NewzIntel.com

Category: Law and Justice

  • MIL-OSI Australia: ACT Government electric vehicles on show ahead of World EV day

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    Transport Canberra and City Services’ electric operational vehicles were displayed at King Edward Terrace on Thursday.

    ACT Government electric operational vehicles were displayed at King Edward Terrace on Thursday, ahead of World EV Day on 9 September.

    While most Canberrans would be familiar with the territory’s electric buses, they may have been surprised to also see electric mowers, a street sweeper, excavator, tipper truck and mini-bus.

    Transport Canberra and City Services’ growing electric fleet demonstrates the ACT Government’s commitment to achieve zero net emissions from government operations by 2040.

    Next year, these vehicles will be joined by an electric litter collection truck, which will replace a diesel utility vehicle. Another 94 electric buses are also set to be added to the fleet over coming years.

    The bus transition, combined with the introduction of light rail, means 20 per cent of overall public transport trips in Canberra are powered by 100 per cent renewable electricity.

    The addition of electric buses to Canberra roads is having an impact on Transport Canberra staff, as well as the environment.

    Trainer Assessor Jeff works in bus operations, carrying out licence upgrades and in-house training.

    This includes showing bus drivers how to operate the new vehicles.

    “After extensive familiarisation training at the beginning of the year, I then spent the first initial six weeks teaching drivers how to work the electric buses. Within that six weeks I drove over 200 kilometres just in the Tuggeranong depot training staff, before handing the training over to my colleagues to continue the education,” he said.

    To Jeff, the buses present both a big and little change. “Someone asked me how to describe it once and I said they are wonderfully normal.

    “They have lots of power, they go very well compared to diesel buses. They are like any new car, it’s always nice to drive something that’s brand new. They go very nicely, they drive and steer like any other bus and are quite comfortable,” he said.

    In addition to buses and maintenance vehicles, Transport Canberra and City Services is also ensuring all newly leased government passenger vehicles are zero emissions where fit for purpose.

    The target is to transition the entire passenger fleet to zero emission by 2025.

    World EV Day presents a great time to showcase the electric vehicles in Transport Canberra and City Services’ fleet and highlight what’s next for the transition.

    In its fourth year, World EV Day helps to unite companies, individuals, governments and others for a day of announcements that continue to propel e-mobility around the world.

    More information on World EV day can be found online at WorldEVday.org

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    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Money saving tips for the savvy consumer

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    Comparing energy suppliers and carefully reviewing your bills are key steps in becoming an informed consumer.

    Ongoing cost of living pressures continue to impact household budgets.

    With all Canberrans trying to make their dollars stretch further, here are some tips that may help you become a savvy consumer and save some money along the way.

    • Set up a realistic budget
    • Shop around
    • Read and keep paperwork in relation to purchases
    • Look after your receipts
    • Know your consumer guarantee rights and when you’re entitled to a refund, repair or replacement
    • If something goes wrong with a purchase, talk to the business and describe the problem and explain how you would like them to fix it.

    Learn more about consumer guarantees in the ACT.

    Use unit pricing when grocery shopping

    Considering unit pricing is one way to help you budget and save while grocery shopping.

    Unit pricing at supermarkets shows not just the cost of a product, but the value of that product as a cost per standard unit of measurement. This is usually displayed on shelf labels.

    Unit pricing allows you to compare the cost of grocery products quickly and accurately – for example between brands, specials and package sizes, between packaged and unpackaged, or between fresh and frozen.

    Learn more about unit pricing.

    Other tips to help you get the most out of your grocery shopping

    • Meal plan and check what you’ve got in your cupboards, fridge and freezer before going shopping, so you use up things before they go out of date
    • Write a shopping list
    • Choose in season fruit and vegetables
    • Shop around for the best prices
    • Try supermarket or home brands.

    Review your memberships and subscription services

    Whether it’s a gym membership, newspaper subscription, streaming service or food delivery service you’re signed up to, it pays to review your memberships regularly. These small monthly costs can soon add up.

    Before signing up to a new subscription, make sure you read and understand the terms and conditions and are aware of any ongoing fees before clicking through online.

    When reviewing membership and subscription services consider:

    • What services do I use?
    • Is there a better deal or a cheaper plan?
    • Is there a low-cost alternative?
    • Can I rotate through subscriptions?

    Look for the best deal before filling up

    Feeling the pinch at the petrol bowser? Doing a little research before you fill up might help save you money.

    While a lot of factors can influence the price you pay for fuel, a quick look at a petrol price app or website before you fill up can help you compare and save.

    Have a look at the list of fuel price reporting apps and websites available.

    https://www.fuelcheck.nsw.gov.au/app

    Review your bills  

    When it comes to paying utilities or renewing annual insurances beware of paying a ‘loyalty or lazy tax’.

    A loyalty tax refers to the practice of businesses offering lower rates or premiums to new customers while charging higher rates or premiums to long-term customers, who have been loyal to a company or institution for many years.

    Consider comparison websites

    It pays to shop around and compare premiums with other providers to ensure you’re getting the best product, premium or policy based on your circumstances.

    To compare energy suppliers and make sure you’re getting the best deal, you can use the Australian Government’s Energy Made Easy website.

    Using comparison websites can be helpful but they have limitations and may not cover all your options. ASIC’s Moneysmart website has tips on using comparison websites.

    If you’re finding it hard to keep up with regular payments like gas, electricity and phone, visit Moneysmart for steps you can take to sort things out.

    You can also call the free National Debt Helpline on 1800 007 007.

    Visit ASIC’s Moneysmart website

    ASIC’s Moneysmart website contains tips, tools and resources to help you manage your money, reduce your debt and plan for your future.

    It also has information on budgeting, reducing living costs and getting help if you need it.

    Find support

    Do you know what concessions, rebates and other supports are available to Canberrans from the ACT Government? See what you might be eligible for.

    If you require emergency support or financial assistance, you can find contact details for a range of support services on the Australian Government website.

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    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Work begins to upgrade Tuggeranong Foreshore

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    Artist’s impression of improved Tuggeranong Foreshore.

    Work has kicked off on improvements along Tuggeranong Foreshore.

    Upgrades to the foreshore between Reed Street South and Tuggeranong Town Park follow completed upgrades in recent years to Anketell Street, the laneways and pedestrian and cyclist improvements.

    Upgrades the Tuggeranong Foreshore include:

    • improving the Tuggeranong Town Park playground with new play equipment and picnic spots
    • upgrading the existing Tuggeranong Town Park toilet with new, accessible features
    • improving the accessibility and safety of the foreshore path network, including path widening, removal of obstacles, new seating and upgrading lighting
    • renovation of the existing boardwalk to improve safety and accessibility
    • skate park works to address safety issues and rideability, such as minor resurfacing and replacement of damaged ramp surfaces.

    There were more than 657 ideas from the local community during the feedback period last year. The upgrades will improve connections in and around the town centre, improve public access and safety and encourage the community to spend more time in public spaces.

    Seven work zones will be set up to allow as much area as possible to remain open as work is carried out. A staging program is available online showing the anticipated start dates of each work zone.

    The improvements to Tuggeranong Foreshore are expected to be completed by mid-2024.

    More information about the project can be found on the Built for CBR website: builtforcbr.act.gov.au

    To learn more about Canberra’s largest urban infrastructure improvement program, please visit the City Services website: cityservices.act.gov.au/bettersuburbs

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    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: My little big idea for Richardson

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    Submissions have opened for a new initiative called ‘My little big idea’ which will see a project in Richardson receive up to $40,000.

    The Tuggeranong community can now submit ideas to help improve Richardson as part of a new initiative from the ACT Government.

    The new ‘My little big idea’ pilot program aims to involve the community in the decision-making process and up to $40,000 is available for ideas that could have a big impact in Richardson.

    All ideas for improvements will be considered, with one winning idea to receive the funding to make it happen.

    Potential ideas could include a street library, fitness or cooking classes, a playgroup, event, or series of activities.

    A community panel and the public will have the final say on which idea will receive funding which will be shared in 2024.

    The program will build on previous programs inviting input from Canberrans on what is needed in their suburb and explore how similar approaches can be used alongside existing budget consultation processes.

    To learn more, submit an idea or join a community panel, please visit yoursay.act.gov.au

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    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Garran Surge Centre deconstruction underway

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    Following deconstruction of the Garran Surge centre, an improved oval will be returned to the community.

    Work has started to deconstruct the Garran Surge Centre.

    The purpose-built centre played a critical role in during the COVID-19 pandemic as a testing site, vaccination centre and COVID-19 treatment clinic for minor injuries and illnesses.

    Once the centre has been deconstructed, an improved Garran oval will be returned to the community. The oval will include a new cricket pitch, modern LED lighting and a drought-tolerant playing surface.

    The upgraded oval is expected to open for Garran Primary School students and public use by mid-2024.

    In addition to the removal of the surge centre, the final Critical Services Building crane at the Canberra Hospital Expansion project has also been removed.

    The two cranes that worked on the building were named Cranosaurus and Lightening McCrane by students from Garran Primary School. The flags from the cranes have been returned to the students.

    Construction of the critical services building is moving at pace with more of the façade now visible as scaffolding is removed. Inside the building, installation of internal facilities is also progressing well.

    For more information about the Garran oval restoration please visit: builtforcbr.act.gov.au

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    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Four Individuals Sentenced in Sophisticated, Wide-Spread Fraud Schemes

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

    The defendants defrauded CARES Act and other programs out of more than $4.8 million

    PROVIDENCE – Four Florida residents convicted in U.S. District Court in Rhode Island for executing one of the largest schemes in the country to defraud Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act programs, including in Rhode Island, have been sentenced to federal prison, announced Acting United States Attorney Sara Miron Bloom.

    Court documents illustrate that the defendants defrauded various federally funded programs of more than $4.8 million.

    Each of the defendants pleaded guilty to charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and aggravated identity theft.  The schemes involved obtaining and using stolen personal identifying information to submit fraudulent applications to multiple state unemployment agencies, including the Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training, and to submit fraudulent Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) and Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan applications, for pandemic-related benefits made available under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act and the Families First Coronavirus Response Act.

    Additionally, the defendants submitted fraudulent applications in the names of other persons to federal and state agencies to obtain tax refunds, stimulus payments, and disaster relief funds and loans.

    The scheme also involved using the stolen personal identifying information to open bank accounts that were used to receive, deposit, and transfer fraudulently obtained government benefits and payments and to obtain debit cards for the fraudulently opened bank that were used to withdraw the fraudulently obtained funds. 

    U.S. District Court Judge Mellisa R. DuBose sentenced

    • Tony Mertile 33, of Miramar, FL, identified in court documents as the leader of the conspiracy, to a term of 72 months of incarceration to be followed by three years of supervised release;
    • Junior Mertile, 35,of Pembroke Pines, FL, to a term of 54 months of incarceration to be followed by three years of supervised release.
    • Allen Bien-Aime, 33, of Lehigh Acres, FL, to a term of imprisonment of 48 months to be followed by three years of supervised release;
    • James Legerme, 33, of Sunrise, FL, to a term of imprisonment of 48 months of incarceration to be followed by three years of supervised release; and

    In accordance with signed plea agreements filed with the court, the government moved to forfeit a total of $4,857,191 in funds, or $1,214,294.75 from each defendant, that constitutes proceeds of the conspiracy. The defendants have also forfeited hundreds of thousands of dollars’ worth of Rolex watches and assorted jewelry, and over $1.1 million dollar in cash seized from the residences of Tony Mertile, Junior Mertile, and James Legerme at the time of their arrests. Each defendant is also jointly and several liable for $4,456,927.36 in restitution to be paid to agencies and financial intuitions that were defrauded.

    The case was jointly prosecuted in U.S. District Court by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Denise M. Barton and Stacey A. Erickson and Special Assistant United States Attorney and Rhode Island Assistant Attorney General John M. Moreira, Chief of the Rhode Island Attorney General’s Public Integrity Unit.

    The investigation was conducted by the United States Attorney’s Office, Rhode Island Department of the Attorney General, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Department of Labor – Office of Inspector General, Rhode Island State Police, and the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigations, with substantial assistance from the United States Postal Inspection Service, United States Secret Service, and United States Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General/Office of Investigations.

     Acting United States Attorney Bloom, FBI Boston Division Special Agent in Charge Jodi Cohen, and Jonathan Mellone, Special Agent in Charge of Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General thank the Miami Division of the FBI, the Fort Myers Resident Agency of the FBI Tampa Division, the FBI’s Complex Financial Crimes Unit, and the U.S. Marshal Service in Florida for their assistance at the time the defendants were arrested and detained in Florida.

    Acting United States Attorney Bloom also extends her gratitude to prosecutors in the Middle District of Florida and the Southern District of Florida for their assistance.

    Rhode Islanders who believe their personal identification has been stolen and used to fraudulently obtain unemployment benefits from the RIDLT are urged to contact the Rhode Island State Police at financialcrimes@risp.gov or the FBI Providence office at (401) 272-8310.

    ###

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Birmingham Heroin Supplier Sentenced To 365 Months

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Court documents showed that Harding was a heroin supplier in Birmingham who was introduced to a conspirator from Baldwin County, Alabama, by another conspirator in Birmingham.  As a result of the introduction, ounces of heroin were transported from Birmingham to Daphne, Alabama, where they were distributed to local heroin dealers.  The Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) obtained a court-authorized wiretap on two of the local conspirators and identified Harding as the primary supplier for heroin. One of the drug shipments being discussed by the conspirators in the monitored phone calls was intercepted on I-65 in Baldwin County by Baldwin County sheriff’s deputies.  The deputies seized approximately 205 grams of heroin hidden in the trunk of a rental car.  The driver of the car, identified as Quantis Clark, was arrested and indicted separately.  Clark pled guilty in federal court to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances during June of 2019.  He was sentenced on August 30, 2022, to five years imprisonment.

    When FBI agents involved in the Baldwin County investigation were preparing to arrest Harding in Birmingham, they discovered that Homeland Security agents and Alabama Law Enforcement agents were also investigating Harding on drug charges.  In September of 2019, a search warrant was executed on Harding’s Birmingham residence and agents seized eight firearms, two kilograms of heroin, and additional amounts of cocaine and crack cocaine.  In October of 2019, Harding was arrested on the indictment returned in the Southern District of Alabama.

    Court documents also showed that Harding occupied a leadership role in the drug conspiracy.  Court documents further showed that Harding had a long and significant criminal history with prior felony convictions spanning four decades.  United States District Court Judge Terry F. Moorer imposed the 365-month sentence at the sentencing hearing on March 19.  The judge ordered that the prison sentence will be followed by a four-year term of supervised release.  Harding will undergo testing and treatment for drug abuse. The judge also imposed a special condition that the probation office may search Harding’s person or property upon a showing of reasonable suspicion that he is in violation of any of the conditions of his supervision.  No fine was imposed but the judge ordered that Harding pay $100 in special mandatory assessments.

    The FBI, the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office, the Baldwin County Drug Task Force, the Foley Police Department, the Daphne Police Department, Gulf Shores Police Department and the Bay Minette Police Department, and the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office all participated in the  investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Gloria Bedwell prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.

    The investigation was part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF)  operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs and transnational criminal organization 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.     

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: Volta Finance Limited – Net Asset Value(s) as at 28 February 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Volta Finance Limited (VTA / VTAS)
    February 2025 monthly report

    NOT FOR RELEASE, DISTRIBUTION, OR PUBLICATION, IN WHOLE OR PART, IN OR INTO THE UNITED STATES

    Guernsey, March 21st, 2025

    AXA IM has published the Volta Finance Limited (the “Company” or “Volta Finance” or “Volta”) monthly report for February 2025. The full report is attached to this release and will be available on Volta’s website shortly (www.voltafinance.com).

    Performance and Portfolio Activity

    Dear Investors,

    Volta Finance’s net performance for the month of February established at +1.6%, taking the Aug 2024-to-date performance at +13.1%. Both our investments in CLO Debt and CLO Equity performed positively over the course of the month, with European CLO Equities benefiting from a strong price appreciation despite market volatility.

    Volatility intensified in February as US policy and mixed economic data releases triggered a repricing of risk across the board. The pursuit of a tariff strategy from the US administration sent a cautionary message regarding the near-term inflation outlook, and raised concerns regarding the sustainability of US growth in the context of current expansion being supported by a steady consumer spending momentum. The interest rate on 10-year U.S. government bonds fluctuated, going up to 4.60% and then dropping back to 4.20%. Additionally, the number of people filing for unemployment benefits hit its highest level this year due to job cuts in companies and federal agencies. Following unsuccessful mediation talks between the US and Ukraine at the White House on February 28th – and the radical shift in US foreign policy strategy – the European Commission suggested allowing countries to spend more on defense without strict budget rules for four years. Germany also announced plans to change its Constitution to borrow €900 billion for defense and infrastructure projects. As a result, European government bond yields changed noticeably, while the Euro and European stock markets improved. The uncertainty in politics and the economy led to increased volatility in credit markets: the European High Yield index (Xover) took a “V” shape over the month and closed around 15bps wide of the tights. On the Loan side, Euro Loans closed c. 30cts up at 98.70px (Morningstar European Leveraged Loan Index) on the back of strong technicals, while US Loans were down 45cts at 97.15px. Primary CLO markets remained busy, although we noticed softer subscription levels. In terms of performance, CLO markets performed in line with broader Credits on a rating adjusted basis: BBs total returns stood at +0.9% while US High Yield returned +0.65% in the same period, Euro High Yield was up +1% and Global Loans gained +0.3%.
    Looking at Volta Finance’s cashflow, the portfolio generated c. €28m equivalent of interests and coupons over the last six months, representing c.20% of February’s NAV on an annualized basis.

    Over the month, Volta’s CLO Equity tranches returned a 2.4% performance** while CLO Debt tranches returned +1.7% performance**, cash representing c. 9.8% of the NAV.

    Volta is around 21% exposed to USD, the February currency moves had no meaningful impact on the overall performance (+0.02%) although we anticipate FX moves to have a greater impact next month.

    As of end of February 2025, Volta’s NAV was €283.5m, i.e. €7.75 per share.

    *It should be noted that approximately 4.49% of Volta’s GAV comprises investments for which the relevant NAVs as at the month-end date are normally available only after Volta’s NAV has already been published. Volta’s policy is to publish its NAV on as timely a basis as possible to provide shareholders with Volta’s appropriately up-to-date NAV information. Consequently, such investments are valued using the most recently available NAV for each fund or quoted price for such subordinated notes. The most recently available fund NAV or quoted price was 4.38% as at 31 January 2025, 0.11% as at 30 September 2024.

    ** “performances” of asset classes are calculated as the Dietz-performance of the assets in each bucket, taking into account the Mark-to-Market of the assets at period ends, payments received from the assets over the period, and ignoring changes in cross-currency rates. Nevertheless, some residual currency effects could impact the aggregate value of the portfolio when aggregating each bucket.

    CONTACTS

    For the Investment Manager
    AXA Investment Managers Paris
    François Touati
    francois.touati@axa-im.com
    +33 (0) 1 44 45 80 22

    Olivier Pons
    Olivier.pons@axa-im.com
    +33 (0) 1 44 45 87 30

    Company Secretary and Administrator
    BNP Paribas S.A, Guernsey Branch
    guernsey.bp2s.volta.cosec@bnpparibas.com 
    +44 (0) 1481 750 853

    Corporate Broker
    Cavendish Securities plc
    Andrew Worne
    Daniel Balabanoff
    +44 (0) 20 7397 8900

    *****
    ABOUT VOLTA FINANCE LIMITED

    Volta Finance Limited is incorporated in Guernsey under The Companies (Guernsey) Law, 2008 (as amended) and listed on Euronext Amsterdam and the London Stock Exchange’s Main Market for listed securities. Volta’s home member state for the purposes of the EU Transparency Directive is the Netherlands. As such, Volta is subject to regulation and supervision by the AFM, being the regulator for financial markets in the Netherlands.

    Volta’s Investment objectives are to preserve its capital across the credit cycle and to provide a stable stream of income to its Shareholders through dividends that it expects to distribute on a quarterly basis. The Company currently seeks to achieve its investment objectives by pursuing exposure predominantly to CLO’s and similar asset classes. A more diversified investment strategy across structured finance assets may be pursued opportunistically. The Company has appointed AXA Investment Managers Paris an investment management company with a division specialised in structured credit, for the investment management of all its assets.

    *****

    ABOUT AXA INVESTMENT MANAGERS
    AXA Investment Managers (AXA IM) is a multi-expert asset management company within the AXA Group, a global leader in financial protection and wealth management. AXA IM is one of the largest European-based asset managers with 2,700 professionals and €844 billion in assets under management as of the end of December 2023.  

    *****

    This press release is published by AXA Investment Managers Paris (“AXA IM”), in its capacity as alternative investment fund manager (within the meaning of Directive 2011/61/EU, the “AIFM Directive”) of Volta Finance Limited (the “Volta Finance”) whose portfolio is managed by AXA IM.

    This press release is for information only and does not constitute an invitation or inducement to acquire shares in Volta Finance. Its circulation may be prohibited in certain jurisdictions and no recipient may circulate copies of this document in breach of such limitations or restrictions. This document is not an offer for sale of the securities referred to herein in the United States or to persons who are “U.S. persons” for purposes of Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), or otherwise in circumstances where such offer would be restricted by applicable law. Such securities may not be sold in the United States absent registration or an exemption from registration from the Securities Act. Volta Finance does not intend to register any portion of the offer of such securities in the United States or to conduct a public offering of such securities in the United States.

    *****

    This communication is only being distributed to and is only directed at (i) persons who are outside the United Kingdom or (ii) investment professionals falling within Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005 (the “Order”) or (iii) high net worth companies, and other persons to whom it may lawfully be communicated, falling within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) of the Order (all such persons together being referred to as “relevant persons”). The securities referred to herein are only available to, and any invitation, offer or agreement to subscribe, purchase or otherwise acquire such securities will be engaged in only with, relevant persons. Any person who is not a relevant person should not act or rely on this document or any of its contents. Past performance cannot be relied on as a guide to future performance.

    *****
    This press release contains statements that are, or may deemed to be, “forward-looking statements”. These forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology, including the terms “believes”, “anticipated”, “expects”, “intends”, “is/are expected”, “may”, “will” or “should”. They include the statements regarding the level of the dividend, the current market context and its impact on the long-term return of Volta Finance’s investments. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties and readers are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. Volta Finance’s actual results, portfolio composition and performance may differ materially from the impression created by the forward-looking statements. AXA IM does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise forward-looking statements.

    Any target information is based on certain assumptions as to future events which may not prove to be realised. Due to the uncertainty surrounding these future events, the targets are not intended to be and should not be regarded as profits or earnings or any other type of forecasts. There can be no assurance that any of these targets will be achieved. In addition, no assurance can be given that the investment objective will be achieved.

    The figures provided that relate to past months or years and past performance cannot be relied on as a guide to future performance or construed as a reliable indicator as to future performance. Throughout this review, the citation of specific trades or strategies is intended to illustrate some of the investment methodologies and philosophies of Volta Finance, as implemented by AXA IM. The historical success or AXA IM’s belief in the future success, of any of these trades or strategies is not indicative of, and has no bearing on, future results.

    The valuation of financial assets can vary significantly from the prices that the AXA IM could obtain if it sought to liquidate the positions on behalf of the Volta Finance due to market conditions and general economic environment. Such valuations do not constitute a fairness or similar opinion and should not be regarded as such.

    Editor: AXA INVESTMENT MANAGERS PARIS, a company incorporated under the laws of France, having its registered office located at Tour Majunga, 6, Place de la Pyramide – 92800 Puteaux. AXA IMP is authorized by the Autorité des Marchés Financiers under registration number GP92008 as an alternative investment fund manager within the meaning of the AIFM Directive.

    *****

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Gang Member Who Coordinated Drug Deals From State Prison Sentenced to Federal Prison

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

    CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A 45-year-old Corpus Christi resident has been sentenced conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.

    George Gomez aka Quick is a confirmed Texas Syndicate gang member. He pleaded guilty Dec. 19, 2024.

    U.S. District Judge David S. Morales has ordered Gomez to serve 300 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by five years of supervised release. The court also ordered his federal prison sentence run consecutively to his current state prison sentence. He will begin serving the 25-year sentence following completion of his state prison term of incarceration.

    At the hearing, the court heard about Gomez’s extensive criminal history that began at age 17 when he was convicted of unlawful carrying of a weapon and cocaine possession. He was later convicted of possession of cocaine two more times as well as aggravated assault. In handing down the sentence, Judge Morales emphasized that Gomez had committed this current offense while in prison for a drug possession charge. Furthermore, he noted that his crimes seemed be getting worse as he was now possessing narcotics with the intent to distribute and no longer simply possessing them.

    Gomez was serving a 17-year sentence in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice for cocaine possession when he obtained a contraband cell phone and began coordinating narcotics deals for other Texas Syndicate gang members while incarcerated.

    The investigation into the Texas Syndicate led to the discovery that Gomez was facilitating the distribution of methamphetamine to local drug dealers in Corpus Christi.

    Gomez was brought over from the Texas Department of Criminal Justice to answer for his federal charges. 

    The Drug Enforcement Administration, FBI and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation with the assistance of the National Guard and Texas Board of Criminal Justice – Office of Inspector General. 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 on the Department of Justice’s OCDETF webpage. 

    Assistant U.S. Attorneys Barbara J. De Pena and Brittany Jensen prosecuted the case.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Former Culpeper Sheriff Sentenced to 10 Years on Federal Bribery Charges

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Scott Jenkins Received Over $75,000 in Cash Payments in Exchange for Auxiliary Deputy Sheriff Appointments

    CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – The former sheriff of Culpeper County, Virginia was sentenced today to 10 years in federal prison for accepting over $75,000 in bribes in exchange for appointing numerous Northern Virginia businessmen as auxiliary deputy sheriffs within his department.

    In December 2024, a jury convicted Scott Howard Jenkins, 53, of Culpeper, Virginia, of one count of conspiracy, four counts of honest services fraud, and seven counts of bribery concerning programs receiving federal funds.

    “Scott Jenkins violated his oath of office and the faith the citizens of Culpeper County placed in him when he engaged in a cash-for-badges scheme,” Acting United States Attorney Zachary T. Lee said today. “We hold our elected law enforcement officials to a higher standard of conduct and this case proves that when those officials use their authority for unjust personal enrichment, the Department of Justice will hold them accountable. I am grateful to the FBI for their tireless work on this investigation.”

    “Every law enforcement officer takes an oath to serve and protect the community– that includes following the law they’ve sworn to uphold.  I am proud of the diligent work our investigative team did on this case to bring Jenkins to justice,” said Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Richmond Division, Stanley M. Meador.

    According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Jenkins accepted cash bribes and bribes in the form of campaign contributions from co-defendants Rick Rahim, Fredric Gumbinner, and James Metcalf, as well as at least five others, including two FBI undercover agents.

    Rahim, Gumbinner, and Metcalf have all pled guilty for their roles in the conspiracy.

    In return for the bribes, Jenkins appointed each of the bribe payors as auxiliary deputy sheriffs, a sworn law-enforcement position, and issued them official Culpeper County Sheriff’s Office badges and credentials. The bribe payors were not trained or vetted and did not render any legitimate services to the Sheriff’s Office or the citizens of Culpeper County.

    In addition, Jenkins pressured other local officials to approve a petition filed in Culpeper County Circuit Court by Rahim, a convicted felon, to restore his right to possess a firearm and which falsely stated that Rahim resided in Culpeper County.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Melanie Smith for the Western District of Virginia and Trial Attorneys Celia Choy and Lina Peng of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section (PIN) prosecuted the case.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Baltimore Man Sentenced to More Than 30 Years in Federal Prison for Sexually Exploiting Multiple Minors

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Baltimore, Maryland – Today, U.S. District Judge Ellen L. Hollander sentenced Delroy James Scott, 25, of Baltimore, Maryland, to 32 years in federal prison, followed by 50 years of supervised release, for the coercion and enticement of a minor and sexually exploiting six minors.

    Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the sentence with Special Agent in Charge William J. DelBagno of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); Chief Robert McCullough, Baltimore County Police Department; Baltimore County State’s Attorney Scott Shellenberger; Chief Charles H. Hinnant, Cumberland Police Department; and Allegany County State’s Attorney James Elliott.

    According to his guilty plea, between November 2021 and May 2022, Scott exploited six minor females between the ages of 9 and 14. Scott, who used an alias and pretended to be 16, utilized mobile phones and online applications to meet and communicate with the minor victims.  He then persuaded, induced, enticed, and coerced the minor victims to meet him to engage in sex acts and/or to produce sexually explicit images and videos. Scott also had victims send him explicit images and videos and threatened to expose some of the victims to coerce them to produce explicit videos and engage in additional sex acts.

    Scott traveled to the apartment of Minor Victim 1, age 9, on two separate occasions and coerced the victim to engage in sex acts. He pressured Minor Victim 2, age 11, to send explicit videos and images, and then threatened to expose her to her parents if she didn’t meet Scott in person to engage in sex acts.  Scott convinced Minor Victim 3, age 13, to provide the address to her Alleghany County residence where he climbed into her bedroom window and sexually assaulted her.

    The defendant traveled to the middle school of Minor Victim 4, age 12, on three separate mornings, and coerced the victim to engage in sex acts by threatening to expose her with videos he claimed he made of them.  He coerced Minor Victim 5, age 10, to produce and send him explicit videos and then coerced her to send additional explicit videos by threatening to tell her mother.

    Scott recorded he and Minor Victim 6, age 15, engaging in sexually explicit conduct on multiple occasions.  Additionally, according to facts presented at sentencing, between 2017 and 2022, Scott engaged in similar unlawful conduct with multiple minor victims between the ages of 12 and 16.

    This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative, launched in May 2006, by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse.  Led by the United States Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims.  For more information about Project Safe Childhood, visit www.justice.gov/psc.  Learn more about Internet safety education by clicking on the “Resources” tab on the left of the page.

    U.S. Attorney Hayes commended the FBI, Baltimore County Police Department, Baltimore State’s Attorney’s Office, Cumberland Police Department, and Allegany County State’s Attorney’s Office for their work in the investigation.  Ms. Hayes also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul E. Budlow who prosecuted the case.

    For more information about the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, please visit www.justice.gov/usao-md/project-safe-childhood and https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach.

    # # #

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Federal Grand Jury Indicts Four Chinese Nationals for Possessing Counterfeit Access Devices

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Louisville, KY – A federal grand jury in Louisville, Kentucky, returned two indictments on March 19, 2025, charging a total of four Chinese nationals with possessing more than fifteen counterfeit and unauthorized access devices as part of gift card tampering schemes.

    U.S. Attorney Michael A. Bennett of the Western District of Kentucky, Special Agent in Charge Rana Saoud of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Nashville, Special Agent in Charge Michael E. Stansbury of the FBI Louisville Field Office, and Chief Barry S. Wilkerson of the St. Matthews Police Department made the announcement.

    According to the first indictment, Zhiqiang Huang and Chaoming Lin were charged with possessing more than fifteen counterfeit and unauthorized access devices following their arrest on October 19, 2024. That day, Kroger security personnel observed Lin placing gift cards on the rack at a Kroger store in Louisville. Later, following a stop by St. Matthews police, Huang and Lin were found to be in possession of approximately 5,000 gifts cards. A subsequent analysis of those gift cards indicated 2,000 were likely altered.   

    According to the second indictment, Huixing Yu and Tianlong Chen were charged with possessing more than fifteen counterfeit and unauthorized access devices following their arrest on October 19, 2024. That day, Kroger security personnel observed Chen placing gift cards on the rack at a Kroger store in Louisville. Later, following a stop by St. Matthews police, Yu and Chen were found to be in possession of approximately 650 gifts cards. A subsequent analysis of those gift cards indicated 250 were likely altered.   

    Gift card tampering is a form of organized retail crime. Gift card tampering involves stealing gift cards from retail stores, tampering the gift card to steal sensitive information, and then placing the gift card back into commerce at a retailer to be sold to unsuspecting consumers. When a consumer purchases the tampered gift card and loads funds onto the gift card at the point of sale, the funds are diverted and stolen.

    Individuals and organizations engaged in gift card tampering often target brands that can be redeemed for goods, or items that can be easily liquidated on digital marketplaces. Large retailers are primary targets due to the high levels of consumer traffic and quick inventory turnover.

    If convicted, each defendant faces a sentence of up to 10 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors.

    There is no parole in the federal system.

    This case is being investigated by HSI, FBI, and St. Matthews Police Department.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney David Weiser is prosecuting this case.

    These cases are part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

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

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Fresno-Based Bank Fraud Scheme Recruited Participants on Facebook

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    FRESNO, Calif. — Abreiana Rogers, 29, of Los Angeles, made an initial appearance in federal court in Fresno Thursday for charges stemming from her participation in a year-long bank fraud scheme that sought to defraud credit unions of nearly $1 million, Acting U.S. Attorney Michele Beckwith announced.

    Five co-defendants in the scheme made their initial appearances in November 2024: Fresno residents Nyric Hinton, 26; Zion Brewer, 39; Zorian Temple, 23; Davonntae Barfield, 30; and Harry Cooper Neal, 29.

    All six defendants were charged with conspiracy to commit bank fraud. Rogers was also charged with four counts of bank fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft. Hinton was charged with one count of bank fraud. Temple and Barfield were also each charged with two counts of bank fraud.

    According to court documents, between April 2022 and Jan. 31, 2023, the defendants used Facebook and Facebook Messenger to recruit bank account holders, promising these account holders a cut of any fraudulent funds deposited into their accounts. The defendants then used those individuals’ bank accounts to deposit stolen and fraudulent checks. Brewer, a U.S. Postal Service employee, assisted by stealing mail containing checks and other financial information, and by providing that information to his co-conspirators.

    The defendants and others would then rapidly deplete the fraudulently deposited funds from the account holders’ accounts using electronic transfers and cash withdrawals. The defendants then shared the proceeds among themselves and other co-conspirators. To circumvent financial institutions’ fraud protection systems, the defendants shared information about known weaknesses in the financial institutions’ fraud protection systems. To conceal the fraud, the defendants instructed account holders to claim that their accounts had been compromised if contacted by the financial institutions about the fraudulent deposits.

    The defendants are alleged to have attempted at least $1 million in fraudulent transactions with financial institutions, fraudulently used over 100 bank accounts, and obtained hundreds of thousands of dollars from the financial institutions.

    This case is the product of an investigation by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General, and the Fresno Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey A. Spivak is prosecuting the case.

    The case is set for a status conference on June 4, 2025.

    If convicted, the defendants face a maximum statutory penalty of 30 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for conspiracy to commit bank fraud and for any count of bank fraud. Rogers also faces a two-year mandatory consecutive prison sentence for aggravated identity theft if convicted. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. The charges are only allegations; the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Two Men Sentenced for Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine in Northern Kentucky

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    COVINGTON, Ky. – Two men, John Christopher Davis, 54, of Cincinnati, Ohio, and Douglas DeAngelo Wade, 45, of Covington, Kentucky, were sentenced on Friday, to 188 months in prison, by Chief U.S. District Judge David Bunning. Each was convicted of conspiracy to distribute cocaine. In addition, Davis was convicted of possession with intent to distribute cocaine, and Wade was convicted of distribution of cocaine. 

    According to their plea agreements and other court filings, from approximately January 1, 2023, through January 26, 2024, Davis and Wade conspired with co-defendants, Terry Mitchell, Michael Labordeaux, Stephen Russ, Gregory Soard and others to knowingly distribute more than 500 grams of cocaine in Kenton County, Ky., and elsewhere. Wade was the head of the conspiracy and regularly supplied cocaine and cocaine base to Davis and others to distribute it. 

    Both Davis and Wade had prior drug trafficking convictions.  Davis was previously convicted of first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance, cocaine, in 2003 and 2006 in Kenton County Circuit Court. He was additionally convicted of possession with intent to distribute five grams or more of cocaine base in 2007 in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky. Similarly, Wade was previously convicted of distribution of over 50 grams of cocaine base in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky.

    Soard was previously sentenced to 96 months in prison in January 2025. Russ was sentenced to 105 months in prison in December 2024. Mitchell is scheduled to be sentenced on April 4, and Labordeaux is scheduled to be sentenced on May 9. 

    Under federal law, Davis and Wade must serve 85 percent of their prison sentence. Upon Davis’ release from prison, he will be under the supervision of the U.S. Probation Office for six years, and Wade will be under the supervision of the U.S. Probation Office for eight years.

    Paul McCaffrey, Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; Michael Stansbury, Special Agent in Charge, FBI, Louisville Field Office; and Chief Brian Valenti, Covington Police Department, jointly announced the sentence.

    The investigation was conducted by the FBI and Covington Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tony Bracke is prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States.

    – END –

     

     

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  • MIL-OSI Canada: Advancing gender equality and supporting victims and survivors of gender-based violence across Canada

    Source: Government of Canada News (2)

    March 21, 2025 – Ottawa, Ontario — Women and Gender Equality Canada

    A strong Canadian economy depends on everyone having the opportunity to fully participate in economic, social and cultural life. Removing systemic barriers to gender equality, while preventing and addressing all forms of gender-based violence, is essential to building a future where all Canadians can thrive.

    Today, the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Canadian Culture and Identity, Parks Canada and Quebec Lieutenant, who is responsible for the Department of Women and Gender Equality, announced up to $5.9 million for seven projects that will advance gender equality.

    The following two organizations will receive up to $1.2 million to increase their capacity as well as the capacity of national women’s organizations to achieve their goals, build knowledge, and implement change: 

    • Canadian Research Institute for the Advancement of Women (CRIAW) (Ottawa, ON)

    Project name: Building the Capacity of National Women’s Rights Organizations

    Women’s Program Funding Amount: $1,100,000

    • Famous 5 Foundation (Calgary, AB)

    Project name: Advancing Equality on the Way to the 100th Anniversary of the ‘Persons’ Case

    Women’s Program Funding Amount: up to $99,998

    The following five organizations will receive up to $4.7 million to help support victims and survivors of gender-based violence by expanding the scope and effectiveness of their efforts, and will be another step towards ending gender-based violence:

    • Andrew Fleck Children’s Services (Ottawa, ON)

    Project name: Equitable Start: Accessible Early Learning and Child Care for survivors of GBV

    Gender-based Violence Program Funding Amount: up to $299,855

    • Ending Violence Association of Canada (Ottawa, ON)

    Project name: Improving Institutional Accountability Project – Phase III

    Gender-based Violence Program Funding Amount: up to $755,331

    • La rue des femmes de Montréal (Montréal, QC)

    Project name: Relational Healing and Health in Women Survivors of GBV: Trauma-Informed Relational Care

    Gender-based Violence Program Funding Amount: up to $1,256,918

    • Vesta Social Innovation Technologies (Toronto, ON)

    Project name: Resilience in Action: Intersectional Approaches to Addressing GBV in Diverse Communities

    Gender-based Violence Program Funding Amount: up to $1,988,556

    • Women’s Centre for Social Justice (WomenatthecentrE) (Toronto, ON)

    Project name: Over-Represented, and Under-Protected: Building A Reproductive Justice Framework Centring Indigenous, Black, and Afro-Indigenous Communities in the GTA

    Gender-based Violence Program Funding Amount: up to $400,000

    Whether it is by supporting women in business, leadership, and culture, or ensuring their safety and security, everyone plays a role in advancing gender equality and ending gender-based violence. Investing in initiatives that empower women helps build a stronger, more sustainable future for all.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Two Eastern European Organized Crime Leaders Convicted of Murder for Hire Targeting U.S.-Based Journalist on Behalf of Iranian Government

    Source: US State of California

    Iranian Government Hired Polad Omarov and Rafat Amirov to Kill Masih Alinejad in Exchange for $500,000

    A federal jury returned guilty verdicts yesterday on all five counts in the superseding indictment against Rafat Amirov, also known as Farkhaddin Mirzoev, Pᴎᴍ, and Rome, 46, of Iran; and Polad Omarov, also known as Araz Aliyev, Polad Qaqa, and Haci Qaqa, 40, of Georgia. The defendants were convicted of murder-for-hire and attempted murder in aid of racketeering charges, in a trial before U.S. District Judge Colleen McMahon. Amirov and Omarov are scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 17.

    “The Iranian regime’s brazen plot to silence and murder Americans will not be tolerated,” said Sue J. Bai, head of the Justice Department’s National Security Division. “This verdict underscores the Department’s commitment to finding and holding accountable those who threaten our citizens and our freedoms. With the great work of our prosecutors and law enforcement partners, we are now one step closer to justice.”

    “For years, the Government of Iran has attempted to silence an outspoken Iranian journalist, author, activist and critic of their regime through any means necessary, including harassment, violence, intimidation, and even attempted murder,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Matthew Podolsky for the Southern District of New York. “Chillingly, the plot to murder this Iranian dissident culminated over 6,000 miles from Iran, on U.S. soil, right here in New York, when a hitman with an AK-47 camped outside her home to kill her. I commend the career prosecutors of this office, and our law enforcement partners at the FBI’s Counterintelligence Division for their tireless work in bringing these defendants to justice. This verdict should send a clear message around the world: if you target U.S. citizens, we will find you, no matter where you are, and bring you to justice.”

    “The defendants participated in a brazen plot to kill an Iranian American dissident in New York who criticized the regime in Iran,” said Acting Assistant Director Roman Rozhavsky of the FBI’s Counterintelligence Division. “Thanks to the good work of the FBI and our partners their plan failed. This verdict demonstrates the FBI will not tolerate Iran’s attempts to threaten, silence, or harm American citizens.”

    According to court documents, Amirov and Omarov were high-ranking members of an Eastern European organized crime group (the Organization) who worked with other members of the Organization to attempt to kill Masih Alinejad on instructions from high-ranking members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Alinejad has previously been the target of plots by the Government of Iran to intimidate, harass, and kidnap her for her work as a journalist, author, and human rights activist who has publicized the Government of Iran’s human rights abuses around the world. As recently as 2020 and 2021, Iranian intelligence officials and assets plotted to kidnap Alinejad from within the U.S. for rendition to Iran in an effort to silence her criticism of the Iranian regime.

    After these brazen efforts to kidnap Alinejad from the U.S. failed, the IRGC turned to Amirov and Omarov to locate, surveil, and murder her. Beginning in approximately July 2022, Amirov sent targeting information—which he had received directly from IRGC officials in Iran—about Alinejad to Omarov. In turn, Omarov communicated this information to Khalid Mehdiyev, another member of the Organization who had been residing in Yonkers, New York, so that Mehdiyev could surveil Alinejad and murder her. In turn, Mehdiyev sent photographs and videos of Alinejad’s residence to Omarov, who shared these materials with Amirov and the IRGC officials who orchestrated the plot in Iran. Amirov and Omarov then arranged for a $30,000 cash payment to Mehdiyev, who used a portion of this payment to buy an AK-47 style assault rifle, two magazines, and at least 66 rounds of ammunition; as Mehdiyev boasted in electronic communications, a “war machine” he could use to kill Alinejad.

    In late July 2022, Mehdiyev repeatedly traveled to Alinejad’s neighborhood to surveil her. Mehdiyev sent reports of his surveillance to Omarov, who passed them to Amirov. On July 24, 2022, Mehdiyev reported to Omarov from Alinejad’s residence that he was “at the crime scene.” On July 27, 2022, Omarov told Amirov that Mehdiyev was ready to kill Alinejad, writing “this matter will be over today. I told them to make a birthday present for me. I pressured them, they will sleep there this night.”  On July 28, 2022, Mehdiyev sent Omarov a video taken from inside the car that Mehdiyev was driving with the assault rifle and a message reading “we are ready.” Amirov sent an image of the interior of Alinejad’s home to Omarov to be forwarded to Mehdiyev, writing “this is the house where she stays.”  As Omarov continued to update Amirov about Mehdiyev’s readiness, Amirov cautioned Omarov “let him keep the car clean.”  When Mehdiyev subsequently drove from where he was surveilling the residence, he was stopped after a traffic violation and, during a subsequent search of the vehicle, police officers found the assault rifle, 66 rounds of ammunition, approximately $1,100 in cash, and a black ski mask.

    After Mehdiyev was arrested and placed into custody, Omarov contacted Mehdiyev’s mother and threatened to kill her and her other son if she did not locate Mehdiyev.

    Amirov and Omarov were convicted on five counts: murder-for-hire, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison (Count One); conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison (Count Two); conspiracy to commit money laundering, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison (Count Three); attempted murder in aid of racketeering, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison (Count Four); and possession and use of a firearm in connection with the attempted murder, which carries a maximum penalty of life in prison and a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison (Count Five).

    The FBI New York Field Office Counterintelligence-Cyber Division and the New York FBI Iran Threat Task Force are investigating the case, with assistance from the New York City Police Department (NYPD) and the NYPD Intelligence Bureau. The Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs provided valuable assistance. The Justice Department thanked the authorities in the Czech Republic for their assistance.

    Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael D. Lockard, Jacob H. Gutwillig, and Matthew J.C. Hellman for the Southern District of New York are prosecuting the case with assistance from paralegal specialist Owen Foley and Trial Attorneys Christopher Rigali and Leslie Esbrook of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Turtle Creek Resident Pleads Guilty to Narcotics Trafficking and Unlawful Possession of Firearm

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – A resident of Turtle Creek, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to charges of violating federal narcotics and firearms laws, Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.

    Timothy Mollett, 34, pleaded guilty to Counts One, Six, Thirteen, and Fourteen of the Superseding Indictment before United States District Judge Marilyn J. Horan on March 19, 2025.

    In connection with the guilty plea, the Court was advised that, from in and around April 2019 to in and around July 2021, in the Western District of Pennsylvania, Mollett conspired with others to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture of cocaine, 28 grams or more of a mixture of crack, and quantities of fentanyl and methamphetamine. Mollett was intercepted on a federal wiretap obtaining quantities of the drugs that he distributed to others. Further, in and around July 2021, Mollett unlawfully possessed a firearm as a convicted felon, and did so in furtherance of his drug trafficking crime. Federal law prohibits possession of a firearm or ammunition by a convicted felon.

    Judge Horan scheduled sentencing for July 24, 2025. The law provides for a total maximum sentence of not less than five years and up to 40 years in prison, a fine of up to $10 million, or both. Under the federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history of the defendant.

    Assistant United States Attorney Maureen Sheehan-Balchon is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

    The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Laurel Highlands Resident Agency and Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Mollett. Additional agencies participating in this investigation include the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, United States Postal Inspection Service, Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, Pennsylvania State Police, Cambria County District Attorney’s Office, Indiana County District Attorney’s Office, Cambria County Sheriff’s Office, Cambria Township Police Department, Indiana Borough Police Department, Johnstown Police Department, Upper Yoder Township Police Department, Richland Police Department, Ferndale Police Department, and other local law enforcement agencies.

    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.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Johnstown Woman Pleads Guilty to Trafficking Heroin and Crack

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – A resident of Johnstown, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of violating federal narcotics laws, Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.

    Sandra Box, 59, pleaded guilty to Count One of the Superseding Indictment before United States District Judge Marilyn J. Horan on March 19, 2025.

    In connection with the guilty plea, the Court was advised that, from in and around February 2021 to in and around April 2021, in the Western District of Pennsylvania, Box conspired with others to distribute and possess with intent to distribute quantities of heroin and crack. Box was intercepted on a federal wiretap obtaining quantities of the drugs that she distributed to others.

    Judge Horan scheduled sentencing for July 24, 2025. The law provides for a total maximum sentence of up to 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $1 million, or both. Under the federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

    Assistant United States Attorney Maureen Sheehan-Balchon is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

    The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Laurel Highlands Resident Agency and Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Box. Additional agencies participating in this investigation include the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, United States Postal Inspection Service, Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, Pennsylvania State Police, Cambria County District Attorney’s Office, Indiana County District Attorney’s Office, Cambria County Sheriff’s Office, Cambria Township Police Department, Indiana Borough Police Department, Johnstown Police Department, Upper Yoder Township Police Department, Richland Police Department, Ferndale Police Department, and other local law enforcement agencies.

    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.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Luzerne County Man Sentenced To 130 Months For Drug Trafficking And Firearms Offenses

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    SCRANTON– The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Eshawn Harrell, age 31, of Hazleton, Pennsylvania, was sentenced yesterday by Judge Malachy E. Mannion to 130 months’ imprisonment for possessing with intent to distribute fentanyl and cocaine and possessing firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking.

    According to Acting United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, on June 29, 2023, investigators executed a search warrant on Harrell’s residence and seized approximately 195 grams of fentanyl, 24 grams of cocaine, drug paraphernalia including sandwich bags, digital scales, glassine bags, vacuum sealer, $1,000 in U.S. currency, seven iPhones, 50 rounds of ammunition, and two loaded handguns.  Harrell had previously been convicted of drug trafficking and was not legally permitted to possess firearms or ammunition.

    This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

    This matter was investigated by the Pennsylvania State Police, the Luzerne County District Attorney’s Office, and the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA).  Assistant United States Attorney Jenny P. Roberts prosecuted the case.

    # # #

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Armed Franklin County Drug Dealer Sentenced to 19 Years

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    RALEIGH, N.C. – A Youngsville man was sentenced Thursday to 19 years in prison for armed drug trafficking of cocaine, fentanyl and marijuana.  On June 10, 2024, Samuel McCoy Oakley, Jr., age 47, pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 5 kilograms or more of cocaine, 400 grams or more of fentanyl, and a quantity of marijuana, distribution of 500 grams or more of cocaine, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

    According to court documents and other information presented in court, in September 2022, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), in conjunction with other federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, initiated an investigation into a drug-trafficking organization (DTO) operating in the Eastern District of North Carolina (EDNC). Investigation through digital and physical surveillance, cooperating sources, and wire intercepts determined that Oakley and his co-conspirators were responsible for distributing various narcotics sourced from New York and New Jersey.

    On multiple occasions during the investigation, law enforcement observed unidentified males, with bags, arrive at Oakley’s residence, stay for a brief period, and leave. Vehicles stopped after leaving Oakley’s residence were found with marijuana and cash. Wiretap interceptions included calls where Oakley was discussing the sale of cocaine and fentanyl with his co-conspirators. In one instance, in May of 2023, he discussed purchasing “knowledge,” which referred to fentanyl branded with that name. The next day, a man used by Oakley as a courier drove from Charlotte to Oakley’s house and stayed only a couple of hours before returning to Charlotte. The following day, the courier took a flight to New York. Geo-location data show that the courier was in New York and New Jersey for a couple of days before driving back to North Carolina where he was stopped by law enforcement. During a search of the vehicle, officers located a “trap” that contained 5,012 grams of cocaine and 600 grams of fentanyl. The packages of fentanyl were stamped with the word “Knowledge.”

    On July 19, 2023, a search warrant was executed at Oakley’s residence and more than 2,000 grams of cocaine were seized from the attic insulation. In addition, two 9mm handguns, including one that was loaded, a semiautomatic rifle, several rounds of ammunition and more than $35,000 in cash were recovered.

    Based on the investigation, between July 2022 and July 2023, law enforcement determined that Oakley was responsible for a total of over 168 kilograms of cocaine, over 7 kilograms of fentanyl, and approximately 4 kilograms of marijuana.

    This investigation was an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (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.

    Daniel P. Bubar, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Terrence W. Boyle. The DEA, the Henderson Police Department, Franklin County Sherriff’s Office, and the State Bureau of Investigation investigated the case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Casey L. Peaden prosecuted the case.

    Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:23-cr-00247-BO-RN.

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    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Read-out of the meeting between European Council President António Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen with the leaders of Iceland, Norway, Türkiye and the United Kingdom

    Source: European Commission – Justice

    European Commission Read-out Brussels, 21 Mar 2025 On Friday 21 March 2025, the President of the European Council, António Costa and the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, together with High Representative Kaja Kallas, had a video conference meeting with the Prime Minister of Iceland Kristrún Frostadóttir, the Prime Minister of Norway Jonas Gahr Støre, the President of Türkiy Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, and the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Keir Starmer.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: OSCE demonstrates its impact in mitigating virtual asset risks

    Source: Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe – OSCE

    Headline: OSCE demonstrates its impact in mitigating virtual asset risks

    Vera Strobachova-Budway, Head of OCEEA’s Economic Governance Unit, presenting at an event in Riga, Latvia, 20 March 2025. (OSCE) Photo details

    The Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities (OCEEA) shared its experience in tackling the multifaceted challenges posed by virtual assets during an event organized by the British Embassy and the Serious and Organised Crime Network in Riga, Latvia, on 20 March.
    Participants discussed a wide range of virtual asset and cryptocurrency topics including digital asset seizure and confiscation, the 2025 Crypto Crime Report, and responses to virtual assets abuse. OCEEA presented the impact of its extra-budgetary project “Innovative policy solutions to mitigate money laundering risks of virtual assets” to an audience of practitioners, experts and policymakers from several OSCE participating States.
    “There are three main takeaways from the OSCE’s work on virtual assets”, said Vera Strobachova-Budway, Head of OCEEA’s Economic Governance Unit, in her closing remarks. “First, international co-operation is a must — what we do in one country will have an impact on another; second, we need to learn from each other; and third, awareness raising and education on the risks and benefits of virtual assets is key.”
    The OCEEA extra-budgetary project on virtual assets is financially supported by Germany, Italy, Poland, Romania, the United Kingdom and the United States of America.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Man sentenced for sexual abusing children

    Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

    A man has been jailed for more than 11 years for sexual abusing two children.

    Jamal Armstrong, 35 (30.12.89) of no fixed address, was sentenced to 11 years and nine months’ imprisonment at Woolwich Crown Court on Friday, 21 March.

    He was also handed a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and restraining order against the victims.

    Armstrong admitted two counts of sexual assault by penetration on a female under 13 and four counts of sexual assault on a female under 13 when he appeared before Woolwich Crown Court on Tuesday, 17 December 2024.

    The offences took place at an address in Greenwich between November 2023 and August 2024.

    The two victims, who were aged 12 at the time of the offences, were known to Armstrong. They came forward and reported the crimes to police in August 2024 and an investigation was swiftly launched by the Met’s Public Protection South East team.

    Armstrong was arrested by officers on Tuesday, 14 August 2024 while he was attempting to leave the country. He was later charged.

    Over four months, officers compiled numerous witness statements and a body of evidence, which ultimately led to a guilty plea.

    Specialist officers supported the victims throughout the investigation.

    Detective Constable Callum Boast, of the Met’s Public Protection South East team, said: “I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks and gratitude to the victims in this case, who have been extremely courageous in coming forward to police and recounting the trauma of abuse they suffered because of Armstrong.

    “Armstrong is a dangerous individual who has carried out horrific crimes to two girls known to him. He will now serve a substantial amount of time behind bars for his despicable behaviour.

    “It cannot be underestimated the impact, both physical and mental, such sustained abuse will have had and I hope today’s sentence will give some sense of closure and peace to the victims and their loved ones.”

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: The Prime Minister has appointed 5 Trustees to the British Museum

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    The Prime Minister has appointed 5 Trustees to the British Museum

    The Prime Minister has appointed Lord Daniel Finkelstein OBE, Tom Holland, Dr. Tiffany Jenkins, Martha Kearney and Claudia Winkleman as trustees of the British Museum; their four year terms started on 19 March 2025.

    Lord Daniel Finkelstein OBE

    Daniel is a columnist on The Times newspaper and a member of the House of Lords. He is also the author of a family memoir and history of the Second World War, ‘Hitler, Stalin, Mum and Dad’.

    He joined the Times in 2001 having previously worked as an adviser to John Major when Sir John was serving as Prime Minister and William Hague when he was leader of the Opposition.

    He is a patron of the Wiener Holocaust Library, a director of Chelsea FC, and the Chair of the Chelsea FC Foundation. In 1997 he was awarded an OBE as Director of Research for the Conservative Central Office.

    Tom Holland

    Tom is an award-winning historian, translator and broadcaster. He has written books about the Graeco-Persian wars; Roman history from the fall of the Republic to the age of Hadrian; empire and religion in late antiquity; Anglo-Saxon England; 11th century Latin Christendom; and the evolution and impact on the world of Christianity. He has translated Herodotus and Suetonius for Penguin Classics. 

    He is co-presenter of the history podcast, The Rest is History. He has written and presented numerous TV documentaries, on subjects ranging from the Islamic State to dinosaurs. He is a Board Member of the British Library and an honorary fellow of Queens’ College, Cambridge.

    Dr. Tiffany Jenkins

    Tiffany is a writer and academic. Her latest book, ‘Strangers and Intimates: The Rise and Fall of Private Life’, is set to be published in May 2025. Previous publications include ‘Keeping Their Marbles: How the Treasures of the Past Ended up in Museums and Why They Should Keep Them’ (2016) and ‘Contesting Human Remains in Museum Collections: The Crisis of Cultural Authority’ (2010).

    She has served as an honorary fellow in the History of Art at the University of Edinburgh and as a visiting fellow in the Department of Law at the London School of Economics. Her broadcasting contributions include presenting the series ‘A History of Secrecy, Contracts of Silence’, and ‘Beauty and the Brain: What Science Can and Cannot Tell Us About Art’ for BBC Radio 4. Additionally, she frequently appears as a critic on Radio 4’s Front Row, and her opinion pieces have been published in The Observer, Financial Times, The Spectator, and The Scotsman, where she previously served as a weekly opinion columnist.

    Martha Kearney

    Martha Kearney is a BBC presenter. She has presented the Today programme, The World at One, Woman’s Hour and Newsnight Review. As well as being Political Editor of Newsnight, she reported from Northern Ireland for many years and has had many overseas assignments including several trips to Afghanistan. 

    Martha was educated in Edinburgh and at Oxford University where she studied classics. Archaeology remains a lifelong passion. After leaving Today in 2024 Martha has launched a new interview series for BBC Radio Four called This Natural Life.

    Claudia Winkleman

    As a child, Claudia went to the National Gallery and British Museum almost every Saturday morning with her father, igniting a passion which eventually led her to study History of Art at Cambridge University in 1993. 

    After graduation, Claudia went on to work in television and radio and has done so for the past 30 years. She has hosted shows such as Strictly Come Dancing, The Traitors, The Piano and The Great British Sewing Bee. Claudia hosted the Radio 2 Arts Show for six years before hosting her eponymous show every Saturday morning at 10. In 2023 she won the BAFTA for Best Entertainment Performance.

    Claudia has written weekly columns for The Independent and The Sunday Times and continues to write for The Times. She is a Trustee for Comic Relief, a patron for Child Bereavement UK, and an Ambassador for The King’s Trust. 

    Remuneration and Governance Code

    Trustees of the British Museum are not remunerated. These appointments have been made in accordance with the Governance Code on Public Appointments. The appointments process is regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments. 

    Under the Code, any significant political activity undertaken by an appointee in the last five years must be declared. This is defined as including holding office, public speaking, making a recordable donation, or candidature for election. Tom Holland, Dr. Tiffany Jenkins, Martha Kearney and Claudia Winkleman have not declared any significant political activity. 

    Lord Daniel Finkelstein has declared he has been a parliamentary candidate and a party official for the Conservative Party, and a parliamentary candidate for the Social Democratic Party. He also canvassed for both parties and held minor party office at a local level for both. He currently has the Conservative whip in the House of Lords.

    DCMS has around 400 regulated Public Appointment roles across 42 Public Bodies including Arts Council England, Theatres Trust, the National Gallery, UK Sport and the Gambling Commission. We encourage applications from talented individuals from all backgrounds and across the whole of the United Kingdom.  To find out more about Public Appointments or to apply to be a Trustee of a National Museum or Gallery visit the HM Government Public Appointments Website.

    Updates to this page

    Published 21 March 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: PM remarks at St Patrick’s Day reception: 19 March 2025

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Speech

    PM remarks at St Patrick’s Day reception: 19 March 2025

    Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s remarks at the first St Patrick’s Day reception hosted in 10 Downing Street.

    It’s really fantastic to see you all here.  

    What a buzz. What an occasion it is to have you here in Downing Street where I work and where I live. So, I really hope you enjoy being here this evening for our very own St. Patrick’s Day event.

    Now I didn’t realise this, but this is the first time we have had one of these celebrations in No10. I can hardly believe it.  

    Our manifesto says change on the front. There are many bits we are going to change but this is among them now.

    You’ll have seen the Innova Irish dance company on your way in – weren’t they fantastic?

    I was in a busy in a meeting downstairs when they were rehearsing up here earlier on, and we could hear the rhythms of what they were going to do, it was really fantastic. 

    And I think I can see some of them. They were absolutely brilliant. 

    And we’ve got Tara Viscardi on the harp, it’s very nice to see you. 

    We’ve got the Belfast Coffee Company, Burren Balsamics, and who would have thought, that tonight Downing Street is the best place in London to grab a pint of Guinness. 

    We have set up a Guinness bar in the back. I think there is probably a strong case for leaving it there till the next one of these events. 

    And if anyone wants to have a go at splitting the G, then please go ahead. So Sláinte everyone! 

    But of course, celebrations for St. Patrick’s Day is a chance to bring people together.

    And it is really an honour to host you all here.

    And as I think and hope you know, all of this matters deeply to me because I have personal connections to Northern Ireland.

    It’s a place close to my heart.

    I worked over there for five years, working with the Police Service of Northern Ireland on some of the Belfast Good Friday Agreement changes.

    And that, as I’ve said on many occasions, was really impactful and formative for me on my journey through life. I learnt so much about politics, about change, about working with communities. 

    The importance of hope, and there was a lot of hope in the change that was going on, and about the people of Northern Ireland who are absolutely fantastic. 

    So I remember stepping off the plane for the first time. It’s London to Belfast, it’s only about 55 minutes. 

    But it was a big step, and it was really incredible to do that work and to feel the personal responsibility of upholding the Belfast Good Friday Agreement. 

    Because I love Northern Ireland so much, soon after my wife Vic and I got married we flew over to Belfast, hired a car and drove around the entire island of Ireland.

    From Belfast, all the way around and then back out of Dublin for about three weeks. But we saw everything, but it was really, really fantastic to see, and a real big part of my life. 

    And for me the Belfast Good Friday Agreement is the greatest achievement of the Labour Party in my lifetime. 

    And I’m delighted that we have got in the room tonight, some of the people who were instrumental in bringing that around. 

    What an incredible piece of history. And I know that Hilary and Fleur who are here work closely with the Northern Ireland parties. 

    And it’s fantastic that we’ve got some of Mo Mowlam’s family here. 

    In 2023, I was very pleased to open the Mo Mowlam Studio for Cinematic Arts at Ulster University. And that’s a fantastic tribute to her legacy that will help provide new opportunities for young people.

    And secondly, hosting these celebrations in No10 matters to me because it’s only two weeks ago that I was with the Taoiseach Micheál Martin at the inaugural UK-Ireland Summit in Liverpool. There we were joined by the Irish Ambassador to the UK Martin Fraser who is also here tonight. 

    But that Summit was a real opportunity to make good on the reset of relations between the UK and Ireland with a real determination to take them forward with massive ambition. 

    We had a really good two-day Summit where we got through everything we had on our agenda, and we added further things to the agenda that we could agree on. 

    And really, it felt that partnership, historically a strong and very important partnership is really entering a new and very positive chapter of our history. 

    And we will continue to build that friendship. Doing more than ever before in business, trade and security, we have discussed energy at great length and taking the relationship as the closest neighbours and friends – to that next level.

    And finally, tonight matters. Because it’s a chance to celebrate the incredible ties that bind us all together. The connections between families and friends across our islands.

    The late Queen Elizabeth II spoke about this. I’ve got what she said because when you pull it out it’s a really poignant reminder.  > She said “the ordinary people who yearned for the peace and understanding we now have between our two nations and between the communities” within them, and she went on to say is a reminder of everything we still need to do to build a better future for all of us.

    And I think it’s worth remembering those words and what an incredible piece of history that we have been living through. So tonight, let us raise a glass to St. Patrick. To celebrating everything Irish. 

    And on which I’ve seen actually Pat there. I play football regularly as you may know, and I wear a top. Now and again the photographers turn up. 

    Then there is this quiz which is what’s the top that he’s wearing. It’s my Donegal top that I picked up on my honeymoon. 

    And then the Taoiseach gave me an upgraded version of that top which is now used on the occasions where I am playing football. 

    So let’s celebrate everything Irish. All of the huge contribution to Britain over many generations. 

    From all those who settled in all sorts of places across the United Kingdom, including my own constituency of Camden. 

    But also of course in Coventry, in Birmingham and Liverpool and who applied their skills in construction, the NHS and workplaces and businesses across the country. 

    Or who created the music and art that has shaped us for decades. 

    And I know we’ve got some fantastic people here this evening. 

    Dermot O’Leary is here. Lisa McGee – the writer of the brilliant Derry Girls. Daniel Wiffen – Olympic Champion. 

    People from business, politics, the media and from across the country

    Including from the London Irish Centre in my own constituency – Seamus MacCormaic, you are very welcome this evening. 

    You’ll all be familiar with the London Irish Centre. A fantastic centre in Camden. An incredible place. 

    I’ve been there many times. For meetings, for events, we have held advice surgeries there. 

    There was a lot of work done there during Covid where it was a place where people could come for a socially distanced cup of coffee. 

    And that was really important for communities that were lonely and out of touch and of course, they have hampers going out there every Christmas for people who need it in the community.  

    I even did Desert Island Pics there which was a variation of Desert Island Discs. I once got challenged in a pub in Camden by someone who didn’t like the Desert Island Discs I had chosen. 

    Only in Camden could you get challenged about that! 

    And of course we had our CLP Christmas Social this year so the Camden Irish Centre is a great, great place!

    So this is a wonderful opportunity to say thank you to everyone for what you are doing.

    Let’s keep talking. Tell us how we can do better, how we can work with you.

    This is the centre of the work I do. But I did say the day after the election when I was on the steps of Downing Street, that we would be a government of service. 

    And that means it’s great to have you in here so you can help our thinking and shape what we are doing as we go about that task. 

    So thank you for your contributions, thank you for being here. 

    I wish you all very Happy St. Patrick’s Day. And as I say, the Guinness bar is winking at us just over there so if you haven’t got a pint of Guinness, please do enjoy one.

    I’m about to do just that.

    Updates to this page

    Published 21 March 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Gadyaces “Gady” Serralta Nominated to Key Post at United States Marshals Service

    Source: US State of Vermont

    WASHINGTON — The Department of Justice congratulates Gadyaces “Gady” Serralta on his nomination to be the next Director of the United States Marshals Service (USMS).

    Gady Serralta (USMS Director Nominee)

    Beginning his career as a Miami Patrol Officer in 1990, Mr. Serralta has dedicated over 34 years of his life to serving in law enforcement. Mr. Serralta has spent the last six years as the U.S. Marshal for the Southern District of Florida after being confirmed in 2018. As the U.S. Marshal for the Southern District of Florida, Mr. Serralta faithfully served millions of residents by managing operations across several counties and in multiple courthouses. Prior to becoming a U.S. Marshal, Mr. Serralta was a Major in the Miami-Dade Police Department and the Police Chief for Palmetto Bay, Florida. Mr. Serralta has extensive experience in handling criminal investigations and tackling organized crime.

    Mr. Serralta received a B.S. in Criminal Justice Studies from Florida International University and a M.S. in Leadership from Nova Southeastern University.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Gadyaces “Gady” Serralta Nominated to Key Post at United States Marshals Service

    Source: United States Attorneys General

    WASHINGTON — The Department of Justice congratulates Gadyaces “Gady” Serralta on his nomination to be the next Director of the United States Marshals Service (USMS).

    Gady Serralta (USMS Director Nominee)

    Beginning his career as a Miami Patrol Officer in 1990, Mr. Serralta has dedicated over 34 years of his life to serving in law enforcement. Mr. Serralta has spent the last six years as the U.S. Marshal for the Southern District of Florida after being confirmed in 2018. As the U.S. Marshal for the Southern District of Florida, Mr. Serralta faithfully served millions of residents by managing operations across several counties and in multiple courthouses. Prior to becoming a U.S. Marshal, Mr. Serralta was a Major in the Miami-Dade Police Department and the Police Chief for Palmetto Bay, Florida. Mr. Serralta has extensive experience in handling criminal investigations and tackling organized crime.

    Mr. Serralta received a B.S. in Criminal Justice Studies from Florida International University and a M.S. in Leadership from Nova Southeastern University.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Grand Falls-Windsor — Driver arrested by Grand Falls-Windsor RCMP for impaired operation

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    A 19-year-old woman was arrested by Grand Falls-Windsor RCMP on March 19, 2025, for impaired operation.

    At approximately 3:15 a.m. on Wednesday, police stopped a vehicle on Lincoln Road in Grand Falls-Windsor. The driver showed signs of alcohol impairment, failed a roadside breath test and was arrested. At the detachment, the woman provided further breath samples that were above the legal limit.

    She was released from custody and is set to appear in court at a later date to answer to charges of impaired operation. Her licence was suspended and the vehicle was seized and impounded.

    RCMP NL continues to fulfill its mandate to protect public safety, enforce the law, and ensure the delivery of priority policing services in Newfoundland and Labrador.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Davenport Man Sentenced to 121 Months in Federal Prison for Firearm and Marijuana Charges

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    DAVENPORT, Iowa – A Davenport man was sentenced yesterday to 121 months in federal prison for possessing a firearm as a felon and possessing a distribution quantity of marijuana.

    According to public court documents, and evidence presented at sentencing, Demarcus Letrelle Culberson Jr., 22, possessed a distribution quantity of marijuana in his car and at his residence. At Culberson’s residence, law enforcement also found a loaded firearm. A shell casing found at the scene of an October 2023 shooting was identified as having been fired from the firearm found at Culberson’s residence. Culberson was prohibited from possessing a firearm because he is a felon.

    After completing his term of imprisonment, Culberson will be required to serve a three-year term of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.

    United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. This case was investigated by the Davenport Police Department.

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

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Wimauma Man Sentenced To More Than 8 Years For Receiving Child Sexual Abuse Material

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge Virginia Covington has sentenced James Falzone (56, Wimauma) to eight years and one month in federal prison for receipt of child sexual abuse material (CSAM). The court also ordered Falzone to pay $30,000 in restitution to victims of the offenses and to register as a sex offender. Falzone pled guilty plea on December 4, 2024.

    According to court documents, on October 31, 2022, Falzone attempted to enter the United States via the seaport in Port Canaveral, Florida, after arriving from an international cruise. Law enforcement conducted a border search of his cellphone and found over 1,500 images of CSAM. Also, within Falzone’s cellphone was a chat with another individual from whom he received CSAM. 

    “Another child predator behind bars,” said ICE HSI Tampa Assistant Special Agent in Charge Micah McCombs. “Thanks to the unique border search authorities of our special agents, this criminal was caught red-handed.”

    This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Ross Roberts and Abigail K. King.

    This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.

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