Source: New Zealand Police (District News)
Northbound lanes of Great South Road at Manurewa are blocked following a serious crash involving a motorcycle.
Emergency services were called to the scene, near Mahia Road, about 11.20am. The rider of the bike received critical injuries.
The Serious Crash Unit will be carrying out a scene examination and traffic management is in place.
ENDS
Issued by the Police Media Centre
Source: US State of California
OAKLAND – California Attorney General Rob Bonta, pursuant to Assembly Bill 1506 (AB 1506), today released a report on Marcos Maldonado’s death from an officer-involved shooting in Los Angeles, California, on July 27, 2022. The incident involved officers from the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD). The report is part of the California Department of Justice’s (DOJ) ongoing efforts to provide transparency and accountability in law enforcement practices. The report provides a detailed analysis of the incident and outlines DOJ’s findings. After a thorough investigation, DOJ concluded that criminal charges were not appropriate in this case.
“The loss of life is always heartbreaking,” said Attorney General Bonta. “We recognize the considerable challenges and difficulties faced by all those impacted, including Mr. Maldonado’s family, the law enforcement agencies involved, and the community at large. The California Department of Justice is dedicated to collaborating with all law enforcement entities to maintain a legal system that is fair, transparent, and accountable to every Californian.”
On July 27, 2022, LAPD Officers answered a call for service regarding reports that there was a man with a gun walking down the street. They found the man, who was later identified as Marcos Maldonado, and saw that he was holding what appeared to be a gun. They ordered Mr. Maldonado to drop the gun, but he did not comply. After a short period of time, Mr. Maldonado pointed the gun at the officers. When he did so, they fired their own guns, killing Mr. Maldonado. The gun pointed by Mr. Maldonado at law enforcement was later determined to be a replica airsoft handgun.
Under AB 1506, which requires DOJ to investigate all incidents of officer-involved shootings resulting in the death of an unarmed civilian in the state, DOJ conducted a thorough investigation into this incident and concluded that there is insufficient evidence to prove, beyond a reasonable doubt, that the officers involved acted without the intent to defend themselves and others from what each of them reasonably believed to be the imminent risk of death or serious bodily injury. Therefore, there is insufficient evidence to support a criminal prosecution of the officers. As such, no further action will be taken in this case.
As part of its investigation, DOJ has identified several policy recommendations that it believes will help prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future. The first recommendation is regarding officer communication. First, it is recommended that LAPD amend their policies and training regarding communication of significant contextual information impacting responding officers’ use of force decision-making as articulated in their other policies to include additional information.
The second set of recommendations is regarding scene control. It is recommended that LAPD evaluate their policies and training regarding perimeter control. A significant concern in this incident was the presence of bystanders, both on foot and in vehicles, close to Mr. Maldonado and between Mr. Maldonado and the LAPD officers who arrived at the scene. The presence of these bystanders limited officers’ options and created additional dangers.
The third set of recommendations is regarding the LAPD use of force policy. Government Code section 7286, enacted by Senate Bill 230 sets minimum standards for use of force policies maintained by law enforcement agencies in California. During the review of LAPD’s use of force policies relevant to this incident, it is recommended two provisions be updated. The recommended updates relate to the requirements of Government Code section 7286, separate and apart from the particular facts of the shooting of Mr. Maldonado.
A copy of the report can be found here.
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Maine Susan Collins
Washington, D.C. —U.S. Senators Susan Collins, Tim Kaine (D-VA), Tina Smith (D-MN), and Roger Marshall (R-KS) introduced the Jumpstarting Our Businesses by Supporting Students (JOBS) Act, bipartisan legislation to help more Americans get good-paying jobs by allowing students to use federal Pell Grants—need-based education grants for lower-income individuals—to pay for shorter-term job training programs for the first time. Currently, students can only use Pell Grants for two- and four-year colleges and universities. By expanding Pell Grant eligibility, the JOBS Act would help close the skills gap by allowing people to access job training they might otherwise be unable to afford but need for careers in high-demand fields. Senator Angus King is a cosponsor of the legislation.
“Job training programs are proven, successful tools that help people gain the skills they need to prepare for rewarding careers,” said Senator Collins. “By helping students in Maine and across the country access this career pathway, this bipartisan legislation would assist young people with obtaining good-paying jobs and make it easier for businesses to find qualified workers.”
“When we give Maine people the tools and resources to access critical career education training, we’re setting them up for a lifetime of success,” said Senator King. “The bipartisan Jumpstarting Our Businesses by Supporting Students (JOBS) Act will expand Pell Grant eligibility and, in turn, make a real difference for folks across our state by breaking down financial barriers and opening the door to good-paying jobs. Supporting and strengthening our workforce will also help ensure our businesses thrive with the help of highly-trained, hardworking Maine people. It’s a win-win.”
“All across Maine there are lower-income people desperate to get the practical, relevant skills they need for good-paying jobs – but they can’t afford it. This legislation would remove the financial barriers that hold those people back. Just this year, one of our colleges struggled to fill a five-week welding course that cost about $1,000 – until they used one-time grant funds to make it tuition-free and about 100 people immediately signed up. The demand is there. The jobs are there. We need to fill the gap with affordable training. Pell Grants for short-term workforce training like that welding class would allow those students ongoing access to training that will fill critical jobs across Maine’s industries,” said David Daigler, President of the Maine Community College System.
Thanks to historic investments like the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), the U.S. economy added 14.8 million jobs between January 2021 and January 2025. Senator Collins was part of the core group of 10 Senators who negotiated the text of the IIJA. Still, there remains a skilled labor shortage that is expected to intensify in the coming years, in part because unemployed Americans lack access to the job training needed to fill vacant jobs.
The JOBS Act would allow Pell Grants to be used for high-quality job training programs that are at least eight weeks in length and lead to industry-recognized credentials or certificates. Under current law, Pell Grants can only be applied toward programs that are over 600 clock hours or at least 15 weeks in length, rendering students in shorter-term high-quality job training programs ineligible for this crucial assistance.
Specifically, the JOBS Act would amend the Higher Education Act by:
The legislation is also cosponsored by U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), Cory Booker (D-NJ), John Boozman (R-AR), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Chris Coons (D-DE), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Steve Daines (R-MT), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), John Hoeven (R-ND), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Jon Ossoff (D-GA), Gary Peters (D-MI), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Dan Sullivan (D-AK), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Tommy Tuberville (R-AL), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Mark R. Warner (D-VA), Roger Wicker (R-MS), and Ron Wyden (D-OR).
The JOBS Act is supported by Advance CTE, the American Association of Community Colleges, the Association for Career and Technical Education, the Association of Community College Trustees, the Association of Equipment Manufacturers, Business Roundtable, the Center for Law and Social Policy, the Exhibitions and Conferences Alliance, Higher Learning Advocates, HP Inc., the Information Technology Industry Council, Jobs for the Future, the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, the National Association of Workforce Boards, the National Association of Workforce Development Professionals, the National Skills Coalition, the Progressive Policy Institute, and Rebuilding America’s Middle Class.
Full text of the bill is available here, and a summary of the bill is available here.
Source: Office of United States Attorneys
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – After four days of trial, a federal jury convicted Brian McDevitt, D.O., 61, of Chapmanville, today of four counts of distribution of a controlled substance and also found that McDevitt shall forfeit his West Virginia medical license and the Chapmanville Medical Clinic, which he operated as a sole practitioner.
Evidence at trial proved that McDevitt provided controlled substances outside the scope of professional practice and not for a legitimate medical purpose when he wrote prescriptions for hydrocodone on May 17, 2022, and March 29, 2024, and alprazolam on May 18, 2022, and March 29, 2024.
McDevitt is scheduled to be sentenced on May 22, 2025, and faces a maximum penalty of 50 years in prison.
McDevitt previously pleaded guilty on January 20, 2010 to conspiracy to use a registration number in violation of federal law and to engaging in monetary transactions in property derived from specified unlawful activity. McDevitt admitted that he allowed others to use his federal registration number to distribute the prescription diet drug phentermine and then converted the cash proceeds from the conspiracy for his personal benefit. On June 29, 2010, McDevitt was sentenced to one year and one day, followed by three years of supervised release, and fined $60,000 for these prior convictions.
“Dr. McDevitt was one of the original drug dealers in a lab coat, and did not learn his lesson from his prior convictions and prison sentence,” said United States Attorney Will Thompson. “Instead, he chose to continue violating his ethical duties and responsibilities as a physician to enrich himself at the expense of vulnerable West Virginians.”
Thompson made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the U.S. Route 119 Drug Task Force, which consists of members of the Mingo County Sheriff’s Office, the Logan County Sheriff’s Office, the Boone County Sheriff’s Office, and the West Virginia State Police, conducted the investigation.
“Dr. McDevitt chose to put his own greed above the health and well-being of his patients, causing great harm in the process,” said Special Agent in Charge Jim Scott, head of DEA’s Louisville Division. “Doctors are expected to follow their oath to first do no harm; when they intentionally prescribe controlled substances in a manner outside of accepted medical norms, they reduce themselves to drug dealers in lab coats and they should expect to meet the full measure of our justice system.”
United States District Judge Thomas E. Johnston presided over the jury trial. Assistant United States Attorneys Owen Reynolds and Andrew J. Tessman are prosecuting the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:24-cr-96.
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Source: Office of United States Attorneys
MOBILE, AL – Four current and former residents of Baldwin County, Alabama were arrested today in Foley on criminal charges related to their alleged participation in a fraudulent lottery scam.
According to court documents, the defendants, all Jamaican nationals, received more than $200,000 in over 100 shipments of cash from victims across the country who had falsely been told that they had won a lottery. The victims, many of them elderly, had been directed to pay “taxes” on their lottery winnings by sending cash to fictitious names at addresses controlled by the defendants in Baldwin County. The following individuals were arrested on a criminal complaint charging them with mail fraud, wire fraud, and conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud:
Peter Walcott, Malik Chambers, Romario Nembhard, and Jermaine Smith.
If convicted, the defendants face a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
U.S. Attorney Sean P. Costello of the Southern District of Alabama; and Special Agent in Charge Paul W. Brown of the Mobile Division of the FBI made the announcement.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Mobile Division, is investigating the case, with the assistance of the agencies participating in today’s enforcement action, including the FBI Baltimore Division, the United States Marshals Service, Homeland Security Investigations, United States Customs and Border Patrol, the Department of Defense Office of the Inspector General, the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office, the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office, the Foley Police Department, the Gulf Shores Police Department, and the Silverhill Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Mike Anderson and Kasee Heisterhagen are prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States.
A criminal complaint is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Source: Office of United States Attorneys
Ocala, Florida – U.S. District Judge Thomas P. Barber has sentenced Elijah Noah Petit-Frere (24, Orlando) to 46 months in federal prison for possessing a firearm and ammunition as a convicted felon. Petit-Frere pled guilty on November 12, 2024.
According to court documents, an officer with the Ocala Police Department conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle driven by Petit-Frere. When Petit-Frere was placed under arrest for a driving offense, officers discovered Petit-Frere had a loaded firearm holstered on his waistband. Petit-Frere had previously been convicted of state felony offenses, including carrying a concealed firearm, fleeing and attempting to elude a police officer, and possession of more than 20 grams of marijuana. As a convicted felon, he is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition under federal law.
This case was investigated by the Ocala Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Sarah Janette Swartzberg.
This case is part of the 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 for occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
Source: Office of United States Attorneys
WASHINGTON – Devan Green, 30, of Washington DC, was sentenced today to 180 months in prison, for stabbing his girlfriend in their apartment on September 19, 2023, announced U.S. Attorney Edward R. Martin, Jr. and Chief Pamela Smith, of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).
The defendant was convicted on November 14, 2024, by a Superior Court jury of one count of assault with intent to kill while armed, one count of assault with a dangerous weapon, one count of aggravated assault while armed, and one count of assault with significant bodily injury while armed following a 13-day jury trial. The Honorable Judge Rainey Brandt also ordered Green to stay away and have no contact with the victim or her son.
According to the evidence presented at trial, Green held his girlfriend and her child inside of their apartment against their will for over forty minutes while her family called 911 numerous times. Green put her son in a back bedroom and stabbed his girlfriend once in the chest with a knife. When she went to check on her son, he stabbed her 20 more times. He then fled the apartment and was apprehended a month later.
In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Martin and Chief Smith commended the work of those who investigated the case from the Metropolitan Police Department. They also commended the work of Assistant U.S. Attorney’s Molly K. Smith and Katharine E. Yaske of the Domestic Violence Section, who prosecuted the case.
Source: Office of United States Attorneys
WASHINGTON – Elijah Porter, 20, of Washington, D.C., pleaded guilty today in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia to charges from two armed robberies, committed in 2023, announced U.S. Attorney Edward R. Martin, Jr., and Chief Pamela Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).
Porter pleaded guilty to armed robbery for an incident on December 2, 2023; he pleaded guilty to assault with a dangerous weapon and assault with intent to commit robbery for an incident on November 8, 2023. Superior Court Judge Deborah Israel scheduled a sentencing hearing for May 30, 2025.
According to the government’s evidence, on December 2, 2023, Porter, using a false Facebook account, responded to a Facebook Marketplace advertisement for the sale of an Apple MacBook. The defendant arranged for the victim to meet him in the 1300 block of Orren Street NE. When the victim arrived, Porter asked to inspect the MacBook, so the victim handed the MacBook to the defendant. The defendant then pulled out what appeared to be a black handgun and stole the MacBook from the victim. A search, conducted two days later at Porter’s residence, resulted in the recovery of the victim’s MacBook.
On November 8, 2023, Porter created an advertisement for the sale of Apple iPhones using a false Facebook account and the victim responded to the advertisement, eventually agreeing to meet with the defendant to discuss the purchase of the iPhones posted for sale. Porter arranged for the victim to meet him in the 1300 block of Orren Street NE. When the victim arrived, Porter and an accomplice got into the victim’s vehicle and struck the victim in the face with what appeared to be a handgun. Porter and the accomplice then stole personal property belonging to the victim.
Porter was apprehended on December 4, 2023, and has been in custody ever since.
This case was investigated by the Metropolitan Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Travis Wolf.
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Arkansas Tom Cotton
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Caroline Tabler or Patrick McCann (202) 224-2353
February 7, 2025
Cotton, Boozman, Crapo Introduce Hearing Protection Act
Washington, D.C. — Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) and Senator John Boozman (R-Arkansas) joined Senator Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) to introduce the Hearing Protection Act, legislation to help law-abiding gun owners better access suppressors to preserve hearing and safety. The bill would reclassify suppressors and treat them like traditional firearms for the purpose of regulation.
The legislation is also cosponsored by Senators Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-Louisiana), Markwayne Mullin (R-Oklahoma), Rick Scott (R-Florida), Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-Kansas), Kevin Cramer (R-North Dakota), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tennessee), Jim Justice (R-West Virginia), Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina), Mike Rounds (R-South Dakota), Tim Sheehy (R-Montana), Pete Ricketts (R-Nebraska), Thom Tillis (R-North Carolina), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Mississippi), Deb Fischer (R-Nebraska), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyoming), John Kennedy (R-Louisiana), Jerry Moran (R-Kansas), Steve Daines (R-Montana), Roger Wicker (R- Mississippi), Ted Budd (R-North Carolina), John Hoeven (R-North Dakota), Josh Hawley (R-Missouri) and Ron Johnson (R-Wisconsin).
“Burdensome regulations on firearm suppressors are doing more harm than good to sportsmen and women. Our legislation will ensure law-abiding gun owners can easily access hearing protection without having to navigate bureaucratic red tape or exorbitant taxes,” said Senator Cotton.
“Increasing access to hearing protection for sportsmen and hunters is common sense, law-abiding, responsible gun owners should not have to fight burdensome regulations to enjoy their hobbies safely and with the accessories that can protect their hearing. I am proud to join my colleagues to update unreasonable limitations on suppressors and stand with shooting sports enthusiasts,” said Senator Boozman.
“Federal red tape continues to follow the false Hollywood narrative that suppressors are silent and ignores the reality that they serve a genuine purpose in protecting the hearing of law-abiding American citizens exercising their Second Amendment rights. It is past time Congress removes the burdensome barriers to accessing this equipment for the safety of Idaho’s hunters and sportsmen,” said Senator Crapo.
Text of the bill may be found here.
The Hearing Protection Act would:
On average, suppressors diminish the noise of a gunshot by 20-35 decibels, roughly the same sound reduction provided by earplugs or earmuffs. The most effective suppressors on the market can only reduce the peak sound level of a gunshot to around 110-120 decibels, which is roughly equivalent to a jackhammer.
The Hearing Protection Act is endorsed by the Academy of Doctors of Audiology, National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), the American Suppressor Association (ASA), Gun Owners of America (GOA) and the National Rifle Association (NRA).
“The Hearing Protection Act will increase access to important hearing protection for millions of Americans,” said President of the Academy of Doctors of Audiology Amyn Amlani, Ph.D. “While the use of conventional hearing protection tools, such as earplugs and earmuffs are fundamental for preventing noise induced hearing loss in firearm users, conventional hearing protection alone does not always offer adequate protection from noise exposure. Firearm noise suppressors can be an effective supplement to traditional hearing protection.”
“These safety devices reduce the report of a firearm to a level that won’t cause instant and permanent hearing damage,” said NSSF Senior Vice President and General Counsel Lawrence G. Keane. “Despite Hollywood’s depictions, they do not silence the sound of a firearm. The focus should be on removing barriers to safe and responsible use of firearms and dedicating resources to ensuring firearms are safeguarded from those who should never possess them. Strict regulatory control of firearm accessories, and the parts of those accessories that have no bearing on the function of a firearm, is unnecessary and not the wisest use of federal resources.”
“It’s absurd that our unrestrained federal bureaucracy requires Americans to jump through hoops to buy simple hearing protection devices. Momentum continues to grow for common sense reforms that would end the stranglehold of government on the rights of her people,” said President and Executive Director of the American Suppressor Association Knox Williams.
“Gun owners around the world are using suppressors to reduce the impact of noise and hearing loss while using their firearms. Even in countries with the strictest firearms laws, suppressors are often unregulated products that anyone can buy over the counter. However, outdated federal law makes it difficult for Americans to access these useful safety devices,” said Executive Director of the NRA Institute for Legislative Action John Commerford.
Source: Government of Canada – Prime Minister
The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today announced that the Governor General, Her Excellency the Right Honourable Mary Simon, appointed the following individuals as independent senators to fill vacancies in the Senate:
Baltej Dhillon is a retired career police officer, a community leader, and a lifelong advocate for diversity and inclusion. In 1991, Mr. Dhillon made history as the first Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) officer to wear a turban. He went on to have a successful 30-year career with the RCMP, playing a key role in several high-profile investigations. Since 2019, he has worked with British Columbia’s anti-gang agency, while remaining active in his community as a youth leader.
Martine Hébert is a renowned economist, former Quebec diplomat, and public figure with over 25 years of experience in economic relations, governance, and public affairs. She has made significant contributions to the economic development of Quebec and Canada, notably during her time as Quebec’s Delegate to Chicago and later to New York City. She is also the former Senior Vice-President and National French Spokesperson for the Canadian Federation of Independent Business.
Todd Lewis is a fourth-generation farmer and a dedicated champion for Saskatchewan’s agricultural community. He is the former President of the Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan and currently serves as the first Vice-President of the Canadian Federation of Agriculture. A lifelong volunteer, he has been a strong voice for his community on numerous boards and working groups, and he continues to give back through his work as a municipal councillor.
These new senators were recommended by the Independent Advisory Board for Senate Appointments and chosen using a merit-based process open to all Canadians. Introduced in 2016, this process ensures senators are independent and able to tackle the broad range of challenges and opportunities facing the country.
“Congratulations to Mr. Dhillon, Ms. Hébert, and Mr. Lewis on their appointment as Parliament’s newest independent senators. Their broad range of experience will be a great benefit to the Senate, and I am confident they will continue to be strong voices for their communities.”
Source: US State of California
In light of evidence of Trump Administration continuing to block state funding under the Inflation Reduction Act and Infrastructure, Investment, and Jobs Act, states file motion to enforce existing court order
Preliminary injunction motion highlights the significant threats posed by the Trump Administration’s funding freeze, affecting access to food, healthcare, and crucial services that states provide
More than $100 billion in Medicaid funding, tens of billions in infrastructure and climate funding, among the funding at risk in just California
OAKLAND — California Attorney General Rob Bonta today led a coalition of 23 attorneys general in filing a motion to enforce and a motion for preliminary injunction in NY v. Trump, the ongoing lawsuit challenging actions by President Trump, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), and federal agencies attempting to pause nearly $3 trillion in federal assistance funding allocated to the states that support critical programs and services that benefit the American people. The coalition today seeks to preliminarily enjoin the Trump Administration’s actions to impose a funding freeze, emphasizing the widespread and irreparable harm to states, which rely on billions of dollars of critical federal assistance for public services that ensure access to education, clean air and water, and health care and that support essential infrastructure projects.
The motion further highlights the harm states face if funds under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and Infrastructure, Investment, and Jobs Act (IIJA, also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law) are not allocated as required by statute. IRA and IIJA funding strengthens domestic energy security, reduces energy costs, diversifies our domestic energy resources, rebuilds our domestic manufacturing economy, bolsters and modernizes critical infrastructure, and creates well-paying jobs while simultaneously reducing harmful pollution. Citing evidence of ongoing disruptions impacting disbursements to states, and federal funds that remain blocked under the IRA and IIJA despite the court’s Temporary Restraining Order (TRO), which remains in place, the coalition also seeks to enforce the TRO to require the Trump Administration to disperse these funds.
“Let’s be crystal clear: the power of the purse belongs to Congress, not the President,” said Attorney General Bonta. “The Trump Administration’s dangerous and unconstitutional actions have created chaos and confusion across this country, and caused significant harm to states across the country and the millions of Americans who rely on federal funding, from children to the elderly. In yet another unlawful move, we have evidence that despite the Temporary Restraining Order we secured, the Trump Administration has continued to block funds needed for our domestic energy security, transportation, and infrastructure provided under the IRA and IIJA. We’re asking the court to enforce its order and ensure that the Trump Administration reinstates access to this critical funding. No one is above the law, and at the California Department of Justice, we will not waver in our commitment to uphold the law and ensure that necessary funding for critical programs and services in states across our country can continue.”
In just this fiscal year, California is expected to receive $168 billion in federal funds – 34% of the state’s budget – not including funding for the state’s public college and university system. This includes $107.5 billion in funding for California’s Medicaid programs, which serve approximately 14.5 million Californians, including 5 million children and 2.3 million seniors and people with disabilities. Additionally, over 9,000 full-time equivalent state employee positions are federally funded. As detailed in the preliminary injunction motion, without access to federal financial assistance, many states could face immediate cash shortfalls, making it difficult to administer basic programs like funding for healthcare and food for children and to address their most pressing needs.
Additionally, as of January 2025, California has been awarded $63 billion from the IIJA and nearly $5 billion from the IRA, not including funds going to California cities, air and water districts, or other political subdivisions. Due to ongoing disruptions impacting disbursements to states despite the court’s TRO, efforts that bolster clean energy investments, transportation, and infrastructure have been put at risk, including:
Amid evidence that the Trump Administration has continued to block these critical funds, in violation of the court’s order, the attorneys general filed a motion to enforce to ensure that the funds are swiftly dispersed so that states can put them to use to protect for the health and well-being of their residents.
Attorney General Bonta, along with the attorneys general of New York, Rhode Island, Massachusetts and Illinois, led the attorneys general of Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Nevada, North Carolina, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, and Wisconsin in filing the motions.
The motion to enforce and motion for a preliminary injunction is available here.
Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police
On February 6, 2025 police officers from the Crime Reduction Unit (CRU) initiated a high-risk arrest of several people in Shipyards Park parking lot after spotting a person holding a handgun.
On February 6, 2025 just before 6 pm, an on-duty CRU officer observed several people interacting at Shipyards Park around multiple vehicles. During the interaction, one of the people presented a hand gun and cycled the action.
A high-risk arrest was conducted by CRU members with the assistance of multiple Whitehorse Detachment officers and Police Dog Services. Five males were arrested ranging in age between 17 and 21 years old. Police located and seized an air pistol that was an exact replica of a Glock 9mm pistol.
All of the involved people were cooperative with police and were released. No charges are anticipated.
” This could have been a very different situation had the circumstances not evolved in the way that they did in this case. Replica firearms look exactly like a real firearm and are illegal to possess, as they are prohibited devices in Canada. Replica firearms along with airsoft guns can easily and dangerously be misidentified as a real firearm, which could put both the police and the public at risk. ” – Sergeant Ian Fraser, Supervisor of the Yukon Crime Reduction Unit
See: Specific types of firearms | Royal Canadian Mounted Police
Source: Office of United States Attorneys
Investigation resulted in what is believed to be one of the largest single-location seizures of fentanyl and methamphetamine in Massachusetts and the region – an estimated 8 million individual doses of fentanyl and methamphetamine laced pills and powder
BOSTON – A Lynn man pleaded guilty today in federal court in Boston to his role in a large-scale drug trafficking organization (DTO) on the North Shore of Massachusetts. In November 2023, millions of doses of fentanyl and methamphetamine laced pills and powder with street value estimated to be over $7 million, were seized from a stash location and clandestine laboratory used by organization.
Emilio Garcia, a/k/a “6,” 26, of Lynn, of Lynn, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and possess controlled substances with intent to distribute and one count of possession of controlled substances with intent to distribute. U.S. District Court Judge Patti B. Saris scheduled sentencing for May 20, 2025. Garcia was arrested and charged along with Deiby Felix and Sebastien Bejin in November 2023.
In July 2023, an investigation into an overdose death in Salem led investigators to a DTO led by Garcia, with assistance from at least four other individuals, including Bejin and Felix. On Nov. 1, 2023, searches at four locations in Lynn frequented by Garcia and Bejin resulted in what is believed to be, one of the largest single-location seizures of fentanyl and methamphetamine in Massachusetts and the region.
The seizure included nine kilograms (20 pounds) of pink heart shaped fentanyl-laced pills pressed to look like candy. Additional narcotics and five firearms were also seized. During the course of the investigation over 75 kilograms (198 pounds) of fentanyl and methamphetamine were seized, along with multiple additional kilograms of cocaine and dozens of kilograms of cutting agents, including xylazine, that is used to adulterate controlled substances.
In total, an estimated eight million individual doses of fentanyl and methamphetamine laced pills and powder was seized. The street value is believed to be upwards of $8 million.
A search of Felix’s residence resulted in the seizure of more than three kilograms (6.6 pounds) of pressed pills containing methamphetamine and fentanyl and a firearm. A subsequent search of the residence also revealed a clandestine drug laboratory used by the drug trafficking organization that had been built into a small room in the basement of the building where Felix resided. Multiple industrial pill presses, mixing equipment and other manufacturing paraphernalia and equipment were also recovered that had been used by the organization to manufacture hundreds of thousands of counterfeit pills.
Bejin pleaded guilty on Jan. 15, 2025 and is scheduled to be sentenced on May 1, 2025. Felix pleaded guilty on Feb. 3, 2025 and is scheduled to be sentenced on May 29, 2025.
The charge of possession with intent to manufacture and distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl, 500 grams or more of methamphetamine, and other controlled substances provides for a sentence of at least 10 years and up to life in prison, at least five years and up to life of supervised release, up to a $10,000,000 fine and forfeiture. The charge of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime provides for a sentence of at least five years and up to life in prison, to be served consecutively to the underlying drug trafficking crime, up to five years of supervised release, a fine of up to $250,000 and forfeiture. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston; Colonel Geoffrey D. Noble, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; and Essex County District Attorney Paul F. Tucker made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office and the Lynn, Lynnfield and Salem Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorney Philip A. Mallard of the Organized Crime & Gang Unit is prosecuting the case.
Source: Office of United States Attorneys
NEW ORLEANS, LA – MIGUEL KEELEN (“KEELEN”), age 36, of Harvey, La., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Eldon E. Fallon on January 30, 2025 to 75 months imprisonment, three (3) years of supervised release, and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee, after previously pleading guilty to violating Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(8), being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans.
According to court documents, KEELEN possessed a firearm on December 11, 2023, while at a Valero Gas Station in New Orleans. Specifically, KEELEN displayed and drew a pistol from his waistband before then concealing the pistol and fleeing from police. KEELEN was prohibited from possessing a firearm due to his previous felony convictions.
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.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the New Orleans Police Department. This case is being prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney James Ollinger of the Violent Crimes Unit.
Source: Office of United States Attorneys
Jacksonville, FL – U.S. District Judge Wendy Berger sentenced Dedric Dwayne Rivers (52, Moscow, Idaho) to 18 months in federal prison for possessing a firearm and ammunition after having been convicted of a felony. Rivers pled guilty on October 22, 2024.
According to court documents, on April 27, 2024, Rivers arrived at Jacksonville International Airport to board a flight traveling to Idaho. During a routine screening process of checked luggage Transportation Security Administration officers identified an undeclared firearm and ammunition located in a checked suitcase bearing Rivers’ name. Law enforcement cut the cables to the gun case inside the suitcase and found an undeclared FN509 9mm semi-automatic pistol with a magazine containing 10 rounds of live ammunition inserted into the magazine well. The gun case also contained three extended magazines loaded with 70 rounds of live ammunition distributed among the three magazines. In a voluntary interview, Rivers said he thought the gun case only contained ammunition.
However, in a telephone conversation the next day, Rivers admitted to his mother that he had previously travelled with a firearm to Jacksonville, Florida. Prior to possessing the firearm, Rivers had had been convicted of multiple felonies, including kidnapping, armed robbery, and aggravated assault. Therefore, he is prohibited by law from possessing firearms and ammunition.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Transportation Security Administration, the Jacksonville Airport Authority, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kelly S. Milliron.
This case is part of the 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 for occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
Source: Office of United States Attorneys
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that on February 5, 2025, CARLOS JONES (“JONES”), age 32, a resident of Orleans Parish, pled guilty today before U.S. District Judge Sarah Vance to narcotics and weapons offenses.
According to court documents, JONES and co-defendant, Donte Edwards, were charged in an 11-count indictment with violating the Federal Controlled Substances Act and the Federal Gun Control Act relating to narcotics trafficking and weapons offenses in New Orleans from January through June 2022. Specifically, between January and June of 2022, JONES agreed and conspired with co-defendant, Dante Edwards (“EDWARDS”), to distribute cocaine base (“crack”) within the 7th Ward neighborhood of New Orleans. JONES pled guilty to Counts 1, 8, 9, and 11 of an indictment charging him with violating 21 U.S.C. § 846, conspiracy to distribute, and possess with intent to distribute, controlled substances (crack); 21 U.S.C. §§ 846(a)(1) and (b)(1)(C), possession with the intent to distribute a controlled substance; 18 U.S.C. § 924(c)(1)(A)(i), possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime; and, 18 U.S.C. §§ 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(2), possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
As to each narcotics charge, JONES faces up to 20 years imprisonment, a fine of up to $1,000,000.00, and at least 3 years of supervised release. As to the charge for possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, JONES faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 5 years up to a maximum of life imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000.00, and up to 5 years of supervised release. Finally, as to the felon in possession charge, he faces up to 10 years imprisonment, up to a $250,000.00 fine, and up to 3 years of supervised release. JONES will also pay a $400 mandatory special assessment fee. He is scheduled for sentencing on April 7, 2025. Co-defendant, EDWARDS, previously pled guilty and was sentenced.
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.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the New Orleans Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Greg Kennedy of the Violent Crimes Unit is in charge of the prosecution.
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn)
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) sent letters to several digital advertising platforms after a bombshell report revealed they placed advertisements on a website known to host and distribute Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM).
This report was shared exclusively with the Senators before public release. Senators Blackburn and Blumenthal sent letters detailing the report to AdTech vendors Google and Amazon, ad verification firms DoubleVerify and Integral Ad Science, and industry standards bodies Media Rating Council and Trustworthy Accountability Group. Below are excerpts from their letter to Amazon.
Blackburn & Blumenthal Sound the Alarm on Amazon Tech Being Used to Monetize Websites that Host Child Sexual Abuse Material
“We write to express our profound concern that Amazon’s technology has been used to monetize websites that have been known to host child sexual abuse material (CSAM). Recent research indicates that Amazon has facilitated the placement of advertising on imgbb.com, a website that has been known to host CSAM since at least 2021, according to transparency reports released by the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC). The dissemination of CSAM is a heinous crime that inflicts irreparable harm on its victims. When digital advertising technologies place advertisements on websites that are known to host such activity, they have in effect created a funding stream that perpetuates criminal operations and irreparable harm to our children.”
Production, Distribution, Sale, or Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Material Violates Federal Law
“Amazon’s actions here—or in best case, inaction—are problematic for several reasons. First, the instances of advertisements being served on a website known to host illegal CSAM via Amazon’s advertising technologies violates Amazon’s own policies. As you are aware, the production, distribution, sale, and possession of materials depicting CSAM violates federal law. Amazon’s own policies further prohibit ads from appearing on websites that host ‘illegal content’ and ‘adult and explicit sexual content.’ It remains unclear, however, whether Amazon has ceased its relationship with the website identified in this report, and it is deeply troubling that you have continued to monetize the website for at least three years since NCMEC first identified the website as a purveyor of CSAM.”
Amazon Must Take Immediate Action to Ensure It Is Not Funding Heinous Crimes Against Children
“Many advertisers reportedly cannot readily access page URL-level reports that would allow them to identify which pages their ads have appeared on, including if they had appeared on imgbb.com. Imgbb.com is an anonymous photo sharing website that hosts user-generated content. Without access to the URLs on which their ads appeared, advertisers have no ability to understand whether their ads have appeared on content that violates Amazon’s policies, their own policies, or federal law. It is imperative that your company take immediate and comprehensive action to address this issue and ensure that you are not funding these heinous crimes against children.”
Click here to read the full letter to Amazon.
Click here to read the full letter to Google.
Click here to read the full letter to DoubleVerify.
Click here to read the full letter to Integral Ad Science.
Click here to read the full letter to Media Rating Council.
Click here to read the full letter to Trustworthy Accountability Group.
Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation FBI Crime News (b)
The FBI New York Field Office is seeking to identify potential victims of the operators of Big Apple General Buyers. Dimitriy Nezhinskiy and Juan Villar, operators of Big Apple General Buyers—located at 75 West 47th Street, Suite 3A, New York, NY 10036—were recently charged with conspiracy to receive stolen property.
According to the indictment, between approximately 2020 and 2025, Nezhinskiy and Villar allegedly conspired with others to receive and purchase stolen property, including jewelry, watches, handbags and assorted luxury items that had been stolen outside of the state of New York and transported into New York. As detailed in court filings, Nezhinskiy and Villar regularly served as “fences” for burglary crews based out of South America who traveled around the United States committing burglaries, typically targeting wealthier neighborhoods or jewelry vendors, and stealing luxury accessories.
If you believe you had property, whether pawned, placed as collateral for a loan, or stolen from you and in possession of Big Apple General Buyers, or have information relevant to this investigation please e-mail us at diamonddistrict@fbi.gov.
Responses are voluntary but may be useful in the federal investigation and to identify respondents as potential victims. Based on the responses provided, respondents may be contacted by the FBI and asked to provide additional information.
Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police
Saskatchewan RCMP’s Prince Albert Crime Reduction Team (CRT), Warrant Enforcement and Suppression Team (WEST) and Humboldt Detachment arrested and charged one individual and seized nearly two kilograms of illicit drugs and 35,000 illegal cigarettes after executing a search warrant near Humboldt, SK.
On February 4, 2025, RCMP officers from Prince Albert CRT and Humboldt Detachment executed a search warrant at a residence northeast of Humboldt in relation to an ongoing investigation.
While searching the residence, officers located and seized:
Prince Albert RCMP WEST officers located and arrested an adult male and an adult female during a traffic stop near the residence.
While searching the vehicle, officers located and seized approximately $42,245 in cash, a small amount of crack cocaine, and additional evidence of drug trafficking.
As a result of investigation, 59-year-old Gaetan Carrier of Humboldt, SK is charged with:
The investigation continues. Further charges are anticipated.
The adult female was released without charges.
Gaetan Carrier is scheduled to make his first appearance in Humboldt Provincial Court on March 24, 2025.
Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police
On February 5, 2025 at approximately 1:50 p.m., Saskatoon RCMP received a report of a two-vehicle collision on Highway #11, approximately one kilometer north of Hanley, SK.
Officers responded along with local fire, EMS and STARS. Investigation determined an SUV and truck collided. The passenger of the SUV was transported to hospital by STARS where he was later declared deceased. He has been identified as an 81-year-old male from Saskatoon, SK. His family has been notified.
Neither the driver of the SUV nor the driver of the truck reported physical injuries to police.
The northbound lanes of Highway #11 were temporarily closed, but have since been re-opened.
Saskatoon RCMP continue to investigate with the assistance of a Saskatchewan RCMP collision reconstructionist.
Source: Office of United States Attorneys
NEW ORLEANS, LA – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced today that TAMMY THOMPSON (“THOMPSON”), age 56, a resident of Thibodaux, Louisiana, pled guilty on February 4, 2025, before U.S. District Judge Brandon Long to misprision of a felony, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 4. Judge Long scheduled sentencing for May 13, 2025. At sentencing, THOMPSON faces up to three (3) years imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000.00, up to one (1) year of supervised release, and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee.
According to court records, law enforcement in Thibodaux, saw THOMPSON’s son, Earl Henry Jr. (“Henry Jr.”) purchase narcotics from Roy Robinson (“Robinson”) in a parking lot. After the purchase, Robinson placed two bags inside of Henry Jr.’s vehicle. Henry Jr. then drove directly back to the residence he shared with his mother, THOMPSON. After a brief visit inside the residence, Henry Jr. left the residence but was quickly detained by law enforcement. After concluding that Henry Jr. had moved the bags into his mother’s house, officers got a search warrant for THOMPSON’s residence, while also surveilling the house, to prevent THOMPSON from concealing or destroying evidence. THOMPSON was then seen on camera leaving her home and placing the two bags inside a nearby parked vehicle. Law enforcement arrived later to execute the search warrant, and seized the that contained approximately 7,227.3 total gross grams of methamphetamine. By moving the methamphetamine from her residence and into a nearby vehicle, knowing her adult son had already been detained, THOMPSON was concealing evidence of her son’s drug trafficking activities. In so doing, she committed misprision of a felony.
This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at http://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
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.
United States Attorney Evans praised the work of the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Louisiana State Police, the Thibodaux Police Department, the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office, and the Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Stuart Theriot of the Narcotics Unit.
Source: Office of United States Attorneys
Baltimore, Maryland – A federal criminal complaint has been filed charging Alexis Perez Suarez, 43, of Baltimore, Maryland, on federal felony charges related to flying a drone over M&T Bank Stadium during a National Football League Wild Card Game in Baltimore on January 11, 2025.
The federal charges were announced by Erek L. Barron, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland; Special Agent in Charge William J. DelBagno of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Baltimore Field Office; Special Agent in Charge Greg Thompson of the U.S. Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General (DOT OIG), Mid-Atlantic Regional Office; and Colonel Roland L. Butler, Jr., Superintendent of the Maryland State Police (MSP).
“We are very serious about temporary flight restrictions,” said U.S. Attorney Barron. “You will be charged and held accountable for any incursion into restricted airspace, including around sports and entertainment venues such as the Super Bowl.”
“If you are going to fly a drone, you are responsible for learning all the laws and requirements to responsibly operate it. Failing to do so will not excuse you from the consequences of breaking the law,” said Special Agent in Charge William J. DelBagno of the FBI’s Baltimore Field Office.
“Federal laws and regulations related to owning and operating drones are in place to protect the public and our nation’s airspace,” said Greg Thompson, Special Agent in Charge of DOT OIG’s Mid-Atlantic Region. “We will continue to partner with law enforcement and prosecutors to pursue those whose actions jeopardize public safety.”
According to the affidavit filed in support of the criminal complaint, on January 11, 2025, the Federal Aviation Administration had put in place a temporary flight restriction (TFR) for M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore during the NFL Wild Card game, which precluded the flight of any UAS, including flying a UAS under the Exception for Recreational Flyers. A TFR temporarily restricts certain aircraft, including an UAS, from operating within a three nautical mile radius of the stadium. This is a standard practice for stadiums or sporting venues where a regular or postseason Major League Baseball, NFL, or NCAA Division I Game is occurring; or a NASCAR Cup, Indy Car, or Champ Series Race is occurring. The TFR goes into effect one hour before the scheduled start time and lasts until one hour after the end of a qualifying event.
During the game, the incursion of an unidentified and unapproved drone was deemed a serious enough threat that NFL Security temporarily suspended the game. MSP Troopers and FBI Special Agents tracked the movement of the drone over the stadium and deployed it to the area where the drone landed in Baltimore, Maryland. Despite Suarez having left the scene, law enforcement was able to track down his whereabouts.
Suarez stated that he purchased a DJI UAS for recreation and also claimed he used it for work. The drone was not registered, nor did Suarez possess a Remote Pilot certificate to operate it. Suarez allegedly flew the drone approximately 400 feet or higher directly over the NFL stadium. According to the affidavit, while in flight, Suarez captured approximately seven photos of the Stadium while the game was going on and thousands of people were below his flight path.
There is a zero-tolerance policy regarding UAS/drone use anywhere within the No Drone Zone established by the FAA. Anyone who attempts to fly a UAS/drone in any prohibited manner may be subject to arrest, prosecution, fines, and/or imprisonment. Members of the public are encouraged to report all suspicious activity. Law enforcement will be actively monitoring the airways for illegal UAS/drones and is committed to identifying, investigating, disrupting, and prosecuting the careless or criminal use of drones in the area.
If convicted, Suarez faces a maximum sentence of three years in federal prison for knowingly operating an unregistered UAS and for knowingly serving as an airman without an airman’s certificate. Suarez faces a maximum of one year in federal prison for willfully violating United States National Defense Airspace.
Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge determines sentencing after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. An initial appearance and arraignment will be scheduled later this month.
A criminal complaint is not a finding of guilt. An individual charged by criminal complaint is presumed innocent until proven guilty at a later criminal proceeding.
U.S. Attorney Barron commended the FBI, DOT OIG, and MSP for their work in the investigation, and thanked the FAA Office of Security & Hazardous Materials Safety and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection for their substantial assistance. Mr. Barron thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert I. Goldaris, who is prosecuting the federal case.
For more information on the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, please visit www.justice.gov/usao-md and https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach.
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Source: Office of United States Attorneys
BOSTON – Former Massachusetts State Senator Dean A. Tran was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for scheming to defraud the Massachusetts Department of Unemployment Assistance and collecting income that he failed to report to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
Tran, 48, of Fitchburg, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Chief Judge F. Dennis Saylor, IV to 18 months in prison, to be followed by two years of supervised release. Tran was also ordered to pay $25,100 in restitution to the Massachusetts Department of Unemployment Assistance and $23,327 to the Internal Revenue Service, as well as a $7,500 fine and a mandatory assessment of $2,300. In September 2024, Tran was convicted of 20 counts of wire fraud and three counts of filing false tax returns. The defendant was indicted by a federal grand jury in November 2023.
Tran served as an elected member of the Massachusetts State Senate, representing Worcester and Middlesex Counties from 2017 to January 2021. After Tran’s State Senate term ended in 2021, Tran fraudulently received pandemic unemployment benefits while simultaneously employed as a paid consultant for a New Hampshire-based retailer of automotive parts (the Automotive Parts Company). While working as a paid consultant for the Automotive Parts Company, Tran fraudulently collected $30,120 in pandemic unemployment benefits.
In addition, Tran concealed $54,700 in consulting income that he received from the Automotive Parts Company from his 2021 federal income tax return. This was in addition to thousands of dollars in income that Tran concealed from the IRS while collecting rent from tenants who rented his Fitchburg property from 2020 to 2022.
“When Dean Tran took his oath of office as a Massachusetts State Senator, he willingly entered into a world of being in the public eye. He chose to violate the public’s trust not once, but twice by defrauding the government out of unemployment benefits and willfully omitting his taxable income. His fraud and calculated deception erode the public’s trust in elected officials and diverted money away from those who truly needed it,” said United States Attorney Leah B. Foley. “Our office and our law enforcement partners are committed to rooting out public officials who violate the law and holding them accountable for their actions.”
“Former Massachusetts State Senator Dean Tran stole taxpayer funds intended for American workers who lost their jobs due to the COVID-19 pandemic. His sentencing affirms the Office of Inspector General’s commitment to prioritize and investigate allegations of fraud involving the U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) unemployment insurance (UI) program. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to protect the integrity of the UI system from those who exploit this critical benefit program,” stated Jonathan Mellone, Special Agent-in-Charge, Northeast Region, U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General.
“Today’s sentencing of Dean Tran demonstrates that no one is above the law, even elected officials,” said Thomas Demeo, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, Boston Field Office. “Elected officials are held to a higher standard when they take an oath to serve but to Tran, his oath meant nothing when he chose to steal from the America taxpayers on two separate occasions. Tran stole from a pandemic unemployment program designed to help those most in need. Tran proceeded to harm the American public further when he decided not to report his taxable income, the most basic of principles all Americans are expected to follow.”
“Former Massachusetts State Senator Dean Tran blatantly defrauded a government program meant to keep businesses and workers afloat during the pandemic, using the money for his own personal expenses, effectively stealing funds from others who needed them,” said Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigations Boston Division. “The FBI and our partners will continue to crack down on frauds like this because willfully defrauding the government and cheating honest taxpayers is a federal crime.”
U.S. Attorney Foley, DOL-OIG SAC Mellone, Acting IRS-CI SAC Thomas Demeo and FBI SAC Cohen made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Dustin Chao and John T. Mulcahy of the Office’s Public Corruption & Special Prosecutions prosecuted the case.
On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus and https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus/combatingfraud.
Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline via the NCDF Web Complaint Form.
Source: Office of United States Attorneys
MOBILE, AL –A Mobile man involved in Darrin Southall’s drug trafficking organization was sentenced in federal court this afternoon. Marvin McCaine, 55, pled guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine in April of 2023.
According to court documents, McCaine was one of Southall’s distributors who was listed in Southall’s drug ledgers. During the investigation, telephone calls between McCaine and Southall were intercepted by federal investigators. McCaine and Southall used coded language to attempt to disguise the criminal nature of their calls and conceal their drug trafficking activities from detection. McCaine received multiple kilograms of cocaine for further distribution in Mobile, which was documented by the phone calls and the information uncovered during an analysis of the cell phones seized following the arrests in the case. Federal and state investigators arrested Southall and numerous members of his organization during 2021 and 2022. Approximately 30 members of Southall’s organization have been prosecuted in federal court to date.
United States District Court Judge Terry F. Moorer imposed a sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment in McCaine’s case. Because McCaine was under federal supervised release from a previous federal drug conviction, Judge Moorer revoked his supervised release term and ordered that McCaine serve an additional 37 months’ imprisonment, which will run consecutively to the sentenced imposed for the conspiracy count. The judge further ordered that McCaine would also serve an additional 10 years on supervised release following his release from imprisonment. As conditions of his supervised release, McCaine will also undergo testing and treatment for drug and/or alcohol abuse, and he will be subject to a search of her person and premises upon reasonable suspicion. The judge also ordered that McCaine pay $100 in special assessments. Any interest McCaine had in a long list of seized property was ordered forfeited to the United States.
The case was investigated by the Mobile Police Department, the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office, the Department of Homeland Security Investigations, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, the Saraland Police Department, the St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana, Sheriff’s Office, and the Drug Enforcement Administration. Assistant U.S. Attorney Gloria Bedwell prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.
Source: Office of United States Attorneys
OKLAHOMA CITY – Today, MARLON DEWAYNE MARTIN, 44, of Oklahoma City, pleaded guilty to sex trafficking of a child, announced U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester.
On September 17, 2024, a federal Grand Jury returned a four-count Indictment against Martin, charging him with sex trafficking and sexual exploitation of a child, and distribution and possession of child pornography. According to the Indictment, between September 15, 2023, and February 26, 2024, Martin knowingly recruited and caused a child to be engaged in a commercial sex act, while also producing, distributing, and possessing child sexual abuse material.
Today, Martin pleaded guilty to Count 1 of the Indictment, and admitted he arranged commercial sex dates between the minor child and others and provided hotel rooms for that purpose. At sentencing, Martin faces a minimum of 10 years and a maximum of life in prison, and a fine of up to $250,000.
This case is the result of an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations, the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs, and the Oklahoma City Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Bow Bottomly is prosecuting the case.
Reference is made to public filings for additional information.
Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police
News release
On February 6, 2025 at approximately 6:40 a.m., White Butte RCMP located Cynan Fink-Rostad in a parked truck in Emerald Park, SK. Officers approached the vehicle and Cynan Fink-Rostad was arrested on his outstanding warrant. An adult female passenger was also arrested at the scene.
Investigation determined the truck was previously reported as stolen out of Regina on February 5, 2025. This was a separate incident from the truck that was stolen on January 24, 2025 and later recovered.
As a result of investigation, Cynan Fink-Rostad was additionally charged with one count, possession of property obtained by crime over $5000, Section 354(1)(a), Criminal Code.
21-year-old Trysten Bird from Regina, SK is charged with:
Cynan Fink-Rostad and Trysten Bird appeared in Regina Provincial Court on February 7, 2025.
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2025-01-31
White Butte RCMP determined two additional crimes were connected to the theft of the truck (see below for background). On January 21, a vehicle was broken into in the community of St. Joseph’s and bank and gift cards were stolen. Also on January 21, a vehicle was damaged in St. Joseph’s.
As a result of continued investigation, 20-year-old Cynan Fink-Rostad from Regina is charged with:
– one count, theft of truck, Section 333.1(1), Criminal Code;
– one count, possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000, Section 354(1)(a), Criminal Code;
– one count, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, Section 320.13(1), Criminal Code;
– three counts, trespass by night, Section 177, Criminal Code;
– one count, mischief under $5,000 – damage to vehicle; and
– three counts, theft under $5,000, Section 334(b), Criminal Code.
A warrant has been issued for Cynan Fink-Rostad’s arrest and White Butte RCMP are working to locate him. They ask members of the public to report all sightings of him and information on his whereabouts.
Cynan Fink-Rostad is described as approximately 6’3″ and 170 lbs. He has brown hair and brown eyes. He has a tattoo of a rose on his left wrist, numbers on his left hand and a small tattoo under his left eye.
If you see him, call your local police of jurisdiction. Dial 310-RCMP to reach your local RCMP detachment. Information can also be submitted anonymously by contacting Saskatchewan Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or www.saskcrimestoppers.com.
The investigation into these incidents continues.
Source: Office of United States Attorneys
Jacksonville, FL – U.S. District Judge Wendy Berger today sentenced Maria Del Carmen Sobarso-Gonzalez (61) to 14 months in federal prison for illegal reentry into the United States. Sobarso-Gonzalez pled guilty on November 1, 2024.
According to court documents, earlier in 2024, law enforcement received a tip reporting that Sobarso-Gonzalez resided in Jacksonville, Florida, after having been removed from the United States three times. Sobarso-Gonzalez also was previously convicted of a felony illegal reentry into the United States by a deported alien in the Middle District of Florida. Law enforcement then surveilled several known locations where Sobarso-Gonzalez visited and resided, which resulted in her arrest.
This case was investigated by U.S. Customs and Border Protection. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kelly S. Milliron.
Source: Office of United States Attorneys
JONESBORO—Terry Duane Qualls, a multi-convicted felon, will spend the next 262 months in federal prison for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and for being a felon in possession of a firearm. Jonathan D. Ross, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, announced the sentence, which was handed today by United States District Judge Lee P. Rudofsky.
On September 20, 2024, Qualls, 37, of Walnut Ridge, Arkansas, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and being a felon in possession of firearms. Qualls was indicted on April 5, 2024, in a superseding indictment, on one count of conspiracy to possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine (actual), two counts of possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine (actual), one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, one count of possession with intent to distribute marijuana, one count of being a felon in possession of 26 firearms, and one count of possession of firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking.
In addition to the sentence, which equals 21 years and 10 months, Judge Rudofsky also sentenced Qualls to five years supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.
In the spring of 2021, law enforcement received information that Qualls was a multi-pound distributor of methamphetamine, and also a distributor of marijuana, heroin, fentanyl, LSD, and ecstasy in the northeast Arkansas area. Law enforcement arrested Qualls twice in the following months, finding him in possession of drugs and drug proceeds. Law enforcement also conducted a controlled purchase of methamphetamine from Qualls. The investigation led to the execution of a search warrant on sprawling property off Greene 707 Road, which was occupied by Qualls. Law enforcement located several stolen vehicles and a marijuana grow on the property.
Inside of a camper where Qualls resided, law enforcement located 26 firearms, body armor, 25 additional magazines, and five full cans of ammunition. Law enforcement also located approximately 340 grams of methamphetamine in multiple baggies, over 3,000 grams of marijuana, cocaine, ecstasy, suboxone, LSD, mushrooms, alprazolam, clonazepam, THC wax, 60 sudephedrine tablets, and steroids, along with a plastic bin full of syringes, five digital scales, 13 pipes, and a marijuana grinder.
Qualls was sentenced as a career offender on the drug conviction due to his criminal history that includes three serious drug convictions. Qualls was sentenced as an armed career criminal on the gun conviction due to his criminal history as well.
This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with assistance from the Second Judicial Drug Task Force, Greene County Sheriff’s Office, Craighead County Sheriff’s Office, and Jonesboro Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Erin O’Leary.
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Additional information about the office of the
United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, is available online at
X (formerly known as Twitter):
Source: US Marshals Service
Cleveland, OH – Late this afternoon, members of the U.S. Marshals led Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force (NOVFTF) arrested Hector Linares, 46.
Linares was being investigated by the NOVFTF for violating his federal supervised release and a warrant for his arrest was issued on January 30 of this year. Linares’ underlying offense was a drug charge from 2009.
Additionally, Linares was wanted by the Cleveland Division of Police for aggravated assault, a warrant was issued for his arrest in May 2024. He was also wanted by the University Heights Police Department for a more recent felonious assault and a warrant was issued on January 21 of this year. Linares is a suspected gang member and is listed as a previously deported felon by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
This afternoon, members of the task force were able to locate and positively identify Linares in a vehicle he was operating. Officers conducted a traffic stop in the area of 24000 block of Lakeland Blvd. in Euclid. Linares complied with officers and was taken into custody without incident. During the arrest, Linares was found to be in possession of both a loaded handgun and suspected methamphetamine. Linares was transported to the U.S. Courthouse upon arrest.
U.S. Marshal Pete Elliott stated, “We will continue to work with our partners to focus on violent criminals who are also in this country illegally. Today, a violent fugitive in possession of a handgun was put in jail and our community is safer.”
Anyone with information concerning a wanted fugitive can contact the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force at 1-866-4WANTED (1-866-492-6833), or you can submit a web tip. Reward money is available, and tipsters may remain anonymous. Follow the U.S. Marshals on Twitter @USMSCleveland.
The Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force – Cleveland Division is composed of the following federal, state and local agencies: U.S. Marshals Service, Cleveland Police Department, Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Office, Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority Police Department, Euclid Police Department, Ohio Adult Parole Authority, Ohio State Highway Patrol, Independence Police Department, Parma Police Department, Aurora Police Department, Solon Police Department, Cleveland RTA Police Department, Westlake Police Department, Bedford Police Department, Middleburg Heights Police Department, Newburgh Heights Police Department and the Metrohealth Police Department.
US Senate News:
Source: US Senator for New Mexico Ben Ray Luján
Musk’s Team May Have Obtained Access to Personal Information of Millions of Borrowers; Raises Concerns About Violations of the Law, Failure to Protect Sensitive Information
“The millions of families who rely on the Department of Education to help them achieve the American Dream deserve answers about reports that an unelected billionaire and his team now have access to some of their most sensitive personal information.”
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) joined U.S Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), and a group of their colleagues in sending a letter to Acting Secretary of the Department of Education, Denise Carter, launching a probe into recent reports that Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has infiltrated the Department of Education (ED) and that “DOGE staffers have gained access to federal student loan data, which includes personal information for millions of borrowers.”
There are over 40 million federal student loan borrowers in the United States. ED’s student loan database contains millions of borrowers’ highly sensitive information, including Social Security numbers, marital status, and income data.
“This deeply troubling report raises questions about potential exposures of Americans’ private data, the abuse of this data by the Trump Administration, and whether officials who have access to the data may have violated the law or the federal government’s procedures for handling sensitive information,” wrote the senators.
According to public reporting, “a handful of 19-to-24-year-old engineers linked to Musk’s companies, with unclear titles, could be bypassing regular security protocols” during DOGE’s infiltration of federal agencies. The senators also raised concerns that the access provided to DOGE-affiliated staff by the Department may violate the Privacy Act, which generally prohibits the disclosure of such information.
“We are especially troubled by this reporting given President Trump’s stated pledge to abolish the Department,” concluded the lawmakers. “The millions of families who rely on ED to help them achieve the American Dream deserve answers about reports that an unelected billionaire and his team now have access to some of their most sensitive personal information.”
Additional reporting suggests that DOGE has “fed sensitive data from across the Education Department into artificial intelligence software to probe the agency’s programs and spending.” The 16 senators requested answers from Acting Secretary Carter about DOGE’s access to federal student loan data and any other sensitive databases by February 13, 2025.
In addition to Luján, Warren, and Schumer, the letter was joined by Senators Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Richard Durbin (D-Ill.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.).
The full text of the letter is available here.