mexico;
    • Noel Paz-Diaz, 34, of Guatemala;
    • Christian Mendoza-Salas, 29, of Mexico;
    • Isidro Gutierrez Gabriel, 35, of Guatemala;
    • Mateo Pascual-Francisco, 40, of Guatemala;
    • Tomas Naz-Gonzalez, 27, of Guatemala;
    • Marco Julio Agustin-Miranda, 27, of Guatemala;
    • Rafael Juan-Francisco, 35, of Guatemala;
    • Jose Rigoberto Acosta-Calles, 36, of El Salvador;
    • Elmer Geovany Sarmiento-Sifrian, 32, of Honduras;

    The following defendants were charged with being an alien in possession of a firearm:

    • Elmer David Hernandez-Garcia, 39, of Honduras;
    • Christian Ivan Sanchez, 36, of Mexico;
    • Jhoan Jesus Rodriguez-Perez, 21, of Mexico;
    • Orli Umberto Marquez-Cordon, 24, of Mexico;

    Maria Monserrat de Jesus Bautista-Hernandez, 41, of Mexico, has been charged with illegal re-entry after a prior removal and for being an alien in possession of a firearm.

    These cases are 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). Operation Take Back America partners, Homeland Security Investigations – Atlanta, U.S. Postal Inspection Service – Houston Division, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives Nashville Field Division, investigated these cases. 

    An indictment contains only charges. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Waterbury Man Guilty of Firearm Offense Related to Gun Trafficking Operation (DOJ)

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

    arc H. Silverman, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced a federal jury in New Haven today found LUIS PEREZ, 46, of Waterbury, guilty of a firearm offense related to an extensive gun trafficking investigation.

    According to court documents, statements made in previous court proceedings, and evidence presented during the trial, in May 2023, members of the FBI Waterbury Safe Streets Task Force conducted three controlled purchases of a total of nine firearms, and one controlled purchase of cocaine, from Perez.  An expanded investigation revealed that Perez was acquiring numerous firearms, most of which were purchased by straw purchasers from licensed gun dealers in Kansas and then shipped through the U.S. Mail to a stash location maintained by Perez’s associate, Algelly Diaz, in Hartford.  Perez then sold the firearms, which included assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, to others throughout Connecticut.  Perez and Diaz are previously convicted felons who cannot lawfully purchase or possess firearms.

    The investigation further revealed that, between August 2020 and May 2023, one of Perez’s co-conspirators purchased at least 73 firearms from a licensed gun dealer in Deerfield, Kansas. 

    Perez and Diaz were arrested on May 19, 2023.  On that date, investigators executed search warrants at locations in Connecticut, Kansas, and California.  A search of Perez’s residence and vehicle revealed nine firearms; more than 200 rounds of ammunition; distribution quantities of cocaine, crack cocaine, and fentanyl/heroin; items used to process and package narcotics for street sale; and more than $7,000 in cash.  In addition, a search of Diaz’s residence revealed approximately 90 rounds of ammunition, and a search of a package that was shipped to Diaz and seized from the mail stream revealed an additional three firearms.

    The jury found Perez guilty of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.  On March 19, 2025, Perez pleaded guilty to the other nine counts of the indictment in which he was charged, including one count of firearms trafficking conspiracy, three counts of firearms trafficking, two counts of mailing nonmailable firearms, one count of unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon, and two counts of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, heroin, and cocaine.

    At sentencing, which is not scheduled, Perez faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of life.

    Perez has been detained since his arrest.

    Diaz pleaded guilty and, on February 4, 2025, was sentenced to 48 months of imprisonment.  Three others charged as a result of this investigation also pleaded guilty and await sentencing.

    This matter has been investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF); Homeland Security Investigations (HSI); the U.S. Postal Inspection Service; the Connecticut State Police; and the Waterbury, Meriden, Hartford, Manchester, East Hartford, West Hartford, and Chino (Calif.) Police Departments.

    This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Natasha M. Freismuth and Christopher J. Lembo through the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Program.  OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations through a prosecutor-led and intelligence-driven approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies.  Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

    Acting U.S. Attorney Silverman thanked the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Kansas and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California for their assistance in the investigation and prosecution of this case.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Guilty Verdict for Man Who Shot Groundskeeper In Dispute Over Leaf Blowing

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

                WASHINGTON – A Superior Court jury found Lawrence Murphy, 52, of Washington, D.C., guilty on April 4, 2025, of one count of aggravated assault while armed and related charges for shooting the victim, an entrepreneur with a groundskeeping business, in March 2020, over a dispute about blowing leaves and debris in his yard, announced U.S. Attorney Edward R. Martin, Jr. and Chief Pamela Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department.

                In addition to the aggravated assault charge, the jury also found Murphy guilty of one count of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, one count of felon in possession, one count of unlawful possession of a firearm, one count of possession of an unregistered firearm and one count of unlawful possession of ammunition. Superior Court Judge Jennifer Di Toro scheduled sentencing for June 9, 2025.

                According to the evidence presented at trial, at approximately 6:30 p.m., on March 31, 2020, the victim was blowing leaves in the alley of the 1300 block of Queen Street NE, when the defendant, Murphy, became upset alleging the victim was blowing leaves towards his house. The defendant was standing on his porch and yelled at the victim words to the effect, “blow that sh*t before I kill you’re a**.” Murphy then shot the victim causing injuries to his wrist. The victim observed the shooter run inside the house of 1311 Queen Street NE. Camera footages in the area captured the defendant leaving out of the back yard and running down an alley a minute later. An eyewitness heard a “pop” noise, looked out the window and saw the victim in the alley and the defendant on the porch. The eyewitness informed the officers that a Green GMC, which was parked on the road, is associated with the defendant. Officers stayed on scene to see if anyone returned to the area, and at approximately 8:03 p.m., Murphy returns to the scene and attempted to get into the Green GMC, which is captured on the officer’s body worn camera footage. He was wearing the same clothing and matching the description the victim provided to police. He was arrested at the scene.

                This case was investigated by the Metropolitan Police Department.

                It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Shaniqua Butler and Negar Kordestani.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Federal Jury Finds Redwood Falls Man Guilty of Possession of Firearms and Ammunition, Trafficking Marijuana

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    MINNEAPOLIS– On Friday, April 4, 2025, a federal jury convicted Andrew David Munsinger, 41, a resident of Redwood Falls, Minnesota, of illegal possession of firearms and ammunition as a felon and possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Lisa D. Kirkpatrick.

    According to evidence presented at trial, Munsinger was a member of the Aryan Freedom Network, a white supremacist organization, and he was the subject of a year-long FBI investigation that gathered multiple audio- and video-recordings of Munsinger possessing and shooting firearms, purchasing and using ammunition, and admitting that he could not legally possess a firearm. On February 7, 2024, FBI agents executed search warrants at Munsinger’s residence in Redwood Falls, Minnesota, his two vehicles, and a farm near Lake Lilliam, Minnesota. Law enforcement seized a total five firearms, including two personally made semi-automatic rifles, two shotguns, and a nine-millimeter pistol, hundreds of rounds and casings of ammunition, multiple high-capacity magazines and other firearm accessories, and a tactical bullet-resistant vest. They also discovered over five pounds of marijuana in heat-sealed packages, a marijuana grow operation, and $24,300 cash in $100-bill denominations. Because Munsinger has prior felony convictions, he was prohibited from legally possessing firearms or ammunition.

    “The safety and security of Minnesotans is of the upmost importance to my office. We will ensure Munsinger—and all others who bring violence and drugs to Minnesota—sees federal justice,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Lisa D. Kirkpatrick. “We are grateful to the FBI for their work on this this investigation.”

    “A convicted felon with a cache of firearms, ammunition, and drugs is a clear threat to public safety,” said Special Agent in Charge Alvin M. Winston Sr. of FBI Minneapolis. “The FBI and our partners will not tolerate individuals who break the law and promote extremist views that incite violence. Together, we will continue to disrupt violent extremists and prevent convicted felons from arming themselves and endangering others.”

    After a five-day jury trial before Judge John R. Tunheim in U.S. District Court, Munsinger was convicted of one count of being a felon in possession of firearms, one count of being a felon in possession of ammunition, and one count of possession of marijuana with intent to distribute.

    This case is the result of an investigation by the FBI and the Joint Terrorism Task Force.

    Assistant U.S. Attorneys Benjamin Bejar and Raphael B. Coburn tried the case. 

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Peru is losing its battle against organised crime

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Amalendu Misra, Professor of International Politics, Lancaster University

    The president of Peru, Dina Boluarte, declared a state of emergency in the capital city, Lima, on March 18. The decree, which came amid a wave of violence, gives the police and military full control of the security situation there for a period of 30 days.

    Peru is no stranger to emergencies of this kind. Only last year, in September 2024, Boluarte’s government declared a 60-day state of emergency in 12 districts of the capital. The rationale for declaring the emergency now, as in the past, remains the same: to address the threat posed by criminal gangs.

    The latest emergency was prompted by the brazen killing of Paul Flores, the popular 39-year-old lead singer of a Peruvian band called Armonia 10. Flores was shot dead by assailants who attacked a bus he was riding in with bandmates and attempted to extort money from them as they left a concert.

    Peru has seen a spate of killings, violent extortion and attacks on public places in recent months. According to the Peruvian police, there were 459 killings across the country between January 1 and March 16, and over 1,900 reports of extortion in January alone.

    Many Peruvians point to the fact that the extortion and homicide racket may be far more severe than official statistics suggest. Plenty of those affected by criminality do not report their misfortune for fears of reprisal by criminal gangs.

    On March 21, a few days after the state of emergency in Lima was declared, Peru’s Congress voted to remove the interior minister, Juan José Santiváñez, from office. In a post on X, they said Santiváñez must take responsibility for his “inability to address the wave of citizen insecurity the country is facing”.

    Peru serves as a hotspot for sexual slavery, illegal organ trafficking and labour exploitation. In addition, it is also the second-largest producer of cocaine in the world.

    Over 95,000 hectares of land was dedicated to coca cultivation in the country in 2023 – an 18% increase from the figure recorded in 2021. This expansion has been driven primarily by cultivation in Peru’s indigenous territories and protected areas. Indigenous territories now account for 20% of all the coca cultivated in Peru.

    These lucrative operations are led by local crime organisations, often working in collusion with corrupt public officials and foreign partners. According to Organized Crime Index, these criminal networks include police officers and migration officials who work at control points on the borders and facilitate illegal activities.

    The logistics of Peru’s cocaine trade are often also managed by Serbian, Mexican and Colombian mafias. From Peru, cocaine goes through Mexico for the US market and Brazil for the European market. Some shipments are sent directly to Oceania and Japan.

    Criminal governance

    Peru’s perpetual political instability, weak criminal justice system and the poor presence of the state in its outlying territories allow various criminal groups to engage in their nefarious trade.

    Two former Peruvian presidents have faced corruption charges. One of them, Alejandro Toledo, was sentenced to 20 years in jail for corruption in 2024. The authorities accused Toledo of accepting US$35 million (£27 million) in bribes from Brazilian construction giant Odebrecht to allow the company to build a highway in Peru.

    Another controversial former president, Alberto Fujimori, had been in prison for 16 years for human rights abuses and corruption after being extradited from Chile in 2007. He was released in 2023 on humanitarian grounds and died the following year.

    Meanwhile, prosecutors in Peru are seeking a 34-year sentence for ex-president Pedro Castillo, who was removed from office and arrested after his attempt to dissolve Congress in late 2022 and rule by decree. Castillo has described his trial as “politicised” and has refused legal counsel provided by the judicial system.

    So many former Peruvian presidents have been accused of crimes that the country has designated a small jail on the outskirts of Lima specifically to house them. As Colombia-based journalist John Otis put it in a radio interview in 2023, the Barbadillo prison not only serves as a symbol of corruption, but also a testimony to political dysfunction in the country.

    The spread of economic activities operating outside the law, such as illegal gold mining, has emboldened organised crime in Peru. Instances of politicians and criminals working together to line their pockets are not uncommon.

    A good example is César Álvarez, the governor of the resource-rich Áncash region of western Peru. Nicknamed “the beast” by the citizens of the province because of his reputation for political violence, Álvarez allegedly operated with impunity by asserting his control through an elaborate network of government institutions and criminal organisations.

    According to an indictment by Peru’s public prosecutor’s office, Álvarez extorted, threatened and ordered the assassination of political adversaries while in office between 2007 and 2014. Álvarez, who has consistently denied any wrongdoing, was sentenced to eight years and three months in prison in 2019.

    When the government in Lima last declared an emergency in parts of the capital in 2024, the country’s federation of business associations stated: “We live under siege from organised crime which has taken control of the country in the alarming absence of the state”.

    This statement appears prophetic. Peru, it appears, is losing the battle against organised crime.

    Amalendu Misra is a recipient of Nuffield Foundation and British Academy Fellowships.

    – ref. Peru is losing its battle against organised crime – https://theconversation.com/peru-is-losing-its-battle-against-organised-crime-252349

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Marat Khusnullin: More than 100 projects in the healthcare sector are being implemented under the Construction program

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Government of the Russian Federation – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    As part of the comprehensive state program “Construction”, supervised by the Ministry of Construction and Housing and Communal Services, in 2025, construction, renovation and implementation of 109 facilities and activities in the healthcare sector are underway. This was reported by Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin.

    “Today marks World Health Day. This is a reason to pay attention to the work on developing healthcare infrastructure. In recent years, a number of significant projects in the healthcare sector have been implemented in Russia. Among them are modern multidisciplinary hospitals equipped with advanced medical equipment, renovated outpatient clinics that meet all the requirements for patient comfort and safety, as well as specialized medical centers where innovative diagnostic and treatment methods are being implemented. As part of the comprehensive state program “Construction”, we are building, updating and implementing 109 facilities and events in the healthcare sector. Among them are the construction of federal children’s rehabilitation centers in Yevpatoria and Novosibirsk Oblast, a new multidisciplinary medical center of the Federal Medical and Biological Agency of Russia in Yalta and many other institutions,” said Marat Khusnullin.

    Thus, the Federal Children’s Rehabilitation Center, which is being built in Yevpatoriya by specialists from the PPC “Unified Customer in the Sphere of Construction”, is intended for children with diseases of the nervous system, musculoskeletal system, somatic and other diseases. An administrative building with an area of about 2 thousand square meters has already been put into operation after a complete restoration. In addition, a consultative and diagnostic building and a hospital building with 300 beds have been erected, which are now being equipped. Also under construction is a boarding house for children and parents, a hostel for medical personnel for 225 places and a building with a dining hall.

    “The Federal Children’s Rehabilitation Center in Crimea is being built on the instructions of Russian President Vladimir Putin. In Podolsk, Moscow Region, such a facility has already been operating since 2023. Another large facility is the Federal Children’s Rehabilitation Center in Novosibirsk Region. On the territory of the medical institution, a hospital building with 300 beds and the main building are being built. Recently, specialists began to build a boarding house building, where young patients will live with their parents. Its area will exceed 8 thousand square meters,” said Deputy Minister of Construction and Housing and Public Utilities Yuri Gordeyev.

    Also in St. Petersburg, a clinical building of the N.N. Petrov National Medical Research Center is being built. The new building will include an admissions department, a 204-bed hospital, bone marrow transplant, resuscitation and intensive care departments. An operating block with 8 operating rooms is planned to provide high-tech care to cancer patients. This will allow the center to expand scientific research and training of specialists.

    Another landmark building in the Northern capital is the new building of the Research Institute of Children’s Oncology, Hematology and Transplantology named after R.M. Gorbacheva, which is a division of the First Saint Petersburg State Medical University named after Academician I.P. Pavlov. The building, with an area of 17 thousand square meters, includes a hospital with 110 beds, bone marrow transplant departments, resuscitation and intensive care, 5 operating rooms and a blood transfusion department.

    A treatment and diagnostic building for the Center for Dermatovenereology and Cosmetology is being built in Moscow. The building will include admission departments for adults and children, a radiation diagnostics department, a 40-bed hospital, 2 operating rooms, a 6-bed intensive care unit, and a sterilization department. The center will provide assistance to patients with lymphomas, skin tumors, and severe dermatosis.

    In addition, a multidisciplinary medical center of the FMBA is being built on the Crimean peninsula, in the resort city of Yalta, which will provide emergency, planned and high-tech care in key areas: surgery, cardiology, oncology, pediatrics and resuscitation. The center will include a clinic, a diagnostic department, classrooms and housing for employees.

    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 USA: Attorney General Bonta Secures up to $335 Million from Pharmaceutical Company Mylan for Its Role in Fueling Opioid Crisis

    Source: US State of California

    Monday, April 7, 2025

    Contact: (916) 210-6000, agpressoffice@doj.ca.gov

    OAKLAND — California Attorney General Rob Bonta today announced a multistate settlement in principle with pharmaceutical company Mylan Inc. (Mylan) that will deliver up to $335 million nationwide to help combat the opioid crisis. Mylan, which is now a part of Viatris, has manufactured and sold a variety of opioids since 2005, including generic fentanyl patches, oxycodone, hydrocodone, and buprenorphine products. The attorneys general allege Mylan deceptively promoted its products as less prone to abuse despite knowing for years that many of its opioid products — particularly its fentanyl patches — were actually more vulnerable to abuse. The company fueled the opioid crisis by marketing directly to doctors, leading to dangerous overprescribing and diversion of its opioids into the illegal drug market. 

    “Companies and individuals who fueled the opioid crisis must be held accountable. With today’s announcement, the California Department of Justice is continuing to deliver results,” said Attorney General Bonta. “The opioid crisis does not distinguish between Democrats or Republicans – it has affected people from all walks of life. I’m proud to have worked on this with a bipartisan coalition of attorneys general.”   

    Under the multistate settlement in principle, Mylan will pay up to $335 million to participating states over nine years.

    This settlement in principle was negotiated by the attorneys general of California, Illinois, Massachusetts, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Tennessee, Utah, and Virginia in coordination with the attorneys general of Colorado, Delaware, Georgia, Idaho, Iowa, and Vermont.

    # # #

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Speech by Commissioner Lahbib for EU Roma Week at the European Parliament

    Source: European Commission – Justice

    European Commission Speech Brussels, 07 Apr 2025 It is a pleasure to be with you tonight on the eve of International Roma Day and for the start of EU Roma Week 2025. This week is an opportunity to celebrate th…

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Stein Announces Council On Student Safety & Well-Being

    Source: US State of North Carolina

    Headline: Governor Stein Announces Council On Student Safety & Well-Being

    Governor Stein Announces Council On Student Safety & Well-Being
    lsaito

    Raleigh, NC

    Today at Moore Square Magnet Middle School, Governor Josh Stein announced his Advisory Council on Student Safety and Well-Being, co-chaired by Senate Democratic Leader Sydney Batch, Deputy Secretary William “Billy” Lassiter of the Department of Public Safety, and 2024 North Carolina Teacher of the Year Heather Smith. 

    “North Carolina’s children are our future, and it is crucial that they grow and learn in a safe environment that sets them on the right trajectory to thrive,” said Governor Josh Stein. “I am proud to establish this council of educators, mental health professionals, and law enforcement to identify ways to better keep our classrooms safe and our children healthy.”

    “Ensuring the safety of our students is not up for debate — it’s a fundamental responsibility of our state government,” said Democratic Leader Sydney Batch. “Every child in North Carolina deserves the freedom to learn in a secure, supportive environment. I’m proud to co-chair this council and committed to advancing real, enforceable policies that keep our kids safe and our schools strong — and I’m ready to work with anyone willing to get that important work done.”

    “Student and school staff security and wellbeing is an essential part of public safety,” said Deputy Secretary of Public Safety William L. Lassiter, who oversees the Division of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. “We must use the tools at our disposal to upgrade the physical infrastructure of our schools and train our school staff how to recognize and respond to the early warning signs that can lead to public safety threats. We know our students must feel safe and have a healthy mental well-being to achieve academically. Working together, we can keep our students and our schools safe.” 

    “What I’ve seen in my classroom is that if students don’t feel safe, if they are not supported, it’s so much harder for them to learn,” said Teacher of the Year Heather Smith. “Our commitment to giving students the best starts with looking out for their safety and well-being, and I am eager to jump into this work.”

    Governor Stein’s advisory council will work across state agencies and with both state and local leaders to propose and implement policies and solutions that will improve student safety and wellbeing. It will advance recommendations, provide guidance to state agencies, work with local communities, and share best practices. The council’s first priority will be working with the General Assembly to support school systems in implementing policies that will make classrooms cell phone-free.  

    Click here to read Governor Stein’s executive order establishing the Council on Student Safety & Well-Being.

    The members of the Advisory Council are as follows:

    • Senate Democratic Leader Sydney Batch (co-chair)
    • William L. Lassiter, Deputy Secretary for the Division of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, Department of Public Safety (co-chair)
    • Heather Smith, 2024 Burroughs Wellcome Fund North Carolina Teacher of the Year (co-chair)
    • Senator David W. Craven, Jr.
    • Representative Brian Biggs
    • Representative Lindsey Prather
    • Alan Duncan, Vice-Chair of the State Board of Education
    • Bettina Umstead, Board of Education Member, Durham Public Schools
    • Sharon Bell, Deputy Director, Division of Child and Family Wellbeing, North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services
    • Natalia Botella, Director, Public Protection Section, North Carolina Department of Justice
    • Dr. Ellen Essick, Section Chief for NC Healthy Schools, Department of Public Instruction
    • Karen Fairley, Executive Director of Center for Safer Schools, A Division of the State Bureau of Investigation
    • Anne Goldberg, School Counselor, Alamance-Burlington School System
    • Tara Hardy, School Social Worker, Craven County Schools
    • Roger “Chip” Hawley, Director of The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation
    • Emma Hodson, In-House Counsel, Pitt County Schools
    • Kristie Howell, Chief Court Counselor-District 8, Division of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, North Carolina Department of Public Safety
    • Melissa Lassen, BSN, RN, NCSN, Lead School Nurse, Chatham County Schools
    • Mark McHugh, Director of Safety, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools
    • Dr. Shaneeka Moore-Brown, President, North Carolina Parent Teacher Association
    • Asia Prince, Director of Court Programs, North Carolina Administrative Offices of the Courts
    • Deputy Rhyne Rankins, School Resource Officer, Iredell County Sheriff’s Office
    • Dr. Paul Smokowski, Executive Director, North Carolina Youth Violence Prevention Center
    • Beckie Spears, Principal, Wilkesboro Elementary School & 2024 Wells Fargo North Carolina Principal of the Year
    • Mary Katherine Stiles, M.A./S.S.P., School Psychologist, Cumberland County Schools
    • Justice Warren, Assistant Legal Counsel, North Carolina School Boards Association
    • Julie Cecelia Werry, Scholar Advisor, Morehead-Cain Foundation
    • Dr. Freddie Williamson, Superintendent of Public Schools of Robeson County 
    Apr 7, 2025

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Money laundering gang who exploited Russia-Ukraine war jailed

    Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

    Two people have been jailed for a combined 13 years for laundering more than £6 million, after an investigation by the Metropolitan Police’s economic crime team.

    The group used criminal money to purchase vans and lorries in the UK and sold them to Ukraine. The earnings were then converted into cryptocurrency. They exploited the legitimate demand in Ukraine for vehicles as part of their war effort, and the lack of cryptocurrency regulation, to maximise their profit and made millions in just over a year.

    Valeriy Popovych, 52, (08.09.1972) of The Avenue, Sudbury‐on‐Thames, and Vitaliy Lutsak, 43, (07.08.1981) of Shortmead Drive, Cheshunt, Hertfordshire, were sentenced at Wood Green Crown Court on Monday, 7 April, following a five-week trial.

    Oksana Popovych, 42, (19.03.1983) of The Avenue, Sudbury‐on‐Thames is due to be sentenced on Friday, 30 May at Wood Green Crown Court.

    They were all found guilty of transferring criminal property and running an unregistered money service business, following an investigation by the Met.

    The criminal enterprise enabled Valeriy and Oksana Popovych and to purchase a second house in South West London for just under £1 million.

    Detective Constable Harry Davies, from the Metropolitan Police, who led the investigation, said:

    “This was a thorough and complex investigation into an organised crime gang operating internationally, I’d like to thank the dedicated officers and our partners for their work in bringing this group to justice.

    “Mr Popovych presented himself as a hardworking, legitimate tradesman and used his reputation within the second-hand lorry market to clean criminal cash. He also callously saw the conflict in Ukraine as a lucrative business opportunity.

    “The sentences given to the group today show how committed we are in tackling organised crime groups and the serious risk they pose to our communities.”

    The investigation

    Valeriy Popovych ran an export business, Sprint Commercial Ltd, purchasing vehicles in the UK from legitimate traders and selling them in Ukraine. His wife, Valeriy Popovych, was also employed by the business.

    He would purchase the goods with criminal cash, the money was deposited in Ukraine and converted to cryptocurrency.

    Lutsak acted as the money co-ordinator and would send the Popovychs to collect criminal cash from ‘customers’ in the UK. During the investigation officers found more than $14million in cryptocurrency had passed through his “cyrptowallets” stored on his computer.

    A part of the laundered cash was controlled by a Russian National called Semen Kuksov, who was convicted on Friday, 27 October 2023 at Southwark Crown Court, under the National Crime Agency’s (NCA) Operation Destabilise.

    Kuksov was sentenced to five years and seven months’ imprisonment at Southwark Crown Court on Thursday, 1 February 2024.

    The arrests

    Acting on intelligence, on Wednesday, 28 June 2023, police stopped a vehicle in Twickenham in which Valeiry Popovych was the passenger. Following a search of the vehicle Met officers found more than £60,000 in cash and arrested him at the scene.

    During a further search at his address on Gloucester Road, Feltham, officers recovered £130,000 in cash. This was seized, alongside a laptop and mobile devices.

    Following Popovych’s arrest, extensive investigations by the Economic Crime Unit discovered the link with Oksana and Lutsak, who were arrested at their homes on Wednesday, 15 May 2024. Lutsak was charged on the same day.

    Valeriy and Oksana Popvych were charged on Tuesday, 14 June 2024.

    They were all found guilty by the jury on Wednesday, 5 March 2025 at Wood Green Crown Court.

    A variety of complex evidence was obtained by officers, including chats, money transactions, CCTV, cryptocurrency wallets and call logs.

    The Met’s economic crime unit worked with partner agencies including the NCA, HM Revenue and Customs and the Financial Conduct Authority to conduct a robust investigation.

    Messages outlined key times in which Valeriy and Popovych visited addresses to collect cash.

    The most crucial element was an Excel spreadsheet, named ‘V Enf Acc’. This document proved the group laundered over £6 million between August 2022 and June 2023.

    Valeriy Popovych and Vitaliy Lutsak were were both sentenced to six years and six months’ imprisonment.

    They were all found guilty of transferring criminal property over the value of £6 million under Section 327 of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 and running an unregistered money service business under the Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing and Transfer of Funds Regulations 2017.

    Negeen Momtahen, Specialist Prosecutor for the Crown Prosecution Service, said:

    “Together, these defendants used an export business as a front to launder millions of pounds of criminal cash across borders. They attempted to conceal the source of this illicit money by using secret token exchanges and cryptocurrency.

    “Money laundering is not a victimless crime – it is the financial lifeline which enables criminals to profit from their illegal activities.

    “Last year we convicted other key members of this same money laundering network. I hope this latest prosecution demonstrates our ongoing determination to dismantling these criminal operations and bringing all involved to justice.

    “We will be pursuing confiscation proceedings against the defendants to remove any available criminal benefits gained from this enterprise.”

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICE Boston arrests Guatemalan alien charged with assaulting child with injury in Massachusetts

    Source: US Immigration and Customs Enforcement

    REVERE, Mass. — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement apprehended an illegally present Guatemalan national charged with assault and battery family member and assault and battery on a child with injury. Officers with ICE Boston arrested Cosme De Leon-Barrios, 46, in Revere, Jan. 27.

    “Cosme De Leon-Barrios is charged with brutally assaulting a child with an injury in our Massachusetts community,” said ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Boston acting Field Office Director Patricia H. Hyde. “He represents a significant threat to the residents of New England that ICE Boston will not tolerate. We stand committed to our mission of prioritizing public safety by arresting and removing illegal alien threats to our neighbors.”

    De Leon-Barrios illegally entered the United States on an unknown date, at an unknown location, and without being inspected, admitted, or paroled by a U.S. immigration official.

    Officers with the Revere Police Department arrested De Leon-Barrios, Jan. 27, and charged him with assault and battery family member and assault and battery on a child with injury.

    Officers with ICE Boston arrested De Leon-Barrios following his release from local custody. De Leon-Barrios 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 Security: Buffalo Man Arrested on Gun and Drug Charges

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

    UFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Jeremy Hodge, 39, of Buffalo, NY, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and being a felon in possession of a firearm, which carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey E. Intravatola, who is handling the case, stated that according to the complaint, on April 4, 2025, a search warrant was executed at Hodge’s Ernst Avenue residence and his vehicle. Investigators seized a loaded 9mm firearm, a loaded magazine, ammunition, quantities of suspected heroin and fentanyl, and drug paraphernalia. Hodge was arrested at the scene. He has three prior felony convictions and is legally prohibited from possessing a firearm.

    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).

    Hodge made an initial appearance this afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael J. Roemer and was detained.

    The complaint is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation Safe Streets Task Force, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Miraglia.

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

    # # # #

     

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: A Colombian judge leads judicial transformation with Copilot 

    Source: Microsoft

    Headline: A Colombian judge leads judicial transformation with Copilot 

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Statement from Councillor Susan Brown following knife crime incident

    Source: City of Oxford

    Monday, 7 April 2025

    Councillor Susan Brown, Leader of Oxford City Council, said:

    “I was deeply concerned to hear about the stabbing in Blackbird Leys over the weekend. My thoughts are with the young person who was injured and with their loved ones at what must be a frightening and painful time.

    “I have been in touch with Thames Valley Police and will continue to work closely with them and other partners to understand what happened and how we can respond together.

    “Blackbird Leys is a strong and proud community, and I know many people locally will be feeling unsettled. I support the use of the Section 60 order and additional patrols as a short-term measure to help keep residents safe while police continue their investigations.

    “I want to reassure residents that the Council is working alongside the police, youth workers and communities to ensure a visible presence and support for young people and families in the area.

    “If you have any information that could help the police, please report it to Thames Valley Police or anonymously via Crimestoppers. We must all come together to tackle the causes of violence and keep our communities safe for everyone.”

    If you have any information about the incident in Blackbird Leys on 6 April (incident reference 1366), please contact Thames Valley Police by calling 101 or via their website. You can also report anonymously via Crimestoppers.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Community Wellness Bus Project Launching in Saskatoon

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    Released on April 7, 2025

    The province’s third mobile wellness bus will open its doors April 9 in Saskatoon, offering residents a new way to access primary health care services.

    Saskatoon is the most recent community to benefit from a mobile Community Wellness Bus. The launch is part of the Government of Saskatchewan’s $2.4 million investment for the purchase and retrofitting of three wellness buses, located in Saskatoon, Regina and Prince Albert.

    “It is wonderful to see the progress being made with primary care in our province,” Health Minister Jeremy Cockrill said. “Wellness buses provide another avenue for residents to receive the care they need closer to home.”

    Community Wellness Buses will provide basic primary care and mental health and addictions services. Services will vary based on population and the needs of the community; not all locations will have the same services, as supports will be customized based on patient needs.

    “It’s encouraging to see the positive impact of community health initiatives in our province,” Mental Health and Addictions Minister Lori Carr said. “Mobile clinics are making health care more accessible to vulnerable individuals by bringing essential services directly to residents and contributing to better health care outcomes.”

    The Saskatoon bus will be located primarily at 2023 Morse Road (near the old Farmer’s Market) from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday to Sunday. Clients are encouraged to call 306-380-1000 for up-to-date location and schedule information.

    A wellness bus was announced in Prince Albert on March 21 and residents can call 306-940-9943 for location and hours of operation.

    The Regina wellness bus has been operational since February 12 and is currently operating Monday to Friday 8:15 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the rear parking lot of the Lawson Aquatic Centre located at 1717 Elphinstone Street.

    Services offered by wellness buses may include:

    • basic health assessments (physicals);
    • health education;
    • chronic disease monitoring;
    • ·vaccinations;
    • take home naloxone (THN) kits and training;
    • sexually transmitted and blood borne infection (STBBI) point of care testing;
    • ·opioid agonist therapy/withdrawal management;
    • reproductive health services/supplies;
    • mental health and addiction assessments and counselling/referrals;
    • wound care, stitches, routine health care;
    • referral to housing, social services;
    • referral to addictions and mental health treatment and services;
    • connection to culturally relevant Indigenous services (traditional medicine, connection to spiritual services and Elders); and
    • ·other primary health care services.

    “Through the Community Wellness Buses, we are fostering respect and compassion by meeting individuals where they are,” Saskatchewan Health Authority Physician Executive for Integrated Saskatoon Health Dr. Mark Fenton said. “By eliminating barriers to care, we ensure that everyone, regardless of their circumstances, has access to compassionate, culturally responsive, and stigma-free support.” 

    Health care staff on the bus will include a nurse practitioner, a licensed practical nurse, and assessor coordinators who offer referrals to community supports.

    -30-

    For more information, contact:

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Program upskills women to rejoin the workforce

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    Registrations are open for the next Return to Work Program, which begins on Wednesday 31 July.

    Improved skills, confidence and opportunities for friendship are key benefits of the ACT Women’s Return to Work Program.

    The program offers a series of free workshops for Canberra women looking to return to the workforce after a long period away.

    Whether the absence is due to parenting, an unexpected life event, or something else altogether, the program is ideal for women keen to brush up on skills required to begin working again.

    The workshops provide skills and knowledge on:

    • skill recognition and growth mindset
    • creating professional resumes and cover letters
    • interpreting job ads and applying for jobs
    • online and government job applications
    • job interview preparation and practice.

    The workshops help women with skills and confidence on their journey  to obtain meaningful, ongoing employment, ultimately assisting them to achieve increased financial independence.

    “I had a spinal fusion a couple of years ago, and I had been a registered nurse my whole life. Three years out of the workforce and I was just feeling overwhelmed and a colleague who has actually done the training, recommended it,” a previous attendee said.

    “All the chatting, all the feedback, all the organisations, all the tips. There’s just been so much information shared in these four weeks, it’s worth its weight in gold.”

    Registrations are open for the next Return to Work Program, which begins on Wednesday 31 July.

    The workshop runs across four weeks. They will be held at the Nara Centre in the city, from 10am–2pm on the following days:

    • Wednesday, 31 July
    • Wednesday, 7 August
    • Wednesday, 14 August
    • Wednesday, 21 August

    Attendees need to come to all four sessions. Lunch, tea and coffee will be provided.

    “You do meet these other women from every background, you can network you can continue growing that friendship,” another past attendee said.

    “It’s a place where it’s very safe, it’s a place which is very friendly, it’s a place where you might surprise yourself.”

    Registration for the workshops is essential.

    Sign up by emailing csdrtw@act.gov.au

    Get ACT news and events delivered straight to your inbox, sign up to our email newsletter:


    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Investing in more health and community services in Gungahlin

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    The centre will be staffed by a multidisciplinary team of medical professionals, including nurses and allied health workers.

    The ACT Government is investing in more health and community services in Gungahlin.

    This includes building a new health centre for the growing region and taking the next steps on delivering a new ACTAS Ambulance and Fire station and indoor sports facility.

    A new health centre in Casey

    The 2024–25 ACT Budget will include funding for the design and construction of a new health centre in North Gungahlin.

    The North Gungahlin Health Centre will be built on Kingsland Parade in Casey, conveniently close to the shopping centre and other facilities.

    The centre will provide more free health services closer to where people need them, with easier access to preventative health services and treatment for chronic disease.

    The centre will be staffed by a multidisciplinary team of medical professionals, including nurses and allied health workers.

    This will continue to expand as the ACT Government recruits to grow Canberra’s frontline public health workforce.

    The new centre will complement the territory’s existing network of nurse-led Walk-in Centres, community health centres and the hospital system.

    More community facilities

    The ACT Government is currently working through additional community uses for the remaining blocks on the 2.4-hectare site.

    This includes an indoor sports facility to provide local residents, sporting groups and organisations with access to better amenities and state-of-the-art facilities.

    It also includes a new ACTAS Ambulance and Fire Station, which will enhance response times to emergency incidents as the Gungahlin community grows.

    Both these will be captured as part of the Estate Development Plan and the Subdivision Design Application to be completed through 2024–25.

    The Government has already committed to a study on traffic and transport improvements surrounding the Casey Group Centre.

    This work will also be considered in development processes as the ACT Government works with the community to design a precinct that suits the local community’s needs.

    Share your thoughts

    The community can now have their say on the design and future services of the North Gungahlin Health Centre.

    Visit the YourSay Conversations website for survey details and dates for information sessions and pop-up stalls across Gungahlin.

    Get ACT news and events delivered straight to your inbox, sign up to our email newsletter:


    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Canberra’s first food strategy gets green light in ACT Budget

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    The new plan will help support and grow the territory’s local food production sector.

    The ACT Government is investing $455,000 towards the implementation of the Canberra Region Local Food Strategy.

    Part of the 2024–25 ACT Budget, this funding will help grow Canberra’s local food production sector.

    The ACT is the first Australian state or territory to launch a plan to support and grow its local food system.

    Funding for the first year of the Strategy’s implementation will deliver a Local Food Chain Infrastructure Study.

    The study will explore opportunities to support small-medium sized local food producers in Canberra and the surrounding region who struggle to compete with larger commercial providers.

    The study will focus on areas of food packaging, distribution, storage and networking. It will build on data from the Agriculture and Food in the ACT Study, currently underway.

    It will also aim to reduce barriers for getting local food produce into local marketplaces and grocery stores.

    Shaped by community feedback, the strategy will ultimately strengthen Canberrans’ access to healthy, affordable food.

    Funding has also been provided to examine opportunities for using suitable ACT Government land to support local food production, and to help educate the community on how to grow food in the ACT.

    The Canberra Region Local Food Strategy is available on the ACT Environment website.

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  • MIL-OSI Australia: Work begins on Acton Waterfront park

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    Ngamawari will be a large-scale, culturally significant space for Canberrans and visitors.

    Work has started on Ngamawari, the new public park celebrating Ngunnawal culture and history on the Acton Waterfront.

    An interim park will open in 2025 while the permanent 30,000 square metre park is built.

    The interim park will be a place for people to relax, exercise and enjoy events and activities by lake.

    It will feature:

    • grassed areas, garden beds and retaining walls
    • temporary lighting and shade structures
    • hardstand spaces to support events and food and coffee options
    • infrastructure like stormwater and more infill
    • secure access for heavy vehicles, maintenance and emergency vehicles.

    The interim park will lay the foundations for the permanent park. Once completed, it will be a large-scale and culturally significant space for Canberrans and visitors.

    Ngamawari is designed in partnership with local Ngunnawal community members and creatives.

    Ngunnawal culture and history features throughout the park. This includes native plantings and artworks.

    The parks name, Ngamawari (pronounced nar-mar-wa-ree) means ‘cave place’ in Ngunnawal language. It was gifted by Ngunnawal community representatives in November 2023. The name recognises the cultural importance of the limestone caves that were flooded during the creation of Lake Burley Griffin. The caves played provided shelter and art along the Molonglo River.

    Ngamawari is the latest works in the Acton Waterfront project. It follows:

    • the construction of neighbouring Henry Rolland park in 2018
    • the lake reclamation, 700-metre boardwalk and public beach in 2022.

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  • MIL-OSI Australia: Cycle lane pops up in Kingston

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    The pop-up cycle lane is the first stage of the Kingston Cycleway project.

    A new “pop-up” cycle lane is now open in Kingston. It connects Kings Avenue Bridge and the Bowen Park carpark along Bowen Drive.

    This cycle lane is addressing overcrowding along this popular route by providing a new separated lane for cyclists.

    The cycle lane is signposted for cyclists and mobility devices (such as scooters) only, while the off-road shared path is for pedestrians only.

    The cycle lane is in the outside lane of Bowen Drive. It separates cyclists and traffic by a temporary raised concrete kerbing secured to the ground.

    The kerbing is made using quick build infrastructure. This is at a lower cost and made of temporary materials, including recycled rubber. However, it achieves the same outcome as more permanent infrastructure.

    This is a trial of this kind of infrastructure in Canberra.

    The pop-up cycle lane is the first stage of a two-stage Kingston Cycleway. The project will improve cyclist safety and encourage the update of active travel in south Canberra.

    Stage two is new and upgraded cycling infrastructure between Bowen Park and Cunningham Street. Design is now underway and construction will follow.

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  • MIL-OSI Australia: Tuggeranong Creek re-naturalised

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    Over the next few years, the water plants will grow to create a beautiful landscape.

    Sections of Tuggeranong Creek in Calwell have been re-naturalised with native plants and grasses replacing concrete. The project will help improve habitat and the quality of water flowing into Lake Tuggeranong.

    Concrete sections of the creek have been replaced with naturalised creek beds featuring pools and riffles. Thousands of water plants have been planted at the site.

    The new water plants will:

    • trap sediments
    • absorb nutrients and pollution
    • reduce the risk of blue-green algal blooms.

    The plants will also provide important habitat for native wildlife such as water bugs, yabbies and water birds. The plants will grow over the next few years to create a beautiful landscape.

    The creek channel has been widened to slow the water down. This will allow it to filter into the soil and support the surrounding landscape while still protecting the surrounding suburbs from flooding.

    Two viewing platforms will provide a space for the community to enjoy the area.

    This project is one of several that are trialling improvements in stormwater quality and waterway healthy. These include:

    • new wetland designs including floating wetlands
    • reconnecting street drains and pipes to green space
    • stormwater recycling to irrigate sports fields
    • raingardens that treat runoff before it enters big drains.

    The Healthy Waterways program is helping to deliver on the goals of the ACT Water Strategy 2014-44. The government is currently seeking feedback from the community on changes to the strategy which aim to find new and adaptable ways to care for our waterways in the ACT.

    More information about the Healthy Waterways Program is available on the ACT Environment website.

    Have your say on the changes to the ACT Water Strategy 2014-44 on the YourSay website.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Albuquerque Man Sentenced for Sexual Exploitation of Minor and Child Pornography Production

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    ALBUQUERQUE – An Albuquerque man was sentenced to 25 years in prison for sexually exploiting a 13-year-old girl and producing child pornography.

    There is no parole in the federal system.

    According to court records, Kevin Vallo, 41, was on supervised released after serving a sentence for first degree murder when he used the social media app, Telegram, to communicate with Jane Doe, a 13-year-old girl, while falsely claiming to be 16 years old. On February 19, 2024, Vallo persuaded Jane Doe and two other minors to visit his Albuquerque apartment where he engaged in sexual acts with Jane Doe and another minor. Vallo also recorded explicit videos of him engaging in sexual acts with Jane Doe. Vallo later sent the explicit videos to Jane Doe via Telegram.

    The investigation began when one of the other minors disclosed the abuse during a medical appointment. Law enforcement identified Vallo through witness accounts and executed a search warrant on May 9, 2024, recovering multiple videos of Vallo engaging in sexual acts with Jane Doe from Vallo‘s phone. During a subsequent interview, Vallo admitted to the sexual encounters and to recording the acts.

    Upon his release, Vallo will be subject to 30 months of supervised release and must register as a sex offender.

    Acting U.S. Attorney Holland S. Kastrin and Raul Bujanda, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office, made the announcement today.

    The FBI Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Jesse Pecoraro is prosecuting the case as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit Justice.gov/PSC.

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  • MIL-OSI Canada: Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Review Officer Appointed

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    Nova Scotia has appointed lawyer David Nurse as the Province’s new Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy (FOIPOP) Review Officer.

    Mr. Nurse has deep knowledge of the FOIPOP process, gained while working in government and as a private-sector lawyer.

    “I am pleased to welcome Mr. Nurse to this important role,” said Becky Druhan, Attorney General and Minister of Justice. “His broad range of experience makes him an excellent fit to deliver the crucial mandate of upholding Nova Scotians’ right to access information while safeguarding their personal and private data. I also want to thank executive director Carmen Stuart for serving as acting privacy review officer until Mr. Nurse was appointed.”

    The review officer is responsible for reviewing access to information requests from people and organizations who are dissatisfied with the response they received from a public body under the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, the Municipal Government Act, or the Personal Health Information Act.

    The review officer also considers privacy complaints regarding the collection, use and disclosure of personal information by provincial public bodies under the Privacy Review Officer Act.

    Mr. Nurse’s past positions have included roles with the Nova Scotia government at the Office of Immigration and the Department of Justice, owning and operating a law firm, and serving as a lawyer with the Government of the Northwest Territories.

    Mr. Nurse starts work this week. He takes over from Tricia Ralph, whose five-year term ended on February 28.

    Quotes:

    “I am honoured to take on this role. I look forward to serving Nova Scotians in this capacity and to working collaboratively to strengthen transparency and trust in our public institutions.”
    — David Nurse, Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Review Officer

    Quick Facts:

    • Nova Scotia’s access and privacy laws apply to all government departments and agencies, municipalities and municipal bodies, hospitals, health authorities, universities and colleges

    Additional Resources:

    Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner: https://oipc.novascotia.ca/

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Progress on the future of Telstra Tower

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    Design concept: Architectus

    The ACT Government will work with Telstra on a plan to redevelop and reopen Telstra Tower.

    This will help reinstate it as an iconic Canberra visitor destination.

    Features will likely include a café, retail space and observation deck.

    It is too early to say if the tower’s renowned revolving restaurant will return.

    Over the past two years, Telstra has carried out planning and engaged with the community about re-developing the building.

    Telstra Tower has been part of the Canberra skyline for over 40 years.

    The company recently approached the ACT Government to consider operating it as a visitor attraction.

    “For many years it was a popular tourist attraction, and we believe this site can offer that again for Canberrans and visitors to our country’s capital,” Telstra CEO Vicki Brady said.

    “Black Mountain also has ongoing cultural significance to the Ngunnawal people, and any new development of the Telstra Tower should also reflect and incorporate this as a key element.

    “As a national telecommunications and infrastructure provider, Telstra does not have the expertise to develop or manage a tourist attraction, so we need a partner with the skills and local knowledge to help make that happen,” she said.

    “That’s why we are pleased to be entering into a partnership with the ACT Government to leverage their local expertise in running world-class tourism venues, and hope this enables the Tower to once again be open to the public.”

    The Government has signed a Letter of Intent with Telstra.

    They will work together on commercial and financial arrangements before final decisions are made on the partnership.

    Both will continue to engage with the Ngunnawal community and other families and stakeholders with an interest in the Tower, looking to incorporate local culture and stories.

    Telstra has already begun working with national design firm Architectus to look at what a modern Telstra Tower may look like as a public venue.

    “Our proposed design will respectfully acknowledge the significant stories of place and history bringing new life to this Canberra icon,” Architectus Principal, Sophie Cleland, said.

    Design concepts: Architectus

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