NewzIntel.com

Category: Justice

  • MIL-OSI Security: U.S. Reaches Settlement for Over $100M in Civil Lawsuit Against Owner and Operator of the Vessel That Destroyed the Francis Scott Key Bridge

    Source: United States Attorneys General

    Settlement Will Cover Federal Costs Incurred to Restore Access to the Port of Baltimore

    The Justice Department announced today that Grace Ocean Private Limited and Synergy Marine Private Limited, the Singaporean corporations that owned and operated the Motor Vessel DALI, have agreed to pay $101,980,000 to resolve a civil claim brought by the United States for costs borne in responding to the catastrophic collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge.  

    The settlement resolves the United States’ claims for civil damages for $103,078,056 under the Rivers and Harbors Act, Oil Pollution Act, and general maritime law. The settlement monies will go to the U.S. Treasury and to the budgets of several federal agencies directly affected by the allision or involved in the response.

    “Nearly seven months after one of the worst transportation disasters in recent memory, which claimed six lives and caused untold damage, we have reached an important milestone with today’s settlement,” said Principal Deputy Associate Attorney General Benjamin C. Mizer. “Thanks to the hard work of the Justice Department attorneys since day one of this disaster, we were able to secure this early settlement of our claim, just over one month into litigation. This resolution ensures that the costs of the federal government’s cleanup efforts in the Fort McHenry Channel are borne by Grace Ocean and Synergy and not the American taxpayer.”

    “This is a tremendous outcome that fully compensates the United States for the costs it incurred in responding to this disaster and holds the owner and operator of the DALI accountable,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “The prompt resolution of this matter also avoids the expense associated with litigating this complex case for potentially years.”

    In the early morning hours of March 26, the Motor Vessel DALI left the Port of Baltimore bound for Sri Lanka. While navigating through the Fort McHenry Channel, the vessel lost power, regained power, and then lost power again before striking the bridge. The bridge collapsed and plunged into the water below, tragically killing six people. In addition to this heartbreaking loss of life, the wreck of the DALI and the remains of the bridge were left to obstruct the navigable channel, bringing all shipping into and out of the Port of Baltimore to a standstill. The loss of the bridge also severed a critical highway in the transportation infrastructure and blocked a key artery for local commuters.

    The United States led the response efforts of dozens of federal, state, and local agencies to remove about 50,000 tons of steel, concrete, and asphalt from the channel and from the DALI itself. While removal operations were underway, the United States set up temporary channels to start relieving the bottleneck at the port and mitigate some of the economic devastation caused by the DALI. The Fort McHenry Channel was cleared by June 10, and the Port of Baltimore was once again open for commercial navigation.

    On Sept. 18, the Justice Department filed a civil lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland, seeking over $100 million in damages from Grace Ocean and Synergy. The Department’s claim was part of a legal action that the vessel companies filed shortly after the tragedy, in which they seek exoneration or limitation of their liability to approximately $43.7 million. Today’s settlement is in addition to $97,294 recently paid by Grace Ocean  to the Coast Guard National Pollution Fund Center for costs incurred to abate the threat of oil pollution arising from the incident.  

    The settlement does not include any damages for the reconstruction of the Francis Scott Key Bridge. The State of Maryland built, owned, maintained, and operated the bridge, and attorneys on the state’s behalf filed their own claim for those damages. Pursuant to the governing regulation, funds recovered by the State of Maryland for reconstruction of the bridge will be used to reduce the project costs paid for in the first instance by federal tax dollars.

    The resolution of the civil matter was handled by attorneys from the Civil Division’s Aviation, Space & Admiralty Litigation Section and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland, Baltimore Division.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Man Who Murdered Fellow Soldier on Military Base in Germany Sentenced to Prison

    Source: United States Attorneys General

    A former U.S. soldier was sentenced today to 30 years in prison for the murder of a pregnant, 19-year-old fellow soldier on a U.S. Army base in Germany over 22 years ago.

    On May 7, a jury in Pensacola, Florida, found Shannon L. Wilkerson, 44, guilty of second-degree murder in the death of Amanda Gonzales.

    According to court documents, Wilkerson beat and strangled Amanda Gonzales to death on Nov. 3, 2001, in her barracks room at Fliegerhorst Kaserne, then a U.S. Army base in Hanau, Germany. Evidence introduced at trial indicated that Wilkerson feared he was the father of Gonzales’ unborn child and that her pregnancy would interfere with his military career and his marriage to another soldier on the base. Wilkerson was a member of the U.S. Armed Forces at the time of the offense but was later discharged.

    “Shannon Wilkerson brutally murdered Amanda Gonzales, a fellow soldier who Wilkerson knew was pregnant at the time,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “While nothing we can do will reunite Amanda with her family, we hope today’s sentencing brings some measure of closure and comfort to Amanda’s loved ones. I am proud of the dedicated and hardworking members of the Criminal Division and our law enforcement partners, who are committed to pursuing justice for victims of violent crime, no matter how challenging that pursuit may be.”

    “The murder of Amanda Gonzales and her unborn child was a horrific act of violence,” said U.S. Attorney Jason R. Coody for the Northern District of Florida. “This decades-long investigation and resulting prosecution demonstrate the unwavering resolve of our law enforcement partners and their commitment to obtain justice for the victims and their family. The defendant took the life of a 19-year-old woman serving her country far from home — knowing that he was killing her unborn child. The sentence acknowledges the brutal, selfish nature of his crime and imposes just punishment.”

    “Justice for victims is not just a promise, it’s a commitment, no matter how long it takes,” said Assistant Director Chad Yarbrough of the FBI Criminal Investigative Division. “This sentencing comes just as Amanda Gonzales’ family will mark 23 years since she and her unborn child were brutally murdered by Shannon Wilkerson on Nov. 3, 2001. While no amount of prison time will bring the young Army solider back, we hope this will close another chapter in the Gonzales family’s grieving process.”

    The FBI New York and Jacksonville Field Offices investigated this case, with assistance from the Army Criminal Investigative Division, which originally investigated the case.

    Trial Attorney Patrick Jasperse of the Criminal Division’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney David L. Goldberg for the Northern District of Florida prosecuted the case.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Justice Department and Department of Transportation Launch Broad Public Inquiry into the State of Competition in Air Travel

    Source: United States Attorneys General 7

    Agencies Seek Information on Consolidation, Anticompetitive Conduct and a Wide Range of Issues Impacting the Availability and Affordability of Air Travel Options

    The Justice Department’s Antitrust Division and Department of Transportation (DOT) today jointly announced a broad public inquiry into the state of competition in air travel. The agencies are seeking public information on consolidation, anticompetitive conduct and a wide range of issues affecting the availability and affordability of air travel options. The topics covered in the agencies’ joint Request for Information (RFI) include previous airline mergers, exclusionary conduct, airport access, aircraft manufacturing, airline ticket sales, pricing and rewards practices and the experiences of aviation workers.

    “Competition in air travel is a vehicle for better quality, better fares and better choices for Americans,” said Assistant Attorney General Jonathan Kanter of the Justice Department’s Antitrust Division. “With this inquiry, we hope to learn more from the businesses and travelers at the center of this essential industry. Their feedback will ensure the Justice Department can continue to build on its historic efforts to protect competition in air travel.”

    “Americans count on air travel to visit loved ones, explore their country and get business done,” said Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. “Good service and fair prices depend on ensuring that there is real competition, which is especially challenging for the many American communities that have lost service amid airline consolidation. Our goal with this inquiry is to identify and remove barriers to competition so that more Americans can access the opportunities that come with good, affordable air service.”

    The agencies jointly issued the RFI requesting public comments explaining how the air travel industry has been impacted by consolidation and anticompetitive practices and identifying ways to address any harms to competition. Key topics in the RFI include:

    • General state of competition in the aviation sector and its effects on passengers, workers and jobs, regions and local communities and economic growth.
    • Airline consolidation and the effects of previous mergers, common ownership, joint ventures, international alliances, structural advantages, exclusionary conduct and other anticompetitive practices.
    • Airport access and its impact on airlines and their ability to enter and fairly compete in different areas of the country and the world.
    • Aircraft manufacturing and the impact of consolidation and anticompetitive practices on new aircraft manufacture and sale, aircraft leases or secondary markets for used aircraft.
    • Air transportation sales channels, pricing and airline rewards programs and the impact on the availability, access and affordability of air travel.
    • Labor market issues and the effects of consolidation and anticompetitive practices in other parts of the aviation industry on pilots, in-flight crews, ground crews, airport services, union contracts and/or travel agents or other vendors of travel services.

    The public will have 60 days to submit comments at Regulations.gov, no later than Dec. 23. Once submitted, comments will be posted to Regulations.gov. All market participants are invited to provide comments in response to this RFI, including passengers, consumer advocates, pilots, in-flight and ground crews, airport authorities, employers, airlines, private and charter aircraft operators, travel agents, trade groups, industry analysts, purchasers of corporate travel services and other entities that provide or rely upon air travel services.

    The Antitrust Division has previously taken action to protect competition in the passenger air travel industry, including its successful lawsuits to block the proposed merger of JetBlue and Spirit Airlines and to unwind the anticompetitive Northeast Alliance between JetBlue and American Airlines.

    DOT has taken historic action to improve airline passenger rights and oversight of the airline industry. Most recently, prior to the close of the Alaska-Hawaiian Airlines merger, DOT secured binding, enforceable public-interest protections aimed at preventing harms to the traveling public, rural communities and smaller airline competitors. DOT has issued new rules requiring airlines to provide automatic cash refunds when owed and protecting against costly surprise airline junk fees. DOT has also secured enforceable guarantees from airlines to provide food, lodging and other support when they strand passengers. Finally, since 2021, DOT has gotten nearly $4 billion in refunds and reimbursements owed to passengers and issued nearly $225 million in penalties against airlines for consumer protection and civil rights violations.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: China-Based Chemical Manufacturing Companies and Employees Indicted for Alleged Fentanyl Manufacturing and Distribution

    Source: United States Attorneys General 7

    Today, the Justice Department announced the unsealing of indictments against eight China-based chemical companies and eight employees charging federal crimes, including attempted distribution of synthetic opioids and precursor chemicals used in the production of fentanyl, and money laundering. The indictments were filed under seal in the Middle District of Florida over the past year.

    “Today, the Justice Department announced charges against eight China-based companies and eight individuals we allege are responsible for trafficking precursor chemicals that cartels use to manufacture lethal fentanyl,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “The global fentanyl supply chain, which ends with the deaths of Americans, often starts with chemical companies based in China. In order to break this critical link in the fentanyl supply chain, the Justice Department has aggressively investigated and prosecuted these companies. We will continue to target every organization and individual that fuels the deadly drug trade.”

    As described in the unsealed indictments, the defendants openly advertised their ability to thwart border officials and deliver the synthetic opioids or the chemicals used to make fentanyl to the Middle District of Florida and elsewhere in the United States. The defendants deliberately engaged in evasive activities, such as mislabeling the contents of shipments to ensure the illicit chemicals and controlled substances went undetected. As a result, these companies were able to sell a stable supply of precursor chemicals to clients in Mexico and the United States for years. One of the companies even represented that every month it sends “more than 20 kilograms to the United States, Africa, Canada, and other countries.” 

    “Today’s indictments against eight China-based chemical companies and eight Chinese nationals are further evidence of DEA’s unwavering commitment to disrupt every aspect of the global fentanyl supply chain,” said Administrator Anne Milgram of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). “For the third time in over a year, DEA investigations have resulted in charges against chemical companies and individuals in China who we allege are supplying chemicals to the cartels to make deadly fentanyl. While they may go to great lengths to try to evade our detection, DEA will use every tool and authority we have to save American lives.”

    The indictments target the evolving tactics of drug traffickers, who often adapt to tightening restrictions on the production and sale of fentanyl. For example, when China banned the production of fentanyl in 2019, China-based companies began producing and selling fentanyl precursors, the ingredients needed to manufacture the drug. These China-based companies distribute fentanyl precursors throughout the world, including to the United States and to Mexico, where drug cartels such as the Sinaloa Cartel and Cartel Jalisco Nueva Generación combine the chemicals into fentanyl and other synthetic opioids that they then distribute throughout the United States and the rest of the world.

    “These indictments are part of our continuing commitment to the protection of our country from the deadly scourge of fentanyl,” said U.S. Attorney Roger B. Handberg for the Middle District of Florida. “Along with our partners at the Drug Enforcement Administration, we will be relentless in our pursuit of China-based chemical companies and their employees who are knowingly manufacturing and exporting fentanyl precursors that cause thousands of deaths every year in the United States.”

    The Justice Department acknowledges the efforts of the People’s Republic of China, Ministry of Public Security. The following indicted companies are now out of operation: Jiangsu Jiyi Chemical, Tianjin Furuntongda Tech Co. Ltd, Wuhan Jinshang Import & Export Trading Co. Ltd., Hubei Shanglin Trading Co., and Wuhan Mingyue Information Technology.

    In addition, the People’s Republic of China has recently scheduled three key chemicals, which in turn provides additional tools for the People’s Republic of China to regulate the chemicals’ production and distribution. DEA Administrator Milgram said, “I would also like to recognize the work done by the People’s Republic of China’s Ministry of Public Security in taking action to schedule protonitazene, piperidone, and 1-BOC-4-AP, which were not scheduled at the time of these investigations, but have now been scheduled.”

    The DEA investigated the cases.

    Assistant U.S. Attorneys David Chee, David Pardo, Lauren Stoia, and Adam McCall and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Ashley Haynes for the Middle District of Florida are prosecuting the cases.

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

    Case Summaries

    In January, Guangzhou Tengyue Chemical Co. Ltd., based in Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China, was charged with attempted importation of protonitazene, along with Chinese national Xiaojun Huang, who allegedly maintained a Bitcoin wallet for the remittance of payments for illicit synthetic opioids on the company’s behalf.

    In January, Hubei Shanglin Trading Co., based in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China, was charged with attempted international money laundering, along with Chinese national Zhihan Wang, who was the alleged registered owner of a Bitcoin wallet associated with the company utilized to complete the sale of fentanyl precursors.

    In November 2023, Jiangsu Jiyi Chemical, based in Beijing, Hebei Province, China, was charged with attempted importation of protonitazene, along with Ji Zhaohui, a Chinese national, who was the alleged holder of the Bitcoin wallet associated with the company.

    In January, Tianjin Furuntongda Tech Co. Ltd, based in Tianjin, Hebei Province, China, was charged with attempted importation of fentanyl precursors, along with Wenxing Gao, a Chinese national, who was the alleged registered agent of Tianjin Furuntongda and the owner of a cryptocurrency wallet associated with the company.

    In November 2023, Wuhan Jinshang Import & Export Trading Co. Ltd., based in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China, was charged with attempted importation of protonitazene, attempted importation of a fentanyl precursor, and attempted international money laundering, along with Wenying Nie, a Chinese national, who was the alleged holder of a Bitcoin wallet associated with the company.

    In January, Wuhan Mingyue Information Technology, based in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China, was charged with attempted importation of fentanyl precursors and attempted international money laundering, along with Chinese national Huanhuan Song, who was the alleged recipient of funds via Western Union on the company’s behalf and the alleged holder of a cryptocurrency wallet associated with the company.

    In June, Henan Oumeng Trade Co. Ltd., based in Zhengzhou, Henan Province, China, was charged with attempted importation of protonitazene and attempted international money laundering, along with Yinxia Zhao, a Chinese national, who was the alleged holder of the Bitcoin wallet associated with the company.

    In June, Shanghai Senria New Materials Co. Ltd., doing business as Shanghai Senria Biotechnology Co. Ltd., based in the Fengxian District of Shanghai, China, was charged with attempted importation of protonitazene and attempted international money laundering, along with Zhenbo Han, a Chinese national, who was the alleged holder of the Bitcoin wallet associated with the company.

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

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Justice Department Secures Agreement to Resolve Claims of Retaliation at State Farm Corporate Office in Texas

    Source: United States Attorneys General 7

    The Justice Department announced today that it secured a settlement agreement with State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company (State Farm) resolving the department’s determination that one of State Farm’s corporate offices in Richardson, Texas, violated the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) when it terminated a worker in retaliation for raising concerns about citizenship status discrimination.

    “Workers have the right to oppose perceived discrimination, without retaliation,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “The Justice Department is committed to ensuring workers are able to speak up about discrimination without fear of unlawful retaliation.”

    The Civil Rights Division’s Immigrant and Employee Rights Section (IER) determined that State Farm terminated a worker and placed her on a “do not hire” list because the worker opposed State Farm’s rejection of her valid documentation showing her permission to work. State Farm rejected the worker’s valid documentation, which included a Permanent Resident Card together with a notice from the Department of Homeland Security that extended the validity of the card past the expiration date listed on the card. The worker complained of discrimination and opposed the rejection of the documents. The department determined that State Farm retaliated against the worker when it terminated her employment and labeled her as “do not hire” for complaining about the discrimination.

    Under the terms of the settlement, the company will pay civil penalties to the United States and pay more than $30,000 in backpay to the affected worker who filed a complaint with IER. The agreement also requires State Farm to train its personnel on the INA’s anti-discrimination requirements, revise its employment policies and be subject to departmental monitoring and reporting requirements.

    IER is responsible for enforcing the antidiscrimination provision of the INA. Among other things, the statute prohibits discrimination based on citizenship status and national origin in hiring, firing or recruitment or referral for a fee; unfair documentary practices; or retaliation and intimidation.

    Find more information on how employers can avoid unlawful discrimination and retaliation on IER’s website. Learn more about IER’s work and how to get assistance through this brief video. Applicants or employees who believe they were discriminated against based on their citizenship, immigration status or national origin in hiring, firing, recruitment or during the employment eligibility verification process (Form I-9 and E-Verify); or subjected to retaliation, may file a charge. The public can also call IER’s free hotline at 1-800-255-7688 for workers or at 1-800-255-8155 for employers (1-800-237-2515, TTY for hearing impaired); sign up for a live webinar or watch an on-demand presentation; email IER@usdoj.gov or visit IER’s English and Spanish websites. Sign up for email updates from IER.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Capito, Colleagues Announce Intent to Introduce Stand with Israel Act

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for West Virginia Shelley Moore Capito

    CHARLESTON, W.Va. – U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) and more than half of the Senate Republican Conference announced their intent to introduce the Stand with Israel Act when the Senate and House reconvene in November.

    The legislation, which is led by Senate Foreign Relations Committee Ranking Member Jim Risch (R-Idaho), would cut off U.S. funding to United Nations (UN) agencies that expel, downgrade, suspend, or otherwise restrict the participation of the State of Israel. This is companion legislation to bipartisan House bill HR 9394 led by Congressman Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.).

    “The UN and its agencies have increasingly become a platform for anti-Israel forces to target the world’s only Jewish state. At the same time, countries like Iran and Russia have been free to maintain their status while launching ballistic missiles at their neighbors. If this ridiculous project to downgrade the membership of Israel—a free, democratic country and rightful member state—moves forward in the UN, the U.S. has no choice but to finally withdraw all support from a failed institution,” Senator Capito said.

    “Any attempt to alter Israel’s status at the UN is clearly anti-Semitic,” Ranking Member Risch said. “That said, if the UN member states allow the Palestinian Authority and the Palestine Liberation Organization to downgrade Israel’s status at the UN, the U.S. must stop supporting the UN system, as it would clearly be beyond repair. I am disgusted that this outrageous idea has even been discussed, and will do all we can to ensure any changes to Israel’s status will come with consequences.”

    BACKGROUND:

    • Reports indicate that the Palestinian Authority (PA) will attempt to downgrade Israel’s status at the UN.
    • The PA is able to do this after the UN General Assembly passed a biased resolution, which enhanced the PA’s status at the United Nations on May 10, 2024.
    • The Stand with Israel Act would cut off U.S. funding to UN agencies that expel, downgrade, suspend, or otherwise restrict the participation of the State of Israel. The bill is modeled after the current prohibition of funding to any UN entities that elevate the status of the PA to a member state.
    • Senator Capito has supported other efforts to hold the UN accountable for targeting the State of Israel, including a joint statement in response to anti-Israel efforts at the recent UN General Assembly.
    • Senator Capito also joined a December 2023 letter to UN Secretary-General António Guterres after the UN’s failure to condemn and investigate Hamas’s acts of sexual violence on Oct. 7.

    Text of the Stand with Israel Act can be found here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Mexican National Admits Role in Smuggling and Labor Trafficking Scheme

    Source: United States Department of Justice (Human Trafficking)

    Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that MARIA DEL CARMEN SANCHEZ POTRERO, also known as Maria Carmela Sanchez, 73, a citizen of Mexico last residing in Hartford, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport to a charge stemming from her involvement in a scheme to smuggle aliens into the U.S., harbor them at Hartford area residences, force them to work, and threaten to harm them in various ways if they failed to pay exorbitant fees, interest, and other living expenses.

    According to court documents and statements made in court, beginning in September 2022, the FBI and Hartford Police interviewed several Mexican nationals who disclosed that they were smuggled from Mexico into the U.S. and transported to Hartford.  The investigation revealed that victims typically arranged with Sanchez, her co-conspirators in Connecticut, and associates in Mexico to cross the border into the U.S. in exchange for a fee of between $15,000 and $20,000 that each would need to pay once they were in the U.S.  In most cases, the victims were required to turn over a property deed as collateral before leaving Mexico.  They were then smuggled across the border and transported to Hartford area residences, including Sanchez’s residence on Madison Street in Hartford, often at a substantial risk of bodily injury or death.

    After the victims arrived in Connecticut, they were told that they would have to pay $30,000, with interest, and that they would have to pay Sanchez and her co-coconspirators for rent, food, gas and utilities.  Sanchez and her co-conspirators created false documents for the victims, including Permanent Residence cards and Social Security cards, and helped the victims find employment in the Hartford area.  In addition to their own jobs, some victims were required to perform housework and yardwork without compensation and without having their debt reduced.

    Victims were rarely provided with an accounting of their debt.  If victims failed to make regular payments, or in amounts that Sanchez and her co-conspirators expected, they were sometimes threatened, including with threats to harm family members in Mexico, to take property in Mexico that had been secured as collateral, to reveal victims’ immigration status to U.S. authorities, and to raise their interest payments.

    To date, investigators have identified 18 victims of this scheme.

    Sanchez pleaded guilty to conspiracy to encourage and induce, bring in, transport, and harbor aliens, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.  Judge Dooley scheduled sentencing for January 16, 2025.

    As part of her plea agreement, Sanchez has agreed to a restitution order of $494,608.

    Sanchez has been detained since her arrest on March 1, 2023.

    This investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Hartford Police Department, U.S. Department of Labor – Office of Inspector General, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Angel Krull and Shan Patel.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: City Man Sentenced to 12½ Years in Prison for 2022 Armed Robbery of Northeast Philadelphia Store

    Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)

    PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero announced that Nafec Pressley, 28, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Kai N. Scott to 150 months in prison and five years of supervised release for the armed robbery of a store in the city’s Northeast in late 2022.

    Pressley was indicted in March 2023 on one count of Hobbs Act robbery and one count of using and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. He pleaded guilty to those charges this July.

    On November 20, 2022, at approximately 4:15 p.m., a male employee was waiting on several customers inside a dollar store on the 6900 block of Bustleton Avenue. After the last customer left, Pressley approached the counter and engaged in small talk with the employee. The defendant suddenly walked around the counter, brandished a black semiautomatic pistol, and demanded money from him. The victim opened the cash register and invited Pressley to take the money inside, which amounted to over $300. Pressley pocketed the cash, then demanded that the victim take him upstairs to get more money.

    The victim pleaded with Pressley to leave, finding some more cash by the counter, which he gave to Pressley. When the victim’s wife began to come down the steps from the second floor, Pressley aimed his gun at her, and then back at the male victim. Pressley told the man that he had five seconds to go upstairs and get more money and began to count backwards from five.

    The victim then grabbed his own firearm from behind the counter and he and Pressley exchanged gunfire. Pressley was shot numerous times throughout his body, knocking him backwards and onto the floor. The defendant discharged his pistol multiple times as he fell but did not strike the victim. Pressley ran to the back of the store, then made a dash for the front door. As he fled, he turned and fired at the victim, again missing him.

    A short time later, Pressley was dropped off at an area hospital where he was treated for gunshot wounds. Philadelphia police officers who responded to the hospital seized Pressley’s clothing, finding approximately $371 in cash in his pants pocket.

    “Nafec Pressley nearly got himself killed because he’d rather steal money than work for it,” said U.S. Attorney Romero. “He’s extremely fortunate he didn’t kill anyone else when he opened fire in that store. My office and our partners at ATF and the Philadelphia Police Department are committed to protecting the public from these violent criminals who prey on others. With Mr. Pressley behind bars for the next decade-plus, our stores, streets, and city are safer.”

    “We will not let violent criminals like Nafec Pressley terrorize Philadelphia’s businesses and communities,” said Eric DeGree, Special Agent in Charge of the ATF Philadelphia Field Division. “In this robbery turned shootout it was only by good fortune no one was killed. ATF Philadelphia Field Division has a long history of partnership with the Philadelphia Police Department and U.S. Attorney’s Office, and we will continue to work tirelessly together to ensure justice for the victims and to make our communities safer.”

    The case was investigated by the Philadelphia Police Department and the ATF and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Thomas M. Zaleski.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Spartanburg Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Second Federal Cocaine Trafficking Conviction

    Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)

    SPARTANBURG, S.C. —Maurice Suber, 39, of Spartanburg was sentenced to more than 11 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to conspiring to distribute cocaine.

    Evidence presented to the court showed that since at least 2022, Suber was distributing drugs in the Highlands area of Spartanburg. On Nov. 15, 2023, a search warrant was executed on Suber’s home and multiple firearms and cash were located. Suber had previously been sentenced for conspiracy to distribute cocaine in the same federal courthouse.

    United States District Judge Donald C. Coggins sentenced Suber to 141 months in federal prison, followed by a court ordered term of supervision. The court also entered an order of forfeiture for $3.8 million dollars. 

    This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

    This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Border Enforcement Security Task Force – Upstate South Carolina, Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office, Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office, Oconee County Sheriff’s Office, South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, and Greenville County Multi-Jurisdictional Drug Enforcement Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jamie Schoen is prosecuting the case.

    ###

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Detroit Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Gun Crime

    Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)

    CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Tristian Gerrell-Robert Murphy, 35, of Detroit, Michigan, pleaded guilty today to being a felon in possession of a firearm.

    According to court documents and statements made in court, on June 10, 2024, Murphy possessed a Smith & Wesson M&P Bodyguard .380-caliber pistol, found under the driver seat of a vehicle he operated, and a Taurus 9mm pistol found in the trunk in St. Albans. Both firearms were loaded.

    Federal law prohibits a person with a prior felony conviction from possessing a firearm or ammunition. Murphy knew he was prohibited from possessing a firearm because of his prior felony conviction for conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery in United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan on October 21, 2021.

    Murphy is scheduled to be sentenced on February 13, 2025, and faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine.

    United States Attorney Will Thompson made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the St. Albans Police Department and the assistance provided by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).

    United States District Judge Irene C. Berger presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney JC MacCallum is prosecuting the case.

    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.

    A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:24-cr-101.

    ###

     

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Shapiro Administration Recognizes Winners of Pennsylvania School Bus Safety Poster Contest, Driving Competition

    Source: US State of Pennsylvania

    October 23, 2024 – Harrisburg, PA

    Shapiro Administration Recognizes Winners of Pennsylvania School Bus Safety Poster Contest, Driving Competition

    During a ceremony at the State Museum of Pennsylvania, officials from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) and the Pennsylvania State Police, along with school bus safety advocates, honored ten students in kindergarten through eight grade for their school bus safety posters and three school bus drivers for their superior driving skills. The theme for this year’s contest was “Driving Safety into the Future.

    The ceremony highlighted the Shapiro Administration’s efforts to enhance Pennsylvanians’ safety, including a proclamation by Governor Shapiro naming Oct. 21-25 School Bus Safety Week in Pennsylvania in conjunction with the federal observance. The week focuses on saving young lives by raising awareness of the daily challenges faced by students being transported throughout the commonwealth.

    “The opening of school for another year means the return of school buses to our roads, and the Shapiro Administration is focused on everyone getting to school and back home safely,” said PennDOT Driver and Vehicle Services Deputy Secretary Kara Templeton. “School Bus Safety Week gives everyone a reason to pause and realize just how much our own actions behind the wheel can affect innocent young lives.”

    Speakers in Order:
    Kara Templeton – Deputy Secretary for Driver and Vehicle Services, PennDOT
    Corporal Zeina Black – School Bus Safety Division Supervisor for the Commercial Vehicle Safety Division, Bureau of Patrol, PSP
    Aaron Sepkowski – President, Pennsylvania Bus Association

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Lt. Gov. Austin Davis Highlights $10 Million in Funding to Help Keep Nonprofit Facilities Safe and Secure

    Source: US State of Pennsylvania

    October 23, 2024 – Harrisburg, PA

    Lt. Gov. Austin Davis Highlights $10 Million in Funding to Help Keep Nonprofit Facilities Safe and Secure

    Lt. Gov. Austin Davis visited the LGBT Center of Central Pennsylvania to highlight $10 million in grants that have been awarded to more than 200 nonprofit organizations – including the LGBT Center – to enhance the safety and security of their facilities.

    “Every Pennsylvanian should have the freedom to love who they love, pray how they want to pray and be their authentic selves – free from threats of violence and harassment,” said Davis, who also serves as chair of the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD). “That’s why the Shapiro-Davis Administration advocated for an increase in funding for nonprofit security grants in this year’s bipartisan state budget. By doubling this grant program, we’ve been able to fund more than 200 organizations in 31 counties, including more than 100 organizations that had never received a grant before, so they can keep their facilities safe and secure and protect the communities they serve.”

    PCCD administers the Nonprofit Security Grant Fund Program, which has provided $25 million in funding to more than 580 organizations since its inception. On top of that, this latest, seventh round of grants will go to 208 nonprofit organizations, including 102 organizations that had never before received funding through this program.

    Speakers Include:
    Executive Director Amber Roadcap, LGBT Center of Central PA
    Lt. Gov. Austin Davis
    Rep. Patty Kim

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Shapiro Administration, PA Office of Attorney General Encourage Participation in National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day This Weekend

    Source: US State of Pennsylvania

    October 23, 2024 – Harrisburg, PA

    Shapiro Administration, PA Office of Attorney General Encourage Participation in National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day This Weekend

    The Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP), Pennsylvania State Police (PSP), Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA), and Department of Aging (PDA) joined officials from the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General to encourage Pennsylvanians to take part in the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day initiative this Saturday, October 26.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Moosomin First Nation — Battlefords RCMP seek public assistance locating missing 13-year-old female

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    On October 23, 2024 at approximately 11:20 p.m., Battlefords RCMP received a report of a missing 13-year-old female, Nicole Katcheech.

    Nicole was last seen on October 23, 2024 at approximately 8:00 a.m. on Moosomin First Nation.

    Nicole is described as approximately 5’6″ tall and 170 lbs. She has brown eyes and dark brown – almost black – hair. Nicole was last seen wearing a black zip up sweater with silver details on it, light grey sweatpants, and a black and brown backpack. She also has a scar on her collarbone. A photo of her is attached.

    If you have seen Nicole or know where she is, contact Battlefords RCMP at 310-RCMP (7267). Information can also be submitted anonymously by contacting Saskatchewan Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or www.saskcrimestoppers.com.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Activist News – Christchurch City Council leads – Luxon government must follow – PSNA

    Source: Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa

     

    Following the principled decision of the Christchurch City Council this week to change its procurement policy to exclude companies involved in illegal Israeli settlements, nationwide protests this week will be demanding the government:

     

    • Ban all imports into Aotearoa New Zealand from illegal Israeli settlements
    • End government procurement of goods and services from companies identified by the UN as complicit in the building and maintaining of illegal Israeli settlements
    • Direct the Superfund, ACC and Kiwisaver providers to end investments in the companies involved in illegal Israeli settlements

     

    The Christchurch City Council has shown the way. The Luxon government must follow.

     

    PSNA has asked the government to take these steps – we have had no response for two months.

     

    John Minto

    National Chair

    Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa

     

    Nationwide rallies/marches/MP protests/vigils this week

     

    These are on the PSNA Facebook events page here with the basic details listed below.

     

    North Island
    Opononi – Gathering for Palestine
    Sunday 27 October
    No Rally this weekend
     
    Kerikeri – Rally
    Saturday 26 October
    No Rally this weekend
     
    Whangarei – Rally
    Saturday 26 October
    No Rally this weekend
     
    Auckland – Talk by Vijay Prashad
    Thursday 24 October
    7:00 pm
    Western Springs Garden Community Center
    956 Great North Road, Western Springs
     
    Auckland – Picket
    Friday 25 October
    No Picket this Friday – Labour Weekend
    Next picket Wed 30 October @ 4:00 pm outside the US Consulate
      
    Waiheke – Market Stall – hosted by Stand With Palestine Waiheke!
    Every Saturday
    8:00 am – 1:00 pm
    Ostend Market, Waiheke Island
     
    Auckland – Banners around Tamaki Makaurau
    Every Saturday
    10:00 am
    Text John on 021 899 659 for location
     
    Auckland – Rally
    Saturday 26 October
    2:00 pm
    Te Komititanga – Britomart Square, Tamaki Makaurau
     
    Thames – Vigil to Stop the war on Children
    (Hosted by The Basket – Social and Environmental Justice – Hauraki)
    First Saturday of the month
     
    Tauranga – Flag wave
    Monday 28 – Labour Day
    1:00 am
    Coronation park, Mt Maunganui
     
    Whakatane
    Saturday 26 October
    Rallies are being organised
    Watch this space
     
    Hamilton – Flag Waving for Palestine
    Saturday 26 October
    1:00 pm
    Flynn Park, Hamilton
     
    Raglan
    To be advised
    Watch this space
     
    Cambridge – Rally for Palestine
    Every Saturday
    11:00 am
    Cambridge Town Hall
     
    Rotorua – Rally for Palestine
    Every Thursday
    4:30 pm
    National MP Todd McClays Office – Cnr Amohau and Ranolf St lights, Rotorua
     
    Gisborne – Farmers Market – Vigil to Stop the war on Children
    Every Saturday
    9:30 – 11:30 am
    Gisborne Farmers Market
     
    Napier – Rally for Palestine
    Saturday 26 October
    11:30 am
    Marine Parade Soundshell Roundabout
     
    Hastings – Rally for Palestine
    Sunday 27 October
    1:00 pm
    Hastings Town Clock – Hastings CBD
     
    Palmerston North – Rally for Palestine
    Sunday 27 October
    2:00 pm
    The Square, Palmerston North
     
    New Plymouth – Flags on the Bridge
    Friday 25 September
    4:30 pm
    Paynters Ave Bridge, New Plymouth
     
    New Plymouth – March for Gaza
    Saturday 26 October
    1:00 PM
    Huatoki Plaza, Ngamotu, New Plymouth
     
    Whanganui – Rally for Palestine
    Saturday 26 October
    11:00 am
    Riverside Market, Whanganui
     
    Carterton – Gathering for Gaza
    Every Tuesday
    12:00 midday
    Memorial Square.
     
    Martinborough – Vigil for Palestine
    Every Wednesday
    11:00 am
    The square at the top of Kitchener St, Martinborough
     
    Masterton – Gathering for Gaza
    Every Sunday
    9:30 am
    Town Hall Lawn, Masterton
     
    Featherston – Gathering for Gaza
    Every Saturday
    11:00 am
    The Squircle (opposite the op shop).
     
    Wellington – Vigil for Palestine (by Aotearoa Healthcare Workers for Palestine)
    Every Friday
    6:00 pm
    In front of Wellington Hospital
    49 Riddiford Street, Newtown, Wellington
     
    Wellington – Flags on the Bridge
    (hosted by the Falastin Tea Collective)
    Every Friday
    7:15 – 8:15 am
    Hill Street bridge Overbridge, Wellington
     
    Wellington – Obela boycott rally
    (hosted by the Falastin Tea Collective)
    Saturday 26 October
    1:00 – 2:00 pm
    Outside Countdown in Newtown, Wellington
    Meeting on the corner of Hanson St and John St
     
    South Island
    Nelson – Rally for Palestine
    Saturday 26 October
    10:30 am
    Rocks Road by the beach
     
    Blenheim – Rally for Palestine
    Saturday 26 October
    11:00 am
    Blenheim Railway Station
     
    Littleton – Flag Waving for Palestine
    Wednesday 23 October
    4:00 pm
    Corner of Sutton Quay and Norwich Quay, Littleton
     
    Christchurch – Flag Waving for Palestine
    Friday 25 October
    4:00 pm
    Bridge of Remembrance, Cashel Street, Christchurch
     
    Christchurch – Rally
    Saturday 26 October
    1:00 – 2:00 pm
    Bridge of Remembrance, Cashel Street, Christchurch
     
    Timaru
    No Rally this weekend
     
    Dunedin – Rally and March
    Saturday 19 October
    No Rally this weekend
     
    Queenstown
    No Rally this weekend
     
    Invercargill – Rally for Palestine
    Sunday 27 October
    1:00 pm
    Wachner place Invercargill.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Valuable report lands two alleged offenders before the courts

    Source: New Zealand Police (District News)

    Attributable to Inspector Glenda Barnaby, Christchurch Metro Area Prevention Manager:

    A valuable report from a member of the public led to the arrest of two people following a robbery in St Albans, Christchurch last night.

    Police responded following a report of people wearing masks walking down Bishop Street around 10:45pm.

    They were then seen entering a residential address further down the road, where they have forced entry and threatened the occupant with a weapon.

    Shortly after they gained entry, responding Police located and arrested the two alleged offenders at the address.

    Luckily no-one was injured.

    One young person is due to appear in the Christchurch Youth Court in due course, and a 26-year-old man is due to appear in the Christchurch District Court today on charges of aggravated robbery and being disguised for burglary.

    This highlights the importance of reporting suspicious behaviour as soon as you see it, on 111. In this case, it allowed Police to respond to the robbery as it was happening and arrest those involved.

    ENDS

    Issued by Police Media Centre
     

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: New Chief Criminal Cases Review Commissioner

    Source: New Zealand Government

    The Honourable Denis Clifford has been appointed Chief Commissioner of the Criminal Cases Review Commission, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith says.                                                                                           

    “Hon Clifford brings a wealth of expertise and experience that will prove invaluable to the Commission.

    “He has served as a judge at both the Court of Appeal and High Court, and has practiced extensively in commercial and public law as a former partner at Buddle Findlay.

    “Before joining the independent bar in 2002, he held the position of Legal Advisor, Policy and Legal in the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet.

    “Suzanne Robertson KC, and Emma Finlayson-Davis are also being appointed to the Commission, together with the reappointment of Commissioner Professor Tracy McIntosh.

    “I’d like to thank outgoing Chief Commissioner Colin Carruthers KC, as well as Nigel Hampton KC and Dr Virginia Hope who are also completing terms as Commissioners.”

    The new appointees will commence on 2 December 2024.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Two North Idaho Men Arrested for Exploitation of Children

    Source: US State of Idaho

    [BOISE] – Attorney General Raúl Labrador has announced investigators with his Idaho Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force arrested thirty-one-year-old Bryce Berg on Tuesday, October 22nd, 2024, for 10 counts of possession of child sexual exploitation material and 1 count of attempted voyeurism after a search warrant was served at his residence. Agencies that assisted the ICAC Task Force in the arrest of Bryce Berg were the Post Falls Police Department, United States Marshals Service, United States Secret Service, the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office, and the Kootenai County Prosecutor’s Office.
    On Wednesday October 23rd, 2024, the Idaho ICAC Task Force also arrested fifty-one-year-old Gregg McFarlane for 7 counts of possession of child sexual exploitation material and 3 counts of possession of computer-generated image child sexual exploitation material after a search warrant was served at his residence. Agencies that assisted the ICAC Task Force in the arrest of Gregg McFarlane were the Pinehurst Police Department, the Coeur d’Alene Police Department, the Kellogg Police Department, and the Shoshone County Sheriff’s Office.
    “It’s a difficult job and it takes a toll on the staff who are so dedicated to the safety of Idaho’s kids,” said Attorney General Labrador. “However, everyone on our ICAC Task Force is committed to stopping the cycle of exploitation and removing these abusers from our communities. I’m very grateful for the expanding agency partnerships that make this effort successful across the state.”
    Anyone with information regarding the exploitation of children is encouraged to contact local police, the Attorney General’s ICAC Unit at 208-947-8700, or the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at 1-800-843-5678.
    The Attorney General’s ICAC Unit works with the Idaho ICAC Task Force, a coalition of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, to investigate and prosecute individuals who use the internet to criminally exploit children.
    Parents, educators, and law enforcement officials can find more information and helpful resources at the ICAC website, ICACIdaho.org.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: RM of Grahamdale, Manitoba  — Gypsumville RCMP discharge firearm in stolen vehicle investigation

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    On October 24, 2024, at approximately 12:00 pm, Gypsumville RCMP were patrolling for a stolen vehicle that was linked to a series of criminal activities that occurred overnight in the city of Thompson.

    Officers located the stolen vehicle on Highway 6 south of Pinaymootang First Nation and attempted a traffic stop. The driver refused to pull over.

    After a short pursuit, the vehicle came to a stop on Highway 6. The male suspect exited the stolen vehicle with a firearm and attempted to carjack a stopped car. At this time, an officer discharged their firearm, striking the male suspect.

    The suspect was then able to get into the stopped car and drive a short distance before coming to a stop in the ditch along Highway 6 where he was taken into custody.

    The suspect, a 39-year-old male from Thompson, was provided immediate medical attention by officers and transported by STARS to hospital with serious injuries.

    The officers involved did not sustain any physical injuries.

    The Independent Investigation Unit of Manitoba has taken carriage of the investigation.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Springfield Man Sentenced to 54 months in Prison for Possessing a Firearm as a Felon

    Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)

    SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – A Springfield, Illinois, man, Alvin D. Billups, age 36, was sentenced on October 23, 2024, to 54 months’ imprisonment, to be followed by a three-year term of supervised release, for possessing a firearm as a felon.

    At the sentencing hearing before U.S. District Judge Colleen R. Lawless, the government established that in June 2023 Springfield Police Officers were on foot patrol in an area where numerous people were having a large block party. The officers approached a car containing an open bottle of alcohol. Billups was in the driver’s seat. During a subsequent search, Billups, a felon, was found in possession of a Taurus G2 9mm pistol. During the hearing, Judge Lawless noted that Billups had a significant history of firearms offenses, which included multiple prior state firearms convictions. 

    Billups remains in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service, where he has been since his federal arrest on August 23, 2023. He pleaded guilty to the one-count indictment in the case on May 9, 2024.

    The statutory penalties for possession of a firearm by a prohibited person are up to 15 years’ imprisonment, up to three years of supervised release, and up to a $250,000 fine.

    The Springfield Police Department investigated the firearms case with assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. The case against Billups is part of a committed effort to combat gun violence in Sangamon County, Illinois, by law enforcement including the Springfield Police Department, Sangamon County State’s Attorney’s Office, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of Illinois. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah E. Seberger represented the government in the prosecution.

    The 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.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Burglars bagged – jewellery thieves caught by Waikato Police.

    Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

    Please attribute to: Waikato Police Tactical Crime Unit Detective Senior Sergeant Ian Foster. 

    Two men, aged 41 and 37, are facing 37 charges of burglary, with more charges likely following the execution of two warrants at homes in Hamilton and Huntly area on Friday last week, October 18.

    They first appeared in Hamilton District Court on Saturday and were remanded in custody to reappear this week.

    Last Friday Police executed two warrants at properties in the Rototuna and Huntly area.

    At the first property, a large volume of stolen goods was located, with bags of pearls, rings, necklaces – sometimes whole jewellery boxes full of items, and large amounts of gold.

    At the second property police located a raft of stolen items including a rubbish sack full of designer bags.

    Alongside jewellery and heirlooms at both properties were watches, Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Chanel and Prada handbags, and Givenchy and Hermes items in original packaging. 

    There was also a large array of other heirlooms and jewellery that no doubt has significance and value to their owners, the victims of the burglaries.

    The 37 charges relate to burglaries that have occurred since May this year, however we believe that this offending in the Hamilton and Auckland areas, dates back further. Some of these items have then been on-sold.

    There is a large volume of recovered items to work our way through and we are currently in the process of informing the victims that have been identified and we are still arranging for the return of some precious items.

    “It is a really great result to be able to recover this volume of stolen items and make these arrests.

    A lot of hard work has gone into this investigation by our teams and there is a lot more hard work to come.

    We will continue to work our way through the items attempting to identify and return all the jewellery which will have significant sentimental value to the victims of these burglaries.” 

    ENDS

    Issued by Police Media Centre

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cantwell, Law Enforcement, & Elected Leaders Talk New Tools to Fight Spokane’s Fentanyl Epidemic

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Washington Maria Cantwell
    10.24.24
    Cantwell, Law Enforcement, & Elected Leaders Talk New Tools to Fight Spokane’s Fentanyl Epidemic
    Spokane Fire Station 1 is busiest in the state & responds to triple the typical number of calls, driven largely by drug overdoses; Bill intro’d by Cantwell – and endorsed by SPD chief and Spokane sheriff – could help halt the flow of fentanyl into Spokane
    SPOKANE, WA – Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) joined Spokane Mayor Lisa Brown, Spokane Police Department Chief Kevin Hall, Spokane County Commissioner Chris Jordan, and Spokane County Sheriff John Nowels for a press conference focused on new legislation introduced by Sen. Cantwell — the Stop Smuggling Illicit Synthetic Drugs on U.S. Transportation Networks Act — that would empower local law enforcement with new tools to halt the flow of fentanyl into the region.
    The press conference was held at Spokane Fire Station 1, which is the busiest fire station in the state. The station currently responds to around 6,300 calls per year – more than triple the norm for a comparable station.
    “We want people to know that these resources are worth fighting for,” Sen. Cantwell said. “Congress [must] put more focus onto this. We think that if we all work with these resources at the federal and state level and at the local level — and give local law enforcement and our first responders more tools — it will help.”
    Sen. Cantwell’s new bill would crack down on smugglers using the U.S. transportation network to traffic illicit synthetic drugs, like fentanyl. The bill would create first-ever inspection strategies to stop drug smuggling by commercial aircraft, railroads, vehicles and ships. The legislation would also boost state, local, and tribal local law enforcement resources, deploy K9s and next generation non-intrusive detection technologies, and increase inspections at ports of entry.
    The Stop Smuggling Illicit Synthetic Drugs on U.S. Transportation Networks Act has been endorsed by both SPD Chief Kevin Hall and Sheriff Nowels, along with numerous elected officials and law enforcement leaders from across the State of Washington.
    Photos of today’s press conference are HERE; video is HERE; and a transcript of Sen. Cantwell’s remarks is HERE.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Washington Rail Systems to Receive $115M in Infrastructure Upgrades

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Washington Maria Cantwell

    10.24.24

    Washington Rail Systems to Receive $115M in Infrastructure Upgrades

    Nine projects awarded include $37.7M for RR that moves Eastern WA wheat, $26.3M for Port of Kalama rail expansion to load grain exports faster; Awards also go to projects in Tacoma, Moses Lake, Chewelah, Rainier, Ferry County, and Puget Sound Rail Corridor

    SPOKANE, WA – Today, U.S. Senators Maria Cantwell (D-WA), chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, and Patty Murray (D-WA), chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced nine major investments in Washington state’s rail system infrastructure, totaling $115,577,598.

    The improvements will boost railroad capacity all across the state, helping move freight and agricultural products quickly and more safely between our communities and on to international markets.

    The grants come from the Federal Railroad Administration’s (FRA) Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) Program, which funds projects that improve the safety, efficiency, and reliability of intercity passenger and freight rail.

    The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) received $37,700,000 million for final design and construction of rehabilitation of the Palouse River & Coulee City Railroad (PCC). This is in addition to a $72.8 million CRISI grant for the railroad project that WSDOT received last year.

    “Wheat farmers in the state rely heavily on the Washington State Grain Train to help export 90 percent of the product they grow. This funding will replace lightweight, 100-year-old, worn rail with 34 miles of upgraded heavyweight track to accommodate heavy railcars, allowing train speeds to double, helping farmers get their goods to market more efficiently,” Sen. Cantwell said.

    “Washington state growers need fast and reliable transportation systems to get their products to market, especially if they want to compete in tough international markets—this is critical for our wheat growers and this major federal investment will help ensure Washington state farmers have the kind of infrastructure they need to succeed,” said Sen. Murray. “This is the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law at work—strengthening supply chains and upgrading our infrastructure so that America can compete and win the 21st century.”

    This PCC project is part of a multi-phase effort to improve the railroad system so it can handle heavier, faster rail cars and better withstand extreme weather conditions. Grant funding will help replace light-weight worn rail and rotten railroad ties, as well as rebuild dilapidated roadway crossings and surface tracks. Federal funds will cover 65% of the total project cost.

    The PCC serves a critical part of the wheat supply chain in Eastern Washington. This project will help ensure rural Eastern Washington agricultural products remain competitive in the global marketplace, by helping products reach customers faster. Rehabilitation of this freight corridor is important to maintain the region’s economic viability. By keeping rail shipments available and competitive, this project will reduce road maintenance, enhance economic development, improve the environment, and bring long-term jobs to rural communities.

    The Port of Kalama received $26,323,386 for a rail expansion project.

    “The Port of Kalama is already one of the largest grain export terminals on the West Coast. This funding will increase the port’s grain terminal efficiency by 25-30 percent meaning that farmers not just from Washington, but as far east as Wisconsin, can get their products to market faster,” Sen. Cantwell said.

    “These new replacement tracks are going to help the Port of Kalama transport even more goods, including grain, from rail to ship, faster than ever by allowing it to store empty trains at the port,” said Sen. Murray. “This is going to be a real boost for trade in the region, and it is exactly what the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law looks like at work—strengthening supply chains and upgrading our infrastructure so that America can compete and win the 21st century.”

    The proposed project will replace rail tracks at the Port of Kalama in Washington. The replacement tracks will support storage of two loaded and two empty trains simultaneously at the port. The project is expected to increase loading efficiency in the direct loading of grain from rail to ship by up to 30 percent. The Port of Kalama will contribute a 20 percent match. Sen. Cantwell wrote a letter in support of the project to U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, that letter is available HERE. Sen. Murray wrote a letter of support for the project to U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg.

    The St. Paul & Pacific Northwest Railroad Company received $23,469,151 to improve track along the railroad’s main line in northeast Washington.

    “The St. Paul & Pacific Northwest railroad transports two million tons of lumber and other goods annually across Eastern Washington. With this funding, the railroad will upgrade and rehabilitate over 80 miles of mainline track, speeding products to market more safely and reliably,” Sen. Cantwell said.

    “This funding is going to help update outdated rail infrastructure that Washington state businesses and consumers rely on—this means safer, more efficient rails while creating good paying jobs,” said Sen. Murray. “This is the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law at work—strengthening supply chains and upgrading our infrastructure so that America can compete and win the 21st century.”

    The proposed project on this line between Chewelah, WA and Columbia Gardens, British Columbia, will replace approximately 18 miles (in two sections) of older jointed rail with 136 lb. continuous welded rail and install approximately 85,000 new concrete and steel rail ties along the entire line. This will upgrade the line to meet FRA Class 3 classification requirements, which improves safety and reliability. St. Paul & Pacific Northwest will contribute a 21 percent match. Sen. Cantwell wrote a letter in support of the project to Sec. Buttigieg, that letter is available HERE. Sen. Murray wrote a letter of support for the project to U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg.

    The Columbia Basin Railroad Company, which operates between Moses Lake and Connell in central Washington, received $11,552,000 to rehabilitate approximately 10 miles of their railroad line.

    “The Columbia Basin Railroad serves over 50 businesses and is a lifeline for Washington farmers and exporters across Grant, Lincoln, Spokane, Adams, and Whitman counties. This funding will facilitate critically needed track repairs which will enable increased freight capacity and operating speeds,” Sen. Cantwell said.

    “When it comes to the rails our trains travel every day—and which connect companies and communities across Washington state with crucial goods, services, and opportunities—it is important we have safe, reliable tracks,” said Sen. Murray. “By helping to replace some 8,000 cross ties, and 10 miles of rail, this funding will help us make sure the tracks serving the Columbia Basin are in tip top shape and will safely increase operating speeds and capacity. This is the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law at work—strengthening supply chains and upgrading our infrastructure so that America can compete and win the 21st century.”

    The proposed project will replace approximately ten miles of rail and approximately 8,000 cross ties on the Columbia Basin Railroad. This will enhance safety and improve system performance as the project will return the line to a state of good repair, increase operating speeds, and allow for increased capacity to move freight, benefitting over 50 customers served by the Columbia Basin Railroad. Columbia Basin Railroad will contribute a 20 percent match.

    Tacoma Rail received $8,316,000 to replace the engines of four old locomotive with new Tier 4 diesel electric engines that will reduce harmful NOx emissions by about 90 percent. This is in addition to $4.095 million the railroad received last year to replace two high-polluting diesel electric switcher locomotives with two zero-emission battery-electric switcher locomotives. Sen. Murray wrote a letter of support for the project to U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg.

    “With this grant funding, Tacoma Rail will replace the engines of four old locomotives with new clear diesel electric engines. This will reduce emissions by 200 tons per year and reduce fuel consumption by more than 18,000 gallons of diesel fuel annually. A significant step in contributing to the region’s climate action goals and reducing shipping costs for farmers,” Sen. Cantwell said.

    “This investment will help ensure we reduce carbon emissions while still moving freights as quickly and efficiently as possible—and creating good-paying jobs in the process,” said Sen. Murray. “This is the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law at work—helping us build a stronger clean energy economy while upgrading our national infrastructure.”

    Tier 0 project locomotives are equipped with diesel engines that were built between 1973 and 1992 – before the first federal EPA emission standards for locomotives were developed in 1997. The new engines will eliminate the consumption of more than 18,000 gallons of diesel fuel a year, which is expected to reduce up to 200 short tons of greenhouse gas emissions. These new locomotives will help the City of Tacoma and Port of Tacoma achieve local, county, regional, and state air quality and climate goals.

    WSDOT’s Puget Sound Rail Corridor Improvement Project received $6,451,894.25 to improve safety and help prevent winter weather delays. 

    “The Puget Sound Rail Corridor Improvement Project will upgrade rail switches between Everett and Vancouver, lowering maintenance costs and reducing weather delays for the two million passengers that ride Amtrak and Sound Transit each year,” Sen. Cantwell said.

    “I’m pleased to see this funding come back to Washington state to help keep trains running through our Puget Sound Corridor quickly, smoothly, and safely. Steps to tackle issues like eliminating gaps and preventing ice and snow build up are crucial to keep our tracks open and trains running full steam ahead—which is why this funding is so important. This is the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law at work—strengthening supply chains and upgrading our infrastructure so that America can compete and win the 21st century,” said Sen. Murray.

    The proposed project will eliminate potentially dangerous gaps between rails and install electrically powered heaters on turnouts to prevent ice and snow buildup. This will enhance resilience, safety, and performance. The Washington State Department of Transportation and BNSF will contribute a 50 percent match.

    Rainier Rail received $1,765,167 to improve four bridges in Western Washington, including the Minnesota St. Bridge in Rainier, WA.

    “Rainier Rail provides important transportation connections for goods including aircraft materials and animal feed moving through western Washington. This project will improve their track capacity and replace aging rail ties to ensure they can continue serving customers in our state,” Sen. Cantwell said.

    “This investment will help modernize existing infrastructure so that Rainier Rail can accommodate more freight, getting more goods to where they need to go more quickly,” said Sen. Murray. “This is the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law at work—strengthening supply chains and upgrading our infrastructure so that America can compete and win the 21st century.”

    The bridge improvements include replacement of structural components, increasing clearance on the Minnesota St. Bridge, installing larger rail to accommodate 286,000 lb. railcars, and replacing aging rail ties. The project will create a safer, more resilient, and environmentally sustainable rail network in the region as it will address safety concerns, environmental preservation, capacity limitations, climate resilience, and supply chain efficiency. Rainier Rail will contribute a 21 percent match.

    A portion of two other grants announced today will fund rail upgrades in Washington state.

    OmniTRAX received $50,570,400 to replace of railroad ties on four OmniTRAX-owned short lines across four states – including a line in Ferry County.

    “Kettle Falls Railroad is a strategic rail asset in Ferry County, supporting millions of dollars in economic activity in Washington state. This funding will install new ties along nearly 30 miles of rail enabling freight to move more reliably and efficiently in Northeast Washington,” Sen. Cantwell said.

    “This funding will help deliver timely infrastructure updates in Washington state—meaning safer, more efficient, and more resilient railways,” said Sen. Murray. “This is the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law at work—strengthening supply chains and upgrading our infrastructure so that America can compete and win the 21st century.”

    OmniTRAX will install 24,513 ties on approximately 29.9 miles of the KFR San Poil Subdivision near Danville, Washington. The line connects Kettle Falls to Grand Forks, Canada. The project will harden rail assets and update infrastructure, which will benefit rail users served by the short lines. OmniTRAX will contribute a 20 percent match. Sen. Cantwell wrote a letter in support of the project to Sec. Buttigieg, that letter is available HERE. Sen. Murray wrote a letter of support for the project to U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg.

    Watco Companies received $19,843,062 to replace diesel locomotives with battery electric, zero emission locomotives at their facilities, including the Packaging Corporation of America in Washington.

    “With this funding we are replacing old diesel locomotives with clean battery electric, zero emission locomotives—that helps us cut down on harmful emissions and unhealthy pollution from diesel,” said Sen. Murray. “This is the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law at work—helping us build a stronger clean energy economy while upgrading our national infrastructure.”

    The U.S. Department of Transportation is providing $2.477 billion in CRISI grants to 122 projects across the nation this year.

    Sen. Cantwell secured $5 billion over 5 years for the CRISI program in her Surface Transportation Investment Act which was included in the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, tripling annual funding for the program.

    The funding for the CRISI program comes from a mixture of annual appropriations and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law—as Senate Appropriations Chair, Sen. Murray authors the annual appropriations bills and, as then Assistant Majority Leader, she played a critical role in passing the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Sen. Murray secured a total of $2.97 billion for the Federal Railroad Administration in the fiscal year 2024 government funding bill she negotiated and passed into law and set aside $100,000,000 specifically for the competitive CRISI grants.

    Sen. Murray also passed into law major reforms and oversight provisions to address the rail safety deficiencies identified in the East Palestine, Ohio, train derailment, providing a $27.3 million increase for FRA’s safety and operations budget for rail safety inspectors in the Fiscal Year 2024 government funding bills. Murray also included language directing specific research requirements for: (1) wayside detection technology, operational alert thresholds, and rail carrier response protocols to inform and verify the technologies capabilities and establish industry-wide standards; and (2) long-train operational safety to evaluate equipment safety standards for brake systems and wheel performance to inform the development of continuous component monitoring. Sen. Murray also increased funding for the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration’s (PHMSA) emergency preparedness grants to $46.825 million and required the agency to conduct research to improve the survivability of placards identifying hazardous materials on trains. Sen. Murray is currently negotiating and working to pass into law Fiscal Year 2025 funding bills and the Senate funding bill Sen. Murray passed out of committee builds on these efforts to improve rail safety and strengthen rail safety funding.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cotton, Colleagues to DOJ and FTC: Systemic, Weaponized Leaks Violate Ethics Rules

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Arkansas Tom Cotton

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
    Contact: Caroline Tabler or Patrick McCann (202) 224-2353
    October 24, 2024

    Cotton, Colleagues to DOJ and FTC: Systemic, Weaponized Leaks Violate Ethics Rules

    Washington, D.C. — Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) today led four of his colleagues in a letter to Department of Justice Inspector General Michael Horowitz and Federal Trade Commissioner Inspector General Andrew Katsaros, demanding an investigation into systemic media leaks. These leaks, all to the same media outlet, resulted in negative headlines about the Biden-Harris administration’s antitrust targets and potentially violated ethics rules.

    Co-signers to the letter included Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky), Senators Thom Tillis (R-North Carolina), Bill Cassidy (R-Louisiana), and Pete Ricketts (R-Nebraska). 

    In part, the senators wrote:

    “These leaks result in negative headlines about the administration’s targets while the targeted companies have no way to respond, as they haven’t yet seen the potential lawsuits. Both DOJ and FTC have ethics rules that prohibit leaking civil cases before the cases are filed.”

    Full text of the letter may be found here and below.

    October 24, 2024

    The Honorable Michael Horowitz 
    United States Department of Justice
    Office of the Inspector General
    950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
    Washington, DC 20530

    Mr. Andrew Katsaros Inspector General
    Federal Trade Commission 

    600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW

    Washington, DC 20580

    Dear Inspectors General Horowitz and Katsaros,

    We write asking you to investigate whether the Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission have violated their own ethics rules by systematically leaking potential antitrust cases to a specific media outlet.

    Since 2023, Bloomberg News has broken the news in at least twelve instances that DOJ or FTC was “preparing” or “poised” to take legal action before a lawsuit was filed. Indeed, the same journalist reported on eleven of these cases. This pattern strongly suggests that certain officials at DOJ and FTC are intentionally publicizing legal action days or weeks before filing. 

    These leaks result in negative headlines about the administration’s targets while the targeted companies have no way to respond, as they haven’t yet seen the potential lawsuits. Both DOJ and FTC have ethics rules that prohibit leaking civil cases before the cases are filed.[*]

    Bloomberg News reporting DOJ and FTC antitrust actions before the filing of a lawsuit

    1. January 23, 2023: DOJ Poised to Sue Google Over Digital Ad Market Dominance
    2. February 23, 2023: DOJ Preps Antitrust Suit to Block Adobe’s $20 Billion Figma Deal
    3. May 15, 2023: Amgen’s $28 Billion Horizon Deal Faces Unexpected FTC Hurdle
    4. June 29, 2023: Lina Khan Is Coming for Amazon, Armed With an FTC Antitrust Suit
    5. October 16, 2023: Real Estate Brokers Pocketing Up to 6% in Fees Draw Antitrust Scrutiny
    6. February 20, 2024: FTC, States to Sue Over Kroger-Albertsons Deal Next Week
    7. March 20, 2024: Justice Department to Sue Apple for Antitrust Violations
    8. April 10, 2024: Nippon Steel Bid to Buy US Steel Gets Extended Antitrust Review
    9. April 17, 2024: Tapestry’s $8.5 Billion Capri Deal Faces Planned FTC Lawsuit
    10. May 22, 2024: US Justice Department to Seek Breakup of Live Nation-Ticketmaster
    11. July 10, 2024: FTC Preparing Suit Against Drug Middlemen Over Insulin Rebates
    12. September 23, 2024: Visa Faces Justice Department Antitrust Case on Debit Cards

    These leaks aren’t just unethical, but they harm these companies’ employees, shareholders, and others. If the companies have engaged in wrongdoing, by all means the government should try them in a court of law. But the Biden-Harris administration shouldn’t try them in the liberal media. These leaks appear to be simply one more instance of this administration weaponizing the administrative state against politically disfavored opponents and critics, much like DOJ investigating parents at school-board meetings or the FTC targeting Elon Musk and Twitter for insufficient censorship of conservatives.

    We urge you to investigate promptly these systematic, unethical, and potentially illegal leaks.

    Sincerely,                           

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Murphy, Blumenthal, Congressional Democrats File Amicus Brief Urging Ninth Circuit Court To Affirm EMTALA Requires Hospitals To Provide Emergency Stabilizing Care, Preempts Draconian Abortion Ban

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Connecticut – Chris Murphy

    October 24, 2024

    WASHINGTON—U.S. Senators Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) joined 257 Democratic members of Congress in submitting an amicus brief to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit in Moyle v. United States and Idaho v. United States, two consolidated cases concerning the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA) under consideration by the en banc Ninth Circuit. EMTALA is a federal law that requires hospitals that receive Medicare funding to provide necessary “stabilizing treatment” to patients experiencing medical emergencies, which can include abortion care.

    After the Dobbs decision in 2022, a draconian anti-abortion law in Idaho went into effect that makes it a felony for a doctor to terminate a patient’s pregnancy unless it is “necessary” to prevent the patient’s death. The United States sued the State of Idaho, arguing that the state’s law is preempted by EMTALA in those circumstances in which abortion may not be necessary to prevent imminent death, but still constitutes the necessary stabilizing treatment for a patient’s emergency medical condition. The district court agreed; it held that in those limited, but critically important situations, EMTALA requires Medicare-participating hospitals to provide abortion as an emergency medical treatment. Idaho Republicans appealed that ruling to the Supreme Court, which lifted the injunction and took the case in January—in March, Murphy and Blumenthal joined 256 other members of Congress in filing an amicus brief asking the Supreme Court to affirm the district court decision. In June, the Supreme Court dismissed the case but without a ruling on the merits, sending the case back to the Ninth Circuit Court and reinstating the district court’s injunction.

    In their brief in support of the Justice Department, the lawmakers ask the Ninth Circuit to uphold the district court’s ruling. They argue that the congressional intent, text, and history of EMTALA make clear that covered hospitals must provide abortion care when it is the necessary stabilizing treatment for a patient’s emergency medical condition, and that EMTALA preempts Idaho’s abortion ban in emergency situations that present a serious threat to a patient’s health.

    “Respecting the supremacy of federal law is about more than just protecting our system of government; it is about protecting people’s lives,” the members wrote. “If this Court allows Idaho’s near-total abortion ban to supersede federal law, pregnant patients in Idaho will continue to be denied appropriate medical treatment, placing them at heightened risk for medical complications and severe adverse health outcomes… And health care providers, unwilling to let Idaho’s law override their medical judgment regarding their patients’ best interests, will continue their exile from Idaho, creating maternity-care ‘deserts’ all over the state.” The members point to numerous reports of OB/GYNs leaving Idaho en masse since the state’s abortion ban went into effect—Idaho has since lost fifty-five percent of its maternal-fetal medicine specialists and three rural hospitals have shut down maternity services altogether.

    “These are not hypothetical scenarios. Because Idaho’s abortion ban contains no clear exceptions for the ‘emergency medical conditions’ covered by EMTALA, it forces physicians to wait until their patients are on the verge of death before providing abortion care. The result in other states with similar laws has been ‘significant maternal morbidity,’” the members continued, highlighting harrowing reports of pregnant women with severe health complications being denied necessary abortion care, including an Idaho woman who was flown to Utah for an abortion while hemorrhaging, leaking amniotic fluid, and terrified that she would not survive to care for her two other children. “Federal law does not allow Idaho to endanger the lives of its residents in this way.”

    In their brief, the members also clarify that the references to “unborn child” in EMTALA were intended to expand hospitals’ obligations with respect to providing stabilizing treatment—not contract them or take away the obligation to provide abortion care in certain circumstances.

    The members’ brief also counters an argument from Idaho and its amici that the Supremacy Clause does not apply in this case because EMTALA was passed using Spending Clause authority, and therefore acts only as a condition on Medicare funding. The members make clear that all laws passed by Congress are entitled to preemption—regardless of their source of constitutional authority—and states cannot pass laws that make it impossible for private parties to accept federal funding, inhibiting the purpose of the federal law. 

    “EMTALA requires abortion when necessary to stabilize a patient with an emergency medical condition, Idaho’s near-total abortion ban is preempted to the extent that it prevents doctors from providing that care,” the members added. “This Court should reject Appellants’ novel theory that EMTALA is not entitled to preemptive effect because it was enacted pursuant to Congress’s spending power.  Under the Supremacy Clause, all ‘the constitutional laws enacted by congress,’ constitute ‘the supreme Law of the Land,’. As the Supreme Court has repeatedly held, the principle of federal supremacy applies to laws passed pursuant to Congress’s spending authority no less than it does to laws effectuating other enumerated powers.”

    The members conclude by asking the Ninth Circuit to affirm the district court’s decision that EMTALA requires Medicare-participating hospitals to provide abortion care when it is necessary as emergency medical treatment.

    U.S. Senators Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Laphonza Butler (D-Calif.), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Tom Carper (D-Del.), Bob Casey Jr. (D-Pa.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Paul Helmy (D-Calif.), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Angus King Jr. (I-Maine), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Kyrsten Sinema (I-Ariz.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), Jon Tester (D-Mont.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) also signed the amicus brief.

    In the House, the brief was signed by 211 U.S. Representatives.

    The members’ amicus brief to the Supreme Court can be read in full HERE.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Manchin Announces $49.7 Million to Upgrade West Virginia’s Water Infrastructure

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for West Virginia Joe Manchin

    October 24, 2024

    Charleston, WV – Today, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (I-WV), member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced $49,700,000 from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to upgrade water and wastewater infrastructure across West Virginia. The funding will promote the safe management of wastewater, protect local freshwater resources and deliver clean drinking water to homes, schools and businesses.

    “The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law continues to deliver historic investments for West Virginia,” said Senator Manchin. “I’m pleased the EPA is awarding more than $49 million to upgrade water infrastructure across our state, which will promote public health and strengthen economic development. I look forward to seeing the positive impacts of this funding and, as a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I will continue working with the EPA to ensure every West Virginian across the Mountain State has access to clean, reliable water.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Reduce crime – new laws introduced

    Source: Australia – Northern Territory Government

    The Territory Government has introduced new laws to reduce crime and improve safety.

    They include:

    • stronger bail laws
    • mandatory minimum sentences for assaulting workers
    • offences for ram raids and posting and boasting online
    • lowering the age of criminal responsibility from 12 to 10
    • additional powers to tackle nuisance public drinking and knife crime.

    The laws aim to target people doing the wrong thing without negatively impacting everyday Territorians.

    Reduced crime means improved safety, a better lifestyle and stronger economy for all Territorians and visitors.

    What happens now

    Now the bills have passed in the October parliamentary sittings, they will progress to the Administrator of the Northern Territory (NT) for assent. Once law, the following will commence:

    • new nuisance public drinking offence
    • the age of criminal responsibility is lowered to 10 (meaning youths are 10 to 17 year olds)
    • new ram raid offence
    • new posting and boasting offence
    • mandatory sentencing for assaulting workers
    • more police powers to detect knife crime.

    The remaining changes to bail reform (Declan’s Law) will commence by January 2025. This allows adequate time for the necessary operational changes in the justice system and corrections.

    Declan’s Law is named after Declan Laverty, who was killed on 19 March 2023, after being attacked while at work.

    For more information on the crime reduction laws, go to the Chief Minister and Cabinet website.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: RI Delegation Lands $10M for Concourse Upgrades at Rhode Island T.F. Green Airport

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Rhode Island Jack Reed
    PROVIDENCE, RI – Attention passengers in the terminal, Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport (PVD) is getting some new interior upgrades and gates.
    In an effort to improve operational efficiency, deliver a unified and modern design, and enhance passenger flow and comfort for the traveling public, U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse and Congressmen Seth Magaziner and Gabe Amo today announced that the Rhode Island Airport Corporation (RIAC) has been awarded $10 million in federal funding from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to advance renovations and technology upgrades at T.F. Green International Airport.
    This federal grant funding was awarded through the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) FAA’s Airport Terminals Program. Established by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 (Public Law 117–58), the Airport Terminals Program provides competitive grants for airport terminal development projects to address aging infrastructure at airports nationwide.
    The federal funding will help modernize PVD’s aging airport terminal infrastructure to sustain current and future air traffic and passenger demands, drive competition, and enhance environmental sustainability and energy efficiency.  Terminal improvement projects will include backup power and water upgrades to maintain public safety and minimize travel disruptions.  Additional improvements include upgrades to common interior areas, the expansion of seating capacity, traveler experience enhancements, and renovating the interior space in the concourse to introduce a “sense of place” by bringing elements of local architecture inside the terminal.
    This funding will also improve ADA accessibility across all areas of the terminal, and upgrade mechanical systems to meet energy efficiency and smart building goals. Terminal improvements will also accommodate additional increased passenger traffic, to allow for continued growth and competition.
    “Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport is an economic engine and the gateway to the Ocean State for many visitors.  Upgrading the concourse will ensure the airport continues to offer a world-class experience for all and can continue to support a high-volume of traffic,” said Senator Reed, a senior member of the Appropriations Committee. “This is a forward-looking investment in a crucial piece of public infrastructure.  It will strengthen not just the airport, but local businesses, tourism, and our economy as well and help accommodate future growth.”
    “Thanks to our Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, more investments are on the way to keep improving one of the best, most user-friendly airports in the country,” said Whitehouse.  “This federal funding will make the terminal more comfortable so that residents and visitors flying out of T.F. Green can enjoy a better overall experience.”
    “T.F. Green Airport is a vital hub for travel, commerce and tourism,” said Rep. Seth Magaziner. “This federal funding will help modernize the airport, enhance the traveler experience and boost the local economy.”
    “T.F. Green International Airport is key part of how Rhode Islanders and our visitors experience memorable moments in our state. It’s where we welcome loved ones when they return from a trip and where we send off our community’s heroes when they travel to D.C. for their Honor Flight,” said Congressman Gabe Amo. “Today’s $10 million investment in our public infrastructure will help modernize our airport experience.”
    “Rhode Island T. F. Green International Airport conveys the first, best impression for business and leisure travelers visiting our state and plays a vital role in helping maintain and expand Rhode Island’s hospitality and travel economy,” said Iftikhar Ahmad, President and CEO of the Rhode Island Airport Corporation. “Thanks to the support of Senator Reed and all in our Congressional delegation, we can continue to put our state’s best face forward, improving airport access and efficiency while also elevating the passenger experience.”
    “In the more than thirty years since the construction of the Bruce Sundlun Terminal, Rhode Island T. F. Green International Airport has truly helped transform and maintain our local economy,” said Jonathan N. Savage, Rhode Island Airport Corporation Board Chair. “This federal investment will provide critical funding for our efforts to modernize our airport terminal to be ready for the next three decades. We are truly grateful for our Congressional delegation’s continued support for Rhode Island’s aviation economy.”
    PVD’s original terminal was constructed in 1993 to support 2.4 million annual enplanements.  Now the airport is on track to exceed that by 1 million passengers over the next five years.  Recently announced agreements with several airlines are slated to bring hundreds of new jobs to the airport and connect PVD to even more domestic and international destinations.
    As PVD operations continue to expand and passenger numbers increase, RIAC seeks funding to reconfigure its terminal to meet this demand.
    In addition to advocacy from the state’s federal delegation, Governor Dan McKee and the Providence and Warwick Convention and Visitors Bureau also supported federal funding to renovate the 30-year-old terminal and allow Rhode Island T. F. Green International Airport to serve the community’s growing needs.
    For the past several years, RIAC has been preparing for this new era of growth for PVD through the planning and design of the Terminal Reconfiguration project, which aims to ensure the over 30-year-old terminal presents the first and best impression of its state to incoming visitors.  

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: UPDATE: Call for information – Hit and runs – Darwin

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    Northern Territory Police are continuing to call for information after suspicious hit and runs in Darwin yesterday morning.

    Investigators from Serious Crime have confirmed the vehicle was a stolen Silver Toyota Corolla Hatchback with Northern Territory Registration “HARYANV”.

    The vehicle was allegedly involved in 2 intentional hit and run incidents on McMinn Street and Illife Street, along with property offences in Woolner.

    Police urge anyone with information on the vehicle, or who has dash cam or CCTV footage, to contact police and quote reference number P24293700.

    Anonymous reports can also be made through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via https://crimestoppersnt.com.au/.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Sacramento Fentanyl and Methamphetamine Trafficker Sentenced to over 19 Years in Prison

    Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)

    SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Michael Valentino Lovato, 35, of Sacramento, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Troy L. Nunley to 19 years and 10 months in prison and for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl and methamphetamine and distribution of methamphetamine, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

    According to court documents, after previously being convicted of drug trafficking, Lovato engaged in a conspiracy to distribute over 400 grams of fentanyl and over 500 grams of methamphetamine in Sacramento in April 2022. During the conspiracy, Lovato sold fentanyl pills to an undercover source on multiple separate occasions and also sold methamphetamine to the source.

    This case was the product of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives with assistance from the Sacramento Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Emily G. Sauvageau and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew De Moura prosecuted the case.

    Charges are pending against co-defendant Gilbert Ramirez, of Sacramento. The charges against him are only allegations, and he is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

    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 U.S. Department of Justice launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

    This prosecution is also part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Strike Force Initiative, which provides for the establishment of permanent multi-agency task force teams that work side-by-side in the same location. The Sacramento Strike Force is a co-located model enables agents from different agencies to collaborate on intelligence-driven, multi-jurisdictional operations to disrupt and dismantle the most significant drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations. The specific mission of the Sacramento Strike Force is to identify, investigate, disrupt, and dismantle the most significant drug trafficking organizations (DTOs) and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs) shipping narcotics, firearms, and money through the Eastern District of California, thereby reducing the flow of these criminal resources in California and the rest of the United States. The Sacramento Strike Force leads intelligence-driven investigations targeting the leadership and support elements of these DTOs and TCOs operating within the Eastern District of California, regardless of their geographic base of operations.

    MIL Security OSI –