NewzIntel.com

Category: Justice

  • MIL-OSI USA: U.S. Attorneys for Southwestern Border Districts Charge More than 840 Illegal Aliens with Immigration-Related Crimes During the Third week in March as part of Operation Take Back America

    Source: US Justice – Antitrust Division

    Headline: U.S. Attorneys for Southwestern Border Districts Charge More than 840 Illegal Aliens with Immigration-Related Crimes During the Third week in March as part of Operation Take Back America

    President Trump has been clear that securing the Southwestern Border of the United States is a priority of the absolute highest level. To that end, the Department of Justice is playing a critical role in Operation Take back America, a nationwide initiative to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve total elimination of cartels and transitional criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from 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 OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: The peculiar Turkish corruption issue behind Istanbul mayor’s arrest – and how it became a tool of political oppression

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Tulin Dzhengiz, Lecturer in Sustainability, Manchester Metropolitan University

    Turkey is in turmoil after Istanbul’s mayor, Ekrem İmamoğlu, a leading opposition figure and potential challenger to Turkey’s president, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, was arrested on March 19 on charges of corruption.

    More than 1,000 people who protested against the arrest have also been detained as hundreds of thousands of demonstrators took to the streets in anger at what they say is a major blow against democracy. İmamoğlu, who denies all charges against him, has since been endorsed as the candidate for the 2028 presidential elections for the Republican People’s Party (CHP).

    Central to the allegations of corruption is what is known in Turkey as “naylon faturacılık”. This literally means “nylon invoicing” and refers to the issuing of fake invoices. It doesn’t refer to simple clerical errors or accounting mishaps, but deliberate attempts to fabricate transactions, inflate expenses, or obscure real beneficiaries.

    Technically illegal, the practice is nonetheless widespread in Turkey. It forms part of what many see as the country’s informal economy.

    The informal economy in Turkey spans everything from street vending and informal recycling to complex tax evasion schemes involving registered firms. Naylon faturacılık illustrates how corruption doesn’t always sit outside the system, but often thrives from within it.

    It exposes a blurry boundary between formal and informal economic activity, revealing how some formal businesses manipulate legal frameworks to appear compliant while engaging in illicit practices. In September 2024, Turkey’s Ministry of Finance uncovered 3 billion Turkish Lira (£61 million) worth of fake invoices in an investigation targeting around 4,500 large taxpayers.

    Over the past four years, I’ve interviewed more than 60 business owners, workers, and entrepreneurs across Turkey – from informal micro-enterprises to firms embedded in formal supply chains. One theme surfaced again and again: naylon faturacılık, or fake invoicing.

    People described it not as an exception but as “just part of doing business” in an informal economy. In an economy shaped by patchy enforcement and institutional fragility, this practice has become normalised over the past decade. It’s not legally accepted, but has unfortunately become socially expected.

    Under Turkish law, issuing or using fake invoices is a serious offence, punishable by three to eight years in prison. Yet many of my interviewees, especially those operating in or alongside the informal economy, saw fake invoicing as a necessary way of doing business. They described it as a viable response to rising costs, bureaucratic hurdles and a system that often punishes formality.



    Read more:
    Turkey: a favourable international climate is spurring Erdoğan’s crackdown on democracy

    Opposition leaders, including CHP leader Özgür Özel, argue that İmamoğlu’s arrest is politically motivated – an attempt to discredit their candidate ahead of the presidential election. Özel condemned the operation as a “coup attempt” against Turkey’s democratic future.

    In a press conference, he revealed that most of the people detained alongside İmamoğlu are linked to companies that won public contracts from the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (İBB) under the control of İmamoğlu. Moreover, some of those arrested, he claimed, are students or relatives with no actual involvement in procurement decisions or public bids.

    The key accusation is that these companies issued fake invoices – billing for work never done, or for services exaggerated or duplicated. Yet Özel contends that no concrete evidence has been presented thus far and much of the government’s case comprises testimony and vague associations from gizli tanık (secret witnesses).

    One such witness reportedly named a communications or media firm that had worked with both İBB and the central government – including on campaigns commissioned by the presidency’s Directorate of Communications that work directly with Erdoğan. When the same activity, individuals or businesses, can be framed as legitimate under one administration and criminal under another, the line between legality and politics becomes dangerously thin.

    While opposition mayors in Turkey face swift legal action against corruption, serious corruption allegations against former Ankara mayor Melih Gökçek, which he denies, involving nearly 46 billion Turkish lira in public losses remain uninvestigated. Gökçek was a member of Erdoğan’s government Justice and Development Party (AK).

    A total of 97 complaints were filed over alleged misconduct during Gökçek’s tenure as mayor of Ankara until 2017, but nothing was done. Critics say this reflects politically selective justice.

    One law for some

    This isn’t just a story about fake invoices. It is about contexts where rules are unevenly enforced, where legal grey zones are abundant and where informality becomes a flexible instrument of control. A practice such as naylon faturacılık tolerated in one political moment can become a liability in another. A company can operate legally while it enjoys good relations with the government – and suddenly find itself under suspicion when that changes.

    In Turkey today, the question is often not whether an act is legal or illegal. It’s more about who is involved and whose power is being threatened. The lines between formal, informal or illegal is not merely economic – it is profoundly political. That’s why the nylon invoicing issue is so revealing. Far from being a fringe practice, it exposes the everyday intersections of power, legitimacy and corruption.

    In a climate of deepening polarisation and eroding institutional trust, many believe that who gets punished for corruption depends less on the act itself and more on which side of the political divide they fall.

    Protests in Turkey callling for ‘rights! law! justice!’

    Turkey’s democracy and justice system are being tested – not only by corruption, but by how selectively corruption is investigated and enforced. In this uncertain moment, the challenge is not only to hold people accountable, but to rebuild trust in institutions and ensure that justice is applied fairly. The protestors’ slogan “hak, hukuk, adalet” (rights, law, justice) carries a deeper warning: power is temporary, but justice must endure.

    As many demonstrators in Turkey are now reminding the Erdoğan government: when the balance shifts, those in power today may find themselves in need of the very fair and independent legal system they are now so determined to undermine.

    Tulin Dzhengiz research on the informal economy received funding from Manchester Metropolitan University.

    – ref. The peculiar Turkish corruption issue behind Istanbul mayor’s arrest – and how it became a tool of political oppression – https://theconversation.com/the-peculiar-turkish-corruption-issue-behind-istanbul-mayors-arrest-and-how-it-became-a-tool-of-political-oppression-252933

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Security: U.S. Marshals Arrest East Cleveland Murder Suspect

    Source: US Marshals Service

    Cleveland, OH – The U.S. Marshals Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force (NOVFTF) arrested David Wayne Garner (40) for aggravated murder. Garner was wanted by the East Cleveland Police Department after a shooting that took place on January 20, 2025, in the 1700 block of Shaw Ave. in East Cleveland. 

    It is alleged that Garner fatally shot Rashawn Brinkley twice in the head while Brinkley was sitting in a vehicle. Garner has since evaded police on multiple occasions while on the run. The NOVFTF adopted the case on February 19, 2025, and began to search for Garner.
    This morning, the NOVFTF was able to locate and arrest Garner in the 2200 block of Brockway in Cleveland Heights, OH. 

    U.S. Marshal Pete Elliott said “This type of violence has no place in our community, and it’s a top priority to make sure violent criminals such as this are taken off the streets as quickly as possible. We are proud of the work of our team today.”

    Anyone with information concerning a wanted fugitive can contact the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force at 1-866-4WANTED (1-866-492-6833), or you can submit a web tip. Reward money is available, and tipsters may remain anonymous.  Follow the U.S. Marshals on Twitter @USMSCleveland.  

    The Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force – Cleveland Division is composed of the following federal, state and local agencies:  U.S. Marshals Service, Cleveland Police Department, Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Office, Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority Police Department, Euclid Police Department, Ohio Adult Parole Authority, Ohio State Highway Patrol, Independence Police Department, Parma Police Department, Aurora Police Department, Solon Police Department, Cleveland RTA Police Department, Westlake Police Department, Bedford Police Department, Middleburg Heights Police Department, Newburgh Heights Police Department and the Metrohealth Police Department. 

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Second Bronx Man Pleads Guilty In Connection With Shooting Of Five-Year-Old Girl

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Matthew Podolsky, the Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that AUSTIN MORRISHOW pled guilty today to illegally possessing multiple rounds of ammunition in connection with a June 30, 2023, shooting in which MORRISHOW and his co-defendant, CURTIS WHITE, fired multiple shots on a residential street in the Bronx, striking and seriously injuring a five-year-old girl.  MORRISHOW pled guilty before U.S. District Judge Loretta A. Preska, who also presided over WHITE’s guilty plea on February 5, 2025.  

    Acting U.S. Attorney Matthew Podolsky said: “On June 30, 2023, Austin Morrishow and his co-defendant, Curtis White, engaged in a brazen act of violence by firing several shots onto a busy residential street in the Bronx. As these shots rang out, panicked bystanders rushed for cover, and one child—a five-year-old girl—was struck by a bullet and seriously injured. Morrishow then tried to evade arrest, but he was tracked down by our law enforcement partners, and now faces time in prison for endangering our city with senseless gun violence.”

    According to court filings and statements made in court proceedings:

    On June 30, 2023, MORRISHOW, WHITE, and several others were gathered on a residential sidewalk in the Bronx.  After a car engine backfired, MORRISHOW took cover behind a parked vehicle, assumed a shooting stance, and fired several shots from a .40 caliber pistol at three cars idling nearby, which began fleeing from the gunfire.  WHITE ran after the fleeing cars, firing shots from a .380 caliber pistol.

    The shots fired by MORRISHOW and WHITE left at least seven .40 caliber shell casings, two .380 caliber shell casings, and two fired bullets in the street, as well as two bullet fragments, bullet holes, and shattered windows in vehicles parked on the street.  One of these shots hit the five-year-old girl sitting in the back of a car, and she was rushed to the hospital.

    MORRISHOW was not permitted to possess a firearm or ammunition because of his prior federal conviction for using and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a narcotics conspiracy, and WHITE was not permitted to possess a firearm or ammunition because of his prior state conviction for attempted first-degree assault with intent to cause serious injury with a weapon.

    *                *                *

    MORRISHOW, 27, and WHITE, 27, both of the Bronx, New York, each pled guilty to one count of possession of ammunition after a felony conviction, which carries a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison.  MORRISHOW is scheduled to be sentenced on June 25, 2025, and WHITE is scheduled to be sentenced on May 20, 2025.   

    The statutory maximum penalty is prescribed by Congress and provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants will be determined by the judge.

    Mr. Podolsky praised the outstanding investigative work of the New York City Police Department, and also thanked the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the U.S. Marshals Service for their assistance with the investigation.

    The prosecution of this case is being handled by the Office’s General Crimes Unit.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Jerry J. Fang is in charge of the prosecution.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Measures to protect the 2025 General Election

    Source: Government of Canada News

    All democratic countries around the world face foreign interference in their electoral processes. Safeguarding the integrity of our elections is central to Canada’s national security and to the protection of our democracy.

    The Government of Canada has robust measures in place to protect our democracy and Canadians from foreign interference so that Canada’s democracy remains one of the strongest in the world. This includes measures established under the Plan to Protect Canada’s Democracy, and several new and updated measures implemented since the last general election in 2021.

    Security and intelligence

    Canada’s security and intelligence organizations are at the frontline of Canada’s effort to combat foreign interference campaigns against our democratic institutions.

    The Security and Intelligence Threats to Elections (SITE) Task Force, comprised of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS), which is currently serving as Chair, the Communications Security Establishment Canada (CSE), Global Affairs Canada (GAC), and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), provides enhanced monitoring and assessment of foreign interference threats during the election period. The SITE Task Force is Canada’s principal mechanism to monitor the threat of foreign interference during elections. Since the 44th General Election, the scope of SITE was expanded to include monitoring domestic and violent extremism threats directed at elections, as well as electoral security.

    Each SITE Task Force member agency works within their respective mandate to monitor and address election threats. During a general election, the SITE Task Force briefs the Panel administering the Critical Election Incident Public Protocol (CEIPP) on a regular basis.

    The SITE Task Force assessments and advice are based on classified and unclassified intelligence collected on the threat environment around democratic processes and institutions. This includes intelligence about foreign threat actors’ intentions and activities relating to foreign interference, as well as any observations of threats of violent extremism directed at elections or by-elections.

    Critical Election Incident Public Protocol (CEIPP)

    During a federal general election, the CEIPP (the Protocol) outlines the process to notify Canadians of an incident or an accumulation of separate incidents impacting the election. The Protocol is limited to incidents that occur during the writ period and that do not fall within the mandate of the Chief Electoral Officer.

    The Protocol is administered by a group of experienced senior Canadian public servants (the Panel) who, working with the information provided by national security agencies, jointly determine whether the threshold for informing Canadians has been met.

    During the election period, the Panel is briefed regularly by the SITE Task Force. A public announcement would only take place if the Panel determines that an incident or an accumulation of incidents threatens Canada’s ability to have a free and fair election.

    There are several considerations when making this determination:

    • the degree to which the incident(s) undermine(s) Canadians’ ability to have a free and fair election;
    • the potential of the incident(s) to undermine the credibility of the election; and
    • the degree of confidence officials have in the intelligence or information.

    The threshold is high to ensure that communication about an incident does not in and of itself disrupt or influence the election.

    If the Panel decides to inform Canadians, the announcement would focus on:

    1. the notification of the incident;
    2. what is known about the incident (as deemed appropriate); and
    3. steps Canadians should take to protect themselves if relevant.

    The Panel began to prepare for this election in early 2024, and has been meeting on a regular basis to: 

    Informed and engaged citizens

    An informed and resilient public is the strongest defence against disinformation. The Government of Canada has tools and resources to help recognize and resist disinformation and foreign interference.  

    Disinformation is a global issue that affects all democracies, and requires a response from all areas of society—governments, industry, civil society and citizens. The Government of Canada funds and supports Canadian research and civil society organizations to promote a healthy information ecosystem and help Canadians and the government understand online disinformation and its impact on Canadian society. For example, the government has contributed $38 million to more than 165 projects through the Digital Citizen Initiative (DCI) to build a base of evidence to identify potential action and develop future policy. Programs under the DCI support democracy and social inclusion in Canada by enhancing and supporting efforts to counter online disinformation and other online threats.

    Open and ongoing communication

    In accordance with a Ministerial Directive issued in May 2023, CSIS must advise members of Parliament (MPs) of credible threats against them or their families. This commitment aims to ensure the safety and security of parliamentarians in light of emerging risks. MPs may also receive security awareness or resiliency briefings from agencies including the RCMP, CSIS and CSE or threat-specific briefings, for example, on foreign interference or violent extremism under the Integrated Threat Assessment Center (ITAC)’s mandate on threats to public officials.

    All of the major parties have identified points of contact who have been provided a clearance to receive threat information. At the drop of the writ, SITE members will provide baseline threat briefings to all of the parties. Throughout the general election, periodic updates will be provided, and if necessary, specific threat briefings can be provided.

    Protecting voters

    Voters may be targeted by foreign actors to overtly or covertly influence their vote. 

    Foreign states can use deceptive, covert, and/or illegal methods to advance their interests in Canada to our detriment. These state activities can range from harassment and intimidation to direct threats against individuals or their loved ones. 

    It is important for all individuals and groups living in Canada, regardless of their nationality and eligibility to vote in federal elections, to know that there are support mechanisms in place to help them when experiencing potential foreign interference or state-backed harassment and intimidation.

    The RCMP and police of jurisdiction provide outreach and engagement to groups who may be at a higher risk of being targeted and will work together to maintain situational awareness of any threats targeting voters.

    The public must remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity or information to local police or the RCMP.

    Protecting candidates

    Election candidates can be targets of cyber or physical threats during an election campaign. This can stem from foreign state actors who are trying to interfere in the election, or from those who might not agree with the candidate’s platform. Individuals who are the target of a physical threat should contact their local police of jurisdiction.

    The government is committed to keeping candidates, their campaigns, and their personnel safe throughout the electoral process. With an increased risk of threats of violence and intimidation directed at Canadian public figures, security services are available to the Leaders of the Political Parties recognized in the House of Commons during the general election period and immediately following the election period.

    Ahead of the general election, the SITE Task Force has provided general briefings, and will provide further briefings on foreign interference to security-cleared representatives of political parties represented in the House of Commons to help educate, increase awareness, and open two-way communication between SITE and the political parties. These briefings identified the tactics used by actors that engage in foreign interference, specific issues or trends, and how to protect against threats.

    Anyone who feels threatened online or in person, should report these incidents to their local police. If there is a fear of an immediate threat, they should call 9-1-1 immediately.

    Visit the Democratic Institutions website for more information on additional measures implemented by the Government of Canada to protect the general election.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Detecting and reporting disinformation

    Source: Government of Canada News

    Disinformation is false information that is deliberately intended to mislead. Once a disinformation narrative is introduced into the information ecosystem, the goal is for it to be spread virally and unwittingly by others.

    Disinformation is a constantly evolving threat that affects all democracies and impacts all parts of society in different ways. Countering disinformation is a global issue and requires a response from all areas of society—governments, industry, independent election administrators, civil society and citizens.

    Successful democracies rely on:

    • confidence in key institutions;
    • trust and cooperation between citizens; and
    • a shared understanding of basic facts.

    Disinformation can damage each of these by attacking, polarizing, and misinforming people. At its worst, disinformation can lead to hate, violence and political harassment. Disinformation is also used by foreign states seeking to threaten the integrity of our elections, attack our sovereignty and undermine confidence in the results.

    During this election, it is even more important for people living in Canada to be resilient to disinformation. Everyone is susceptible to disinformation. Think critically about the information you consume and take steps to make sure the information that you share is accurate and reliable.

    Spotting disinformation

    Disinformation can be hard to spot. Look for content that:

    • Provokes an emotional response, particularly with negative or frightening claims.
    • Exaggerates or distorts valid information.
    • Manipulates photos or images by altering them or using them out of context.
    • Makes bold or extreme statements on a controversial issue.
    • Has been shared widely on platforms with a track record of spreading disinformation.
    • Contains “clickbait”— sensational and purposefully misleading headlines, images, and videos meant to entice viewers to click on specific links.
    • Makes claims that seem too good to be true.

    Confirming it is disinformation

    Confirm the original story

    • Pause to consider the accuracy of content before drawing conclusions or sharing.
    • Check to make sure that that the authors and sources are credible.
    • Check to see if the source is real and if it has a good reputation.

    Compare information from multiple sources

    • Do a search to see if other news outlets are reporting the same story.
    • Is the information current?
    • Is the information relevant to current events?

    Use fact-checking tools and services

    See if the story has already debunked. Fact-checking tools:

    Look at the design elements

    • Does the design look out of place?
    • Look for unprofessional logos, unusual colours, or odd spacing.

    Use online search engines to verify information

    • It helps to use key words such as “hoax,” “scam,” or “fake” in your search.
    • Do a reverse image search to reveal if an image has been altered or copied from elsewhere on the internet.
      • To reverse search an image, copy the image, or the image’s URL into the search bar of an image search tool.

    Validate domain names

    • Check the link to see who is publishing the information.
    • Does the link address match the official name of the organization?
    • Are there typos in the link address?
    • Do a search for the organization and follow the link. Does it direct you to the same place?

    Spot fake social media accounts

    • Check the profile photo: Do a reverse image search to see if the profile photo has been copied from somewhere else online.
    • Look for recycled images: Fake accounts often rely on stock images and memes.
    • Look for typos: Many spelling or grammar mistakes can be signs of a fake account.
    • Look at the account profile: Is it new? Does it contain details about the person? If not, be wary.
    • Look at the account engagements: Account owners can pay for fake engagement. If the comments seem random, contain only emojis, or all come from one person, the engagement may not be legitimate.
    • Look at the follower-to-engagement ratio: Account owners can also pay for followers. If an account has thousands of followers but very little engagement, it’s likely fake.

    Best Practices to Counter Online Disinformation   

    1. Don’t share disinformation: The best thing you can do is nothing at all. By not sharing false content you are helping to stop the spread of online disinformation.
    2. Promote a culture of accuracy: Demonstrate that you value the accuracy of information and encourage others to do the same. If you see information and have verified it is false, you can:
      1. Ask questions: Questioning content is almost as effective as correcting false information. If you don’t want to do this publicly, you can send a private message to ask “Are you sure?” or “Is that source reliable?”.
      2. Correct it: You can correct false information with accurate information from a reliable source. Be sure to show where it came from. You don’t have to repeat the bad information or tell anyone they are wrong, but instead share accurate information that shows the facts.
      3. Debunk it: If you can clearly show that the information is false, you can debunk it by saying it’s wrong and showing why. Don’t link to the false information or the original social media post. Use a screenshot instead.
    3. Be aware and understand it: Equip yourself with the tools to identify disinformation. Understand how the internet and social media platforms work and possible efforts to manipulate the information you consume. Be vigilant when receiving information. Watch for the common signs of disinformation, including content that: makes an extraordinary claim; seems too good to be true; and has been shared widely on platforms with a track record of spreading disinformation.
    4. Report it:
      1. All social media platforms give users a way to report disinformation, usually by clicking on the 3 dots and selecting “Report post”.
      2. Suspicious activities and any incidents of intimidation, harassment, coercion, or threats should be reported to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police’s (RCMP) National Security Information Network or local police jurisdiction:1-800-420-5805 / online form.
      3. Other suspicious incidents should be reported to the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS): 613-993-9620 or 1-800-267-7685 / online form.
      4. Reduce the risks associated with cyber threats to elections by reporting a cyber incident to the Canadian Centre for Cyber Security. Your information will enable the Cyber Centre cyber security advice, guidance and services.
      5. Report an offence committed under the Canada Elections Act to the Commissioner of Canada Elections, who is responsible for ensuring compliance with, and enforcement of, the Canada Elections Act. You can do so by completing an online form.

    Resources

    Government of Canada resources

    Elections Canada resource

    Non-government resources from across Canada

    International resources

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICE, law enforcement partners arrest 370 alien offenders during enhanced operation in Massachusetts

    Source: US Immigration and Customs Enforcement

    BOSTON — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and federal law enforcement partners apprehended 370 illegal aliens in Massachusetts during an enhanced targeted enforcement operation focusing on transnational organized crime, gangs, and egregious illegal alien offenders March 18-23.

    “The Commonwealth is a safer place for our residents to live and work because ICE and our federal law enforcement partners arrested hundreds of alien offenders and removed them from the streets of Massachusetts,” said ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Boston acting Field Office Director Patricia H. Hyde. “Throughout this enhanced enforcement operation, we targeted the most dangerous alien offenders in some of the most crime-infested neighborhoods in and around Boston. Our efforts resulted in 370 arrests throughout the commonwealth. ICE and our federal law enforcement partners are committed to protecting the homeland through the eradication of transnational criminal organizations, dismantling dangerous criminal gangs preying on the American public, locating and arresting criminal alien offenders, and making our communities a safer place to live.”

    During the six-day enhanced operation, ICE and federal law enforcement partners targeted egregious criminal alien offenders including transnational criminal organizations known to operate in and around Boston and throughout Massachusetts. These organizations include the notorious MS-13, Tren de Aragua, Trinitarios, and 18th Street gangs.

    “This week’s enhanced enforcement operations with our partners from the FBI, DEA, ATF, DSS and CBP prove that we are taking a whole of government approach to protecting our communities from foreign nationals involved in transnational gangs, drug traffickers, child predators, violent criminals and dangerous individuals living in New England,” said ICE Homeland Security Investigations New England Special Agent in Charge Michael J. Krol. “ICE will use every resource and authority we have to prioritize the safety and security of our communities.”

    “Everyone should agree that we cannot and will not tolerate individuals who not only violate our immigration laws but then commit crimes that endanger our communities. Those who enter and remain in this country unlawfully are breaking the law,” said U.S. Attorney for the District of Massachusetts Leah B. Foley. “My office remains committed to working alongside our law enforcement partners to ensure that dangerous individuals are identified, prosecuted, and removed, so that the people of Massachusetts can live and work in safe and secure communities.”

    205 of those arrested had significant criminal convictions or charges. Six were foreign fugitives currently facing charges or convictions for murder, drug trafficking, organized crime, and money laundering

    “Safeguarding the integrity of the immigration and citizenship process is critical. We simply can’t permit violent and dangerous criminals to enter or remain in the United States under false pretenses, with unknown allegiances and intentions. It’s a direct threat to public safety and our national security,” said Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division Jodi Cohen. “There’s no question our communities are safer today because of this enhanced, targeted operation. FBI Boston, like all our federal partners, will continue to support ICE with these efforts.”

    Law enforcement officials seized approximately 44 kilograms of methamphetamines, 5 kilograms of fentanyl, 1.2 kilograms of cocaine, three firearms and ammunition from illegal alien offenders during the operation.

    “DEA is proud to have worked with our federal partners in this successful enforcement effort using all of the resources of the federal government to remove violent criminal aliens from our communities, said DEA New England Field Division acting Special Agent in Charge Stephen Belleau. “DEA has prioritized investigations on those involving violent, illegal criminal aliens responsible for flooding our communities with deadly and dangerous drugs. DEA’s core mission is to keep the American public safe by seizing deadly and dangerous drugs before they get into our communities, and to bring justice to the criminals responsible for manufacturing, distributing, and supplying these drugs.”

    ICE and their federal law enforcement partners made many of the apprehensions after local jurisdictions refused to honor immigration detainer requests to turn over the offenders and instead chose to release aliens from custody, forcing officers and agents to make at-large arrests in Massachusetts communities.

    “The successful outcome of this immigration enforcement operation demonstrates the dedication and collaboration of our law enforcement partners,” said Special Agent in Charge of the ATF Boston Field Division James M. Ferguson. “By targeting individuals who pose a threat to public safety, we are reinforcing our commitment to protecting our communities and upholding the integrity of our nation’s immigration laws.”

    “The Diplomatic Security Service is fully committed to supporting the Administration’s priority to reduce illegal immigration and root out those who endeavor to exploit the U.S. travel system,” said Diplomatic Security Service Boston Field Office Special Agent in Charge Matthew O’Brien. “This enhanced operation definitively made our communities safer. DSS proudly coordinates with our U.S. and international law enforcement partners to conduct passport, visa fraud, and human trafficking investigations and assist in apprehending fugitives to protect the integrity of U.S. borders and prevent illegal immigration.”

    Among those arrested during the enhanced targeted operation include:

    • A Dominican alien who illegally re-entered the U.S. after removal charged with multiple drug distribution crimes, arrested in Boston.
    • A Dominican alien who illegally re-entered the U.S. after removal charged with trafficking fentanyl, arrested in Boston.
    • A Chilean alien convicted of 4 counts of indecent assault and battery on a child under 14 years old, arrested in Marlborough.
    • A Brazilian alien charged with manslaughter, homicide by a motor vehicle, homicide while under the influence of liquor, breaking and entering in the nighttime with intent to commit a crime, and larceny, arrested in Worcester.
    • A Honduran alien who illegally re-entered the U.S. after removal convicted of rape of a child, assault and battery of a person over 14 and failure to register as a sex offender, arrested in Salem.
    • A Brazilian alien wanted for murder and convicted for firearms trafficking in his native country, arrested in Milford.
    • A Brazilian alien wanted for homicide in in his home country, arrested in Lowell.
    • A Russian alien charged with unlawful possession of ammunition and wanted in his native country for armed robbery and membership in a criminal organization, arrested in Medford.
    • A Dominican alien wanted for homicide in his native country, arrested in Dorchester.
    • A Brazilian alien wanted in his native county for failure to serve a sentence after his convictions for homicide and illegal possession of a firearm arrested in Marlborough.
    • A Salvadoran alien previously deported from the U.S. and documented 18th Street gang member convicted of assault and battery and sentenced to two and a half years committed arrested in Wakefield.
    • A Guatemalan alien charged with rape and convicted of enticing a minor under the age of 16, released by the New Bedford District Court without the ICE detainer being honored, arrested in New Bedford.
    • A Jamaican alien previously deported from the U.S. convicted of possession with intent to distribute cocaine, armed robbery, possession of a firearm, and assault arrested in Pittsfield.
    • A Brazilian alien wanted for in his native country for drug trafficking, money laundering, membership in a criminal organization arrested in West Yarmouth.

    Partner law enforcement participating in the operation were the Boston offices of the FBI, DEA, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, ATF, U.S. Marshals Service and DSS, as well as the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts.

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

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

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: U.S. Attorneys for Southwestern Border Districts Charge More than 840 Illegal Aliens with Immigration-Related Crimes During the Third week in March as part of Operation Take Back America

    Source: United States Attorneys General 13

    President Trump has been clear that securing the Southwestern Border of the United States is a priority of the absolute highest level. To that end, the Department of Justice is playing a critical role in Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve total elimination of cartels and transitional criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from 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).

    Last week, the U.S. Attorneys for Arizona, Western Texas, Southern Texas, New Mexico, Southern California, and Central California charged more than 840 defendants with criminal violations of U.S. immigration laws.

    The District of Arizona has brought immigration-related criminal charges against 217 defendants. Specifically, the United States filed 91 cases in which aliens illegally re-entered the United States, and the United States also charged 103 aliens for illegally entering the United States. In its ongoing effort to deter unlawful immigration, the United States also filed 15 cases against 23 individuals responsible for smuggling illegal aliens into and within the District of Arizona.

    The Central District of California filed charges against 17 defendants who allegedly illegally re-entered the United States after being removed. Many of the defendants charged were previously convicted of felony offenses before they were removed from the United States, offenses that include assault with bodily injury. One of the defendants is suspected of murder while another was arrested on suspicion of committing assault with intent to rape. The crime of being found in the United States following removal carries a base penalty of up to two years in federal prison. Defendants who were removed after being convicted of a felony face a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and defendants removed after being convicted of an aggravated felony face a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison.

    The Southern District of California filed more than 90 border-related cases this week, including charges of transportation of illegal aliens, bringing in aliens for financial gain, reentering the U.S. after deportation, deported alien found in the United States, and importation of controlled substances.

    The District of New Mexico brought the following criminal charges in New Mexico: 46 individuals were charged this week with Illegal Reentry After Deportation, four individuals were charged this week with Alien Smuggling (8 U.S.C. 1324), and 27 individuals were charged this week with Illegal Entry (8 U.S.C. 1325).

    The Southern District of Texas filed a total of 246 cases related to immigration and border security. Of those, 91 face allegations of illegally re-entering the country with the majority having felony convictions such as narcotics, violent and/or sexual crimes and prior immigration offenses, among others. A total of 145 face charges of illegally entering the country, eight cases involve various instances of human smuggling, and the remainder relate to other immigration matters and making false statements.

    The Western District of Texas announced today, that federal prosecutors in the district filed 210 immigration and immigration-related criminal cases.

    We are grateful for the hard work of our border prosecutors in bringing these cases and helping to make our border safe again. 

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICE, law enforcement partners arrest more than 370 alien offenders during enhanced operation in Massachusetts

    Source: US Immigration and Customs Enforcement

    BOSTON — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and federal law enforcement partners apprehended 370 illegal aliens in Massachusetts during an enhanced targeted enforcement operation focusing on transnational organized crime, gangs, and egregious illegal alien offenders March 18-23.

    “The Commonwealth is a safer place for our residents to live and work because ICE and our federal law enforcement partners arrested hundreds of alien offenders and removed them from the streets of Massachusetts,” said ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Boston acting Field Office Director Patricia H. Hyde. “Throughout this enhanced enforcement operation, we targeted the most dangerous alien offenders in some of the most crime-infested neighborhoods in and around Boston. Our efforts resulted in 370 arrests throughout the commonwealth. ICE and our federal law enforcement partners are committed to protecting the homeland through the eradication of transnational criminal organizations, dismantling dangerous criminal gangs preying on the American public, locating and arresting criminal alien offenders, and making our communities a safer place to live.”

    During the six-day enhanced operation, ICE and federal law enforcement partners targeted egregious criminal alien offenders including transnational criminal organizations known to operate in and around Boston and throughout Massachusetts. These organizations include the notorious MS-13, Tren de Aragua, Trinitarios, and 18th Street gangs.

    “This week’s enhanced enforcement operations with our partners from the FBI, DEA, ATF, DSS and CBP prove that we are taking a whole of government approach to protecting our communities from foreign nationals involved in transnational gangs, drug traffickers, child predators, violent criminals and dangerous individuals living in New England,” said ICE Homeland Security Investigations New England Special Agent in Charge Michael J. Krol. “ICE will use every resource and authority we have to prioritize the safety and security of our communities.”

    “Everyone should agree that we cannot and will not tolerate individuals who not only violate our immigration laws but then commit crimes that endanger our communities. Those who enter and remain in this country unlawfully are breaking the law,” said U.S. Attorney for the District of Massachusetts Leah B. Foley. “My office remains committed to working alongside our law enforcement partners to ensure that dangerous individuals are identified, prosecuted, and removed, so that the people of Massachusetts can live and work in safe and secure communities.”

    205 of those arrested had significant criminal convictions or charges. Six were foreign fugitives currently facing charges or convictions for murder, drug trafficking, organized crime, and money laundering

    “Safeguarding the integrity of the immigration and citizenship process is critical. We simply can’t permit violent and dangerous criminals to enter or remain in the United States under false pretenses, with unknown allegiances and intentions. It’s a direct threat to public safety and our national security,” said Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division Jodi Cohen. “There’s no question our communities are safer today because of this enhanced, targeted operation. FBI Boston, like all our federal partners, will continue to support ICE with these efforts.”

    Law enforcement officials seized approximately 44 kilograms of methamphetamines, 5 kilograms of fentanyl, 1.2 kilograms of cocaine, three firearms and ammunition from illegal alien offenders during the operation.

    “DEA is proud to have worked with our federal partners in this successful enforcement effort using all of the resources of the federal government to remove violent criminal aliens from our communities, said DEA New England Field Division acting Special Agent in Charge Stephen Belleau. “DEA has prioritized investigations on those involving violent, illegal criminal aliens responsible for flooding our communities with deadly and dangerous drugs. DEA’s core mission is to keep the American public safe by seizing deadly and dangerous drugs before they get into our communities, and to bring justice to the criminals responsible for manufacturing, distributing, and supplying these drugs.”

    ICE and their federal law enforcement partners made many of the apprehensions after local jurisdictions refused to honor immigration detainer requests to turn over the offenders and instead chose to release aliens from custody, forcing officers and agents to make at-large arrests in Massachusetts communities.

    “The successful outcome of this immigration enforcement operation demonstrates the dedication and collaboration of our law enforcement partners,” said Special Agent in Charge of the ATF Boston Field Division James M. Ferguson. “By targeting individuals who pose a threat to public safety, we are reinforcing our commitment to protecting our communities and upholding the integrity of our nation’s immigration laws.”

    “The Diplomatic Security Service is fully committed to supporting the Administration’s priority to reduce illegal immigration and root out those who endeavor to exploit the U.S. travel system,” said Diplomatic Security Service Boston Field Office Special Agent in Charge Matthew O’Brien. “This enhanced operation definitively made our communities safer. DSS proudly coordinates with our U.S. and international law enforcement partners to conduct passport, visa fraud, and human trafficking investigations and assist in apprehending fugitives to protect the integrity of U.S. borders and prevent illegal immigration.”

    Among those arrested during the enhanced targeted operation include:

    • A Dominican alien who illegally re-entered the U.S. after removal charged with multiple drug distribution crimes, arrested in Boston.
    • A Dominican alien who illegally re-entered the U.S. after removal charged with trafficking fentanyl, arrested in Boston.
    • A Chilean alien convicted of 4 counts of indecent assault and battery on a child under 14 years old, arrested in Marlborough.
    • A Brazilian alien charged with manslaughter, homicide by a motor vehicle, homicide while under the influence of liquor, breaking and entering in the nighttime with intent to commit a crime, and larceny, arrested in Worcester.
    • A Honduran alien who illegally re-entered the U.S. after removal convicted of rape of a child, assault and battery of a person over 14 and failure to register as a sex offender, arrested in Salem.
    • A Brazilian alien wanted for murder and convicted for firearms trafficking in his native country, arrested in Milford.
    • A Brazilian alien wanted for homicide in in his home country, arrested in Lowell.
    • A Russian alien charged with unlawful possession of ammunition and wanted in his native country for armed robbery and membership in a criminal organization, arrested in Medford.
    • A Dominican alien wanted for homicide in his native country, arrested in Dorchester.
    • A Brazilian alien wanted in his native county for failure to serve a sentence after his convictions for homicide and illegal possession of a firearm arrested in Marlborough.
    • A Salvadoran alien previously deported from the U.S. and documented 18th Street gang member convicted of assault and battery and sentenced to two and a half years committed arrested in Wakefield.
    • A Guatemalan alien charged with rape and convicted of enticing a minor under the age of 16, released by the New Bedford District Court without the ICE detainer being honored, arrested in New Bedford.
    • A Jamaican alien previously deported from the U.S. convicted of possession with intent to distribute cocaine, armed robbery, possession of a firearm, and assault arrested in Pittsfield.
    • A Brazilian alien wanted for in his native country for drug trafficking, money laundering, membership in a criminal organization arrested in West Yarmouth.

    Partner law enforcement participating in the operation were the Boston offices of the FBI, DEA, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, ATF, U.S. Marshals Service and DSS, as well as the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts.

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

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

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Buffalo man charged with distributing fentanyl that caused the death of another individual

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    BUFFALO, NY—U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that a federal grand jury returned a superseding indictment charging Kenneth G. Shoemaker, II a/k/a Kenny, 50, of Buffalo, NY, with distribution of fentanyl causing death, distribution of fentanyl, crack cocaine, cocaine, maintaining a drug involved premises, and money laundering. The charges carry a maximum penalty of life in prison. 

    Assistant U.S. Attorneys Louis A. Testani and Melanie J. Bailey, who are handling the case, stated that according to the superseding indictment, on September 23, 2023, Shoemaker possessed fentanyl, which resulted in the death of an individual identified as E.I. The superseding indictment also states that between August 28 and October 18, 2024, Shoemaker sold fentanyl, crack cocaine, and cocaine, using a Sweet Avenue residence in Buffalo for his drug trafficking activities. In addition, Shoemaker is accused of structuring financial transactions at area banks, to include transferring funds from one bank to another,  to disguise the proceeds of his drug trafficking activities.

    The superseding indictment is the result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Frank A. Tarentino III, New York Field Division, the New York State Police, under the direction of Major Amie Feroleto, and the Buffalo Police Department, under the direction of Commissioner Alphonse Wright.

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

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Georgia Man Charged in Danbury Kidnapping Conspiracy

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Marc H. Silverman, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, Anish Shukla, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Danbury Police Chief Patrick Ridenhour today announced that JAMES SCHWAB, 22, of Peachtree Corners, Georgia, has been federally charged for his alleged involvement in a kidnapping in Danbury in August 2024.

    As alleged in court documents and statements made in court, on August 25, 2024, Danbury Police arrested six Florida men who were involved in a violent carjacking of a Lamborghini Urus and the kidnapping of two occupants of the vehicle on that date.  The investigation revealed that the kidnapping victims are the parents of an individual who is suspected of participating in the theft of hundreds of millions of dollars in cryptocurrency.  Schwab, who had an altercation with the victims’ son in a Miami nightclub in July 2024, was in regular communication with certain of the kidnappers in the days before the crime, provided funding for it, and helped arrange the participants’ transportation and lodging.

    Schwab was arrested on a federal criminal complaint on January 29, 2025, at Los Angeles International Airport after he returned to the U.S. from a trip to Bali.  On February 25, a grand jury in New Haven returned an indictment charging Schwab with one count of conspiracy to commit kidnapping, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of life.  Schwab appeared in Bridgeport federal court on March 12, 2025, and entered a plea of not guilty to the charge.

    Schwab has been detained since his arrest.

    Five of the six individuals charged with offenses related to the carjacking and kidnapping have pleaded guilty and await sentencing.

    Acting U.S. Attorney Silverman stressed that an indictment is not evidence of guilt.  Charges are only allegations, and each defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

    This matter is being investigated by the FBI New Haven Violent Crimes Task Force and the Danbury Police Department.  The Task Force includes members from the Connecticut State Police and several local police departments.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Karen L. Peck.

    Acting U.S. Attorney Silverman thanked the State’s Attorney’s Office for the Judicial District of Danbury for its close cooperation in investigating and prosecuting this matter.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: U.S. Marshals Lone Star Fugitive Task Force Apprehend Fugitive in Belize Wanted on Charges of Possession of Child Pornography

    Source: US Marshals Service

    San Antonio, TX – The U.S. Marshals-led Lone Star Fugitive Task Force apprehended a fugitive sought by the Bexar County District Attorney’s Office on 11 charges of possession of child pornography. Gregory Roth, 67, was apprehended in Belize after fleeing the United States to evade criminal prosecution.

    The arrest followed a coordinated international operation led by the Lone Star Fugitive Task Force (LSFTF), in partnership with the U.S. Marshals Service Office of International Operations (OIO), the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service, and law enforcement partners in Belize.

    In 2022, the Texas Attorney General’s Office (TXAGO) conducted a series of residential search warrants as part of a criminal investigation involving Dr. Gregory Scott Roth, who was suspected of possessing child pornography. At the time, Roth held multiple positions within the healthcare sector, including Regional Medical Director for Envision Healthcare, part-time physician at Christus Santa Rosa Children’s Hospital, and Regional Health Authority and Medical Director for La Salle County.

    Roth was arrested in November 2022 and indicted in 2023 by the Bexar County District Attorney’s Office on 11 counts of possession of child pornography. He was scheduled to appear for sentencing in December 2024. However, he failed to appear before the court as ordered and a bench warrant was subsequently issued for his arrest.

    In January 2025, following Roth’s failure to appear, the TXAGO requested the assistance of the LSFTF to aid in locating and apprehending the fugitive. The investigation revealed that Roth had fled the country in a rented motorhome, traveling through areas near the southern borders of Mexico, Belize, and Guatemala.

    Through a collaborative, multi-agency effort involving the LSFTF, OIO, and Belizean law enforcement, authorities confirmed Roth’s presence in Placencia, Belize. Following extensive intelligence operations and sustained surveillance, Roth was apprehended March 21, 2025, without incident.

    Roth was removed from Belize and brought back to the United States, on March 22, 2025.

    “This operation’s success is a testament to the strength and effectiveness of international cooperation between the United States and foreign law enforcement agencies,” said Susan Pamerleau, U.S. Marshal for the Western District of Texas. “It clearly demonstrates how cross-border partnerships strengthen our ability to apprehend fugitives, no matter where they attempt to hide.”

    The LSFTF acknowledges the critical support of the USMS Office of International Operations (OIO), the U.S. Department of State, Diplomatic Security, and the Belize Police Department in the successful apprehension and return of a fugitive to the Alamo City.

    The U.S. Marshals Service encourages the community to continue to collaborate with our deputies on tips that help find the whereabouts of a fugitive by contacting our local office at (210) 657-8500 or calling the U.S. Marshals Service Communication Center at 1 (800) 336-0102. You can also submit tips online via the USMS Tips App.

    Members of the Lone Star Fugitive Task Force – San Antonio:

    Bexar County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO)
    Texas Department of Public Safety (TXDPS)
    Texas Attorney General’s Office (TXAGO)
    Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS)
    New Braunfels Police Department (NBPD)
    Texas Board of Criminal Justice OIG (TBCJ)
    Bexar County District Attorney’s Office (BCDA)
    U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
    U.S. Marshal Service (USMS)

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Duckworth Visits Quad Cities International Airport, Underscores How Trump’s Illegal Funding Freeze Hurts Local Infrastructure and Jobs

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Illinois Tammy Duckworth

    March 22, 2025

    [MOLINE, IL] – U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)—member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation (CST) and Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Aviation, Space and Innovation—today met with Quad Cities International Airport Director Benjamin Leischner and airport leadership to hear concerns about the impacts of Trump’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) staff cuts. Duckworth also discussed the over $2.7 million in federal funding she secured last year through the Airport Improvement Plan (AIP) for airfield safety. Photos of today’s visit are available on the Senator’s website.

    “Quad Cities International Airport is an essential economic hub for our state and the region,” Duckworth said. “During our meeting, we discussed how Donald Trump and Elon Musk’s FAA layoffs are jeopardizing safety at a time when we should be investing more in our aviation system—not less. As we continue to face an aviation safety crisis, I will keep working alongside QC Airport leadership to advocate for federal investments that will make our skies safer, modernize infrastructure and support economic development across the Quad Cities.”

    In September, Duckworth and U.S. Senate Minority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced a total of $37,031,074 in federal funding for infrastructure improvements at airports across Illinois—including $2,765,727 for the Quad Cities International Airport through the Airport Improvement Program (AIP). This funding, provided by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration, supports airport improvement projects across the state such as reinforcing taxiway structural integrity, expanding terminal buildings to accommodate more passengers and aircraft operations and implementing modernization measures. These measures include reducing noise pollution for nearby residents, increasing clean energy opportunities, improving drainage infrastructure and mitigating wildlife attractants.

    Earlier this month, Duckworth and Durbin sent a letter to Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy criticizing the Trump Administration’s mismanagement of federal funding for Illinois transportation and infrastructure projects. In their letter, the Senators called for more clarity on the future of transportation and infrastructure grants and formula funding for states that were included in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which was strongly supported by both Duckworth and Durbin.

    -30-

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Oregon Department of Emergency Management Warns of Fraud Risks Following Oregon

    Source: US State of Oregon

    strong>Salem, OR—As Oregon communities grapple with the aftermath of devastating flooding and landslides, that Governor Kotek declared a state of emergency, the Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM) is urging residents to remain cautious and informed to avoid falling victim to fraudulent schemes, particularly those involving online fundraising platforms like GoFundMe.

    As communities come together to support those affected, scammers may exploit the generosity of Oregonians by creating fake fundraising campaigns or misrepresenting their intentions. Scam attempts can come via phone calls, mail, email, text, or in-person visits. To help protect yourself and your donations, OEM shares these tips:

    Double Check Your Charitable Donations

    • Verify the campaign’s authenticity: Only donate to fundraisers created by individuals or organizations you know and trust. Look for detailed and transparent information about how the funds will be used. Verify fundraisers’ legitimacy on the Oregon Department of Justice Charitable Activities page of registered organizations.
    • Check for secure websites: Ensure the fundraising platform uses a secure connection (look for “https://” and a padlock icon in the browser). Avoid clicking on suspicious links shared via email or social media.
    • Be cautious about personal information: Do not share sensitive details like Social Security numbers or financial information with unverified individuals or groups.
    • Monitor for identity theft: Regularly check your credit report for any accounts or changes you do not recognize. If you suspect identity theft, file a complaint at IdentityTheft.gov. If you think your identity has been compromised, freeze your credit accounts.
    • Report suspicious activity or fraud: If you suspect fraudulent activity, report it to the Oregon Department of Justice Consumer Protection Hotline at 1-877-877-9392 or visit www.oregonconsumer.gov
    • Protect your donations from charity scams: Avoid cash donations; use checks or credit cards for security. Look for transparent fund usage plans. Sign up for scam alerts from the Oregon Department of Justice Scam Alert Network.

    Avoid Contractor Scams for Cleanup and Repairs

    As residents begin recovery efforts, fraudulent contractors may target those needing home repairs or cleanup services. Keep these tips in mind:

    • Research contractors thoroughly: Verify that the contractor is licensed, bonded, and insured. Check for reviews, references, and ratings through trusted sources such as the Oregon Construction Contractors Board.
    • Get written estimates: Obtain multiple estimates for the work and ensure they’re detailed and in writing. Be cautious of contractors who demand large upfront payments or offer unusually low prices.
    • Avoid high-pressure sales tactics: Don’t rush into signing contracts or agreeing to services. Take your time to make informed decisions.
    • Never pay in cash: Use checks or credit cards, as these payment methods provide a paper trail and added security.
    • Beware of door-to-door solicitors: Scammers often approach residents with unsolicited offers. Always verify their legitimacy and credentials before proceeding.

    Key Fraud Prevention Reminders

    • Public aid is free: There are no costs to apply for assistance or participate in inspections.
    • Verify government workers: Government workers always carry identification badges and never ask for or accept money.
    • If something feels off, trust your instincts: Contact law enforcement to confirm the validity of claims.
    • Follow trusted Information sources: Stay tuned to local media and official social media for reliable updates on the disaster and fraud prevention tips.

    OEM is committed to supporting disaster survivors and preventing fraudulent activities that hinder recovery efforts. Let’s work together to protect our communities, ensure donations reach those in need, and safeguard survivors from fraud and identity theft.

    For more information on disaster recovery in your area contact your local Office of Emergency Management. If you have questions or concerns about any donation requests you have received, contact your local law enforcement.

    ###

    It is the mission of Oregon Emergency Management to proactively develop emergency response, risk reduction and disaster recovery programs to better serve Oregonians during times of disaster. OEM prioritizes an equitable and inclusive culture of preparedness that empowers all Oregonians to thrive in times in crisis. The agency leads collaborative statewide efforts, inclusive of all partners and the communities we serve, to ensure the capability to get help in an emergency and to protect, mitigate, prepare for, respond to, and recover from emergencies or disasters. For more information about the OEM, visit oregon.gov/oem.

    You can get this document in other languages, large print, braille, or a format you prefer. For assistance, email OEM_publicinfo@oem.oregon.gov or dial 711

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Oglala Man Sentenced to 17 and One Half Years in Federal Prison for Receiving Child Pornography

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

    RAPID CITY – United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Camela C. Theeler has sentenced an Oglala, South Dakota, man following his conviction for two counts of Receipt of Child Pornography. The sentencing took place on March 17, 2025.

    Johnathan Morrison, 34, was sentenced to eight years and nine months in federal prison on each count for a total of 210 months in prison, followed by five years of supervised release on each count with the time to run concurrently, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund for each count. Morrison was also ordered to pay $95 in restitution to the South Dakota Internet Crimes Investigation Fund and to forfeit his interest in a smartphone. He will also be required to register as a sex offender under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act.

    A federal grand jury indicted Morrison in February of 2024. He pleaded guilty on January 8, 2025.

    In August 2023, Morrison solicited a 10-year old female to engage in sexually explicit conduct over social media. Shortly thereafter, an adult learned that Morrison had enticed the child and reported Morrison’s criminal actions to the Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety. Morrison was immediately apprehended and arrested. His smartphone was seized as evidence. An extraction of his smartphone revealed that prior to August 2023, Morrison downloaded and installed multiple social media platforms, including KIK, Telegram, and Snapchat onto his cellular device. Through these platforms, Morrison solicited, sent, and received images and videos containing child pornography. Some of the images recovered involved prepubescent females engaged in sexual acts. Through his chats, investigators learned that Morrison had an interest in 10-14 year old females. The search also revealed that Morrison had made sexual advances to his girlfriend’s teenage daughter and that he had covertly photographed her over 130 times with his smartphone.

    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 the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.

    This case was investigated by the FBI, the Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety, and the South Dakota Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Megan Poppen prosecuted the case.

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

     

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Ferryland — Ferryland RCMP looks to complete wellness check on two unknown individuals

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    Ferryland RCMP is looking to conduct a wellness check on an unknown man and woman who were walking in Mobile on Saturday evening.

    At approximately 6:40 p.m., police received a report of the two individuals, who were walking in the area of Riverhead Road and Route 10 in Mobile. The woman, who was described as being approximately 5 feet, 5 inches tall with shoulder-length straight hair and wearing a blue shirt, was possibly injured and appeared to have difficulty walking unassisted. The man, who was described as being tall, of a medium build with wavy blonde hair, was wearing dark-colored clothing.

    Ferryland RCMP is looking to identify and speak to both individuals to confirm their wellbeing.

    Anyone having information that could assist in identifying the two individuals, including surveillance or dash cam footage, is asked to contact Ferryland RCMP at 709-432-2440. To remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers: #SayItHere 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), visit www.nlcrimestoppers.com or use the P3Tips app.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Federal Jury Convicts Arapahoe Man of Abusive Sexual Contact

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

    Kendall Joseph Moss III, 35, of Arapahoe Wyoming, was convicted by a federal jury on March 20, of abusive sexual contact with a minor. The trial lasted four days and was held before Chief U.S. District Court Judge Scott W. Skavdahl in Casper. 

    According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, an investigation began in connection with a minor witness’s disclosure to a student advocate and school resource officer at her elementary school of sexual abuse by the defendant in 2021. Dr. Gail S. Goodman, PH.D., a Professor of Psychology at the University of California, Davis testified at trial on the dynamics of child sexual abuse, including that victims often delay disclosing the sexual abuse or make piecemeal disclosures of the abuse over time. The victim was interviewed twice over two years and provided more details of the sexual abuse in her second interview. The defendant made statements to law enforcement indicating the victim was not lying in her allegations against him. The jury’s verdict found the defendant guilty of touching the minor victim in her genital area over her clothing with the intent of sexual gratification.

    Sentencing has been set for June 10, 2025. Moss faces a term of any number of years up to life in prison with no less than five years and no more than life of supervised release, up to a $250,000 fine, and a $100 special assessment.

    The Bureau of Indian Affairs Wind River Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated the crime. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kerry J. Jacobson prosecuted the case.

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

    Case No. 24-CR-00165

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Six Defendants Charged with Attempting to Steal Approximately $80 Million in Government Check Fraud Scheme

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

    The Defendants Deposited Approximately $50 Million Using Stolen and Fake Identities During Their Years-Long Check Fraud Scheme

    Matthew Podolsky, the Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York; Leslie R. Backschies, the Acting Assistant Director in Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”); and Harry T. Chavez, Jr., the Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Office of the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigations (“IRS-CI”), announced the unsealing of a four-count criminal Indictment charging SHAN ANAND, NOSAKHARE NOBORE, NICHOLAS PAPPAS, LEONARD UJKIC, SOLOMON ALUKO, a/k/a “D1 ReallyRich,” and JORGE GONZALEZ with a scheme to fraudulently obtain checks and launder the proceeds. Many of the checks were funds provided by the government for COVID-19 relief that the defendants stole before depositing into bank accounts opened using sham businesses or stolen or fake identities. In total, the defendants attempted to steal approximately $80 million and succeeded in depositing approximately $50 million.

    Acting U.S. Attorney Matthew Podolsky said: “We allege that the defendants stole tens of millions of dollars in COVID-19 relief and other checks, and even used a ‘Fraud Bible’ containing instructions for committing fraud. This Office will not tolerate the exploitation of programs designed to support the public in times of crisis, and we and our law enforcement partners will hold those responsible to full account.” 

    FBI Acting Assistant Director Leslie R. Backschies said: “These six defendants allegedly used sham businesses, stolen, and fake identities to operate a multi-year check fraud scheme, resulting in $50 million in illicit funds being deposited into their accounts. The defendants brazenly attempted to exploit multiple United States government programs in their attempts to illegally enrich themselves. The FBI will continue to ensure fraudsters attempting to lie, cheat, and steal from the Government answer for their crimes in the criminal justice system.”

    IRS Special Agent in Charge Harry T. Chavis, Jr. said: “This group of suspects openly communicated about their fraud, taking pride in the multiple schemes that stole nearly $50 million from the American public. They lied and cheated a benefits system meant to help struggling businesses that need it, all while stealing checks from agencies who assist the elderly and veterans. This gang of ‘bag hunters’ will now face justice for multiple charges.  This time, the U.S. government were the hunters, and the arrests in this massive fraud case are ‘in the bag.’”

    As alleged in the Indictment:[1]

    From 2021 to 2025, the six defendants worked together to steal money from the U.S. government, banks, and individuals. The defendants opened bank accounts using fake or stolen identity information for individuals or businesses, and were assisted in doing so by one of the defendants who was a teller at a major bank. From the inside, he worked to open or alter bank accounts to advance the defendants’ fraud.

    The defendants then deposited fraudulently obtained or counterfeit checks into the  accounts. Many of the checks were issued by the U.S. Treasury (the “Treasury”) based on false and fraudulent filings with the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) in connection with the Employee Retention Credit (“ERC”) and Qualified Sick Leave Wages (“QSLW”) credit. The ERC is a refundable tax credit for businesses and tax-exempt organizations that had employees during and were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Employers must have paid qualified wages to claim the credit. The QSLW credit is a related credit that was also established in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The defendants did not operate businesses that would have qualified for these credits. The businesses they used to open bank accounts and apply for the credits were fake or sham businesses.

    Other Treasury checks passed as part of the defendants’ scheme were payments for different tax refunds, including personal and corporate income tax refunds. Still other Treasury checks were associated with programs at other government agencies such as the Department of Veterans of Affairs and the Social Security Administration. Some of the checks involved in the scheme—both Treasury checks and other business or individual checks—were stolen from the mail or elsewhere. Other checks were partially or completely forged.

    Once the checks were deposited, the defendants withdrew the fraudulently obtained funds in cash or transferred them to other banks accounts under their control. Over the course of their scheme, the defendants attempted to obtain approximately $80 million in total. They succeeded in depositing approximately $50 million.

    The defendants communicated openly about their fraud. One defendant sent another a video of a screen recording of a document or documents titled “✅ 2021 Fraud Bible ✅”, shown in the following image:

    This “Fraud Bible” contained instructions on how to engage in various forms of fraud, including credit card fraud, ATM fraud, and mobile cash transfer fraud.

    Since at least 2021, some members of the conspiracy have worn clothing items bearing a logo depicting a sack of money running along with the phrase “Bag Hunter.”

    Certain members of the conspiracy wore this logo while engaging in criminal conduct. For example, the following image shows NOBORE withdrawing fraudulently obtained funds while prominently displaying the Bag Hunters logo:

    *               *                *

    ANAND, 34, of Queens, New York; NOBORE, 29, of Edgewater, New Jersey; PAPPAS, 28, of Miami, Florida; UJKIC, 44, of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida; ALUKO, 29, of Hackensack, New Jersey; and GONZALEZ, 28, of North Bergen, New Jersey, are each charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and bank fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison; conspiracy to commit money laundering and engaging in a monetary transaction in property derived from specific unlawful activity, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison; conspiracy to defraud the government, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison; and aggravated identity theft, which carries a mandatory sentence of two years in prison. 

    The maximum potential sentences are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants will be determined by a judge.

    Mr. Podolsky praised the outstanding work of the FBI and IRS-CI. Mr. Podolsky also thanked the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the New York City Police Department for their assistance.

    The case is being prosecuted by the Office’s Complex Frauds and Cybercrime and Illicit Finance and Money Laundering Units. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Maggie Lynaugh, Steven J. Kochevar, and Qais Ghafary are in charge of the prosecution.

    The charges contained in the Indictment are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

    [1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Indictment, and the description of the Indictment set forth herein, constitutes only allegations, and every fact described therein should be treated as an allegation.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Facing annexation threats, should Canadians lament for a nation — like George Grant did in 1963?

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By David Edward Tabachnick, Professor of Political Science, Nipissing University

    A decades-old lament for Canada is back on some Canadians’ minds as United States President Donald Trump makes repeated annexation threats.

    Canadian political philosopher George Grant’s Lament for a Nation was published in 1965 — the same year Canada’s iconic Maple Leaf flag was first unfurled on the Peace Tower on Parliament Hill — and unexpectedly inspired many Canadians to feel a sudden sense of pride and confidence that their country could and must stand up to its giant imperialistic neighbour to the south.

    Sixty years later, there are calls to “Bring Back Grumpy George” and renew his decades-old warning. There are also attempts to understand Grant’s continued relevance in the 21st century, as well as new volumes on his work.

    Canadian nationalist movement of 70s

    On the face of it, Grant’s slim volume may seem the perfect tonic for what ails Canada today. Consider that William Christian, Grant’s biographer, called its publication “one of the most significant factors in creating the Canadian nationalist movement of the 1970s” while esteemed journalist Charles P.B. Taylor dubbed it “a Bible for younger nationalists.”

    It “is the sun under which a generation of Canadian nationalists warm themselves,” Andrew Potter writes in his introduction to the 40th anniversary edition of Grant’s most famous work, “but it also casts the long dark shadows in which they must operate.”

    One need only wade a little into the volume to see those “the long dark shadows.” The subtitle to Grant’s book says it all: The Defeat of Canadian Nationalism. So, far from being a call to arms, Lament for a Nation was, as Grant put it, a “cry out at the death or at the dying of something loved…[to mourn] the end of Canada as a sovereign state.”

    In other words, Lament was never intended to whip Canadians into a nationalist fervour, but to spell out Canada’s unfortunate and inevitable disappearance as a nation.

    ‘Blending into the (U.S.) empire’

    By this logic, the next six decades of failed strategies to diversify the Canadian economy and stillborn plans to grow its military are symptoms of a disease that had already killed the patient; Canada is the zombie nation, an apparently democratic electoral system without real substance. Grant wrote:

    “Canada has ceased to be a nation, but its formal political existence will not end quickly. Our social and economic blending into the empire will continue apace, but political union will probably be delayed. Some international catastrophe or great shift of power might speed up this process.”

    For Grant, Canada’s original death knell was acquiescence to American demands that it accept their nuclear weapons on its soil. While Canada had both the technical ability and practical capacity to build its own bombs after the Second World War, leaders decided against it.

    Jack Mackenzie, first president of Atomic Energy Control Board, explained in a 1953 address: “Canada is the only country in the world with sizeable atomic energy establishments where no bombs are being made, and where all the thinking and planning is focused on peacetime aspects.”

    But in the context of the Cold War, this principled choice was viewed as a sign of weakness by Americans, who worried about Soviet bombers travelling unrestricted over the Arctic.

    Defence crisis

    This worry led to the so-called defence crisis that dominated the federal 1963 election campaign, fought between Conservative Prime Minister Diefenbaker and Liberal Lester B. Pearson.

    A beleaguered Diefenbaker had cancelled the vaunted Avro Arrow program a few years earlier, hesitated to commit the Navy to participate in the blockade of Cuba and then balked at accepting American warheads for the BOMARC interceptor missiles designed to stop those bombers.

    The pugnacious Pearson was once a champion of non-proliferation and had shocked his supporters during his infamous Scarborough speech when he announced his surprising agreement that U.S. nukes had to be deployed on Canadian soil in the name of our “commitments for Canada in continental and collective defence,” including NORAD and NATO.

    For Grant, Diefenbaker’s defeat to Pearson was a stake through the heart of the Canada from which it would never recover. In 1963, the Royal Canadian Air Force delivered a shipment of nuclear warheads to the BOMARC missile site near RCAF Station North Bay, Ont., just up the road from where I write today.

    End of Canadian nationalism?

    A few years before his passing in 1988, Grant made it clear in a 1985 interview with Lawrence (Larry) Schmidt, a theologian and a scholar of Grant’s work, that “people have read a little book I wrote called Lament for a Nation wrongly. I was talking about the end of Canadian nationalism. I was saying that this is over and people read it as if I was making an appeal for Canadian nationalism. I think that is just nonsense. I think they just read it wrongly.”

    Today, Canadian economic well-being and security are no more in Canada’s control then they were in 1965. Trump is merely saying the quiet part out loud in his craven desire to make Canada the 51st state.

    Was Grant wrong?

    But, as it turns out, Grant was wrong. Canada is not the zombie nation. It may have been in a bit of daze for the last while, but Canadians have their elbows up again.



    Read more:
    Why Gordie Howe’s elbows are Canada’s answer to Donald Trump

    Now out of a stupor, Canadians are reviewing the wisdom of purchasing F-35s, buying new radar systems to assert our sovereignty over the Arctic and attempting to drop interprovincial trade barriers.

    Mind you, this is nothing new. In the face of American disapproval, Canada trades with Cuba, claims the Northwest Passage as its internal waters and negotiated a successful Acid Rain Treaty. Canada led the charge to ban the use of land mines and refused to participate in the American missile shield plan.

    Canada didn’t send its young men to die in the jungles of Vietnam and refused to participate in the ill-conceived Iraq War. And it still protects its fresh water and health care.

    New policy for common cause

    Still, rather than merely reacting to American insults and pressures, Canada is long overdue to develop contemporary and responsive policy, the very thing Grant thought would allow Canada to become and stay a sovereign country, at least for a while.

    As writer and historical researcher Mark Wegierski notes, this could unite conservatives and progressives in common cause.

    While Canadians may be divided at times, they need to use this moment of unity to make sure Canada stays alive and kicking.

    David Edward Tabachnick does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. Facing annexation threats, should Canadians lament for a nation — like George Grant did in 1963? – https://theconversation.com/facing-annexation-threats-should-canadians-lament-for-a-nation-like-george-grant-did-in-1963-252337

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Eleven Defendants Sentenced in Connection with Cleveland Drug Trafficking Organization

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

    Eleven defendants were charged in connection with a drug trafficking organization that transported suitcases stuffed with illegal drugs from California to Ohio.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Three guilty of conspiracy to murder following Woodford Green shooting in 2019

    Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

    Three men who shot a rival in his own home in east London have been convicted following a meticulous investigation that saw a combination of forensic and data-based evidence prove their guilt.

    Daniel Kelly, along with brothers Stewart and Louis Ahearne, were found guilty of conspiracy to murder at the conclusion of a trial at the Old Bailey on Monday, 24 March.

    The jury heard evidence that Kelly and the Ahearnes carried out the shooting in Woodford Green on 11 July 2019 after weeks of careful planning, including surveillance of their intended target after putting a tracking device on the car he used so they could follow his movements.

    On the night of the shooting, the three travelled from their homes in southeast London to Woodford Green using a car that had been hired two days earlier by Stewart Ahearne.

    While he waited in the car which was parked in Worcester Avenue, Kelly and Louis Ahearne snuck into a garden of a house on the street which overlooked the back garden of their target’s house in Malvern Drive. At around 23:09hrs, six shots were fired through the back doors and windows of the house in Malvern Drive, at least one of which struck their target – a man who was aged 45 at the time – who was standing in the kitchen.

    Kelly and Ahearne fled back to the waiting car which drove away, leaving their victim fighting for his life.

    Police and the London Ambulance Service attended. The victim was taken to hospital for emergency surgery that while saving his life would leave him permanently paralysed. Detectives secured the scene and began to piece together what had happened.

    Over the course of the coming weeks, several vital evidential breakthroughs took place.

    Following a forensic analysis of the victim’s house and garden area, DNA profiles were recovered from a fence area of the adjoining property in Worcester Avenue where the two suspects had fired the shots from. These profiles provided matches for both Kelly and Louis Ahearne.

    Bullet casings found in the garden, and bullets found inside the address that had missed their target enabled detectives to establish the firearm used was a Glock SLP handgun. A search of Kelly’s address carried out in late August 2019 recovered a laser sight that was compatible with this weapon.

    CCTV analysis of the area surrounding Malvern Drive picked up the car driven by Stewart Ahearne – this provided a vehicle registration number which detectives were able to use to confirm this was a hire car. After tracking down the venue it was hired from, the company were able to confirm Stewart Ahearne’s details as the vehicle’s hirer.

    Using various techniques including ANPR and CCTV cameras, detectives pieced together the movements of the car after it was hired on 9 July 2019 in Dartford. Detectives subsequently established that the car had been used to commit a burglary at an address in Sevenoaks, Kent that same evening.

    It was confirmed the car had travelled from southeast London where the three suspects were based, up to the Woodford Green area on both the 10 and 11 July prior to the trip to carry out the shooting.

    On the 10 July, the defendants undertook a journey tracking a car known to be used by the victim. The court heard how the defendants had fitted a tracking device to the victim’s vehicle. Using an iPad, which was subsequently thrown into the River Thames but later recovered by officers, to track the car’s movements, the suspects now knew when and where their target would be.

    Detectives also used phone data from devices attributed to Kelly and the Ahearnes to help track their movement both before and after the shooting. Marrying this up with camera footage from ANPR and CCTV, they could map the hire car following the victim’s car prior to the shooting.

    Following the shooting, Stewart Ahearne returned the car to the hire company on 12 July. Even though it was subsequently re-hired, by 17 July officers had established it had been used by the suspects and traced it to Birmingham Airport. The car was forensically analysed and Kelly’s fingerprints were found on two places in the vehicle.

    By October 2019, detectives were in a position to start making arrests. Between 30 October 2019 and 23 January 2020, all three suspects were arrested. All denied their involvement but the evidence that detectives had diligently compiled meant the three were charged.

    Detectives continued to pursue all lines of enquiry and by piecing together the movements of Kelly and the Ahearnes an iPad used by Kelly to track the movements of the victim was recovered from the River Thames in 2024.

    During the intervening period, the Met investigation team worked as part of a joint investigation with law enforcement teams from Switzerland. A burglary of the Museum of Far Eastern Arts had occurred in Geneva a month prior to this shooting with items of historical value stolen.

    The court heard how elements of that offending echoed this shooting, including the use of a Renault Captur hire vehicle.

    A Ming dynasty vase stolen in the burglary was recovered by the investigation team in London in October 2020.

    Stewart and Louis Ahearne were extradited to Switzerland, they stood trial and were convicted in January 2024. Both were subsequently returned to the United Kingdom on extradition to be tried for this incident.

    Detective Superintendent Matt Webb who led the investigation said:

    “The court heard how the defendants, hardened organised criminals, acted together in a well-planned and orchestrated manner to shoot their victim. It is only for the intervention of police first responder and medical professionals that the victim wasn’t killed. This attack may look like the plot to a Hollywood blockbuster but the reality is something quite different. This was horrific criminality. The court heard how this was a clear and defined attempt to take a man’s life with those responsible making significant efforts to ensure this was successful.

    “This conviction follows a number of years of investigation, I would like to thank our criminal justice partners and the investigation team for their diligence and tenacity in the attempt to bring those responsible to justice. The message here to those engaging in serious and organised crime is one I want to make very clear – the Metropolitan Police will not tolerate serious violence and the use of firearms in our communities; we will leave no stone unturned in bringing you to justice.

    “Daniel Kelly, Louis and Stewart Ahearne will now undoubtedly face significant custodial sentences and I hope this time at His Majesty’s pleasure provides them the opportunity to reflect on their criminality and the impact it has on society.”

    = The three defendants were found guilty of conspiracy to murder and were remanded in custody ahead of sentencing at the Old Bailey on a date to be confirmed:

    Daniel Kelly – 46 (26.10.78) of no fixed address;
    Stewart Ahearne – 46 (21.08.78) of no fixed address;
    Louis Ahearne – 36 (02.12.88) of no fixed address.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: $19.4 Million Project to Rehabilitate Two Aging Bridges

    Source: US State of New York

    overnor Kathy Hochul today announced work is underway on a $19.4 million project to rehabilitate two aging bridges on the New York State Thruway (I-87/ I-287) in the village of Suffern, Rockland County. Beginning this month, motorists will encounter lane shifts to facilitate construction. Three travel lanes in each direction will be maintained at all times through this critical corridor, with an estimated 120,000 vehicles traveling it daily.

    “My administration is firmly committed to rehabilitating roads and bridges across the state,” Governor Hochul said. “This investment will help enhance safety, ensuring a smoother ride for the tens of thousands of regional travelers who use this vital Thruway corridor each day.”

    Thruway Authority Executive Director Frank G. Hoare said, “The Thruway Authority is dedicated to reinvesting toll dollars to modernize its infrastructure. These bridges have served us reliably over the decades and we are undertaking efforts to ensure they remain safe and dependable for the tens of millions of motorists who use them each year.”

    Contractor crews will repair concrete substructure and steel superstructure, along with completely replacing the concrete deck and parapets with precast concrete deck panels on the bridge over Route 202 (milepost 29.54). Crews will construct new bridge joints on the span over the Mahwah River (milepost 29.41). Both bridges are located on I-87 between exit 14B (Airmont – Montebello – Airmont Road) and Exit 15 (New Jersey – I-287 – NJ Route 17 South).

    Preliminary work began last fall on the bridges, both of which are at least 70 years old and about a tenth of a mile apart. The stretch of Thruway also serves motorists and commercial vehicles traveling to and from New Jersey via I-287 via Exit 15 at milepost 30.17.

    Other project improvements will include rehabilitating median drainage structures, building new median barriers and installing new pavement markings. Signs in the area will advise motorists of lane shifts. Motorists are urged to be alert and follow the posted speed limits in work zones. The project is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2026, by project contractor, DeFoe Corp. of Mount Vernon, N.Y.

    About the Thruway Authority
    The Governor Thomas E. Dewey Thruway, built in the early 1950s, is one of the oldest components of the National Interstate Highway System and one of the longest toll roads in the nation. The maintenance and operation of the Thruway system is funded primarily by tolls. The Thruway Authority does not receive any dedicated federal, state or local tax dollars and is paid for by those who drive the Thruway, including one-third of drivers from out of state.

    In 2024, the Thruway Authority processed more than 400 million transactions and motorists drove 8.2 billion miles on the Thruway. The Authority’s approved 2025 Budget invests a total of $477.3 million in dedicated funding for capital projects across the Thruway system beginning in 2025, an increase of more than $33 million compared to the approved 2024 budget. The increased investment will lead to work on approximately 61 percent of the Thruway’s more than 2,800 pavement lane miles as well as the replacement or rehabilitation of 20 percent of the Thruway’s 817 bridges.

    The Thruway is one of the safest roadways in the country with a fatality rate far below the nationwide index, and toll rates are among the lowest in the country compared to similar toll roads. The Thruway’s base passenger vehicle toll rate is less than 5 cents per mile, compared to the Ohio Turnpike (6 cents per mile), the New Jersey Turnpike (up to 39 cents per mile) and the Pennsylvania Turnpike (16 cents per mile).

    The Thruway Authority’s top priority is the safety of our employees and customers. In 2024, two Thruway Authority employees died and another was seriously injured in separate incidents while working on the Thruway. The lives of Thruway Authority employees, roadway workers and emergency personnel depend on all of those who travel the highway. Motorists should stay alert and pay attention while driving, slow down in work zones and move over when they see a vehicle on the side of the road. The state’s Move Over Law, which was expanded in March 2024, requires drivers to slow down and move over for all vehicles stopped along the roadway. Safety is a shared responsibility.

    For more information, follow the Thruway on Facebook, X and Instagram, or visit the Thruway website.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Former Office Manager of Senior Assisted Living Facility Sentenced to More Than Five Years in Prison for $1.5 Million Embezzlement Scheme

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

    ASHEVILLE, N.C. – U.S. Attorney Russ Ferguson announced today that Amy Elizabeth Curry, 48, Waynesville, N.C., was sentenced to 70 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for embezzling at least $1.5 million from a senior assisted living facility. In addition to the prison term imposed, Curry was ordered to pay the facility $1,469,407.24 in restitution.

    Robert M. DeWitt, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in North Carolina, and Sheriff William Wilke of the Haywood County Sheriff’s Office, join U.S. Attorney Ferguson in making today’s announcement.

    According to court records and proceedings, Curry worked as an office manager and bookkeeper at Silver Bluff, LLC (Silver Bluff), a senior living and care facility in Canton, N.C. As part of her duties, Curry had access to and control over Silver Bluff’s bank accounts and accounting records. From December 2022 to April 2023, Curry made at least 154 unauthorized bank transfers totaling over $1.5 million from the facility’s bank accounts to bank accounts controlled by Curry and her then-boyfriend, J.C. To avoid detection, Curry deleted the wire transfer history from Senior Bluff’s bank accounts and altered the notification settings to prevent Silver Bluff employees and management from receiving alerts. Curry also made handwritten notes on Senior Bluff’s bank statements, falsely noting that the fraudulent transfers were for payroll. Court records show that Curry used the embezzled funds to pay for personal expenses, including to purchase a pick-up truck. Curry and J.C. also spent over $700,000 of the embezzled funds gambling at casinos.

    On December 11, 2023, Curry pleaded guilty to wire fraud. Curry will be ordered to report to the Federal Bureau of Prisons to begin serving her sentence upon designation of a federal facility.

    In making today’s announcement, U.S. Attorney Ferguson thanked the FBI and the Haywood County Sheriff’s Office for their investigation of the case.

    The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Asheville prosecuted the case. 

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Detroit Man Arrested, Charged for Multiple Bank Robberies, Incidental Crimes

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

    Dorian Trevor Sykes, 41, of Detroit, was arrested on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, and charged with bank robbery and incidental crimes in Sterling Heights, Michigan, and Lathrup Village, Michigan, announced Cheyvoryea Gibson, special agent in charge of the FBI in Michigan.

    Joining Special Agent in Charge Cheyvoryea Gibson in the announcement is Sterling Heights Police Department Captain Mario Bastianelli and Lathrup Village Police Department Chief Scott Mckee.

    “Bank robberies are serious federal violent crimes that endanger and often traumatize the patrons and the employees of the bank,” said Cheyvoryea Gibson, special agent in charge of the FBI in Michigan. “Mr. Sykes allegedly threatened force against employees if his demands were not met, and it goes without saying that the FBI will not tolerate this level of violence in our community. With the help of our law enforcement partners, we hope that Mr. Sykes will face the appropriate consequences for his actions.”

    According to court records, on March 6, 2025, at approximately 11:50 A.M., Sykes allegedly entered Credit Union One in Sterling Heights, Michigan, approached the teller counter and retrieved a piece of paper from a folder and handed it to the teller. After the teller was not able to read the note, the subject stated, “This is a robbery,” and demanded that the teller give him “big bills”. The teller handed the robber approximately $10,169.00. The robber grabbed the money and the note and fled the bank.

    On March 12, 2025, at approximately 4:40 p.m. Sykes allegedly entered the Chase Bank in Lathrup Village, Michigan. He approached the teller and provided her a withdrawal slip, which stated, “Give me all the money… I have a gun… I will kill everyone in here.” The robber also pointed to his right side, implying that he had a weapon. The teller handed the robber approximately $3,400. The robber took the money and left the bank.

    Witness statements and surveillance camera footage suggest the March 12 robber’s physical description matches that of the March 6.

    “This arrest is a testament to the dedication and collaboration of our law enforcement partners,” said Sterling Heights Police Department, Captain Mario Bastianelli. “Through diligent investigative work and coordinated intelligence sharing, we were able to bring this suspect to justice and prevent further criminal activity.”

    Sykes is on federal supervised release since February 2024, arising out of a conviction associated with a bank robbery in 2020. Sykes appeared in federal court on March 18, 2025. If convicted, Sykes faces a statutory maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for bank robbery.

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

    This investigation is part of the collaborative efforts of the FBI Macomb County Gang and Violent Crime Task Force, Sterling Heights PD, Clinton Township PD, Macomb County Sheriff’s Office, U.S. Border Patrol, Utica PD, Eastpointe PD, Michigan State Police, Livonia PD, Detroit PD, Redford PD, and Lathrup Village PD.

    This case is being prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: UConn Law Professor Leslie Levin Honored by New York State Bar Association

    Source: US State of Connecticut

    UConn Law Professor Leslie Levin was recognized for her lifetime of work in legal ethics, media law, and evidence with the Sanford D. Levy Professional Ethics Award.

    This prestigious award is given annually by the New York State Bar Association Committee on Professional Ethics to an individual or institution who has most contributed to the understanding and advancement in the field of professional ethics.

    “Leslie Levin has long been a trusted expert on one of the most critical subjects of our profession. She is among the nation’s top authorities on legal ethics in addition to being an outstanding role model, author, and educator. She is an inspiration to her students and colleagues,” said Domenick Napoletano, president of the New York State Bar Association.

    Levin was one of the first in the legal academy to systematically study lawyers’ ethical decision making using empirical methods. She has co-edited Lawyers in Practice: Ethical Decision Making in Context, which explores the many factors that affect how lawyers resolve ethical issues in different practice contexts. She has also been extolled for her nationally recognized pathbreaking work on the impact of bar associations on the socialization of lawyers.

    “I was surprised and deeply honored to receive the award. It was the last thing I expected when they called me,” Levin said. “I am, at heart, a lawyer and when I started teaching, I wanted to write about lawyers and how they conduct themselves in the real world. How do they resolve ethical issues in practice?”

    Levin served as the first director of the UConn Law Lawyering Process Program and as the first faculty pro bono coordinator, in addition to many other positions within the law school including multiple associate deanships. She also co-authored a report and recommendations about access to justice for self-represented litigants at the request of the Connecticut Judicial Branch Access to Justice Commission.

    The graduating class of 2023 honored Levin with that year’s Perry Zirkel ’76 Distinguished Teaching Award.

    “I am delighted to see the honor conferred on Professor Levin,” Dean Eboni S. Nelson said. “She is one of our country’s leading scholars on legal ethics and a transformational teacher, whose many contributions have greatly benefited the law school and legal community.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Man jailed for drug and knife offences after routine stop and search

    Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

    A man has been jailed after a routine stop and search conducted by Met Police officers found him to be carrying drugs and a locking knife.

    Ali Al-Hindawi, 29 (16.10.95) of Askew Road, Hammersmith, appeared at Southwark Crown Court on Tuesday, 18 March, where he was sentenced to two years and two months in prison.

    On the evening of Sunday, 16 February, officers patrolling Leicester Square and Coventry Street noticed Al-Hindawi acting suspiciously on an e-bike, paying close attention to people walking by.

    Working with the Town Centre Team, Al-Hindawi’s movements were monitored on CCTV cameras before he was stopped by officers on Charing Cross Road. He was found to be concealing a bag under his jacket containing cannabis, methyl amphetamine and other illegal substances.

    He also admitted having a locking knife hidden inside one of his pockets and was arrested.

    Further investigations involved a search of his home in Hammersmith, where a larger consignment of drugs was seized, along with equipment used in drug supply.

    Al-Hindawi pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply Class A drugs and possession of a bladed article at Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, 18 February.

    Inspector Ryan Allister, of the West End Policing Team, who led the investigation, said:

    “This investigation is a great example of the important role stop and search plays in helping the Met bring criminals to justice, protect the communities we serve, and make people safer.

    “In this case, officers used their stop and search powers impeccably and progressed the investigation at speed to gather all the evidence required to charge Al-Hindawi.

    “Their efforts have not only resulted in a dangerous individual operating in central London being jailed, but also taken a large quantity of drugs and a knife off our streets.”

    The Met published a new Stop and Search Charter at the end of last month, shaping the future of how one of policing’s most effective tactics is used in London.

    The charter, which was co-produced with communities, is the product of 18 months of engagement with more than 8,500 Londoners of all ages, ethnicities and backgrounds.

    Over the past four years, 17,500 weapons were seized as a result of stop and search, including at least 3,500 in 2024. Polling shows that up to 68 per cent of Londoners, including young Londoners, support its use.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Army collaborates with ride-share companies to improve transportation

    Source: United States Army

    WASHINGTON – The U.S. Army launched a pilot ride-share access program to improve installation access for over 600,000 military members, their families, retirees and civilians living at six Army installations. Over the next two months, ride-share access will be re-envisioned at Fort Bliss, Texas; Fort Bragg, North Carolina; Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington; Schofield Barracks, Hawaii; Fort Shafter, Hawaii; and Tripler Army Medical Center, Hawaii.

    “This program demonstrates our commitment to addressing the challenges faced by our military communities,” said Dan Driscoll, Secretary of the Army. “Through collaboration with the ride-share industry, we’re able to provide our Soldiers and their families with safe, reliable and convenient transportation options that support their unique needs and enhance their overall quality of life.”

    The ride-share access pilot will standardize access procedures and requirements to safely increase ridership and promote additional transportation options. If successful, the Army plans to expand the program to additional installations across the country.

    In accordance with the Army’s strict security standards, all visitors, including taxi and ride-sharing vehicle drivers, will undergo identity proofing and vetting through the FBI’s National Crime Information Center and Terrorist Screening Database. In addition to this credential vetting, drivers will also be required to establish their purpose for each visit by showing the ride-sharing hail on their smartphones and/or identifying the person and building for the pickup.

    “This pilot is our response to see if we can safely collaborate with the ride-share industry to simplify transportation options for everyone living on, working on or even visiting our camps, posts and installations,” said Sgt. Maj. of the Army Michael Weimer. “We heard you and agree, it shouldn’t be so hard to coordinate transportation onto our installations, but also in and around some of our larger ones.”

    For more information, please contact U.S. Army Public Affairs at usarmy.pentagon.hqda-ocpa.mbx.mrd-press-desk@army.mil.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Attack on community-based patrollers condemned

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    Monday, March 24, 2025

    Police Minister Senzo Mchunu has condemned an attack on community-based patrollers at the Marry Me informal settlement in Soshanguve, north of Pretoria, at the weekend.

    The attack resulted in the deaths of four people at the scene, and the hospitalisation of eight others. One person died in hospital, bringing the total number of community patrollers killed in Soshanguve to five.

    At approximately 06:00 on Saturday, police responded to a crime scene at Marry Me Ext 3. 

    Upon arrival, they discovered the bodies of four individuals, who had sustained gunshot wounds and were partially burned. 

    Preliminary investigations reveal that the victims, who were community-based patrollers, were confronted by five individuals on the street around 03:00. A quarrel broke out, which escalated into violence, leading to death and injury.

    “We condemn in the strongest terms the cold-blooded murders and criminality that took place at Marry Me. These unarmed members of the community were committed against crime and improving the safety of their community,” said Mchunu.

    The Minister said it was remarkable that they took a stand against crime and that was the right thing to do. 

    “We commend the swift action of the police in initiating a manhunt for those responsible and urge them to be vigilant and thorough in their investigations. We will not allow such criminality to undermine the safety of our communities. 

    “We also call upon the residents of Marry Me and surrounding areas to work closely with the police and provide any information that may lead to the identification and arrest of the perpetrators. 

    “The police are relying on your cooperation to ensure justice is served and those responsible are brought to account,” the Minister said. – SAnews.gov.za

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Over 100 creatives supported by Growth Programme in Winchester

    Source: City of Winchester

    Evolve, in partnership with Winchester City Council, has successfully completed the delivery of its Creative Industries Growth Programme.

    Fully funded by Winchester City Council via the Government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund, the series of free masterclasses, covering subjects such as business planning, Intellectual Property Law and branding and marketing, were held between January and early March. 

    The programme, which was curated based on the feedback provided by local creatives, was designed to support small businesses and freelancers within the sector to take their business to the next level. Over the course of nine sessions, over 100 creatives from different businesses across the district attended.

    “The workshop was brilliant … it has made me feel more confident in my business skills by connecting with others in the field.  I am more likely to ask for help now that I know so many have similar issues.” Helen Northcott – Artist and Educator

     

    Rebecca Phillips, Programme Manager at Evolve, said: “It has been an absolute pleasure to work with Winchester City Council to deliver this programme. I’ve met so many inspiring creatives working in Winchester and experienced the amazing sense of community, and watched it grow.  Bringing practical business support and new connections has resulted in clear increase in motivation levels and productivity for participants.”

    Thanks to additional funding from University of Winchester, a peer group of creatives are now benefitting from focused and relevant learning as they continue to meet.

    The University of Winchester has also agreed to fund a further series of workshops- ‘The Innovating Together: SME Business Success Programme’, which will be delivered in partnership with Evolve and will be launching soon. 

    “The creative growth course has been instrumental in turning my blurry dream into an actual strategy. Rebecca is an incredible professional, with endless reserves of knowledge, and I can’t thank her enough for the help she gave me. The highlights of the course, for me, were the business plan workshop and the 121 with Rebecca. I feel lucky to have been able to access the programme for free, and my deepest gratitude goes to both Winchester City Council and to Evolve for the splendid work they’ve done.”  Francesco Sarti – Writer and Speaker

    Jo Stark, Head of Innovation at the University of Winchester said: “We believe that as a civic university we should be supporting local businesses to thrive and recognise the particular strengths and challenges faced by the creative industries as typically micro-businesses and freelancers. The support provided by Evolve has proved invaluable and we wanted to be able to offer this to a broader range of small businesses.”

    Throughout the programme, themes of sustainability and the circular economy (extending product life through repairing, sharing, reuse and recycling) were also woven in, encouraging businesses and individuals to think about the life cycle and environmental impact of their products and services and how they might make small changes to support sustainable action.

    Councillor Lucille Thompson, Cabinet Member for Business and Culture, Winchester City Council, said: “The Winchester District Cultural Strategy identified our creative industries as a priority area for development, and we are pleased that the creative growth programme has proved to be popular and supported so many creatives. We are also thrilled that the university of Winchester are funding an extension and spin-off of the programme, offering further support to small businesses in our district. This is a great example of partnership working which is at the heart of our new strategy.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Coalition Sues Trump Administration For Dismantling Department of Education, Hurting All Students

    Source: US National Education Union

    Washington, D.C. — Advocacy organizations representing millions of educators, civil rights champions, school employees, students, and families will file a lawsuit Monday to stop the Trump Administration’s illegal attempts to dismantle the United States Department of Education. The plaintiffs include the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), public school parents, The National Education Association (NEA), and AFSCME Maryland Council 3, and they are supported by Student Defense and Education Law Center (ELC).

    Since taking office, Trump Administration officials have taken an escalating series of steps to dismantle the Department, including a series of staff reductions and the termination of $1.5 billion in current contracts and grants for Congressionally-authorized programs and activities. On March 11, the Secretary instituted a Department-wide reduction in force, which, when combined with prior staff reductions, slashes the already lean Department workforce in half.  

    Most recently, on March 20, 2024, President Donald Trump signed an Executive Order formally instructing Secretary Linda McMahon to pursue “all necessary steps to facilitate the closure of the Department of Education and return education authority to the States.” The very next day, President Trump indicated that the administration would move the higher education student loan portfolio to the Small Business Administration and disability-related programs to the Department of Health and Human Services.  

    “Taken together, Defendants’ steps since January 20, 2025, constitute a de facto dismantling of the Department by executive fiat…,” the complaint argues. “But the Constitution gives power over ‘the establishment of offices [and] the determination of their functions and jurisdiction’ to Congress—not to the President or any officer working under him.” Because it is a Congressionally-created federal agency, legally eliminating the Department of Education, or its constituent offices, or transferring them to other federal agencies, requires Congressional approval. 

    While state and local governments are responsible for the vast majority of America’s public education system, Congress created the Department to help bridge longstanding gaps in educational opportunity and provide critical funding and supports to students. The Department fulfills that role by enforcing civil rights laws, supporting students with disabilities, promoting equal educational opportunities, bolstering the educator workforce, and administering the Federal Student Aid programs that place college within reach of working Americans. 

    Eliminating or effectively shuttering the Department puts at risk the millions of vulnerable students, including those from low-income families, English learners, homeless students, rural students, and others who depend on Department support. It also jeopardizes more than 400,000 educator jobs; makes it impossible for the Department to ensure that federal education funding actually is spent as Congress intended; threatens support for 7.5 million students with disabilities; and leaves millions of students vulnerable to discrimination. It could also reduce access to Pell Grants, upend repayments for student loan borrowers, and invite fraudulent and predatory behavior from unscrupulous institutions of higher education.

    The lawsuit alleges that actions to dismantle the Department exceed the constitutional authority of the executive branch and violate the federal Administrative Procedure Act. It asks the court to immediately halt the government’s attempt to dismantle the Department.

    “As a parent of a child with disabilities who has an Individual Education Program (IEP), I am deeply troubled by the severe cuts the Trump Administration has made to the Department of Education,” said Mara Greengrass, a Maryland mother who is a plaintiff in the litigation. “Funding for special education and the Department’s oversight have been crucial in ensuring my son receives the quality education he—and every child in this country—deserves.”

    “Nothing is more important than the success of students. America’s educators and parents won’t be silent as Donald Trump, Elon Musk, and Linda McMahon try to steal opportunities from our students, our families, and our communities to pay for tax cuts for billionaires. Gutting the Department of Education will hurt all students by sending class sizes soaring, cutting job training programs, making higher education more out of reach, taking away special education services for students with disabilities, and gutting student civil rights protections. Parents, educators, and community leaders know this will widen the gaps in education, which is why we will do everything in our power to protect our students and their futures,” said National Education Association President Becky Pringle.

    “Education is power. By firing half of the workforce at the Department of Education, Trump is not only seeking to dismantle an agency — he is deliberately destroying the pathway many Americans have to a better life,” said Derrick Johnson, President and CEO of the NAACP. “The forceful elimination of thousands of essential workers will harm the most vulnerable in our communities. The NAACP and our partners are equipped with the necessary legal measures to prevent this unlawful attack on our children’s future.”

    “Congress created the Department of Education, and Congress controls its future — not billionaires Marylanders never voted for,” said AFSCME Council 3 President Patrick Moran. “This illegal move to bypass our elected representatives would be devastating to our state’s public schools. Department of Education funding supports AFSCME Council 3 members in their essential work every day. It helps bus drivers get students in rural areas to school on time, ensures cafeteria workers can deliver consistent meals to students in low-income areas, keeps custodial workers on staff to ensure public schools are safe environments, supports disability and English as a second language school services, and more. Without this funding, we lose essential school workers — and our most vulnerable students will pay the price.”

    “The Trump Administration’s effort to dismantle the Department of Education is not only illegal; it inflicts great harm on students, schools, and communities across the country,” said Robert Kim, Education Law Center Executive Director. “The Administration’s assertion that critical federal funding and support for schools and students will somehow continue as normal even after shuttering the Department reveals a dangerous lack of understanding of the Department’s role to provide funding for and implement programs for our most underserved student populations, ensure equal access and opportunity, and enforce civil rights in our nation’s schools. We cannot afford to let the Trump Administration throw our public schools into chaos.”

    “Donald Trump’s own Secretary of Education has acknowledged they can’t legally shut down the Department of Education without Congress,” said Student Defense President Aaron Ament. “Yet that is, for all intents and purposes, exactly what they are doing. It’s a brazen violation of the law that will upend the lives of countless students and families.”

    # # #

    About the National Education Association:

    The National Education Association is the nation’s largest professional employee organization, representing more than 3 million elementary and secondary teachers, higher education faculty, education support professionals, school administrators, retired educators, students preparing to become teachers, healthcare workers, and public employees. Learn more at www.nea.org 

    About the NAACP:

    The NAACP advocates, agitates, and litigates for the civil rights due to Black America. Our legacy is built on the foundation of grassroots activism by the biggest civil rights pioneers of the 20th century and is sustained by 21st century activists. From classrooms and courtrooms to city halls and Congress, our network of members across the country works to secure the social and political power that will end race-based discrimination. That work is rooted in racial equity, civic engagement, and supportive policies and institutions for all marginalized people. We are committed to a world without racism where Black people enjoy equitable opportunities in thriving communities.

    NOTE: The Legal Defense Fund – also referred to as the NAACP-LDF – was founded in 1940 as a part of the NAACP, but now operates as a completely separate entity.

    About AFSCME Maryland Council 3:

    AFSCME Maryland Council 3 represents more than 50,000 public service workers in local, city, county and state government as well as in higher education and the private sector who provide the valuable public services that our communities rely on. From Western Maryland to the Eastern Shore, we make Maryland happen.

    About Education Law Center:

    Education Law Center pursues justice and equity for public school students by enforcing their right to a high-quality education in safe, equitable, non-discriminatory, integrated, and well funded learning environments. We seek to support and improve public schools as the center of communities and the foundation of a multicultural and multiracial democratic society. To achieve these goals, we engage in litigation, research and data analysis, policy advocacy, communications, and strategic partnerships and collaborations. https://edlawcenter.org/

    About Student Defense:

    The National Student Legal Defense Network (“Student Defense”) is a non-profit organization that works, through litigation and advocacy, to advance students’​ rights to educational opportunity and to ensure that higher education provides a launching point for economic mobility.

    MIL OSI USA News –