NewzIntel.com

Category: Justice

  • MIL-OSI USA: New York Man Indicted for Role in Estranged Husband’s Murder in Brazil

    Source: US State of California

    A New York man was arrested and charged in a superseding indictment unsealed today in the Southern District of New York for hiring someone to kill his estranged husband, who was murdered in Rio de Janeiro in January 2024. Sikkema made his initial court appearance on the superseding indictment today in the Southern District of New York.

    According to court documents, beginning in 2023, Daniel Sikkema, 54, of New York City, offered another individual (CC-1) money in exchange for CC-1 killing Sikkema’s estranged husband, with whom Sikkema was involved in contentious divorce proceedings. The victim, who was a U.S. citizen, had amassed a multi-million-dollar estate and often traveled to Rio de Janeiro where he maintained property. In advance of the victim’s murder, Sikkema sent CC-1 money using a stolen identity and intermediaries in an effort to conceal the source of the payments.

    The victim was murdered by CC-1 on Jan. 14, 2024.

    Sikkema is charged with one count of conspiracy to commit a murder-for-hire, one count of murder-for-hire, one count of conspiracy to murder a person in a foreign county, and one count of passport fraud. If convicted, he faces a mandatory penalty of life in prison or death. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

    Supervisory Official Antoinette T. Bacon of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Danielle R. Sassoon for the Southern District of New York, and Assistant Director in Charge James E. Dennehy of the FBI New York Field Office made the announcement.

    The FBI investigated the case.

    Trial Attorney Chelsea Schinnour of the Criminal Division’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Meredith Foster and Remy Grosbard for the Southern District of New York are prosecuting the case.

    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 Security: New York Man Indicted for Role in Estranged Husband’s Murder in Brazil

    Source: United States Attorneys General 1

    A New York man was arrested and charged in a superseding indictment unsealed today in the Southern District of New York for hiring someone to kill his estranged husband, who was murdered in Rio de Janeiro in January 2024. Sikkema made his initial court appearance on the superseding indictment today in the Southern District of New York.

    According to court documents, beginning in 2023, Daniel Sikkema, 54, of New York City, offered another individual (CC-1) money in exchange for CC-1 killing Sikkema’s estranged husband, with whom Sikkema was involved in contentious divorce proceedings. The victim, who was a U.S. citizen, had amassed a multi-million-dollar estate and often traveled to Rio de Janeiro where he maintained property. In advance of the victim’s murder, Sikkema sent CC-1 money using a stolen identity and intermediaries in an effort to conceal the source of the payments.

    The victim was murdered by CC-1 on Jan. 14, 2024.

    Sikkema is charged with one count of conspiracy to commit a murder-for-hire, one count of murder-for-hire, one count of conspiracy to murder a person in a foreign county, and one count of passport fraud. If convicted, he faces a mandatory penalty of life in prison or death. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

    Supervisory Official Antoinette T. Bacon of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Danielle R. Sassoon for the Southern District of New York, and Assistant Director in Charge James E. Dennehy of the FBI New York Field Office made the announcement.

    The FBI investigated the case.

    Trial Attorney Chelsea Schinnour of the Criminal Division’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Meredith Foster and Remy Grosbard for the Southern District of New York are prosecuting the case.

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

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Global: What is Sudan virus and how similar is it to Ebola?

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Michael Head, Senior Research Fellow in Global Health, University of Southampton

    The Ugandan government and the World Health Organization recently confirmed an outbreak of Sudan virus disease. The index (first-known) case of this outbreak is thought to be a 32-year-old male nurse from a hospital in Kampala, the capital of Uganda.

    The WHO reported two main clusters, related to the patient’s family and a hospital cluster. At the time of writing, the index case is the sole recorded death. The second case was the patient’s wife, and as of February 11, there were nine confirmed cases.

    Outbreaks of this virus are relatively rare. This new outbreak is the ninth to have been recorded since 1976 when the virus was first identified and – as was practice at the time – named after the location where this first outbreak took place, southern Sudan.

    A 2022 Sudan virus outbreak also in Uganda resulted in 164 cases and 77 deaths (a fatality rate of 47%). There are no treatments or vaccines against the Sudan virus.

    Sudan virus disease is essentially a disease very similar to Ebola. The Ebola virus has caused several high-profile outbreaks. The west Africa 2014-16 outbreak was the largest with 28,600 cases and 11,325 deaths.

    The Sudan and Ebola viruses both come from the orthoebolavirus family, but they have different proteins and genetic components, so the immune response to each virus is different. As such, it’s thought that the Ebola vaccines will not be effective against the Sudan virus.

    For the current Sudan virus outbreak, there are efforts to deploy vaccine candidates and also monoclonal antibody medicines. These medicines create antibodies that aim to stop the virus from replicating.

    In 2022, the WHO recommended two monoclonal antibodies for use against Ebola. There is enthusiasm for similar research related to treatments for the Sudan virus.

    A phase 1 vaccine trial, the earliest phase of testing in humans, is underway.

    The similarities in structure between these two types of orthoebolavirus mean that the symptoms in patients are similar. The illness for both viruses may typically begin with fever, aches and fatigue with potential progression onto diarrhoea, vomiting and unexplained bleeding.

    Laboratory testing is needed to differentiate between the diseases, though the urgent need for isolation remains.

    Early supportive treatment has been shown to reduce mortality rates of Sudan and Ebola virus disease, giving the patient time for their body to recover. This usually involves replacing fluids and treating pain, fever and other possible infections, such as malaria.

    The reporting of the 2022 Sudan virus disease outbreak described how patients would first visit care facilities that were outside of the mainstream health service. There were many new infections across late August 2022 from within private health facilities that drove transmission early on in the outbreak. This suggested a low level of infection prevention and control, and quite possibly a lack of equipment and good practice to contain serious infections.

    When cases were confirmed, most known contacts who developed symptoms were referred to specialist units for testing and hospital care. These referrals typically happened in October, and the outbreak was declared over by the end of November 2022. Although we lack vital tools such as effective vaccines and drugs, contact tracing and appropriate infection control can contain serious outbreaks such as these.

    Climate change driving distribution

    Climate change will have an effect on the geographical distribution of new and emerging infections, such as Ebola and Sudan virus disease and the Crimean-Congo virus. Mosquito-borne diseases, such as malaria and yellow fever, will find new habitats while dengue and West Nile virus are already becoming more common in Europe and North America.

    International cooperation for addressing global health threats is vital. However, these efforts will be hindered by the volatility and lack of coherence from key stakeholders such as the US government. The world faces uncertain times, and these are ideal circumstances for the Sudan virus and other infectious diseases to thrive.

    Michael Head has previously received funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Research England and the UK Department for International Development, and currently receives funding from the UK Medical Research Foundation.

    – ref. What is Sudan virus and how similar is it to Ebola? – https://theconversation.com/what-is-sudan-virus-and-how-similar-is-it-to-ebola-249312

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Enfield Man Sentenced to 25 Years in Federal Prison for Producing and Possessing Child Sex Abuse Material

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Marc H. Silverman, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that KATRELL JOHNSON, 35, of Enfield, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to 25 years of imprisonment, followed by 10 years of supervised release, for producing and possessing child sex abuse images and videos.

    According to court documents and statements made in court, in April and May 2023, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (“NCMEC”) received CyberTipline reports from Google and WhatsApp that accounts, which were subsequently connected to Johnson, had been used to upload images and videos depicting the sexual abuse of children.  A court-authorized search of two of Johnson’s Google accounts revealed approximately 1,500 child sex abuse images and videos, including images and videos of prepubescent children, and images that Johnson created of two minor victims he had abused.

    Johnson has been detained since his arrest on July 13, 2023.  On February 14, 2024, he pleaded guilty to two counts of production of child pornography, and one count of possession of child pornography.

    This matter was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Enfield Police Department.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Nathan J. Guevremont.

    This prosecution is part of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Project Safe Childhood Initiative, which is aimed at protecting children from sexual abuse and exploitation. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.

    To report cases of child exploitation, please visit www.cybertipline.com.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Three Charged For Their Role In Major Theft Organization Targeting Luxury Vehicles

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announced the  return of an indictment charging Michel Serrano (34, Lehigh Acres) with conspiracy to commit interstate transportation of stolen motor vehicles and the sale and possession of stolen motor vehicles, as well as two counts of interstate transportation of stolen motor vehicles. If convicted on all counts, Serrano faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison. Julio Sanchez (35, Redwood City, California) and Angel Mares (56, San Jose, California) were also charged with conspiracy to commit interstate transportation of stolen motor vehicles and the sale and possession of stolen motor vehicles. If convicted on this count, Sanchez and Mares each face a maximum penalty of 5 years in federal prison. The indictment also notifies Serrano, Sanchez, and Mares that the United States is seeking an order of forfeiture for any property, real or personal, which is traceable to the proceeds of the crimes, and an order of forfeiture in the amount of the proceeds of the crimes.

    According to the indictment, beginning at least as early as June 2020 and continuing through May 2021, Serrano, Sanchez, Mares, and their co-conspirators stole high-end vehicles from throughout the state of Florida. Vehicles were stolen from car dealerships, residences and residential parking garages, and other businesses. The conspirators altered the Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) on the stolen motor vehicles, then transported the stolen vehicles on semi-trucks across state lines with the intent to sell them. The conspirators then sold the stolen motor vehicles to purchasers. For an additional fee, the conspirators would provide the purchaser a full vehicle registration and title within the state of California. The conspirators were paid by the purchasers through cash and checks for the stolen vehicles. 

    An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.

    This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Florida Highway Patrol, with assistance from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, Tampa Police Department, Citrus County Sheriff’s Office, Pasco Sheriff’s Office, Dade City Police Department, Hernando County Sheriff’s Office, Manatee County Sheriff’s Office, Bradenton Police Department, Cape Coral Police Department, the California Highway Patrol, and the National Insurance Crime Bureau. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Tiffany E. Fields.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Former teacher admits to receiving and possessing child sexual abuse material

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    LAREDO, Texas – A 42-year-old Laredo resident has pleaded guilty to receipt and possession of child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.

    Roberto Ortiz Jr. admitted he downloaded and possessed child pornography on his computer and an external hard drive.  

    The investigation began March 23, 2024, when law enforcement downloaded files containing child pornography from an IP address linked to Ortiz. On June 4, 2024, authorities executed a search warrant at Ortiz’s residence. He gave them access to his computer and showed them where he saved his downloaded content. They saw images of child pornography and took Ortiz into custody.  

    Forensic analysis resulted in the discovery of over 3,000 files containing child pornography on Ortiz’s computer and external hard drive.

    U.S. District Judge Marina Garcia Marmolejo will impose sentencing May 19. At that time, Ortiz faces up to 20 years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine.

    He has been and will remain in custody pending sentencing.

    The FBI conducted the investigation with the assistance of the Laredo Child Exploitation Task Force.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Christine A. Cortez is prosecuting the case, which was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood (PSC), a nationwide initiative the Department of Justice (DOJ) launched in May 2006 to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section leads PSC, which marshals federal, state and local resources to locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children and identifies and rescues victims. For more information about PSC, please visit DOJ’s PSC page. For more information about internet safety education, please visit the resources tab on that page. 

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Armed Felon Is Sentenced To 17 ½ Years In Prison On Drug And Gun Charges

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Jason Travis Shook, 42, of Conover, N.C., was sentenced today to 210 months in prison and five years of supervised release on drug and gun charges, announced Dena J. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina.

    Jae W. Chung, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Atlanta Field Division of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), which oversees the Charlotte District Office, and Sheriff Donald G. Brown II of the Catawba County Sheriff’s Office, join U.S. Attorney King in making today’s announcement.

    According to court documents and proceedings, in August 2022, officers with the Catawba County Sheriff’s Office learned that Shook was distributing large amounts of methamphetamine in the area. As part of the investigation into Shook, law enforcement began surveilling Shook’s property in Conover and his black Chevrolet Suburban vehicle. On August 25, 2022, officers observed Shook walking back and forth from his property to the Suburban, which had a white boat attached to it. Shook was seen carrying a backpack that he placed in the back seat of the Suburban before he drove away from the property. Law enforcement attempted to conduct a traffic stop of Shook’s vehicle for multiple traffic violations, including driving with a revoked license. Shook did not obey and instead he led law enforcement on a vehicle pursuit which ended with Shook crashing the Suburban and boat into a wooded area at the end of a road in Hickory. Shook then ran on foot and jumped into Lake Hickory. A short time later Shook was taken into custody.

    According to filed court documents, law enforcement retrieved the backpack from the Suburban, which contained a clear plastic bag with a large amount of methamphetamine, $24,707 in cash, a clear plastic bag with approximately 7 grams of methamphetamine and over one gram of loose methamphetamine, digital scales, other drug paraphernalia, as well as two unspent 12-gauge shot gun shells. Law enforcement also searched Shook’s flight path and located a Ruger, model SR40C, .40 caliber semi-automatic pistol along the side of the road. The firearm contained one round of ammunition in the chamber and an additional round in the magazine. The seized methamphetamine was analyzed at the DEA Mid-Atlantic Laboratory and determined to be 368.99 grams of pure methamphetamine.

    On August 8, 2024, Shook pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession of a firearm by a felon. Shook has a prior criminal history that includes felony convictions for Assault with a Deadly Weapon Inflicting Serious Injury and Second-Degree Kidnapping, and he is prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition. Shook will remain in federal custody until he is transferred to the custody of the Federal Bureau of Prisons upon designation of a federal facility.

    In making today’s announcement, U.S. Attorney King thanked the DEA and the Catawba County Sheriff’s Office for their investigation of the case.

    Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nick J. Miller, Brandon Boykin, and Regina Pack with the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte prosecuted the case. 

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: California Teenager Sentenced to 48 Months in Prison for Nationwide Swatting Spree

    Source: United States Attorneys General 1

    Alan W. Filion, 18, of Lancaster, California, was sentenced today to 48 months in prison for making interstate threats to injure the person of another.

    According to the plea agreement, from approximately August 2022 to January 2024, Filion made over 375 swatting and threat calls, including calls in which he claimed to have planted bombs in the targeted locations or threatened to detonate bombs and/or conduct mass shootings at those locations. Filion targeted religious institutions, high schools, colleges and universities, government officials, and numerous individuals across the United States.

    Filion intended his calls to cause large-scale deployment of police and emergency services units to the targeted locations. During these calls, he provided information to law enforcement and emergency services agencies that he knew to be false, such as false names, false claims that he and others had placed explosives in particular locations, false claims that he and others possessed dangerous weapons, including firearms and explosives, and false claims that he and other individuals had committed, or intended to imminently commit, violent crimes.

    In some instances, armed law enforcement officers approached and entered a targeted residence with their weapons drawn and detained individuals that occupied the residence. Indeed, Filion claimed in a post on Jan. 20, 2023, that when he swats someone, he “usually get[s] the cops to drag the victim and their families out of the house cuff them and search the house for dead bodies.” Additionally, Filion’s calls caused law enforcement officers and dispatchers to respond, and to be unavailable in response to other emergencies.

    Filion became a serial swatter for both profit and recreation. He claimed in a Jan. 19, 2023, online post that his “first” swatting was like “2 to 3 years ago” and that “6-9 months ago [he] decided to turn it into a business. . .” On several occasions, Filion placed posts on social media channels advertising his services and swatting-for-a-fee structure.

    On Jan.18, 2024, Filion was arrested in California on Florida state charges arising from a May 2023 threat he made to a religious institution in Sanford, Florida. In that threat, he claimed to have an illegally modified AR-15, a Glock 17 pistol, pipe bombs, and Molotov cocktails. He said that he was going to imminently “commit a mass shooting” and “kill everyone” he saw. He pleaded guilty in federal court to making that threat.

    Filion also pleaded guilty to making three other threatening calls: an October 2022 call to a public high school in the Western District of Washington, in which he threatened to commit a mass shooting and claimed to have planted bombs throughout the school; a May 2023 call to a Historically Black College or University in the Northern District of Florida, in which he claimed to have placed bombs in the walls and ceilings of campus housing that would detonate in about an hour; and a July 2023 call to a local police department dispatch number in the Western District of Texas, in which he falsely identified himself as a senior federal law enforcement officer, provided the federal law-enforcement officer’s residential address to the dispatcher, claimed to have killed the federal officer’s mother, and threatened to kill any responding police officers.

    The FBI and U.S. Secret Service investigated the case, with valuable assistance provided by the Seminole County (Florida) Sheriff’s Office; the Anacortes (Washington) Police Department; the Florida Department of Law Enforcement; the California Department of Justice; the Los Angeles County (California) Sheriff’s Office; and the Volusia County (Florida) Sheriff’s Office.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Kara Wick for the Middle District of Florida prosecuted the case, with valuable assistance from the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section; the State Attorney’s Office for Seminole County, Florida, 18th Judicial Circuit; and the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices for the Western District of Washington, Northern District of Florida, Western District of Texas, and District of Columbia. 

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Abbeville man arrested on Criminal Solicitation of a Minor and related chargesRead More

    Source: US State of South Carolina

    (COLUMBIA, S.C.) – South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson announced the arrest of David Hoyt Williams, 36, of Abbeville, S.C., on six charges connected to the attempted sexual exploitation of a minor. Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force investigators with the Abbeville Police Department made the arrest.  

     

    Investigators state Williams solicited and traveled to meet a person he believed to be a minor for sex, and sent sexually explicit material to a person he believed to be a minor.

     

    Williams was arrested on February 5, 2025. He is charged with one count of criminal solicitation of a minor (§16-15-342), a felony offense punishable by up to 10 years imprisonment; one count of attempted criminal sexual conduct with a minor (§16-3-655(B)(1)); and four counts of dissemination of obscene material to a person under the age of eighteen (§16-15-345), a felony offense punishable by up to 10 years imprisonment on each count.

     

     

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

     

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

     

     

     

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

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: ICC and IE University expand partnership to strengthen multilateralism 

    Source: International Chamber of Commerce

    Headline: ICC and IE University expand partnership to strengthen multilateralism 

    Leveraging the unique networks of both institutions across the private sector, academia, and the multilateral system, the “Rethinking Multilateralism: A New Role for the Private Sector” project aims to promote pragmatic and inclusive pathways to respond to global challenges.

    The growing threat of fragmentation, the need to secure over US$1 trillion of sustainable finance to meet the Paris Agreement and rising trade frictions present major global challenges. Rethinking the role of multilateralism in addressing these global issues and advancing sustainable development goals is more urgent than ever.

    ICC Secretary General, John W.H. Denton AO said:

    “International organisations need to realise that the private sector has so much more to offer beyond funding in efforts to advance sustainable development and prosperity around the world. We know things can be done better, so now we need to find practical ways to make change happen.”

    The “Rethinking Multilateralism” project, led by an ICC-IE Steering Committee, will provide insights and capacity-building opportunities. The two partners believe that tackling global challenges requires the private sector as a true partner in multilateral efforts, with stronger collaboration across sectors capable of delivering practical solutions.  

    IE University Provost Manuel Muñiz said:

    “IE University, as a catalyst for change, aims to strengthen the private sector’s role in multilateralism through this project with ICC, fostering an inclusive, pragmatic model that leverages innovation and knowledge to address global challenges and drive sustainable development.”

    Since 2019, ICC and IE University have developed a range of programming together, including executive master’s programmes, field trips to the ICC Court of Arbitration and ICC Global Headquarters in Paris, and capstone projects for students.

    About IE University

    IE University promotes positive change through education, research, and innovation. It offers a technology-based learning ecosystem for leaders with a global vision, an entrepreneurial mindset, deep respect for diversity and sustainability, and a unique focus on the humanities. IE University is comprised of six schools: IE Business School, IE Law School, IE School of Politics, Economics and Global Affairs, IE School of Architecture and Design, IE School of Science and Technology, and IE School of Humanities. The institution has a faculty of more than 500 professors who produce high-quality research and teach students from 160 countries in Bachelors, Masters and Executive Education programs. IE University’s platform of more than 82,000 alumni is present in 185 countries.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Multiple defendants indicted on federal gun charges

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    SAVANNAH, GA: Newly returned indictments in the Southern District of Georgia include charges alleging felons illegally possessed firearms, while other defendants have been sentenced to federal prison or await further proceedings after pleading guilty to federal gun charges. 

    “Getting guns out of the hands of those who can’t legally possess them is a vital part of the effort to reduce violent crime,” said Tara M. Lyons, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. “We applaud our law enforcement partners for their diligent work in keeping our communities safe.”  

    The cases are prosecuted as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods in collaboration with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, including the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the FBI, to reduce violent crime with measures that include targeting convicted felons who illegally possess guns.

    Those indicted in February include:

    • Taron Charleston, 20, of Dublin, Georgia, charged with Illegal Possession of a Machine Gun;
    • Shanan Lee Grover, 35, of Wrightsville, Ga., charged with Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon;
    • Timothy Lee Cheeks, 37, of Augusta, charged with Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon; and,
    • Charles Harmon Porter, 54, of Savannah, charged with Possession of Ammunition by a Convicted Felon.

    Also previously indicted are:

    • Stephen Joseph Sala, 33, of Augusta, charged with Possession of an Unregistered Firearm (referring to a short-barreled rifle); and,
    • Jahmz Ransom, 24, of Savannah, charged with Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon.

    All indicted defendants are considered innocent unless and until proven guilty. 

    Defendants recently adjudicated on federal firearms charges include:

    • Nathan Sparks, 27, of Savannah, was sentenced to 130 months in prison after pleading guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. Savannah police found a pistol in Sparks’ waistband during a traffic stop.
    • Darnell Harold Miller, 25, of Savannah, was sentenced to 120 months in prison after pleading guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. Savannah police in January 2024 found Miller in possession of a pistol while investigating a domestic disturbance.
    • Barry Christopher Carpenter, 44, of Gainesville, Ga., was sentenced to 84 months in prison and fined $2,000 after pleading guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. Carpenter was arrested on state charges in Columbia County during a burglary investigation and found to be in possession of two firearms.
    • Corinthian Lamar Colonel, 26, of Savannah, was sentenced to 70 months in prison after pleading guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. Officers from the Savannah Police Department and the Georgia Department of Community Supervision found two firearms in Colonel’s residence during a September 2023 search.
    • Maleak J. Parrish, 24, of Savannah, was sentenced to 57 months in prison after pleading guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. Savannah police fund a pistol in Parrish’s possession during a traffic stop.
    • Eddie Robertson, 30, of Savannah, was sentenced to 52 months in prison and fined $1,500 after pleading guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. Savannah police officers found Robertson in possession of a handgun after a December 2023 traffic stop and foot chase.
    • Anthony Orlando Jones, 34, of Augusta, was sentenced to 46 months in prison and fined $1,500 after pleading guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. Richmond County deputies and the U.S. Marshals found Jones in possession of a semiautomatic pistol in November 2023 while serving him with an arrest warrant on a state felony charge.
    • Pedro Walker, 24, of Savannah, was sentenced to 46 months in prison after pleading guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. Savannah police officers investigating a reported disturbance found Walker had been in possession of a pistol.
    • Willie Dunbar, 45, of Villa Rica, Georgia, was sentenced to 37 months in prison and fined $2,000 after pleading guilty to Possession of a Machine Gun. During a January traffic stop, Wheeler County deputies found Dunbar in possession of a Polymer80 “ghost gun” fitted with a device converting it to automatic fire.
    • Deleon Alexander Jackson, 23, of Augusta, was sentenced to 21 months in prison and fined $1,000 after pleading guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. Richmond County deputies found Jackson in possession of a rifle while investigating a reported disturbance at an Augusta store.
    • Stanley Hall, 22, of Savannah, was sentenced to 71 months in prison after pleading guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. Savannah police found Hall in possession of a handgun while investigating a reported attempted vehicle break-in.
    • Lemar Neil Robinson, 36, of Savannah, awaits sentencing after pleading guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. Georgia state troopers and Savannah police found Robinson in possession of a pistol after a vehicle chase and traffic stop.

    The cases are being prosecuted for the United States by the Southern District of Georgia U.S. Attorney’s Office.

    Under federal law, it is illegal for an individual to possess a firearm if he or she falls into one of nine prohibited categories including being a felon; illegal alien; or unlawful user of a controlled substance. Further, it is unlawful to possess a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense or violent crime. It is also illegal to purchase – or even to attempt to purchase – firearms if the buyer is a prohibited person or illegally purchasing a firearm on behalf of others. Lying on ATF Form 4473, which is used to lawfully purchase a firearm, also is a federal offense.  

    For more information from the ATF on the lawful purchasing of firearms, please see: https://www.atf.gov/qa-category/atfw-form-4473

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Illegal immigrant convicted as part of India-based fraud conspiracy scheme targeting the life savings of elderly victims in Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. – A southern Illinois jury convicted an illegal immigrant from India for his involvement in an imposter scam, in which victims across the Midwest were defrauded out of more than $400,000. 

    The jury convicted Nirav B. Patel, 44, an Indian citizen, of one count of conspiracy to commit wire and mail fraud, three counts of wire fraud and one count of illegal entry into the U.S. by an alien.

    “The U.S. Attorney’s Office is working aggressively to prosecute illegal immigrants who break our laws and exploit elderly victims,” said U.S. Attorney Rachelle Aud Crowe. “An imposter scammer may call, text, or email to convince you they are someone in authority, but government agencies typically initiate conversation with you through the mail. Unexpected contact or demands through any other method are more than likely a scam.”

    Patel was convicted of acting on behalf of an imposter scam, in which the fraudsters pose as government officials to manipulate and exploit elderly victims for money. Patel traveled to the victims’ residences to pick up cash and assets to support the conspiracy.

    The scheme targeted elderly victims with text messages and emails purportedly warning that their Amazon accounts had been compromised. When the victims followed up on the messages, they were redirected to coconspirators posing as federal agents who convinced the victims that they were victims of identity theft who needed to withdraw their life savings to be held in phony U.S. Treasury or FTC trust accounts for safekeeping. In reality, the money was stolen and ultimately transferred to accounts controlled by the scammers in India.

    In addition to the fraud charges, Patel was also convicted for entering the U.S. illegally. Evidence showed that Patel snuck into the U.S. near Vancouver and moved throughout Washington, Tennessee, Georgia, New Jersey and elsewhere. Patel took the witness stand and testified that he moved to the Chicago suburbs, because he was able to acquire an Illinois driver’s license despite being in the U.S. unlawfully. Soon after, he began driving on behalf of the fraud scheme.

    “This conviction represents a significant victory in our fight against fraud schemes that target vulnerable elderly victims,” said HSI Chicago acting Special Agent in Charge Daniel Johnsen. “Patel’s reprehensible actions, along with his illegal presence in our country, underscore the critical importance of our efforts to protect our communities and bring such criminals to justice. We remain steadfast in our commitment to dismantling fraud conspiracies and ensuring that those who exploit others are held accountable for their crimes.”

    Patel was arrested in Edwardsville in April 2023 when he attempted to pick up $35,000 in cash from a retiree. In total, Patel personally made six trips picking up, or attempting to pick up, $403,400 from elderly victims in Indiana, Wisconsin and Illinois.

    Patel could face up to 20 years’ imprisonment and fines up to $250,000 for conspiracy and each of the wire fraud counts. His sentencing is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. on May 29 at the federal courthouse in East St. Louis.

    The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, the Edwardsville Police Department, the Merrill Wisconsin Police Department, the Lincoln County Wisconsin Sheriff’s Office, and the Franklin Indiana Police Department.

    Assistant U.S. Attorneys Peter T. Reed and Steve Weinhoeft are prosecuting the case.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Towanda, Illinois, Man Sentenced to Fifteen Years in Prison for Paying Adults to Sexually Assault Children During Online Video Chats

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    PEORIA, Ill. – A Towanda, Illinois, man, Triston Michael Roberts, 22, was sentenced on February 4, 2025, to fifteen years’ imprisonment, to be followed by a ten-year term of supervised release, after being convicted of two counts of sexual exploitation of a minor. He also must register as a sex offender once he is released.At the sentencing hearing before U.S. District Judge Jonathan E. Hawley, the government established that between April 2023 and February 2024, Roberts used his cellphone to visit online platforms where he located adults offering to engage in sexual acts with children in exchange for money. Roberts used a screen record function on his phone to produce videos of the child sex abuse as it occurred. During the video chat sessions, Roberts provided monetary “tips” in exchange for the performance of specific acts of sexual abuse. Roberts also communicated directly with a prepubescent minor and sent her lewd photographs of himself. At Roberts’s request, the minor female sent him sexually explicit photographs.During the execution of a search warrant at Roberts’s residence, agents with Homeland Security Investigations and the Illinois State Police located three child pornography images and 82 child pornography videos on Roberts’s phone, in addition to the videos that Roberts produced.Roberts was charged by criminal complaint in February 2024 and indicted eight days later. He entered a guilty plea to two counts of sexual exploitation of a minor in September 2024. Roberts has remained in the custody of the United States Marshals Service since his arrest.The statutory penalties for sexual exploitation of a minor are 15 to 30 years’ imprisonment, to be followed by five years to a life term of supervised release.“Preventing the exploitation of children is a top priority for our office,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Gregory M. Gilmore. “Predators like the defendant inflict long-lasting trauma on child victims. We are committed to seeking justice in these cases and are grateful to our federal and local law enforcement partners for their dedicated work in investigating these crimes.”“This case underscores our relentless dedication to protecting children from exploitation,” said HSI Chicago acting Special Agent in Charge Daniel Johnsen. “The abhorrent actions of Roberts have caused severe harm, and his conviction ensures he will face justice for his vile offenses. We are committed to leveraging all resources at our disposal to prevent such heinous acts and ensure the safety and well-being of our communities.”“Preying on children is a despicable crime, and ISP special agents are committed to relentlessly pursuing justice and safety for all children every day,” said Illinois State Police Director Brendan F. Kelly.The Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations, Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Illinois State Police investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Melissa P. Ortiz represented the government in the prosecution.The case against Roberts was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative by the Department of Justice to combat the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Six Sentenced in Federal Fraud Pandemic Unemployment Benefit Scheme

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    ABINGDON, Va. – Six of the 17 defendants charged with conspiring to defraud the United States, commit program fraud, and commit mail fraud in connection to a scheme involving the filing of fraudulent claims for pandemic unemployment benefits, were sentenced recently in U.S. District Court in Abingdon.

    Stephanie Amber Barton, 31, and Hayleigh McKenzie Wolfe, 30, both of Cedar Bluff, Virginia, were each sentenced yesterday to serve 12 months and 1 day in federal prison. Barton previously pled guilty to conspiring to defraud the United States and was ordered to pay $28,964 in restitution to the Virginia Employment Commission.

    Wolfe previously pled guilty to knowingly making materially false and fraudulent statements and representations on a claim for emergency assistance benefits and was ordered to pay $13,978 in restitution.

    Last month, four other defendants were sentenced for their roles in the scheme. 

    Jonathan Webb, the individual charged with ‘recruiting’ others to file fraudulent claims, mostly inmates at local jails, was sentenced to 48 months in federal prison and was ordered to pay $150,218 in restitution.

    Terrence Brooks Vilacha was sentenced to 18 months in prison and was ordered to pay $14,894 in restitution. Joseph Hass was sentenced to 27 months’ incarceration and was ordered to pay $19,316 in restitution. Brian Addair was sentenced to 24 months in prison and was ordered to pay $22,284.

    Also charged and awaiting sentencing are Josef Ludwig Brown, Crystal Samantha Shaw, Christopher Kirk Webb, Cara Camille Bailey, Jessica Dawn Lester, Russell Eric Stiltner, Daneil Wayne Horton, Justin Warren Meadows, Jeramy Blake Farmer, and Clinton Michael Altizer, all charged with conspiring to defraud the United States, fraud in connection with emergency benefits, and conspiring to commit mail fraud. One defendant is scheduled for trial in May 2025.

    According to court documents, between March 2020 and September 2021, Josef Brown, Jonathan Webb, and Crystal Shaw developed a scheme to file fraudulent claims and recertifications for pandemic unemployment befits via the Virginia Employment Commission website. The scheme involved the collection of personal identification information (PII) of inmates housed at SWVRJA-Haysi, as well as personal friends and acquaintances of Brown, Webb, and Shaw. The conspirators used that information to file fraudulent claims and recertifications for pandemic unemployment benefits for incarcerated individuals and others who were ineligible for the benefits.

    In all, the defendants stole $341,205 in pandemic relief to which they were not entitled.

    As part of the Pandemic Response Accountability Committee (PRAC) Task Force, this investigation was conducted by the Special Inspector General for Pandemic Recovery. The PRAC’s 20 member Inspectors General identify major risks that cross program and agency boundaries to detect fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement in the more than $5 trillion in COVID-19 spending.

    Acting United States Attorney Zachary T. Lee, Stanley M. Meador, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Richmond Division, and Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares announced the sentences.

    Agencies that assisted with this investigation included the Dickenson County Sheriff’s Office, the Southwest Virginia Regional Jail Authority, the FBI, U.S. Department of Labor, and the Virginia Employment Commission.

    Special Assistant U.S. Attorney M. Suzanne Kerney-Quillen, a Senior Assistant Attorney General with the Virginia Attorney General’s Major Crimes and Emerging Threats Section, and Assistant United States Attorney Danielle Stone are prosecuting the case for the United States.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Tiptonville, Tennessee, Man Sentenced to Ten Years in Prison for Attempted Enticement of a Minor

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    PEORIA, Ill. – A Tiptonville, Tennessee, man, Jerry Braddy, 45, was sentenced on February 4, 2025, to ten years in federal prison, to be followed by a five-year term of supervised release, for attempted enticement of a minor. He also must register as a sex offender once he is released.

    At the sentencing hearing before U.S. District Judge Jonathan E. Hawley, the government established that between June 2, 2024, and June 12, 2024, Braddy communicated via an online platform with an individual he believed to be the stepfather of a nine-year-old child. Braddy agreed to meet the child and stepfather in Bloomington, Illinois, in order to engage in a sexual encounter with the minor. Federal law enforcement agents, with assistance from the McLean County Sherriff’s Office, arrested Braddy when he arrived at the location.

    Braddy was charged by criminal complaint in June 2024 and indicted five days later. Braddy pleaded guilty in August 2024. He has remained in the custody of the United States Marshals Service since his arrest.

    The statutory penalties for attempted enticement of a minor are a minimum of ten years to life imprisonment, followed by a minimum of five years to a maximum life term of supervised release.

    The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Springfield Field Office, investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Melissa P. Ortiz represented the government in the prosecution.

    The case against Braddy was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative by the Department of Justice to combat the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Braddock Felon Charged with Possession of Firearm and Ammunition

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    PITTSBURGH, Pa. – A resident of Braddock, Pennsylvania, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on a charge of violating a federal firearms law, Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.

    The one-count Indictment named Terrance Chatman, 33, as the sole defendant.

    According to the Indictment, on or about December 11, 2024, Chatman possessed a firearm and ammunition after having been convicted of four prior felonies, including on murder, robbery, criminal conspiracy, and firearms charges. Federal law prohibits possession of a firearm or ammunition by a convicted felon.

    The law provides for a maximum total sentence of up to 15 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, or both. Under the federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history of the defendant.

    Assistant United States Attorney V. Joseph Sonson is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

    The Pittsburgh Bureau of Police and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment.

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

    An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
     

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Key Member of Drug Ring Associated with Aryan Prison Gang Sentenced to Seven Plus Years in Prison

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

    Defendant operated stash house and pill press making millions of fentanyl tainted pills

    Seattle – A 65-year-old Shelton, Washington resident was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Tacoma to 90 months in prison for his role in a drug trafficking ring connected to Aryan prison gangs, announced U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman. Michael Warren was arrested in March 2023, when federal agents moved in following a two-year investigation of drug trafficking activities. A search of Warren’s home in December 2022, turned up two pill presses, more than 640,000 fentanyl pills and a kilo of fentanyl powder to make thousands more. Warren also possessed 23 firearms at the stash house.

    At today’s sentencing hearing, Chief U.S. District Judge David G. Estudillo said, “the crime is unquestionably serious based on the amount of narcotics found at his residence and the presence of firearms.”

    “This defendant demonstrates that drug trafficking is not just a young person’s game,” said U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman. “Mr. Warren was a key drug transporter, manufacturer and distributor causing untold harm in our community.”

    According to records filed in the case, Warren served as a trusted co-conspirator to the leader of one of the drug distribution cells led by Bryson Gill. In addition to manufacturing pills and storing them at his Shelton home, Warren drove to Arizona on multiple occasions to pick up methamphetamine and fentanyl from the group’s drug supplier.

    Bryson Gill entered a guilty plea today to conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and conspiracy to commit money laundering, and is scheduled for sentencing on May 9, 2025.

    Law enforcement made two dozen arrests on federal charges on March 22, 2023. The coordinated takedown involved ten swat teams and more than 350 law enforcement officers. On that day law enforcement seized 177 firearms, more than ten kilos of methamphetamine, 11 kilos of fentanyl pills and more than a kilo of fentanyl powder, three kilos of heroin, and more than $330,000 in cash from eighteen locations in Washington and Arizona. Earlier in the investigation law enforcement seized 830,000 fentanyl pills, 5.5 pounds of fentanyl powder, 223 pounds of methamphetamine, 3.5 pounds of heroin, 5 pounds of cocaine, $388,000 in cash, and 48 firearms.

    The top-level leader of the drug trafficking ring, Jesse Bailey, is scheduled to be sentenced on May 16, 2025, and his wife and co-conspirator Candace Bailey, is scheduled for sentencing on June 13, 2025.

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

    This investigation was led by the FBI with critical investigative teamwork from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Washington State Department of Corrections and significant local assistance from the Tacoma Police Department, Pierce County Sheriff’s Office, and the Thurston County Narcotics Task Force, led by the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office. Throughout this investigation the following agencies assisted the primary investigators: Washington State Patrol, Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine, Lewis County Sheriff’s Office, Lakewood Police Department, and U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS).

    The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Zach Dillon, Max Shiner, and Jehiel Baer.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: Digital Tails Group, Llc. and Bowmo Inc., Announce Introduction of Engineering Solutions and Case Studies

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEW YORK, NY, Feb. 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — bowmo™, Inc. (OTC: BOMO), a New York City based company powered by AI and XR/VR technologies aiming to provide fully customizable SaaS Platforms to multiple industries (https://bowmo.com) (“bowmo,” “the Company”) and its recent merger partner OWNverse/Digital Tails Group (“DTG”), are pleased to announce release of an expanded family of engineering and industrial automation solutions for industrial manufacturing, healthcare, energy, automotive and aerospace.

    Digital Tails Group developed solutions that include 3D Configurators, CPQ (Configure, Price, Quote) Automation, XR (Extended Reality) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) designed to make manufacturing simpler and more efficient. Key system capabilities for engineering industries include 3D product visualization, and integrations with ERP, CAD and PLM systems.

    Typical customer benefits include streamlined manufacturing and design processes, rapid product customizations and ordering, reduced error rates, and increased sales conversion rates.

    Aleksey Shestakov, Chairman of the Board of OWNverse/Digital Tails and the Chief Technical Officer (CTO) of bowmo, Inc. summarized, “By integrating several core technologies like 3D visualization, extended reality (XR) and artificial intelligence (AI) into an intuitive CPQ solution, we are able to rapidly configure customer solutions that deliver significant ROI and value.”

    Michael R. Neece, Chief Product Officer of bowmo Inc, stated, “Bowmo’s ‘One Platform for Multiple Verticals‘ product strategy is now revealing the significance of integrating AI, 3D/XR, Blockchain and workflow automation into a single platform that can be rapidly configured for specific needs of multiple industry verticals.”

    You can learn more about this latest family of engineering innovations from bowmo and OWNverse/Digital Tails Group at: https://digital-tails.group/industrial-cpq-solution.

    About bowmo, Inc.
    Bowmo Inc., (OTC: BOMO) is a New York City–based AI-powered software and services company that incorporates a novel set of technologies to build a platform that will deliver solutions for multiple industries. Bowmo’s flagship product seamlessly integrates AI and extended reality (XR) technologies to revolutionize recruitment and human resource (HR) processes.

    Building upon our multi-vertical platform, bowmo is poised to introduce a suite of future products catering to the needs of cybersecurity, SaaS sales, retail, sports, media/entertainment, and real estate sectors. This expansion underscores bowmo’s commitment to diversifying revenue streams and addressing diverse industry needs through advanced technological solutions. bowmo’s platform harnesses AI, machine learning (ML), deep learning (DL), blockchain, extended/augmented/virtual realities (XR) and process orchestration.

    About Digital Tails Group, LLC.
    Digital Tails Group (“DTG,” the “Company”) is an IT company specializing in software development using 3D technology, extended reality (XR) and artificial intelligence (AI). The DTG expertise in advanced technologies ranges from virtual reality (VR) experiences to smart AI algorithms, enabling us to help our clients improve their competitive strength through the application of advanced UI and knowledge technologies.

    About OWNverse, LLC.
    OWNverse is a virtual platform company that develops unique tools for creating targeted products and services for virtual spaces (“Metaverses”) by using the technology stack available through widely used Web2 platforms driven by AI.

    OWNverse allows for the integration of such tools to elevate the dimensionality of products and services, while offering such products and services within the spatially immersive 3D Internet—Web3.

    OWNverse aims to empower all users to become co-creators of the content. The main OWNverse ideology is to supply proven tools to users to provide real value for businesses and create virtual communities in numerous business sectors.

    Additional Information and Where to Find It
    Additional information is available on the Company’s website: https://www.bowmo.com. In addition, other information related to the Company is available at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov, or by directing a request to: Michael E. Lakshin, Chairman of the Board and President, Michael.Lakshin@bowmo.com.

    Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
    This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. You can identify these statements by the use of the words “may,” “will,” “should,” “plans,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “continue,” “estimates,” “projects,” “intends,” and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause results to differ materially from those projected or anticipated. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, BOMO’s ability to successfully execute its expanded business strategy, including by entering into definitive agreements with suppliers, commercial partners and customers; general economic and business conditions, effects of continued geopolitical unrest and regional conflicts, competition, changes in technology and methods of marketing, delays in completing various software programs, changes in future customer order patterns, changes in product mix, continued success in technical advances and delivering technological innovations, regulatory requirements and the ability to meet them, government agency rules and changes, and various other factors beyond BOMO’s control. Except as may be required by law, bowmo, Inc. undertakes no obligation, and does not intend, to update these forward-looking statements after the date of this release.

    Contact:
    Michael E. Lakshin
    Chairman of the Board and President
    Michael.Lakshin@bowmo.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Online romance scams: who Nigeria and Ghana’s fraudsters are, how they operate, and why they do it

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Suleman Lazarus, Visiting Fellow, Mannheim Centre for Criminology, London School of Economics and Political Science

    People find love in many ways and through diverse mediums. Online platforms have become popular meeting places for people looking to find intimate partners, making them a prime target for cybercriminals.

    Online romance fraud has become a global phenomenon. According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation in the US, romance scams accounted for losses to about 24,000 Americans, exceeding US$1 billion, in 2022.

    On the African continent, Nigeria and Ghana have emerged as hubs for internet fraud. The “Yahoo Boys” operating in Nigeria and “Sakawa Boys” in Ghana have a reputation for engaging in various fraudulent schemes, including online romance scams.

    Over the past decade, I have researched cybercrime and criminology, focusing on west African online fraudsters. Coverage of romance scams often centres on victim narratives or sensational headlines, leaving offender-focused research largely unexplored.

    In a recent paper, I studied the cases of 50 people convicted of online romance in Nigeria. A separate research study I spearheaded involved interviews with active offenders in Ghana. Rather than relying solely on fragmented media accounts, the two research papers offer a robust, evidence-based understanding of the cultural, economic and historical factors driving cybercriminal behaviour.

    My findings from both papers show that romance fraud offenders frequently present themselves as white and primarily target western societies. In framing fraud as a way to reclaim wealth they believed was unjustly taken during colonial rule, many saw their actions as a civic duty. In the case file study on Nigerian fraudsters, I found that many were driven by “socioeconomic needs”.

    My findings provide insights into offenders’ tactics and motivations. This could be useful for law enforcement officials developing targeted interventions, and for policymakers wanting to frame informed strategies.

    Who, where, how and why

    This article uses “scam” and “fraud”, as well as “scammers” and “fraudsters”, interchangeably. The media, financial institutions, and the public typically use “scams” and “scammers”. Academics often prefer “fraud” and “fraudsters” to emphasise the seriousness of these crimes, as noted in my research.

    I examined case files of 50 individuals convicted of romance fraud in Nigeria following prosecutions by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. In a separate study I conducted interviews with active romance fraud offenders in Ghana.

    My decision to focus on Nigeria and Ghana was based on findings in research done earlier. For example, I co-authored a paper that reviewed 21 years of empirical studies (2000–2021) in which we found that many west African scammers predominantly targeted individuals in the west. Another research study I spearheaded showed how songs by Nigerian artists glamorised the actions of scammers and highlighted their preference for western victims.



    Read more:
    What Nigerian hip-hop lyrics have to say about the country’s Yahoo Boys

    Similarly, the Nigeria case file study found that over half of the romance scam victims (56%) were in the US. My interviews with offenders in Ghana further showed that romance scammers viewed their actions as “legitimate retribution for colonial injustice”. These scammers operate within a historical framework in which colonial subjugation narratives influence their motivations and societal attitudes toward cybercrime.

    Profile of an online fraudster

    The analysis of the case files of the 50 convicted romance scammers showed patterns in offender profiles and strategies. Most were young – 81.7% were under 26. Nearly 60% preferred Apple’s iPhone for their fraudulent schemes. When it came to occupation, 74% were university students.

    Offenders carefully constructed their online personas. Nearly half (46%) posed as white American males, 12% as military personnel, and 10% as white European males.

    The victims they chose were mostly women: 70% of offenders primarily targeted females, 14% targeted males, 10% targeted both genders and 6% did not specify the victim’s gender.

    Facebook was the most commonly used platform, appearing in 46% of the Nigerian cases.

    Some of the Ghanaian scammers said they saw their crimes as acts of service to a greater cause. This included loyalty to their communities or the pursuit of economic justice. They portrayed their scams as efforts to reclaim wealth from nations historically exploiting their regions.

    Policymakers and law enforcement agencies can use these findings to develop more effective prevention strategies and intervention measures.

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

    – ref. Online romance scams: who Nigeria and Ghana’s fraudsters are, how they operate, and why they do it – https://theconversation.com/online-romance-scams-who-nigeria-and-ghanas-fraudsters-are-how-they-operate-and-why-they-do-it-247916

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: How narrow views of romance inform which marriages are seen as legitimate

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Jennifer A. Selby, Professor, Religious Studies and Political Science, Memorial University of Newfoundland

    Legislation and scrutiny of ‘fraudulent marriage’ subtly position romance as a proxy to assess narrow liberal ideals. (Shutterstock)

    Valentine’s Day is sold to us as a moment to celebrate romance: we should buy cards, roses and chocolates. Go for fancy, dimly lit dinners with our significant others. Make loving declarations.

    Romance can enhance our lives. Studies have shown the benefits of romance, from companionship to improving our physical, sexual and mental health.

    However, romance can also be mobilized to judge and surveil relationships, and determine which are valid and which are not. Numerous countries, including Canada, have laws against what they deem as fraudulent marriages.
    To consider the impact of these laws, and to study the colonial legacies within them, I conducted a study of the marriage (and for many, migration) experiences of people of Algerian origin in three contexts: Ghazaouet and Tizi Ouzou in Algeria, a Parisian suburb called Petit-Nanterre and in Montréal from 2011 to 2019. My findings drew on almost 200 personal interviews focused on the marriage partner preferences and ceremonies of my participants.

    I was particularly interested in a comparison between France and Canada, where monitoring romance has served as a way to gauge the sincerity of marriages among migrants for whom citizenship is at stake.

    Laws targeting fraudulent marriage

    In an effort to curb a seeming rise in fraudulent marriages in immigration family sponsorship requests, governments in France and Canada introduced legislation in the 2000s to promote greater surveillance of and penalties for marriage fraud.

    In France, this began in 2008 with a law to curb “love fraud with a migratory aim.” Passed in the same year, Canada’s law centred on impeding “bad faith” marriages.

    Such legislation often comes with penalties. In France, if one is found guilty of being party to a fraudulent marriage, the penalty can be annulment, five to 10 years in prison, fines or deportation. The impetus for such laws is the unquantified sense that a growing number of foreign nationals take advantage of family unification immigration pathways through disingenuous relationships.

    The state’s involvement in France is more acute because the burden of assessment falls primarily on marriage officiants and immigration officers. Civil marriages there must take place in a municipal office and prior to a religious marriage.

    A 2010 directive to French marriage officiants is especially revelatory of this surveillance. Evidence of financial and sexual intimacies act as evidence of a sincere marriage. Romance is seen as a reflection of a spontaneous and uncalculated relationship.

    Of course, there is no evidence that expressions of romance in an early marriage are signs of success; divorce occurs for almost half of marrying couples, whether couples are transnational or not. Figures in Canada indicate a slightly higher divorce rate than in France.

    In Montréal, one can be married outside of a municipal office. Still, my participants in that city shared similar stories of pressures to perform specific sexual politics in the presence of state officials.

    One man whose wife wore a hijab was interrogated by first responders about the husband’s involvement when she fainted, while pregnant, outside a grocery store. Bewildered by the situation, he answered their questions about whether theirs was a forced marriage (it was not). In retrospect, he said he would have declined this line of questioning and focused their attention on his wife.

    Arranged marriages

    One of my notable findings is that many marriages in my sample were quasi-arranged — organized with the assistance of family members (often mothers). Yet, these types of marriages often fall outside idealized ideas of romance, rendering these couples more vulnerable to being accused of fraud.

    I also found that potential scrutiny from immigration officials did not impede interest in a transnational marriage partner. Many of my interviewees liked the idea of a partner of the same religion or culture, and who spoke Arabic or Tamazight. In addition, for many, a cosmopolitan transnational life linking Algeria with France or Québec was appealing.

    Depending on their gender, social class, religiosity, families and personalities, individuals grapple with these politics differently. The social contexts of a Parisian suburb and Montréal further shaped a participant’s sense of longing and belonging. Fewer Algerian women in Montréal were interested in such arrangements. Invariably, however, individuals of Algerian origin in both contexts knew that transnational unions were highly scrutinized.

    Despite the attention granted to curbing marriage fraud, the data suggest that few marriages are annulled. The spectre of this surveillance is greater than its enforcement.

    Unfairly penalizing migrants

    Legislation and scrutiny of marriages seen as fraudulent subtly position romance as a proxy to assess narrow liberal ideals. Some scholars have called this phenomenon a push for a “sexual democracy,” where women’s bodies are subtly expected to remain visible and sexually available as signs of their putative equality.

    Perhaps unexpectedly, niqab bans in both France and Québec further reflect these values. Full-face veils are, tellingly, depicted as lacking sexual agency and individualism, and impeding a cisgender woman’s ability to attract men.

    Narrow views of what kind of romance should be legitimized and celebrated are not limited to governments. Such views also manifest in consumer culture and in the wedding industry, and are desired and performed by many of us, including among my research participants in arranged marriages. Romance’s pervasiveness, desirability and seeming spontaneity mask its politics.

    As we enjoy romantic gestures on Valentine’s Day, we should also consider the cultural specificity of these tropes and their potentially exclusionary politics in determining whose relationships are deemed legitimate. Entrenchments of patriarchal chivalry, monogamy, consumerism and narrow gender roles can run in tandem.

    Jennifer A. Selby receives funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada.

    – ref. How narrow views of romance inform which marriages are seen as legitimate – https://theconversation.com/how-narrow-views-of-romance-inform-which-marriages-are-seen-as-legitimate-247085

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Anderson County Man Pleads Guilty to $13 Million Ponzi Scheme and Cyber Stalking

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

    COLUMBIA, S.C. — Michael J. French, 41, of Pendleton, has pleaded guilty to operating a multimillion-dollar Ponzi scheme and to stalking two social media content creators. 

    Evidence put forth at the plea hearing established that French owned MJF Holdings, LLC and MJF Capital, LLC.  Beginning in March 2019, through these companies, French offered promissory notes to investors that projected annual returns of 12 percent. He represented to investors that their funds would be used to provide loans to small businesses and that he had experience in the financial industry, including underwriting the loans in which the investor would be invested. French represented to investors that he would not receive compensation unless the promissory notes earned in excess of the 12 percent guaranteed to investors. 

    These were false representations. French paid previous investors with new investor monies because his investment product was not generating returns. This lulled investors into believing the product was successful, when, in fact, French was spending investor money to maintain a lavish lifestyle that included supporting female social media content creators by paying them thousands of dollars each month.

    At one point, the content creators stopped communicating with French. He became angry with the women and began harassing them through various “burner” phone numbers and fake email accounts. French claimed that he was a sniper, had killed people, and that the police could not protect them. French traveled to one woman’s home unannounced, forcing her to hide in a locked vehicle in the garage with her 2-year-old child.  She called 911 as French attempted to force his way into the home. He was arrested by local police before he could reach them. 

    United State Chief District Judge Timothy Cain accepted French’s guilty plea and will sentence him after receiving and reviewing a pre-sentence report from the U.S. Probation Office. French faces a maximum penalty of 20 years’ imprisonment.

    The FBI Columbia Field Office and U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, Office of Inspector General investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Bill Watkins is prosecuting the case.

    ###

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Man who converted guns in back garden jailed for more than 10 years

    Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

    A man who converted blank firearms for criminals from a workshop in his back garden has been jailed for more than 10 years.

    Luke Parr, 23 (01.04.2001) of Maxey Road, Dagenham, appeared at Snaresbrook Crown Court on Monday, 10 February where he was sentenced to a total of 10 and a half years’ imprisonment for two counts of possession of a firearm, possession of ammunition and manufacturing firearms.

    He had previously pleaded guilty, at the same court, to all the allegations against him.

    On 10 June 2024, Parr was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to murder following the near fatal shooting of a man in Dagenham days earlier.

    Following his arrest, officers searched Parr’s home and discovered a workshop in his back garden from where he was running a firearms conversion factory. During the search they also found two handguns that had already been converted for potentially lethal use as well as ammunition and all the equipment required to convert more guns.

    While he was ultimately not charged in relation to the shooting, the investigation into Parr revealed his focus was on converting blank firing guns.

    Some of the guns he was converting included Turkish-manufactured ‘top venting blank firers’.

    This sort of gun is increasingly being linked to criminal activity in London and across the UK, including serious violence and even murder. They were previously legal to own and many thousands were bought lawfully, but they have since been found to be easily convertible using household tools and are now, as a result, illegal.

    A national amnesty is underway to take as many of them off the streets as possible, depriving criminals like Parr with the opportunity to turn them into lethal weapons.

    Detective Superintendent Tim Mustoe, from the Met’s Specialist Crime Command, said:“This case highlights the ongoing risk posed when criminals with the necessary knowledge get their hands on readily convertible blank firing guns.

    “From a shed in his back garden, Parr was able to turn blank firers into guns that could be used to cause serious harm on the streets of London. It is right that he has been sentenced to a lengthy term in prison.

    “The key to stopping those like Parr is to dramatically reduce the number of these guns in circulation. It’s why it is so important that the ongoing amnesty is a success.

    “We know the majority were bought lawfully by people with no ill intent who have done nothing wrong. It’s when they fall into the wrong hands that the damage can be done.

    “I would urge anyone who has one of these guns at home to do the responsible thing and hand it in at a police station as part of the amnesty.

    “They will not face police action for possession of the gun at the point of surrender if they do so during the amnesty, but if they choose not to do so now and are found to have one of these guns at a later date, then the consequences will be quite different.”

    Details of the amnesty can be found below:

    Turkish-manufactured top venting blank firers (TVBFs) can be handed in at police stations across London until Friday, 28 February.

    This is part of a four week national amnesty taking place across the country.

    TVBFs are legal to buy in the UK without a licence, unless they are readily convertible.

    Tests by the National Crime Agency and police forces show models produced by four Turkish manufacturers – Retay, Ekol, Ceonic and Blow – are readily convertible and are therefore illegal.

    Anyone found to be in possession of one, after the amnesty period, could face up to 10 years’ imprisonment.

    During the Amnesty period, those handing in a Turkish manufactured TVBF will not face prosecution for the illegal possession and will not have to give their details.

    However, the weapons will be examined to determine if they’ve previously been used in serious violence or other criminality.

    While TVBFs can be handed in at any police station during the amnesty, the Met is asking people to aim to go to one of these stations:

    • Edmonton
    • Chingford
    • Colindale
    • Wembley
    • Islington
    • Stoke Newington
    • Bethnal Green
    • Ilford
    • Lewisham
    • Bexleyheath
    • Croydon
    • Bromley
    • Kingston
    • Brixton
    • Acton
    • Charing Cross
    • Hammersmith

    Anyone intending to hand in a TVBF as part of the amnesty is encouraged to check the opening times of the relevant station on the Met Police website. To receive advice on how best to transport the weapon responsibly from home to the police station, phone 101 before travelling.

    If you know of people involved in illegal firearms activity, you should call the police on 101 or report the information to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

    Every call to Crimestoppers is anonymous and potentially vital to preventing or solving serious crimes. Removing an illegally held firearm from circulation may just save someone’s life.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Online romance scams: who Nigeria and Ghana’s fraudsters are, how they operate, and why they do it

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Suleman Lazarus, Visiting Fellow, Mannheim Centre for Criminology, London School of Economics and Political Science

    People find love in many ways and through diverse mediums. Online platforms have become popular meeting places for people looking to find intimate partners, making them a prime target for cybercriminals.

    Online romance fraud has become a global phenomenon. According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation in the US, romance scams accounted for losses to about 24,000 Americans, exceeding US$1 billion, in 2022.

    On the African continent, Nigeria and Ghana have emerged as hubs for internet fraud. The “Yahoo Boys” operating in Nigeria and “Sakawa Boys” in Ghana have a reputation for engaging in various fraudulent schemes, including online romance scams.

    Over the past decade, I have researched cybercrime and criminology, focusing on west African online fraudsters. Coverage of romance scams often centres on victim narratives or sensational headlines, leaving offender-focused research largely unexplored.

    In a recent paper, I studied the cases of 50 people convicted of online romance in Nigeria. A separate research study I spearheaded involved interviews with active offenders in Ghana. Rather than relying solely on fragmented media accounts, the two research papers offer a robust, evidence-based understanding of the cultural, economic and historical factors driving cybercriminal behaviour.

    My findings from both papers show that romance fraud offenders frequently present themselves as white and primarily target western societies. In framing fraud as a way to reclaim wealth they believed was unjustly taken during colonial rule, many saw their actions as a civic duty. In the case file study on Nigerian fraudsters, I found that many were driven by “socioeconomic needs”.

    My findings provide insights into offenders’ tactics and motivations. This could be useful for law enforcement officials developing targeted interventions, and for policymakers wanting to frame informed strategies.

    Who, where, how and why

    This article uses “scam” and “fraud”, as well as “scammers” and “fraudsters”, interchangeably. The media, financial institutions, and the public typically use “scams” and “scammers”. Academics often prefer “fraud” and “fraudsters” to emphasise the seriousness of these crimes, as noted in my research.

    I examined case files of 50 individuals convicted of romance fraud in Nigeria following prosecutions by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. In a separate study I conducted interviews with active romance fraud offenders in Ghana.

    My decision to focus on Nigeria and Ghana was based on findings in research done earlier. For example, I co-authored a paper that reviewed 21 years of empirical studies (2000–2021) in which we found that many west African scammers predominantly targeted individuals in the west. Another research study I spearheaded showed how songs by Nigerian artists glamorised the actions of scammers and highlighted their preference for western victims.

    Read more: What Nigerian hip-hop lyrics have to say about the country’s Yahoo Boys

    Similarly, the Nigeria case file study found that over half of the romance scam victims (56%) were in the US. My interviews with offenders in Ghana further showed that romance scammers viewed their actions as “legitimate retribution for colonial injustice”. These scammers operate within a historical framework in which colonial subjugation narratives influence their motivations and societal attitudes toward cybercrime.

    Profile of an online fraudster

    The analysis of the case files of the 50 convicted romance scammers showed patterns in offender profiles and strategies. Most were young – 81.7% were under 26. Nearly 60% preferred Apple’s iPhone for their fraudulent schemes. When it came to occupation, 74% were university students.

    Offenders carefully constructed their online personas. Nearly half (46%) posed as white American males, 12% as military personnel, and 10% as white European males.

    The victims they chose were mostly women: 70% of offenders primarily targeted females, 14% targeted males, 10% targeted both genders and 6% did not specify the victim’s gender.

    Facebook was the most commonly used platform, appearing in 46% of the Nigerian cases.

    Some of the Ghanaian scammers said they saw their crimes as acts of service to a greater cause. This included loyalty to their communities or the pursuit of economic justice. They portrayed their scams as efforts to reclaim wealth from nations historically exploiting their regions.

    Policymakers and law enforcement agencies can use these findings to develop more effective prevention strategies and intervention measures.

    – Online romance scams: who Nigeria and Ghana’s fraudsters are, how they operate, and why they do it
    – https://theconversation.com/online-romance-scams-who-nigeria-and-ghanas-fraudsters-are-how-they-operate-and-why-they-do-it-247916

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Lower Sackville — RCMP investigates fatal crash in Lower Sackville

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    RCMP Halifax Regional Detachment is investigating a fatal crash that occurred in Lower Sackville.

    Yesterday, at approximately 9:35 a.m., RCMP officers, fire services, and EHS, responded to a report of a vehicle crash on Sackville Dr. near Hillcrest Ave. RCMP officers learned that a Mazda 3 was travelling on the road when left the roadway and struck a power pole.

    The rear passenger, a 50-year-old woman from Lake Echo, was pronounced deceased at the scene.

    The driver, a 53-year-old man from North Preston, and another passenger, a 56-year-old man from Dartmouth, both suffered life-threatening injuries. They were transported to hospital by EHS.

    A collision reconstructionist attended the scene and the investigation is ongoing. Investigators are asking anyone with dash cam footage of Sackville Dr., near the area of Hillcrest Ave., between 9 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. to come forward.

    Sackville Dr. was closed for several hours but has since reopened.

    Our thoughts are with the victim’s loved ones at this difficult time.

    Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 902-490-5020. To remain anonymous, call Nova Scotia Crime Stoppers, toll-free, at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), submit a secure web tip at www.crimestoppers.ns.ca, or use the P3 Tips app.

    File #: 25-19501

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: FBI Jacksonville’s Historic Search for Justice

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

    The Bureau’s commitment to justice 

    Corey Binderim was convicted of first-degree murder, burglary, and evidence tampering in the death of Mauldin and in October 2024, he was sentenced to life in prison. 

    “The FBI’s expertise and resources were critical in finding Susan Mauldin’s remains and confirming the state’s theory,” said Pam Hazel, Clay County director and lead prosecutor on the case. “Every victim deserves justice and closure, and the FBI worked hand-in-hand with our office and the Clay County Sheriff’s Office to ensure all efforts were exhausted.”

    This case is not just about subject matter expertise and innovation; it is about humanity and the care that the FBI takes for victims, said Logan.

    “Mauldin is all of us and could be anyone,” said Regucci. “She didn’t know a lot of people, yet there was a huge following of support for her and of the FBI through this process.”  

    The recovery of Mauldin’s remains was not just a victory for law enforcement but for the community as a whole. Mauldin’s case stands as an example of the FBI’s unyielding pursuit of justice and the people, partnerships, and innovation that drive these efforts. 

    “This case taught me to trust the process,” said Regucci. “I had a lot of confidence that she was in the landfill. Whether or not we were going to find her was a different issue. When we all come together—the Bureau, ERT, THRU, waste management personnel, and local partners—to tap into all our resources, it is amazing what we can do together.”

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: finzworld-group.com: BaFin investigates Finanz World Group

    Source: Bundesanstalt für Finanzdienstleistungsaufsicht – In English

    The Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin) warns consumers about the company Finanz World Group and the services it is offering. According to information available to BaFin, the company offers banking business on the website finzworld-group.com, such as the opportunity to take out loans or open bank accounts. BaFin does not supervise any company called Finanz World Group.

    Anyone conducting banking business or providing financial or investment services in Germany may do so only with authorisation from BaFin. However, some companies offer these services without the necessary authorisation. Information on whether a particular company has been granted authorisation by BaFin can be found in BaFin’s database of companies.

    BaFin is issuing this information on the basis of section 37 (4) of the German Banking Act (Kreditwesengesetz – KWG).

    Please be aware:

    BaFin, the German Federal Criminal Police Office (Bundeskriminalamt – BKA) and the German state criminal police offices (Landeskriminalämter) recommend that consumers seeking to invest money online should exercise the utmost caution and do the necessary research beforehand in order to identify fraud attempts at an early stage.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Hoskins Warns Missourians About Romance Scams

    Source: US State of Missouri

     

     

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

               

    Missouri Secretary of State Denny Hoskins, CPA, Warns Missourians About Romance Scams

    JEFFERSON CITY, MO – Missouri Secretary of State Denny Hoskins, CPA, is urging Missourians to be vigilant against romance scams, a growing threat that preys on individuals seeking companionship online. As Valentine’s Day approaches, fraudsters are ramping up efforts to manipulate victims into sending money or divulging personal information.

    “Romance scams are among the most devastating types of fraud, not only financially but emotionally,” said Secretary Hoskins. “These scammers build trust over time, often posing as loving and devoted partners, only to exploit their victims for financial gain. Missourians should remain cautious when engaging in online relationships.”

    According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), romance scams result in millions of dollars in losses each year, with victims often targeted through dating websites, social media platforms, and messaging apps. Scammers typically craft elaborate backstories, claiming to be deployed military personnel, international businesspeople, or professionals working overseas. They create a sense of urgency, asking for money under the guise of emergencies, medical expenses, or travel costs to meet in person—requests that never materialize into a real encounter.

    To help Missourians protect themselves, Secretary Hoskins offers the following tips:

    • Be skeptical of individuals who profess love quickly or avoid in-person meetings.
    • Never send money, gift cards, or personal financial information to someone you haven’t met.
    • Conduct reverse image searches on profile pictures to check for stolen identities.
    • Discuss new online relationships with trusted friends or family members.
    • Report suspected romance scams to the Missouri Secretary of State’s Office, the FTC, or the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3).

    “Missourians deserve to form relationships built on trust, not deceit,” Secretary Hoskins emphasized. “By staying informed and vigilant, we can protect ourselves and our loved ones from these heartless schemes.”

    For more information or to report suspected fraud, visit Missouri Secretary of State’s website or contact the Securities Division at 573-751-4136.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: How are we tackling crime in your local area?

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    We are delivering 13,000 police officers, special constables and PCSOs across the country, including a named, contactable officer in your area.

    Our mission to keep your streets safe

    We’re putting police officers back on the beat to prevent crime and help communities. 

    Our milestone for safer streets is to deliver 13,000 additional police officers, PCSOs and special constables into neighbourhood policing roles. 

    This means a named, contactable officer in every community to respond to local issues. You can also have your say on the police’s priorities for your area.

    Visible policing is one of the best ways to prevent crime and make your streets safer.

    If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 999 and ask for the police

    How you can report non-emergencies

    Report crimes online or by calling 101 if they are not an emergency.

    You can also call 101 to give information to the police or make an enquiry.

    If you live in Scotland you can search by postcode to find and contact your local policing team.

    If you have a hearing or speech impairment, use our textphone service on 18001 101.

    Asking us for an update or need to update a report?

    You can contact some police forces online to get an update or add something to a report: find out if you can do it online.

    Crimestoppers

    If a crime has been committed, you can report it anonymously to Crimestoppers.

    If you’re not sure who to contact

    Use the Act Now! Guide to help you decide who you should report the problem to.

    How to deal with anti-social behaviour

    Anti-social behaviour could include:

    • vandalism
    • graffiti
    • dumped rubbish
    • rowdy neighbours
    • abandoned cars
    • persistent dog barking
    • alcohol related nuisance

    You can report anti-social behaviour through:

    Police

    Call 101 to report a non-emergency incident to the police. You can also report anti-social behaviour on the Police.UK website.

    Report anti-social behaviour at Police.UK.

    Local council

    Check your local council’s website to find out what types of anti-social behaviour you can report. 

    Find your local council.

    Your housing provider – council or housing association tenants

    If you or your neighbours are having problems in your building, report it to your council or housing association.

    Your housing provider should have told you how to report anti-social behaviour. If not, call them and ask to speak to their anti-social behaviour team.

    Your housing provider – private tenants

    If the anti-social behaviour is caused by someone with whom you are sharing a house in a private tenancy, report this to your landlord.

    Request an anti-social behaviour case review

    If you are a victim of persistent anti-social behaviour, you can request an anti-social behaviour case review. This was formerly known as a community trigger.

    The review allows agencies, including the police, local authorities and housing providers, to:

    • share information about the case
    • review what action has been taken
    • decide whether there are more actions that can be taken

    Find out how to apply for an anti-social behaviour case review in your area from your local police force or local council website.

    Find your local police force.

    Find your local council.

    Get support and advice

    These organisations can give advice on anti-social behaviour in England and Wales:

    ASB Help

    Victim Support

    Victim Support in Wales

    Our Watch

    Updates to this page

    Published 11 February 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICE Baltimore arrests Uzbekistani man convicted of sex offense in Maryland

    Source: US Immigration and Customs Enforcement

    BALTIMORE — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement apprehended an Uzbekistani native convicted of fourth-degree sex offense when officers arrested Islom Gaziev, 65, Feb. 4, in Owings Mills, Maryland.

    “Every arrest like this means one less predator on our streets today and one less potential victim tomorrow,” said ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Baltimore acting Field Office Director Matthew Elliston. “Our top priority is public safety, and this arrest is yet another example of our commitment to protecting the residents of Maryland. We will continue to work tirelessly to ensure that those who pose a threat to our communities are held accountable.”

    Gaziev lawfully entered the United States through John F. Kennedy International Airport in Queens, New York, Oct. 20, 2015, and later violated the terms of his lawful admission.

    The Westminster Police Department in Westminster, Maryland, arrested and charged Gaziev with fourth-degree sex offense Aug. 20, 2024. The Carroll County Circuit Court convicted Gaziev of fourth-degree sex offense Dec. 13, 2024, and sentenced him to three years supervised probation.

    ICE served Gaziev a notice to appear before a Department of Justice immigration judge following his arrest, and he remains in ICE custody.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Prior authority for contempt and breaches of part 1 injunctions

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    The Magistrates Billing team will now consider prior authority requests in contempt and breach of anti-social behaviour injunction cases.

    Further to the news story on Monday 3 February, we are a moving the consideration of prior authority requests in contempt and breach of anti-social behaviour injunction cases.

    The new email address to send requests for prior authority in contempt and breach of part 1 injunction cases is CNTP.extensions@justice.gov.uk, the same as for cost increases for contempt.

    An amendment has been made to the published guidance.

    More information

    For guidance on the funding of civil contempt, how to apply, and how to get paid, see Apply for legal aid for civil contempt cases

    For guidance on the funding of breach of anti-social behaviour injunctions, how to apply, and how to get paid, see Apply for legal aid for breach of Part 1 injunctions under the Anti-Social Behaviour Crime and Policing Act 2014

    Updates to this page

    Published 11 February 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –