An 18-year-old man from Grand Bay-Westfield, N.B., has been arrested following a firearm-related incident in Grand Bay-Westfield, N.B.
On October 24, 2024, at approximately 5:25 p.m., members of the Grand Bay-Westfield RCMP responded to a complaint of a man with a firearm on River Valley Drive in Grand Bay-Westfield.
When police arrived at the scene, they were able to quickly identify a person of interest. Shortly after, the 18-year-old man was arrested without incident near his parked vehicle. A firearm was also seized as part of the investigation.
The man was later released on conditions pending a future court appearance.
At the time, police believed the incident to have been isolated, and that there was no danger to the general public. No one was injured at the time of the incident.
This initiative is part of a broader effort to enhance pedestrian safety and prevent damage to pavements.
The Transport (Scotland) Act 2019 prohibits pavement parking, double parking, and parking across dropped kerbs.
A national campaign has been underway to raise awareness of these new regulations. The law aims to improve the safety of pedestrians, particularly those with mobility issues, visual impairments, and parents or carers with pushchairs.
Additionally, pavements are not designed to bear the weight of vehicles, and persistent parking can cause significant damage.
Local authorities now have the power to enforce this law and issue fines through Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) of £100, reduced to £50 if paid within 14 days.
Perth and Kinross Council will begin enforcing these new rules on January 6, 2025. However, advisory notices are now being issued to educate the public about the new legislation.
Councillor Eric Drysdale, convener of Perth and Kinross Council Economy and Infrastructure Committee said: “Vehicles parked on pavements stop people from walking safely down streets and can be particularly hazardous for people with disabilities or those pushing prams or buggies, especially if they are forced onto the road to get by.
“They can also cause damage to pavements, causing a trip hazard and are expensive to repair.
“Councils have been able to enforce the ban on pavement parking since last year. We’ve reviewed around 2,000 streets in Perth and Kinross and will be focusing our efforts on those area where we know it is a particular problem for residents.
“But our hope is that people will be aware of the new rules and will park appropriately and safely so there is little need to issue fines.”
Cindy Godfey-McKay, chair of the Centre for Inclusive Living in Perth, said: “Pavement parking is a complex problem that can cause real problems for pedestrians, but particularly for wheelchair users, people with mobility or visual impairments and those with prams or buggies.
“The difficulty for me, being registered blind, with approximately 15% residual vision, and regularly using a wheelchair, due to rheumatoid arthritis, is that if there is a vehicle is on the pavement, I don’t see it until the last minute, then I have the difficulty of knowing where the next drop kerb is, to go down and around the vehicle.
“This could mean me having to go along the road for quite a distance, as I can’t see where the drop kerb is to go back up onto the pavement, after the vehicle. This is a very difficult and dangerous thing to have to do.”
Certain exceptions to the ban are permitted under the Act. These include:
Police, ambulance, Scottish Fire and Rescue Services, HM Coastguard, or naval or air force purposes.
Roadworks, removal of traffic obstructions, waste collection by local authorities, or postal services.
Urgent or emergency health care by registered medical practitioners, nurses, or midwives.
Assistance at an accident or breakdown.
Delivering or collecting goods, provided the vehicle is parked for no longer than necessary (up to 20 minutes).
Incorrect parking on footways, double parking, and parking at dropped crossings can be reported using the My PKC service. While every report will be reviewed, the Council may not always be able to attend every street where incorrect parking is reported
Governor Murphy Highlights More Than $1 Billion Investment in Child Care Sector
Governor Phil Murphy highlighted that his Administration has invested more than $1 billion in expanding access to high-quality, affordable child care across New Jersey. The Governor also announced an additional $17 million in funding for the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) Child Care Facilities Improvement Program. With these new resources, New Jersey is dedicating more than $140 million to improve child care infrastructure, representing one of the largest investments of any state in the country. The announcement was made at a child care center in West Orange that is expanding access to services thanks to funding from the NJEDA.
Building on the Murphy Administration’s comprehensive strategy to support the state’s vital child care sector, the NJEDA’s Child Care Facilities Improvement Program provides grants to eligible child care providers for improvements that contribute to high quality early childhood learning environments. Through the program, which awards grants of up to $200,000, the NJEDA has approved $85 million in grants to over 400 child care centers that collectively enroll over 34,000 children and employ over 8,500 staff. With the inclusion of new funding announced, the NJEDA now anticipates another 200 centers will receive awards, bringing the total to more than 600 child care centers across all 21 New Jersey counties. Nearly a third of all awards are to centers located in Opportunity Zones.
“Affordable, exceptional child care is a vital part of a stronger and fairer New Jersey economy, and the increased funding announced today will strengthen our state’s economic security and provide equitable opportunities to working parents,” said Governor Phil Murphy. “Increased access to high-quality child care allows more parents to return to the workforce, bolstering New Jersey’s economic growth and competitiveness. Thank you to the Biden-Harris Administration, who have provided record-high federal funding to expand access to child care, health care, and other critical resources for families in the Garden State.”
With the additional $17 million in Federal American Rescue Plan State Fiscal Recovery Fund funding announced, the NJEDA anticipates being able to approve all eligible child care centers that applied to Phase One of the program, which is no longer accepting new applications. A significant focus of the program is expanding or unlocking capacity within child care centers, especially for infants and toddlers. All construction work is delivered by New Jersey Department of Labor Registered Public Works Contractors and subject to prevailing wage and affirmative action monitoring.
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New Jersey Slated to Get a Total of $168M for Water Infrastructure
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced $3.6 billion in new funding under the Biden-Harris Administration’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) to upgrade water infrastructure and keep communities safe. New Jersey is slated to get more than $168 million for drinking water and wastewater improvements – including the $44 million that was announced as part of EPA’s announcement of the Lead and Copper Rule Improvements earlier this month. This BIL funding will help communities across the state upgrade water infrastructure that is essential to safely managing wastewater, protecting local freshwater resources, and delivering safe drinking water to homes, schools, and businesses.
These Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funds will flow through the Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds (CWSRF and DWSRF), a long-standing federal-state water investment partnership. This multibillion-dollar investment will fund state-run, low-interest loan programs that address key challenges in financing water infrastructure. This announcement includes allotments for New Jersey’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Clean Water General Supplemental funds totaling $101 million, Emerging Contaminant funds totaling $8.7 million, and $13.6 million in funds under the Drinking Water Emerging Contaminant Fund.
“We are grateful to the Biden-Harris Administration, New Jersey’s congressional delegation, and the Environmental Protection Agency for their continued support in helping us build a cleaner and healthier Garden State through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law,” said New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy. “This newly announced funding will help New Jersey communities with the vital tasks of ensuring that everyone in New Jersey has access to clean, safe drinking water and protecting and improving water quality throughout the state. These critical investments in our environmental infrastructure will help protect our citizens from lead and forever chemicals in drinking water, support proper management of wastewater and stormwater to protect our surface and ground waters, and create good-paying jobs for New Jerseyans.”
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Governor Murphy Announces Planned Innovation Center Based in Newark
Governor Phil Murphy announced that the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) and the New Jersey Innovation Institute (NJII), a corporation of the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT), have launched the NJII Venture Studio, the state’s latest Strategic Innovation Center (SIC). The NJII Venture Studio will focus on accelerating and commercializing intellectual property with a focus on high technology and information technology developed by NJIT, NJII and NJIT’s corporate partners, as well as other academic institutions who contribute to the advancement of the industry. This will be the seventh SIC in New Jersey announced under the Murphy Administration.
“Since I took office, my administration has been laser focused on positioning New Jersey as a national leader in innovation and technology development,” said Governor Phil Murphy. “The NJII Venture Studio, our seventh Strategic Innovation Center, will provide aspiring entrepreneurs with access to cutting-edge technology and the chance to collaborate with industry experts. This exciting initiative reinforces New Jersey’s reputation as a hub for innovation and research and the tremendous expertise within our state’s research universities.”
NJII, a non-profit subsidiary corporation established by NJIT in 2014, will operate and manage the Studio. The NJEDA and NJII have entered into a non-binding term sheet to establish the creation, funding, and management of the Venture Studio with an opportunity to make equity investments into participating companies. The Studio, which will be located in the Paul Profeta Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Newark, will seek to launch two to three start-ups a year over a four-year period.
The Venture Studio will provide emerging companies with necessary business training, operating services, physical space, and management guidance to transform their research into commercially viable products and services. Pending approval by its Board, the NJEDA intends to invest $5.8 million into the project on a 1:1 basis with NJII, with program funding for the Venture Studio totaling $11.6 million.
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Lt. Governor Way, Attorney General Platkin, and OHSP Director Doran Announce Safeguards to Protect the Right to Vote During the 2024 General Election
Lieutenant Governor Tahesha Way, Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin, and New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness (NJOHSP) Director Laurie Doran announced that the State of New Jersey will be taking a multi-pronged approach to help ensure that the 2024 General Election is fair, transparent, secure, and runs smoothly. Among the efforts highlighted are the Division of Elections Voter Information project and the Department of Law and Public Safety’s (LPS) Voter Protection Initiative.
Presidential general elections see the highest voter participation numbers, and it is important for voters to know what to expect. New Jersey law contains many checks and balances to protect the right to vote, and the State has implemented measures that prioritize voting integrity and safety.
“As chief election official, I am proud to work with my state and federal law enforcement and security colleagues to support our county election officials as they administer free and fair elections for all New Jersey voters,” said Lieutenant Governor Tahesha Way, who leads the New Jersey Division of Elections in her capacity as Secretary of State. “Together, we ensure that our elections are safe, secure, and free from interference. Every New Jersey voter can prepare to participate in this election by visiting vote.nj.gov and making their plan to vote.”
“New Jersey is fully prepared to quickly and decisively identify and resolve any issues related to voting,” said Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin. “Voting is the cornerstone of our democracy and a fundamental right. We will do everything in our power to ensure every eligible voter can exercise their right to participate in the democratic process without interference.”
“Year round, the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness collaborates with local, state, and federal partners through the Election Security Task Force to protect our elections and uphold our democratic processes,” said NJOHSP Director Laurie Doran. “As we prepare for the 2024 presidential election, NJOHSP and the Task Force are focused on ensuring New Jersey’s public safety and election officials are equipped to handle all threats and hazards, whether physical or cyber, foreign or domestic.”
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New Jersey Board of Public Utilities Announces Adoption of Minimum Filing Requirements for Medium-and-Heavy-Duty Electric Vehicles
The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) announced on Wednesday the adoption of minimum filing requirements (MFRs) that direct the state’s investor-owned electric distribution companies (EDCs) to propose programs to expand charging access for medium-and-heavy-duty (MHD) electric vehicles (EVs) and fleets. The expansion of New Jersey’s EV charging ecosystem will catalyze the ongoing clean transition of the state’s fleet, yielding significant greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reductions within the state’s transportation sector and improving localized air quality.
New Jersey’s transportation sector accounts for nearly 40% of the state’s net GHG emissions, with MHD trucks and busses emitting an outsized share of those emissions. Low-income neighborhoods and communities of color are more likely to be exposed to these pollutants due to their disproportionate proximity to freight corridors, ports, and distribution centers. The adopted MFRs allow utilities to provide additional “bonus” incentives for overburdened municipalities and overburdened communities adjacent to Freight EV Corridors, as well as small businesses.
“Today’s announcement by the BPU is a key part of my Administration’s whole-of-government approach to reducing harmful emissions from the transportation sector that negatively impact the health of our residents,” said Governor Phil Murphy. “Along with New Jersey’s action on Advanced Clean Trucks and the Clean Corridors Coalition, we are building a robust charging infrastructure for a clean transportation future.”
“Under Governor Murphy’s leadership and in coordination with New Jersey’s EDCs, the NJBPU remains at the forefront of advancing smart, clean transportation initiatives and infrastructure that provide considerable health and environmental benefits,” said NJBPU President Christine Guhl-Sadovy. “These benefits are especially vital to the overburdened communities that have borne the brunt of air pollution and its health effects for far too long.”
Source: The Conversation – UK – By Giacomo Biggio, Lecturer in Law, University of Bristol Law School, University of Bristol
Recent incidents involving the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and the United Nations Interim Forces in Lebanon (Unifil) have raised an important question. Can Israel lawfully target UN peacekeepers and premises in Lebanon, or would that constitute a war crime? To answer that question, it’s worth looking at the rules of International Humanitarian Law and how they relate to these apparent attacks by the IDF.
First though, some background. Since Israeli troops entered Lebanon on October 1, there have been a number of incidents where IDF units have apparently targeted Unifil positions in southern Lebanon. This happened most recently on October 20, when the UN reported that “an IDF bulldozer deliberately demolished an observation tower and perimeter fence of a UN position” in Marwahin, near Lebanon’s border with Israel.
Israel has repeatedly called for Unifil units to withdraw from the area. But, according to a UN statement of October 22: “Despite the pressure being exerted on the mission and our troop-contributing countries, peacekeepers remain in all positions.” The UN statement added that: “breaching a UN position and damaging UN assets is a flagrant violation of international law and Security Council resolution 1701. It also endangers the safety and security of our peacekeepers in violation of international humanitarian law.”
Getting to grips with the legal position involved here begins by looking at the principle of “distinction”. This requires a party to the conflict to distinguish at all times between civilian and combatants, and between civilian objects and military objectives.
A combatant is everyone who is a member of the armed forces of a party to the conflict, with the exception of medical and religious personnel. In turn, the notion of armed forces comprises all organised armed forces, groups and units which are under a command responsible to that party for the conduct of its subordinates. Everyone who falls outside this category is considered a civilian.
So, are Unifil peacekeepers combatants or civilians? Despite Unifil being armed and under military command, it is a peacekeeping force and not a party to the conflict. Unifil is mandated by UN security council resolution 1701. It operates with the consent of its host state, Lebanon, and in accordance with the principles of neutrality, impartiality and limited use of force.
Since the war between Israel and Hezbollah ended in 2006, its job has been to confirm Israel’s withdrawal from southern Lebanon, ensure that the government of Lebanon exercises effective authority in the area and prevent the entry of weapons into the region. Crucially, Unifil is not engaged in hostilities with either the IDF or Hezbollah. So it is not a party to the conflict.
From this it follows that Unifil peacekeepers must be considered civilians and enjoy protection from attack. So they cannot be intentionally attacked by the IDF unless they engage in conduct amounting to “direct participation in hostilities” (DPH).
The state of the conflict in southern Lebanon, October 22 2024. Institute for the Study of War
For conduct to qualify as DPH, it must either kill or injure a party to an armed conflict, or destroy or damage a protected object. This must be deliberate, intentional and result directly from the action of the person accused.
In practice, this means that a peacekeeper would be committing DPH by, for example, shooting on IDF soldiers with the intent of affecting their military operations. If that was the case, a peacekeeper would lose protection from attack, but only for the time they engage in the conduct amounting to DPH. After this conduct has ended, they would regain protection from attack.
Crucially, Unifil peacekeepers have never fired on IDF soldiers. If they did perhaps return fire from IDF soldiers, they would acting in self defence, rather than with the intention of affecting the IDF’s military operations. So their actions would not be sufficient for them to be regarded as combatants and they’d still be protected as civilians.
What is a legitimate military target?
The same conclusion can be reached with regards to IDF attacks on Unifil’s premises. These qualify as civilian objects and are protected from direct attack. Only military objectives are legitimate targets because, according to IHL, they make “an effective contribution to military action” and their capture, destruction or neutralisation offers a definite military advantage.
Clearly, that is not the case for Unifil posts. So attacking Unifil peacekeepers and premises would violate the principle of distinction and qualify as a war crime under the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. So, intentionally demolishing a Unifil watchtower with an IDF bulldozer, as happened recently, appears to qualify as a war crime, despite the claim that there was a Hezbollah weapons cache near the watchtower.
It’s worth adding that peacekeepers and their premises must be the intended target of the attack for it to be a violation of the principle of distinction. If the IDF’s target was – as claimed – a nearby Hezbollah weapons cache, which clearly qualifies as a military objective, any resulting damage to peacekeepers or their premises must be evaluated under the principle of “proportionality” and must not exceed the military advantage anticipated from the attack. Once again, launching an attack with the knowledge it would cause excessive incidental damage would amount to a war crime.
In the confusion of an IDF offensive in southern Lebanon it’s impossible to ascertain all the details beyond reasonable doubt. Knowing what actually happened is one thing. But once the fog of war lifts and the details become clear, so will the judgment of international law.
Giacomo Biggio does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
Source: Government of the Russian Federation – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
The All-Russian online Olympiad “Safe Roads” is held with the support of the national project “Safe High-Quality Roads”. Schoolchildren in grades 1–9 test their knowledge of road safety rules in a game format. From September 24 to October 27, almost 5.5 million schoolchildren took part in the Olympiad, Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin reported.
“Reducing road accidents is a task that is included in the national goal “Comfortable and safe living environment”. And a special priority of our work is child safety. In the context of growing traffic flow and expansion of the country’s road network, knowledge of traffic rules is becoming extremely important. The All-Russian online Olympiad “Safe Roads”, which is held with the support of the national project “Safe High-Quality Roads”, has proven itself as an effective tool for educational work. The online competition helps students in grades 1-9 test their level of road literacy and deepen their knowledge. The event received a great response from children and parents. This year, almost 5.5 million schoolchildren took part in it, which is 10% more than last year. And over five years, the total audience has exceeded 20.8 million participants,” said Marat Khusnullin.
The Deputy Prime Minister added that the leaders in the number of students who took part in the Olympiad were the Ivanovo, Tambov, Belgorod, Tula regions, as well as the Republic of Mordovia.
Using real road situations as an example, the Olympiad participants analyzed how to behave correctly as a pedestrian and a passenger, as well as behind the wheel of bicycles and personal mobility devices (PMD). The most difficult tasks during the Olympiad were those about bicycles and PMDs, including electric scooters. Only a fifth of the Olympiad participants coped with them. The schoolchildren coped best with the tasks on safe behavior in a car and public transport vehicles – 81% and 61%, respectively.
“Work to instill in children and teenagers the skills of safe behavior on the road is not only talks in schools and at home, lectures and street events held by the State Traffic Safety Inspectorate. It is also a very effective format in terms of assimilation of information, an Olympiad in which schoolchildren of different ages from all over Russia participate. It is easier to get acquainted with the rules of the road in the format of tasks and specific answers due to the clear structure of the material presentation. I am sure that everyone who has at least once passed the tests of the All-Russian online Olympiad “Safe Roads”, transfers theoretical knowledge to real road conditions, turning into very responsible pedestrians, and in the future, drivers,” said the head of the State Traffic Safety Inspectorate of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia, Police Lieutenant General Mikhail Chernikov.
Not only knowledge of traffic rules, but also good roads help to improve road safety. Work at sites is usually carried out in a comprehensive manner: specialists not only update the road surface, but also equip elements of the road infrastructure – pedestrian crossings, traffic lights, barriers, road signs, markings, photo and video recording cameras.
“Every day, children go to school, attend extracurricular activities, and one of our priorities is to make these routes safer. Over the past six years, more than 5,000 road sections leading to children’s educational and leisure institutions have been repaired in Russian regions under the national project “Safe High-Quality Roads”. These are streets in populated areas, as well as sections of regional and inter-municipal roads on which school buses travel,” commented Roman Novikov, head of the Federal Road Agency.
The organizers of the Olympiad are the Ministry of Transport, the State Traffic Safety Inspectorate of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia and the National Priorities ANO with the support of the Ministry of Education.
Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
Did you know there is a bank in Italy that accepts wheels of Parmigiano Reggiano as collateral on loans? If, like me, you are now contemplating leaving your current career and getting a job as a bank teller for Credito Emiliano (commonly referred to in the region as Credem), read on.
Most of the time, when we think of collateral, we think of something like the mortgage on a house. If a homeowner is unable to make payments on the house, the bank that holds the mortgage may seize the collateral (the house) and sell it to satisfy the debt (we call this liquidating the assets). So, how does this work with big wheels of cheese?
First, it is important to note that Parmigiano Reggiano is no ordinary cheese. True Parmigiano Reggiano can only be produced in one of five provinces within Italy: Parma, Reggio-Emilia, Modena, Bologna, or Mantova. While the ingredients that go into a wheel of Parmigiano are simple – just cow’s milk, salt, and calf rennet (a natural enzyme from cow intestines that helps form curds) – the strict process, which has remained largely unchanged for eight centuries, takes time. After the cheese has aged for 12 months, the Consorzio del Formaggio Parmigiano Reggiano (the Parmigiano Reggiano Consortium), which is the governing body that regulates standards for Parmigiano Reggiano, inspects each wheel. As an aside: each wheel of Parmigiano is the same size to ensure consistent texture – and each wheel weighs over 80 pounds! If a wheel passes the 12-month test, it receives a literal stamp of approval and the protected designation of origin label (PDO or DOP in Italian). The Parmigiano Reggiano Consortium helpfully provides links to legislation and guidelines surrounding Parmigiano in English on its website, here.
So now, back to Credem, the bank that accepts wheels of Parmigiano Reggiano as collateral on small-business loans it makes to dairy farmers in the Emilia Romagna region. Wheels of Parmigiano can go for anywhere between $900 and $2500. Parmigiano only gets more valuable as it ages. But often, farmers will sell off less mature wheels to have more immediate access to money, even though this turns into a loss of revenue in the long term. In 1953, Credem saw an opportunity to help local farmers maximize their profits by offering loans of up to 70 or 80% on wheels of Parmigiano. That way, the farmers could get the cash they needed up-front and the bank could ensure the wheels of cheese would have time to age and reach their highest value. Credem takes its role seriously, storing the wheels of cheese it accepts as collateral in climate-controlled vaults that are inspected by Parmigiano Reggiano experts for the duration of the loan.
By the way, this is not the only instance of unusual loan collateral. Before Prohibition, banks in the United States accepted whiskey as collateral. In 2013, it was reported that a bank in Hong Kong accepted designer bags as loan collateral. Perhaps my favorite example of strange collateral is a bank in Spain that sought a loan from the European Central Bank and wanted to offer Cristiano Ronaldo and Kaká as collateral.
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DAVENPORT, Iowa – A Davenport man was sentenced yesterday to eight years in federal prison for possessing a firearm as a felon and in furtherance of his drug trafficking.
According to public court documents, in November 2023, Marcell Alexander Kirk, 23, ran from police. During the foot chase, Kirk discarded a loaded handgun. When apprehended, Kirk was found in possession of approximately 140 grams of marijuana.
As a felon, Kirk is prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition. In 2020, Kirk was convicted of criminal gang participation, in the Iowa District Court for Scott County.
After completing his term of imprisonment, Kirk will be required to serve a three-year term of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.
United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. This case was investigated by the Davenport Police Department.
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. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit Justice.gov/PSN.
United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal, Southern District of Iowa, announced today that Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) Amy Licht will lead the efforts of her Office in connection with the Justice Department’s nationwide Election Day Program for the upcoming November 5, 2024, general election. AUSA Licht has been appointed to serve as the District Election Officer (DEO) for the Southern District of Iowa, and in that capacity is responsible for overseeing the District’s handling of election day complaints of voting rights concerns, threats of violence to election officials or staff, and election fraud, in consultation with Justice Department Headquarters in Washington.
United States Attorney Westphal said, “Every citizen must be able to vote without interference or discrimination and to have that vote counted in a fair and free election. Similarly, election officials and staff must be able to serve without being subject to unlawful threats of violence. The Department of Justice will always work tirelessly to protect the integrity of the election process.”
The Department of Justice has an important role in deterring and combatting discrimination and intimidation at the polls, threats of violence directed at election officials and poll workers, and election fraud. The Department will address these violations wherever they occur. The Department’s longstanding Election Day Program furthers these goals and also seeks to ensure public confidence in the electoral process by providing local points of contact within the Department for the public to report possible federal election law violations.
Federal law protects against such crimes as threatening violence against election officials or staff, intimidating or bribing voters, buying and selling votes, impersonating voters, altering vote tallies, stuffing ballot boxes, and marking ballots for voters against their wishes or without their input. It also contains special protections for the rights of voters, and provides that they can vote free from interference, including intimidation, and other acts designed to prevent or discourage people from voting or voting for the candidate of their choice. The Voting Rights Act protects the right of voters to mark their own ballot or to be assisted by a person of their choice (where voters need assistance because of disability or inability to read or write in English).
United States Attorney Westphal stated that: “The franchise is the cornerstone of American democracy. We all must ensure that those who are entitled to the franchise can exercise it if they choose, and that those who seek to corrupt it are brought to justice. In order to respond to complaints of voting rights concerns and election fraud during the upcoming election, and to ensure that such complaints are directed to the appropriate authorities, AUSA/DEO Licht will be on duty in this District while the polls are open. She can be reached by the public at the following telephone number: 515-473-9300.”
In addition, the FBI will have special agents available in each field office and resident agency throughout the country to receive allegations of election fraud and other election abuses on election day. The local FBI field office can be reached by the public at 515-223-4278.
Complaints about possible violations of the federal voting rights laws can be made directly to the Civil Rights Division in Washington, DC by complaint form at https://civilrights.justice.gov/ or by phone at 800-253-3931.
United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal said, “Ensuring free and fair elections depends in large part on the assistance of the American electorate. It is important that those who have specific information about voting rights concerns or election fraud make that information available to the Department of Justice.”
Please note, however, in the case of a crime of violence or intimidation, please call 911 immediately and before contacting federal authorities. State and local police have primary jurisdiction over polling places, and almost always have faster reaction capacity in an emergency.
WILMINGTON, N.C. – A Smithfield man was sentenced to 300 months in prison, followed by 25 years of supervised release, for sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion. On July 23, 2024, Jarel Antonio Rayford, age 29, pled guilty to the charge.
According to court documents and other information presented in court, Rayford prostituted a 17-year-old minor over the course of several months in 2021. He also took multiple sexually explicit images of her and posted them in online advertisements to sell her in prostitution. Rayford knew the victim was just seventeen and was also in a very vulnerable position, which he took advantage of to continue trafficking her. Additionally, Rayford used physical and emotional abuse to control the minor victim.
“We have launched two Human Trafficking Task Forces to expose and prosecute anyone who exploits North Carolina’s kids for sex or forced labor,” said U.S. Attorney Michael F. Easley, Jr. “Our victim-centric approach focuses on stabilizing victims, getting them resources, and helping them through the court process. If you have a tip about trafficking, text 233733 today.”
Michael F. Easley, Jr., U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after sentencing by Chief U.S. District Judge Richard E. Myers II. The Raleigh Police Department and the Department of Homeland Security – Homeland Security Investigations investigated the cases, and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Erin Blondel and Casey L. Peaden prosecuted the case.
TRENTON – Governor Phil Murphy today announced that his longtime Chief Counsel Parimal Garg will depart the administration next month to work in private practice.
“Parimal Garg has been by my side for the last eight years, from the early days of my first campaign through nearly seven years in the Governor’s Office,” said Governor Murphy. “I relied heavily on Parimal’s advice and counsel on issues from managing a once-in-a-century pandemic to selecting four Supreme Court Justices, and everything in between. No matter the complexity of the challenge, Parimal always thought through every angle of the issue, identified goals, and formulated strategies for achieving them. I am grateful for Parimal’s many years of service and his unwavering friendship, and I know he will excel in this next chapter of his legal career.”
“When I decided to work for Phil Murphy in 2016, I did it with a belief that regardless of his political odds, he was the right person to put New Jersey back on track,” said outgoing Chief Counsel Parimal Garg. “Over the last eight years, he rose to every challenge, whether that meant repairing New Jersey’s finances, taking decisive action to protect public health, or skillfully navigating different federal administrations to advance New Jersey’s interests. I am forever grateful to Governor Murphy for the opportunity to help lead his team, and for his trust and confidence during my four years as Chief Counsel. I know that the Governor, the First Lady, and the entire Murphy administration will spend the next year cementing a record of achievement that is unparalleled in our state’s history.”
Having served as Chief Counsel since October 2020, Garg is the longest serving Chief Counsel to the Governor in New Jersey history. From January 2018 to October 2020, Garg served as Deputy Chief Counsel to the Governor, after having worked as a senior policy advisor on Murphy’s gubernatorial campaign beginning in the summer of 2016.
Previously, Garg served as a litigation associate at Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP in Washington, D.C., and as a law clerk to New Jersey Supreme Court Chief Justice Stuart Rabner. He received his B.A. from Georgetown University, magna cum laude, and his J.D. from Harvard Law School, cum laude.
Originally from Lawrenceville, Garg now resides in Montclair.
Garg will depart the Governor’s Office in mid-November. An announcement on his successor will be made prior to his departure.
TOPEKA – Today, Governor Laura Kelly announced 11 appointments to the following council, commissions, and boards.
Kansas Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Purpose: Advocates for and facilitates equal access to quality, coordinated, and comprehensive services that enhance the quality of life for Kansans who are deaf and hard of hearing.
Matt Gwynn, Olathe
Janna Wiesner, Bonner Springs
Kim Hendricks, Garden City (reappointment)
911 Coordinating Council Purpose: To monitor the delivery of 911 services, develop strategies for future enhancements to the 911 system, and distribute available grant funds to Public Safety Answering Points.
Darin Miller, Andover
State Building Advisory Commission Purpose: Evaluate and select a short list of firms to be interviewed by user agencies for capital improvement projects.
Mike Thomas, Topeka
State Historic Sites Board of Review Purpose: The Kansas Historic Sites Board of Review is a group of professionals from various fields who meet to review and recommend nominations to the National Register of Historic Places and the Register of Historic Kansas Places. It also awards preservation planning and rehabilitation grants.
Ryan McDonald, Council Grove
Sarah Holder, Olathe
Fire Service Training Commission Purpose: Provide for a traveling instruction service to train firefighters in the jurisdictions of this state requesting such instruction.
Darin Myers, Hays (reappointment)
Bonnie Johnson, Lawrence
Bill Waln, Hutchinson
Kansas Children’s Cabinet Purpose: Assists the governor in developing and implementing a coordinated, comprehensive service delivery system to serve the children and families of Kansas.
October 28, 2024, Stratford, PE –PEI RCMP have charged a 60-year-old Vernon Bridge man in connection with four separate incidents including two serious assaults on seniors.
RCMP began their investigation on Thursday, October 24, 2024, when they responded to a serious assault of a senior man at his residence in Stratford. On Friday, October 25, 2024 PEI RCMP responded to another serious assault and robbery with a weapon on a Stratford senior woman at her home. Island EMS attended in both cases and transported the victims to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital.
On October 24, 2024 RCMP also responded to an incident at a business in Mount Albion where an unprovoked man attempted to engage in a fist fight with an employee who was unknown to him. Police attended but the man was gone on arrival.
RCMP identified a suspect and on October 26, 2024 RCMP made an arrest of 60-year-old Alan Wood. Wood was held at a provincial correctional center over the weekend and while in custody Wood uttered threats to a corrections officer. Wood remains in custody and will appear in court today at 3:00 p.m. in Charlottetown Provincial Court to answer to charges of:
Attempted murder in connection with the Stratford man
Attempted murder in connection with the Stratford woman.
Robbery with a weapon on the Stratford woman
Assault on the employee of the Mount Albion business
Uttering threats on a correction officer.
Both seniors in this case were known to the accused.
This investigation is being led by the RCMP Major Crime Unit with the assistance of:
RCMP Forensic Identification Services
RCMP Digital Forensic Services
RCMP Police Dog Services
RCMP Provincial General Investigations Section
“PEI RCMP recognize that events like this can be disturbing to us all. In this case, a suspect was identified quickly preventing further risk to the public,” said Cpl Gavin Moore, Media Relations Officer for the Prince Edward Island RCMP.
Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation FBI Crime News (b)
The FBI routinely receives and shares information with our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners to assist in protecting the communities we serve. The FBI is aware of potential threats of violence involving rival gangs in or around the vicinity of the Sikh Parade in Yuba City, CA, from November 1-3, 2024. Although these threats are unverified, we will continue to work closely with our partners to ensure the safety of the community at the event. We encourage members of the public to be vigilant and report anything they consider suspicious to law enforcement.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
New roads, railway lines and offshore windfarms could be delivered more quickly and easily, powering economic growth, according to a new independent report.
New roads, railway lines and offshore windfarms could be delivered more quickly and easily, powering economic growth, according to a new independent report published today (Monday, 28 October).
The Review of Legal Challenges to Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects, by leading planning barrister Lord Charles Banner KC, aims to reduce delays to Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects and get Britain building, with ten recommendations set out for government on how to reduce barriers to development and resolve challenges more effectively.
These include options to streamline the judicial review process, reduce the amount of time it takes for legal challenges against these projects to move through the courts, and improve the way data on case progress is published.
These major projects, which can include harbours, power stations and waste water management facilities, are often held up by judicial review challenges, sometimes setting them back years in delays, increasing the costs significantly.
The Government will carefully review recommendations and the responses received in the call for evidence before publishing a response with a focus on ensuring there is a balance between the critical need for projects and maintaining the public’s right to challenge government decisions.
Alongside the publication of the review, the Ministry of Justice, has published a call for evidence seeking views on Lord Banner’s recommendations.
Housing and Planning Minister Matthew Pennycook said:
Building new and improved national infrastructure is essential to delivering the government’s economic growth and clean power missions and we must have planning system fit to deliver it.
With demands on the consenting process having changed considerably over recent years, I’m grateful to Lord Banner for reviewing how we might speed up the delivery of major infrastructure projects.
The government will carefully review his recommendations and consider further proposals before determining how we will further improve the Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects regime.
Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects are major infrastructure projects within the categories of energy, transport, water, wastewater, and waste.
The publication of this review comes as the government continues to focus on its commitment to break down barriers to building and deliver the investment, growth and 1.5 million homes that the country needs. This includes a consultation on changes to the National Planning Policy Framework to fix the foundations of the housing and planning system, new mandatory housing targets for councils to ensure homes are built where they are most needed and the forthcoming Planning and Infrastructure Bill, which will turbocharge housebuilding and accelerate the delivery of major infrastructure projects.
ENDS
Notes to editors:
A summary of the ten recommendations in the report include:
The cost caps, which limit the legal costs the losing party must pay the winning party in certain judicial review claims, should not be amended.
The current rules on ‘standing’ – i.e. who may bring a judicial review – should not be amended.
There should be fewer ‘bites of the cherry’ for claimants seeking permission to bring a judicial review.
The option of raising the permission threshold for a judicial review of a Development Consent Order (DCO) decision requires further consideration.
The option of introducing an NSIP ticket, authorising a small pool of judges to hear DCO judicial reviews, requires further consideration.
DCO Judicial Reviews should be designated as significant planning court claims, which would ensure these cases are dealt with promptly by the Planning Court, in line with target timescales set out in Civil Procedure Rules
Case management conferences should be introduced for DCO judicial reviews, requiring parties to come together at an early stage to consider how best to approach these claims.
Target timescales should be introduced for DCO judicial reviews in the Court of Appeal.
Target timescales should be introduced for DCO judicial reviews in the Supreme Court.
The Planning Court and the Court of Appeal should regularly publish data on key performance indicators such as the average length of time taken for DCO judicial reviews to progress through the courts.
The call for evidence will run for nine weeks and can be accessed here.
Lord Banner is a leading expert in planning and environmental regulation and was appointed by the previous government to conduct an independent review into the legal challenges causing delays to Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects.
Today, the Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS), General Jennie Carignan, announced the members selected for this year’s Remembrance Day Sentry Program.
October 28, 2024 – Ottawa – National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces
Today, the Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS), General Jennie Carignan, announced the members selected for this year’s Remembrance Day Sentry Program.
Eleven Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members and one officer from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) have received the distinction of being chosen from all those nominated across the country to play an important ceremonial role during this year’s national Remembrance Day ceremony in Ottawa.
Representative of the duty, commitment and diversity of our military and security personnel, these exceptional program participants have been honoured with this distinction based on criteria such as deployment experience, community involvement, physical fitness, and their record of conduct.
The following personnel will participate in the Remembrance Day ceremony at the National War Memorial on Monday, November 11, 2024:
Sentry Program Commander/Royal Canadian Air Force Sentry: Sergeant Kevin James, RCAF Band, Canadian Forces Base Winnipeg, Man.
Royal Canadian Navy Sentry: Master Sailor Jed Garcia, Canadian Forces Base Esquimalt Base Information Services, Canadian Forces Base Esquimalt, B.C.
Canadian Special Operations Forces Command Sentry: Master Corporal Jeffrey Steel, Canadian Forces Base Petawawa, Ont.
Canadian Army Sentry: Master Bombardier Mikael Nicol-Charette, 4th Canadian Division Training Centre, Meaford, Ont.
RCMP Sentry: Sergeant Cara Streeter, Happy Valley Goose Bay Detachment, N.L.
Military Personnel Command Nursing Officer: Captain Kathleen Nguyen, 1 Canadian Field Hospital, Montreal.
Special Guest of the CDS and CAF Chief Warrant Officer: Corporal Lucas Mullens, Canadian Forces Base Edmonton, Alta.
Canadian Ranger Sentry: Master Corporal Linda Kamenawatamin, 3rd Canadian Ranger Patrol Group, Bear Lake, Ont.
Eagle Staff Bearer: Master Corporal Phoenix George, Canadian Forces Base Edmonton, Alta.
Directorate of History and Heritage Musician – Bugler: Corporal Malcolm Horava, Central Band of the CAF, Ottawa.
Directorate of History and Heritage Musician – Piper: Master Corporal Timothy Reid, Central Band of the CAF, Ottawa.
The Remembrance Day Sentry Program was created in 1998 to publicly recognize outstanding CAF members from both the Regular and the Reserve Force, and members of the RCMP, for their dedication, professionalism and performance in service to Canada.
Note to editor: Remembrance Day Sentry Program participants are available for interviews upon request.
“Each of you exemplifies our values daily through your dedication, professionalism and leadership. As we solemnly remember generations of brave Canadians who fought to preserve our peace and freedom, we also acknowledge your unwavering commitment, exceptional performance and selfless service to Canadians today. We thank you for embodying the very best of who we are and for your continued service.”
General Jennie Carignan, Chief of the Defence Staff
Media Relations Department of National Defence Phone: 613-904-3333 Email:mlo-blm@forces.gc.ca
A youth has been arrested after an attempted robbery in Cole Harbour.
On October 11, at approximately 6:46 p.m., RCMP Halifax Regional Detachment responded to a report of an attempted robbery at a recreational centre on Forest Hills Parkway. RCMP officers learned that a person approached four youths who were near the pedway, displayed a knife, and demanded jewelry from one of the youths.
The person fled on foot when the youths said they were advising security. No physical injuries were reported.
As a result of the investigation and information provided by the public, on October 18, a 15-year-old youth was identified and arrested for attempted Armed Robbery and Possession of Weapon for Dangerous Purpose. They were released on conditions pending a first court appearance on November 7.
RCMP Halifax Regional Detachment thanks members of the community who have been engaged in promoting public safety and supporting police investigations such as this one by providing tips to police and Crime Stoppers. Information can be provided anonymously by calling Nova Scotia Crime Stoppers, toll-free, at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), submitting a secure web tip at www.crimestoppers.ns.ca, or using the P3 Tips app.
Source: United States Department of Justice (Human Trafficking)
ROCKFORD — A Rockford man has been sentenced to 35 years in federal prison for sex trafficking.
TRAVIS THOMAS, 34, was convicted in June of sex trafficking, including multiple counts of coercing and transporting the victim across state lines to engage in prostitution. U.S. District Judge John J. Tharp, Jr. imposed the sentence Friday during a hearing in federal court in Rockford.
The sentence was announced by Morris Pasqual, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, and Douglas S. DePodesta, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Office of the FBI. The Rockford Police Department, Hoffman Estates, Ill. Police Department, and Winnebago County, Ill. Sheriff’s Office assisted in the investigation. The government was represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Vincenza L. Tomlinson and Jessica S. Maveus, and former Assistant U.S. Attorney Monica V. Mallory.
In 2017 and 2018, Thomas targeted the victim, supplied her with crack cocaine that kept her dependent on him, and manipulated her drug addiction to force and coerce her to engage in commercial sex acts for Thomas’s financial benefit. Thomas transported the victim to hotels in Rockford, Wisconsin, and Texas for the purpose of engaging in commercial sex acts. Thomas also used and threatened physical violence against the victim to force and coerce her to continue to engage in commercial sex. Thomas then kept all of the proceeds and spent it on himself and others, including a new vehicle, gambling, clothing, and food.
In addition to the commercial sex, Thomas also used fraud and financial coercion to take the victim’s credit cards, file fraudulent tax returns and insurance claims in her name, empty her bank accounts, and sell her belongings. The victim was finally able to escape in April 2018, with the help of an individual who took the victim to a hospital after she was severely beaten by Thomas. While at the hospital, a trained nurse identified her as a victim of sex trafficking and called law enforcement.
If you believe you are a victim of sexual exploitation, you are encouraged to contact the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children by logging on to www.missingkids.com or by calling 1 800-843-5678. The service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Source: United States Department of Justice (Human Trafficking)
BOSTON – The owner of Stash’s Pizza, a pizzeria chain in Massachusetts, was sentenced on Oct. 25, 2024 for forced labor charges. The defendant forced or attempted to force six victims to work for him and comply with excessive workplace demands through violent physical abuse; threats of violence and serious harm; and repeated threats to report the victims to immigration authorities for deportation.
Stavros Papantoniadis, a/k/a “Steve Papantoniadis,” 49, of Westwood, Mass., was sentenced by Chief U.S. District Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV to 102 months in prison, one year of supervised release and ordered to pay a $35,000 fine. At a jury trial in June 2024, Papantoniadis was convicted of three counts of forced labor and three counts of attempted forced labor. Papantoniadis has remained in custody since his arrest on March 16, 2023.
“Labor trafficking exploits the vulnerable through fear and intimidation, all in pursuit of the almighty buck. That is what Stavros Papantoniadis did when he violated the rights of the people working in his restaurants. He deliberately hired foreign nationals who lacked authorization to work in the United States and then turned their lack of immigration status against them, threatening them with deportation and violence to keep them under his control,” said Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy. “I commend the bravery of the victims here for speaking out and taking a stand against their trafficker. I hope that their strength to speak out sends a message to others whose rights are being abused that the federal government will not tolerate labor trafficking. The stiff sentence imposed on Mr. Papantoniadis demonstrates that there are grave consequences for employers who engage in this type of conduct.”
“Stavros Papantoniadis exploited and abused his employees, denying them the basic dignity every person deserves. Today’s significant sentence sends a message to employers — employees deserve to work in safety, free from harassment and abuse and exploitative employers will be held to account,” said Special Agent in Charge Michael J. Krol for Homeland Security Investigations, New England. “Labor exploitation targets the disenfranchised in our society but we want employees to know that they have a voice and HSI is working with our partners to uphold and enforce labor laws.”
“Stavros Papantoniadis used threats of arrest, deportation, reprisals, and physical violence to ensure his employees worked for wages lower than required by the Fair Labor Standards Act. Today’s sentencing affirms the Office of Inspector General’s commitment to work with our law enforcement and Wage and Hour Division partners to aggressively investigate labor trafficking by individuals who enrich themselves through coercion or force,” said Jonathan Mellone, Special Agent-in-Charge, Northeast Region, U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General.
Papantoniadis forced or attempted to force five men and one woman to work for him through violent physical abuse, threats of abuse, and repeated threats to report victims to immigration authorities to have them deported. Papantoniadis thinly staffed his pizza shops, and purposely employed workers without immigration status to work behind the scenes, for 14 or more hours per day and as many as seven days per week. To maintain control of those undocumented workers, he made them believe that he would physically harm them or have them deported. He monitored the workers with surveillance cameras, which he accessed from his cell phone, and constantly demeaned, insulted and harassed them. When Papantoniadis learned that one victim planned to quit, he violently choked him, causing that victim to flee the pizza shop and run to safety in the parking lot. When other victims separately expressed their intentions to quit, Papantoniadis told one victim that he would kill him and call immigration authorities; and he threatened another worker by telling him he knew where the victim lived. When another worker tried to leave and drive away from one of Papantoniadis’ pizza shops, Papantoniadis chased the victim down Route 1 in Norwood, Mass., and falsely reported the victim to the local police in an effort to pressure the victim to return to work at the pizza shop.
Papantoniadis is the owner and operator of Stash’s Pizza, a chain of pizzerias with locations in Dorchester and Roslindale, and previously had pizzerias in Norwood, Norwell, Randolph (d/b/a Boston Pizza Company), Weymouth (d/b/a Pacini’s Italian Eatery), and Wareham, Mass.
Members of the public who believe they are a victim of labor trafficking or have information about labor trafficking, please call 888-221-6023, Option 5 or send an email with contact information to USAMA.VictimAssistance@usdoj.gov.
Acting U.S. Attorney Levy, HSI SAC Krol and DOL-OIG SAC Mellone made the announcement today. Assistance was provided by the Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division, the Boston Police Department, and the Norwood Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Timothy E. Moran, Chief of the Organized Crime & Gang Unit, and Brian A. Fogerty of the Civil Rights & Human Trafficking Unit prosecuted the case.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
The Environment Agency has prosecuted a Leicester angler who was caught fishing in the close season and without a licence on the River Soar in May this year.
Angler caught fishing in close season on River Soar between Abbey Mills and Abbey Park
Clamp down on angling offences to protect fish stocks and make fishing sustainable
Case heard at Northampton magistrates on 21 October 2024
At Northampton Magistrates Court on 21 October 2024, the charges against Vaidotas Jucaitis, 52, of Highfield Street, were proved in his absence. He was ordered to pay a total of £415 in fines and costs.
Jucaitis was caught fishing during the close season between Abbey Mills and Abbey Park on 9 May 2024. He was also fishing without a licence. He was fined £100 for each charge, ordered to pay costs of £135 and a victim’s surcharge of £80.
Close season
The close season restrictions, which run between 15 March-15 June, are to prevent fishing for coarse fish in rivers and streams across England. The restriction helps to protect fish when they are spawning and supporting vulnerable stocks.
Environment Agency officers conduct patrols to ensure anglers respect this no fishing period.
A spokesperson for the Environment Agency said:
We hope these penalties will act as a deterrent to any angler who is thinking of fishing either without a licence or during the close season.
The close season is in place to reduce disturbances to protect vulnerable stocks during their peak spawning period.
We urge anglers to respect the close season in order to help reduce pressures on our fisheries, benefitting fish and the wider environment.
Our fisheries enforcement team work seven days a week to check that anglers are following fishing regulations.
Fisheries enforcement
The Environment Agency carries out enforcement work all year round and is supported by partners including the police and the Angling Trust.
Fisheries enforcement work is intelligence-led, targeting known hot-spots and where illegal fishing is reported.
Anyone with information about illegal fishing activities can contact the Environment Agency Incident Hotline 24/7 on 0800 80 70 60 or anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Fishing licences
All income from fishing licence sales is used to fund the Environment Agency’s work to protect and improve fish stocks, fisheries and the environment.
This includes improving habitats for fish, reinvesting money back to facilities and clubs for anglers and tackling illegal fishing. It also includes working with partners to encourage more people to give fishing a go.
Any angler aged 13 or over, fishing on a river, canal or still water needs a licence.
A 1-day licence costs from just £7.10 and an annual licence costs from just £35.80. Concessions are available. Junior licences are free for 13 to 16-year-olds.
Licences are available from www.gov.uk/get-a-fishing-licence or by calling the Environment Agency on 0344 800 5386 between 8am and 6pm, Monday to Friday.
The charges for Vaidotas Jacaitis
On 9 May 2024, at Abbey Park to Abbey Mills, River Soar, Leicester, fished for freshwater fish in the close season. This is contrary to byelaw 2 of the Environment Agency National Byelaws made on July 12 210. And contrary to byelaw 6 confirmed 22 March 2010 and made pursuant to section 210 and schedule 25 of the Water Resources Act 1991 and contrary to Section 211 of the said Act.
On 9 May 2024, at Abbey Park to Abbey Mills, River Soar, Leicester, in a place where fishing is regulated, fished for freshwater fish or eels by means of an unlicensed fishing instrument, namely rod and line. This is contrary to Section 27 (1) (a) of the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Act 1975.
October 28, 2024 – Ottawa, Ontario – Department of Justice Canada
The Honourable Arif Virani, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, today announced the following appointments under the judicial application process established in 2016. This process emphasizes transparency, merit, and the diversity of the Canadian population, and will continue to ensure the appointment of jurists who meet the highest standards of excellence and integrity.
Lisa A. Wannamaker, Assistant Crown Attorney at the Ministry of the Attorney General of Ontario in Peterborough, is appointed a Judge of the Superior Court of Justice of Ontario in Lindsay. Justice Wannamaker replaces Justice D.S. Gunsolus (Lindsay), who elected to become a supernumerary judge effective March 28, 2022.
Robin A. Bellows, a sole practitioner in Huntsville, is appointed a Judge of the Superior Court of Justice of Ontario in Parry Sound. Justice Bellows replaces Justice J. Stothart (Parry Sound), who will be transferred to Sudbury upon the appointment of a new Judge. Due to internal court transfers by the Chief Justice, the vacancy is located in Parry Sound.
Quote
“I wish Justices Wannamaker and Bellows every success as they take on their new roles. I am confident they will serve Ontarians well as members of the Superior Court of Justice of Ontario”.
—The Hon. Arif Virani, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada
Biographies
Justice Lisa A. Wannamaker was raised in Peterborough. She received an honours degree in political science and economics from the University of Waterloo after which, she travelled and lived abroad in Ireland. She later attended law school at Queen’s University. She was called to the Ontario Bar in 2005.
Justice Wannamaker worked for Osler Hoskin & Harcourt LLP and the Ontario Securities Commission. She joined the Etobicoke Crown Attorney’s Office in 2006 and joined the Peterborough office in 2012. She has handled complex prosecutions in both the Ontario Court of Justice and the Superior Court of Justice including homicides, sexual assaults, and dangerous offender proceedings. She was frequently involved in education and training for other crowns and presented to police services across the province on search issues, expert issues and statements. She was an annual director for the crown attorney school on expert evidence. She also taught in the forensic science program at Trent University.
Justice Wannamaker is highly committed to her community. She was on the board of Big Brothers and Big Sisters Peterborough and worked as a manager and game day announcer with the Peterborough Wolverines Football Organization and the Kinsmen Minor Football League. She was an articling principal and a mentor to junior lawyers. She has volunteered for student moots, and with the Ontario Justice Education Network.
Justice Wannamaker enjoys travel with friends, and spending time between the lake and the football fields, with her two wonderful children and her dog.
Justice Robin A. Bellows was born in Toronto and spent most of her formative years in Newfoundland. She began her undergraduate degree at Memorial University of Newfoundland. She graduated with an Honours Bachelor of Arts from Trinity College at the University of Toronto in 2003 before obtaining her Bachelor of Laws from Osgoode Hall Law School in 2006. She was called to the Ontario Bar in 2007.
Justice Bellows started her criminal defence practice in Muskoka in 2007, where she worked as a sole practitioner and as duty counsel for 10 years. In 2017, she became the Agent for the Public Prosecution Service of Canada for Parry Sound. In 2023, she was appointed as a per diem Deputy Judge of the Small Claims Court.
Justice Bellows served on the Board of the Muskoka Law Association since 2008 and became President in 2020. Additionally, she has been the President of the Parry Sound Law Association since 2021. For several years, she had the joy and privilege of coaching the Bracebridge and Muskoka Lakes Secondary School mock trial team. Outside of her legal pursuits, she shared her creative talents with the Muskoka theatre community, creating costumes and props for local productions.
Justice Bellows is also a watercolor artist, a keen player of high-strategy board games, and a loving mother to two bright and caring children.
October 28, 2024 – Ottawa, Ontario – Department of Justice Canada
The Honourable Arif Virani, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, today announced the following appointment under the judicial application process established in 2016. This process emphasizes transparency, merit, and the diversity of the Canadian population, and will continue to ensure the appointment of jurists who meet the highest standards of excellence and integrity.
The Honourable D. Shane Russell, Associate Chief Judge of the Provincial Court of Nova Scotia in Sydney, is appointed a Judge of the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia in Sydney. Justice Russel replaces Justice R. Gogan (Sydney), who was elevated to the Nova Scotia Court of Appeal effective February 19, 2024.
Quote
“I wish Justice Russell every success as he takes on his new role. I am confident he will serve the people of Nova Scotia well as a member of the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia.”
—The Hon. Arif Virani, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada
Biography
Justice D. Shane Russell was bom and raised in North Sydney. He graduated from the University of Manitoba Robson Hall Law School in 2003 and has a Bachelor of Science Advance Major Psychology from Dalhousie University. He was called to the Nova Scotia Bar in 2004
Justice Russell was appointed Associate Chief Judge of the Nova Scotia Provincial Court in February 2024. Prior to his appointment as Judge of the Nova Scotia Provincial Court in 2021, he practiced law for 17 years, all of those as a Crown Attorney at the Nova Scotia Public Prosecution Service. He served as co-counse! with the Desmond Fatality Inquiry. While serving as Senior Crown Counsel, he routinely carried many complex and high-profile prosecutions involving, intimate partner violence, sexual violence, home invasion, and homicide.
Justice Russell had served as a member of the Nova Scotia Barristers’ Society’s bar council, Gender equity committee, and Provincial Court Liaison Committee. He is also the past president of the Cape Breton Barristers’ Society and the Nova Scotia Crown Attomeys’ Association.
Justice Russell is happily married to Nicole Russell, also from North Sydney. He is the proud older brother of two siblings, Trevor Russell and Nadine Russell-Wadden.
October 28, 2024 – Ottawa, Ontario – Department of Justice Canada
The Honourable Arif Virani, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, today announced the following appointments under the judicial application process established in 2016. This process emphasizes transparency, merit, and the diversity of the Canadian population, and will continue to ensure the appointment of jurists who meet the highest standards of excellence and integrity.
The Honourable Peter H. Edelmann, a Judge of the Supreme Court of British Columbia, is appointed a Justice of Appeal of the Court of Appeal for British Columbia in Vancouver. Justice Edelmann replaces Justice P. Willcock, who elected to become a supernumerary judge effective June 19, 2024.
Scott Morishita, Associate Counsel at Rice Harbut Elliott LLP in Vancouver, is appointed a Judge of the Supreme Court of British Columbia in Vancouver. Justice Morishita replaces Justice P.H. Edelmann (Vancouver), who was elevated to the Court of Appeal for British Columbia effective October 25, 2024.
Quote
“I wish Justices Edelmann and Morishita every success as they take on their new roles. I am confident they will serve the people of British Columbia well as members of the Court of Appeal for British Columbia and the Supreme Court of British Columbia.
—The Hon. Arif Virani, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada
Biographies
Justice Peter H. Edelmann is fluently bilingual and was appointed to the Supreme Court of British Columbia in 2019. He received an undergraduate degree in French literature and philosophy from the University of Toronto and went on to pursue graduate studies at the University of British Columbia. In 2004, he received both LL.B. and Civil Law degrees from McGill University. He was called to the bar of British Columbia in 2005.
Prior to his appointment to the Supreme Court of British Columbia in 2019, Justice Edelmann was a partner at Edelmann and Company, a recognized immigration and refugee law firm in Vancouver. He had begun his career as a sole practitioner primarily focused on criminal defence, in a practice that came to encompass national security, extradition, immigration and refugee law.
Justice Edelmann appeared before all levels of the federal and provincial courts, as well as the various divisions of the Immigration and Refugee Board. He was an active member of the Immigration Section of the Canadian Bar Association and sat on the litigation committee for the Canadian Council for Refugees. He appeared regularly before Parliamentary committees and before the Supreme Court of Canada.
Justice Scott Morishita was born and raised in Richmond. He is Japanese Canadian and a proud member of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of British Columbia and an LL.B. from the University of Victoria. He was called to the British Columbia bar in 2007.
Justice Morishita was Associate Counsel at Rice Harbut Elliott LLP, where he acted for plaintiffs in personal injury claims. Prior to that, he was Legal Counsel at the Municipal Insurance Association of British Columbia, where he defended local governments in various types of liability claims. He spent his career as a civil litigator, representing a diverse range of clients, including individuals, insurance companies, and local governments.
Justice Morishita is a passionate volunteer and a strong advocate for lawyers’ mental health. He dedicated his time to numerous legal organizations, serving as President of the Canadian Bar Association, British Columbia (B.C.) Branch for the 2023-24 term, and as a Law Society of B.C. appointee to the Transitional Board of Legal Professions B.C. He was also a past board member of the Continuing Legal Education Society of B.C. and an active member of the Federation of Asian Canadian Lawyers (B.C.).
October 28, 2024 – Ottawa, Ontario – Department of Justice Canada
The Honourable Arif Virani, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, today announced the following appointment under the judicial application process established in 2016. This process emphasizes transparency, merit, and the diversity of the Canadian population, and will continue to ensure the appointment of jurists who meet the highest standards of excellence and integrity.
Laurie A. Goldbach, Partner at Borden Ladner Gervais LLP in Calgary, is appointed a Judge of the Tax Court of Canada. Justice Goldbach replaces Justice A. Pelletier, who was appointed Associate Chief Justice of the Tax Court of Canada on December 14, 2023.
Quote
“I wish Justice Goldbach every success as she takes on her new role. I am confident she will serve Canadians well as a member of the Tax Court of Canada.”
—The Hon. Arif Virani, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada
Biography
Justice Laurie A. Goldbach was raised in Arva, a hamlet near London, Ontario. She received a B.A. Hons (1995) from Huron College at the University of Western Ontario and a LL.B. from University of Victoria (1998). She clerked with the Court of Appeal for Ontario before being called to the Ontario Bar in 1999, and the Alberta Bar in 2000.
Justice Goldbach has lived and worked in Calgary for the past 25 years. She began her litigation career with Bennett Jones LLP before moving to a tax litigation boutique within Deloitte LLP in 2014. She joined Borden Ladner Gervais LLP in 2017 where she led the national tax disputes practice and served as regional group manager of the specialized business group. She has appeared before courts from coast to coast: the Supreme Court of Canada, all levels of courts in Alberta and Quebec, the Federal Courts, the Tax Court of Canada, and courts in British Columbia, Saskatchewan, and Nova Scotia.
Justice Goldbach chaired the Tax Court Bench and Bar Committee of the Canadian Bar Association, was a Governor of the Canadian Tax Foundation, and a regular speaker at professional development programs and conferences. She has been invested in mentoring students and lawyers and supporting mental health and wellness in the legal community. She is a long-time supporter of ASSIST and co-chaired a task force on mental wellness amongst dispute lawyers.
Justice Goldbach and her spouse, Brett, are proud parents of one remarkable teenage daughter.
Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime Alerts (b)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – KEVIN JOHNSON (“JOHNSON”), age 34, a New Orleans resident, was sentenced on October 23, 2024, by U.S. District Judge Mary Ann Vial Lemmon, after previously pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute, and possess with intent to distribute, heroin, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(C), and 846. JOHNSON was sentenced to 30 months imprisonment, 3 years of supervised release, and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee.
According to court documents, the Federal Bureau Investigation New Orleans Gang Task Force and the New Orleans Police Department investigated JOHNSON for his involvement in a drug distribution operation in April 2021. The investigation revealed that JOHNSON conspired with AL VERNON BROWN, CHRISTOPHER JOHNSON, DONALD MYLES, and others to distribute heroin. On June 22, 2021, agents seized a package containing 485 grams of heroin that was mailed by AL VERNON BROWN from California to New Orleans and intended for JOHNSON.
The U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation – New Orleans Gang Task Force, with the assistance of the New Orleans Police Department, the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, and the Gretna Major Crimes Task Force, led the investigation. The prosecution is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Rachal Cassagne of the Narcotics Unit.
Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime Alerts (b)
NEW ORLEANS, LA – United States Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that MALI WILLIAMS (“WILLIAMS”), age 26, of Violet, Louisiana, was sentenced on October 15, 2024 by United States District Judge Jay C. Zainey to 60 months of imprisonment, three (3) years of supervised release, and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee after previously pleading guilty to possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c)(1)(A)(i).
According to court documents, on October 12, 2023, New Orleans Police Officers saw WILLIAMS selling marijuana in the Central Business District of New Orleans. While attempting to flee from police, WILLIAMS dropped his backpack that contained marijuana and tapentadol tablets. When apprehended, WILLIAMS possessed a Taurus Model G3C, nine-millimeter semi-automatic pistol.
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.
U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the New Orleans Police Department in investigating this matter. The case is being prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney James Ollinger of the Violent Crime Unit.
Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime Alerts (b)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JEREL CLAVO (“CLAVO”),age 36, of New Orleans, was sentenced on October 15, 2024 by U.S. District Judge Brandon S. Long to 62 months incarceration, five (5) years of supervised release, and a $200 mandatory special assessment fee, after previously pleading guilty to possession with the intent to distribute marijuana, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(D) (Count 1); and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 924(c)(1)(A)(i) (Count 2).
According to court documents, on November 27, 2021, the New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) received a call regarding shots being fired near North Claiborne Avenue and Columbus Street. NOPD Officers arrived at the scene and discovered a deceased black female. Officers learned that the victim had been riding in a gray Dodge Charger driven by CLAVO when she was shot. An NOPD officer present at University Medical Center (UMC) saw CLAVO pull up outside the emergency room driving a gray Dodge Charger with several bullet holes in the front windshield. CLAVO sustained multiple gunshot wounds, including to his neck and right arm. NOPD Detectives executed a state search warrant for the Dodge Charger and located two firearms and marijuana inside the vehicle. CLAVO admitted possessing the marijuana for later sale. Additionally, CLAVO possessed the firearms to further his marijuana sales activities.
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 Federal Bureau of Investigation and the New Orleans Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Mike Trummel of the Violent Crime Unit.
Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime Alerts (b)
PORTLAND, Maine: A Lewiston man was arrested on Wednesday and charged by criminal complaint today with possessing controlled substances with the intent to distribute and unlawfully possessing a firearm.
According to the criminal complaint filed in the case and other court documents, Nasir Kenya-Malik White (aka Biggie), 24, was arrested at his residence in Lewiston on Wednesday evening on probable cause following a search of his apartment. Investigators recovered more than 300 grams of suspected cocaine during the search. Ten firearms, including several assault-style rifles, were also recovered. The complaint alleges that White is precluded from possessing firearms as a result of a 2023 conviction in Androscoggin County Superior Court for reckless conduct with a firearm or dangerous weapon. White was scheduled to make his first appearance in U.S. District Court in Portland today.
The FBI’s Safe Streets Task Force is investigating the case with assistance from the Lewiston Police Department and the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency.
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: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Eric Sorensen (IL-17)
PEORIA, IL– Congressman Eric Sorensen (IL-17) announced a $359,034 grant to the Young Women’s Christian Association of McLean County (YWCA) to support families impacted by domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, and sex trafficking.
“Every child deserves to grow up in a safe and nurturing environment, free from any form of violence,” saidSorensen. “But when a child does go through such a deeply traumatic experience, we need to step up as a community and make sure that child has our support. This important funding coming to the YWCA of McLean County will ensure that local organizations, that already do so much to help our neighbors, have the resources they need to prevent and respond to crimes against our kids. I look forward to working with local leaders to deliver federal investments in the future that will keep our communities safe.”
“Being awarded this grant truly shows our dedication to building a safer community,” said Jennifer Golliday, Director of YWCA Stepping Stones. “With this additional support, we will be able to expand our reach and provide sexual violence prevention lessons to youth throughout McLean County. Our goal is to empower them with the knowledge and resources needed to recognize, prevent, and respond to instances of sexual violence, strengthening the community as a whole.”
The $359,034 in grant funding comes from the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Violence Against Women’s Grants to Prevent and Respond to Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault, Stalking, and Sex Trafficking Against Children and Youth Program. With this funding, YWCA will expand current prevention education services and direct services for children and youth ages 11 to 24 who have been impacted by domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, and/or sex trafficking.
In collaboration with Project Oz, a non-profit in Bloomington, the YWCA will:
Hire two prevention coordinators to provide sexual violence prevention education lessons and trainings to schools, community organizations, and businesses.
Partner with Project Oz to offer services to their children and youth clients who are high at-risk youth.
Provide stipends for after-hour, on call personnel at the hotline and hospital.
Congressman Eric Sorensen serves on the House Committee on Agriculture and the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. Prior to serving in Congress, Sorensen was a local meteorologist in Rockford and the Quad Cities for nearly 20 years. His district includes Illinois’ Quad Cities, Rockford, Peoria, and Bloomington-Normal.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Eric Sorensen (IL-17)
ROCK ISLAND, IL– Congressman Eric Sorensen (IL-17) announced a $400,000 grant to Augustana College to support efforts to combat domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking on campus.
“No student should ever feel unsafe on campus,” saidSorensen. “It is our responsibility to provide our colleges and universities with the tools they need to create a safe environment where our future leaders can learn. This important funding will allow Augustana College to access even more resources to develop peer education and bystander intervention trainings to keep every student safe from domestic violence and sexual assault. I look forward to working with our schools to deliver federal investments in the future that will ensure our campus communities can thrive.”
“We’re truly grateful to receive this continuation grant from the Grants to Reduce Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault, and Stalking on Campus Program,” said Farrah Roberts, Assistant Dean and Director of Student Well-Being at Augustana College. “This support helps us build on what we’ve already achieved, allowing us to enhance our trauma-informed education and support services. We’re dedicated to fostering a safer, more inclusive campus environment, and with this funding, we can continue to work together as a community to tackle these important issues and support our students. Our Peer Educators program, which is funded by the grant, has been incredibly successful by empowering a diverse group of students to lead Bystander Intervention education, each year, they reach hundreds of their peers, fostering a culture of awareness and support on our campus. Peers are given the opportunity, in a safe space, to brainstorm ways that they would intervene in various situations to create safety for one another.”
The $400,000 in grant funding comes from the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Violence Against Women’s Grants to Reduce Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault, and Stalking on Campus Program.
The Campus Program helps develop campus-based coordinated responses among campus survivor services, campus law enforcement, health care providers, housing officials, administrators, student leaders, faith-based organizations, student organizations, and disciplinary boards to enhance survivor safety, assistance, and hold offenders accountable.
Congressman Eric Sorensen serves on the House Committee on Agriculture and the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. Prior to serving in Congress, Sorensen was a local meteorologist in Rockford and the Quad Cities for nearly 20 years. His district includes Illinois’ Quad Cities, Rockford, Peoria, and Bloomington-Normal.
Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime News
Yakima, Washington – On October 24, 2024, United States District Judge James L. Robart sentenced Leo John Yallup, age 38, of Wapato, Washington, to 10 years in federal prison for assaulting a federal officer with a deadly weapon. Judge Robart also imposed 3 years of supervised release.
According to court documents and information presented at the sentencing hearing, on March 2, 2023, four officers with a U.S. Marshals Service task force traveled to a house at 1161 Donald Wapato Road, in Wapato, Washington, to arrest Yallup on an outstanding warrant.
When Yallup saw the officers pull into his driveway, he took off running behind the house, pursued by the officers. At the back of the property, Yallup drew a firearm and pointed it at the officers. One of the officers fired his service weapon, hitting Yallup in the head, causing him to fall to the ground.
Officers handcuffed Yallup and began to render medical aid. During this process, officers turned Yallup on his back. As officers turned him over, they saw Yallup had been lying on the weapon he pointed at officers. The gun was loaded and had a live round in the chamber. Officers also discovered Yallup was armed with a second weapon in a shoulder holster.
“Mr. Yallup attempted to escape arrest, and in the process, pointed a loaded gun at federal officers, putting their lives, and the lives of others, at great risk,” stated Vanessa R. Waldref, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington. “I am grateful for the brave men and women of law enforcement who put their lives on the line everyday to keep our communities safe and strong. My office will continue to hold offenders accountable to who threaten the safety of those who protect and serve the people of Eastern Washington.”
“A law enforcement officer does not want to shoot someone.” said Kelly M. Smith, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Seattle field office. “However, Mr. Yallup left no other option when he drew his weapon and pointed it at officers. Fortunately, he lived and no officers were hurt. This case is a reminder of the personal sacrifice our law enforcement officers make on a daily basis.”
Craig Thayer, United States Marshal for the Eastern District of Washington commented, “Deputy U. S. Marshals in the Eastern District of Washington, and throughout the nation, serve thousands of federal, state, and local arrest warrants for the most violent offenders in the criminal justice system. They face extraordinary dangers in order to protect our communities while professionally, safely, and efficiently bringing these wanted persons before a court of law. When a wanted person, like Leo John Yallup, draws a firearm, and points it at law enforcement officers, those officers will apply necessary force to stop the threat. It should be noted that these Deputies immediately rendered aid to Yallup once his deadly threat was stopped. With his sentence today, he now faces the consequences of his violent behaviors. The fugitive apprehension mission is one of the primary responsibilities of the United States Marshals Service.”
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Courtney R. Pratten and Todd M. Swensen.
