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Category: Justice

  • MIL-OSI Security: Illegal Alien and Convicted Criminal Felon Charged With Firearm Crimes

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    An illegal alien and convicted felon was charged with federal firearm crimes, announced Acting U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Chad E. Meacham.  

    Manuel Najera-Garcia, a Mexican citizen and illegal alien, was indicted by a federal grand jury on February 26, 2025 with one count of possession of a firearm by an illegal alien and one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.  Najera-Garcia made his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Rebecca Rutherford on Wednesday, March 26, 2025 and was ordered detained.  

    According to the indictment, on December 22, 2024, Najera-Garcia possessed a .38-caliber revolver after having been convicted of a felony offense in 2012.  After his felony conviction, Najera-Garcia returned to Mexico.  However, it is alleged that sometime thereafter Najera-Garcia re-entered the United States prior to possessing the firearm on December 22, 2024.  

    An indictment is merely an allegation of criminal conduct, not evidence.  Mr. Najera-Garcia is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.  If convicted, Najera-Garcia faces up to 15 years in federal prison on each count.  

    The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives Dallas Field Division and the Dallas Police Department conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Ted Hocter 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).

    MIL Security OSI –

    March 27, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Security: Executive Pleads Guilty to a Seven-Count Indictment Two Weeks Before Trial, Admits to Longstanding Antitrust and Wire Fraud Conspiracies Affecting Wildfire Services

    Source: United States Attorneys General 1

    The owner of a contractor company that provided fuel truck services to the U.S. Forest Service’s wildfire fighters pleaded guilty to a seven-count indictment yesterday for his role in schemes to rig bids, allocate territories, and commit wire fraud over an eight-year period. Kris Bird, 62, pleaded guilty to all charges against him two weeks before trial, with no assurances from the government as to the sentence prosecutors will recommend to the judge. The plea follows a judicially authorized wiretap investigation that led to the indictment of two executives in December 2023. Both executives pleaded guilty and are now scheduled to be sentenced in June 2025.

    As set out in the factual basis filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Idaho, Bird admitted to conspiring with Ike Tomlinson, 61, and others to rig bids and allocate territories in the market for wildfire-fighting fuel truck services for certain dispatch centers of the U.S. Forest Service’s Great Basin wildfire dispatch region between March 2015 and March 2023, in violation of Section 1 of the Sherman Act. Bird further admitted to conspiring to commit wire fraud during the same period, and to committing five acts of wire fraud. At the change-of-plea hearing, Bird also admitted to the forfeiture allegations in the indictment.

    “Bid-rigging and other collusive, anticompetitive agreements are neither sophisticated nor lawful. As the defendants have now conceded, they selfishly damaged essential taxpayer-funded services critical to protecting the American public from wildfires,” said Assistant Attorney General Abigail Slater of the Justice Department’s Antitrust Division. “The meticulous investigation led by the Antitrust Division’s Procurement Collusion Strike Force and its law enforcement partners left the defendant with little choice but to plead to the indictment. The Justice Department will not treat bid-rigging as business as usual.”

    “Citizens and Idaho businesses must have access to fair competition for government contracts,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Justin Whatcott for the District of Idaho. “The guilty pleas in this case help ensure equal opportunities for all Idaho businesses and protects taxpayers from paying inflated contract prices.”

    “The defendant illegally profited from American taxpayer money,” said Special Agent in Charge Mehtab Syed of the FBI Salt Lake City Field Office. “The FBI and our partners are committed to rooting out fraud and protecting fair competition in the bidding for government contracts.”

    “We will continue working with our law enforcement partners to fight fraud in federal contracting,” said Assistant Inspector General for Investigations James Adams of the General Services Administration Office of Inspector General.

    A violation of the Sherman Act carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $1 million fine for individuals and a maximum penalty of a $100 million fine for corporations. The maximum fine may be increased to twice the gain derived from the crime or twice the loss suffered by victims if either amount is greater than the maximum. A violation of the wire fraud statute carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

    The Antitrust Division’s San Francisco Office, U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Idaho, FBI Salt Lake City Field Office, Boise Resident Agency, and General Services Administration Office of Inspector General investigated the case. Assistant Chief Christopher J. Carlberg and Trial Attorneys Elena A. Goldstein, Daniel B. Twomey, and Matthew Chou of the Antitrust Division’s San Francisco Office, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean M. Mazorol for the District of Idaho are prosecuting the case.

    Anyone with information about this investigation or other procurement fraud schemes should notify the PCSF at www.justice.gov/atr/webform/pcsf-citizen-complaint. The Justice Department created the PCSF in November 2019. It is a joint law enforcement effort to combat antitrust crimes and related fraudulent schemes that impact government procurement, grant and program funding at all levels of government—federal, state and local. For more information, visit www.justice.gov/procurement-collusion-strike-force.

    MIL Security OSI –

    March 27, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Security: International Law Enforcement Cooperation Leads to Takedown of U.S.- and Brazil-Based Alien Smugglers and Immigration Arrests

    Source: United States Attorneys General 7

    View the criminal complaint.

    Earlier today, extensive coordination and cooperation efforts between U.S. and Brazilian law enforcement and prosecution authorities culminated in a significant enforcement operation to dismantle a transnational criminal organization allegedly responsible for the illicit smuggling of hundreds of individuals from Brazil to the United States. The enforcement operation included the arrest on U.S. charges of a previously convicted alien smuggler who allegedly re-entered the United States illegally after deportation to Brazil and was residing in Worcester, Massachusetts. The Brazilian Federal Police (PF) executed multiple search warrants in Brazil and arrested an alleged Brazil-based human smuggler.

    Flavio Alexandre Alves, also known as “Ronaldo,” 41, was arrested in Worcester, Massachusetts on a criminal complaint charging him with conspiracy to bring aliens to and transport aliens within the United States for the purpose of commercial or financial gain in violation of law. Alves will appeared in federal court in Worcester earlier today and was temporarily detained pending a detention hearing on Friday.

    According to court documents, Alves conspired with others to transport aliens from Brazil, through Mexico, and then into the United States. Once the aliens arrived in the United States, Alves allegedly purchased airline tickets for the aliens to other U.S. destinations. Alves also allegedly transferred money from the United States to aliens and smugglers located in Mexico to pay for expenses associated with transit into the United States and collected fees from aliens for being smuggled into the United States. Alves was previously convicted of human smuggling in the Central District of California in 2004 and was deported to Brazil in February 2005. Court documents indicate that Alves has been residing in the United States without immigration status after illegally re-entering the United States.

    It is alleged that between May 2021 and August 2022, Alves purchased more than 100 individual airline tickets from Tucson or Phoenix to destination cities in Massachusetts and Pennsylvania (Boston, Pittsburgh, Harrisburg and Philadelphia). Some of these purchases were for migrants who had recently had encounters with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers or were recently released from detention.

    Additionally, HSI offices in Pittsburgh, Harrisburg, and Philadelphia, supported by other partner law enforcement agencies, detained four individuals today associated with the alien smuggling organization on administrative immigration violations.

    The investigation and arrest of Alves was coordinated under Joint Task Force Alpha (JTFA) and the Extraterritorial Criminal Travel Strike Force (ECT) program. JTFA, a partnership with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), has been elevated and expanded by the Attorney General with a mandate to target cartels and transnational criminal organizations to eliminate human smuggling and trafficking networks operating in Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Panama, and Colombia that impact public safety and the security of our borders. JTFA currently comprises detailees from U.S. Attorneys’ Offices along the southwest border. Dedicated support is provided by numerous components of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, led by the Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section (HRSP) and supported by the Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section, the Office of Enforcement Operations, and the Office of International Affairs (OIA), among others. JTFA also relies on substantial law enforcement investment from DHS, the FBI, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and other partners. To date, JTFA’s work has resulted in more than 355 domestic and international arrests of leaders, organizers, and significant facilitators of alien smuggling; more than 315 U.S. convictions; more than 260 significant jail sentences imposed; and forfeitures of substantial assets.

    The ECT program is a partnership between the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and HSI and focuses on human smuggling networks that may present particular national security or public safety risks or grave humanitarian concerns. ECT has dedicated investigative, intelligence, and prosecutorial resources. ECT also coordinates and receives assistance from other U.S. government agencies and foreign law enforcement authorities.

    HSI New England led U.S. investigative efforts, working in concert with HSI Brasilia, Pittsburgh, Harrisburg and Philadelphia and the HSI Human Smuggling Unit in Washington, D.C. HSI received substantial assistance from CBP’s National Targeting Center International Interdiction Task Force. OIA provided crucial assistance in this matter.

    Trial Attorney Alexandra Skinnion and Acting Deputy Chief Frank Rangoussis of the Criminal Division’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristen Noto for the District of Massachusetts are prosecuting the case.

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

    MIL Security OSI –

    March 27, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Peters Rated The #1 Most Effective U.S. Senator For Third Congress In A Row

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Michigan Gary Peters

    WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) has been rated the most effective U.S. Senator for the third time in a row by the nonpartisan Center for Effective Lawmaking, which released its biannual effectiveness ratings for the 118thCongress (2023-2024). Peters was also rated the most effective Senator by the Center in the 116th (2019-2020) and 117th (2021-2022) Congresses. In the 118th Congress, Peters earned the highest effectiveness score for a U.S. Senator ever recorded in the fifty years since the Center for Effective Lawmaking began tracking this data. He also becomes the first Senator in more than four decades to be named most effective three times in a row. Peters achieved this recognition by authoring 15 standalone bills that were passed and signed into law. He also authored 10 additional bills that were passed into law as part of larger legislative packages, including bipartisan legislation that established a Northern Border Mission Center at Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Macomb County. 

    “My top priority in the Senate has always been working in a bipartisan way to get things done for Michiganders, from supporting Michigan manufacturing, to protecting our Great Lakes, to strengthening our national security,” said Senator Peters. “I’ve found that building relationships based on trust, respect, and compromise, with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle, is the key to finding commonsense solutions to the challenges we face, and I’ll keep fighting every day to deliver results for Michiganders and Americans across our country.”

    “At the top of the list—for the third congress in a row—is Sen. Gary Peters of Michigan, who (as we noted previously) had the rare distinction of being the overall most effective lawmaker in the Senate in the 116th Congress, despite Democrats being the minority party in the Congress. As we noted in our analysis four years ago, Sen. Peters’s feat cannot be found anywhere else in the Center for Effective Lawmaking data,” wrote the Center for Effective Lawmaking.

    The Center continued by saying, “every bill that he sponsored that became law had at least one Republican cosponsor who was also advocating for its passage. For several of his sponsored bills, we likewise see that the only cosponsors of the legislation were Republican senators. As such, Sen. Peters’s practice of coalition building and cosponsorship continues to comport with Center for Effective Lawmaking research showing that bipartisan lawmakers are much more effective than partisan lawmakers, even when in the majority party.”

    “With the announced retirement of Senator Peters… it is clear that the United States Senate has lost a notable degree of lawmaking capacity, in comparison to more recent congresses, such that it is less obvious as to who will serve as the most prominent legislative leaders in future years,” the Center said.

    The Center for Effective Lawmaking is a joint initiative between the University of Virginia and Vanderbilt University, which rates each member of Congress based on a number of factors including the bills they sponsor, how far those bills move through the lawmaking process, and how substantial their bills are. To read the full report from the Center for Effective Lawmaking, click here. 

    Peters has been repeatedly named one of the most effective and bipartisan senators. During the 117th Congress, Peters was the author and principal sponsor of 19 bills signed into law, the most by a U.S. Senator during a single Congress in more than 40 years, according to the Congressional Research Service and the Senate Historical Office. Peters was recognized as the 2nd-most bipartisan Senator – and the most bipartisan Democrat – in 2023, according to rankings released by the nonpartisan Lugar Center and McCourt School of Public Policy at Georgetown University. The Lugar Center also ranked Peters the 3rd-most bipartisan Senator for his work during the 117th Congress (2021-2022).

    Below is a recap of the key bills Peters authored that were passed and signed into law during the 118th Congress: 

    Established Northern Border Mission Center at Selfridge Air National Guard Base: Peters secured his bipartisan Northern Border Coordination Act as a provision in the annual national defense bill that was signed into law last year. The provision expanded the operations and duties of the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Northern Border Mission Center. Peters secured $3 million last March to establish and operate this Center at Selfridge Air National Guard Base, where it is collocated with current DHS components. The Center, which DHS is already working to set up, will coordinate with state, local, and Tribal governments, and other key stakeholders, to ensure DHS and its operational components are able to fulfill their security mission at the Northern Border.   

    Protecting Burial Benefits for Military Families: Peters passed bipartisan legislation into law to ensure our military families can continue to be laid to rest together in Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) national cemeteries. This law grants the VA the authority to bury the spouse or child of a service member in the tragic case that their death precedes the servicemember.  

    Supporting Firefighters and Emergency Responders: Peters’ Fire Grants and Safety Act was signed into law, reauthorizing key federal grant programs that help support fire departments across the country. The bill reauthorizes the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant program, the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program, and the United States Fire Administration (USFA). These programs are used by local fire departments to address staffing needs, purchase equipment, develop fire training and education programs, and improve emergency medical services. 

    Reducing Confusion for Disaster Relief Applicants: Peters authored a bill that was signed into law to create one application deadline for two Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) programs that individuals use for disaster assistance. The law ensures that both the Disaster Unemployment Assistance Program (DUA) and Individuals and Households Program (IHP) has the same deadline, making it easier for applicants to apply for assistance when rebuilding their lives after a disaster.  

    Expanding Financial Support for Maritime Students: Peters authored and passed into law his CADETS Act, expanding the Student Incentive Payment Program eligibility for financial assistance to cadets who attend one of the six State Maritime Academies and commit to a post-graduation service obligation to include any qualified student who will meet the age requirements for enlistment in the U.S. Navy Reserve at their time of graduation. This law will encourage more cadets to continue serving our country after graduation, strengthening Michigan’s robust maritime sector and national security. 

    Reusing Federally Owned Property: Peters passed a bill into law to ensure federal agencies are reusing excess federal property, including office supplies, automobiles, and heavy machinery, before buying new products in order to save taxpayer dollars.  

    Improving Oversight of Federal Grant Programs: Peters’ bipartisan Financial Management Risk Reduction Act was signed into law, helping to safeguard taxpayer dollars by making audit data more accessible and increasing opportunities to identify potential misuse of federal grant programs.  

    Holding Federal Agencies Accountable for Performance Goals: Legislation authored by Peters was signed into law to ensure federal agencies are effectively carrying out their missions for the American people. The law requires the White House Office of Management and Budget to regularly conduct reviews of agency performance and ensure they are following strategic plans.  

    Strengthening National Safety System for Commercial Drivers: Peters’ bipartisan bill was signed into law to safeguard funding for the Commercial Driver’s License Information System (CDLIS). The CDLIS is a crucial, nationwide computer system that ensures commercial drivers have only one license and one complete driver record. State driver licensing agencies utilize the CDLIS to complete safety procedures such as sharing out-of-state convictions and withdrawals, transferring the driver record when a commercial driver license holder moves to another state, and responding to requests for driver status and history.

    Bolstering Department of Homeland Security Joint Task Forces: Peters authored and passed a bill into law extending the Joint Task Forces authority, allowing DHS to establish joint operations using DHS personnel and resources to secure U.S. land and maritime borders, address homeland security threats, and establish regional operations to tackle ongoing homeland security challenges like drug smuggling and trafficking. 

    Supporting Victims of Human Trafficking: Peters’ bipartisan legislation to enhance the Department of Homeland Security’s ability to combat human trafficking was signed into law. The law makes permanent and expands the Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Victim Assistance Program that helps provide support to individuals impacted by human trafficking. It will also help to provide additional support to the dedicated HSI personnel who are working to combat these horrific crimes. 

    Strengthening Federal Building Security: Bipartisan legislation authored by Peters was signed into law requiring federal agencies to adequately respond to security recommendations issued by the Federal Protective Service (FPS) within 90 days to protect visitors and employees in federal buildings from a range of security threats. 

    Improving Efficiency of Legislative Process: Peters passed bipartisan legislation into law to help eliminate procedural delays and improve efficiency in the legislative process. The law provides the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) with timely access to the information they need to complete their analysis of the budgetary impacts of legislation, which is required prior to almost all votes in the Senate. 

    Recognizing the Contributions of Trailblazing Michiganders: Peters also led several bills that were signed into law to honor trailblazing Michiganders and their extraordinary contributions to our state, including: 

    • A bill to designate the United States Postal Service office located at 2075 West Stadium Boulevard in Ann Arbor, Michigan, as the “Robert Hayden Post Office.” Robert Hayden – born in Detroit in 1913 – achieved national and international recognition for his poetry, as well as essays and other works of literature, with much of his work touching on the Black American experience as part of the greater human experience. In 1976, he became the first African American to be appointed Consultant in Poetry by the Library of Congress – a role that is now known as Poet Laureate.  
    • A bill to designate the United States Postal Service office located at 90 McCamly Street South in Battle Creek, Michigan, as the “Sojourner Truth Post Office.” After escaping slavery in 1827, Sojourner Truth embarked on a path to preach for emancipation. Throughout her life, Truth fought bravely against racial injustices and spoke up for women’s suffrage. In 1857, Truth moved to Harmonia, a former utopian community that was later incorporated into Battle Creek, Michigan, and spent the rest of her life advocating in various spheres.             
    • A bill to designate the United States Postal Service office located at 155 South Main Street in Mount Clemens, Michigan, as the “Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Jefferson Post Office.” Alexander Jefferson – born in Detroit – served in the military during World War II. During his time with the Tuskegee Airmen, Jefferson was shot down in France and captured by Nazi ground troops. He was a prisoner of war in German-occupied Poland before he was freed by General George Patton’s U.S. Third Army. Jefferson returned to Michigan, where he became a U.S. Postal Service letter carrier, earned a teaching certificate, and obtained a master’s degree in education from Wayne State University. In 2016, Senator Peters helped honor Jefferson at a ceremony for France’s Knight of the Legion of Honor Medal – the highest honor France bestows on people who have carried out actions of great value to their nation.  

    MIL OSI USA News –

    March 27, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Attorney General James Urges New Yorkers to Claim Compensation for Inflated Generic Drug Prices

    Source: US State of New York

    EW YORK – New York Attorney General Letitia James today joined a bipartisan coalition of 49 other attorneys general in urging consumers to check their eligibility for compensation as part of a $39.1 million settlement they secured with generic drug manufacturer Apotex Corp. (Apotex) for its role in a massive, long-running scheme to inflate prices of generic drugs and reduce competition. Attorney General James and the multistate coalition previously announced a settlement in principle with Apotex along with a $10 million settlement with Heritage Pharmaceuticals (Heritage). The settlements are part of an ongoing multistate investigation into companies for prescription drug price fixing. The companies in the scheme, some of which increased prices by 1,000 percent, manufactured essential medications to treat diseases ranging from diabetes to cancer to ADHD. 

    “When companies collude behind closed doors to raise prescription drug prices, they put everyday New Yorkers at serious risk,” said Attorney General James. “The companies involved in this scheme inflated prices of vital medications used to treat everything from diabetes and heart conditions to cancer, and now we are holding them accountable. I urge any New Yorker who may have been a victim of this scheme to check their eligibility and claim the restitution they are owed.” 

    New Yorkers who purchased a generic prescription drug listed here between May 2009 and December 2019 may be eligible for compensation. To determine your eligibility, call 1-866-290-0182 (toll-free), email info@AGGenericDrugs.com, or visit www.AGGenericDrugs.com. 

    The settlements are the result of three lawsuits filed by the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) and a coalition of attorneys general against some of the nation’s largest generic pharmaceutical companies. The first complaint included Heritage and 17 other corporate defendants, two individual defendants, and 15 generic drugs. Two former executives from Heritage Pharmaceuticals, Jeffery Glazer and Jason Malek, have since entered into settlement agreements and are cooperating. The second complaint was filed in 2019 against Teva Pharmaceuticals and 19 of the nation’s largest generic drug manufacturers. The complaint names 16 individual senior executive defendants. The third complaint, to be tried first, focuses on 80 topical generic drugs that account for billions of dollars of sales in the United States and names 26 corporate defendants and 10 individual defendants. Six additional pharmaceutical executives have entered into settlement agreements with the coalition of attorneys general and have been cooperating to support the states’ claims in all three cases.  

    The lawsuits allege these companies engaged in a broad, coordinated, and systematic conspiracy to fix prices, avoid competition, and rig bids for more than 100 different generic drugs. The companies maintained an interconnected web of industry executives where these competitors met with each other during industry dinners, “girls’ nights out,” lunches, cocktail parties, and golf outings, and communicated via frequent telephone calls, emails, and text messages that sowed the seeds for their illegal agreements. Defendants used terms like “fair share,” “playing nice in the sandbox,” and “responsible competitor” to describe how they unlawfully discouraged competition, raised prices, and enforced an ingrained culture of collusion. 

    The drugs included in the scheme span all types – including tablets, capsules, creams, and ointments – and classes – including antibiotics, anti-depressants, contraceptives, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. They treat a range of diseases and conditions from basic infections to diabetes, cancer, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, HIV, ADHD, and more. In some instances, the coordinated price increases were over 1,000 percent. For example, Digoxin, an essential heart medication manufactured by Heritage, tripled in price, causing patients to pay hundreds of dollars more for the drug. 

    In November 2024, Attorney General James announced the coalition of attorneys general had secured settlements with Apotex and Heritage. As part of the settlement agreements, both Apotex and Heritage have agreed to cooperate in the ongoing multistate litigations against 30 corporate defendants and 25 individual executives. Both companies have further agreed to injunctive relief to prevent future misconduct and a series of internal reforms to ensure fair competition and compliance with antitrust laws. At the time of the announcement, the settlement with Apotex was conditioned on the signatures of all necessary states and territories. Those signatures have been obtained, and the coalition is filing the settlement today in the U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut.

    Joining Attorney General James in securing the settlements are the attorneys general of Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming, the District of Columbia, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. 

    These settlements are the latest example of Attorney General James taking action to stop companies from engaging in anticompetitive conduct and harming New Yorkers. Earlier this month, Attorney General James won her case against ski resort owner Intermountain for illegally buying and shutting down a competitor. Also in March, Attorney General James secured a settlement with the NCAA that will end its anticompetitive rules preventing student athletes from learning about name, image, and likeness compensation opportunities before committing to a school. In January 2025 and December 2024, Attorney General James secured settlements stopping anticompetitive no-poach agreements in the building services industry. In May 2024, Attorney General James joined 40 other states and the Department of Justice in suing Live Nation and Ticketmaster for monopolizing the live music industry.

    New York’s investigation has been led by Assistant Attorneys General Bob Hubbard, Saami Zain, and Ben Cole, and Legal Assistant Arlene Leventhal of the Antitrust Bureau, under the supervision of Deputy Bureau Chief Amy McFarlane and Bureau Chief Elinor Hoffmann of the Antitrust Bureau. The Antitrust Bureau is part of the Division for Economic Justice, overseen by Chief Deputy Attorney General Christopher D’Angelo and First Deputy Attorney General Jennifer Levy.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    March 27, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Security: Joshawa Max Estrada Sentenced to Federal Prison for His Role in the Murder of Jedidah Iesha Moreno

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Yakima, Washington – Acting United States Attorney Richard R. Barker announced today that Chief United States District Judge Stanley A. Bastian sentenced Joshawa Max Estrada, age 27, to 100 months in federal prison on one count of Accessory After the Fact for his role in the October 2018 murder of Jedidah Iesha Moreno.

    According to court documents and evidence presented at the sentencing hearing, Jedidah Iesha Moreno shot and killed Rosenda Strong on or about October 5, 2018, following an argument at a residence, known as the House of Souls in Wapato, Washington. Following the murder, Moreno asked for help disposing of Strong’s body, which was placed in a freezer and dumped near a towing service in Toppenish, Washington.

    The following day, October 6, 2018, Moreno and Andrew Norris Zack got into an argument at a residence known as the Estrada Ranch located in Wapato, Washington. Moreno took out a gun and fired multiple gunshots into a garage, where Zack was in the bathroom.  One of these shots struck Zack’s hand.

    Around the same time that Zack was shot, Uriel Balentin Badillo was at Legends Casino. Badillo received a call that Zack was in trouble, and Badillo drove out to the residence, where he found Moreno standing in a field. When Badillo asked about Zack, Moreno was unresponsive. Badillo then drove Moreno to the House of Souls (where Rosenda Strong had been killed the day before), to look for Zack.  When Badillo and Moreno arrived, a female came out of the House of Souls and said, “gag the bitch up.” After a sock was placed into Moreno’s mouth, Badillo and the female drove Moreno back to the Estrada Ranch.  There, Moreno was physically restrained, bound with a cargo strap and duct tape, and forced into a Chevrolet Impala. Badillo then shot into the trunk of the car several times with a .45 caliber pistol, striking Moreno.  Later that day, two juveniles transported Moreno’s body to another location on the Yakama Nation.  One of the juveniles then fired additional rounds into Moreno’s body.

    The next day, Estrada spoke to Badillo, Zack, and the juvenile.  When Estrada learned that Badillo had murdered Moreno and that her body had been dumped in a non-discrete location.  Estrada teased the juvenile for dumping the body in such a visible place. Badillo then asked Estrada to move Moreno’s body and get rid of the cargo strap around her body because Badillo was worried he might have left his DNA and/or fingerprints on the cargo strap. Estrada and the one of the juveniles then located Moreno’s body and moved it to a more secluded location near White Swan, Washington. As directed by Badillo, Estrada also removed the cargo strap from Moreno’s body.  After moving the body to a more concealed location, the juvenile fired additional gunshots into Moreno’s body.

    Later that same day, Estrada and the juvenile traveled back to Wapato to meet with Zack and Badillo. Estrada handed Badillo the cargo strap that had been removed from Moreno’s body so that Badillo could destroy the evidence.

    On November 28, 2018, a citizen discovered Moreno’s remains and immediately contacted law enforcement.

    “The families in the Rosenda Strong and Jedidah Iesha Moreno cases have waited years to obtain some measure of justice on behalf of their loved ones,” stated Acting U.S. Attorney Barker.  “I am grateful for the eyewitnesses, who came forward in this case and helped the FBI and Yakama Nation Tribal Police identify those responsible for these terrible murders.  To those who have information about unsolved missing or murdered indigenous people cases, I implore you to come forward and help bring a measure of closure to the families that continue to grieve.”

    “Mr. Estrada is yet another defendant to be held accountable in this tragic case, which the FBI and our partners have been investigating since 2018.” said W. Mike Herrington, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Seattle field office. “While prison sentences can bring justice and a sense of closure for loved ones, ultimately nothing can bring back the victims of the multiple homicides in which the defendant played a role.  I commend the investigators in this case and others involving violent crime on our state’s reservations. They consistently pursue justice, no matter how long it takes.”

    This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with assistance from the Yakama Nation. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Thomas J. Hanlon and Michael D. Murphy.

    Defendants Andrew Norris Zack, Jamaal Antwan Pimms, Kevin Todd Brehm, and Uriel Balentin Badillo have all pleaded guilty to charges in this case. Michael Lee Moody pleaded guilty to charges in this case and was sentenced to 87 months in federal prison. 

    MIL Security OSI –

    March 27, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Security: Indictment Charges Assault with Intent to Kill While Armed for November 10, 2024 Stabbing

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Defendant Accused of Stabbing a Tourist on a D.C. Street, Narrowly Missing the Victim’s Heart

               WASHINGTON – Maurice Felder, 53, of Washington, D.C., was indicted today on assault with intent to kill while armed and other charges stemming from a stabbing on November 10, 2024, announced U.S. Attorney Edward R. Martin, Jr. and Chief Pamela Smith, of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).

               Felder was indicted by a grand jury in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia on charges of assault with intent to kill while armed, aggravated assault while armed, assault with a dangerous weapon, assault with significant bodily injury while armed, and possession of a prohibited weapon.

              Felder is to be arraigned on March 28, 2025, at a hearing before the Honorable Judith Pipe.

               According to the government’s evidence, on November 10, 2024, at about 1:00 a.m., the victim and his friends were walking near the intersection of 7th Street, N.W., and T Street, N.W. The victim and his friends were visiting Washington, D.C., for a weekend from Pennsylvania. The defendant followed the victim and his group down the sidewalk and began verbally arguing with the group. The victim got in between the defendant and other members of his friend group, telling the defendant to leave. The defendant asked the victim, “do you want to die,” pulled out a knife, and stabbed the victim in his chest. The victim sustained a stab wound 2 centimeters from his heart and required urgent medical care. The defendant was apprehended shortly thereafter, approximately one block from the location of incident. At the time of arrest, defendant matched the provided lookout description for the stabbing suspect. A knife was recovered from defendant’s pants pocket. Felder has been in custody since his arrest. 

               This case is being investigated by the Metropolitan Police Department. 

    This case is being prosecuted by AUSA Valerie Tsesarenko of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia.

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

    MIL Security OSI –

    March 27, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Security: Deforest Business Owner Sentenced to 9 Years for Cocaine Trafficking

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    MADISON, WIS. – Timothy M. O’Shea, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin announced that Luis Angel Rios, 50, of DeForest, Wisconsin, was sentenced today by Chief U.S. District Judge James D. Peterson to 9 years in federal prison for attempting to distribute a large quantity of cocaine and maintaining a place for storing and distributing cocaine. Rios pleaded guilty to these charges on January 10, 2025.

    In late 2022 and early 2023, investigators with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration began investigating a cocaine trafficking organization operating in Dane County. During an investigation that included the interception of communications between Rios and other participants in the trafficking, investigators determined that Rios was obtaining and selling multiple kilograms of cocaine, and at times cooperating with another local kilogram-level cocaine trafficker to assist in maintaining a drug supply. On June 1, 2023, as a result of phone interceptions and surveillance, investigators intercepted a half-kilogram delivery of cocaine intended for one of Rios’s customers.

    Rios was the owner of a cleaning and maintenance business in DeForest. During the sentencing, Judge Peterson credited Rios with being a hard-working family man, with no criminal history, but observed that the investigation demonstrated that he also applied his hard-working efforts to managing his ability to secure and distribute large quantities of cocaine. The court found that Rios brought more than 15 kilograms of cocaine into the community in a short period of time, which exploited those who had addictions and served to feed other crimes created by drug use.

    Rios’s co-defendant, Braulio Martinez Salazar, was sentenced by Judge Peterson on March 11, 2025, to 3 years for his role in the cocaine trafficking operation.   

    The charges against Rios were the result of an investigation conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration, FBI, Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation, Dane County Narcotics Task Force, and Madison Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Robert Anderson and William M. Levins prosecuted this case.

    The investigation was conducted and funded by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF), a multi-agency task force that coordinates long-term narcotics trafficking investigations.

    MIL Security OSI –

    March 27, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Security: United States Files Civil Forfeiture Complaint for $47 Million in Proceeds from the Sale of 1 Million Barrels of Iranian Oil

    Source: United States Attorneys General 1

    A civil forfeiture complaint was filed today in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia alleging that $47 million in proceeds from the sale of nearly one million barrels of Iranian petroleum is forfeitable as property of, or affording a person a source of influence over, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) or its Qods Force (IRGC-QF), designated Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs).

    The forfeiture complaint alleges a scheme between 2022 and 2024 to facilitate the shipment, storage, and sale of Iranian petroleum product for the benefit of the IRGC and IRGC-QF. The facilitators used deceptive practices to masquerade the Iranian oil as Malaysian, including by manipulating the tanker’s automatic identification system (AIS) to conceal that it onboarded the oil from a port in Iran. The facilitators presented falsified documents to the Croatian storage and port facility, claiming that the oil was Malaysian. The facilitators paid for storage fees associated with the oil’s storage in Croatia in U.S. dollars, transactions that were conducted through U.S. financial institutions that would have refused the transactions had they known they were associated with Iranian oil. The petroleum product was sold in 2024, and the United States seized $47 million in proceeds from that sale.

    The civil forfeiture complaint further alleges that the petroleum product constitutes the property of the National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC), which has perpetuated a federal crime of terrorism by providing material support to the IRGC and IRGC-QF. As alleged, profits from petroleum product sales support the IRGC’s full range of malign activities, including the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery, support for terrorism, and both domestic and international human rights abuses.

    Funds successfully forfeited with a connection to a state sponsor of terrorism may in whole or in part be directed to the U.S. Victims of State Sponsored Terrorism Fund.

    FBI Minneapolis Field Office and Homeland Security Investigations New York are investigating the case.

    Assistant U.S. Attorneys Karen P. Seifert, Maeghan O. Mikorski, and Brian Hudak for the District of Columbia and Trial Attorney Adam Small of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section are litigating the case. They received assistance from former Paralegal Specialist Brian Rickers and the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs.

    A civil forfeiture complaint is merely an allegation. The burden to prove forfeitability in a civil forfeiture proceeding is upon the government.

    MIL Security OSI –

    March 27, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: RELEASE: Senator Mullin Welcomes Lawton-Fort Sill Community Leaders to Washington, Holds Q&A

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator MarkWayne Mullin (R-Oklahoma)

    RELEASE: Senator Mullin Welcomes Lawton-Fort Sill Community Leaders to Washington, Holds Q&A

    Washington, D.C. – On Tuesday, U.S. Senator Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, spoke with Lawton-Fort Sill community leaders about issues facing our national defense, addressed DOGE cuts concerns, answered questions about advancing the community, and bolstered his support for Lawton’s lasting impact on the state and our national defense industrial base.

    As the Senator noted in his remarks, a crucial piece to Lawton-Fort Sill’s standing as a premiere national defense hub is the Fires Innovation Science and Technology Accelerator (FISTA). It is a model private-public partnership for communities to replicate across the country to support America’s warfighters. As our nation transitions to modern warfare, our defense needs have changed, and it’s more important than ever that we adapt to the needs of today’s warfighter. Partnerships like FISTA put Lawton at the center of advanced weaponry and engineering, which attracts high-paying jobs and business from across the nation to Oklahoma’s growing defense industrial base. 

    “What you guys are doing with FISTA is remarkable. It shows partnership, a private-public partnership,” said Sen. Mullin “It is something that while other communities may have tried it, I would say Lawton has led it in understanding what it is actually capable of doing.” 

    “The Lawton Fort Sill Chamber of Commerce is grateful for the work our Oklahoma delegation is doing in Washington, D.C. and appreciates each of them taking the time to meet with the Lawton community leaders to update us on the future of our country under the current administration,” Austin Rabon, Chairman of the Lawton Fort Sill Chamber of Commerce.

    Additional highlights from Sen. Mullin’s remarks are below:

    “The President came in very strong on this, saying that he wants to make reforms. He doesn’t want to weaken our military, he wants to strengthen it. But we feel like there’s a lot of opportunities to strengthen it by being more efficient, being more efficient on how we spend the money, being more efficient on the programs that we do, looking at what programs we’re paying for that shouldn’t be there.”  

    “There’s some technology that we’re paying for that we started developing 12 years ago. I’m sorry, that technology’s out of date. There’s technology that we’re still working on, platforms we’re still working toward, that was designed to fight the war on terror, not the conventional fight that’s facing us down the road. We’re still paying those… That’s part of the cuts. We’re saying there’s no point in us still using that platform of technology that is not useful today.”

    “General Brown… was very proud of what we’re doing in Oklahoma. I will tell you, that’s continued throughout the Department of Defense and you guys, by setting that standard so high for other communities to look at, is a huge bragging point for me. So, thank you for giving me something to hang on.”

    “I think we have a true, once in a generation, opportunity to make real changes for the generations that come behind us.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

    March 27, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Operation Shanela makes progress

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    Wednesday, March 26, 2025

    Operation Shanela continues to make an impact across the country, with police having arrested 12 892 suspects recently.

    “Through Operation Shanela, SAPS [South African Police Service] continues to take a bold and decisive approach to dealing with crime in the country. These crime fighting activities include tracking operations, roadblocks, high visibility patrols, stop and searches, as well as tracing of wanted suspects,” SAPS said in a statement this week.

    The arrests were made in the period 17 – 23 March 2025.

    The police said 123 suspects were arrested for attempted murder; 167 suspects were arrested for murder (with the majority of these suspects, 45, arrested in KwaZulu-Natal and followed by the Western Cape with 42). The police also arrested 1 753 wanted suspects and 203 drug dealers.

    A further 1 507 suspects were arrested for being in possession of drugs. The majority of these suspects (689) were arrested in the Western Cape. Furthermore, 115 suspects were arrested for being in possession of illegal firearms.

    Additionally, 10 suspects were arrested for human trafficking, while 432 drivers were arrested for drunken driving.

    One hundred and nineteen firearms and 1 335 rounds of ammunition were confiscated. The police also recovered 76 hijacked and stolen vehicles.

    Curbing smuggling

    Members of the Limpopo Anti-Smuggling team conducted a successful operation along the N11 road in Mahwelereng, which resulted in the arrest of 20 Ethiopian foreign nationals, who were allegedly smuggled into the country. 

    Police also arrested suspected drug mules at OR Tambo International Airport. A Brazilian man and South African woman arrived on the same flight from São Paulo, Brazil, and were intercepted by police. Police seized cocaine valued at over R1 million. Their arrest has now brought the total number of similar arrests at the airport to five since January 2025.

    “Police will continue with their operations by asserting the authority of the State to ensure the safety and security of all South Africans and visitors to the country,” said the SAPS. – SAnews.gov.za

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    MIL OSI Africa –

    March 27, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Security: Allentown Man Pleads Guilty to March 2023 Armed Robbery Spree in Lehigh County

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

    PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney David Metcalf announced that Rubiel Perez, 30, of Allentown, Pennsylvania, entered a plea of guilty today before United States District Court Judge Jeffrey L. Schmehl to two counts of Hobbs Act robbery, one count of attempted Hobbs Act robbery, and one count of using, carrying, and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, charges arising from an armed robbery spree in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, in March of 2023.

    Perez was charged by indictment in November 2023.

    As detailed in the indictment and admitted to by the defendant, on March 28, 2023, Perez entered a 7-Eleven convenience store on Union Boulevard in Allentown, pointed a handgun at a store employee, and stole $937 before fleeing.

    The next night, the defendant targeted a 7-Eleven convenience store on South 4th Street in Allentown. He pointed a handgun at a store employee and threatened him, before stealing $150 from the store. Later the same night, the defendant entered a 7-Eleven on West Tilghman Street in South Whitehall Township and attempted to rob the store by pointing a firearm at the store employee and threatening him.

    The defendant is scheduled to be sentenced on July 10 and faces a maximum possible sentence of life in prison, with a mandatory minimum sentence of seven years’ incarceration.

    The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Allentown Police Department, and the South Whitehall Township Police Department and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Robert W. Schopf.

    MIL Security OSI –

    March 27, 2025

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Despite Diplomatic Progress, Security Council Told Continuing Attacks, Funding Cuts Worsening Humanitarian Situation in Ukraine

    Source: United Nations General Assembly and Security Council

    The humanitarian crisis in Ukraine is worsening, a senior United Nations official told the Security Council today, as she both welcomed diplomatic progress and expressed deep alarm over rising attacks on civilians and severe cuts to global humanitarian funding.

    “Since 1 March, not a day has passed without an attack harming civilians,” Joyce Msuya, Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Deputy Emergency Relief Coordinator, told the 15-member Council. The regions of Sumy, Odesa, Dnipro, Donetsk and Kharkiv have been hit especially hard in recent weeks, with extensive damage to homes, shops, warehouses and vehicles.

    Meanwhile, global funding cuts for humanitarian operations — including for Ukraine — are further reducing the UN’s capacity to provide life-saving aid.  While the announcement of a ceasefire on energy infrastructure and discussions regarding safe navigation in the Black Sea are positive steps, she noted that the impact of past attacks continue to undermine civilians’ access to electricity, gas, heating and water as the harsh winter persists.

    “We are deeply concerned by the human cost of continued fighting,” she said, noting that, as of 24 February 2022, at least 12,881 civilians — including 681 children — have been killed in Ukraine.  The true toll is likely much higher.  She reiterated that the protection of infrastructure critical to civilian survival is imperative, and that indiscriminate attacks are unequivocally prohibited under international law.

    And with almost 13 million people in Ukraine in need of humanitarian aid, she warned against funding cuts that could threaten vital services — including gender-based-violence support and safe spaces for 640,000 affected women and girls.  Thus far, only 17 per cent of the $2.6 billion needed for Ukraine’s 2025 Humanitarian Response Plan has been received.  Against that backdrop, she urged the international community to enforce compliance with international law, secure funding to save lives and push for an end to the war — all while ensuring that humanitarian needs remain central to peace talks.

    Speakers Express Concern over Increasing Attacks on Civilians, Urge Moscow to Demonstrate Commitment to Peace

    During the discussion that ensued, many speakers expressed concern over growing attacks on civilians in Ukraine.  “The death and destruction caused by this war are tremendous,” said Slovenia’s delegate, noting the over 42,000 verified casualties and reconstruction costs exceeding $500 billion.  Three years on, and the fighting does not seem to be diminishing — in February 2025, civilian casualties increased by 35 per cent compared to February 2024.  “Every human life matters and is not merely a number,” added Pakistan’s delegate, welcoming deals reached between Ukraine and the Russian Federation banning the targeting of energy sites and ensuring safe navigation in the Black Sea.

    While also noting progress on those fronts, other speakers continued to call on the Russian Federation to demonstrate its commitment to peace, with France’s delegate highlighting “the gaping disconnect between [the Russian Federation’s] actions and words”.  Romania’s delegate pointed out that “the dialogue efforts and the proposals in the last weeks are yet to be met by deeds”, spotlighting new attacks by the Russian Federation since the night of 21 March.

    “It is now for Russia to show its willingness to achieve peace,” said the representative of the European Union, in its capacity as observer, adding:  “There can be no negotiations on Ukraine without Ukraine, and no negotiations that affect European security without Europe.”  Finland’s delegate, speaking also for Denmark, Iceland, Norway and Sweden, echoed that, also expressing concern that limited humanitarian access makes it hard for humanitarian workers to deliver life-saving aid — especially in front-line areas.

    “A ceasefire seems not to be enough,” observed Greece’s delegate, adding that peace should only be possible “with credible and robust security guarantees, which will deter and prevent the recurrence of war in the future”.  Any peace must be more than a mere pause that allows the aggressor to rearm and strike again — as it has done before — Poland’s delegate underscored.  “We must have enduring peace in Ukraine,” stressed the representative of the United Kingdom, adding that, until Moscow’s forces withdraw from Ukraine, “the United Kingdom will continue to work with Kyiv to achieve a just and lasting peace”.

    Meanwhile, the representative of the Republic of Korea said that interviews with soldiers from the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea captured in Kursk show men deceived and told they were being sent to Moscow for training.  “Pyongyang must stop sacrificing its own people to sustain the regime in exchange for military, political and economic support from Moscow,” he stressed.

    The representative of Denmark, Council President for March, spoke in her national capacity to describe the latest report by the UN’s Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine as a “grim catalogue of crimes against humanity” perpetrated by the Russian Federation’s forces against civilians.  Lithuania’s delegate, also speaking for Estonia and Latvia, drew attention to the 4,000 cases against the Russian Federation in the European Court of Human Rights, all related to events in Crimea, Donbas and the wider war against Ukraine.

    Russian Federation, Ukraine Acknowledge Limited Ceasefire Agreements while Expressing Reservations

    For his part, the representative of the Russian Federation said that the European Union and the United Kingdom are trying to thwart efforts by his country and the United States to settle the Ukrainian crisis.  He went on to say that Moscow’s air forces target only military sites, and that civilian casualties in Ukraine occur because Kyiv stores ammunition in residential areas.  He also stated that Ukraine’s European supporters ignore the crimes committed by Kyiv, reiterating that Moscow’s military operation started three years ago to end the war being waged on fellow Russians.

    Regarding the agreement concerning the Black Sea, he said that this will go into effect only after a series of measures are adopted — including the lifting of sanctions against some Russian Federation banks.  And while agreement has been reached to ban strikes on energy sites both in Ukraine and in the Russian Federation, Kyiv continues to violate that agreement.  “The Russian Federation reserves the right to respond should the Kyiv regime continue on this destructive course,” he emphasized.

    Further, he asked those present if they would prefer to either continue providing weapons to “private-military-company Ukraine”, or to join the Russian Federation and the United States to “find a long-term solution that would address the root causes of the Ukraine crisis and strengthen security in Europe and the world over”.

    “Moscow speaks of peace while launching brutal strikes almost daily on densely populated residential areas” in her country, Ukraine’s delegate said, adding that the Russian Federation launched — in the first half of March alone — hundreds of strikes against her people, using approximately 2,800 guided aerial bombs, nearly 2,000 attack drones and over 100 missiles of various types.  Moscow has also sought to block Ukrainian ports on the Black Sea, forcibly transferred Ukrainian children to its territory and that of Belarus, and made use of munitions containing hazardous chemicals.

    While welcoming the United States’ mediation and Saudi Arabia’s hospitality, and reaffirming her country’s commitment to peace, she underscored:  “We won’t accept peace at any price.”  Ukraine will not recognize any of its temporarily occupied territories as belonging to the Russian Federation, and Kyiv will not agree to any foreign diktat regarding the structure or other characteristics of its defence forces.

    While Ukraine has agreed to a ceasefire regarding energy facilities and in the Black Sea, she warned that this does not extend to Russian Federation warships that enter Ukraine’s territorial waters.  “Everyone should focus on Russian actions, not their statements,” she urged, noting that the coming days will be critical in determining “whether Russia is serious about peace or intends to deceive the United States and the world”.

    Nevertheless, Speakers Point to Path towards Peace

    “The war must end now,” the representative of the United States stressed, as she commended both the Russian Federation and Ukraine for taking the first steps towards a ceasefire.  If fully implemented, the agreements concerning energy infrastructure and the Black Sea will open a path towards peace.  “We call on both sides to abide by these agreements and expand on them,” she said.

    Some speakers expressed optimism about the talks under way in Riyadh.  “A window of peace is opening,” said China’s delegate, welcoming recent negotiations that the Russian Federation and Ukraine have had bilaterally with the United States.  Positive progress was made on numerous issues, he said.  Algeria’s delegate, welcoming progress, as well, added that a lasting peace must consider the legitimate concerns of both parties.  The representative of Panama, noting that maritime security is fundamental to his country, expressed optimism about the steps towards a cessation of hostilities in the Black Sea.

    Similarly, the representative of Somalia said that the agreement to ensure safe navigation in the Black Sea represents a practical step towards reducing tensions and protecting vital economic infrastructure.  The recent breakthrough is “creating tangible momentum towards de-escalation”, he said.  “Even as we celebrate the modest breakthroughs,” Guyana’s delegate warned that the slightest misstep could doom millions of civilians to even more bombardment and displacement.  Sierra Leone’s representative observed that “cautious hope has begun to emerge”, but highlighted the severe impact already had on children — trauma from constant shelling, loss of loved ones, displacement and abduction.

    “Even when bombings subside, the scars of war remain,” said the Permanent Observer for the Sovereign Order of Malta, pointing to the need for psychological support for those affected by war-related trauma.  Ukraine’s health system will need restoring, he said, adding that it is also crucial to facilitate the safe and dignified return of displaced families.  “The land must be restored and made habitable,” he added, as the detritus of war is cleared away.

    Quoting Pope Francis, he asked those present:  “Can we get out of this spiral of sorrow and death?  Can we once more walk and live in the ways of peace?  I would like for each one of us — from the least to the greatest, including those who are called to govern nations — to respond in one voice: ‘Yes, we want peace.’”

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

    March 27, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Security: Memphis Man Sentenced to 22 Years of Federal Imprisonment for Drug Distribution and Possession of Firearms

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Memphis, TN – A federal judge has sentenced Claibon Burrus, 51, of Memphis, to 260 months in federal prison for possession with intent to distribute drugs and possession of firearms. Reagan Fondren, Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee, announced the sentence today.

    According to the information presented in court, on January 19, 2021, detectives with the Memphis Police Department served a search warrant at a residence in Memphis, Tennessee pursuant to an overdose death investigation. They discovered that Burrus was in possession of large amounts of methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin, fentanyl, and marijuana. He was also in possession of multiple firearms. He admitted to officers he was engaging in drug distribution. Following Burrus’s arrest, he directed other individuals to move additional drugs and firearms from storage units he rented to avoid seizure by law enforcement.

    In July 2024, Burrus pled guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. On March 25, 2025, United States District Judge John T. Fowlkes, Jr. sentenced Burrus to 260 months of federal imprisonment, to be followed by five years of supervised release.  There is no parole in the federal system.

    This case was investigated by detectives with the Memphis Police Department Heroin/Opioid Response Team and Organized Crime Unit (OCU).

    Acting United States Attorney Fondren thanked Assistant United States Attorneys Jennifer Musselwhite and Greg Allen, who prosecuted this case, as well as the law enforcement partners who investigated the case.

    ###

    For more information, please contact the media relations team at USATNW.Media@usdoj.gov. Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office on Facebook or on X at @WDTNNews for office news and updates.

    MIL Security OSI –

    March 27, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Security: Final Member of Multi-State Poly-Drug Conspiracy Sentenced

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Jackson, TN – A federal judge has sentenced Anthony Hines, 46, of Memphis, TN, to over ten years in federal prison for his role in an organized drug trafficking scheme in West Tennessee. Hines was the final defendant of multi-defendant and multi-state drug conspiracy.  Reagan Fondren, Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee, announced the sentence today. 

    According to the evidence presented in court, in early 2019, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), along with the Henry County Metro Narcotics task force, began an investigation into the illegal distribution of narcotics in the Western District of Tennessee.  The investigation revealed that Terry Smith, 38, of Memphis, arranged for large quantities of methamphetamine, marijuana, cocaine, heroin, and fentanyl to be shipped into the West Tennessee. Smith used contraband cellular devices from Texas, Arizona, and California to arrange the shipments.  The drugs were delivered for redistribution by Smith’s network of co-conspirators, including Hines, in locations that ranged from Western Kentucky to Northwest Mississippi. 

    Ultimately, law enforcement agents determined that Smith and his co-conspirators were responsible for distributing approximately 119 pounds of methamphetamine, 10,000 fentanyl pills, 20 ounces of heroin/fentanyl mix, 2 ounces of fentanyl and 40 pounds of marijuana throughout West Tennessee and surrounding areas.  Agents physically seized a total of 17.24 kilograms of actual methamphetamine, 141.76 grams of marijuana, 68.645 grams of Heroin/Fentanyl mixture and 10.845 grams of Fentanyl. 

    On May 15, 2023, Hines pled guilty to conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine.  On March 24, 2025, United States District Court Judge S. Thomas Anderson sentenced Hines to 125 months in federal prison and five years of supervised release.  There is no parole in the federal system.  

    The following co-conspirators have already pled guilty and have been sentenced: 

    • Terry Smith, 38, of Memphis, Tennessee: 240 months and a 5-year period of supervised release for conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of actual methamphetamine.
    • Rodney Ayers, 51, of Memphis, Tennessee: 180 months and a 5-year period of supervised release for conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of actual methamphetamine.
    • James Dumas, 49, of Lansing, Michigan: 150 months and a 5-year period of supervised release for conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of actual methamphetamine.
    • Kayla Henderson, 31, of Memphis, Tennessee: 80 months and a 5-year period of supervised release for conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of actual methamphetamine.
    • Dustin Chambers, 38, of Jackson, Tennessee: 120 months and a 5-year period of supervised release for conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of actual methamphetamine.
    • Horace McNeary, 37, of Paris, Tennessee: 130 months and a 5-year period of supervised release for conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of actual methamphetamine.
    • Brianna Norsworthy, 25, of Murray, Kentucky: 110 months and a 5-year period of supervised release for conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of actual methamphetamine, as well as possession with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine.
    • Jessica Vestal, 34, of Hendersonville, Tennessee: 80 months and a 5-year period of supervised release for conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of actual methamphetamine, as well as possession with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine.
    • Michael Broady, 51, of Memphis, Tennessee: a time served period of 13 months and a 3-year period of supervised release for conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute cocaine.
    • Jermichael Buggs, 37, of Grand Junction, Tennessee: 84 months and a 3-year period of supervised release for conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute cocaine.
    • Christopher Hamilton, 49, of Memphis, Tennessee: 60 months and a 4-year period of supervised release for conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute cocaine.
    • Teddy Reed, 43, of Memphis, Tennessee: 63 moths and a 4-year period of supervised release for conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine.
    • Aerielle Coleman, 34, of Memphis, Tennessee: 30 months and a 2-year period of supervised release for conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine.
    • Danielle Cunningham, 38, of Memphis, Tennessee: time served and a 3-year period of supervised release for conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine.
    • Tracy Coleman, 50, of Memphis, Tennessee: a time served period of 18 months and a 2-year period of supervised release for conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute marijuana
    • Johnnie McGhee, 51, of Olive Branch, Mississippi: 60 days and a 2-year period of supervised release for conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute marijuana.  

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

    The DEA; West Tennessee Drug Task Force; Jackson Police Department; Jackson-Madison County Metro-Narcotics; Madison County Sheriff’s Department, Paris, Tennessee Police Department; Henry County Sheriff’s Department; Murray, Kentucky Police Department; Kentucky State Police; Arkansas State Police; and the U.S. Marshals Service investigated this case.

    Acting U.S. Attorney Reagan Fondren thanked Assistant United States Attorneys Adam Davis and Hillary Parham, who prosecuted this case, as well as the law enforcement partners who investigated the case.

    ###

    For more information, please contact the media relations team at USATNW.Media@usdoj.gov. Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office on Facebook or on X at @WDTNNews for office news and updates.

    MIL Security OSI –

    March 27, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Security: Starkville Man Sentenced to Ten Years for Violating Federal Firearms Laws

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Greenville, MS – A Starkville man was sentenced today to 10 years in prison for violation of federal firearms laws.

    According to court documents, Antonio Johnson, 49, pled guilty to possession of one or more firearms by a previously convicted felon as well as possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. U.S. District Judge Debra M. Brown sentenced Johnson today to 120 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release. Johnson was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals following sentencing.

    “The public has every right to expect repeat offenders to receive significant sentences, and this defendant will now have 10 years in a federal prison to reconsider his actions,” said U.S. Attorney Clay Joyner. “AUSA Robert Mims and our partners at the FBI, ATF and Starkville Police Department worked seamlessly to bring justice to an individual who earned every day of this sentence.”

    “Protecting the safety of our communities is one of the cornerstones of what ATF seeks to accomplish every day,” said ATF New Orleans Special Agent in Charge Joshua Jackson. “To convicted felons and others making our streets unsafe with gun violence and drugs – law enforcement is here. No matter how long it takes, we will investigate, arrest, prosecute and ensure you are held accountable for your actions.”

    “Mr. Johnson’s sentencing demonstrates a steadfast commitment of the FBI and our law enforcement partners to protect the public from those individuals who illegally possess firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking crimes,” stated FBI Jackson Field Office Special Agent in Charge Robert Eikhoff. “Criminals possessing and using firearms in the commission of any crime are threats to our communities, for those who seek to threaten and intimidate Mississippians through these egregious crimes will be aggressively pursued by the FBI and brought to justice.  We will continue our collective efforts through the Project Safe Neighborhoods program, to reduce violent crime and gun violence in our communities across Mississippi.”

    “Strong convictions matter; they have a lasting impact and require hard work,” said Chief Mark Ballard of the Starkville Police Department. “Our community is safer as a result of these agencies’ efforts. On behalf of the Starkville Police Department, we are very thankful for our working relationship with FBI Jackson, the ATF New Orleans, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Mississippi.”

    This case was investigated by the FBI, the Starkville Police Department, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Mims prosecuted the case.

    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 –

    March 27, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Security: Hot Springs Man Sentenced to 12 Years in Federal Prison for Drug Possession

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    HOT SPRINGS – An Arkansas man was sentenced yesterday to 144 months in Federal Prison for Possession of More Than 50 Grams of a Mixture or Substance Containing Methamphetamine with the Intent to Distribute.  The Honorable Chief Judge Susan O. Hickey presided over the sentencing hearing, which took place in the United States District Court in Hot Springs.

    According to court records, on April 24, 2023, Alton Scott Moody, age 61, of Hot Springs, was stopped by Hot Springs Police Department Officers for a traffic infraction.  Officers recognized Moody and knew that he was on active felony parole supervision through the Arkansas Department of Correction.  Ultimately, Moody was found to be in possession of 242.8 grams of pure methamphetamine.

    On July 8, 2024, Moody pleaded guilty to Possession of More Than 50 Grams of a Mixture or Substance Containing a Detectable Amount of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute. 

    United States Attorney David Clay Fowlkes made the announcement.

    The 18th East Judicial District Drug Task Force and the Department of Homeland Security Investigations, Little Rock Field Office, investigated the case.

    Assistant United States Attorney Bryan Achorn prosecuted the case.

    Related court documents may be found on the Public Access to Electronic Records website @ www.pacer.gov.  

    MIL Security OSI –

    March 27, 2025

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Security Minister observes counter-terrorism exercise in Wales

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    Security Minister observes counter-terrorism exercise in Wales

    Meeting emergency responders at a counter-terrorism training exercise in Wales, the Security Minister praised their collaboration to keep the public safe.

    The Security Minister re-emphasised the need for close working between national and devolved emergency services and responders to minimise the impact of a terrorist attack in Wales, during a visit to Swansea to observe a multi-agency counter-terrorism exercise on Wednesday (26 April).

    At the exercise at Swansea.com Stadium, he was able to watch emergency responders in Wales, including the police, fire and rescue, ambulance and other responder organisations, test their preparedness for a large-scale attack and ensure they work effectively together to keep the public safe.

    Thanking all those taking part in the exercise for their unwavering commitment to protecting the public, the Security Minister gave a speech to participants, to say that responding to an incident with mass fatalities successfully depends on trust, close working and collaboration between multiple agencies.

    Security Minister Dan Jarvis said:

    It was an immense privilege to witness the dedicated work of the emergency services and responder organisations and their unwavering commitment to keeping the people of Wales safe.

    National security is the foundation of our Plan for Change. This essential training ensures we are prepared for every eventuality and in the best position to save lives and protect our communities.

    It comes after the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill completed its final parliamentary stage this week ahead of Royal Assent. This new legislation will ensure venues across the UK – which will include premises such as sports stadiums – consider the security of the public and take steps to protect them from harm.

    The new law is better known as Martyn’s Law in memory of Martyn Hett, who tragically lost his life alongside 21 others in the 2017 Manchester Arena terrorist attack.

    Wednesday’s exercise also sought to test the stadium’s internal contingency response plans. Under the Bill, qualifying premises like Swansea.com Stadium will be required to plan how best to respond to a terrorist attack.

    The exercise was part of a routine training exercise between the police, including Counter Terrorism Policing Wales and South Wales Police; and other services, such as the South Wales Fire and Rescue service, health and social care, and the Welsh Government; which work together in partnership to respond to and mitigate the impacts of incidents of this nature.

    The various agencies taking part were able to practice the application of the Joint Emergency Services Interoperability Principles (JESIP) which are widely acknowledged as critical to the success of a response to an incident and are the adopted principles for multi-agency working across the UK.

    The Security Minister also visited the Senedd in Cardiff where he met with the First Minister of Wales to discuss strengthening national security in Wales and remaining prepared for terrorist attacks.

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    Updates to this page

    Published 26 March 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

    March 27, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Security: St. Tammany Man Sentenced For Threatening Federal Employee

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JOHN JOSEPH KEIPER, JR. (“KEIPER”), age 57, a resident of Lacombe, La., was sentenced on March 18, 2025, by United States District Judge Brandon S. Long, after previously pleading guilty to threatening a federal employee, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 115(a)(1)(B), announced Acting United States Attorney Michael M. Simpson .

    KEIPER was sentenced to 17 months’ imprisonment, to run consecutive with any sentence that may be imposed in any other State case.  Judge Long also ordered a 3-year term of supervised release following KEIPER’s release from prison.  Additionally, KEIPER was ordered to pay a $100 mandatory special assessment fee.

    According to the indictment, KEIPER threatened to assault a Social Security Administration (SSA) employee.  On November 6, 2023, KEIPER placed a phone call to the SSA office.  During the call, KEIPER became irate, disruptive, and threatened SSA employees in the Lacombe, La. office.

    Acting U.S. Attorney Simpson praised the work of the Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Troy Bell of the Violent Crime Unit.

    MIL Security OSI –

    March 27, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Security: Tips to NCMEC CyberTipline Lead to Guilty Plea from Lewiston Man for Possessing, Distributing Child Sexual Abuse Material

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Devices seized from Harold Clayton III contained images/videos of toddlers, young children being sexually abused

    PORTLAND, Maine: A Lewiston man pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Portland to possessing and distributing child sexual abuse material.

    According to court records, in June 2022, the Maine State Police Computer Crimes Unit (MSPCCU) received two CyberTips from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) and traced the identified phone number to Harold Clayton III, 35. In September 2022, MSPCCU and the Lewiston Police Department executed a search warrant at Clayton’s residence. A cell phone and laptop seized from the residence contained multiple images and videos of children, some as young as toddlers, being sexually abused by adult men. The cell phone also contained Telegram Messenger communications in which Clayton distributed such images and videos.

    Clayton faces 5–20 years in prison and a fine up to $250,000 on the distribution of child pornography charge and up to 10 years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000 on the possession charge. He will be sentenced after the completion of a presentence investigative report by the U.S. Probation Office. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

    Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and MSPCCU investigated the case with assistance from the Lewiston Police Department.

    To report an incident involving the possession, distribution, receipt or production of child sexual abuse material: Child sexual abuse material – referred to in legal terms as “child pornography” – captures the sexual abuse and exploitation of children. These images document victims’ exploitation and abuse, and they suffer revictimization every time the images are viewed. In 2023, the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children received 36 million reports of the possession, manufacture, or distribution of child sexual abuse materials. To file a report with NCMEC, go to https://report.cybertip.org or call 1-800-843-5678. If you are in Maine and you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted or abused, you can get help by calling the free, private 24-hour statewide sexual assault helpline at 1-800-871-7741.

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

    ###

    MIL Security OSI –

    March 27, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Durbin Statement On The National Security Failures Of Senior Members Of The Trump Administration

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Illinois Dick Durbin

    March 26, 2025

    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today released the following statement regarding senior members of the Trump administration discussing classified military operations via unsecured text chains, which jeopardizes our national security and endangers the lives of American service members:

    “It is outrageous to suggest that what was shared on this Signal text chain was not classified material. We are talking about an attack on another country and the possible endangerment of the men and women in the United States’ military. This is a serious life and death matter and should be treated as such.

    “I believe that DNI Director Gabbard and CIA Director Ratcliffe intentionally misled Congress yesterday in trying to make us believe that this was a casual conversation. This was a war plan, and American lives were at risk. We should deal with it in that seriousness.

    “This matter must be investigated by the Department of Justice. To dismiss it, as the President tried yesterday, is incredible and not fair to our men and women in uniform.”

    This morning, Durbin joined U.S. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and top Senate Democrats on national security committees in sending a letter to President Trump for answers after The Atlantic revealed that an unsecured text chain with at least 18 senior-level Trump administration officials was used to coordinate and share classified information about sensitive military planning and operations.

    -30-

    MIL OSI USA News –

    March 27, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: March 26th, 2025 Two New Mexico lawmakers get good grades in congressional report card

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New Mexico Martin Heinrich

    Sen. Martin Heinrich was more effective than the average senator and Rep. Gabe Vasquez exceeded expectations as a freshman lawmaker during the 118th Congress, according to a report from the nonpartisan Center for Effective Lawmaking released Tuesday.

    The CEL ranks every member of Congress based on 15 metrics, including how far their bills make it in the legislative process and how substantive those bills are. New Mexico’s congressional delegation was especially effective on issues related to public lands and Native Americans. While the number of stand-alone bills have decreased, there is a notable increase in bills being added to larger omnibus legislation, said CEL Co-Director Alan Wiseman.

    “The level of lawmaking that’s occurred across time has been relatively consistent. It’s just happening behind the scenes, so to speak, with members working with each other to compromise,” Wiseman said.

    CEL grades lawmakers by the categories of exceeds expectations, meets expectations or does not meet expectations based on how they to compare to lawmakers with similar experience and status.

    Senators up for reelection are among the most effective lawmakers in the Senate, the report found. Heinrich was in a high-profile Senate race last year, which he won by a 10-point margin. He ranked the 11th most effective Democratic senator out of 51. He was most effective on issues related to public lands, Native Americans and agriculture.

    Heinrich introduced 62 substantive bills, three of which passed the Senate and two of which became law, according to the CEL report. One of those bills was the Good Samaritan Remediation of Abandoned Hardrock Mines Act, which created a pilot program meant to make mine cleanup easier. One commemorative bill he sponsored with Sen. Ben Ray Luján, D-N.M., also became law. It designated the Department of Veterans Affairs in Gallup the Hiroshi “Hershey” Miyamura VA Clinic after the Medal of Honor winner. Commemorative bills are weighted less heavily in the report.

    Twelve first-term House representatives exceeded expectations, including Vasquez. The 12 lawmakers may set “the agendas of the Democratic and Republican parties in the future,” the report says. The list also includes Rep. Juan Ciscomani, R-Ariz. Vasquez and Ciscomani launched the Southwest Caucus in 2023 to advocate for issues like economic development, international trade, border security and conserving public lands.

    “While we see a loss of lawmaking capacity as those on our lists of high performers leave Congress, there are also bright spots of newly elected members bringing new ideas and high levels of legislative skill toward the advancement of policy solutions,” the report says.

    Vasquez ranked the 50th most effective Democratic member of the House, out of 220. He was most effective on issues related to defense, Native Americans and public lands, according to the CEL report. Vasquez introduced 26 substantive bills, one of which became law. While none of the bills Vasquez sponsored passed into law as stand-alone bills, the report also considers bill text included in larger omnibus bills. Vasquez’s Rural Installation Job Protection Act, which requires the Defense Department to notify Congress before canceling contracts that impact 50 or more jobs at rural military installations, was included in the December National Defense Authorization Act.

    The rest of the state’s congressional delegation met expectations. Luján was ranked the 38th most effective Democrat in the Senate. Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández was ranked the 66th most effective Democrat in the House, and Rep. Melanie Stansbury ranked 144. Leger Fernández was 16 times more effective on issues related to Native Americans than the average House Democrat. She introduced eight bills related to Native Americans, five of which had action in committee, according to the report. None passed.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    March 27, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Hungary’s latest attack on LGBTIQ people: a ban on Pride marches in Hungary – E-001162/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-001162/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Alice Kuhnke (Verts/ALE)

    On 17 March 2025, members of the ruling coalition in Hungary submitted a bill to the Hungarian Parliament that would ban Budapest Pride, as well as other Pride marches in Hungary, and allow authorities to use facial recognition software to identify those participating in the marches.

    The bill, passed on 18 March, will significantly exacerbate the repression and marginalisation of the Hungarian LGBTIQ community that has resulted from the so-called ‘child protection law’, and constitutes a blatant violation of EU law, in particular the Charter of Fundamental Rights and Article 2 of the Treaty on European Union.

    The Commission, joined by 16 Member States, has already brought Hungary before the Court of Justice of the EU in ongoing infringement proceedings over the anti-LGBTIQ legislation introduced in 2021. It is now urgent that the Commission take measures to ensure the bill is suspended, so that Hungary’s queer community and their allies can march freely and safely on 28 June, as is their fundamental right.

    • 1.Will the Commission take action to have the bill suspended?
    • 2.In response to the bill, will the Commission consider the possibility of an additional freeze on EU funds for Hungary?
    • 3.What further measures will the Commission take to ensure the safety, freedom and rights of the LGBTIQ community in Hungary?

    Submitted: 19.3.2025

    Last updated: 26 March 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

    March 27, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Insurance market in Ireland – P-000194/2025(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    The case-law of the Court of Justice confirms the principle of freedom to set rates in the non-life insurance sector.[1] In accordance with this case-law, this does not preclude national measures liable to have effects on the rates.

    It is the responsibility of the national competent authorities to supervise insurance undertakings, including ensuring that these undertakings comply with their obligations under the applicable national laws, taking into account all relevant factual and legal circumstances of each case.

    The Commission may intervene only in cases where a breach of EU law has been identified. At this stage, the Commission is not aware of any such instance.

    • [1] See, to that effect, the judgment of the Court of Justice of 7 March 2013, C-577/11, paragraphs 21 and 22.
    Last updated: 26 March 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

    March 27, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – ‘Men Having Babies’ surrogacy conference – E-002599/2024(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    The Commission remains committed to upholding children’s and women’s rights within the framework of its competences. Substantive family law, such as rules on the definition of family and on surrogacy, falls within the competence of the Member States. Each Member State therefore decides its position as regards surrogacy.

    EU law already requires Member States to recognise the parenthood of children as established in another Member State for the purposes of children’s rights derived from EU law, such as the rights to enter or reside in another Member State[1].

    Based on Article 81(3) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, the Commission adopted a proposal[2] on the recognition of parenthood between Member States to protect all children’s rights, including children’s rights derived from national law, such as the rights to inheritance and maintenance. Negotiations in the Council on the proposed legislation — which requires adoption by unanimity — are ongoing.

    Given that, under international[3] and EU law[4], all children have the same rights, the Commission proposal covers the recognition of parenthood established in a Member State irrespective of how the child was conceived or born, and irrespective of the child’s type of family.

    The proposal thus includes the recognition of the parenthood of children born abroad through surrogacy, provided the parenthood has been established in a Member State.

    The exploitation of surrogacy, among others, is included as a form of exploitation in the Anti-Trafficking Directive, modified by Directive (EU) 2024/1712 of 13 June 2024[5].

    It targets those who coerce or deceive women into acting as surrogate mothers, without prejudice to the national rules on surrogacy, including criminal law or family law.

    • [1] This was confirmed, including as regards children with same-sex parents, by the Court of Justice in its judgment of 14 December 2021 in the VMA case (C-490/20).
    • [2] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A52022PC0695, 7 December 2022, COM(2022) 695.
    • [3] In particular the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Children (UNCRC) and the European Convention of Human Rights (ECHR).
    • [4] Including the EU Treaties and the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU.
    • [5] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/2024/1712/oj

    MIL OSI Europe News –

    March 27, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Measures to combat domestic violence and protect children – E-002802/2024(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    Both Directive (EU) 2024/1385[1] and the Council of Europe Istanbul Convention[2] consider children who have witnessed domestic violence as victims of said violence themselves.

    Specific requirements of protection and support under both instruments include specialised, age-appropriate medical and psychosocial care, as well as child-sensitive provision of shelters.

    The directive requires Member States to ensure that authorities have access to relevant information when assessing the best interests of the child in civil proceedings concerning them, though decisions on parental custody lie with Member States, and to take the risk of child abuse when assessing the victims’ protection needs[3].

    In case an offender has rights of access, Member States must create safe spaces where such access can take place, under the supervision of trained professionals, where appropriate.

    The recommendation on integrated child protection systems[4] calls on Member States to set up special support and early intervention programmes for child victims, their family and other caregivers as soon as the competent authorities have any indication of violence.

    The Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values (CERV)[5] programme funds activities such as the establishment of help centres and child helplines[6], improving accessibility of services for victims of gender-based violence and domestic violence, training for professionals and exchanges of best practices at EU level.

    The Justice Programme[7] also supports the protection of children through child-friendly justice by strengthening capacities of specialised staff so that they are able to access child-friendly procedures[8], and raise awareness of concerned children, before, during and after judicial proceedings.

    • [1] Directive — EU — 2024/1385 — EN — EUR-Lex https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/2024/1385/oj/eng
    • [2] Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence https://rm.coe.int/168008482e
    • [3] Directive 2024/1385, Article 16(3), https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/2024/1385/oj/eng
    • [4] Commission Recommendation (EU) 2024/1238 adopted 23 April 2024 on developing and strengthening integrated child protection systems in the best interests of the child at https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/AUTO/?uri=celex:32024H1.238
    • [5] Regulation (EU) 2021/692 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 28 April 2021 establishing the Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values (CERV) Programme and repealing Regulation (EU) No 1381/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council and Council Regulation (EU) No 390/2014, OJ L 156, 5 May 2021, 1-21 (https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=OJ:L:2021:156:TOC).
    • [6] Child Helpline International (https://childhelplineinternational.org/) funded under the CERV programme, provides mental health support to children. This support can include emotional, psychological, and sometimes legal support for children who contact the helpline.
    • [7] Regulation (EU) 2021/693 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 28 April 2021 establishing the Justice Programme and repealing Regulation (EU) No 1382/2013 (OJ L 156, 5.5.2021)- provides funding opportunities for stakeholders working to protect children and their rights in the area of justice.
    • [8] Under an indirect management grant under the European Commission’s justice programme to the Council of Europe, a joint European Commission and Council of Europe project will help to better protect children.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

    March 27, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Recognition of gender apartheid – E-000022/2025(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    Since the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan in August 2021, the EU has been expressing concerns on the breaches of fundamental rights of Afghans, notably of women and girls, also directly with the Taliban.

    In 2023, the EU listed five Taliban individuals under the EU Global Human Rights Sanction Regime for their role in depriving Afghan girls and women of their right to education, access to justice and equal treatment between men and women[1].

    In reaction to the most recent (December 2024) restrictions ordering to suspend medical education for women and girls the European External Action Service has promptly issued a statement[2].

    Moreover, the EU is supporting all efforts aiming at strengthening the respect of human rights and accountability mechanisms, notably through United Nations’ led initiatives.

    The term ‘gender apartheid’ is not used in international law. But, the policies and practices of the Taliban may amount to gender persecution, which is recognised as a crime against humanity in accordance with Article 7 of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court[3] (ICC), to which Afghanistan is a party.

    The EU has recalled this fact on several occasions, also reminding that accountability for human rights violations and abuses and violations of international law must be ensured, notably in the September 2021[4] and March 2023[5] Council conclusions.

    The ICC is an independent judicial institution established to investigate, prosecute and try individuals accused of committing the most serious crimes of concern to the international community.

    The EU does not interfere with the investigative work of the ICC, as this would violate the independence and impartiality of the court.

    • [1] The listed individuals are the acting Taliban Ministers of Higher Education and the Propagation of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice (March 2023) and the Taliban Ministers of Education and Justice and the acting Taliban Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Afghanistan (July 2023),
      https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=OJ:L:2023:069I:FULL, https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32023R1499
    • [2] https://www.eeas.europa.eu/eeas/afghanistan-statement-spokesperson-latest-restrictions-imposed-taliban-women-and-girls_en
    • [3] https://www.icc-cpi.int/sites/default/files/RS-Eng.pdf
    • [4] https://data.consilium.europa.eu/doc/document/ST-11713-2021-REV-2/en/pdf
    • [5] https://data.consilium.europa.eu/doc/document/ST-7264-2023-INIT/en/pdf

    MIL OSI Europe News –

    March 27, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Switzerland signs Council of Europe Convention on Artificial Intelligence

    Source: Switzerland – Federal Administration in English

    On 27 March Federal Councillor Albert Rösti will sign the Council of Europe Convention on Artificial Intelligence and Human Rights, Democracy and the Rule of Law in Strasbourg on Switzerland’s behalf. By signing the agreement, Switzerland is reaffirming its commitment to the responsible use of AI technologies in accordance with fundamental rights.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

    March 27, 2025

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Fatal crash, Marton

    Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

    One person has died after a two-vehicle crash on SH1, near Marton, last night.

    Emergency services were called to the scene about 9.45pm.

    Sadly, one person died at the scene.

    Another person sustained minor injuries.

    The Serious Crash Unit has examined the scene, and enquiries into the circumstances of the crash are ongoing.

    ENDS

    Issued by Police Media Centre

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

    March 27, 2025

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Man charged after indecency incidents on buses, Wellington

    Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

    A 27-year-old man has been charged following a series of offending which occurred on the Wellington public transport network.

    In early March, Police received reports relating to several incidents where a male passenger travelling on the Metlink bus network had acted in a sexually inappropriate manner, specifically directing his unwanted behaviour towards lone female passengers. This behaviour obviously caused them distress and to feel unsafe.

    Police promptly launched an investigation and as a result were able to identify, locate and arrest the offender without incident.

    Police understand these incidents can be distressing and we hope this arrest provides reassurance to large sector of the community who rely on public transport.

    Wellington Police are committed to ensuring all members of the public are safe and feel safe as they move about our community.

    Police are ensuring the victims of this offending are being provided support.

    The offender has been charged with multiple counts of performing indecent acts and is due to appear in Wellington District Court on 31 March.

    ENDS
     

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

    March 27, 2025
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