NewzIntel.com

Category: Justice

  • MIL-OSI Australia: A statement from the Northern Territory Police Commissioner 

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    On the 28 of February, the Delegate of the Independent Commissioner Against Corruption, Patricia Kelly SC, made a public statement pursuant to section 55 of the ICAC Act.

    The Delegate made a finding of unsatisfactory conduct by a senior executive public officer in relation to the management of a conflict of interest in a recruitment process and she made two recommendations for process improvements.  

    I acknowledge the media relating to this statement and that it relates to a recruitment process I chaired.

    My role as the Commissioner is to ensure there is trust and confidence in the Northern Territory Police Force, the service it provides and its internal governance.

    In the previous 12 months a number of appointments have been made to the positions of a Deputy Commissioner, three Assistant Commissioners, five Commanders and 18 Superintendents.

    These appointments have been awarded to the most meritorious and best candidates, each of whom is a strong, intelligent and innovative leader who has shown dedication to serving our community. The successful appointees are working to a high standard to look after our community and are providing effective leadership to a modern police force. 

    I accept that I should have dealt better with a conflict of interest, a friendship and a referee report in relation to an appointee. On reflection, I  should have managed the friendship and the conflict of interest to a higher standard and on at least one occasion should have recused myself from the appointment process in order to ensure community confidence.

    I have accepted the two recommendations made by the ICAC and have commenced the process of implementing them. I am committed to developing a clear written policy position for police executive recruitments, and to developing an education and training program for all members that gives clear guidance for the identification, disclosure and management of conflicts of interest. Amongst other things, this will deal with issues relating to conflicts of interest. I have instructed that these policy positions be implemented as a priority so that the guidance applies to any future appointments.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Roads reopen after serious crash in Adelaide

    Source: South Australia Police

    Roads have been reopened after a crash in Adelaide.

    About 12pm today (Thursday 6 March), police and emergency services were called to Halifax Street near the intersection of Surflen Street after a crash between a cyclist and a truck.

    The cyclist was taken to hospital in a serious condition.

    Major Crash officers attended the scene and are investigating the collision.

    Road closures were in place for several hours but have since reopened.

    Anyone who may have witnessed the incident is asked to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Charges – Firearm offences – Darwin

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    The Northern Territory Police Force has revoked two NT firearms licences from a 70-year-old man after he attempted to send a prohibited firearm in the mail in March 2024.

    A referral was made to the Northern Territory Police Firearms Audit and Enforcement Unit after Western Australia Police intercepted a package on 6 March 2024 containing a prohibited firearm concealed within a videocassette recorder.

    Investigations were conducted which identified the sender as a 70-year-old man intending to supply the firearm to a WA firearms licence holder.

    NT Police served the man a Notice to Appear in court for a number of firearm offences including:

    • Send Firearm by Mail

    • Posses Firearm with Altered ID Marks

    • Fail to Dispose of Firearm

    The man appeared in court on 26 February 2025 where he was fined and has subsequently had his NT firearms licences revoked for 10 years, resulting in the seizure of his 200 registered firearms.

    Acting Senior Sergeant Aaron Chapman said “NT Police remain steadfast in their commitment to public safety and will continue to investigate all reported firearm related offences. We want to remind the community that firearm ownership is a privilege granted to responsible licence holders, not a right.

    “Any failure to comply with licence conditions or the provisions of the Firearms Act 1997 will be thoroughly investigated.”

    Anyone with information on illegal or misuse of firearms is encouraged to report it on 131 444. You can also report anonymously through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or through https://crimestoppersnt.com.au

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senate Democrats Refuse to Recognize the Judicial Branch’s Jurisdictional Limits

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Iowa Chuck Grassley

    WASHINGTON – Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) today stood up for the constitutional system of checks and balances and called out Democrats’ years long crusade against the federal court system.

    In response to Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Dick Durbin’s (D-Ill.) request for unanimous consent on a resolution affirming the Constitution vests judicial power in the federal courts, Grassley noted, “I’ve made very clear that we have a separation of powers and each branch has to respect the others’ powers.” Grassley then offered an amendment to the Durbin resolution that highlighted Democratic efforts to delegitimize the courts, recognized the lawlessness of the Biden administration and acknowledged jurisdictional and constitutional limits to courts’ authority. Grassley’s amendment affirms that the executive branch must comply with all lawful federal court rulings. Durbin objected to the commonsense amendment.

    Grassley pointed out Democrats have spent years degrading the federal court system, yet “now that we have a Republican president, [Democrats] appear to have a newfound respect for the courts.” He concluded by urging the Committee to review the ongoing abuse of nationwide injunctions and temporary restraining orders that Democrats have also questioned in the past.

    Video and a transcript of Grassley’s remarks are below.

    [embedded content]

    VIDEO

    I’ve always advocated due respect for the federal courts. In particular, over the last few years, I’ve opposed a vicious smear campaign by Democrats designed to undermine faith in our Supreme Court and our judicial system.

    Now that we have a Republican president, my Democratic colleagues appear to have a newfound respect for the courts. It wasn’t very long ago that they were singing a different tune.

    In the last few years, Democrats have called the Supreme Court, “controlled by creepy right-wing billionaires, a radical Supreme Court, and a partisan and reactionary court.”

    One of my colleagues on the Judiciary Committee said, “The idea that you can trust a Supreme Court… has been blown to smithereens.”

    Another Committee colleague declared, “I oppose these Justices.”

    And yet another Committee colleague questioned, “How can they call it an honorable Court… the far-right justices… are cherry-picking their way through constitutional text and history to impose their own ideological agenda on the American people.”

    Over the last few years, Democrats have repeatedly threatened the Court for ruling in ways they did not like.

    Famously, in 2020, the Senate Democratic Leader threatened the Court to influence its rulings on abortion.

    He said, “I want to tell you, Gorsuch. I want to tell you, Kavanaugh. You have released the whirlwind, and you will pay the price. You won’t know what hit you if you go forward with these awful decisions.”

    In the wake of the 2024 presidential immunity decision, Democratic House Minority Leader said, “House Democrats will engage in aggressive oversight and legislative activity with respect to the Supreme Court to ensure that the extreme, far-right justices in the majority are brought into compliance with the Constitution.”

    I’m happy that Democrats have finally discovered the importance of respecting the judiciary. They certainly didn’t hold this view when President Biden was in office.

    President Biden ignored the Court’s position that the CDC’s eviction moratorium was unconstitutional and his own lawyers’ advice that he couldn’t do it. He went ahead and extended it anyway, and the Court had to strike it down.

    President Biden boasted that the Court’s decision on student loan forgiveness “didn’t stop him.”

    The Biden administration undermined the Court’s 2023 decision that racial discrimination in college admissions is unconstitutional, and even issued a Dear Colleague letter on how to circumvent that ruling.

    More broadly, President Biden flouted law after law throughout his entire administration. He ignored the plain text of our immigration laws, the parole statute and our civil rights laws in the name of advancing his agenda.

    You know what? I heard no complaint from my Democratic colleagues.

    Although I fully agree that Congress [must] stand for the rule of law, this resolution is a partisan messaging statement.

    President Trump has been clear on this. Just a few weeks ago, he said, “I always abide by the courts and then I’ll have to appeal it… the answer is I always abide by the courts.”

    There have been numerous extreme orders from various district courts improperly encroaching on core Article II powers. President Trump and his administration have worked diligently to abide by those orders, no matter how outrageous, by appealing them and challenging their scope and reach. He is completely within his right to do so and his conduct is appropriate and legitimate.

    Our constitutional system has a robust system of checks and balances. The Executive Branch must abide by the courts and the courts must also ensure that their rulings are respectful of jurisdictional limits and the separation of powers.

    Some of the recent orders from individual district judges, issued on an expedited basis with very broad nationwide impact, have concerned me. I think Congress needs to examine this issue closely.

    Concerns about nationwide injunctions and temporary restraining orders have been raised by both sides of the aisle, across presidential administrations. If my colleagues want to work with me on it, we will head down that route of addressing those abuses.

    For today’s purposes, however, this resolution is incomplete. And coming from Democrats, I think it shows that they’re totally inconsistent. It unfairly targets President Trump, it ignores the Democratic attacks on the legitimacy of the court and it ignores President Biden’s flagrant violations of law.

    So, I’m offering Senator Durbin an opportunity that he can’t turn down, a resolution to highlight the inappropriate attacks by Democrats against the legitimacy of the Supreme Court, and to clarify that the Executive Branch must comply with lawful orders of federal courts.

    -30-

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Markey Hosts Roundtable to Address Energy Access and Affordability in Massachusetts

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts Ed Markey

    Stakeholders from Massachusetts and national energy assistance organizations discuss funding shortfalls, rising energy burdens, and the urgent need to strengthen LIHEAP

    Senator Markey Speaks with LIHEAP Roundtable Attendees

    Washington (March 5, 2025) – Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), a member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, today convened a roundtable with Massachusetts-based Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) providers, consumer advocates, and national energy assistance organizations to discuss the urgent need to strengthen and expand LIHEAP to better serve families struggling with rising energy costs.

    At the roundtable, Senator Markey underscored the growing demand for heating and cooling assistance through LIHEAP as energy prices continue to rise and reaffirmed his commitment to push for full program funding. Roundtable participants discussed how LIHEAP funding cuts have forced providers to ration aid, leaving many low-income households without critical energy assistance. In Massachusetts, LIHEAP applications have surged by 20 percent in the past year, and the number of first-time applicants has increased by 50 percent. Participants also highlighted the lack of dedicated cooling assistance in many states, including Massachusetts, leaving vulnerable residents at risk as extreme summer heat events become more frequent due to climate change.

    “Heating and cooling isn’t a luxury – it is a necessity. But too many families are having to choose between heating and cooling their home or putting food on the table,” said Senator Markey. “In Massachusetts, energy prices have skyrocketed as climate change fuels more extreme weather, making accessible and affordable heating and cooling assistance a lifeline for low-income families. We need to strengthen and expand LIHEAP so working families can pay their bills and heat their homes in the winter and cool their homes in the summer.”

    At the roundtable, Senator Markey announced the forthcoming reintroduction of the Heating and Cooling Relief Act, which aims to ensure LIHEAP serves more families in need by increasing funding, expanding eligibility, and improving access to cooling assistance. The bill would transform LIHEAP from a limited relief program into a robust safeguard against energy poverty, ensuring households can afford safe, reliable energy year-round.

    “Senator Markey has supported LIHEAP since it was first enacted more than 40 years ago during a period of very high heating oil prices. We are again facing high winter home energy prices but also record summer cooling prices,” said Mark Wolfe, Executive Director of the National Energy Assistance Directors Association. “As a result, families are facing high levels of utility debt, and millions could be facing the shut-off of power this year if additional LIHEAP funding is not provided. Fortunately, we have members of Congress like Senator Markey who have supported LIHEAP funding each and every year. With the support of members of Congress like Senator Markey low-income families will not have to choose between paying for food or their home energy bill.”

    “The National Energy and Utility Affordability Coalition (NEUAC) is pleased to join Senator Markey to plan for the future of LIHEAP for Massachusetts and the country,” said Katrina Metzler, Executive Director at The National Energy and Utility Affordability Coalition (NEUAC). “Avoiding energy poverty is critical to protecting the health and safety of families, and Senator Markey’s leadership in fighting energy insecurity is legend. Protecting LIHEAP is our highest priority, and Senator Markey shares that priority.”

    Director of Action for Boston Community Development (ABCD) Energy Services Andrea Mendoza said, “Heating and cooling costs have risen to unprecedented levels, crippling households and their ability to afford necessities like food and heat. The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) continuously enables millions of individuals and families to mitigate these challenges. We must continue to work across sectors, raise awareness, and develop solutions to improve access to economic success, and better health outcomes in our communities. ABCD thanks Senator Markey for being a tireless champion for LIHEAP and for the opportunity to participate in this discussion.”

    “I’d like to take this opportunity to thank Senator Markey for letting me take part in this discussion regarding the importance of LIHEAP,” said Liz Berube, Executive Director at Citizens for Citizens. “Not only was I given the chance to share our fear of funding cuts in a program that supplements the cost of heating and cooling, but I was also able to convey the successful impact LIHEAP has on thousands of hard working families, their children, and elderly as we continue to keep our most vulnerable populations warm in safe and healthy homes. The Senator continues to be such a great leader and supporter of our LIHEAP program!”

    “On behalf of the residents and families of Berkshire County, I would like to express my gratitude for Senator Markey’s longtime and steadfast support of the LIHEAP program. This program is vital in assisting our energy burdened families remain safe and warm through the cold Massachusetts winters,” said Deb Leonczyk, Executive Director of the Berkshire Community Action Council. “It has become ever more crucial as the cost of energy continues to rise. We must not allow this program to be cut or eliminated, as the health of our community is at stake. We are fortunate to have Senator Markey working at the forefront of this cause.”

    “Senator Markey has shown unwavering support for the LIHEAP program over these many years. We look forward to working with the Senator to ensure LIHEAP is able to keep struggling families connected to critical energy service year-round, particularly during periods of extreme cold and extreme heat,” said Olivia Wein, Senior Attorney at the National Consumer Law Center.

    Senator Markey is a champion for expanding energy assistance and fighting for full LIHEAP funding. In April 2024, he signed onto an appropriations letter led by Senator Jack Reed (D-R.I.), calling for robust LIHEAP funding in the FY2025 budget. He has also successfully advocated for emergency LIHEAP funding releases and will soon reintroduce his Heating and Cooling Relief Act, which he originally introduced with Representative Jamaal Bowman in January 2022, to significantly expand the program. In October 2023, he celebrated the release of $130 million in LIHEAP funding for Massachusetts, helping residents afford winter heating costs. Additionally, he has pushed for greater investments in home efficiency and electrification to help low-income families reduce their energy burdens.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: How Trump is weaponising the Department of Justice, and the ‘dark’ tactic he’s using to get away with it

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Stephen Harrington, Associate Professor, School of Communication, Queensland University of Technology

    It’s hard to keep track of US President Donald Trump’s many notable acts since returning to the White House. His recent pro-Russia stance on the war in Ukraine has, rightly, received a lot of attention.

    But for every big moment, there are others that fly under the radar. One such issue is the politicisation of the Department of Justice (DoJ).

    Although there is longstanding precedent that the DoJ remains politically neutral in its operations, recent events have indicated a dramatic break from that tradition.

    And, importantly, Trump has been laying the groundwork to justify this for nearly two years, using a propaganda tactic that’s been employed by authoritarian governments throughout history.

    Strategic sidelining

    The current administration has attempted to fire or sideline anyone at the DoJ who was involved with prior investigations and prosecutions of the now-president.

    This includes special counsel Jack Smith’s investigations into several aspects of Trump’s wrongdoing, which have since ended. Several lawyers have been fired, ostensibly because “the Acting Attorney-General does not trust these officials to assist in faithfully implementing the President’s agenda”.

    This action is not only vindictive, but likely designed to intimidate would-be investigators and make them think twice before further examining any wrongdoing by Trump or his associates.

    Equally noteworthy has been the department’s attempts to drop corruption charges against New York mayor Eric Adams.
    The official reason is that pursuing the charges might “interfere” with Adams’ reelection campaign.

    In reality, however, Adams has been accused of cutting a deal with the administration: he agrees to assist with Trump’s immigration crackdown in return for having the charges against him withdrawn (although not dropped entirely).

    Adams denies the existence of a quid pro quo, but he did joke about it on national television with Tom Homan, Trump’s “Border Czar”.

    So deeply problematic was all this that two US attorneys for the Southern District of New York opted to resign in protest, rather than be party to what they saw as a nakedly corrupt act.

    The whole scenario is eerily reminiscent of 1973’s “Saturday Night Massacre”, when President Richard Nixon ordered his Attorney-General Elliot Richardson to fire the special prosecutor investigating the Watergate scandal.

    Nixon eventually had his way, but not before refusals and resignations from both Richardson, and the Deputy Attorney-General William Ruckleshaus.

    But, where Nixon’s move dramatically hastened his own downfall, Trump’s actions have barely raised an eyebrow. Why?

    The propaganda play

    The answer lies in a propaganda technique known as “accusation in a mirror”, which entails accusing one’s opponents of the very wrongdoing one plans to commit.

    As one legal scholar explains, it’s:

    a rhetorical practice in which one falsely accuses one’s enemies of conducting, plotting, or desiring to commit precisely the same transgressions that one plans to commit against them.

    Accusation in a mirror has been used in the past, including in the Rwandan genocide. There, trusted voices claimed the Tutsi wanted to “exterminate” the Hutu. Tragically, it helped bring about the exact opposite circumstance.

    Similarly, in February 2022 Russian President Vladimir Putin accused the Ukrainian government of committing genocide against Russian-speaking populations in the Donbas region. This baseless accusation provided a justification for invading Ukraine, which mirrored Russia’s own indiscriminate shelling of Ukrainian civilians.

    We suggest Trump has been using this technique since he was first criminally indicted, in early 2023, on 34 felony charges related to the falsification of business records. He and his supporters have insisted the department, under President Joe Biden, was “weaponised” against him.

    Trump repeatedly claimed those charges – and subsequent indictments – were a politically motivated “witch hunt”. He reiterated these claims in his first speech to Congress.

    Many elected Republicans have also supported and amplified that narrative.

    These claims of victimhood have helped prime Trump’s base to appraise any subsequent legal scrutiny of him as purely partisan, and therefore invalid.

    In reality, the facts were straightforward. Prosecutors were sure there was enough proof to proceed with the case, including evidence Trump illegally kept classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago residence, and obstructed attempts to retrieve them.

    In a functioning legal system, nobody is “above the law”. This means even former presidents can be prosecuted if there’s enough evidence.

    Yet Trump’s accusations of a partisan DoJ completely reframed legitimate investigations into alleged political vendettas. In doing so, it effectively justified his subsequent decisions.

    A self-fulfilling prophecy

    The idea that “if they did it to me, I’m entitled to do it back” was made explicit by Trump in late 2023.

    When asked if he would use the DoJ to go after his political rivals, Trump argued he would only be levelling the playing field, stating:

    they’ve already done it, but if they want to follow through on this, yeah, it could certainly happen in reverse.

    In short, Trump’s false claim of being victimised by a politicised DoJ served as moral cover for his own politicisation of it.

    This is a textbook example of how accusation in a mirror can help manufacture the reality it pretends to condemn.

    Addressing the problem

    This tactic has long been a play by totalitarian and authoritarian leaders.

    Foundational propaganda scholars such as Hannah Arendt and Jacques Ellul highlighted how authoritarian rulers often repeat falsehoods – flipping the aggressor and victim – until the masses become desensitised, alienated and confused.

    Once enough people believe the system is already corrupt and untrustworthy, they are less likely to be shocked by an actual purge (such as firing DoJ officials).

    The implications of such tactics extend internationally, not just to the US.

    History cries out to us about the risks of this sort of public discourse. It erodes trust in institutions and liberal democratic processes, paving the road for leaders to undermine them further, corrupting the system in the name of rooting out corruption.

    Ultimately, one of the best antidotes is awareness. By exposing these tactics, we can better safeguard against disinformation, protect the rule of law and hold leaders accountable.

    Stephen Harrington receives funding from the Australian Research Council, for the Discovery Project ‘Understanding and Combatting “Dark Political Communication”‘.

    Timothy Graham receives funding from the Australian Research Council (ARC) for his Discovery Early Career Researcher Award, ‘Combatting Coordinated Inauthentic Behaviour on Social Media’. He also receives ARC funding for the Discovery Project, ‘Understanding and Combatting “Dark Political Communication”‘.

    – ref. How Trump is weaponising the Department of Justice, and the ‘dark’ tactic he’s using to get away with it – https://theconversation.com/how-trump-is-weaponising-the-department-of-justice-and-the-dark-tactic-hes-using-to-get-away-with-it-250760

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Allens advises Barrenjoey in connection with Mayur Resources’ ~A$100 million Placement

    Source: Allens Insights

    Allens is pleased to have advised Barrenjoey Markets as Lead Manager and Underwriter in connection with an approximately A$100 million partially underwritten two-tranche placement of new CHESS Depository Interests by Mayur Resources (ASX:MRL), as announced to ASX on 21 February 2025.

    Mayur’s placement was strongly supported, and upsized to approximately $100m following excess demand in the bookbuild. It included pre-commitments and direct subscriptions from new and existing sophisticated and professional investors.

    Allens’ role as counsel to the Lead Manager and Underwriter is a reflection of the Firm’s unique and extensive capability acting on both ‘bank-side’ and ‘issuer-side’ mandates across the full spectrum of capital market transactions.

    This builds on a busy few months for Allens’ capital markets team, including acting as lead manager counsel in connection with an upsized A$130m placement and A$30 placement for Lotus Resources (ASX:LOT) and DUG Technology (ASX:DUG), respectively. The Firm also acted as issuer counsel in connection with Northern Minerals ‘ (ASX: NTU) A$43m placement, Patriot Battery Metals’  (ASX:PMT/TSX:PMET) US$48m strategic placement to Volkswagen Group, Golden Horse Minerals’ (ASX:GHM) A$18m IPO and most recently, Minerals 260’s (ASX:MI6) current A$200m – A$220m (min-max) public offer in connection with its proposed re-compliance listing.

    Allens legal team

    M&A 

    Bryn Hardcastle (Partner), Jesse Lines (Associate), Christopher Shields (Lawyer)

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Albanese Government strengthening support for victims and survivors in the justice system

    Source: Ministers for Social Services

    Joint with:

    Senator the Hon Katy Gallagher
    Minister for Finance
    Minister for Women
    Minister for the Public Service
    Minister for Government Services
     

    The Hon Amanda Rishworth MP
    Minister for Social Services
    Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme
    Member for Kingston
     

    The Hon Mark Dreyfus KC MP
    Attorney-General
    Cabinet Secretary
    Member for Isaacs

    The Albanese Government has tabled the Australian Law Reform Commission’s (ALRC) inquiry into justice responses to sexual violence report and announced a $21.4 million package to strengthen support for victims and survivors.

    Victims of crime don’t always have faith that the justice system will deliver justice – 92% of women chose not to go to the police after they were sexually assaulted, and for those who do, up to 85% of sexual violence reports made to police do not progress to a charge.

    The Albanese Government is working to end gendered violence and help deliver justice for victims of sexual assault. The Government initiated the ALRC inquiry to examine how the experience of victims and survivors of sexual violence in the justice system can be improved, including by examining relevant laws and legal frameworks, justice sector practices, support services and transformative approaches to justice, while maintaining the central right to a fair trial.

    The report: Safe, Informed, Supported: Reforming Justice Responses to Sexual Violence, found there are systemic barriers to reporting sexual violence and engaging with the justice system. When victims and survivors do engage in the justice system it often causes further harm or re-traumatisation.

    The Albanese Government is taking important early actions to build on work already underway, with announcements today focused on piloting specialist, trauma-informed sexual assault legal services in every state and territory.

    The Government will invest $21.4 million over three years from 2025-26 to address barriers to access to justice for victims and survivors of sexual violence, including:

    • $19.6 million over three years to extend the current three specialist trauma-informed sexual assault legal services in Victoria, Western Australia and the Australian Capital Territory, and nationally expand the pilots to include one in each jurisdiction. This will include trialling new non-legal services recommended by the ALRC including culturally safe Justice System Navigators and supporting access to restorative justice pathways.
    • $0.6 million in 2025-26 to engage academic experts to address systemic reasons for the withdrawal of complaints, scope an independent complaints mechanism to seek review of police decisions not to pursue charges, and conduct a review of supports provided during the police investigation phase.
    • $1.2 million over two years from 2025-26 to expand and extend the scope of the ALRC’s Expert Advisory Group to advise on implementation of the ALRC Inquiry report, including advice from victim and survivors to states and territories through the Standing Council of Attorneys-General.

    Justice System Navigators are appropriately trained people who will support victims and survivors of sexual violence to access any chosen justice pathway. For those victims and survivors who choose to pursue a criminal justice pathway, the Justice System Navigator will provide individual advocacy and support in initial and ongoing interactions with police, prosecutors, the court and related systems.

    The ALRC’s report makes clear that reform is complex and will take careful consideration. We need to make sure the system can deliver justice to victims while maintaining the central right to a fair trial. Many of the report’s recommendations are the responsibility of states and territories.

    The Government is carefully considering the report’s recommendations and will work closely with states and territories, experts and people with lived experience through the Expert Advisory Group to consider a longer-term response.

    The report and initial response today is an important part of improving access to justice for victims and survivors of sexual violence, a key objective of the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 2022-2032.  

    It complements initiatives under the Standing Council of Attorneys-General Work Plan to Strengthen Criminal Justice Responses to Sexual Assault 2022-2027 and forms part of the Government’s broader commitment to end gender-based violence and achieve gender equality as outlined in Working for Women: a strategy for gender equality. 

    The final report and further information are available from the ALRC’s website.

    Quotes attributable to the Minister for Women, Senator the Hon Katy Gallagher:

     “Far too many women experience sexual violence in their lifetime, and for many, their experience with the justice system can only add to that trauma.

    “This report from the ALRC is an important step towards ending that cycle of trauma.

    “We will continue to work hand in hand with victim-survivors, advocates, and states and territories on the next steps from this report, but this announcement also increases access to services right now – ensuring women can access the more support when they need it.

    Quotes attributable to the Minister for Social Services, Amanda Rishworth MP:

    “Through the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 2022-2032, the Albanese Labor Government is committed to driving reforms to improve justice responses to all forms of gender-based violence.

    “We are working to ensure victim-survivors have better experiences and get better outcomes from their engagement with the justice system – so people impacted by violence can achieve justice and people using violence and abuse are held to account.

    “We welcome the findings and recommendations of the ALRC and will carefully consider how they may help us achieve our goal of better protecting victim-survivors.”

    Quotes attributable to Attorney-General, the Hon Mark Dreyfus KC MP:

    “Seeking justice should not add to the trauma experienced by victims and survivors.

    “Victims and survivors of sexual violence deserve to have confidence that they will be safe and supported to report these crimes. At the same time, it is vital the right to a fair trial be preserved.

    “I thank the ALRC for its hard work conducting this inquiry and to all those who contributed to it, especially the victims and survivors who generously shared their lived experience in order to improve outcomes for others.”

    If you or someone you know is experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, domestic, family or sexual violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732, chat online via www.1800RESPECT.org.au, or text 0458 737 732.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Police seize car and petrol-powered bike following hooning incidents

    Source: Tasmania Police

    Police seize car and petrol-powered bike following hooning incidents

    Thursday, 6 March 2025 – 3:23 pm.

    Bridgewater Police has charged two people in relation to hooning offences today and seized a car and a petrol-powered bike.
    A 22-year-old man from Granton was charged following an alleged hooning incident on Lamprill Circle at Herdsmans Cove. He had his vehicle seized for three months.
    A 15-year-old youth from Gagebrook was charged after allegedly riding at speed and without safety gear on Tottenham Road at Gagebrook. Their petrol-powered bike was seized for 28 days.
    Inspector Luke Horne said, “Hooning is reckless and dangerous, and no matter how skilled the driver or rider believes they are, hooning behaviours put lives at risk.”
    “Tasmania Police are out on the roads every day enforcing road rules to keep motorists safe.”
    “You can help us by reporting dangerous driving if you see it.”
    “By working together, we can hold reckless drivers accountable and make our roads safer for everyone.”
    If you witness a dangerous driving incident happening now and do not have footage call Tasmania Police on 131 444.
    If you have witnessed dangerous driving at an earlier time and have digital evidence (including video footage), you can submit it via the secure online portal – https://www.police.tas.gov.au/services-online/dangerous-driving-report/

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Arrest made following investigation into injured baby, Dargaville

    Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

    Please attribute to Acting Detective Senior Sergeant Shane Pilmer, Whangārei CIB:

    Police investigating an incident involving an injured five-month-old baby in Dargaville have today made an arrest.

    A 22-year-old man has been charged with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and will appear in Whangārei District Court tomorrow.

    The arrest come after the baby was presented at Dargaville Hospital with serious head injuries on 28 December.

    The baby was flown to Whangārei Hospital and later transferred to Starship Hospital in Auckland.

    The baby is now recovering well.

    As this matter is now before the Courts, Police don’t have any further comment.

    ENDS.

    Holly McKay/NZ Police 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Release: Labour calls for end to police referrals to Destiny programmes

    Source: New Zealand Labour Party

    Police have referred 20 offenders to Destiny Church-affiliated programmes Man Up and Legacy as ‘wellness providers’ in the last year, raising concerns that those seeking help are being recruited into a harmful organisation.

    “Referrals to Man Up and Legacy need to stop. Members of these groups violently disrupted a Pride Week event at the Te Atatū Peninsula library and are now at the centre of a Police investigation,” Labour MP for Te Atatū Phil Twyford said.

    Police Minister Mark Mitchell has confirmed Police referred 20 offenders to Man Up and Legacy since the two groups were approved as “wellness providers” in April last year, in answers to Twyford’s written parliamentary questions.

    “How does the Minister justify referring offenders to an organisation that openly preaches hate against the Rainbow community and has a track record of violence?”

    “Anti-violence groups have criticised Destiny Church groups’ involvement in offender rehabilitation, saying their approach creates a greater risk of violence against women and children.

    “Does the Minister have any evidence these Destiny programmes have a positive effect on offenders? Has he looked into whether Man Up and Legacy are using the Police referrals to recruit new members? 

    “The West Auckland Police are investigating the conduct of Destiny Church at Te Atatū Peninsula Library last month. Charities Services have confirmed to me they are investigating my call for Destiny charities to be deregistered for serious wrongdoing. It is time the Government now rules out the Police or any other government agency referring people to Destiny Church or their subsidiaries,” Phil Twyford said.

    Labour rainbow community spokesperson Shanan Halbert said, “Mark Mitchell promised that New Zealanders would feel safer under this government, but the Rainbow community has felt under attack. More than 100 incidents of hate against the community are reported monthly under his watch, but he he has declined to declare how many are related to Destiny Church. It’s time for him to take action.”

    Stay in the loop by signing up to our mailing list and following us on Facebook, Instagram, and X.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Warrant to arrest – Rawiri Cave

    Source: New Zealand Police (District News)

    Police are seeking Rawiri Cave, 25, who has a warrant for his arrest.

    He is wanted in relation to a number of incidents in Counties Manukau, including aggravated robbery and escapes custody.

    Cave has long hair, usually worn in a top knot style, and has two Tā moko style tattoos on the back of his right calf and on his right forearm.

    He is known to frequent Counties Manukau, Point Chevalier and Waterview areas.

    Anyone with information about Cave is urged to contact Police via 105 online or the 105 phone reporting line, referencing file number 250107/1230.

    ENDS.

    Holly McKay/NZ Police

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Schenectady Man Pleads Guilty to Possessing with Intent to Distribute Fentanyl

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    ALBANY, NEW YORK – Terrell Bell, age 27, of Schenectady, New York, pled guilty today to possessing with intent to distribute fentanyl. Acting United States Attorney Daniel Hanlon and Craig L. Tremaroli, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), made the announcement.

    Bell was on parole in January 2024 when law enforcement searched his home in Schenectady and discovered nearly 1,800 fentanyl pills in his bedroom and over $90,000 throughout the home.

    At sentencing scheduled for July 9, 2025, Bell faces a minimum term of 5 years and a maximum term of 40 years in prison, a maximum fine of $5 million, and a term of supervised release after imprisonment of between 4 years and life. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the statute the defendant violated, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors. Bell has also consented to the forfeiture of the currency seized from his home.

    FBI investigated this case with the assistance of the Schenectady Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mikayla Espinosa is prosecuting this case.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Nigerian Citizen Admits Guilt in Bank Fraud and Money Laundering Conspiracies Causing More Than $1.7 Million in Losses

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    David Daniyan Admits Supervising Conspiracies Led by Nigerian Citizen Oluwaseun Adekoya

    ALBANY, NEW YORK – David Daniyan, a/k/a “Bamikole Laniyan,” a/k/a “David Enfield,” a/k/a “Africa,” age 60, of Brooklyn, New York, pled guilty today in connection with his role in bank fraud and money laundering conspiracies led by Oluwaseun Adekoya, age 39, also a Nigerian citizen, of Cliffside Park, New Jersey.  Acting United States Attorney Daniel Hanlon and Craig L. Tremaroli, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), made the announcement.

    Daniyan pled guilty today to conspiracy to commit bank fraud, money laundering conspiracy, and aggravated identity theft. Daniyan admitted that, working with Adekoya, he obtained the personal identifying information of people residing all over the United States and recruited lower-level conspirators to impersonate those people using fake driver’s licenses to fraudulently obtain cash, checks, and loans at their financial institutions and obtain merchandise using credit at retailers including Saks Fifth Avenue.  Daniyan also admitted to conspiring with Adekoya and others to launder the proceeds of their bank fraud by, among other things, using fraudulently obtained funds to purchase additional fake driver’s licenses and depositing fraudulently obtained checks into accounts in the names of identity-theft victims that were controlled by coconspirators.  Daniyan admitted that the bank fraud conspiracy netted over $1.7 million in fraud proceeds, and was perpetrated in the Northern District of New York and all over the country. 

    According to documents previously filed in the case, Daniyan, a citizen of Nigeria, has been living in the United States without authorization under numerous aliases since at least the 1990s when he was first investigated, charged, and convicted in another federal district under the stolen identity of a U.S. citizen. 

    The following defendants are charged as follows in the superseding indictment: 

    • Adekoya is charged with one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud, one count of money laundering conspiracy, and nine counts of aggravated identity theft;
    • Kani Bassie, age 36, of Brooklyn, is charged with one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud and two counts of aggravated identity theft;
    • Davon Hunter, age 27, of Richmond, Virginia, is charged with conspiracy to commit bank fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft;
    • Jermon Brooks, age 20, of Richmond, is charged with conspiracy to commit bank fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft;
    • Christian Quivers, age 20, of Richmond, is charged with conspiracy to commit bank fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft; and
    • Crystal Kurschner, age 44, of Brooklyn, is charged with conspiracy to commit bank fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft.

    As to these defendants, the charges in the superseding indictment are merely accusations. These remaining defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

    The prosecution is the result of an ongoing investigation led by the U.S. Attorney’s Office and FBI-Albany, which began after the May 2022 arrest of Daniyan, Gaysha Kennedy, age 46, of Brooklyn, and Victor Barriera, age 64, of the Bronx, New York, by the Cohoes Police Department after the trio traveled to the Capital Region to commit bank fraud. 

    Adekoya, Daniyan, Kennedy, and Barriera were originally indicted, along with coconspirators Jerjuan Joyner, age 50, of Brooklyn, Akeem Balogun, age 56, of Brooklyn, Danielle Cappetti, age 46, of the Bronx, and Lesley Lucchese, age 53, of Brooklyn, in connection with the conspiracy in an indictment returned in December 2023. 

    Sherry Ozmore, Kennedy, Barriera, Joyner, Balogun, Cappetti, and Lucchese have pled guilty to bank fraud conspiracy.

    At sentencing on July 10, 2025, Daniyan faces a maximum term of 30 years in prison for the bank fraud conspiracy, 20 years in prison for the money laundering conspiracy, and a mandatory consecutive term of 2 years in prison for his conviction of aggravated identity theft; as well as an order of restitution of at least $1,776,705.43 and a term of supervised release of up to 5 years.  Daniyan also agreed to forfeit nearly $100,000 in proceeds of the bank fraud conspiracy seized by federal authorities. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statutes the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.

    Following his term of imprisonment, Daniyan will be placed into immigration removal proceedings.

    FBI Albany is investigating the case, with assistance from the FBI Field Offices in New York, Newark, Richmond and Resident Agencies in Westchester, New York; Brooklyn/Queens, New York; Garrett Mountain, New Jersey; and Fort Walton Beach, Florida.  Additional assistance was provided by other law enforcement agencies, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement – Enforcement & Removal Operations (New York Field Office & Albany sub-office); U.S. Department of State Diplomatic Security Service (Buffalo Field Office & St. Albans Resident Office); U.S. Social Security Administration – Office of the Inspector General; New York law enforcement agencies including the New York State Police; Cohoes PD; Colonie PD; Elmira PD; Corning PD; Plattsburgh PD; Florida law enforcement agencies including the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office and Escambia County Sheriff’s Office; the Pennsylvania State Police; Alabama law enforcement agencies including the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office, Gasden PD, and Rainbow City PD; Georgia law enforcement agencies including the Georgia State Patrol, Bartow County Sheriff’s Office, and Morrow PD; Kansas law enforcement agencies including Lawrence PD and Overland Park PD; New Hampshire law enforcement agencies including Rochester PD, Manchester PD, and Amherst PD; the Delaware State Police; Maryland law enforcement agencies including the Maryland State Police, Harford County Sheriff’s Office and Baltimore County Sheriff’s Office; Wisconsin law enforcement agencies including Onalaska PD and Eau Claire PD; and Indiana law enforcement agencies including the Allen County Sheriff’s Office.

    Assistant United States Attorneys Benjamin S. Clark and Joshua R. Rosenthal are prosecuting this case.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Kaine, Britt, Carbajal, Lawler Lead Introduction of Bipartisan, Bicameral Proposal to Make Child Care More Affordable

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Virginia Tim Kaine

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, U.S. Senators Tim Kaine (D-VA) and Katie Britt (R-AL) and U.S. Representatives Salud Carbajal (D-CA-24) and Mike Lawler (R-NY-17) introduced the Child Care Availability and Affordability Act and the Child Care Workforce Act—bipartisan, bicameral legislation that form a bold proposal to make child care more affordable and accessible by strengthening existing tax credits to lower child care costs and increase the supply of child care providers. Over the last few decades, the cost of child care has increased by 263%, forcing families to make impossible choices. More than half of all families live in child care deserts. Meanwhile, child care workers are struggling to make ends meet on the poverty-level wages they are paid and child care providers are struggling to simply stay afloat. The crisis—which was exacerbated by the pandemic—is costing our economy, resulting in $122 billion in economic losses each year.

    “The child care crisis is holding our families and economy back. I hear from Virginia parents all the time about how hard it is to find affordable child care, from child care providers who are forced to leave their jobs because of low wages, and from businesses who are having trouble finding the employees they need,” said Kaine. “I’m proud to join my colleagues in introducing this bipartisan legislation, and I hope more of my colleagues will join us in passing this comprehensive proposal to support child care providers, make it easier for families to access the care they need, and boost economic growth by providing parents with the opportunity to get back into the workforce.”

    “We applaud Sens. Britt and Kaine and Reps. Lawler and Carbajal for their bipartisan, bicameral efforts to identify innovative and impactful policy solutions that will increase access to quality child care for America’s working families, bolstering the workforce and economy. These two bills mark a major milestone to begin addressing employer and employee needs, as well as supply-side issues that impact the availability of care,” says Bipartisan Policy Center Action President Michele Stockwell.

    “The Child Care Availability and Affordability Act and the Child Care Workforce Act is forward-thinking legislation that will tackle the child care challenges plaguing too many working parents, employers, and providers,” said First Five Years Fund Executive Director Sarah Rittling. “By refining tax credits and expanding access, this plan will deliver real relief to countless families. We’re grateful to Senators Britt, Kaine, Ernst, and Shaheen for their leadership in finding bipartisan and practical solutions that put working families first.”

    Kaine has long been pushing to expand access to child care. In 2023, he introduced the Child Care Stabilization Act to expand vital child care funding to help providers keep their doors open, and has championed the Child Care for Working Families Act to expand access to child care, raise wages for providers, and lower costs for families by ensuring no family pays more than 7% of their income on child care. He has also introduced bipartisan legislation to develop, administer, and evaluate early childhood education apprenticeships.

    The proposal contains two bills because one proposes changes to existing tax credits, falling under the jurisdiction of the Senate Finance Committee, and the other authorizes a new pilot program, falling under the jurisdiction of the Senate HELP Committee.

    Child Care Availability and Affordability Act

    The Child Care Availability and Affordability Act would make child care more affordable by:

    • Increasing the size of the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit (CDCTC) and making it refundable, allowing lower income working families with out-of-pocket child care expenses to benefit from the credit for the first time. The proposal substantially expands the maximum CDCTC to $2,500 for families with one child and $4,000 for families with two or more children.
    • Strengthening the Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP) to allow families to deduct 50% more in expenses (up to $7,500).
    • Allowing eligible families to benefit from both the DCAP and the CDCTC when their child care expenses exceed the DCAP threshold. This will have big benefits for middle income families who currently do not access the CDCTC but have particularly high child care costs.
    • Radically bolstering the underutilized Employer-Provided Child Care Tax Credit—commonly referred to as 45F—to encourage businesses to provide child care to their employees. The Kaine-Britt plan would increase the maximum credit from $150,000 to $500,000, and the percentage of expenses covered from 25% to 50%. The legislation also includes a larger incentive for small businesses—a maximum credit of $600,000—and allows for joint applications for groups of small businesses who want to pool resources.

    The Child Care Availability and Affordability Act is cosponsored by Senators Joni Ernst (R-IO), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), John Curtis (R-UT), Angus King (I-ME), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), and Susan Collins (R-ME).

    The Child Care Availability and Affordability Act is endorsed by A+ Education Partnership, Abriendo Puertas/Opening Doors, Alabama Arise, Alabama School Readiness Alliance, American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA), Arizona Early Childhood Education Association, Big Blue Marble Academy, Bipartisan Policy Center Action (BPCA), Bright Horizons, Business Council of Alabama, Busy Bees North America, Care.com, Chamber of Progress, Chamber RVA, Child Care Aware of America (CCAoA), Child Care Aware of Virginia, Child Development Schools, Children’s Institute, Cincinnati Regional Chamber, Council for Professional Recognition, Early Care & Education Consortium (ECEC), Early Learning Policy Group, LLC, Eastern Shore Chamber of Commerce, Educare Learning Network, First Five Years Fund (FFYF), Gingerbread Kids Academy, Hampton Roads Chamber, Healthy Families America, Healthy Kids Alabama, Independent Restaurant Coalition, Jesuit Conference of the United States, Kaplan Early Learning Company, Kiddie Academy, KinderCare Learning Companies, Learning Care Group, Lightbright Academy, Low Income Investment Fund (LIIF), Manufacture Alabama, Metrix IQ, Mobile Area Education Foundation, Moms First, National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO), National Child Care Association (NCCA), North Carolina Licensed Child Care Association, Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce (NVC), Ohio Association of Child Care Providers, Parents as Teachers National Center, Prevent Child Abuse America, Primrose Schools, Santa Barbara South Cost Chamber of Commerce, Small Business Majority, Small Business Majority, Start Early, Solvang Chamber of Commerce, Teaching Strategies, Texas Licensed Child Care Association, The Nest Schools, Third Way, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Ventura Chamber of Commerce, Virginia Beach Vision, Virginia Chamber of Commerce, Virginia Early Childhood Foundation (VECF), VOICES for Alabama’s Children, Voices for Virginia’s Kids, and YMCA of the USA.

    Full text of the Child Care Availability and Affordability Act is available here.

    Child Care Workforce Act

    Because many child care providers are forced out of the industry by low wages—which makes it even harder for families to find affordable child care—the Child Care Workforce Act would make it easier to access child care, by establishing a competitive grant program for states, localities, Tribes, and Tribal organizations that are interested in adopting or expanding pay supplement programs for child care workers to increase supply and reduce turnover. Within that program:

    • Grantees would provide supplements, paid out at least quarterly, directly to both home-based and center-based licensed child care providers licensed by the state.
    • There would be a required evaluation of impacts on turnover, quality of child care, availability of affordable childcare, and alleviating the financial burden on child care providers. Model programs exist in Virginia, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Maine, and the District of Columbia, with evaluations demonstrating large effects on the supply of workers, educator turnover, and worker well-being and satisfaction.

    The Child Care Workforce Act is cosponsored by Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Angus King (I-ME), and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY).

    The Child Care Workforce Act is endorsed by A+ Education Partnership, Abriendo Puertas/Opening Doors, Alabama Arise, Alabama School Readiness Alliance, Arizona Early Childhood Education Association, Big Blue Marble Academy, Bipartisan Policy Center Action (BPCA), Bright Horizons, Business Council of Alabama, Busy Bees North America, Care.com, Chamber of Progress, Chamber RVA, Child Care Aware of America (CCAoA), Child Care Aware of Virginia, Child Development Schools, Children’s Institute, Cincinnati Regional Chamber, Council for Professional Recognition, Early Care & Education Consortium (ECEC), Early Learning Policy Group, LLC, Eastern Shore Chamber of Commerce, Educare Learning Network, First Five Years Fund (FFYF), First Focus Campaign for Children, Gingerbread Kids Academy, Hampton Roads Chamber, Healthy Families America, Healthy Kids Alabama, Independent Restaurant Coalition, Jesuit Conference of the United States, Kaplan Early Learning Company, Kiddie Academy, KinderCare Learning Companies, Learning Care Group, Lightbright Academy, Low Income Investment Fund (LIIF), Manufacture Alabama, Metrix IQ, Mobile Area Education Foundation, Moms First, National Association for Family Child Care (NAFCC), National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO), National Child Care Association (NCCA), National Council of Jewish Women, National Women’s Law Center (NWLC), North Carolina Licensed Child Care Association, Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce (NVC), Ohio Association of Child Care Providers, Parents as Teachers National Center, Prevent Child Abuse America, Primrose Schools, Santa Barbara South Cost Chamber of Commerce, Small Business Majority, Small Business Majority, Start Early, Teaching Strategies, Texas Licensed Child Care Association, The Nest Schools, Third Way, UVentura Chamber of Commerce, Virginia Beach Vision, Virginia Chamber of Commerce, Virginia Early Childhood Foundation (VECF), VOICES for Alabama’s Children, Voices for Virginia’s Kids, YMCA of the USA, and ZERO TO THREE.

    Full text of the Child Care Workforce Act are available here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Anchorage man sentenced to over 13 years for robbing a bank on supervised release

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    ANCHORAGE, Alaska – An Anchorage man was sentenced yesterday to over 13 years in prison and will serve three years on supervised release for robbing a bank while on supervised release for a previous federal bank robbery conviction.

    According to court documents, on July 13, 2024, James Surrells, 54, entered a local credit union and told the teller to give him money. Surrells stated he had a gun, and when the teller paused, Surrells threated to produce the firearm. The teller gave Surrells $450, and he left the credit union.

    Later that day, law enforcement located Surrells in the back yard of a residence and he was arrested with the assistance of a crisis negotiator.

    Court documents explain that Surrells robbed the bank less than one year after being released from prison after serving a sentence for robbing a bank in 2014. During that bank robbery, Surrells indicated to a teller that he had a gun and demanded money. The teller gave him $1,210. Surrells was convicted of the prior bank robbery in 2015 and sentenced to nine years in prison and five years’ supervised release.

    Court documents further explain that Surrells was released from prison and started probation in July 2023. Four months into his supervised release, Surrells absconded and his whereabouts remained unknown until he was arrested for the 2024 robbery.

    On Oct. 21, 2024, Surrells pleaded guilty to one count of credit union robbery. Surrells received a 144-month sentence for his 2024 bank robbery and a consecutive 16-month sentence for violating his supervised release from the previous conviction, making his total sentence 160 months.

    “Mr. Surrells is a career criminal who chose to rob a bank while on supervised release for a previous bank robbery conviction and will now spend over a decade behind bars,” said U.S. Attorney Michael J. Heyman for the District of Alaska. “Perpetrators with extensive criminal histories who continue to commit crimes show a clear disregard for the law and will be held accountable. Our office will continue collaborating with law enforcement across the state to investigate and swiftly prosecute career criminals.”

    “James Surrells brazenly robbed a bank within a year of being released from prison for a previous bank robbery conviction,” said Special Agent in Charge Rebecca Day of the FBI Anchorage Field Office. “Surrells has repeatedly demonstrated his disregard for the law, and the safety and well-being of the public. FBI Anchorage’s Safe Streets Task Force will continue to collaborate with the United States Attorney’s Office to hold criminals like Surrells accountable for their actions.”

    The FBI Anchorage Field Office, with assistance from the Anchorage Police Department, investigated the case.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Alana Weber and former Assistant U.S. Attorney Christina Sherman prosecuted the case.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI China: Advisory: Schedules for China’s ‘two sessions’ on March 6

    Source: China State Council Information Office 2

    The following are the schedules for the third session of the 14th National People’s Congress (NPC) and the third session of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) on Thursday.
    In the morning, NPC deputies will deliberate the government work report in groups.
    In the afternoon, they will examine reports and drafts on budgets and economic and social development plans.
    In the morning, CPPCC National Committee members will discuss the government work report and deliberate the work report of their standing committee in groups.
    In the afternoon, they will continue to discuss the government work report and deliberate the work report of their standing committee, and discuss reports on budgets and economic and social development plans, as well as a draft amendment to the Law on Deputies to the National People’s Congress and to the Local People’s Congresses at Various Levels. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: UPDATE: Missing Person Located – Tiwi Islands

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    The Northern Territory Police Force can report that the 59-year-old man who went missing near Tarntipi Bush Camp on Bathurst Island earlier this week has been located safe and well.

    Around 3pm on Tuesday, police received reports that the man went missing near Tarntipi Bush Camp. He was travelling with a group who were collecting wood for carving at a local art centre in Wurrumiyanga and did not return.

    An extensive search operation was launched with 22 community and family members and 15 police and Aboriginal Liaison Officers from Wurrumiynaga, Milikapiti, Pirlingimpi and The Specialist Response Division, including the Search and Rescue Section and the Territory Response Group.

    Northern Territory Emergency Service volunteers also remained on standby.

    Search teams deployed as both ground and aerial teams, with the 59-year-old located within the 85sqkm search radius earlier today.

    He was airlifted back to Wurrumiyanga and is currently receiving treatment at the local clinic for exposure.

    Superintendent Jak Evans said “This is a fantastic result that highlights the incredible collaboration between the community and police over the past 2 days.

    “The search area consisted predominantly of light to dense scrubland with pandanis, gum tress and 20m tall thick grassy areas. Not only that, the area is populated by an array of dangerous animals including crocodiles and snakes.

    “Police conducted detailed briefings with the community, whose extensive knowledge of the area and the coordinated search effort has allowed us to effectively cover a large area, which has resulted in this terrific outcome.

    “I would like to commend everyone involved in this search, your tireless work has bought Barry back home safely.”

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: CWA Defends High-Speed Internet Program as House Republicans Propose Delays and Elon Musk Seeks to Divert Public Money for Private Profit

    Source: Communications Workers of America

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today the Communications Workers of America (CWA) union stood up for efforts to bring affordable, high-speed internet to all Americans while creating quality jobs as members of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce held a contentious debate over the future of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s $42 billion program to build high-speed internet connections to all Americans.

     

    With funding for the program, known as BEAD, ready to be deployed to the states, House Republicans today announced new legislation that could delay implementation. The Commerce Department announced they will be conducting a “rigorous review” of the BEAD program and is reported to be considering an overhaul of the program that could enable Elon Musk’s satellite company Starlink to profit from public money intended for high-quality rural broadband.

     

    In a statement submitted to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, Subcommittee on Communications and Technology hearing today, CWA Director of Research Nell Geiser defended the BEAD program and spoke to the urgent need to build the quality networks that communities are waiting for. “Residents in rural and unserved areas have waited long enough,” Geiser wrote. “Many states are ready to award the funds and build networks and should not be slowed down with revised standards, new mandates or requirements. If NTIA wants to offer additional flexibility, it can do so through waivers for particular states, and not delay states that are ready to move forward today.”

     

    Fiber is the best performing technology of today and tomorrow. CWA members know from on-the-job training and experience that fiber-optic broadband is superior to other technologies. We can’t allow public dollars to go towards expensive and unreliable satellite companies where fiber is the responsible choice. 

     

    A well-trained workforce and quality networks go hand-in-hand. We cannot expect to have the workforce needed to build and maintain our networks if we do not create good jobs that will attract and retain a well-trained workforce. The BEAD program recognizes this problem and gives states the flexibility to support labor standards and training.

     

    States have put significant time and resources into BEAD and are now ready to make awards. There is broad bipartisan support against any pause or overhaul of the BEAD program. States are now on the cusp of getting shovels in the ground. Pressing pause on the program now would be a tremendous waste of resources.

     

    CWA members are broadband technicians and support representatives at many of the nation’s large and small broadband providers who hear from customers daily about the problems of limited bandwidth over outdated or inadequate technologies. Through their union, CWA members advocate in support of public investment and oversight to support universal access to high quality internet access for all Americans. CWA advocated for robust broadband deployment funding in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to definitively address the digital divide and find common ground across partisan divides.

     

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Peters Reintroduces Bipartisan Legislation to Help Prevent Foreign Influence in U.S. Policy

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Michigan Gary Peters

    WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI), Ranking Member of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, reintroduced two bipartisan bills to improve our nation’s ability to prevent foreign governments, including adversaries like the Chinese and Russian governments, from attempting to influence U.S. policy without making appropriate disclosures. The legislation would help close loopholes that foreign governments could exploit to conceal their roles in lobbying efforts.

    “The American people deserve complete transparency about who is trying to influence our political process,” said Senator Peters. “These bipartisan bills will help ensure foreign actors can’t exploit loopholes to hide their activities while attempting to shape policy in the United States. It’s a commonsense step to protect our national security and ensure our government is working in the best interests of the American people.” 

    The Lobbying Disclosure Improvement Act would improve transparency of the activities of lobbyists who represent foreign persons or organizations by requiring them to indicate whether they are taking advantage of an exemption under the Foreign Agent Registration Act (FARA) when they register under the Lobbying Disclosure Act. This would help the Department of Justice narrow the pool of registrants they are examining for potential violations, while not imposing any meaningful additional burden on registrants.

    The Disclosing Foreign Influence in Lobbying Act closes a loophole in the Lobbying Disclosure Act that foreign adversaries – including the Chinese government – can exploit to conceal their roles in lobbying efforts. Think tanks and law enforcement agencies have identified instances in which foreign adversaries exploited this loophole by using closely connected organizations and businesses to push their interests when lobbying the U.S. government. The bill makes clear that lobbying organizations must disclose when foreign governments and political parties participate in their lobbying efforts, regardless of any financial contribution to the lobbying effort.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group Arrives in Busan, Republic of Korea

    Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

    The visit to Busan exemplifies the U.S. commitment to the region, further enhancing relationships with ROK leaders and the local population.

    “An aircraft carrier port visit demonstrates our commitment to the alliance between the U.S. and the Republic of Korea,” said Rear Adm. Michael Wosje, commander, CSG-1. “Our alliance remains the linchpin of peace and security in Northeast Asia and the Korean Peninsula, and we are dedicated to working with our ROK Navy counterparts to ensure stability in the region.”

    For 250 years, the U.S. Navy has forged enduring alliances that are essential to its maritime warfighting capabilities. These partnerships have allowed us to project power, protect sea lanes, and safeguard global security.

    Additionally, the visit provides the opportunity for strike group Sailors and civilians to rest and recharge while being able to experience the city of Busan. During the port visit, Vinson is scheduled to host ship tours for several U.S. and ROK leaders, conduct multiple key leader engagements ashore, and participate in community relations and sporting events.

    “We are excited to pay another visit to the Republic of Korea, and we are grateful to the people of Busan for such a warm welcome,” said Capt. Matthew Thomas, commanding officer of Vinson. “Our Sailors look forward to participating in professional engagements and community service projects while meeting and engaging with the local community of South Korea.”

    Prior to their Busan port call, CSG-1 participated in Pacific Steller 2025, a multi-large deck event in the Philippine Sea. The exercise provided the strike group the opportunity to work and train alongside allies and partners to include the French Carrier Strike Group and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, fostering the alliance and maritime security in support of a secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific.

    CSG-1 consists of Vinson, embarked staffs of CSG-1 and Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) One, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 2, the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Princeton (CG 59), and Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS Sterett (DDG 104) and USS William P. Lawrence (DDG 110).

    CVW-2 is composed of nine squadrons flying the F-35C Lightning II, F/A-18E/F Super Hornets, EA-18G Growler, E-2D Advanced Hawkeye, CMV-22 Osprey and MH-60R/S Seahawks.

    The Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group is operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations. U.S. 7th Fleet is the U.S. Navy’s largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, and routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region.

    For more news from CSG-1 and Carl Vinson visit: https://www.dvidshub.net/unit/CSG1, https://www.dvidshub.net/unit/CVN70

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Jamestown man pleads guilty to drug and gun charges

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    BUFFALO, N.Y. – U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Richard Pearson, 47, of Jamestown, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo to possession with intent to distribute cocaine, and being a felon in possession of a firearm, which carry a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua A. Violanti, who is handling the case, stated that on June 25, 2024, investigators executed a search warrant at a Newland Avenue residence in Jamestown, seizing cocaine, methamphetamine, fentanyl, p-fluorofentanyl, suboxone strips, $200 in cash, a digital scale, and a firearm. Pearson was present during the search. He was previously convicted of felony charges in 2018 and 2009 in Chautauqua County Court, and in 2006 in Federal Court. As a result, Pearson is legally prohibited from possessing a firearm.

    This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

    The plea is the result of an investigation by the Jamestown Police Department, under the direction of Chief Timothy Jackson and the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Frank Tarentino, New York Field Division.

    Sentencing is scheduled for July 11, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. before Judge Vilardo. 

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Buffalo business owner sentenced for Medicaid fraud

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Arkan Fadhel, 30, of Buffalo, NY, who was convicted of conspiracy to commit health care fraud,  was sentenced to serve three years supervised release to include 12 months home incarceration by U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo. In addition, Fadhel was also ordered to perform 400 hours of community service. Fadhel will also forfeit $781,186.80 and pay restitution totaling $250,000.

    Assistant U.S. Attorneys Franz M. Wright and Mary Clare Kane, who handled the case, stated that Fadhel is the owner of Queen City Transportation, Inc., which has been providing non-emergency Medicaid transportation rides since August 2018. Fadhel and several dozen other individuals drove Queen City beneficiaries to appointments, primarily at methadone clinics. Prior to operating Queen City, Fadhel was a driver for Great Lakes Transportation, another non-emergency Medicaid transportation company. Between August 6, 2018, and December 31, 2020, Fadhel submitted false and fraudulent attestation records to Medical Answering Service, a non-emergency Medicaid transportation management company. The attestation records included claims that rides were provided but never actually took place as well as billing group rides as if the rides had been separate, individual rides. The total loss amount to Medicaid was greater than $250,000.

    The sentencing is the result of an investigation by Western New York Health Care Fraud Task Force, which includes Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Miraglia, the New York State Department of Financial Services, under the direction of Superintendent Adrienne A. Harris, the New York State Police, under the direction of Major Amie Feroleto, and Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Naomi Gruchacz.     

    # # # #

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Business – Andersen Global Strengthens Saudi Arabia Presence with Al-Sharif Law Firm

    Source: Andersen Global

    SAN FRANCISCO – Andersen Global continues to enhance its multidisciplinary capabilities in the Middle East through a Collaboration Agreement with Al-Sharif Law Firm, a full-service international law firm based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

    Active in the Kingdom since 1978, the firm’s professionals offer a comprehensive range of legal services, including mergers and acquisitions, company formation, liquidation, corporate restructuring, corporate secretarial services, labor and employment law, intellectual property, construction and engineering, business intelligence and litigation. With a blended team of both U.S. trained and licensed attorneys and local talent, Al-Sharif Law is uniquely suited to provide comprehensive services for some of the largest companies in the world with deep experience in the finance, defense and oil & gas sectors.

    “The demand is high for a strong quarterback and local correspondent to support international companies and investors in Saudi Arabia,” said Chris Johnson, Managing Attorney for Al-Sharif Law. “Our approach combines Western-style service with deep local expertise, assuring clients practical and comprehensive legal solutions. By collaborating with Andersen Global, we broaden our reach and ability to offer seamless service that combines international standards of service with a deep understanding of Saudi Arabia’s legal and regulatory landscape.”

    “Al-Sharif Law Firm is one of the largest law firms in Saudi Arabia, with a reputation for serving major international companies,” said Andersen Global Chairman and CEO of Andersen Mark L. Vorsatz. “Saudi Arabia continues to grow as a significant global hub, with its economy rapidly diversifying and presenting new opportunities for businesses and investors. The addition of this firm reinforces our ability to provide a suite of integrated, seamless services through our member and collaborating firms in one of the region’s rapidly evolving markets.”

    Andersen Global is an international association of legally separate, independent member firms comprised of tax, legal, and valuation professionals around the world. Established in 2013 by U.S. member firm Andersen Tax LLC, Andersen Global now has more than 19,000 professionals worldwide and a presence in over 500 locations through its member firms and collaborating firms.

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Former Nassau County Police Detective Convicted of Lying to the FBI to Cover Up His Work for the Bonanno Crime Family

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    The Bonanno Crime Family Paid Hector Rosario to Protect Their Illegal Gambling Parlors and Shut Down Rival Locations on Long Island Operated by Other Crime Families

    Hector Rosario, a former detective with the Nassau County Police Department (NCPD), was found guilty today by a federal jury in Brooklyn of making false statements to Federal Bureau of Investigation agents about his work for the Bonanno crime family.  The verdict followed a seven-day trial before United States District Judge Eric N. Vitaliano.  Rosario was fired by the NCPD after he was indicted in August 2022.  When sentenced, Rosario faces up to five years in prison.

    John J. Durham, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, Leslie R. Backschies, Acting Assistant Director in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI) and Anne T. Donnelly, District Attorney, Nassau County District Attorney’s Office, announced the verdict.

    “This corrupt detective chose to prove his loyalty to an organized crime family over the public he was sworn to protect,” stated United States Attorney Durham. “When police officers exploit their positions for personal gain, it erodes public trust in law enforcement. My Office has zero tolerance for corruption by any public officials, and will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to ensure that it is punished to the fullest extent of the law.”

    “Hector Rosario, a former Nassau County detective, allowed himself to be bought by the mob to blatantly lie during a federal investigation into the Bonanno family’s illegal gambling operations,” stated FBI Acting Assistant Director in Charge Backschies. “Rosario’s lies not only protected an organized criminal enterprise, but also eroded the public’s trust in law enforcement and is a disservice to all who wear the badge honoring their oath to protect and serve. The FBI remains committed to disrupting any corrupt officer who prioritizes personal wealth over integrity to the shield.”

    “Hector Rosario cared more about lining his pockets with Bonanno family money and protecting his own interests than his fidelity to the law,” stated Nassau County District Attorney Donnelly.  “He disgracefully compromised the investigative work of his fellow detectives by tipping off a target and lied to federal agents as the walls were closing in on him. Together with our law enforcement partners, we will uncover and vigorously prosecute corruption in our law enforcement ranks in Nassau County, because no one is above the law.”

    As proven at trial, Rosario was paid by the Bonanno crime family to protect its illegal gambling operations. For over a decade, the Bonanno crime family operated illegal gambling businesses inside various coffee shops and sports clubs throughout Queens and on Long Island.  During the same period, the Genovese organized crime family operated illegal gambling businesses out of their own locations in Queens and Long Island, including Sal’s Shoe Repair in Merrick, New York, and the Centro Calcio Italiano Club in West Babylon, New York.

    The Bonanno organized crime family paid Rosario to attempt to shut down rival gambling parlors, including by conducting a fake police “raid” on the Genovese-run gambling spot located inside Sal’s Shoe Repair.  Rosario also provided a tip about a rival gambling spot to another detective in an attempt to get the location shut down.  He warned a Bonanno crime family associate that he was under investigation and not to speak on the phone because law enforcement might be listening, and Rosario also looked up the home address of a possible witness Rosario believed was cooperating against the Bonanno crime family.

    In January 2020, during the course of a federal grand jury investigation into the racketeering activities of the Bonanno and Genovese organized crime families, Rosario was interviewed by FBI agents. Rosario falsely stated that he had no information about the Mafia or illegal gambling spots.  He denied knowing the identity of the crime family associate he had warned, and he further falsely stated that he was not familiar with the gambling business inside Sal’s Shoe Repair.

    Rosario was acquitted by the jury of obstruction of justice.

    The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s Organized Crime and Gangs Section.  Assistant United States Attorneys Anna L. Karamigios, Sophia M. Suarez and Sean M. Sherman are in charge of the prosecution, with the assistance of Paralegal Specialist Eleanor Jaffe-Pachuilo.

    The Defendant:

    HECTOR ROSARIO
    Age:  51
    Mineola, Long Island

    E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 22-CR-355 (ENV) 

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Alleged International Leader of MS-13 Extradited to Face Racketeering Charge Connected to at Least One Murder

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

               WASHINGTON – Moises Humberto Rivera-Luna, also known as Viejo Santos, 55, an alleged international leader of the violent MS-13 drug gang, made an initial appearance today in U.S. District Court following his extradition from Guatemala to the United States to face a racketeering charge connected to at least one murder. U.S. District Court Judge Royce Lamberth ordered Rivera-Luna held without bond.

               The extradition was announced today by U.S. Attorney Edward R. Martin, Jr., Supervisory Official Antoinette T. Bacon of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations Acting Special Agent in Charge Christopher Heck of the Washington Field Office, and Chief Pamela Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).

    Rivera-Luna is one of seven defendants charged in a fourth superseding, nine-count indictment, which was returned on May 3, 2013 alleging a racketeering conspiracy, murder in aid of racketeering, kidnapping in aid of racketeering, assault with a deadly weapon in aid of racketeering and other offenses. Rivera-Luna is charged only with committing racketeering conspiracy. The government alleges that Rivera-Luna, while incarcerated in El Salvador, supervised operations of MS-13 cliques in the Washington, D.C. area. Upon release, he traveled to Guatemala where he was subject to extradition.

               “The decade-long pursuit of this alleged violent gang member illustrates our office’s resolve to remain focused and bring to justice those who violate the law no matter where they are, no matter how long it takes,” said U.S. Attorney Edward R. Martin, Jr.

               “Keeping Americans safe from transnational criminal gangs is one of the Department’s top priorities,” said Supervisory Official Bacon. “This defendant’s appearance in federal court in Washington today demonstrates our relentless commitment to seeking justice for victims, no matter how long it takes. Thanks to the incredible work by our federal prosecutors and law enforcement partners, we are one step closer to bringing closure for the many victims of this defendant’s alleged brutal violence.”

               “Moise Humberto Rivera-Luna will have his day in court, but he stands accused of very serious crimes. His alleged criminal activity combined with his leadership of the MS-13 transnational criminal organization, makes Rivera-Luna a significant threat to the safety of the American people,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Christopher Heck. “We are grateful for the strong relationships we enjoy with our local, state, federal and international law enforcement partners. Without their cooperation, none of this would be possible. ICE HSI Washington, D.C. will continue to work relentlessly and exhaust all resources to investigate and apprehend anyone who presents a threat to national security or the residents of our communities.”

               The indictment alleges that MS-13 engages in racketeering activity to include murder, narcotics distribution, extortion, robberies, obstruction of justice and other crimes. The indictment specifically states that some of the defendants allegedly participated in assaults against persons they believed to be rival gang members, made threats against persons they believed to be cooperating with law enforcement, and carried out extortions.

               The range of criminal activity alleged in the indictment includes acts committed in the District of Columbia, Maryland, Virginia and other states. The indictment alleges that there was frequent contact between MS-13 members in the Washington, D.C.-metropolitan area and El Salvador, and that persons incarcerated in El Salvador encouraged or ordered assaults and murders.

               Rivera-Luna is alleged to be an international leader of MS-13 who was sending orders and advice to an MS-13 clique operating in the Washington area, via cellular telephone calls from his prison cell in El Salvador. The indictment alleges that he and another MS-13 leader, Marvin Geovanny Monterrosa-Larios, also incarcerated in El Salvador, directed that a coalition of MS-13 cliques be formed in the Washington area. They advised local clique members that the coalition’s aim was to seek and kill MS-13 members who were found to be cooperating with law enforcement officials.                                                                                     

               Among other allegations, the indictment charges Rivera-Luna with ordering the murder of Louis Alberto Membreno-Zelaya, 27. Membreno-Zelaya was found stabbed to death on Nov. 6, 2008, near 11th Street and Otis Place, in Northwest Washington, D.C.

               The indictment also alleges that Rivera-Luna authorized the murder of Felipe Enriquez, 25, whose body was found on March 31, 2010, in Montgomery County, MD.

               This case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorney Lakeita F. Rox-Love of the Criminal Division’s Violent Crime and Racketeering Section (VCRS) and Assistant U.S. Attorney Nihar Mohanty of the Violence Reduction and Trafficking Offenses (VRTO) Section of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia. The case is being investigated by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations Washington Field Office and the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).

               The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs provided significant assistance in securing the extradition of Rivera-Luna from Guatemala.

               Assistance was provided by the Montgomery County and the Prince George’s County, MD. Police Departments, the State’s Attorney’s Office for Montgomery County, MD., the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia.

               The prosecution grew out of the efforts of the federal Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force, a multi-agency team that conducts comprehensive, multi-level attacks on major drug trafficking and money laundering organizations. The principal mission of the nationwide program is to identify, disrupt, and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking and money laundering organizations and those primarily responsible for the nation’s drug supply.

               An indictment is merely an allegation and is not evidence of guilt. Every defendant is presumed innocent until, and unless, proven guilty in a court of law.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Former Wellsville man charged with multiple counts of production of child pornography

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    ROCHESTER, N.Y. – U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced that a federal grand jury has returned an indictment charging Jason Goodsell, 39, formerly of Wellsville, NY, with seven counts of production of child pornography and one count of distribution of child pornography. the charges carry a mandatory minimum penalty of 15 years in prison and a possible maximum penalty of 225 years in prison. 

    Assistant U.S. Attorney David J. Rudroff, who is handling the case, stated that according to the indictment, between June 1, 2020, and December 2, 2021, Goodsell coerced a minor victim to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing a visual depiction of the conduct. In addition, between June 1 and June 30, 2022, Goodsell distributed the images of child pornography that he produced.

    Goodsell was arraigned this afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge H. Kenneth Schroeder, Jr. and detained.

    The indictment is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Miraglia, and the Wellsville Police Department, under the direction of Chief Timothy O’Grady. Additional Assistance was provided by the Pittsburgh Office of the FBI.

    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 USA: Alleged International Leader of MS-13 Extradited on RICO Charge

    Source: US State of North Dakota

    Moises Humberto Rivera-Luna, also known as Santos and Viejo Santos, 55, an alleged international leader of the violent MS-13 drug gang, made an initial appearance today in the District of Columbia following his extradition from Guatemala to the United States to face racketeering conspiracy charges.

    “Keeping Americans safe from transnational criminal gangs is one of the Department’s top priorities,” said Supervisory Official Antoinette T. Bacon of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “This defendant’s appearance in federal court in Washington today demonstrates our relentless commitment to seeking justice for victims, no matter how long it takes. Thanks to the incredible work by our federal prosecutors and law enforcement partners, we are one step closer to bringing closure for the many victims of this defendant’s alleged brutal violence.”

    “The decade-long pursuit of this alleged violent gang member illustrates our office’s resolve to remain focused and bring to justice those who violate the law no matter where they are, no matter how long it takes,” said U.S. Attorney Edward R. Martin Jr. for the District of Columbia.

    “Moise Humberto Rivera-Luna will have his day in court, but he stands accused of very serious crimes,” said U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations (ICE HSI) Washington, D.C., Acting Special Agent in Charge Christopher Heck. “His alleged criminal activity, combined with his leadership of the MS-13 transnational criminal organization, makes Rivera-Luna a significant threat to the safety of the American people. We are grateful for the strong relationships we enjoy with our local, state, federal and international law enforcement partners. Without their cooperation, none of this would be possible. ICE HSI Washington, D.C., will continue to work relentlessly and exhaust all resources to investigate and apprehend anyone who presents a threat to national security or the residents of our communities.”

    Rivera-Luna is one of seven defendants in a nine-count fourth superseding indictment, which was returned on May 3, 2013, charging the defendants with committing racketeering conspiracy, murder in aid of racketeering, kidnapping in aid of racketeering, assault with a deadly weapon in aid of racketeering, and other offenses. Rivera-Luna is charged only with committing racketeering conspiracy. The government alleges that Rivera-Luna, while incarcerated in El Salvador, supervised operations of MS-13 cliques in the Washington area. Upon release, he traveled to Guatemala where he was subject to extradition.

    The indictment alleges that MS-13 engages in racketeering activity to include murder, narcotics distribution, extortion, robberies, obstruction of justice, and other crimes. The indictment specifically states that some of the defendants allegedly participated in assaults against perceived rival gang members, made threats against people they believed to be cooperating with law enforcement, and carried out extortions.

    The range of criminal activity alleged in the indictment includes acts committed in the District of Columbia, Maryland, Virginia, and other states. The indictment alleges there was frequent contact between MS-13 members in the Washington metropolitan area and El Salvador, and that members incarcerated in El Salvador encouraged or ordered assaults and murders.

    Rivera-Luna is alleged to be an international leader of MS-13 who was sending orders and advice to an MS-13 clique operating in the Washington area via cellular telephone calls from his prison cell in El Salvador. The indictment alleges that he and another alleged MS-13 leader, Marvin Geovanny Monterrosa-Larios, also incarcerated in El Salvador, directed a coalition of MS-13 cliques to be formed in the Washington area. They advised local clique members that the coalition’s aim was to seek and kill MS-13 members who were found to be cooperating with law enforcement officials.

    Among other allegations, the indictment charges Rivera-Luna with ordering the murder of Louis Alberto Membreno-Zelaya, 27. Membreno-Zelaya was found stabbed to death on Nov. 6, 2008, in Northwest Washington.

    The indictment also alleges that Rivera-Luna authorized the murder of Felipe Enriquez, 25, whose body was found on March 31, 2010, in Montgomery County, Maryland.

    ICE HSI Washington, D.C., and the Metropolitan Police Department are investigating the case. The Montgomery County and Prince George’s County, Maryland, Police Departments; State Attorney’s Office for Montgomery County; and U.S. Attorneys’ Offices for the District of Maryland and the Eastern District of Virginia provided assistance.

    The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs provided significant assistance in securing the extradition of Rivera-Luna from Guatemala.

    Trial Attorney Lakeita F. Rox-Love of the Criminal Division’s Violent Crime and Racketeering Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Nihar Mohanty for the District of Columbia are prosecuting the case.

    This effort was part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

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

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: New Jersey Man Admits to Concealing Material Support and Resources to ISIS

    Source: US State of California

    Kyse S. Abushanab, 27, of Budd Lake, New Jersey, pleaded guilty today to a one-count information charging him with concealing material support and resources to a designated foreign terrorist organization.

    According to court documents, between in or around March 2021 and in or around January 2022, Abushanab compiled resources, including information pertaining to the manufacture and use of weapons of mass destruction, with the aim of providing members of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS or the Islamic State), a designated foreign terrorist organization, and its supporters with a repository of information and resources to help carry out ISIS’s mission. This material included, among other things, videos and documents showing step-by-step instructions on how to make suicide belts or vests, detonators and timers, improvised bombs, and other explosives and incendiary devices. In an effort to evade detection by law enforcement, Abushanab took steps to conceal his efforts to assist ISIS by, among other things, using encrypted applications, untraceable email accounts, and a secured cloud storage space to gather and store information on how to make a variety of weapons of mass destruction.

    The charge of concealment of provision of material support carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentencing is scheduled for Sept. 24.

    Sue Bai, head of the Justice Department’s National Security Division; Acting U.S. Attorney Vikas Khanna for the District of New Jersey; Assistant Director David J. Scott of the FBI’s Counterterrorism Division; and Acting Special Agent in Charge Terence G. Reilly of the FBI Newark Field Office made the announcement.

    The FBI is investigating the case, with valuable assistance provided by the Morris County Sheriff’s Office.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Sammi Malek for the District of New Jersey and Trial Attorney Ryan White of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section are prosecuting the case.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Baldwin Responds to Trump’s Commitment to “Resurrect the American Shipbuilding Industry”

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Wisconsin Tammy Baldwin

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) released the following statement in response to President Trump’s commitment to “resurrect the American shipbuilding industry” during his joint address to Congress.

    “I take great pride in representing Wisconsin’s shipbuilding industry, and in his speech last night, the President acknowledged something I’ve been long fighting for – the need to revitalize the American shipbuilding industry and support American workers and companies,” said Senator Baldwin. “America used to lead the world in shipbuilding, but for too long, China has cheated the rules, threatening our national security and jobs across the country. I’ve always said I’d work with anyone to deliver for Wisconsinites – so, Mr. President, let’s get to work. The first step is cracking down on China for cheating and holding them accountable – like I have long fought for – so we level the playing field for workers and support Made in America shipbuilding.”

    Senator Baldwin has been leading the charge to level the playing field for Wisconsin workers. Last March, Senator Baldwin joined USW and other labor leaders in support of the American shipbuilding industry and to call on Trade Representative Tai to conduct a full investigation. In April, the USTR announced they were heeding that call and launching an investigation into China, resulting in a report that lays the groundwork for the Trump Administration to impose appropriate penalties on China to support American workers. In January, Senator Baldwin applauded the United States Trade Representative report outlining China’s unfair trade practices to undercut American shipbuilding and called on the President to act. In February, Baldwin led a group of her colleagues in calling on the Trump Administration to act on the results of the investigation and take immediate action to level the playing field for American workers, businesses, and national security.

    Senator Baldwin has long championed Buy America policies to support American businesses and workers. She fought to advance her American Made Navy Act in last year’s annual defense legislation, which would ensure by 2033 any new Navy ship purchased uses 100% domestically produced materials, like propulsion systems, shipboard components, couplings, shafts, support bearings, and more. She also worked to include strong Buy America standards in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

                   

    MIL OSI USA News –