Source: New Zealand Police (District News)
Police can now release the names of the two people who died following a crash in Acacia Bay, Taupō on Friday 17 January.
They were Purity Anne Te Pairi and Tamatoa Kimi, both aged 19, from Taupo.
Our thoughts are with the whānau of those involved.
Inquiries into the circumstances of the crash are ongoing.
ENDS
Issued by Police Media Centre
Source: New Zealand Police (District News)
Police have recovered stolen firearms and a large amount of ammunition from a house in Foxton, thanks to two members of the public making the decision to call 111.
Horowhenua Prevention Manager Acting Senior Sergeant Peter Vine says thanks to those calls, Police have prevented weapons and ammunition falling into the wrong hands.
The calls were made about 7:30am on Tuesday 4 February.
“A young man was seen going between houses carrying armfuls of firearms. They thought it was strange so got in touch with us.”
A Police team went to the Mark Perreau Place property where they located an 18-year-old Foxton man, 5 firearms and a large amount of ammunition.
“The firearms and ammo had been stolen a day earlier. To get that tip off from a member of the public is just fantastic – they’ve prevented these weapons from getting into the wrong hands and all the harm that goes with that.”
The 18-year-old Foxton man was taken into custody without incident. He has been charged with burglary, four counts of unlawfully possessing a firearm, two counts of unlawfully possessing ammunition, unlawfully being in an enclosed yard, and unlawfully getting into a motor vehicle.
He is due to appear in the Levin District Court today (5 January).
Acting Senior Sergeant Vine urged anyone who sees suspicious behaviour to report it.
“If it looks illegal, dodgy, or strange, tell us. Call 111 if it’s happening now, or make a report to 105 if it’s after the fact. Your call could make a huge difference.”
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Issued by Police Media Centre
Source: Office of United States Attorneys
NEWARK, N.J. – An East Orange, New Jersey man today admitted possessing quantities of fentanyl, heroin and cocaine he intended to distribute, and possessing a firearm in furtherance of the drug trafficking crime, Acting U.S. Attorney Vikas Khanna announced.
Ibraheem Muhammad, 41, of East Orange, New Jersey pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Brian R. Martinotti to an Indictment charging him with one count of possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon, one count of possessing with intent to distribute controlled substances, and one count of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
Law enforcement investigated Muhammad for his drug distribution from an apartment in East Orange (the “Residence”). On May 9, 2022, Muhammad was arrested on a warrant after law enforcement saw him exit the Residence and engage in a suspected drug transaction. He was caught in possession of numerous envelopes of suspected heroin and keys to the Residence. A subsequent search of the Residence revealed Muhammad to be in possession of controlled substances that subsequently lab tested positive for heroin, cocaine, and fentanyl, and various glassine envelopes and other paraphernalia used for packaging drugs. Law enforcement also recovered approximately $14,000 in cash; a Girsan 9mm semi-automatic handgun, loaded with fourteen (14) rounds of 9mm ammunition; and an additional fifteen (15) rounds of 9mm ammunition.
The drug charge carries a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison and a maximum fine of $1 million. The felon in possession of a firearm charge carries a maximum potential penalty of 10 years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000. The possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime charge carries a minimum sentence of 5 years in prison, a maximum potential penalty of life in prison, and a maximum fine of $250,000. Sentencing is scheduled for June 24, 2025.
Acting U.S. Attorney Khanna credited special agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge L.C. Cheeks Jr., Newark Field Division; and the East Orange Police Department, under the direction of Public Safety Director Maurice Boyd.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Farhana C. Melo of the Economic Crimes Unit in Newark.
Source: New Zealand Police (National News)
Police can confirm one person has died following a crash on State Highway 29, Te Poi on Tuesday 28 January.
The person was transported to hospital with critical injuries following the single vehicle crash.
As a result of the injuries sustained, the person passed away in hospital last night.
Inquiries into the circumstances of the crash are ongoing.
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Issued by Police Media Centre
Source: New Zealand Police (National News)
An investigation into the wounding of a man in Birkenhead on Tuesday afternoon will continue today.
A man suffered multiple stab wounds outside an address on Birkenhead Avenue at around 2pm.
North Shore Area Commander Inspector Stefan Sagar says the victim underwent surgery at Auckland City Hospital last night.
“The victim is now in a serious but stable condition in hospital, and we will be looking to speak with him in the coming days as we continue our enquiries.”
Police will be visible again in the Birkenhead community today with an area canvas as part of the investigation.
“From what we have established so far in our enquiries, we do not believe this is a random incident,” Inspector Sagar says.
“We are continuing to make enquiries into information about a vehicle that left the area, but at this point we do not have further information to release.”
Police acknowledge the Birkenhead community, with many people coming forward to assist the investigation.
“We have had good support from the neighbourhood, and this information is assisting us in progressing the investigation,” Inspector Sagar says.
“I know when these events take place in our communities that this can be unsettling, but we believe it is an isolated event and Police are continuing to work hard to identify and hold this offender to account.”
Police welcome further information to assist with the investigation.
Anyone that can assist enquiries can update Police online now or call 105.
Please use the reference number 250204/5489.
Information can also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.
ENDS.
Jarred Williamson/NZ Police
Source: US State of New York
NEW YORK – New York Attorney General Letitia James’ Office of Special Investigation (OSI) today released its report on the death of Rakim Tillery, who died on January 3, 2024 following an encounter with the New York State Police (NYSP) in Ramapo, Rockland County. Following a thorough investigation, which included interviews with witnesses, review of home and body-worn camera footage, and comprehensive legal analysis, OSI concluded that a prosecutor would not be able to disprove beyond a reasonable doubt at trial that the officers’ actions were justified under New York law.
At approximately 2:53 p.m. on January 3, two NYSP troopers pulled over a car on the New York State Thruway based on a report about an incident that had taken place earlier the same day in Albany. The troopers were in two separate marked police vehicles, with their turret lights activated. The first trooper pulled over behind the car, and the second trooper pulled over behind the first trooper’s vehicle. As the troopers were getting out of their vehicles, the driver of the car, Mr. Tillery, was already out of his vehicle, armed with a firearm, and discharged his weapon at the troopers. One trooper discharged his service weapon in response, and Mr. Tillery fell to the ground. As the trooper approached Mr. Tillery, he got up, and a struggle ensued. Mr. Tillery grabbed for the trooper’s gun, and the second trooper discharged his service weapon three times, striking Mr. Tillery.
Under New York’s justification law, a police officer may use deadly physical force when the officer reasonably believes it to be necessary to defend against the use of deadly physical force by another. In this case, the troopers had reason to believe Mr. Tillery had been involved in an earlier incident in Albany and had reason to stop Mr. Tillery based on the radio dispatch. When the troopers encountered Mr. Tillery, he discharged a firearm at officers and engaged in a struggle with one trooper, attempting to grab his service weapon. Under these circumstances, given the law and the evidence, a prosecutor would not be able to disprove beyond a reasonable doubt at trial that the officers’ use of deadly physical force against Mr. Tillery was justified, and therefore OSI determined that criminal charges would not be pursued in this matter.
Source: US State of New York
NEW YORK – New York Attorney General Letitia James today joined a coalition of 20 attorneys general in calling on the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee to demand further testimony from Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director nominee Kash Patel following reports of a planned purge of thousands of FBI agents and staff involved in investigations and prosecutions related to the January 6, 2021 riots at the Capitol. In a letter to Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley, Attorney General James and the coalition expressed grave concern over reports that the Trump administration is planning to fire agents and staff who participated in January 6th investigations at the FBI, eliminating approximately 15% of the FBI workforce. The attorneys general warn that these actions could have dangerous consequences for the rule of law and public safety nationwide.
“This effort to defund the FBI to fulfill a political vendetta puts the American people at risk. The FBI is critical to keeping Americans safe from violent crime, terrorism, and threats to our democracy,” said Attorney General James. “Any effort to retaliate against career law enforcement officials for doing their jobs is unacceptable and a direct threat to our justice system. Before the Senate votes on Kash Patel’s confirmation, the American people deserve to know whether he plans to carry out a politically motivated purge of FBI agents and staff. Our nation’s safety depends on it.”
Reports indicate that more than a dozen January 6th prosecutors have already been dismissed and that the administration is considering the removal of at least six more high-ranking FBI officials. Additionally, the acting deputy attorney general has reportedly ordered the FBI to compile a list of all FBI employees who worked on January 6th investigations. If this list is used for its reported intent of firing all agents and staffers involved in the January 6th investigations and prosecutions, it could impact more than 6,000 FBI personnel and severely weaken federal law enforcement efforts across the country, in red and blue states alike.
At the time of Mr. Patel’s confirmation hearing, reports of the alleged FBI purge had not yet been made public. The attorneys general are urging the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee to seek answers from Mr. Patel on these matters before the body votes to confirm his nomination. Senators, as representatives of the American people, should know what Mr. Patel plans to do with the list of FBI agents and staff that is being compiled before they cast their votes.
The attorneys general argue that purging more than 6,000 FBI agents and staff will have disastrous effects for public safety nationwide and will put communities in danger. FBI employees and staff protect the country from many of the public safety harms that the administration itself has identified as law enforcement priorities, including but not limited to fentanyl, cartels, and foreign terrorist organizations.
Members of the FBI’s Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Forces assist federal and local law enforcement agencies in stopping cartels from smuggling fentanyl and guns into our communities. These task forces also contributed to the recent convictions of five New York members of La Cosa Nostra. The FBI also runs the Joint Terrorism Task Force across the country, protecting Americans from terrorism and other security threats. The hardworking agents, prosecutors, and staff at the FBI keep Americans safe every day, and mass firings would have a disastrous effect, undoubtedly resulting in countless criminals roaming free.
Attorney General James and the coalition are calling on Congress to take immediate action to prevent this ridiculous attack on law enforcement and ensure that the FBI remains independent and fully operational. Congress has a responsibility to the nation to keep Americans safe and hold the administration accountable. The attorneys general urge Congress to start by calling Mr. Patel back before the Senate Judiciary Committee to answer questions about the purported FBI purge before voting on his nomination.
Joining Attorney General James in sending this letter to Chairman Grassley are the attorneys general of Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington.
Source: US State of California
Tuesday, February 4, 2025
Contact: (916) 210-6000, agpressoffice@doj.ca.gov
SACRAMENTO – In the wake of new concerns of immigration enforcement on school campuses, California Attorney General Rob Bonta today highlighted recent guidance to students, families, educators, and school officials to help ensure a safe and secure school environment for all. The first document provides practical guidance to school officials on how to respond if an immigration officer comes to campus. The second document provides guidance and model policies for K-12 public schools to assist them in complying with state law. The final document provides immigrant students and their families with information on their educational rights and protections under the law. These resources can be found in multiple languages at oag.ca.gov/immigrant/resources.
“All children have a constitutional right to access a public education, regardless of their immigration status,” said Attorney General Bonta. “Schools are meant to be a safe place for children to learn and grow. Unfortunately, the President’s recent orders have created fear and uncertainty in our immigrant communities. My office is committed to ensuring our educators have the tools and knowledge they need to respond appropriately if immigration officers come to their campus – and that immigrant students and families understand their rights and protections under the law. I encourage schools to keep our office apprised of immigration enforcement occurring on their campuses by emailing immigration@doj.ca.gov. We’re continuing to monitor this issue closely, and we will not hesitate to act if we believe this enforcement goes beyond federal authority under the law.”
Guidance for School Officials if an Immigration Officer Comes to Campus
The complete Quick Reference for School Officials guide is available in English and Spanish.
Rights of Immigrant Students and Families
The complete Guide for Students and Families is available English, Spanish, Chinese (Simplified), Korean, Tagalog, and Vietnamese.
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US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator John Kennedy (Louisiana)
WASHINGTON – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) today joined Sen. John Hoeven (R-N.D.) and 23 other senators in introducing a joint resolution under the Congressional Review Act to overturn the Biden administration’s proposed Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rule to implement a fee on methane emissions.
“Americans want our country to ‘drill, baby, drill’ to lower their energy costs. To restore American energy dominance, we need to beat back the anti-energy policies and taxes the Biden administration shackled us with,” said Kennedy.
The EPA’s proposed methane fee would effectively create a new tax on key parts of the American oil and gas business, including both onshore and offshore natural gas production and liquefied natural gas import, export and storage.
“When it comes to bringing down prices and making America energy secure again, we have our work cut out for us. The Biden-Harris administration imposed countless policies like the Natural Gas Tax that drive up the cost of production and limit the ability to fully utilize our nation’s abundant energy resources, and it will take real time and effort to undo the effects of their Green New Deal agenda. Through efforts like this CRA resolution, we are working to get our nation back on the right track, providing needed regulatory and tax relief to deliver real cost savings to American energy producers and consumers,” said Hoeven.
The Congressional Review Act allows Congress to overturn certain federal agency regulations and actions through a joint resolution of disapproval. If both houses of Congress approve such a joint resolution and the president signs it, or if Congress successfully overrides a presidential veto, the regulation at issue becomes invalid.
Rep. August Pfluger (R-Texas) introduced the resolution in the House.
“As part of his war on energy, former President Biden took radical steps to end fossil fuels during his administration which hurt the hardworking energy producers in my district who have worked diligently to increase production while fueling our allies abroad. Biden’s burdensome natural gas tax has handicapped technological innovation, reduced supplies of affordable energy, and increased both costs and emissions. With President Trump back in office, it is time to restore American energy dominance—which is why I am proud to lead this CRA to rescind this ill-conceived natural gas tax,” said Pfluger.
Sens. Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Mike Lee (R-Utah), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Katie Britt (R-Ala.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Rand Paul (R-Ky.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Jim Justice (R-W.Va.), Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.) and John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) cosponsored the resolution.
Text of the resolution is available here.
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for North Dakota John Hoeven
02.04.25
WASHINGTON – Senator John Hoeven (R-N.D.) and Congressman August Pfluger (R-Texas) today reintroduced their bicameral Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution of disapproval to block implementation of the Biden administration’s Natural Gas Tax, which was passed as part of the Inflation Reduction Act, Democrats’ reckless tax-and-spend legislation in 2022.
“When it comes to bringing down prices and making America energy secure again, we have our work cut out for us. The Biden-Harris administration imposed countless policies like the Natural Gas Tax that drive up the cost of production and limit the ability to fully utilize our nation’s abundant energy resources, and it will take real time and effort to undo the effects of their Green New Deal agenda,” said Senator Hoeven, a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. “Through efforts like this CRA resolution, we are working to get our nation back on the right track, providing needed regulatory and tax relief to deliver real cost savings to American energy producers and consumers.”
“As part of his war on energy, former President Biden took radical steps to end fossil fuels during his administration which hurt the hardworking energy producers in my district who have worked diligently to increase production while fueling our allies abroad,” said Rep. Pfluger, a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. “Biden’s burdensome natural gas tax has handicapped technological innovation, reduced supplies of affordable energy, and increased both costs and emissions. With President Trump back in office, it is time to restore American energy dominance – which is why I am proud to lead this CRA to rescind this ill-conceived natural gas tax.”
This legislation comes as part of Hoeven’s broader efforts in the new Congress and with the Trump administration to unlock America’s energy potential and rescind the wide array of costly taxes and regulations imposed under President Biden. Among other priorities, Hoeven is working to:
The Hoeven-Pfluger bill is cosponsored by Senators Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Mike Lee (R-Utah), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Katie Britt (R-Ala.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), James Risch (R-Idaho), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Rand Paul (R-Ky.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Jim Justice (R-W.Va.), Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), John Kennedy (R-La.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), John Ricketts (R-Neb.) and John Barrasso (R-Wyo.). The full text of the legislation can be found here.
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Illinois Dick Durbin
February 04, 2025
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today delivered an opening statement during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing entitled “The Poisoning of America: Fentanyl, its Analogues, and the Need for Permanent Class Scheduling.” During today’s hearing, Democratic Senators will speak to the negative impact that the Justice Department purges of senior law enforcement officials will have on combating the fentanyl crisis, how dragooning U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agents into mass deportations will take their focus away from their drug enforcement duties, how the Trump Administration’s proposed funding freeze will affect state and local law enforcement, should it go into effect, and the need to hold social media companies accountable for peddling fentanyl to our nation’s kids.
Key Durbin Quotes:
“In just a decade, this synthetic opioid [fentanyl] has emerged as the deadliest drug in American history. All it takes is two milligrams—that’s a fraction of the size of a penny—to cause an overdose. It is so cheap that dealers are lacing lethal amounts into street drugs like cocaine and heroin, and their buyers are none the wiser.”
“There is an overdose crisis in America, but we’ve learned that evidence-based solutions reduce deaths. In fact, in 2023, overdose deaths actually decreased for the first time since 2018 – going down by more than 10 percent. We need to look at every factor that contributed to this reduction. Counseling and treatment, training for first responders, and getting Naloxone to our hardest-hit communities are all making a difference.”
“We must also address how this poison gets into the hands of the most vulnerable people in America—our kids. Too often, fentanyl is peddled in the open on some of the world’s largest social media platforms.”
“Last Congress, the Judiciary Committee advanced several bipartisan bills that would finally hold these companies accountable and demand safeguards be put in place to protect our children. One of those bills is the Cooper Davis Act. Cooper is a 16-year-old Kansas teen who tragically lost his life to a fentanyl-laced pill he bought through Snapchat. This bill would require Big Tech companies to take a more proactive role in stopping drug dealers from using their platforms… In the coming days, I will join Senators Marshall, Shaheen, and others to reintroduce what will now be called the Cooper Davis and Devon Norring Act. I hope the Committee will again advance this critical legislation on a bipartisan basis.”
“And I hope that Congress will finally – finally – allow these companies to be sued by their victims’ families so they can be held accountable in a court of law. Enough teens have died due to Big Tech’s deliberate indifference.”
“We must also acknowledge the role the U.S. has played in arming cartels to the teeth. We send hundreds of thousands of firearms south of our border in an ‘iron river’… and they facilitate the use of violence to traffic fentanyl into the U.S.”
“The federal funding freeze, which we’ve been talking about, if it is going to stop the efforts of law enforcement to combat fentanyl is a bad idea. The same is true of the recent order diverting federal law enforcement agents, including from the DEA and ATF, away from combatting fentanyl and firearms trafficked by cartels and working, instead, on a mass deportation effort.”
“I’m also gravely concerned about the negative impact of mass removals of senior career law enforcement at the Department of Justice and FBI, and our ability to hold traffickers accountable and cut off the supply of fentanyl.”
“The recent actions we’ve seen distract us from the need to take a comprehensive bipartisan approach to tackle this crisis—including investing in addiction prevention and treatment, enforcing and strengthening our gun laws, and giving federal, state, and local law enforcement the resources they need to do their jobs effectively.”
“Getting fentanyl off the streets is a herculean task that will require us all to come together and work across the aisle to make this country healthier and safer.”
Video of Durbin’s opening statement is available here.
Audio of Durbin’s opening statement is available here.
Footage of Durbin’s opening statement is available here for TV Stations.
Yesterday, Durbin and U.S. Representative Joaquin Castro (D-TX-20) led the bicameral introduction of the Stop Arming Cartels Act. The bill would seek to stem this “iron river” of firearms trafficking from the United States to Mexico, enabled by weak American gun laws and dangerous gun industry practices. The deadly stream of firearms trafficking exacerbates violence, enables cartels who smuggle migrants to our southern border, and facilitates the illicit trade of narcotics, including fentanyl, across the border back into the United States. According to a 2021 study from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), 70 percent of crime guns recovered in Mexico from 2014-2018 and submitted for tracing were U.S.-sourced.
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Source: New Zealand Police (District News)
Police can confirm that a person has died following a crash near Ngāhinapōuri this morning.
Emergency services attended the crash involving three vehicles, reported at around 2.20am. In addition to the fatality, two other people were moderately injured.
State Highway 39 is closed while the scene is cleared and Serious Crash Unit conduct a scene examination.
Diversions are in place, motorists are advised to avoid the area and expect delays.
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Issued by Police Media Centre
Source: Office of United States Attorneys
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Mufid Fawaz Alkhader, age 29, of Schenectady, New York, pled guilty today to civil rights and firearm charges related to his firing shots outside of an Albany synagogue.
Alkhader pled guilty to obstructing the free exercise of religious beliefs by threat of force, brandishing a firearm during the commission of this offense, and conspiring to purchase a firearm unlawfully. Alkhader was arrested on December 7, 2023, and has been in federal custody since that date.
On the afternoon of December 7, 2023, Alkhader took an Uber from his home in Schenectady to Temple Israel in Albany. Upon arriving, he walked up the front steps of the synagogue, removed a shotgun from a duffel bag, and discharged two rounds into the air shouting, “Free Palestine!” Still holding the shotgun, he then attempted to remove an Israeli flag from a flagpole outside of the synagogue before walking away. He was arrested shortly after by Albany Police Officers.
United States Attorney Carla Freedman stated: “The defendant’s violent, antisemitic and terrifying act targeted the Temple Israel congregation, the larger Jewish community, and the right of every person to practice their religion without fear of violence. I commend law enforcement for acting swiftly to arrest Mufid Fawaz Alkhader, to investigate his motives and his illegal acquisition of the shotgun, and to bring about today’s guilty plea to a crime carrying a minimum term of 7 years in prison.”
FBI Special Agent in Charge Craig Tremaroli stated: “Mr. Alkhader’s plea confirms his deliberate and premeditated intentions to illegally acquire a gun and use it to bring terror to the Temple Israel community as they were preparing to celebrate the first night of Hanukkah. Thanks to the swift actions of the Temple Israel community and our law enforcement partners, justice has been served. The FBI remains steadfast in our mission to ensure all our communities can live without fear of hateful violence.”
Alkhader’s threatening actions forced the daycare operating inside of Temple Israel at the time of his actions to go into lockdown. Alkhader also significantly disrupted activities that the Temple Israel community had planned to celebrate the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah and made congregants afraid to return to their place of worship.
Alkhader also admitted that in November 2023, he and Andrew Miller agreed that Miller would purchase a shotgun for Alkhader by lying to a firearms dealer and falsely representing that Miller was the purchaser of the shotgun. On November 5, 2023, Alkhader and Miller drove to a federal firearms dealer in Albany and Miller purchased the Kel-Tec KS7 12-gauge pump-action shotgun; Miller later gave the shotgun to Alkhader. Alkhader fired this shotgun outside of Temple Israel.
ATF Special Agent in Charge Bryan Miller stated: “This guilty plea shows accountability for unlawfully obtaining a firearm and using it to instill fear. By stopping those who seek to use firearms to threaten and intimidate others, we are sending a message that gun violence will not be tolerated. This case demonstrates the dangerous consequences of unlawful gun possession. The cooperation between federal, state and local agencies remains critical in dismantling illegal gun trafficking. The successful resolution of this case was made possible due to collaboration between ATF NY Albany, FBI Albany, Albany PD, New York State Police and the U.S. Attorney’s Office.”
Albany Police Chief Brendan Cox stated: “The Albany Police Department wants to reassure the community that these incidents are taken very seriously, and we are dedicated to maintaining peace and safety for everyone in our community. Alkhader directly targeted the Jewish community, and I am pleased with our department’s quick action in apprehending the defendant, as well as the collective partnerships with the FBI Albany Office and the ATF who helped bring justice to this case.”
Sentencing is scheduled for June 6, 2025, before United States District Judge Anne M. Nardacci. Alkhader faces at least 7 years and up to life in prison, and a term of post-imprisonment supervised release of up to 5 years. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statutes the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors.
Andrew Miller pled guilty and was sentenced to 14 months of imprisonment for his role in the straw purchase conspiracy.
The FBI Albany Field Office, in conjunction with the ATF and the Albany Police Department, investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Richard Belliss and Alexander Wentworth-Ping for the Northern District of New York, Trial Attorney Jennifer Levy of the Department of Justice’s National Security Division, and Trial Attorney Trevor Kempner of the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section prosecuted the case.
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Kansas Roger Marshall
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Roger Marshall, M.D., and Bill Cassidy (R-LA) introduced the Halt All Lethal Trafficking (HALT) of Fentanyl Act. This legislation makes permanent the temporary classification of fentanyl-related substances as Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA). Drug overdoses, largely driven by fentanyl, are the leading cause of death among young adults 18 to 45 years old. Synthetic opioids like fentanyl account for 66 percent of the total U.S. overdose deaths. The drug’s Schedule I classification is set to expire on March 31, 2025.
“Just last year, an estimated 359 Kansans were murdered through fentanyl poisoning – that’s a Kansan lost every single day,” Senator Marshall said. “We cannot allow fentanyl’s drug Schedule I classification to expire, and we must ensure law enforcement has the tools necessary to combat the overdose epidemic in our country. Lives depend on it.”
“The Biden administration’s open border was an invitation to drug cartels smuggling Chinese fentanyl into the U.S., fueling the U.S. overdose epidemic,” Dr. Cassidy said. “Law enforcement must have the tools necessary to combat this trend. We cannot let this Schedule I classification lapse.”
“Today, roughly 150 Americans will die from fentanyl poisoning. Cartels fuel this crisis by marketing their poison as legitimate prescription pills. They also avoid regulation by chemically altering the drugs to create powerful fentanyl knock-offs,” Senator Grassley said. “Congress closed that loophole by temporarily classifying fentanyl related substances under Schedule 1. The HALT Fentanyl Act would make permanent fentanyl related substances’ Schedule 1 classification and ensure law enforcement has the tools they need to combat these deadly drugs.”
“We’re losing more than 100,000 Americans each year to illicit fentanyl overdoses. I refuse to accept this reality, and that’s why I’m working to deliver tools law enforcement personnel need to keep deadly fentanyl off our streets and out of our communities,” Senator Heinrich said. “Permanently scheduling fentanyl and its analogues will help federal and local law enforcement crack down on illegal trafficking and allow prosecutors to build stronger, longer-term criminal cases. Our HALT Fentanyl Act will help stop the flow of these deadly drugs into our communities and save lives.”
Senators Marshall, Cassidy, Grassley, and Heinrich were joined by U.S. Senators Todd Young (R-IN), Steve Daines (R-MT), Eric Schmitt (R-MO), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Shelley Moore Capito (R-VW), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Mike Rounds (R-SD), John Kennedy (R-LA), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), John Cornyn (R-TX), Angus King (I-ME), and Mark Kelly (D-AZ) in introducing the legislation.
The legislation also removes barriers that impede the ability of researchers to conduct studies on fentanyl-related substances and allows for exemptions if such research provides evidence that it would be beneficial for specific substances to be classified differently than Schedule I, such as for medical purposes.
From August 2021 to August 2022, a record-breaking 107,735 Americans lost their lives to drug overdoses. The surge was primarily fueled by synthetic opioids, including illegal fentanyl, which are largely manufactured in Mexico from raw materials supplied by China. In 2022, there were over 50.6 million fentanyl-laced fake prescription pills seized by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), more than doubling the amount seized in 2021.
BACKGROUND
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there were an estimated 107,543 drug overdose deaths in the U.S. in 2023. This was primarily fueled by synthetic opioids, including illegal fentanyl, which are largely manufactured in Mexico from raw materials supplied by China. In 2022, there were over 50.6 million fentanyl-laced fake prescription pills seized by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), more than doubling the amount seized in 2021.
The U.S. House of Representatives passed the HALT Fentanyl Act in March 2023.
Source: US State of California
SACRAMENTO — California Attorney General Rob Bonta joined a coalition of 20 attorneys general today in sending a letter to Senate Judiciary Chairman Chuck Grassley and Ranking Member Dick Durbin, urging the Senate to require Kash Patel, President Trump’s nominee for Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director, to return for further questioning before the Senate Judiciary Committee in advance of a confirmation vote. The request follows alarming reports of politically motivated firings at the FBI and efforts to compile a list of agents involved in investigating the January 6th Capitol insurrection.
“The Federal Bureau of Investigation plays a critical role in protecting public safety, and they are a crucial partner to state Departments of Justice as we work to tackle fentanyl, organized crime, white collar crime, and security threats to our communities,” said Attorney General Bonta. “The disturbing reports of the Trump administration’s politically motivated firings and retaliation against FBI agents and staff who worked investigations and prosecutions related to the January 6th Capitol riots emphasize the need for answers, and for an objective, nonpartisan FBI Director. President Trump may say that he cares about law and order, but his recent pardon of 1,500 individuals who stormed the U.S. Capitol tells a very different story. Not only did those individuals try to stop the peaceful transfer of power, many of them violently assaulted law enforcement officers. Retaliating against FBI agents and staff who did their duty is nothing short of an attack on our law enforcement and public safety. We urge the Senate to demand answers about the pending FBI purge before voting on Mr. Patel’s nomination.”
In the letter, the attorneys general note how critical it is for Patel to address recent reports of politically motivated firings at the FBI. “Shortly after his confirmation hearing, we learned that more than a dozen high-ranking FBI officials were fired and that the FBI is developing a list of all agents and staff who worked investigations and prosecutions related to the January 6th Capitol insurrection. It is critical for Mr. Patel to answer questions about this unprecedented attack on the FBI before Senators vote on his confirmation.”
The letter raises additional concerns over reports that “the Administration plans to fire at least six high-ranking career FBI officials if they do not retire” and that “acting deputy attorney general Emil Bove directed FBI staff to compile a list of all staff who were ‘assigned at any time to investigations and/or prosecutions’ relating to the January 6th insurrection.” The attorneys general state, “If true, this is a purge of FBI employees.”
The attorneys general stress that before any confirmation vote, “the United States Senate should know what Mr. Patel plans to do with the list of FBI agents and staff that is currently being compiled.”
“Purging over 6,000 FBI agents and staff will have disastrous effects on public safety across the country and will make our communities more dangerous. FBI employees and staff protect America from the public safety harms that President Trump listed in his executive orders—fentanyl, the Mexican Cartels, foreign terrorist organizations, and harms to Americans’ pocket books.”
Beyond the FBI purge, the letter condemns additional attacks on law enforcement by the Trump administration, stating, “The President’s efforts to undermine the FBI follow unprecedented attacks on our country’s public safety. In just two weeks, the President has fired United States Attorneys, pardoned insurrectionists who killed and injured Capitol Police Officers, and attempted to defund law enforcement across the country.”
The Administration’s pardoning of over 1,500 Capitol insurrectionists, including those with serious criminal records, as well as its attempts to dismiss pending cases against January 6th insurrectionists, emphasize the need for an objective, nonpartisan FBI Director. At least one judge has already found that the pardons and dismissals will harm public safety and are unjustified.
Now is the time for Congress to act. Over the past two weeks, President Trump has taken actions that make our country less safe. The attorney general believes that Congress must act to protect Americans and hold the Administration accountable. The first step is requiring Mr. Patel to answer questions about the pending FBI purge before a confirmation vote.
Joining Arizona in sending the letter are the attorneys general from Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaiʻi, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington.
A copy of the letter is available here.
Source: Office of United States Attorneys
PITTSBURGH, Pa. – A citizen of Honduras has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on a charge of illegal re-entry of a removed alien, Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.
The one-count Indictment named Luis Fernando Diaz-Garcia, 27, as the sole defendant.
According to the Indictment, in August 2024, Diaz-Garcia was found in western Pennsylvania after having been removed from the United States on or about November 13, 2019. Public records show that Diaz-Garcia was charged by criminal complaint in Allegheny County by the Pennsylvania State Police for conduct allegedly occurring on or about August 19, 2024.
The law provides for a maximum total sentence of up to two 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 Rebecca L. Silinski is prosecuting this case on behalf of the United States.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment.
An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Source: US State of California
A New York man pleaded guilty today in federal court in Albany, New York, to civil rights and firearm charges related to his threatening conduct targeted at a Jewish synagogue.
According to court documents, Mufid Fawaz Alkhader, 29, of Schenectady, pleaded guilty to an information charging one count of obstructing the free exercise of religious beliefs by threat of force, one count of brandishing a firearm during the commission of this offense, and one count of conspiring to purchase a firearm unlawfully. Alkhader was arrested on Dec. 7, 2023, and has been in federal custody since that date.
“The defendant’s violent, antisemitic and terrifying act targeted the Temple Israel congregation, the larger Jewish community, and the right of every person to practice their religion without fear of violence,” said U.S. Attorney Carla Freedman for the Northern District of New York. “I commend law enforcement for acting swiftly to arrest Mufid Fawaz Alkhader, to investigate his motives and his illegal acquisition of the shotgun, and to bring about today’s guilty plea to a crime carrying a minimum term of seven years in prison.”
“Mr. Alkhader’s plea confirms his deliberate and premeditated intentions to illegally acquire a gun and use it to bring terror to the Temple Israel community as they were preparing to celebrate the first night of Hanukkah,” said Special Agent in Charge Craig Tremaroli of the FBI Albany Field Office. “Thanks to the swift actions of the Temple Israel community and our law enforcement partners, justice has been served. The FBI remains steadfast in our mission to ensure all our communities can live without fear of hateful violence.”
“This guilty plea shows accountability for unlawfully obtaining a firearm and using it to instill fear. By stopping those who seek to use firearms to threaten and intimidate others, we are sending a message that gun violence will not be tolerated,” said Special Agent in Charge Bryan Miller of the New York Field Division for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). “This case demonstrates the dangerous consequences of unlawful gun possession. The cooperation between federal, state and local agencies remains critical in dismantling illegal gun trafficking. The successful resolution of this case was made possible due to collaboration between ATF NY Albany, FBI Albany, Albany PD, NYSP, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office.”
On the afternoon of Dec. 7, 2023, Alkhader took an Uber from his home in Schenectady to Temple Israel Synagogue in Albany. Upon arriving, he walked up the front steps of the synagogue, removed a shotgun from a duffel bag he had been carrying, and discharged two rounds into the air, shouting, “Free Palestine!” Still holding the shotgun, he then attempted to remove an Israeli flag from a flagpole outside of the synagogue before walking away. He was apprehended shortly after by Albany Police Department officers.
Alkhader’s threatening actions forced the daycare operating inside of Temple Israel at the time of his actions to go into lockdown. Alkhader also significantly disrupted activities that the Temple Israel community had planned to celebrate the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah and made congregants afraid to return to their place of worship.
For obstruction of free exercise of religious beliefs by threat of force, Alkhader faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a mandatory minimum penalty of seven years for brandishing a firearm during the commission of his crime. Alkhader faces a maximum of five years in prison for participating in a conspiracy to unlawfully purchase a firearm. He also faces a fine of up to $250,000 for each count. Alkhader is scheduled to be sentenced on June 6. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The FBI Albany Field Office investigated the case with assistance from ATF and the Albany Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Richard Belliss and Alexander Wentworth-Ping for the Northern District of New York and Trial Attorney Trevor Kempner of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division prosecuted the case with assistance from Trial Attorney Jennifer Levy of the Justice Department’s National Security Division.
Source: Office of United States Attorneys
PITTSBURGH, Pa. – A resident of Mexico has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on a charge of illegal re-entry of a removed alien, Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.
The one-count Indictment named Dario Fortunato-Torres, 37, as the sole defendant.
According to the Indictment, in October 2024, Fortunato-Torres was found in this District after having been removed from the United States on seven prior occasions between September 2013 and October 2017. Public records show that Fortunato-Torres was charged by the Moon Township Police Department on October 8, 2024, for conduct allegedly occurring on October 1, 2024. He was arrested on November 19, 2024, by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement related to this charge.
The law provides for a maximum total sentence of up to two 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 Rebecca L. Silinski is prosecuting this case on behalf of the United States.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment.
An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Source: US Marshals Service
Poulsbo, WA – Deputy U.S. Marshals and members of the agency’s Pacific Northwest Violent Offender Task Force apprehended at the Poulsbo Marina a man wanted for nearly a year on an outstanding federal warrant for failure to comply with sex offender registration requirements.
Rick Monroe was arrested on an outstanding federal warrant issued in the Eastern District of Washington for failure to register as a sex offender and failure to comply with international travel reporting requirements under the International Megan’s Law.
Monroe, who has multiple prior convictions, including rape of a child in the first degree, was previously civilly committed at McNeil Island Corrections Center after being classified as a “Sexually Violent Predator” by the courts. In 2024, he traveled to multiple states and is alleged to have attempted to leave the country numerous times without following mandatory sex offender registration and international travel notification requirements. Investigators discovered he had lived unregistered on a sailboat in Poulsbo Bay for the past year, allegedly to evade law enforcement.
Through extensive investigative efforts, Deputy U.S. Marshals in Eastern Washington secured a federal arrest warrant, leading to Monroe’s ultimate apprehension. This arrest was the result of a coordinated effort between multiple agencies, including the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office, Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office, U.S. Marshals Service Western District of Washington, Washington State Department of Corrections, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the USMS National Sex Offender Targeting Center, USMS Sex Offender Investigations Branch, and the Eastern District of Washington U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Monroe is scheduled to make his initial court appearance Feb. 4 at the Western District of Washington- Seattle Courthouse.
The Pacific Northwest Violent Offender Task Force is a U.S. Marshals-led partnership comprising federal, state, and local law enforcement officers from Washington, Oregon, and Alaska. The task force’s primary mission is to locate, arrest and return to the justice system the most violent and egregious federal and state fugitives.
Anyone with information is urged to contact the nearest U.S. Marshals office, the U.S. Marshals Service Communications Center at 1-800-336-0102, or USMS Tips.
Source: United States Attorneys General 7
A New York man pleaded guilty today in federal court in Albany, New York, to civil rights and firearm charges related to his threatening conduct targeted at a Jewish synagogue.
According to court documents, Mufid Fawaz Alkhader, 29, of Schenectady, pleaded guilty to an information charging one count of obstructing the free exercise of religious beliefs by threat of force, one count of brandishing a firearm during the commission of this offense, and one count of conspiring to purchase a firearm unlawfully. Alkhader was arrested on Dec. 7, 2023, and has been in federal custody since that date.
“The defendant’s violent, antisemitic and terrifying act targeted the Temple Israel congregation, the larger Jewish community, and the right of every person to practice their religion without fear of violence,” said U.S. Attorney Carla Freedman for the Northern District of New York. “I commend law enforcement for acting swiftly to arrest Mufid Fawaz Alkhader, to investigate his motives and his illegal acquisition of the shotgun, and to bring about today’s guilty plea to a crime carrying a minimum term of seven years in prison.”
“Mr. Alkhader’s plea confirms his deliberate and premeditated intentions to illegally acquire a gun and use it to bring terror to the Temple Israel community as they were preparing to celebrate the first night of Hanukkah,” said Special Agent in Charge Craig Tremaroli of the FBI Albany Field Office. “Thanks to the swift actions of the Temple Israel community and our law enforcement partners, justice has been served. The FBI remains steadfast in our mission to ensure all our communities can live without fear of hateful violence.”
“This guilty plea shows accountability for unlawfully obtaining a firearm and using it to instill fear. By stopping those who seek to use firearms to threaten and intimidate others, we are sending a message that gun violence will not be tolerated,” said Special Agent in Charge Bryan Miller of the New York Field Division for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). “This case demonstrates the dangerous consequences of unlawful gun possession. The cooperation between federal, state and local agencies remains critical in dismantling illegal gun trafficking. The successful resolution of this case was made possible due to collaboration between ATF NY Albany, FBI Albany, Albany PD, NYSP, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office.”
On the afternoon of Dec. 7, 2023, Alkhader took an Uber from his home in Schenectady to Temple Israel Synagogue in Albany. Upon arriving, he walked up the front steps of the synagogue, removed a shotgun from a duffel bag he had been carrying, and discharged two rounds into the air, shouting, “Free Palestine!” Still holding the shotgun, he then attempted to remove an Israeli flag from a flagpole outside of the synagogue before walking away. He was apprehended shortly after by Albany Police Department officers.
Alkhader’s threatening actions forced the daycare operating inside of Temple Israel at the time of his actions to go into lockdown. Alkhader also significantly disrupted activities that the Temple Israel community had planned to celebrate the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah and made congregants afraid to return to their place of worship.
For obstruction of free exercise of religious beliefs by threat of force, Alkhader faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a mandatory minimum penalty of seven years for brandishing a firearm during the commission of his crime. Alkhader faces a maximum of five years in prison for participating in a conspiracy to unlawfully purchase a firearm. He also faces a fine of up to $250,000 for each count. Alkhader is scheduled to be sentenced on June 6. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The FBI Albany Field Office investigated the case with assistance from ATF and the Albany Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Richard Belliss and Alexander Wentworth-Ping for the Northern District of New York and Trial Attorney Trevor Kempner of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division prosecuted the case with assistance from Trial Attorney Jennifer Levy of the Justice Department’s National Security Division.
Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police
The Wetaskiwin RCMP Crime Reduction Unit has concluded a two-day project focusing on active property crime offenders in the surrounding rural areas. During the project, Wetaskiwin RCMP officers worked in collaboration with RCMP officers from the Leduc Crime Reduction Unit, RCMP Air Services, and Camrose Police Service.
On Nov. 27, 2024, Wetaskiwin RCMP Crime Reduction Unit officers located a stolen truck in Camrose. A tire deflation device was utilized to disable the vehicle, and the lone occupant was arrested.
The vehicle had been stolen in Devon, Alta. on Oct. 26, 2024.
RCMP charged a 39-year-old individual, a resident of Camrose County, with:
The 39-year-old individual was taken before a justice of the peace and remanded into custody with his next court date set for Dec. 11, 2024, at the Albert Court of Justice in Camrose.
On Nov. 27, 2024 Camrose Police officers arrested repeat offender, a 57-year-old individual, a resident of Bawlf, Alta., for breaching a conditional sentence order. The 39-year-old individual was found to be in possession of methamphetamine and unstamped cigarettes.
She has been additionally charged with:
The 39-year-old individual was taken before justice of the peace and remanded into custody with her next court date set for Dec. 11, 2024.
On Nov. 28, 2024 officers from the Camrose Police Service located a stolen vehicle. Officers were able to safely stop the vehicle and arrest the driver.
A 26-year-old individual, a resident of Camrose, has been charged with:
The 26-year-old individual was taken before a justice of the peace and released with her next court date set for Jan. 8, 2025, at the Albert Court of Justice in Camrose.
On Nov. 28, 2024, officers from the Wetaskiwin Crime Reduction Unit were monitoring a property in Leduc County, Alta., known for prolific offenders and stolen property. Officers attempted a traffic stop on a vehicle, and the driver fled. The vehicle was disabled from a tire deflation device. The vehicle fled onto the property and the driver was arrested.
A 28-year-old individual, a resident of Leduc County resident, has been charged with:
Additionally, the 28-year-old individual was arrested for outstanding warrants out of Edmonton which including breaking and entering.
While on the property, police observed a stolen truck from Calmar, Alta. on Nov. 12, 2024. Officers obtained a search warrant for the property and seized the stolen truck.
RCMP charged two individuals from the home a 58-year-old individual and a 32-year-old individual, they were charged with:
Additionally, the 32-year-old individual had warrants for breaching a probation order.
The 58-year-old individual was released from custody with her net court date set for Jan. 23, 2025, at the Alberta Court of Justice in Leduc.
The 32-year-old individual was taken before a justice of the peace and remanded into custody with his next court date set in the future.
“Coordinated enforcement efforts focusing on repeat offenders can be very effective,” says Cpl. John Learn, “having these kinds of successes working closely with our Camrose Police Services partners will no doubt foster more similar projects in the future.”
Sgt. Scott Sveinbjornson of the Camrose Police Services emphasizes the importance of targeting prolific offenders and breaking down judicial boundaries to achieve successful outcomes. He notes that integrated efforts and close collaboration with the R.C.M.P. will remain key strategies for producing positive results in future projects.
Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police
On August 4, 2024, Prince Albert RCMP received a report of a single vehicle rollover on Whitfield Road, in the RM of Buckland.
Officers immediately responded. One adult female passenger was declared deceased by EMS at the scene. The adult female driver and an adult male passenger were taken to hospital with injuries described as non-life-threatening in nature.
Prince Albert RCMP continued to investigate with the assistance of a Saskatchewan RCMP collision reconstructionist.
As a result of continued investigation, an adult female was arrested in Prince Albert on January 22.
33-year-old Destiny Michel from Prince Albert is charged with:
– one count, operate a conveyance causing death, Section 320.13(3), Criminal Code;
– one count, operate a conveyance with a blood alcohol concentration equal or greater than 80 mg/100 ml of blood, Section 320.14(3), Criminal Code; and
– one count, operate a conveyance in a manner that was dangerous to the public, Section 320.13(3), Criminal Code.
She is scheduled to appear in Prince Albert Provincial Court on February 13, 2025.
Source: New Zealand Police (District News)
State Highway 39 is closed following a crash near Ngāhinapōuri.
Emergency services attended the crash involving three vehicles, reported at around 2.20am. Critical injuries are reported.
Serious Crash Unit are conducting a scene examination.
The road is closed and diversions are in place, motorists are advised to avoid the area and expect delays.
ENDS
Issued by Police Media Centre
Source: US Immigration and Customs Enforcement
ATLANTA — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement apprehended an unlawfully present Guatemalan national convicted of driving under the influence when officers with Enforcement and Removal Operations Atlanta’s Mobile Criminal Alien Team arrested Miguel Andres-Mateo, 20, Jan. 21 in Cornelia, Georgia.
Mateo illegally entered the United States at an unknown time and place and an immigration judge ordered him removed on Oct. 7, 2014. Mateo then failed to appear for his voluntary departure.
The Habersham County, Police Department in Georgia arrested Mateoa May 1, 2023, and charged him with driving under the influence. The Habersham County Court convicted him on May 22, 2023, and sentenced him to 12-months of probation.
ICE officers issued Mateo a notice to appear before a Department of Justice immigration judge following his arrest, and he remains in ERO custody.
Members of the public can report crimes and suspicious activity by dialing 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or completing the online tip form.
Learn more about ICE’s mission to increase public safety in Georgia on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @EROAtlanta.
Source: US Immigration and Customs Enforcement
BALTIMORE — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement apprehended an undocumented Guatemalan alien with criminal charges. Gener Pop-Cuz, 20, was arrested Feb. 1, after the Prince George’s County Department of Corrections declined to honor ICE’s immigration detainer.
The corrections department released Pop into the lobby, instead of safely handing him over to the ICE deportation officer who was waiting for the exchange, and he resisted arrest during the initial encounter. However, Pop was eventually subdued and placed in handcuffs as corrections officers failed to intervene.
“Nobody wins when jurisdictions fail to transfer custody of violent offenders,” said ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Baltimore acting Field Office Director Matthew Elliston. “Cooperation between local law enforcement and ICE is critical to ensuring the safety of our officers, the public, and even the criminal aliens in custody. I strongly encourage our local jurisdictions to evaluate their policies and look forward to the day when we can put aside politics and do what’s best for the people of Maryland.”
The U.S. Border Patrol encountered Pop near Rio Grande Valley, Texas, Nov. 13, 2017, and served him a notice to appear, transferring him to ICE custody on the same date. ICE released Pop on an order of recognizance Nov. 15, 2017.
A Department of Justice immigration judge ordered Pop removed to Guatemala Nov. 16, 2022, after he failed to show for his immigration hearing.
The Laurel Police Department arrested and charged Pop on Feb. 1 with possession of a loaded handgun, illegal possession of ammunition, possession of a firearm, and trespassing on private property. He was released on bond by the Prince George’s County Commissioner’s Office the same date. ICE then lodged an immigration detainer on Pop with the Prince George’s County Department of Corrections in Upper Marlboro.
Pop will remain in the custody of ICE pending removal.
ERO conducts removals of individuals without a lawful basis to remain in the United States, including at the order of immigration judges with the Justice Department’s Executive Office for Immigration Review. EOIR is a separate entity from DHS and ICE. Immigration judges in these courts make decisions based on the merits of each individual case, determining if a noncitizen is subject to a final order of removal or eligible for certain forms of relief from removal.
Detainers are critical public safety tools because they focus enforcement resources on removable noncitizens who have been arrested for criminal activity. Detainers increase the safety of all parties involved — ERO personnel, law enforcement officials, the removable noncitizens and the public — by allowing an arrest to be made in a secure and controlled custodial setting as opposed to at-large within the community. Since detainers result in the direct transfer of a noncitizen from state or local custody to ERO custody, they also minimize the potential that an individual will reoffend. Additionally, detainers conserve scarce government resources by allowing ERO to take criminal noncitizens into custody directly rather than expending resources locating these individuals at-large.
Members of the public can report crimes and suspicious activity by dialing 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or completing the online tip form.
Learn more about ICE’s mission to increase public safety in our Maryland communities on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @EROBaltimore.
Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime Alerts (b)
SOUTH BEND – Raymond Calvin Smith, 27 years old, and Bruce Milik Smith, 25 years old, brothers from LaPorte, Indiana, were sentenced by United States District Court Judge Cristal C. Brisco after pleading guilty to federal felony charges, announced Acting United States Attorney Tina L. Nommay.
Raymond Smith was sentenced to 70 months in prison and 2 years of supervised release. Bruce Smith was sentenced to 39 months in prison and 2 years of supervised release. The two brothers were ordered to pay $723,832.64 in restitution to the victims of their offense. Raymond Smith was also ordered to pay $162,928.62 in restitution to the IRS.
According to documents in the case, from about January 2021 to December 2021, the Smith brothers operated an elaborate fraud scheme using Indiana mobile sports wagering applications. Using personal information of victims, such as bank account numbers and passwords, they set up dozens of accounts in victims’ names on at least 8 different sports wagering applications. Using sports wagering applications, they funneled money from victims’ bank accounts to themselves. With the personal information of approximately 60 victims, the Smith brothers stole a total of $723,832.64, and unsuccessfully attempted to steal an additional $930,782.00. Both Smith brothers pled guilty to the mail fraud scheme while Raymond Smith also pled guilty to evading taxes on the proceeds he received in 2021.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation Division, the United States Postal Inspection Service, and the Indiana Gaming Commission. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Luke N. Reilander.
Source: Office of United States Attorneys
NEWARK, N.J. – A Plus Pharmacy LLC, the former owner of A Plus Pharmacy, a pharmacy located in Manalapan, New Jersey, has agreed to pay $350,000 to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act by knowingly billing a federal health care program for certain medications that it never dispensed, Acting U.S. Attorney Vikas Khanna announced today.
According to the contentions of the United States in the settlement agreement:
The United States alleged that, from January 1, 2015, through February 27, 2023, A Plus Pharmacy LLC caused the submission of claims for reimbursement to the Medicare Part D Program for certain drugs that were never dispensed to beneficiaries. The government contends that inventory records showed that A Plus Pharmacy LLC did not purchase enough of these medications from wholesalers to fill the prescriptions billed to the federal health care program.
The resolution obtained in this matter was the result of a coordinated effort between the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey and the Justice Department’s Civil Division, Commercial Litigation Branch, Fraud Section, with assistance from the U.S. Marshals Service.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Robert Toll and Kruti Dharia of the Opioid Abuse Prevention and Enforcement Unit and Senior Trial Counsel Jennifer Cihon in the Civil Division’s Commercial Litigation Branch (Fraud Section).
The government’s pursuit of these matters illustrates the government’s emphasis on combating healthcare fraud. One of the most powerful tools in this effort is the False Claims Act. Tips and complaints from all sources about potential fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement can be reported to the Department of Health and Human Services, at 1-800-HHS-TIPS (800-447-8477).
The claims settled by the agreement are allegations only, and there has been no admission of liability.
###
Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)
EVANSVILE- 29 defendants have been sentenced to a combined 378 years in federal prison for their roles in a large methamphetamine and fentanyl drug trafficking organization that operated in Southern Indiana.
According to court documents, between January 2020 and November 2021, the following 29 individuals conspired together to distribute a total of nearly 500 pounds of methamphetamine and over three kilograms of fentanyl. This investigation led to the seizure of over 80 pounds of methamphetamine, over 560 grams of fentanyl, and $240,000 in United States currency.
Jeramey Smith served as the leader of the drug trafficking operation. Smith began obtaining multiple pound quantities of crystal methamphetamine from Julian Green in early 2020 until April of 2021 when he changed his source of supply to a cartel linked individual based in Houston, Texas. In June of 2021, Smith was robbed of a large amount of cash and was unable to pay his supplier for the lost product. Smith resorted back to Green to obtain the crystal methamphetamine.
DeJarnett was one of Smith’s top methamphetamine customers, often purchasing up to 20 pounds at a time. After Smith obtained the methamphetamine from either Green or his Mexican source of supply, he then distributed the methamphetamine to mid -level distributors in Indianapolis and Evansville.
In September 2021, Smith branched out to also begin selling large quantities of fentanyl-laced pills. Smith would obtain fentanyl powder from Markey and/or Moore, who would then press the powder into pills. Smith then used his same distributors to distribute the fentanyl throughout Southern Indiana. Law enforcement seized an automated pill press during the course of the investigation. Smith also used violence and intimidation to further his drug business by having his distributors robbed of their drug proceeds at gun point.
Additionally, several members of the drug trafficking used firearms to protect themselves and their profits. In total, law enforcement officers seized over 30 firearms from the defendants during court-authorized searches at multiple locations in Indianapolis and Evansville.
The charges and sentences are described below:
| Defendant | Charge(s) | Prison Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Jeramey Smith, 35 Indianapolis, IN |
Conspiracy to Possess with the Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine Conspiracy to Possess with the Intent to Distribute Fentanyl Felon in Possession of a Firearm Obstruction of Commerce by Robbery |
240 months (20 years) 5 years supervised release |
|
Julian Green, 36 Indianapolis, IN |
Conspiracy to Possess with the Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine Felon in Possession of a Firearm |
210 months (17.5 years) Indianapolis, IN |
|
Hannah Kissel, 28 Indianapolis, IN |
Conspiracy to Possess with the Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine Conspiracy to Possess with the Intent to Distribute Fentanyl |
97 months (8 years) 3 years supervised release |
|
Jordan Wilson, 41 Evansville, IN |
Conspiracy to Possess with the Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine Conspiracy to Possess with the Intent to Distribute Fentanyl Felon in Possession of a Firearm |
216 months (15.7 years) 5 years supervised release |
|
Timothy Rice, 35 Evansville, IN |
Conspiracy to Possess with the Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine |
204 months (17 years) 5 years supervised release |
|
Archilles Johnson, 40 Evansville, IN |
Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine |
180 months (15 years) 5 years supervised release |
|
Deonte Howard, 36 Evansville, IN |
Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine |
180 months (15 years) 5 years supervised release |
|
Julie Hunt, 37 Petersburg, IN |
Conspiracy to Possess with the Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine Conspiracy to Possess with the Intent to Distribute Fentanyl |
60 months (5 years) 3 years supervised release |
|
Torrance Mimms, 34 Evansville, IN |
Conspiracy to Possess with the Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine |
180 months (15 years) 5 years supervised release |
|
Keisha Jewell, 40 Princeton, IN |
Conspiracy to Possess with the Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine Conspiracy to Possess with the Intent to Distribute Fentanyl |
108 years (9 years) 3 years supervised release |
|
Davion Hays, 38 Evansville, IN |
Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine |
144 months (12 years) 5 years supervised release |
|
Jason Mitchell, 43 Henderson, KY |
Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine |
204 months (17 years) 5 years supervised release |
|
Denny Taylor, 49 Princeton, IN |
Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine |
180 months (15 years) 5 years supervised release |
|
Aaron Hardiman, 42 Princeton, IN |
Conspiracy to Distribute Fentanyl |
120 months (10 years) 5 years supervised release |
|
Roman Wills, 43 Evansville, IN |
Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine |
180 months (15 years) 5 years supervised release |
|
Michael Sanders, 48 Owensboro, KY |
Conspiracy to Possess with the Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine |
168 months (14 years) 5 years supervised release |
|
Gregory Snyder, 62 Evansville, IN |
Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine |
36 months (3 years) 4 years supervised release |
|
Joshua Gahagan, 41 Evansville, IN |
Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine |
180 months (15 years) 5 years supervised release |
|
Gregory Markey, 35 Indianapolis, IN |
Conspiracy to Possess with the Intent to Distribute Fentanyl |
168 months (14 years) 5 years supervised release |
|
L.C. Moore, II, 31 Indianapolis, IN |
Conspiracy to Possess with the Intent to Distribute Fentanyl |
120 months (5 years) 5 years supervised release |
|
Dominique Baquet, 31 Indianapolis, IN |
Obstruction of Commerce by Robbery |
57 months (4.7 years) 3 years supervised release |
|
Antonio DeJarnett, 36 Evansville, IN |
Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine |
264 months (22 years) 5 years supervised release |
|
Ryan Pinkston, 42 Evansville, IN |
Conspiracy to Possess with the Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine Felon in Possession of Ammunition |
240 months (20 years) 5 years supervised release |
|
Robert Embry, 46 Evansville, IN |
Conspiracy to Possess with the Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine |
60 months (5 years) 5 years supervised release |
|
Becky Edwards, 39 Evansville, IN |
Conspiracy to Possess with the Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine |
120 months (10 years) 5 years supervised release |
|
Edward Meredith, 59 Evansville, IN |
Conspiracy to Possess with the Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine |
120 months (10 years) 5 years supervised release |
|
Joshua Wilson, 33 Evansville, IN |
Use of a Communication Facility with the Intent to Commit or Facilitate the Distribution of Methamphetamine |
30 months (2.5 years) No supervised release |
|
Tabitha Seabeck, 32 Henderson, KY |
Conspiracy to Possess with the Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine |
180 months (15 years) 5 years supervised release |
|
Zachary Addison, 42 Evansville, IN |
Conspiracy to Possess with the Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine Felon in Possession of a Firearm |
300 months (25 years) 5 years supervised release |
“The members of this conspiracy will spend decades in federal prison for pumping pounds of methamphetamine and fentanyl onto our streets,” said John E. Childress, Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. “Drug use devastates so many families and kills hundreds of Hoosiers every year. That’s why we will work with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners to dismantle armed organizations trafficking in deadly drugs. The sentences imposed in this case demonstrate our continued commitment to protecting the public from these dangerous criminals.”
“Dismantling a major drug trafficking organization that was responsible for distributing multi-hundred-pound quantities of methamphetamine and kilogram quantities of fentanyl onto the streets of Indiana was a big win for law enforcement. Because of the exceptional collaborative efforts by law enforcement, we were able to achieve this remarkable outcome,” said DEA Assistant Special Agent in Charge, Michael Gannon. “This investigation was a wonderful victory for all Hoosiers and sends a crystal-clear message to major drug dealers we will continue working together with our partners to dismantle their illicit operations.”
“This sentencing is a significant victory in the relentless fight against the trafficking of deadly drugs and underscores the FBI’s commitment to pursue those who wreak havoc on our communities through their illegal drug trade,” said FBI Indianapolis Special Agent in Charge Herbert J. Stapleton. “The FBI will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to ensure those who endanger public safety and contribute to this crisis are held accountable.”
“I would like to thank the dedicated Evansville Police Officers and Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office Deputies as well as our federal partners in the DEA and US Attorney’s Office for their roles in getting these individuals off our streets. The manufacturing and distribution of methamphetamine and fentanyl have brought death and destruction to our communities and have done irreversible damage to families in the worst way possible. This community will not tolerate that kind of behavior and illegal activity, and we will use every resource available to us to stop it and put dealers behind bars.”
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Evansville Resident Office, with the FBI, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Evansville Vanderburgh County Joint Task Force, DEA Indianapolis and Indianapolis Metro Drug Task Force providing valuable assistance. The sentenced were imposed by U.S. District Court Judge Matthew P. Brookman.
Acting U.S. Attorney John E. Childress thanked Assistant United States Attorneys Lauren Wheatley and Jeremy Kemper, who prosecuted this case.
According to the Drug Enforcement Administration, as little as two milligrams of fentanyl can be fatal, depending on a person’s body size, tolerance, and past usage—a tiny amount that can fit on the tip of a pencil. Seven out of ten illegal fentanyl tablets seized from U.S. streets and analyzed by the DEA have been found to contain a potentially lethal dose of the drug.
One Pill Can Kill: Avoid pills bought on the street because One Pill Can Kill. Fentanyl has now become the leading cause of death for adults in the United States. Fentanyl is a highly potent opioid that drug dealers dilute with cutting agents to make counterfeit prescription pills that appear to be Oxycodone, Percocet, Xanax, and other drugs. Fake prescription pills laced with fentanyl are usually shaped and colored to look like pills sold at pharmacies. For example, fake prescription pills known as “M30s” imitate Oxycodone obtained from a pharmacy, but when sold on the street the pills routinely contain fentanyl. These pills are usually round tablets and often light blue in color, though they may be in different shapes and a rainbow of colors. They often have “M” and “30” imprinted on opposite sides of the pill. Do not take these or any other pills bought on the street – they are routinely fake and poisonous, and you won’t know until it’s too late.
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Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation FBI Crime News (b)
The FBI on February 4 added Fausto Isidro Meza-Flores to the Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list. He is the 533rd addition to the list.
Meza-Flores, also known as “Chapo Isidro,” is the alleged leader of the Meza-Flores transnational criminal organization, which is based in Sinaloa, Mexico. The organization is allegedly responsible for the possession, distribution, and importation of large quantities of cocaine, fentanyl, heroin, methamphetamine, and marijuana into the U.S.
“For decades, the public has shared information with the FBI that has helped us capture dangerous criminals,” Special Agent in Charge Sean Ryan said. “Today, we ask you to help us find Fausto Isidro Meza-Flores so we can bring him to justice and curb the flow of illegal drugs into our country.”
Meza-Flores was originally indicted on May 2, 2012, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. On November 26, 2019, a federal grand jury returned a superseding indictment charging Meza-Flores with drug trafficking violations and possession of a firearm. According to the indictment, Meza-Flores allegedly conspired to manufacture and distribute cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, and marijuana in the U.S. from 2005 to 2019.
As the alleged leader of the Meza-Flores transnational criminal organization, Meza-Flores leads a group of heavily armed gunmen who use violence to maintain control of areas in Mexico used for the production and transportation of narcotics destined for the U.S.
Meza-Flores is 42 years old. He has brown eyes and dark brown hair. He is 5 feet, 6 inches tall and weighs approximately 160 pounds. He likely resides in Mexico.
The U.S. State Department’s Narcotics Rewards Program is offering a reward of up to $5 million for information that leads to Meza-Flores’ arrest and/or conviction.
If you have information about Meza-Flores, please call 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324), your local FBI office or the nearest American Embassy or Consulate or submit a tip via tips.fbi.gov. You can also contact the FBI via WhatsApp at 571-379-3951. WhatsApp is neither a government-operated nor a government-controlled platform.
Conspiracy to Manufacture and Distribute Five Hundred Grams or More of Methamphetamine, Distribute Five Kilograms or More of Cocaine, Distribute One Kilogram or More of Heroin, and Distribute One Thousand Kilograms or More of Marijuana for Importation into the United States; Use and Possession of a Firearm
Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime News
LOS ANGELES – A Los Angeles man who ran a Beverly Hills luxury watch consignment business and was known as “The Timepiece Gentleman” was sentenced today to 70 months in federal prison for swindling dozens of his customers of out a total of at least $5.6 million.
Anthony Farrer, 36, formerly of downtown Los Angeles, was sentenced by United States District Judge Josephine L. Staton.
Farrer pleaded guilty in October 2024 to one count of wire fraud and one count of mail fraud. He has been in federal custody since November 2023.
“This defendant stole millions of dollars from customers who trusted him and then used his ill-gotten gains to fund his exorbitant lifestyle,” said Acting United States Attorney Joseph T. McNally. “The sentence imposed today sends a message that those who defraud the public will be held accountable.”
“The so-called ‘Timepiece Gentleman” was actually a con-man whose time living lavishly ran out when the high-end watch owners he victimized brought his crimes to the attention of law enforcement,” said Akil Davis, the Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Los Angeles Field. “This successful prosecution is the result of a joint collaboration among local and federal partners working together in order to bring Mr. Farrer to justice.”
“Mr. Farrer exploited his clients’ trust for personal gain,” said Special Agent in Charge Tyler Hatcher, IRS Criminal Investigation, Los Angeles Field Office. “Instead of making good on his business promises, Mr. Farrer swindled his clients out of money and property to fund his own extravagant expenditures, and now he’ll suffer the consequences. IRS-CI is committed to protecting clients and consumers from this sort of dubious behavior, and we are proud to have been a partner in this investigation.”
From November 2022 to November 2023, Farrer used his business – also called “The Timepiece Gentlemen” – to connect purchasers and sellers of high-end watches. In a typical consignment sale, a client would ship a watch to The Timepiece Gentleman and Farrer would take possession of the watch, agreeing to display it at his Beverly Hills store and through online and social media marketing. The items involved in this case included luxury watches by Rolex, Richard Mille, and Patek Phillipe, among others.
Once the watch was sold, Farrer was supposed to remit the sales proceeds back to the client, minus a consignment fee, which typically was approximately 5% of the sales price. If the watch did not sell within a specific time or for a specified price, Farrer was to return the watch to the client.
But instead of remitting watch sales proceeds – or the unsold watches themselves – back to the clients, Farrer sold the client watches and kept the proceeds for himself. He also used client watches – without the client’s knowledge or permission – as collateral for loans that he took out from lenders.
When a client asked about the status of a watch on consignment sale, Farrer lied and said that the watch had not yet been sold. In fact, Farrer already had sold the watch or otherwise disposed of it, keeping the funds for his own personal benefit.
In addition to his consignment sale business, Farrer also purported to purchase watches on behalf of his clients. Typically, a client sent funds to Farrer, often by wire transfers to his bank accounts or through payment processors such as Zelle, for the purpose of Farrer locating and buying a specified watch on the client’s behalf.
But Farrer took the clients’ money and used it for other purposes, including to fund his lavish lifestyle such as buying or leasing luxury automobiles, apartments, and other luxury goods.
When a client who had sent him money asked Farrer about the status of a watch purchase, Farrer often sent another watch to the client to tide the client over or lull them into a false sense of security regarding the status of the purchase. Like a Ponzi scheme, the other watch Farrer sent to the client often belonged to other clients who had themselves sent him that watch for a consignment sale. These clients were unaware Farrer was using their watches for that purpose, rather than attempting to sell the watches on behalf of the clients.
In total, Farrer fraudulently obtained money and property belonging to more than 40 victims and caused total losses of at least $5,691,005. Farrer also will be subject to a restitution order for payment owed to victims in amounts to be determined later.
The FBI, IRS Criminal Investigation, and the Beverly Hills Police Department investigated this matter.
Assistant United States Attorney Joshua O. Mausner of the Violent and Organized Crime Section prosecuted this case.