NewzIntel.com

Category: Law and Justice

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Activist News – Protest against Winston Peters’ policy of appeasement towards genocidal Israel – PSNA

    Source: Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa

    Palestine Solidarity supporters will protest New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters’ “the real state of the nation” public meeting in Ōtautahi/Christchurch this Sunday from 1pm at the Christchurch Town Hall (the NZ First meeting for Peters begins at 2pm)

    While New Zealanders call for sanctions on Israel for genocide, Mr Peters continues to look the other way.

    As we said in a media release yesterday Mr Peters has repeatedly failed to:

    ·         Express any concern for the Palestinians killed by Israel since Israel ended the ceasefire (at least 436 killed – including 183 children as well as nearly 200 during the ‘ceasefire’)

    ·         Condemn Israel for this industrial-scale carnage, which the International Court of Justice found more than a year ago to be a case of ‘plausible genocide’.

    ·         Condemn Israel for ending the ceasefire (It was Israel alone which refused to begin negotiations on stage two of the ceasefire agreement which was to lead to a permanent Israeli ceasefire and withdrawal from all of Gaza)

    ·         Condemn Israel for its blockade on food, water, fuel, electricity, and medical supplies getting into Gaza – a war crime by any measure of humanity.

    “Mr Peters talks about the ‘incomprehensible human suffering over the past year and half’ but there is no mystery about this suffering” John Minto says.

    “It stems from a brutal miliary occupation declared illegal last year by the International Court of Justice.”

    “Mr. Peters pretends this is a conflict between two equal sides.  But there is no balance when one side is carrying out mass slaughter and the other is fighting for survival.”

    Mr Peters seems to think he is being clever in not condemning Israel as a way of avoiding offending the US but New Zealanders want and expect more from our government. We want principled action which will gain the respect of countries the world over rather than cowardly appeasement.

    The protest will be calling on the government to “Sanction Israel for Genocide!”

    John Minto
    Co National Chair
    Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Save the Children – Young ocean champions off to France for Global Summit

    Source: Save the Children

    Six young Kiwi ocean advocates, alongside representatives from WWF-New Zealand and Save the Children New Zealand, will travel to France this week to attend a global Ocean Citizen Summit aimed at exploring solutions to better protect our ocean and accelerate youth-led ocean action.
    The global forum, hosted at Nausicaá, Centre National de la Mer in Boulogne sur Mer, France, brings together more than 60 youth representatives from around the world to share the insights and solutions from their regions.
    Together, with senior experts in marine science and advocacy, they will identify individual and collective responses to five key challenges of the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development: changing humanity’s relationship with the ocean; unlocking ocean-based solutions to climate change, protecting and restoring marine ecosystems and biodiversity, developing a sustainable and equitable ocean economy and understanding and beating marine pollution from source to sea.
    The world’s oceans and seas are critical to our planet’s health, covering 71% of the Earth’s surface, producing 50% of our oxygen, feeding over 3 billion people, and absorbing 1/3 of global CO2 emissions. However, they face severe threats from climate change, pollution, overfishing, and ocean acidification. The Ocean Citizen Summit aims to empower young people to address these pressing challenges at both local and global levels.
    “Young people have the most to lose from climate and ocean degradation, as they will experience the long-term consequences,” says Save the Children Advocacy Director Jacqui Southey.
    “That’s why youth voices are crucial in these global conversations, particularly Pacific youth who are experiencing the impact of the world’s changing climate first hand. Here in Aotearoa, our marine environment is an important part of our lives and national and cultural identities, but sadly it is facing many threats, with unsustainable fishing, plastic pollution and climate change pushing our marine species and habitats to the brink of extinction.”
    WWF-New Zealand’s CEO Dr Kayla Kingdon-Bebb says the global summit is an amazing opportunity for the New Zealand group to meet other ocean youth champions from around the world.
    “I’m so proud that our rangatahi will be representing us on the world stage in France. This is a chance for these talented ocean conservation advocates to discuss global ocean conservation issues, share a Pacific perspective, and help shape the United Nations’ Ocean Citizen Charter.”
    The six youth advocates were selected following a series of ocean workshops held by WWF-New Zealand and Save the Children New Zealand in late 2024.
    Alongside Save the Children Youth Engagement Coordinator Vira Paky and WWF New Zealand’s Conservation Impact Advisor Carolyn Aguilar, the six youth delegates are:
    Quack Pirihi (Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Wai, Ngāti Whātua ki Kaipara, Patuharakeke) is a takatāpui activist, storyteller, and community organiser from Aotearoa, working at the intersection of indigenous sovereignty, climate justice, and queer liberation. Their mahi centres on rangatahi takatāpui empowerment, kaupapa Māori, and resisting environmental destruction. As the Founder and Director of Mana Āniwaniwa, Quack uplifts takatāpui and rangatahi Māori voices in decolonial and climate movements. A staunch opponent of deep-sea mining, Quack has spoken internationally, advocating for moana as an extension of whakapapa. In 2023, they joined the Pacific delegation to the International Seabed Authority conference, challenging corporate and colonial interests. Through storytelling and activism, Quack amplifies indigenous resistance to extractivism, pushing for solutions grounded in mātauranga Māori and a future where whenua, moana, and tangata thrive.
    Lottie Stevenson was born in Westport/Kawatiri on the West Coast of Te Waipounamu, and has lived close to the ocean her whole life. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Geography, studying at universities in Wellington/Te Whanganui-a-Tara and The Netherlands. Her recently completed Master’s thesis examines Antarctic paleoclimate and glaciology, including a chapter advocating for decolonising Antarctic research. She aims to foster collaboration across borders, ultimately driving collective action for Papatūānuku (Earth Mother). Lottie largely splits her time between mountains and sea, being an avid tramper, beach-cleaner, and aspiring environmental activist.
    Kat Cooper’s background is in marine biology and geography with a special interest in sharks, the deep sea, and queer ecology. Having just submitted their Master’s in marine biology they spend their time baking, annoying their flatmates, and volunteering. Love of the ocean began for Kat with their dad in the big blue backyard of Tāmaki Makaurau, with summers spent camping by the beach or snorkelling. To Kat, the way forward for ocean conservation is taking a holistic view of ocean ecosystems that acknowledges the place of people within the ecosystem, and emphasises the importance of indigenous knowledge. The Citizens of the Ocean Summit is Kat’s first international event, and they’re excited to explore the varied perspectives of the other delegates, and work together to create change.
    Maia Horn Nō hea Whāngārā Mai Tawhiti ahau. Spending my childhood summers in Whāngārā fostered my deep love and connection to the ocean and there has never been any doubt in my mind about the career I have dreamt of. Growing up with the tale of the Whale rider, Paikea also meant that I aspire to study tohorā as they are not only ecologically significant, but also culturally significant to Māori.
    Wei Heng Pok (卜炜衡) is a Climate & Sustainability consultant based in Tāmaki Makaurau (Auckland) at Edge Impact. An advocate for indigenous solidarity, climate policy, and justice, Pok has contributed to prominent forums such as the Nobel Prize Dialogue, the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos, COP26, and TIME Magazine. Outside of work, he serves on the Strategic Council of Climate Catalyst and was a former Climate Justice Design Partner for the World Economic Forum. Constantly unlearning and unlearning, he hopes to find his way home as he works on decolonising his identity. His most recent projects are building on regenerative soil practice within community-supported agriculture, alongside tracing his genealogy back to China.
    Veronica Rotman is a marine scientist, tertiary lecturer, science communicator and doctoral student. Her entire life revolves around the ocean, for work, for play and for kaimoana gathering, having grown up freediving and spearfishing in the frosty water of Te Waipounamu. Veronica is a TEDx speaker, has delivered many public talks and university lectures, and sat on the Sustainable Seas National Science Challenge Stakeholder Panel for five years. Her proudest mahi has been setting up and delivering the first remote tertiary training in sustainable aquaculture and marine science to Mana Whenua of the Muriwhenua in Kaitaia. The purpose of this was to empower students with knowledge and skills to get jobs and set up their own ventures. Veronica is in the final year of her PhD titled: Ki uta ki tai (mountains to sea): microplastics in Southern Aotearoa, that hopes to highlight the interconnectedness of terrestrial, freshwater and marine environments and to promote mountains to sea management. Her previous research looked into the physiological impacts of microplastics on snapper, incidence of microplastics in wild fish, and microplastics in aquaculture systems.
    The Citizen of the Ocean Youth-led Summit is being held March 25-28 2025. It aligns youth advocacy with global agreements like the Paris Agreement, the UN Sustainable Development Goal 14 (Life Below Water), the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development and the European Union’s Mission “Restore our Ocean and Waters” 
    About Save the Children NZ:
    Save the Children works in 120 countries across the world. The organisation responds to emergencies and works with children and their communities to ensure they survive, learn and are protected.
    Save the Children NZ currently supports international programmes in Fiji, Cambodia, Bangladesh, Laos, Nepal, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea. Areas of work include child protection, education and literacy, disaster risk reduction and climate adaptation, and alleviating child poverty.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Animal rights advocates call for rodeo ban at national finals – SAFE

    Source: SAFE For Animals

    With this season’s death toll standing at five, animal rights advocates are gathering tomorrow at the national rodeo finals in Kihikihi, Waikato, calling for a ban on rodeo events.
    Coordinated by SAFE, Saturday’s peaceful protest will highlight the need for urgent Government action to bring an end to the abuse of animals in rodeo.
    SAFE Campaign Manager Emily Hall says rodeo holds no place in a society that values compassion for animals, with this season’s death toll illustrating the cruelty inherent in the industry.
    “Five animals have died this rodeo season. It is simply unacceptable for animals to be suffering and dying for entertainment.”
    “Our message at tomorrow’s protest couldn’t be clearer – this barbaric form of entertainment must no longer be permitted in New Zealand.”
    Footage released on Monday from last weekend’s Waimarino rodeo reveals the moment a bull breaks his leg before becoming the season’s fifth fatality. Additional footage captured during the calf roping event at Waimarino shows a catastrophic situation involving a horse and calf both highly distressed, writhing on the ground, desperately trying to free themselves from ropes.
    “If animals were lassoed and slammed to the ground elsewhere there would be serious repercussions; why should it be any different in the rodeo arena?”
    Rodeo has long been condemned by veterinarians and animal welfare agencies both here and internationally, and SAFE says urgent action is required to bring industry practices into line with New Zealand’s animal welfare legislation.
    “Our Animal Welfare Act states that any physical handling of animals must be done in a way that minimises the likelihood of unnecessary pain or distress, so why is rodeo getting a free pass?”
    The National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee (NAWAC) produced a revised rodeo code of welfare two years ago, however the Government has failed to take any further action. SAFE says that, as a result, New Zealand’s animal welfare laws remain disconnected from the brutal reality of rodeo practices.
    “These delays are costing animals their lives,” says Hall.
    “At the finals tomorrow, we will be sending a clear message to the Government that Kiwis want to see events that promote animal cruelty banned.”
    SAFE’s protest begins at 10.30am on Saturday 22 March at the Kihikihi Domain, Waikato.
    SAFE is Aotearoa’s leading animal rights organisation.
    We’re creating a future that ensures the rights of animals are respected. Our core work empowers society to make kinder choices for ourselves, animals and our planet.
    Notes: Information on the five 2024/25 rodeo season deaths;
    • A horse was rendered lame following the Taupō rodeo on 29 December who was killed the following day.
    • The second death on December 30 occurred at the Te Anau rodeo, where a three-year-old bull’s hind leg was dislocated during the bull riding event. He was killed on-site.
    • A steer died prior to the Oruru Valley event on 3 January after being transported from the Warkworth and Far North events.
    • The fourth fatality occurred at the Mad Bull rodeo in Otago on 2 February where a bull died after being ridden the previous day.
    • The fifth death occurred at the Waimarino rodeo near Raetihi where a bull was killed after suffering a broken hind leg.
    • In July 2022, SAFE and the New Zealand Animal Law Association (NZALA) jointly contested rodeo in the High Court. The court ruled that the National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee (NAWAC) must determine appropriate animal welfare guidelines. However, neither NAWAC nor Andrew Hoggard have provided a justification for the significant delay on the revised rodeo code of welfare.
    • Visit SAFE’s website to learn more about our campaign and view our submission form calling on NAWAC and the Animal Welfare Minister to release the draft rodeo code for public consultation. 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Courier firm facing probe over bogus prize offers

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    The State Post Bureau has launched an investigation into Yunda Express over significant safety management loopholes that allowed fraudulent promotional materials to infiltrate its delivery system, leading to substantial financial losses for victims.

    The probe follows reports that some franchisees of Yunda Express, a Shanghai-based courier company, used its services to distribute scam-related promotional materials.

    In response, Yunda Express issued a statement on Thursday on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange’s website, pledging to cooperate with regulators. The company said it had formed a special task force to conduct an internal investigation and vowed to strengthen oversight of its franchise operations. It also plans to enhance inspection procedures, intensify franchisee training and improve its ability to detect scam-related parcels.

    The investigation was likely triggered by reports of fraudulent “prizewinning” materials sent through courier services, including Yunda. Consumers have reported receiving small unsolicited packages containing gifts and QR codes promising cashback rewards, only to be drawn into scams.

    In one case highlighted by the Supreme People’s Procuratorate on March 13, a woman in Jiangxi province lost more than 190,000 yuan ($26,400) after scanning a QR code in a package offering a 20-yuan voucher. She was instructed to download an app and interact with customer service representatives, who deceived her into transferring money.

    Authorities in Sichuan province seized more than 20,000 fraudulent courier packages in early March, retrieving more than 800 parcels linked to similar scams. Police said scammers used leaflets inside the packages to lure victims into fraudulent schemes.

    The probe into Yunda Express comes amid a broader crackdown on courier fraud, which has sparked consumer complaints over privacy breaches and package security.

    Zhao Xiaomin, a logistics expert, told National Business Daily that authorities may intensify efforts to tackle fraud in the delivery industry, citing recent discussions on data security at China’s top legislative and political advisory meetings.

    On Tuesday, the Ministry of Public Security also disclosed cases of collusion in the courier sector, further underscoring regulatory concerns.

    “With growing scrutiny over crimes involving personal data, courier companies must remain vigilant, enhance security management and protect user information,” Zhao said.

    Bao-Ding Yurui, a lecturer at the Renmin University of China, warned that companies failing to comply with security regulations risk penalties, including business suspensions or loss of operating permits.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Release: Govt’s continued lack of action on Gaza condemned

    Source: New Zealand Labour Party

    Hundreds more Palestinians have died in recent days as Israel’s assault on Gaza continues and humanitarian aid, including food and medicine, is blocked.

    “How many more people, how many more children must die before the New Zealand Government acts rather than talks?” Labour foreign affairs spokesperson David Parker said.

    “Beyond words, Christopher Luxon’s Government has taken no action. It is just about a year since the Minister of Foreign Affairs said it was a question of ‘when, not if’ New Zealand would recognise Palestine. Neither that nor any other substantial response has ensued.

    “Labour has been calling for stronger action from the Government on Israel’s invasion of Gaza, including intervening in South Africa’s case against Israel in the International Court of Justice, and the creation of a special visa for family members of New Zealanders fleeing Gaza. We have also called for an end to all government procurement from companies operating in the Occupied Territories, and for sanctioning individuals acting in breach of international law.

    “New Zealand has long supported the UN view that Israel’s occupation of the West Bank and East Jerusalem is illegal. Back in 2016 the then-National Government co-sponsored a successful Security Council resolution that Israel’s settlements in the Occupied Territories were illegal. This makes the inaction by the current National Government even harder to understand.

    “The inconsistent application of international law undermines compliance with it. It is time this National-led Government to some positive action beyond mere words to stand up for what is right,” David Parker said.

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    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Hong Kong, Macao, overseas compatriots commemorate 20th anniversary of Anti-Secession Law

    Source: China State Council Information Office 2

    Through a variety of events, compatriots from Hong Kong, Macao and overseas recently commemorated the 20th anniversary of the enforcement of China’s Anti-Secession Law.
    They commended the significance of the law in deterring separatist activities aimed at “Taiwan independence,” stemming external interference, safeguarding national sovereignty and territorial integrity, and ensuring peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.
    Two decades ago, China’s top legislature voted to adopt the Anti-Secession Law. To mark the law’s enforcement since then, a symposium was held earlier this month in Beijing, stressing firm action against “Taiwan independence” separatist activities and foreign interference.
    Echoing the message sent during the Beijing symposium, Yiu Chi-shing, president of the Hong Kong Association for Promotion of Peaceful Reunification of China, said in a seminar on March 15 that no individual or force can stop the invincible trend of China’s reunification.
    Attendees of the seminar, held by the association to mark the 20th anniversary of the Anti-Secession Law, unanimously stressed the need to understand the significant role of the law, to promote cross-Strait exchanges and cooperation, and to advance the reunification of the motherland.
    On March 16, the Macao-based organization for promoting China’s peaceful reunification also held a seminar to mark the anniversary.
    Over the past 20 years, the legal framework for punishing “Taiwan independence” separatist activities has been further refined, while systems and policies in furtherance of Taiwan compatriots’ well-being have been improved, according to the seminar.
    Focusing on the same theme, the Alliance for China’s Peaceful Reunification, USA, recently held a seminar and issued a joint statement.
    The implementation of the law over the past two decades has formed a widely accepted consensus in the international community that red lines on the Taiwan question shall not be crossed, the statement said.
    From this anniversary forward, overseas Chinese in the United States will continue to make contributions to China’s cause of national reunification and rejuvenation, according to the statement.
    On March 15, the All Africa Association for Peaceful Reunification of China issued a joint statement that hails the significance of the law and condemns the separatist forces seeking “Taiwan independence” and the external forces supporting them.
    Overseas Chinese compatriots in France, Spain, Serbia, Germany, Australia, Japan, Canada, Indonesia and other countries also joined in the commemoration, voicing the common aspiration of Chinese both at home and abroad to oppose “Taiwan independence” and foreign interference and to advance the great cause of national reunification.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Police appeal for vehicle sightings in relation to Operation Sove

    Source: New Zealand Police (District News)

    Attributable to Detective Inspector Haley Ryan, Hutt Valley Police:

    Police investigating the murder of Ian David Moller and the arsons at his property are releasing images of a vehicle believed to be involved, as we continue to appeal for information from the Stokes Valley community.

    Since the launch of the homicide investigation in November 2024, four people have been arrested and charged in relation to the incident. However, Police would still like to hear from anyone with information that may be of interest to us.

    Police have identified and subsequently located a silver Mazda Atenza, registration LKA609, and are speaking with the current owners of the vehicle who are assisting in our investigation.

    The vehicle, captured on CCTV footage, travelled on Stokes Valley Road and George Street between 1.40am and 3am on Tuesday 5 November 2024.

    Police urge those who have seen this Mazda Atenza within Stokes Valley in recent times to come forward and speak with us, as we would like to identify those who have recent known links to this vehicle.

    Although several months have passed since the last arson, resulting in Mr Moller’s murder, Police are also appealing to the Stokes Valley community to review their CCTV or dashcam footage from the early hours of Thursday 10, Monday 14, and Saturday 19 October, alongside Tuesday 5 November 2024.

    Police encourage anyone who may have information, CCTV or dashcam footage of this vehicle or its occupants to please get in touch with us.

    The investigation team are working diligently on these incidents, and we are yet to contact a number of people within the community who we believe know details of the three arsons and Mr Moller’s murder, including why these offences were committed and who is involved.

    We ask them, and anyone else with information, to come forward and speak with us before we knock on their door.

    The four people charged in relation to this incident have been remanded in custody and have court-imposed name suppression. They are due to reappear in the High Court at Wellington on Friday 4 April.

    If you have information that could help Police’s investigation, please contact us at 105.police.govt.nz, clicking “Update Report” or by calling 105.

    Please use the reference number 241105/2249 and quote Operation Sove.

    You can also provide information anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 0800 555 111.

    ENDS

    Issued by Police Media Centre

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Milwaukee Man Sentenced to 5 Years for Trafficking Fentanyl

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    MADISON, WIS. – Timothy M. O’Shea, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Marcus Stokes, 45, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge William M. Conley to 5 years in federal prison for possessing over 40 grams of fentanyl intended for distribution. This sentence will be followed by 5 years of supervised release. Stokes pleaded guilty to this charge on December 18, 2024.

    On May 15, 2024, law enforcement stopped a vehicle driven by the defendant in Monroe County, Wisconsin. Law enforcement searched the vehicle and found a plastic bag under the driver’s seat that contained three separate bags, each bag contained over 90 grams of fentanyl. The defendant picked up the fentanyl from Milwaukee and was on his way to deliver it to La Crosse.

    At sentencing, Judge Conley considered that Stokes had spent most of his adult life in state prison or on supervision for drug distribution offenses. Judge Conley balanced this criminal history with his recent period of employment. Judge Conley concluded that Stokes has the potential to turn his life around but cautioned that if he returns to drug dealing again, he could face decades in prison.

    The charge against Stokes was the result of an investigation conducted by the Monroe County Sherriff’s Office and Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Colleen Lennon prosecuted this case. 

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Scotia Man Sentenced for Groping a Nursing Student at Stratton VA

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    ALBANY, NEW YORK – Danning Lake, age 87, of Scotia, New York, was sentenced to 1 year of probation today for abusive sexual contact.

    United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III; Thomas Gibbons, Chief of the Department of Veterans Affairs Police at the Stratton VA Medical Center; and Special Agent in Charge Christopher F. Algieri, of the Northeast Field Office for the United States Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General, made the announcement.

    Lake admitted that he grabbed the breast of a nursing student at the Stratton VA as she was giving him care on February 29, 2024.  Lake then asked the student nurse, “did you like that?” and told her “they feel nice.”  When the Veterans Affairs Police Officer spoke to Lake, he said that he would do the same thing again if he had the opportunity.  Lake acknowledged that his mental status was not altered by medication, age, or illness and that he groped the nursing student for his own sexual gratification.  As a result of this conviction, Lake must register as a sex offender. 

    The Department of Veterans Affairs Police Department and Office of Inspector General investigated the case, which Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jonathan S. Reiner and Tamara B. Thomson prosecuted.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Three More Defendants Plead Guilty in Large Bank Fraud Conspiracy

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    ALBANY, NEW YORK – Davon Hunter, age 27, of Richmond, Virginia, Christian Quivers, age 20, of Richmond, and Crystal Kurschner, age 44, of Brooklyn, New York, have pled guilty for their respective roles in a bank fraud conspiracy. United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III and Craig L. Tremaroli, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), made the announcement.

    As part of their pleas, Hunter, Quivers, and Kurschner each admitted that they were members of a conspiracy to defraud financial institutions all over the country by obtaining the personal identifying information (“PII”) of victims and using lower-level “workers” to impersonate the identity-theft victims to conduct fraudulent banking transactions in their names.  As part of a plea agreement entered today, Quivers admitted that he was a supervisor in the conspiracy and relayed instructions he obtained from supervisors, including Oluwaseun Adekoya, Kani Bassie, and Hunter, to lower-level members of the conspiracy who impersonated identity-theft victims and conducted fraudulent transactions in their names.  As part of a plea agreement entered earlier this week, Kurschner admitted that she was a “worker” who impersonated identity-theft victims and provided most of the fraud proceeds to her supervisors.  Earlier this month, Hunter admitted that he was a manager of the conspiracy who received directions and PII from supervisors including Adekoya and Bassie and orchestrated fraudulent transactions on their behalf.

    Hunter and Quivers each pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft.  Kurschner pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud. 

    These remaining defendants are charged as follows in the second superseding indictment: 

    • Adekoya, age 39, a Nigerian citizen living in Cliffside Park, New Jersey, is charged with one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud, one count of money laundering conspiracy, and nine counts of aggravated identity theft;
    • Bassie, age 36, of Brooklyn, is charged with one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud, one count of money laundering conspiracy, and two counts of aggravated identity theft; and
    • Jermon Brooks, age 20, of Richmond, Virginia, is charged with conspiracy to commit bank fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft.

    As to these defendants, the charges in the second superseding indictment are merely accusations. These remaining defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

    The prosecution is the result of an ongoing investigation led by the U.S. Attorney’s Office and FBI-Albany, which began after the May 2022 arrest of Daniyan, Gaysha Kennedy, age 46, of Brooklyn, and Victor Barriera, age 64, of the Bronx, by the Cohoes Police Department after the trio traveled to the Capital Region to commit bank fraud.  According to documents previously filed in the case, the investigation has uncovered over $1.7 million in fraudulent transactions to date.  Eleven defendants have pled guilty and forfeited hundreds of thousands of dollars in proceeds, luxury apparel, and jewelry.

    At sentencing later this year, Hunter, Quivers, and Kurschner each face a maximum term of 30 years’ incarceration for the bank fraud conspiracy, and Hunter and Quivers each face a mandatory consecutive term of 2 years’ incarceration for their convictions of aggravated identity theft.  The defendants will be ordered to pay restitution and will also face a term of post-incarceration supervised release of up to 5 years. 

    FBI Albany is investigating the case, with assistance from the FBI Field Offices in New York, Newark, Richmond and Resident Agencies in Westchester, New York; Brooklyn/Queens, New York; Garrett Mountain, New Jersey; and Fort Walton Beach, Florida.  Additional assistance was provided by other law enforcement agencies, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement – Enforcement & Removal Operations (New York Field Office & Albany sub-office); U.S. Department of State Diplomatic Security Service (Buffalo Field Office & St. Albans Resident Office); U.S. Social Security Administration – Office of the Inspector General; New York law enforcement agencies including the New York State Police; Cohoes PD; Colonie PD; Elmira PD; Corning PD; Plattsburgh PD; Florida law enforcement agencies including the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office and Escambia County Sheriff’s Office; the Pennsylvania State Police; Alabama law enforcement agencies including the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office, Gasden PD, and Rainbow City PD; Georgia law enforcement agencies including the Georgia State Patrol, Bartow County Sheriff’s Office, and Morrow PD; Kansas law enforcement agencies including Lawrence PD and Overland Park PD; New Hampshire law enforcement agencies including Rochester PD, Manchester PD, and Amherst PD; the Delaware State Police; Maryland law enforcement agencies including the Maryland State Police, Harford County Sheriff’s Office and Baltimore County Sheriff’s Office; Wisconsin law enforcement agencies including Onalaska PD and Eau Claire PD; and Indiana law enforcement agencies including the Allen County Sheriff’s Office.

    Assistant United States Attorneys Benjamin S. Clark and Joshua R. Rosenthal are prosecuting this case.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Klobuchar, Grassley, Durbin, Colleagues Press Administration on U.S. Support for Recovering Abducted Ukrainian Children

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn)
    Senators request any support that has been halted resume immediately
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-IA), and Senate Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Dick Durbin (D-IL) led a bipartisan group of their colleagues in calling for the State Department to continue supporting efforts to investigate Russia’s abduction and deportation of Ukrainian children.
    In a letter to Secretary Marco Rubio, the Senators wrote “to convey serious concerns over reports that the State Department has terminated a contract with a university-based research team that is working to find Ukrainian children abducted by the Russian government.” The Humanitarian Research Lab at the Yale School of Public Health has stated that it was recently notified that government funding for the Lab’s work on the war in Ukraine has been “discontinued.” That work reportedly includes the Conflict Observatory program’s open source research tracing Russia’s forcible deportation of Ukrainian children.
    The Senators continued: “If, in fact, State Department funding for this program has been terminated, we request that you provide information regarding the decision-making procedure and justification, and immediately resume U.S. support for this critical work. In addition, we ask that you identify officials who can provide Congress with a briefing on U.S. support for Ukrainian war crimes investigations more generally.” The State Department has supported U.S. participation in the U.S.-EU-UK Atrocity Crimes Advisory Group for Ukraine, which helps to advance the Ukrainian government’s investigations and prosecutions. Ukraine has opened more than 140,000 war crimes cases in total since Russia’s February 2022 invasion.
    The Senators concluded by underscoring that “it must remain the policy of the United States to pursue accountability for the Russian Federation’s atrocities in Ukraine.”
    In addition to Klobuchar, Grassley, and Durbin, the letter was signed by Senators Thom Tillis (R-NC), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), and Chris Coons (D-DE).
    In 2023, Klobuchar introduced a bipartisan resolution condemning Russia’s abduction of Ukrainian children after reports indicated that Russia had kidnapped thousands of children from their families in Ukraine, relocating them to reeducation camps in Russia and forcing them to be raised by Russian families.
    The full text of the letter is available here and below.
    Dear Secretary Rubio:
    We write to convey serious concerns over reports that the State Department has terminated a contract with a university-based research team that is working to find Ukrainian children abducted by the Russian government.
    The Humanitarian Research Lab at the Yale School of Public Health stated that it was recently notified that government funding for the Lab’s work on the war in Ukraine has been “discontinued.” That work reportedly includes the Conflict Observatory program’s open source research tracing Russia’s forcible deportation of Ukrainian children.
    Such cases of Russian child abduction now number more than 19,500, according to the Ukrainian initiative Bring Kids Back UA, and the total may be higher. In December 2024, the Yale research team published the most comprehensive public report to date on the subject. The report concluded that the Russian government “has engaged in the systematic, intentional, and widespread coerced adoption and fostering of children from Ukraine.” It detailed an operation initiated by President Putin and subordinate officials to “Russify” those children, and documented 314 individual cases. The Lab has transferred dossiers on each of these cases to Ukrainian authorities, but reportedly has been unable to transfer the evidence to European Union law enforcement officials due to the cancellation of its funding.
    The State Department has had an important role in holding Russian officials accountable and supporting Ukrainian efforts to recover abducted children. In August 2024, for example, the Department imposed sanctions on two entities and 11 individuals involved in deporting Ukrainian children “to camps promoting indoctrination in Russia and Russia-occupied Crimea.” The Department has also supported U.S. participation in the U.S.-EU-UK Atrocity Crimes Advisory Group for Ukraine (ACA), which helps to advance the Ukrainian government’s investigations and prosecutions. Ukraine has opened more than 140,000 war crimes cases in total since Russia’s February 2022 invasion, but there are reports that U.S. programs supporting Ukraine’s Prosecutor General’s Office have been suspended.
    We request that you provide immediate clarification regarding the status and future of the State Department’s partnership with Yale’s Humanitarian Research Lab, including with respect to maintenance of the Lab’s data. If, in fact, State Department funding for this program has been terminated, we request that you provide information regarding the decision-making procedure and justification, and immediately resume U.S. support for this critical work. In addition, we ask that you identify officials who can provide Congress with a briefing on U.S. support for Ukrainian war crimes investigations more generally, including U.S. participation in the ACA and assistance to Ukrainian prosecutors.
    We underscore that it must remain the policy of the United States to pursue accountability for the Russian Federation’s atrocities in Ukraine.
    Thank you for your attention to this issue, and we look forward to your reply.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Felon Indicted For Possession Of Stolen Firearms

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    LAS VEGAS – A Las Vegas resident who has prior felony convictions made his initial court appearance Wednesday before United States Magistrate Judge Nancy J. Koppe for allegedly being in possession of nearly 30 stolen firearms.

    According to allegations contained in the indictment and statements made in court, on or about January 25, 2025, Francisco Iniguez (37) possessed 28 stolen firearms. Some of the stolen firearms included handguns, rifles and shotguns. He has prior felony convictions including possession of a firearm by a felon, driving or taking a vehicle without consent, grand theft, identity theft, and burglary in the second degree, all occurring in Los Angeles County, California. Iniguez is prohibited by law from possessing a firearm due to his prior felony convictions.

    A federal grand jury returned an indictment charging Iniguez with one count of possession of stolen firearms and one count of prohibited person in possession of firearms. A jury trial has been scheduled to begin on May 19, 2025, before United States District Judge Cristina D. Silva.

    If convicted, the maximum statutory penalty is 25 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

    Acting United States Attorney Sue Fahami for the District of Nevada and Special Agent in Charge Jennifer Cicolani for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) made the announcement.

    This case was investigated by ATF and the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Nevada is prosecuting the case.

    If you have information about illegal firearms activity, you are urged to submit a tip to ATF by calling the hotline at 1-800-ATF-GUNS (1-800-283-4867) or through the ReportIt mobile app.

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

    ###

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Floriade Community 2025 applications now open

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services



    As part of ACT Government’s ‘One Government, One Voice’ program, we are transitioning this website across to our . You can access everything you need through this website while it’s happening.

    Released 20/03/2025

    Now in its sixth year Floriade Community is back, the event encourages participation from community groups to extend Floriade across Canberra’s suburbs.

    Eligible community groups and organisations are invited to apply now to participate in Floriade Community and bring their corner of the city to life with bursts of colour this spring.

    The Floriade Community program will provide bulbs and annuals to successful applicants to plant and maintain in their local area, it provides an opportunity for local communities to come together and care for the gardens throughout Spring.

    Locations must be visible to a number of Canberrans who can enjoy the blooms in their daily life and must cover an area of at least 10sqm. This may include garden beds, pots or wheelbarrows at local shops, schools, churches or community centres.

    In 2024, Floriade Community distributed 300,000 bulbs and annuals to 102 community groups throughout the city, to supplement the one million blooms on display at Floriade in Commonwealth Park.

    The ACT Government welcomes back Icon Water as a returning sponsor of Floriade Community in 2025.

    Submit your application, along with any supporting documentation prior to 5pm on Thursday 3 April 2025.

    Go to www.floriadeaustralia.com for more information and download the Floriade Community Information pack to apply.

    If you have any questions or need assistance with your application, please email floriadecommunity@act.gov.au.

    – Statement ends –

    Andrew Barr, MLA | Media Releases

    «ACT Government Media Releases | «Minister Media Releases

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Lawyers in our compliance spotlight

    Source:

    We expect everyone to meet their tax obligations, but our recent work with the legal profession has revealed some lawyers are failing to lodge returns, are making errors, or not paying their taxes on time.

    While most lawyers do the right thing, unfortunately we’re seeing too many who aren’t. In fact, our reviews of over 250 lawyers show that 85% didn’t lodge returns, including some with multiple years overdue. By securing outstanding lodgments and detecting omitted income in returns we’ve raised $28 million.

    One thing we see too often is lawyers incorrectly reporting distributions from partnerships and associated service trusts. If you redirect your legal firm income to an associated entity, you may come to our attention as high risk. To help you, our comprehensive online resource lets you self-assess your risk of inappropriate alienation of income and understand the compliance action we take.

    To help lawyers fulfill their tax obligations, we’ve undertaken compliance actions including:

    • reviews and audits
    • default assessments
    • garnishees
    • payment arrangements
    • prosecutions.

    To give you just 2 examples, our compliance actions have addressed:

    • A lawyer who hadn’t lodged returns for several years and assigned income to related entities that also didn’t lodge returns. Our review of their group identified $8.6 million in liabilities which have been partially paid with the balance under a payment arrangement.
    • A lawyer who didn’t declare income received as director’s fees. Our review found this income was related to services the lawyer personally performed and the failure to declare them led to $400,000 in liabilities, including penalties.

    To avoid these kinds of outcomes:

    • make sure your lodgment is up to date, including income tax, goods and services tax, fringe benefits tax, super and any other obligations
    • check trust and partnership distributions are recorded and lodged correctly
    • account for all income
    • lodge on time, every time
    • voluntarily disclose any tax obligations you may have missed
    • make sure you’re complying with PCG 2021/4

    Prosecution could lead to findings that you’re not a fit and proper person to practice law and you could be struck off your states’ registers.

    For example, the Queensland Civil Administration Tribunal recently upheld the Bar Association of Queensland’s decision that a barrister was not fit to hold a practising certificate due to multiple failures, including unpaid tax liabilities since 2019. In his decision Justice Bradley stated:

    ‘He knew the money he spent on any other thing was money he was denying the ATO. This was wrong … To describe it as an administrative failure is inadequate. Most right-thinking members of the community expect people to honour their obligations to meet their debts, if they can.’

    To find out more about our approach to practices like yours, see our Private Wealth Adviser Program resource.

    Keep up to date

    We have tailored communication channels for medium, large and multinational businesses, to keep you up to date with updates and changes you need to know.

    Read more articles in our online Business bulletins newsroom.

    Subscribe to our free:

    • fortnightly Business bulletins email newsletterExternal Link
    • email notifications about new and updated information on our website – you can choose to receive updates relevant to your situation. Choose the ‘Business and organisations’ category to ensure your subscription includes notifications for more Business bulletins newsroom articles like this one.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Duckworth, Durbin Klobuchar, Cantwell, Colleagues Call on President Trump to Reverse the Illegal Firing of FTC Commissioners

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Illinois Tammy Duckworth
    March 20, 2025
    [SPRINGFIELD, IL] – U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, along with U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Ranking Member of the Judiciary Subcommittee on Privacy, Technology, and the Law, and Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Ranking Member of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, and over two dozen of their Senate colleagues called on President Trump to reverse the illegal firing of Commissioners Rebecca Kelly Slaughter and Alvaro Bedoya from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). 
    “This action contradicts long standing Supreme Court precedent, undermines Congress’s constitutional authority to create bipartisan, independent commissions, and upends more than 110 years of work at the FTC to protect consumers from deceptive practices and monopoly power,” wrote the Senators. “We urge you to rescind these dismissals so the FTC can get back to the people’s work.”
    “Congress established the FTC in 1914 as an independent agency made up of bipartisan, multi-member, expert commissioners who are tasked with protecting consumers,” the Senators continued. “In 2024 alone, the FTC used this authority to return more than $330 million to consumers, while simultaneously blocking anticompetitive mergers and challenging monopoly power that can result in higher prices, fewer choices, and less opportunity for American consumers, workers, and small businesses. The FTC has consistently carried out this mandate as a bipartisan commission under Republican and Democratic administrations.”
    In addition to Duckworth, Durbin, Klobuchar and Cantwell, the letter was signed by Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Ed Markey (D-MA), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Tina Smith (D-MN), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), and Ron Wyden (D-OR).
    The full text of the letter is available here and below.
    Dear President Trump,
    On March 18, 2025 you announced your intention to fire Commissioner Slaughter and Commissioner Bedoya from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). This action contradicts long standing Supreme Court precedent, undermines Congress’s constitutional authority to create bipartisan, independent commissions, and upends more than 110 years of work at the FTC to protect consumers from deceptive practices and monopoly power. We urge you to rescind these dismissals so the FTC can get back to the people’s work.
    Congress established the FTC in 1914 as an independent agency made up of bipartisan, multi-member, expert commissioners who are tasked with protecting consumers. In 2024 alone, the FTC used this authority to return more than $330 million to consumers, while simultaneously blocking anticompetitive mergers and challenging monopoly power that can result in higher prices, fewer choices, and less opportunity for American consumers, workers, and small businesses. The FTC has consistently carried out this mandate as a bipartisan commission under Republican and Democratic administrations.
    When establishing the FTC, Congress lawfully exercised its power to establish a bipartisan, multi-member, expert commission and to shield that commission from political pressure by allowing commissioners to serve 7-year terms and limiting the President’s power to remove commissioners only “for inefficiency, neglect of duty, or malfeasance in office.” Under the law, as you are aware, the President retains the sole authority to nominate new commissioners and to appoint the Chair of the Commission. The President may also appoint a new Chair among the sitting commissioners at any time. 
    Ninety years ago, the Supreme Court held that Congress’s authority to create bipartisan, multi-member, expert commissions—and specifically the FTC—“cannot well be doubted” because “it is quite evident that one who holds his office only during the pleasure of another cannot be depended upon to maintain an attitude of independence. . . .” In a 2020 decision involving whether Congress could insulate the single director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) from at-will removal by the President, the Supreme Court declined to revisit this precedent, finding important differences between the CFPB and the FTC, including that the FTC has multiple expert members to ensure the Commission retains relevant expertise at all times, that each President can influence the makeup of the Commission by nominating new members and appointing the Chair (as you have already done), and that the Commission is funded through the traditional appropriations process that the President may influence.  
    As such, the structure of the FTC does not undermine executive authority and is well within Congress’s power to establish independent agencies tasked with protecting Americans from harmful business practices, fraud, and outright corruption. As Commissioners duly appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate, Commissioners Slaughter and Bedoya must be allowed to continue their work at the Commission. 
    -30-

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Crapo, Warner Lead Colleagues in Letter Reaffirming Support for Community Development Financial Institutions

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Idaho Mike Crapo
    Washington, D.C.–U.S. Senators Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) and Mark R. Warner (D-Virginia), co-chairs of the Senate Community Development Finance Caucus, led a letter to Secretary of the U.S. Department of the Treasury Scott Bessent emphasizing bipartisan support for the Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Fund, and highlighting the fund’s critical role in providing capital to underserved communities.  The letter was signed by 23 Senators.
    The CDFI Fund boosts economic growth in largely underserved communities that lack traditional access to financing, creating a public-private partnership to promote access to capital. Since 1994, the CDFI sector has grown to over 1,400 institutions, located in every state and territory in the nation.  It has leveraged at least $8 in private sector investment for every $1 in public funding received.
    “Over 1,400 CDFIs represent a significant portion of America’s financial services sector, delivering over $300 billion in financial services each year to urban and rural communities across every state,” the Senators wrote.  “Each year, CDFIs provide affordable growth capital to over 100,000 small businesses and finance over $100 billion in residential real estate, bringing down the cost of housing through new construction and affordable home mortgages. The important work of the CDFI sector is strengthened by the CDFI Fund, which provides seed funding to new CDFIs, grows the capacity of existing CDFIs, and provides oversight to ensure federal dollars are spent appropriately. Elimination of key CDFI Fund functions would undermine this important progress, including for small businesses and homeowners.” 
    The letter continued, “The CDFI Fund’s public-private partnership model aligns with this Administration’s emphasis on ensuring that taxpayer dollars are spent efficiently and with measurable impact. Every federal dollar injected into a CDFI generates at least eight more dollars from private-sector investment. Due in large part to the investments the Trump Administration made in the CDFI Fund in 2020, industry assets have tripled and the number of CDFI-certified entities has risen by 40 percent.”
    In addition to Senators Crapo and Warner, the letter was also signed by U.S. Senators Chuck Schumer (D-New York), Tina Smith (D-Minnesota), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Mississippi), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minnesota), Roger Wicker (R-Mississippi), Rev. Raphael Warnock (D-Georgia), Dr. Bill Cassidy (R-Louisiana), Chris Van Hollen (D-Maryland), Mike Rounds (R-South Dakota), Jack Reed (D-Rhode Island), Steve Daines (R-Montana), Gary Peters (D-Michigan), John Boozman (R-Arkansas), John Hickenlooper (D-Colorado), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Ron Wyden (D-Oregon), Tim Sheehy (R-Montana), Cory Booker (D-New Jersey), Jim Justice (R-West Virginia), Dick Durbin (D-Illinois) and Ruben Gallego (D-Arizona).
    Following President Trump’s Executive Order, Senators Crapo and Warner highlighted the success of the CDFI fund.  In 2022, Crapo and Warner launched the bipartisan Senate Community Development Finance Caucus, focused on coordinating and expanding on public and private-sector efforts in support of the missions of CDFIs.  Since its inception, the Caucus has grown to 28 members, 14 Democrats and 14 Republicans.
    A copy of letter is available here and text is below.
    Dear Secretary Bessent,
    We write to reaffirm our bipartisan support of the CDFI Fund, its operations and the critical role it plays in the communities it serves. We appreciate your recent statement recognizing how the CDFI Fund and CDFIs are integral to the Administration’s pursuit of job growth, wealth creation and prosperity.
    Federal support for the CDFI mission began in 1994, with enactment of the bipartisan Riegle Community Development and Regulatory Improvement Act. Since its inception over three decades ago, the CDFI Fund has proven critical to the CDFI sector’s growth and has met the mission to create a public-private partnership to promote access to capital in our most underserved urban and rural communities.
    Over 1,400 CDFIs represent a significant portion of America’s financial services sector, delivering over $300 billion in financial services each year to urban and rural communities across every state. Each year, CDFIs provide affordable growth capital to over 100,000 small businesses and finance over $100 billion in residential real estate, bringing down the cost of housing through new construction and affordable home mortgages. The important work of the CDFI sector is strengthened by the CDFI Fund, which provides seed funding to new CDFIs, grows the capacity of existing CDFIs, and provides oversight to ensure federal dollars are spent appropriately. Elimination of key CDFI Fund functions would undermine this important progress, including for small businesses and homeowners.
    The CDFI Fund’s public-private partnership model aligns with this Administration’s emphasis on ensuring that taxpayer dollars are spent efficiently and with measurable impact. Every federal dollar injected into a CDFI generates at least eight more dollars from private-sector investment. Due in large part to the investments the Trump Administration made in the CDFI Fund in 2020, industry assets have tripled and the number of CDFI-certified entities has risen by 40 percent.
    In sum, more distressed communities are being served by CDFIs than ever before, more first-time buyers are receiving the financing they need to purchase a home, more community facilities are being built, and more commercial loans are reaching entrepreneurs. A reduction in the functions and operations of the CDFI Fund will have a corresponding impact on CDFI-certified entities and local communities and we urge you to avoid this unfortunate outcome. 
    Thank you for your consideration of our request. We stand ready to work with your Administration to promote policies that deliver opportunity and prosperity to all Americans.
    Sincerely,

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SCHUMER REVEALS: TRUMP’S NEWEST ORDER COULD BLOW $5 BILLION DOLLAR HOLE IN NY’S “MAIN STREET” LENDING FOR SMALL BUSINESSES, AFFORDABLE HOUSING, MORTGAGES & MORE; SENATOR LEADS FIGHT FOR IMMEDIATE…

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New York Charles E Schumer
    In Recent Days, Trump Signed Executive Order To Dismantle Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Fund, Which Provides Hundreds Of Millions Of Fed Investment Annually To Lenders To Increase Access To Capital For Underserved Areas Like Upstate NY & Rural Communities To Help People Buy A Homes, Boost Small Biz, And More
    Schumer Shows How These Devastating Cuts Would Be Felt From Buffalo To Albany, In Every Region – CDFI’s In Upstate NY Have Helped 12,000+ Upstate Businesses Each Year, Nearly 4,000 Families With Mortgages, And Financed Nearly 5,000 Affordable Housing Units
    Schumer: Cutting Off Upstate NY From This Main Street Lending Program Would Be A Disaster– And Trump Must Reverse This Decision
    After President Trump signed an executive order to dismantle the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Fund, U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer revealed how these devastating proposed cuts would be felt in every corner of Upstate NY by upending the primary lending program for everything from small businesses on our Main Streets to first-time homebuyers.
    Schumer said CDFI’s fill the gaps in lending where capital might not be available for NYer’s looking to buy a home, start or expand a small business, improve their local Main Streets, finance affordable housing and hospitals, and more. Schumer is now leading a bipartisan coalition of senators to call on the Trump administration to preserve this vital fund – an essential and affordable stream of lending for communities like Upstate NY and cities and rural communities across America.  
    “The Trump administration just unwisely put Upstate NY’s Main Street lending on the chopping block, something that will hurt new families trying to buy homes and entrepreneurs starting and expanding small businesses. The CDFI fund is used from Buffalo to Albany to help NY families buy homes, grow their small businesses, improve healthcare, and rebuild our Main Streets, and taking it away would be a disaster. It could blow a $5 billion dollar hole in New York’s community lending sector, raising costs and cutting off loans and investment for anyone who doesn’t have access to big banks,” said Senator Schumer. “I am all for cutting out inefficiency, but you use a scalpel, not a chainsaw. And you certainly don’t slash programs like the CDFI Fund which has a clear track record of using federal investment to leverage magnitudes more in private investment to help regular people buy homes and start businesses. It is one of the best bang for your buck programs we have for Upstate NY small businesses and families buying homes. I am leading a bipartisan fight for the Trump administration to reverse this destructive proposal and preserve the CDFI Fund to keep the support flowing to Upstate NY’s Main Streets and the middle class.”
    The CDFI Fund supports CDFI lenders in their mission to provide small businesses and housing and community development projects with capital investment unavailable in their local economies. Each year, CDFIs provide affordable growth capital to thousands of small businesses and finance over $100 billion in residential real estate, bringing down the cost of housing through new construction and affordable home mortgages. Schumer said the elimination of key CDFI Fund functions would undermine this important progress, including for small businesses and homeowners. In New York, CDFIs have supported hospital renovations, affordable housing conversions, projects bringing fresh food to local communities, small business expansions, and more. A breakdown of funding by region in New York for small businesses and housing can be found below. A list of New York projects can be found here.

    NY Region

    Total Funding for Businesses

    Total $ for Consumer and Mortgage Loans

    Total $ to Real Estate/Other

    Total $

    Total Originations to Businesses and MicroBusinesses

    Total Consumer and Mortgage Originations

    Capital Region

    $9,180,874

    $27,135,370

    $29,819,183

    $66,135,427

                              566

                                29

    Western New York

    $11,228,096

    $46,150,746

    $25,870,271

    $83,249,114

                              982

                              147

    Central New York

    $9,152,171

    $310,218,718

    $42,333,001

    $361,703,890

                           1,640

                           2,383

    Rochester-Finger Lakes

    $14,907,370

    $24,703,146

    $32,304,491

    $71,915,007

                              923

                              143

    Hudson Valley

    $29,047,167

    $197,250,314

    $57,893,068

    $284,190,549

                           2,701

                              420

    Long Island

    $45,142,052

    $521,605,405

    $230,171,098

    $796,918,555

                           4,576

                              138

    Mohawk Valley

    $1,807,015

    $17,704,789

    $30,908,401

    $50,420,205

                              205

                              193

    New York City

    $953,617,956

    $1,640,431,432

    $993,819,971

    $3,587,869,360

                       112,301

                              777

    North Country

    $1,201,725

    $6,659,354

    $9,908,746

    $17,769,825

                                91

                                21

    Southern Tier

    $5,185,497

    $24,298,698

    $17,423,745

    $46,907,940

                              304

                              214

    Total

    $1,080,469,923

    $2,816,157,972

    $1,470,451,977

    $5,367,079,872

                       124,289

                           4,465

    “Support from the CDFI Fund allows us to maximize our impact in New York’s low-income areas – urban, rural and everywhere in between,” said Colleen Ryan, consulting executive director of the NYS CDFI Coalition. “Local CDFIs develop unique programs and tailored resources by leveraging federal dollars with private capital. These grants are not spent down, as traditional grants are. Instead, as loans are repaid, the funds are recycled into new projects. In addition to lending, we offer technical assistance to our borrowers to help them develop much-needed housing, build businesses, and revitalize neighborhoods. We urge continued support for the CDFI Fund, which provides consistent return on investment.”
    Schumer said it is unacceptable that the Trump administration is eliminating the CDFI Fund and its vital support to lowering the cost of housing and helping more Americans start a business or rebuild their community, and warned that this Trump cut will have severe impacts on New York. In 2022, CDFIs helped deliver over $1 billion in capital for small business and housing and community projects. This investment alone supported the creation of over 20,000 affordable housing units across New York State.
    The CDFI Fund provides the necessary investment to start and support the national network of CDFI lenders to bring private capital to more communities. For every $1 in federal funding awarded through the CDFI Fund, at least $8 in private sector investment is leveraged—mobilizing local capital, creating jobs, and fueling small business and affordable housing growth. The CDFI network serves communities throughout the country, from rural to big cities to suburban areas, and as a result, has had long-standing bipartisan support.
    Schumer’s letter to Treasury Secretary Bessent along with Sens. Warner and Crapo, Tina Smith (D-MN), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Roger Wicker (R-MS), Rev. Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Dr. Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Mike Rounds (R-SD), Jack Reed (D-RI), Steve Daines (R-MT), Gary Peters (D-MI), John Boozman (R-AR), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Tim Sheehy (R-MT), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Jim Justice (R-WV), Dick Durbin (D-IL), and Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) can be found HERE or below:
    We write to reaffirm our bipartisan support of the CDFI Fund, its operations and the critical role it plays in the communities it serves. We appreciate your recent statement recognizing how the CDFI Fund and CDFIs are integral to the Administration’s pursuit of job growth, wealth creation and prosperity.
    Federal support for the CDFI mission began in 1994, with enactment of the bipartisan Riegle Community Development and Regulatory Improvement Act. Since its inception over three decades ago, the CDFI Fund has proven critical to the CDFI sector’s growth and has met the mission to create a public-private partnership to promote access to capital in our most underserved urban and rural communities.
    Over 1,400 CDFIs represent a significant portion of America’s financial services sector, delivering over $300 billion in financial services each year to urban and rural communities across every state. Each year, CDFIs provide affordable growth capital to over 100,000 small businesses and finance over $100 billion in residential real estate, bringing down the cost of housing through new construction and affordable home mortgages. The important work of the CDFI sector is strengthened by the CDFI Fund, which provides seed funding to new CDFIs, grows the capacity of existing CDFIs, and provides oversight to ensure federal dollars are spent appropriately. Elimination of key CDFI Fund functions would undermine this important progress, including for small businesses and homeowners.
    The CDFI Fund’s public-private partnership model aligns with this Administration’s emphasis on ensuring that taxpayer dollars are spent efficiently and with measurable impact. Every federal dollar injected into a CDFI generates at least eight more dollars from private-sector investment. Due in large part to the investments the Trump Administration made in the CDFI Fund in 2020, industry assets have tripled and the number of CDFI-certified entities has risen by 40 percent.
    In sum, more distressed communities are being served by CDFIs than ever before, more firsttime buyers are receiving the financing they need to purchase a home, more community facilities are being built, and more commercial loans are reaching entrepreneurs. A reduction in the functions and operations of the CDFI Fund will have a corresponding impact on CDFI-certified entities and local communities and we urge you to avoid this unfortunate outcome.
    Thank you for your consideration of our request. We stand ready to work with your Administration to promote policies that deliver opportunity and prosperity to all Americans.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Two Eastern European Organized Crime Leaders Convicted Of Murder-For-Hire Targeting U.S.-Based Journalist On Behalf Of The Iranian Government

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

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

    Matthew Podolsky, the Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and Leslie R. Backschies, the Acting Assistant Director in Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), announced today that a jury returned guilty verdicts against RAFAT AMIROV, a/k/a “Farkhaddin Mirzoev,” a/k/a “Pᴎᴍ,”  a/k/a “Rome,” and POLAD OMAROV, a/k/a “Araz Aliyev,” a/k/a “Polad Qaqa,” a/k/a “Haci Qaqa,” on all five counts in the Superseding Indictment, which included 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 September 17, 2025.

    Acting U.S. Attorney Matthew Podolsky said: “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.  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.”

    FBI Assistant Director in Charge Leslie R. Backschies said: “The convictions of Rafat Amirov and Polad Omarov send a clear message to all foreign governments who violate our laws and attempt to commit violence against Americans — they and their proxies will face justice for any attempt to silence Americans on U.S. soil.  The Iranian government’s shameless conduct and attempt to violate our laws and assassinate a critic of their human rights atrocities will not be tolerated.  The FBI is determined to disrupt any effort by foreign governments to use violence to repress our citizens’ freedoms, here or abroad.”

    As reflected in the Superseding Indictment and the evidence presented at trial:

    AMIROV and OMAROV were high-ranking members of an Azeri faction of the Russian Mob (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, 46, of Iran; OMAROV, 40, of the country of Georgia, were convicted on five counts:  murder-for-hire, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison (Count One); conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison (Count Two); conspiracy to commit money laundering, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison (Count Three); attempted murder in aid of racketeering, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison (Count Four); and possession and use of a firearm in connection with the attempted murder, which carries a maximum sentence of life in prison and a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison (Count Five).

    Mr. Podolsky praised the outstanding investigative work of the FBI and its New York Field Office Counterintelligence-Cyber Division and the New York FBI Iran Threat Task Force.  Mr. Podolsky also thanked the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”) and the NYPD Intelligence Bureau, as well as the Department of Justice’s National Security Division and the Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs, for their assistance. Mr. Podolsky also thanked the authorities in the Czech Republic.

    This case is being handled by the Office’s National Security and International Narcotics Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael D. Lockard, Jacob H. Gutwillig, and Matthew J.C. Hellman are in charge of the prosecution, with assistance from paralegal specialist Owen Foley and Trial Attorneys Christopher Rigali and Leslie Esbrook of the Counterintelligence and Export Control Section. 

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Career Offender Sentenced To 10 Years In Prison For Distribution Of Methamphetamine And Possession Of Firearms

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    LAS VEGAS – A career offender residing in Las Vegas was sentenced today by United States District Judge Jennifer A. Dorsey to 10 years in prison to be followed by four years of supervised release for selling large amounts of methamphetamine from his residence and possessing several firearms.

    According to court documents, between November 2021 and October 5, 2022, Eric Langpop conspired to sell methamphetamine, a Schedule II controlled substance, from his home. As part of the investigation, the DEA recovered over a pound of methamphetamine from the defendant. During the execution of a search warrant at Langpop’s residence, law enforcement found methamphetamine and several firearms, including pistols, shotguns, a rifle, an assault rifle, and two silencers.

     

    Photographs of two firearms and a silencer recovered from defendant’s home

     

    Photograph of methamphetamine near a hand and scissors for scale

    Langpop has prior felony convictions for trafficking in controlled substances, including a felony sale of a controlled substance conviction in 2009; separate sale and transport of a controlled substance convictions in 2013; and a transport of a controlled substance conviction in 2016, all in Clark County, Nevada. He also has four separate domestic violence battery convictions. He is prohibited by law from possessing firearms due to his felony and domestic violence convictions.

    Langpop pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance and one count of felon in possession of a firearm.

    Acting United States Attorney Sue Fahami for the District of Nevada and Assistant Special Agent in Charge Kevin Adams for the DEA Las Vegas District Office made the announcement.

    The DEA investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Joshua Brister prosecuted the case.

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

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    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Defense Contractor President Pleads Guilty to Bribery Scheme Involving $16 Million in Small Business Government Contracts

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    SAN DIEGO – Philip Flores, the owner, president and chief executive of Intellipeak Solutions, Inc., a former defense contractor based out of Fredericksburg, Virginia, pleaded guilty in federal court today, admitting that he participated in a bribery scheme with former Naval Information Warfare Center employee James Soriano.

    According to his plea agreement, Flores gave various things of value to Soriano, including expensive meals at restaurants in San Diego and Washington D.C., field level tickets and parking passes to Game 5 of the 2018 MLB World Series in Los Angeles, and tickets to the 2019 NFL Super Bowl in Atlanta, Georgia. The cost of tickets to these premier sporting events totaled over $18,000.

    In return, Soriano used his position as a contracting officer’s representative at the Naval Information Warfare Center to ensure that Intellipeak was awarded numerous no-bid government contracts through the Small Business Administration’s 8(a) program. Soriano secured the contracts by falsifying technical evaluations, providing high ratings to Intellipeak to do the contracted work, and approving Intellipeak’s invoices on the awarded contracts, despite knowing that Intellipeak was not doing the work but instead subcontracting out all or most of the work to non-8(a) companies in violation of the SBA 8(a) rules.

    Soriano also exploited competitive contracting through the SBA 8(a) program to benefit Intellipeak over other contractors. For example, Soriano secretly allowed Flores to draft contract discriminators to ensure that Intellipeak was selected as a winning bidder on a competitive contract. Soriano also allowed Flores to secretly draft procurement documents for an $86 million competitive contract and then performed multiple steps to attempt to award the contract to Intellipeak even though its bid was $6 million higher than another contractor.

    According to his plea agreement, Flores also exploited Intellipeak’s 8(a) small business status by marketing Intellipeak to other defense contractors, who were not part of the 8(a) program, as a way for those companies to get access to 8(a) sole source contracts, generally in exchange for “pass through” fee that was equal to 6 to 8 percent of the contract value. Flores charged his 6 to 8 percent fee to the government, which Soriano approved, even though both knew that Intellipeak was not doing the work on the contracts and the fee did not reflect performed work.

    According to Flores’s plea agreement, as a result of the conspiracy, the government paid Intellipeak more than $16 million to perform work on approximately 26 government contracts and task orders. The profit Intellipeak made from these contracts and task orders was conservatively estimated to be between $550,000 and $1.5 million. Further, as part of his plea agreement, Flores has agreed to pay restitution to three small businesses that were foreseeable victims of the bribery scheme.

    Flores is scheduled to appear before U.S. District Judge Todd W. Robinson for sentencing on June 13, 2025.

    “Those who undermine the integrity of the government procurement process will be held accountable,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Andrew Haden. “As this guilty plea demonstrates, we will continue to prosecute those individuals who put their own personal gain ahead of the system that supports our nation’s warfighters and at the expense of American taxpayers.”

    “Mr. Flores’s plea agreement is a positive step toward accountability for his role in this illicit scheme,” said John E. Helsing, Acting Special Agent in Charge for the Department of Defense Office of Inspector General, Defense Criminal Investigative Service, Western Field Office. “Mr. Flores sought to enrich himself and his company at the expense of the American taxpayers.  DCIS remains committed to working jointly with the United States Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners to investigate and deter public corruption within the Department of Defense.”

    “Mr. Flores’s participation in an illicit scheme to bribe a public official in exchange for unlawful enrichment in contract awards undermines the Department of the Navy’s commitment to a fair and unbiased procurement process,” said Special Agent in Charge Greg Gross of the NCIS Economic Crimes Field Office. “NCIS and our investigative partners remain committed to ensuring the continued integrity of the Department of the Navy’s acquisitions process.”

    “Mr. Flores intentionally undermined the DoD contracting process,” said Special Agent in Charge Tyler Hatcher, IRS Criminal Investigation, Los Angeles Field Office. “The DoD contracting process ensures our warfighters get the best equipment available and that American tax dollars are spent in a responsible manner. IRS-CI is committed to deterring and preventing this sort of fraud, in partnership with fellow law enforcement organizations, to ensure our servicemembers are properly equipped to fight and win in an increasingly complex battlespace.”

    “Those who engage in bribery schemes to gain access to preferential small business contracts will be aggressively investigated,” said SBA OIG’s Assistant Inspector General for Investigations Shafee Carnegie. “Our office will relentlessly pursue fraudsters who seek to exploit SBA’s vital economic programs for small businesses. I want to thank the U.S. Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners for their dedication and commitment to seeing justice served.”

    Soriano was charged as a co-defendant and pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bribery in 23-cr-2282-TWR. Soriano was also separately charged and pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bribery and fraud and false statement in filing a tax return in 24-cr-0341-TWR. Soriano is next scheduled to appear before U.S. District Judge Todd W. Robinson for sentencing on May 9, 2025.

    This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Patrick C. Swan, Katherine E.A. McGrath, and Carling E. Donovan.

    DEFENDANT                       Case Number 23-cr-2282-TWR-2                          

    Philip Flores                            Age: 53                                    Fredericksburg, VA

    SUMMARY OF CHARGES

    Conspiracy to Commit Bribery – Title 18, U.S.C., Section 371

    Maximum penalty: Five years in prison; a maximum $250,000 fine or twice the gross gain or loss resulting from the offense, whichever is greatest; and an order of restitution to victims of the offense of at least $50,000.

    INVESTIGATING AGENCIES

    Defense Criminal Investigative Service

    Naval Criminal Investigative Service

    Small Business Administration – Office of Inspector General

    Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation

    Department of Health and Human Services – Office of Inspector General

    If you have information regarding fraud, waste, or abuse relating to Department of Defense personnel or operations, please contact the DoD Hotline at 800-424-9098. 

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: North County Residents Indicted for Using Children to Manufacture and Distribute Hallucinogenic Drugs

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    SAN DIEGO – Randal Vance and his longtime friend, Keir Ceballos-Rivera, were indicted by a federal grand jury on charges that they employed children to help them cultivate, produce and distribute psilocybin mushrooms at locations in Fallbrook and Bonsall.

    Also indicted was Rebecca Vance, wife of Randal Vance. The trio made their initial appearances in federal court today on an array of federal drug-trafficking charges. Randal Vance and Ceballos are charged with conspiring to use and employ minors to produce a controlled substance; all defendants are charged with conspiring to distribute a controlled substance and conspiring to obstruct justice by destroying evidence; and Randal Vance is charged with distributing a controlled substance to minors and possessing firearms in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime.

    At today’s hearing, prosecutors told the court the children were 9 and 11 when the alleged conspiracy to harvest psilocybin at the locations on Ash Street in Fallbrook and Lilac Road in Bonsall began. Psilocybin mushrooms are a controlled substance that act as hallucinogenic drugs, inducing altered states of consciousness and vivid sensory experiences.

    All three defendants were arrested yesterday. At today’s hearing, U.S. Magistrate Judge Valerie E. Torres granted the government’s request that Randal and Rebecca Vance be detained without bond because they are a flight risk. A detention hearing for Ceballos-Rivera is set for March 25, 2025.

    The United States told the Court that Randal Vance informed customers and co-conspirators that the minors assisted him in producing psilocybin. For example, on or about October 18, 2023, Vance texted a photograph of one of the minors holding a large psilocybin mushroom in front of his face at the Ash Street location and said that the “11 year old helps me grow them.”

    One of the minors informed Randal Vance on May 31, 2024, that he was selling a psilocybin capsule to a friend for $3. At the time, the boy was a student at Lincoln Middle School in Oceanside. Randal Vance responded: “Nice! Make sure your friend’s parents don’t find out or you and I are in big big trouble.”

    Randal Vance boasted of dosing the children with psilocybin and advised others to do likewise, the indictment said. For example, on or about October 13, 2023, Randal Vance messaged a co-conspirator a photo of one of the minors holding a large psilocybin mushroom and stated that an 11-year old “cultivates and microdoses. It’s good for kids’ brains.” Later in the conversation, Randal Vance identified the other minor as nine years old and said, “Yeah I usually do a half dose of microdose capsules for them” and “.05 every other day for them. It’s such a difference too.”

    Ceballos-Rivera sent Randal Vance a photograph of another child at the Ash Street location holding a large psilocybin mushroom and covering part of his/her face on or about September 7, 2024. Ceballos-Rivera wrote: “From earlier today haha” and “‘No face, no case.’”

    Randal Vance is also charged with illegally possessing a Glock 34 pistol, a Walther P22 pistol, a Henry Survival AR7 rifle, a Smith and Wesson revolver, an H&R Model 900 revolver, and a Browning 30-06 rifle in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense.

    On October 4, 2024, law enforcement executed search warrants on the Fallbrook and Bonsall locations. At the Ash Street location, law enforcement recovered approximately 204 pounds of fresh psilocybin mushrooms, 53 pounds of dried psilocybin mushrooms, 35 pounds of psilocybin chocolate bars, 18 pounds of inoculated substrate to grow psilocybin mushrooms, and equipment used to grow, harvest, and process psilocybin mushrooms.

    At the Lilac Road location, law enforcement recovered approximately 25 pounds of dried psilocybin mushrooms, five pounds of psilocybin chocolates, and five pounds of psilocybin capsules, as well as molds used to make the psilocybin chocolate bars.

    Law enforcement officials also seized six firearms from the Lilac Road location: a Glock 34 pistol, a Walther P22 pistol, a Henry Survival AR7 rifle, a Smith and Wesson revolver, an H&R Model 900 revolver, and a Browning 30-06 rifle. None of the firearms were locked up, and loaded magazines were found next to the Glock 34 and Walther P22.

    Randal Vance was arrested that day. Prior to his federal arrest, he was out on bond pending state charges. After Randal Vance’s arrest by local law enforcement, the defendants are alleged to have conspired together to destroy evidence by deleting phone messages and taking down websites Randal Vance had used to distribute psilocybin.

    This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Paul Benjamin and Dana Segal.

    If you are concerned that your child may have been exposed to illegal drugs as a result of the activities alleged in this case, please contact the DEA at https://www.dea.gov/submit-tip.

    DEFENDANTS                                 Case Number 25-CR-817-RSH                                   

    Randal Vance                                     Age: 42                                   Fallbrook, CA

    Rebecca Vance                                   Age: 41                                   Oceanside, CA

    Keir Ceballos-Rivera                          Age: 33                                   Oceanside, CA

    SUMMARY OF CHARGES

    Conspiracy to Employ or Use Minors to Violate the Controlled Substances Act – Title 21, U.S.C., Sections 841, 846, and 861(a)

    Maximum penalty: Mandatory minimum one year to 40 years in prison

    Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance- – Title 21, U.S.C., Sections 841 and 846

    Maximum penalty: Twenty years in prison

    Distribution of a Controlled Substance to Minors– Title 21, U.S.C., Section 859(a)

    Maximum penalty: Mandatory minimum one year to 40 years in prison

    Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Offense- – Title 18, U.S.C., Section 924(c)

    Maximum penalty: Mandatory minimum five years to life in prison

    Conspiracy to Obstruct Justice- – Title 18, U.S.C., Sections 1503(a), (b)(3), and 371

    Maximum penalty: Ten years in prison

    INVESTIGATING AGENCIES

    Drug Enforcement Administration

    San Diego Sheriff’s Department

    *The charges and allegations contained in an indictment or complaint are merely accusations, and the defendants are considered innocent unless and until proven guilty.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Government of Canada invests in protecting children and youth from online sexual exploitation

    Source: Government of Canada News (2)

    March 20 2025

    Ottawa, Ontario

    Today, the Honourable David J. McGuinty, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, announced $39.7 million in federal funding to protect children and youth from online sexual exploitation.

    Local Internet Child Exploitation Units in Ontario, Quebec, British Columbia, Alberta, Nova Scotia, Saskatchewan and New Brunswick are now receiving up to $21.5 million through to 2027 via the Contribution Program to Combat Serious and Organized Crime to support their investigative capacity.

    Police across the country work tirelessly to prevent these crimes against children, and bring perpetrators to justice. With this funding, Internet Child Exploitation Units will be able to hire and train more staff and purchase the specialized tools and equipment necessary to support their investigations.

    • Ontario Provincial Police received $7,543,975
    • Sûreté du Québec and Ministère de la sécurité publique du Québec received $5,557,900
    • British Columbia policing services received $3,536,842
    • Edmonton Police Service and Calgary Police Service received $3,028,000
    • Halifax Regional Police, Cape Breton Regional Police and multiple municipal agencies in Nova Scotia received $757,895
    • Regina Police Service and Saskatoon Police Service received $548,018
    • Kennebecasis Regional Police Service received $505,264

    In addition, $18.2 million through to 2029, will be provided to the Canadian Centre for Child Protection (C3P) to continue its vital work in protecting children from online sexual exploitation and respond to increasing demand for its services.

    C3P provides public education and assists survivors and their families through advocacy, research, and resources. It has been a key partner under the National Strategy for the Protection of Children from Sexual Exploitation on the Internet (National Strategy) since its inception in 2004.

    The Government of Canada, through the National Strategy, is committed to protecting children from sexual exploitation of any kind. This investment and our continued partnership with law enforcement agencies and organizations like C3P are crucial to Canada’s fight against this heinous crime.  

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Premier names new parliamentary secretaries

    Alberta’s new parliamentary secretaries were sworn in on Mar. 20.

    Parliamentary secretaries play an important role in assisting ministers in their work and helping to move forward and achieve the government’s priorities. Three new parliamentary secretaries were sworn in on March 20.

    Justin Wright, MLA for Cypress-Medicine Hat, was named Parliamentary Secretary for Rural Health (South), reporting to the Minister of Health. In addition to his new responsibilities, Mr. Wright will continue in the role of military liaison. Ron Wiebe, MLA for Grande Prairie-Wapiti, was named Parliamentary Secretary for Rural Health (North), reporting to the Minister of Health.

    Nolan Dyck, MLA for Grande Prairie, was named Parliamentary Secretary for Indigenous and Rural Policing, reporting to the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Services.

    “I am pleased to welcome our three newest parliamentary secretaries. As the parliamentary secretaries for South and North Rural Health, MLAs Justin Wright and Ron Wiebe will be key advocates for rural Albertans, ensuring we continue building a better and stronger health care system that serves the needs of all Albertans in every corner of our province. As the Parliamentary Secretary for Indigenous and Rural Policing, MLA Nolan Dyck will be an important voice for both rural and Indigenous Albertans, ensuring we keep residents and communities safe across Alberta.”

    Danielle Smith, Premier

    “It is an honour to serve as our government’s Parliamentary Secretary for Rural Health (South) in addition to my role as military liaison. Our government’s commitment to ensure Albertans have access to the health care they need, when and where they need it, is especially important for those who live in rural communities, and I am looking forward to continuing this important work alongside Minister LaGrange.”

    Justin Wright, Parliamentary Secretary for Rural Health (South)

    “One of the highest priorities for Albertans is health care. Our government is working hard to ensure all Albertans have access to the health care they need, when and where they need it, and I’m honoured to be asked to participate in this work as the Parliamentary Secretary for Rural Health (North). I look forward to working alongside Minister LaGrange to help deliver strong health care in northern Alberta.”

    Ron Wiebe, Parliamentary Secretary for Rural Health (North)

    “Public safety is the first order of government and I’m honoured to take on the responsibilities associated with being named the Parliamentary Secretary for Indigenous and Rural Policing. Our government has been working hard to ensure all Albertans feel safe in their communities, and members of police services feel supported in their work. I’m looking forward to joining Minister Ellis on this important work.”

    Nolan Dyck, Parliamentary Secretary for Indigenous and Rural Policing

    The newly named parliamentary secretaries join six others who continue working with ministers to fulfill their mandate items and deliver on their commitments.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya Declares 2nd Khelo India Para Games Open

    Source: Government of India

    Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya Declares 2nd Khelo India Para Games Open

    When one is determined, is heading in the right direction, and is working hard, the result is always positive – Dr. Mandaviya

    Through Khelo India Para Games, our athletes are getting the best opportunity and they are paving the pathway to success – Dr. Mandaviya

    Five Paralympians Participate in Unique Torch Rally in Presence of Union Ministers Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya and Dr. Virendra Kumar

    Posted On: 20 MAR 2025 6:50PM by PIB Delhi

     Union Minister of Youth Affairs & Sports and Labour & Employment, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya declared the 2nd Khelo India Para Games 2025 open at KD Jadhav Indoor Hall, Indira Gandhi Stadium complex in New Delhi today. More than 1300 para athletes will take part in six sports disciplines in this eight-day long championship.

    Six Paralympians – Simran Sharma (athletics), Praveen Kumar (badminton), Nitesh Kumar (badminton), Nitya Sre (badminton) and Preeti Pal (athletics) joined Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, Union minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Dr. Virendra Kumar, Union Minister of Social Justice & Empowerment,  Sri Kento Jini, Sports and Youth Affairs Minister of Arunachal Pradesh and President of the Paralympic Committee of India and former Paralympian Sri Devendra Jhajharia, in a unique torch rally to formally flag off the Khelo India Para Games 2025.

    Dr Mansukh Mandaviya said he was excited to see the response to every Khelo India event that has now become the “umbrella” for all athletes aspiring to win laurels for the country. “I am immensely proud and elated by the contributions made by Khelo India to Indian sports. Be it Khelo India Youth Games, Khelo India School Games, Khelo India Winter Games or Khelo India Para Games, our athletes are making the country proud through their talent everywhere,” said Dr Mandaviya.

    Dr Mandaviya further said, “When one is determined, is heading in the right direction, and is working hard, the result is always positive. The success at Paris Paralympics 2024, where we won a total of 29 medals proved that our athletes have the potential to make the country proud on the global stage. Through Khelo India Para Games, our athletes are getting the best opportunity and they are paving the pathway to success. This is exactly what our Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi had envisaged”.

    Dr. Kumar too lauded the Khelo India initiative and mentioned, “Khelo India Para Games 2025 is a world-class platform for Indian athletes to compete among each other and portray their talent publicly. At the same time, it also provides a chance to the para athletes to not just prove themselves but also inspire others through their challenging journey”.

    The opening ceremony featured athletes, coaches and support staff from all over the country. Secretary (Sports), Smt. Sujata Chaturvedi and senior officials of the Sports Authority of India were also present at the opening ceremony.

    For more on KIPG 2025, click: Welcome | KIPG 2025

    ABOUT KHELO INDIA PARA GAMES

    Khelo India Para Games is part of the Khelo India mission to provide a platform for talented athletes to showcase their sporting and competitive skills. The 1st edition of Khelo India Para Games, held in December 2023, was organized to enable para-athletes to showcase their talent at the national level. The Games were played in seven sports disciplines across three venues in New Delhi. The second edition of KIPG, to be held at three venues in the capital between March 20-27, 2025, will be held in six disciplines – para-athletics, para archery, para powerlifting, para badminton, para table tennis and para shooting.

    *****

    Himanshu Pathak

    (Release ID: 2113356) Visitor Counter : 39

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Swift Justice, Safer Society: The Impact of Fast Track Special Courts

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 20 MAR 2025 6:43PM by PIB Delhi

     

    “Justice delayed is justice denied”

    • Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs) play a crucial role in expediting justice for rape and POCSO Act cases, with a high disposal rate of 96.28%.
    • In 2024 alone, 88,902 new cases were instituted and 85,595 cases were resolved, highlighting the effectiveness of FTSCs in addressing backlogs.
    • The government extended the scheme until 2026 with a financial outlay of ₹1952.23 crore under the Nirbhaya Fund.
    • These courts have collectively disposed of over 3,06,604 cases as of the latest data.
    • FTSCs reaffirm the government’s commitment to justice, women’s safety, and reducing the trauma faced by survivors of sexual crimes.

                       – William E Gladstone

    With an impressive disposal rate of 96.28%, Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs) have significantly expedited justice for survivors of sexual crimes by ensuring swift legal proceedings in cases of rape and offenses under the POCSO Act. In 2024 alone, 88,902 new cases were instituted, while 85,595 cases were resolved, underscoring the effectiveness of these courts in addressing case backlogs.

    Need for FTSCs

    Despite the existence of a strong law and policy framework, a large number of rape and POCSO Act cases are pending in various courts across the country. The key motive behind introducing harsh punishment is to create deterrence, but it is only possible if trials are completed within the time frame and justice is delivered expeditiously to the victims. The Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) and POCSO Act prescribe strict timelines for the completion of investigation and trial, yet delays persist due to case backlogs and limited judicial resources.

    The Hon’ble Supreme Court of India, in Suo Motu Writ Petition (Criminal) No. 1/2019, took up the issue of timely investigations and trials in POCSO Act offenses and issued directives on July 25, 2019, mandating speedy disposal of cases. To implement these directions and the Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2018, the Government launched the FTSC Scheme on October 2, 2019, establishing specialized courts nationwide for the expeditious disposal of rape and POCSO Act cases.

    Progress so far

    The implementation of the Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) of FTSCs, managed by the Department of Justice, Ministry of Law & Justice, aims to support State Governments in establishing Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs) across the country. Under the Scheme, a total of 790 FTSCs, including exclusive POCSO (e-POCSO) courts, are to be set up. Each FTSC is expected to dispose of 41-42 cases per quarter and at least 165 cases annually to ensure timely justice and case backlog reduction. `

     

    Currently, 745 Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs), including 404 exclusive POCSO Courts, are operational across 30 States and UTs, having collectively disposed of over 3,06,604 cases to date. Setting up and functioning of the FTSCs falls within the domain of State Govt. in consultation with their respective High Courts which are set up as per their need and resources.

    FINANCIAL FRAMEWORK

    The Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs) Scheme was initially launched for one year and later extended until March 2023. The Union Cabinet, in its meeting on November 28, 2023, further extended the Scheme for three more years, from April 1, 2023, to March 31, 2026. The total financial outlay for this period is ₹1952.23 crore, with ₹1207.24 crore as the Central Share, funded through the Nirbhaya Fund.

    During the financial year 2024-25, a total of ₹200.00 crore has been allocated and fully released as the Central share of funds for the functioning of Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs) in the States/UTs.

    The financing of the Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs) Scheme follows the pattern of Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS) as outlined below:

    1. Cost Sharing: The Central Government contributes 60%, while State/UT Governments contribute 40%. However, for Northeastern States, Sikkim, and the hilly States of J&K (now a Union Territory), Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand, the ratio is 90:10.
    2. Funding for Union Territories: In UTs with a legislature, the 60:40 ratio applies, whereas in UTs without a legislature, the entire funding is provided by the Central Government.
    3. Provision of funds is made for meeting expenses related to remuneration to one Judicial Officer and seven support staff as well as flexi-grants.   Flexi-Grant can be utilized for meeting daily operational expenses and making the courts child and women friendly.
    4. Reimbursement Mode: The Scheme operates on a reimbursement basis, where funds are released only after the submission of an Expenditure Statement by the respective State/UT Governments

    Key Recommendations from the Indian Institute of Public Administration (IIPA)

    A third-party evaluation of the Scheme was carried out by Indian Institute of Public Administration (IIPA) in the year 2023 which has inter-alia recommended for continuation of the scheme. The recommendations given by IIPA, are as under:

    • IIPA strongly recommended the continuation of this scheme as its primary objective is to handle cases of sexual offences against women and children through a streamlined and expedited judicial process.
    • To expedite trials, States and High Courts must strengthen parameters, including appointing Special Judges experienced in POCSO cases, ensuring sensitization training, and appointing female public prosecutors.
    • The courtrooms need to be upgraded with modern technology, such as audio and video recording systems and LCD projectors. To be at par with the current evolving technologies, the court could enhance IT systems including electronic case filing and digitalization of court records.
    • Forensic Labs to increase and to train manpower to expedite the pending cases in courts and ensure timely submission of DNA Reports. It will not only help the skilled manpower to assist the scientist and reporting officers but moreover will help to give a fair and speedy justice.
    • Vulnerable Witness Deposition Centers (VWDCs) should be established in all districts to facilitate a better process of recording victim testimonies, thereby initiating a smoother court proceeding. The States should take initiative to conduct the trial in a way that is child-friendly, behind closed doors without disclosing the child’s identity. Further, every FTSC should have a child psychologist to assist the child with rigorous pre-trial and trial procedures.

    Fast Track Special Courts have notably adopted the approach of setting up Vulnerable Witness Deposition Centers within the courts to facilitate the victims and to make the courts into Child-Friendly Courts for providing crucial support for a compassionate legal system.

     

    Conclusion

     

    Fast Track Special Courts have become a vital part of India’s judicial system, ensuring swift justice for victims of heinous crimes. While challenges persist, continuous reforms and infrastructural improvements can enhance their effectiveness. Their role in addressing case backlogs and providing expert-guided legal proceedings is crucial in reducing victims’ trauma and distress, reaffirming the government’s commitment to protecting vulnerable groups and upholding justice through a responsive legal framework.

     

    References

    Swift Justice, Safer Society: The Impact of Fast Track Special Courts

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Use of AI in Supreme Court Case Management

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 20 MAR 2025 3:24PM by PIB Delhi

    As per the information provided by the Supreme Court of India, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Machine Learning (ML) based tools are being deployed in case management. They are being used in transcribing of oral arguments in Constitution Bench matters. The AI assisted transcribed arguments can be accessed from the website of the Supreme Court. The competent authority has directed to consider the transcribing of oral arguments on regular hearing days i.e. Thursdays.

    The Registry, Supreme Court of India is also using AI and ML based tools in close coordination with National Informatics Centre (NIC), in translation of judgments from English language to 18 Indian languages viz., Assamese, Bengali, Garo, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Kashmiri, Khasi, Konkani, Malayali, Marathi, Nepali, Odia, Punjabi, Santali, Tamil, Telugu and Urdu. The judgments can be accessed through the eSCR portal of the Supreme Court of India.

    The Registry, Supreme Court of India in close coordination with IIT, Madras has developed and deployed AI and ML based tools integrated with the electronic filing softwareof the Registry in identification of defects. Recently, the access of the proto-type has been granted to 200 Advocates-on-Record to use the same and share their feedback, to strengthen the right to access to justice and right to administration of justice.

    The Registry, Supreme Court of India is also testing prototypes of AI and machine learning (ML) tools, for curing defects, data, meta data extraction in collaboration with IIT, Madras. This AI and ML based tool will be integrated with the electronic filing module and the case management software, namely, Integrated Case Management & Information System(ICMIS).

    However, no AI and ML based tools are being used by the Supreme Court of India in decision making process.

    The AI based tool, Supreme Court Portal Assistance in Court Efficiency (SUPACE), aimed at developing a module to understand the factual matrix of cases with an intelligent search of the precedents apart from identifying the cases, is in an experimental stage of development for its testing. The use of SUPACE may be deployed after procurement and deployment of graphic processing unit(s) and other latest technology-based units such as Tensor Processing Unit.

    This information was given by the Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Law and Justice and Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.

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  • MIL-OSI USA: Luján Reintroduces Legislation to Crack Down on Robocalls, Protect Americans From Scams

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-New Mexico)
    Washington, D.C. –  Today, U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Ranking Member of the Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Telecommunications and Media, announced the reintroduction of the FCC Legal Enforcement Act, legislation that would provide the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) with litigation enforcement authority for violations contained in the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) regarding robocalls. Specifically, the legislation would provide the FCC with the authority to commence court proceedings to recover penalties and fines against those in violation of the TCPA.
    “Every American with a phone knows how annoying it is to be bombarded by robocalls that only offer unwanted scams and threats to personal privacy. Robocalls aren’t just a nuisance, they also scam Americans out of millions of dollars every year,” said Senator Luján. “Congress passed much-needed legislation to protect Americans through the Telephone Consumer Protection Act, but this legislation failed to provide the FCC with the legal authority to enforce the law. That’s why I’m proud to reintroduce the FCC Legal Enforcement Act to empower the Commission to hold telecom companies accountable for robocalls that disrupt Americans’ lives.”
    In 1991, in an effort to address a growing number of telephone marketing calls, Congress enacted the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA). The TCPA restricts the making of telemarketing calls and the use of automatic telephone dialing systems (robocallers) and artificial or prerecorded voice messages. The rules apply to common carriers as well as to other marketers. Although the FCC has the authority to conduct investigations and issue fines or penalties for violations of the TCPA, the Commission lacks the authority to go into court to collect the fines. That authority lies with the Department of Justice. Unfortunately, the Department of Justice may take up to five years to decide whether to pursue a case related to a violation of the TCPA. In that time, violators have hidden assets or disappeared altogether.
    The FCC Legal Enforcement Act provides the FCC with the authority to commence court proceedings to recover penalties or fines against those in violation of the TCPA. Violations of the TCPA are still referred to the Department of Justice first, but if after 120 days, the DOJ refuses to pursue the case, the FCC can commence its own action.
    The FCC Legal Enforcement Act is cosponsored by Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.).
    Full bill text is available here.

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  • MIL-OSI USA: ICE Boston arrests Ugandan alien charged in Massachusetts with assault, battery on pregnant victim

    Source: US Immigration and Customs Enforcement

    WALTHAM, Mass. — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested Gedion Masunsu, 28, an illegal Ugandan alien charged in Massachusetts with two counts of assault and battery on a pregnant victim and destruction of property Jan. 25 in Waltham.

    “Not only is Gedion Masunsu in this country illegally, he savagely assaulted a pregnant Massachusetts resident, endangering the victim and her unborn child,” said ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Boston acting Field Office Director Patricia H. Hyde. “We will not tolerate such acts of violence against the members of our New England communities. ICE stands firm in our commitment to prioritizing public safety by arresting and removing alien offenders from our streets.”

    Masunsu attempted to enter the United States at Boston Logan International Airport April 14, 2021, using an expired visa. U.S. Customs and Border Protection issued Masunsu an order of expedited removal and paroled him into the U.S.

    The Waltham Police Department arrested Masunsu Jan. 6 for two counts of assault and battery on a pregnant victim and destruction of property. ICE lodged an immigration detainer later that day against Masunsu with the Waltham District Court, which failed to honor the detainer and released Masunsu from custody.

    Masunsu remains in ICE custody following his arrest.

    Members of the public can report crimes or suspicious activity by dialing the ICE Tip Line at 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or completing the online tip form.

    Learn more about ICE’s mission to increase public safety in our communities on X: @EROBoston.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Indictment Charges New Haven Man with Drug Distribution and Firearm Possession Offenses

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Marc H. Silverman, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, James Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge, ATF Boston Field Division, New Haven Police Chief Karl Jacobson, and Connecticut State Police Colonel Daniel Loughman today announced that a federal grand jury in New Haven has returned an indictment charging HARRY WHITLEY, 22, of New Haven, with drug distribution and firearm possession offenses.

    The indictment was returned on March 12, 2025, Whitley appeared today before U.S. Magistrate Judge S. Dave Vatti in Bridgeport and pleaded not guilty to the charges.  He has been detained since his arrest on related state charges on November 4, 2024.

    As alleged in court documents and statements made in court, on November 4, 2024, Whitley, who had an active state arrest warrant and was on probation, was observed participating in a suspected drug transaction in New Haven.  Whitley was arrested a short time later in Waterbury.  At the time of his arrest, he possessed fentanyl, cocaine, and oxycodone, and a Glock 17 9mm semiautomatic pistol with an extended magazine and a Glock-style machine gun conversion device, commonly referred to as a “Glock switch.”

    It is alleged that Whitley’s criminal history includes state felony convictions for firearm possession and larceny offenses.  It is a violation of federal law for a person previously convicted of a felony offense to possess a firearm or ammunition that has moved in interstate or foreign commerce.

    The indictment charges Whitley with possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, cocaine, and oxycodone, an offense that a carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years; unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 15 years; and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, an offense that carries a mandatory consecutive sentence of at least five years.

    Acting U.S. Attorney Silverman stressed that an indictment is not evidence of guilt.  Charges are only allegations, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

    This matter is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the New Haven Police Department, and the Connecticut State Police.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher Lembo and Nathan Guevremont.

    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 Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Maryland MS-13 Gang Members Indicted For Murder In Aid Of Racketeering

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Baltimore, Maryland – A federal grand jury has charged Manuel Erazo Alvarado, a/k/a “Castigo,” 46, and Erick Guillen Pleitez, a/k/a “Kilo,” both of Annapolis, Maryland, with Murder in Aid of Racketeering.  The indictment was returned on February 13, 2025.  Erazo Alvarado made his initial appearance yesterday in the United States District Court in Baltimore, Maryland and Guillen Pleitez made his initial appearance on March 6, 2025 in the same courthouse.

    According to court documents, La Mara Salvatrucha, also known as MS-13, is an international criminal organization composed primarily of immigrants or descendants of immigrants from El Salvador, with members operating in the State of Maryland and throughout the United States.

    It is alleged that in 2017, the defendants were members or associates of MS-13 in Maryland.  During that time, the defendants engaged in narcotics distribution, collected extortion payments, or “rent,” and engaged in acts of violence.  On or about August 29, 2017, the defendants participated in the murder of an individual to maintain and increase their positions in the gang.  If convicted, the defendants face either a mandatory life sentence or death. 

    Matthew R. Galeotti, Head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; Kelly O. Hayes, United States Attorney for the District of Maryland; Special Agent in Charge William J. DelBagno of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Baltimore Field Office; Special Agent in Charge Michael McCarthy of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Baltimore; Chief Amal E. Awad of the Anne Arundel County Police Department; Chief Edward Jackson of the Annapolis Police Department; and Colonel Roland L. Butler, Jr. Superintendent of the Maryland State Police made the announcement today.

    The FBI, HSI and Anne Arundel County Police Department, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) are investigating the case.

    Assistant United States Attorneys Kenneth S. Clark and James Hammond, along with Criminal Division Trial Attorneys Matthew Hoff and Amanda Kotula of the Violent Crime and Racketeering Section are prosecuting the case.

    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 Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

    This case is also part of an 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.

    PSN is 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.

    Anyone with information about MS-13 is encouraged to provide their tips to law enforcement.  The FBI and HSI both have nationwide tiplines that you can call to report what you know.  You can reach the FBI at 1-866-STP-MS13 (1-866-787-6713), or you can call HSI at 1-866-DHS-2-ICE.

    An indictment is not a finding of guilt.  An individual charged by indictment is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty at some later criminal proceedings.

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