Source: New Zealand Police (National News)
Pine Drive, Murupara, remains closed as Police respond to an active incident at the Murupara Police station.
The scene is currently contained, and Police are actively engaging with one person.
We continue to ask the public to avoid the area.
ENDS
Issued by Police Media Centre
Source: US State of California
TURLOCK – California Attorney General Rob Bonta in partnership with the recently established Sacramento Regional Human Trafficking Task Force (Sac HTTF), today announced the arrest of 12 individuals for allegedly attempting to contact a minor for sex and other related crimes. The arrests are the result of a partnership between state and local law enforcement and have been referred to the Stanislaus County District Attorney’s Office for potential criminal prosecution.
“I have a simple message for all those who target children for sex online: If you go after children in California, we’ll go after you,” said Attorney General Bonta. “Today’s announcement makes it clear that child sexual abuse will not be tolerated. I’m extremely grateful to all of our partners for their dedication and commitment to keeping our communities safe. When we work together, we get results. My office always stands ready to work with our partners across California to stand up for our children and for public safety.”
“The Sacramento Police Department stands unwavering in the fight against human trafficking, a crime that strips victims of their freedom, dignity, and humanity,” said Sacramento Police Chief Kathy Lester. “This is why our partnership with the Sacramento Regional Human Trafficking Task Force is so critical. By working alongside our local, state, and federal partners, we are attacking this crisis from every angle, relentlessly pursuing traffickers, rescuing and empowering survivors, and making our communities safer.”
“CDCR is proud to be part of this task force, which is making significant strides in keeping our communities safe,” said Bryan Bishop, Deputy Chief of the Office of Correctional Safety at the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. “CDCR is committed to using its expertise to hold human traffickers accountable.”
During the sting, law enforcement personnel worked undercover, posing as children on various websites, as young as 13 years old, to identify, contact, and arrest anyone who may be trying to target children for sex. In these encounters, suspects allegedly used sexually explicit language and sent graphic photos to undercover personnel. Once suspects requested to meet with a child, law enforcement directed them to a predetermined location and arrested them. The operation was carried out in early March and targeted individuals across Stanislaus County. Many of the arrests involved individuals who allegedly attempted to meet with undercover personnel.
The sting was conducted by law enforcement personnel with the Sacramento Regional Human Trafficking Task Force (Sac HTTF), Turlock Police Department, Stanislaus County District Attorney’s Office, and the California Department of Corrections & Rehabilitation. The suspects are facing multiple felony charges including lewd and lascivious conduct with minor, contact with minor sex acts, meeting with minor with the intent to commit sex acts, harmful matter sent to a minor, manufacturing child pornography, and possession of child pornography.
Child sexual abuse remains a significant public safety problem. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, child sexual abuse includes instances where the child does not fully comprehend, does not consent or is unable to give informed consent, or is not developmentally prepared for and cannot give consent to sexual activity. In particular, online enticement — communicating with someone believed to be a child via the internet with the intent to commit a sexual offense or abduction — is a growing problem and form of exploitation, which can include children being groomed to take sexually explicit images or meeting face-to-face with someone for sexual purposes. This type of victimization can occur on a wide array of online platforms, including social media, messaging apps, or online games.
Many children wait to report or never report child sexual abuse and research on the subject likely underestimates the true impact of the problem. Although estimates vary across studies, the research shows that about 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 20 boys in the United States experience child sexual abuse. Ninety-one percent of child sexual abuse is perpetrated by someone known and trusted by the child or child’s family members. Experiencing child sexual abuse can affect how a person thinks, acts, and feels over a lifetime. This can result in short- and long-term physical, mental, and behavioral health consequences.
It is important to note that criminal charges are only allegations against a person. Every defendant is presumed innocent unless or until proven guilty.
Source: Botica Butler Raudon Partners
Sextortion Scams More Threatening in 2025, Fueled by AI-Powered Attacks and Data Breaches
AUCKLAND, 25 March 2025 – Sextortion scams are becoming more common – and more threatening – as cybercriminals exploit artificial intelligence (AI) and large-scale data breaches to develop highly convincing scams. A recent analysis by Avast, a leader in digital security and privacy and part of Gen (NASDAQ: GEN), found that in 2025 so far, the risk of being targeted with sextortion scams in the NZ has risen 137%.
New Zealand is not alone: Avast researchers are seeing countries around the world being impacted by these highly manipulative scams. In the US, the likelihood of being targeted by sextortion scammers also increased 137% in the first few months of 2025. The UK and Australia’s risk rose 49% and 34% respectively. Avast also revealed the top 10 countries most vulnerable to these scams, with Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong, South Africa, Italy, Australia, UAE, the UK, Switzerland and Czech Republic facing the highest risk ratios for sextortion in the last calendar year.
New Threatening and Intrusive Tactics
Criminals are refining their tactics, thanks to the help of AI and a wealth of personal data available from recent large-scale breaches. As the sophistication of AI increases, so do the explicit extortion emails scammers are sending. AI is being used by scammers to create ‘deepfake’ images, fake explicit photos created by superimposing a victim’s face onto another body, coupled with threatening messages to distribute them.
Michal Salat, Threat Intelligence Director for Avast comments: “Our analysis reveals that sextortion victims frequently receive threatening messages claiming access to their private videos and images. These scams are made even more convincing with the use of stolen passwords from past data breaches, lending an alarming sense of credibility.”
“Fear of exposure, especially when personal details appear accurate, often pressures victims into complying with ransom demands. However, we strongly advise against engaging with these scammers, no matter how real the threats may seem.”
One of the latest techniques used by cybercriminals involves Google Maps and is designed to employ a more invasive and personalised approach that can really shock and intimidate their victims into complying with demands.
Criminals – utilizing names, addresses, and emails readily available on the Dark Web due to data breaches – can create very targeted emails to victims containing fabricated footage and unsettling information and images of their real homes. Scammers will also claim to have gained access to victims’ devices to extort their victims by threatening to share sexual content or information about them. Cybersecurity experts at Avast have identified over 15,000 unique Bitcoin wallets associated with the Google Maps scam, though the scope of the operation is likely much larger.
Avast experts emphasise the importance of proactive protection against sextortion scams and urge people to never engage with messages that could be from scammers. The following actions help to combat sextortion efforts:
As sextortion scams become more advanced, it is crucial for individuals to remain cautious and take steps to safeguard their digital privacy. Public awareness and vigilance remain critical in combating these threats.
For more information, visit https://www.avast.com/
About Avast
Avast is a leader in digital security and privacy, and part of Gen™ (NASDAQ: GEN), a global company dedicated to powering Digital Freedom with a family of trusted consumer brands. Avast protects hundreds of millions of users from online threats, for Mobile, PC or Mac and is top-ranked and certified by VB100, AV-Comparatives, AV-Test, SE Labs and others. Avast is a member of the Coalition Against Stalkerware, No More Ransom and Internet Watch Foundation. Learn more at Avast.com. Visit: www.avast.com.
Source: Office of United States Attorneys
COLUMBIA, S.C. — Jocobia Dozier-Eaddy, 37, of Columbia, has been sentenced to more than three years in federal prison for conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute cocaine, crack cocaine, fentanyl, and marijuana.
Evidence obtained in the investigation revealed that Dozier-Eaddy and others were responsible for shipping and selling cocaine and counterfeit oxycodone pills made with fentanyl and shipped through the U.S. Postal Service from Arizona into South Carolina. During this investigation agents seized marijuana, cocaine, crack cocaine, and counterfeit oxycodone pills. Agents were able to identify Dozier-Eaddy following his sale of counterfeit pills to an undercover agent. During the sale, Dozier-Eaddy sold the undercover agent 200 counterfeit pills laced with fentanyl.
Following his identification, the agents learned that Dozier-Eaddy called the USPS to inquired about a package that had been seized by them. The package contained two individually wrapped packages containing over 900 grams of cocaine and 5 grams of crack cocaine. The package was supposed to be delivered that day. Dozier-Eaddy confirmed the package seized was the correct package and gave the correct tracking number, his cellular telephone number, and the correct address for delivery. During the time of this conspiracy, Dozier-Eaddy also wired money to the supplier of the drugs in Arizona who was arrested by Homeland Security Investigations in a separate investigation in Arizona.
United States District Mary Geiger Lewis sentenced Dozier-Eaddy to 46 months imprisonment, to be followed by a two-year term of court-ordered supervision. There is no parole in the federal system.
This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
This case was investigated by Drug Enforcement Administration, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney William K. Witherspoon is prosecuting the case.
###
Source: Office of United States Attorneys
Oxford, MS – A Starkville man was sentenced today to three years in prison for possession and transfer of a “Glock switch,” which is a device that converts a semi-automatic handgun to fully automatic.
According to court documents, Kylen Ingram, also known as “KTM Prime,” 22, previously pled guilty to possession and transfer of a “Glock switch” which constitutes a machinegun under federal law. U.S. District Judge Sharion Aycock sentenced Ingram today to 36 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release. Ingram was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals following sentencing.
U.S. Attorney Clay Joyner of the Northern District of Mississippi; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives New Orleans Special Agent in Charge Joshua Jackson; and FBI Jackson Field Office Special Agent in Charge Robert Eikhoff made the announcement.
This case was investigated by the FBI, the Starkville Police Department, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
Source: Office of United States Attorneys
PITTSBURGH, Pa. – A resident of both Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and Chicago, Illinois, pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of violating federal law regarding the sexual exploitation of children, Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.
Ashok Panigrahy, age 53, pleaded guilty to one count before United States District Judge Christy Criswell Wiegand.
In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that from on or about November 21 through November 22, 2022, in the Western District of Pennsylvania, Panigrahy knowingly possessed images and videos depicting the sexual exploitation of a minor.
Judge Wiegand scheduled sentencing for July 17, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. The law provides for a total sentence of not more than 20 years in prison, a fine of $250,000.00, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney Heidi M. Grogan is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Homeland Security Investigations (Pittsburgh and Chicago) conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Panigrahy.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals, who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Source: Office of United States Attorneys
SAN FRANCISCO – A federal grand jury has indicted Ricci Lee Wynne on charges of producing child sexual abuse materials. Wynne made his initial appearance in federal court this morning.
According to the indictment filed March 18, 2025, Wynne, 39, of San Francisco, allegedly employed, used, persuaded, induced, enticed, and coerced minor victims to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing videos and/or images of the conduct on or about April 9, 2022, and Oct. 29, 2022.
Wynne has been in federal custody since December 2024 following a report of a supervised release violation in another case. He is next scheduled to appear in district court on March 26, 2025, for a status conference before Senior U.S. District Judge Charles R. Breyer.
Acting United States Attorney Patrick D. Robbins and FBI Special Agent in Charge Sanjay Virmani made the announcement.
Wynne is charged with two counts of production of child pornography under 18 U.S.C. § 2251(a). An indictment merely alleges that crimes have been committed, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. If convicted, the defendant faces a minimum sentence of 15 years in prison and a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison and a fine of $250,000 for each violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2251(a). Any sentence following conviction would be imposed by the court after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of a sentence, 18 U.S.C. § 3553.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys E. Wistar Wilson and Eric Cheng are prosecuting the case with the assistance of Soana Katoa and Marina Ponomarchuk. The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the FBI. The U.S. Attorney’s Office and the FBI appreciate the assistance of the San Francisco Police Department and HSI. Anyone with information relevant to this case can report it by contacting the FBI at (415) 553-7400 or tips.fbi.gov.
Source: Office of United States Attorneys
ALBUQUERQUE – A Shiprock man has been charged with assault with a dangerous weapon after he allegedly fired multiple shots at an unsuspecting pedestrian.
According to court records, on March 13, 2025, the Navajo Nation Police responded to a shots-fired report. Isaiah Benally, 33, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, allegedly fired multiple shots at a passerby who escaped unharmed despite bullets striking nearby. Benally was taken into custody by the Navajo Nation SWAT team after a brief standoff. Inside his residence, officers found body armor and firearm accessories. Benally has a history of arrests for aggravated battery and assault.
Benally will remain in custody pending trial, which has not been set. If convicted of the current charges, Benally faces up to 10 years in prison.
Acting U.S. Attorney Holland S. Kastrin and Raul Bujanda, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office, made the announcement today.
The Farmington Resident Agency of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with the assistance of the Navajo Police Department and Department of Criminal Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brittany DuChaussee is prosecuting the case.
A criminal complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Source: Office of United States Attorneys
BOSTON – MORSECORP, Inc. (MORSE), of Cambridge, Mass., has agreed to pay $4.6 million to resolve allegations that MORSE violated the False Claims Act by failing to comply with cybersecurity requirements in its contracts with the Departments of the Army and Air Force.
The settlement resolves allegations that MORSE submitted false or fraudulent claims for payment on contracts with the Departments of the Army and Air Force, and that those claims were false or fraudulent because Morse knew it had not complied with those contracts’ cybersecurity requirements. As part of the settlement, MORSE admitted, acknowledged and accepted responsibility for the following facts:
“Federal contractors must fulfill their obligations to protect sensitive government information from cyber threats,” said United States Attorney Leah B. Foley. “We will continue to hold contractors to their commitments to follow cybersecurity standards to ensure that federal agencies and taxpayers get what they paid for, and make sure that contractors who follow the rules are not at a competitive disadvantage.”
“We are pleased with today’s settlement, which further demonstrates the resolve of the Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Division and our law enforcement partners to protect and defend the assets of the United States Army and Department of Defense,” said Special Agent in Charge Keith K. Kelly, Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Division Fraud Field Office. “We’re committed to protecting the warfighter and maintaining the Army’s operational readiness while holding those who engage in such acts accountable.”
“Failure to implement cybersecurity requirements can have devastating consequences, leaving sensitive DoD data vulnerable to cyber threats and malicious actors,” said Special Agent in Charge William W. Richards of the Air Force Office of Special Investigations (AFOSI). “AFOSI, alongside our investigative partners and the Department of Justice, will continue to combat fraud affecting the Department of the Air Force and hold those accountable that fail to properly safeguard sensitive defense information.”
“Protecting the integrity of Department of Defense (DoD) procurement activities is a top priority for the DoD Office of Inspector General’s Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS),” said Special Agent in Charge Patrick J. Hegarty, DCIS Northeast Field Office. “Failing to comply with DoD contract specifications and cybersecurity requirements puts DoD information and programs at risk. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners and the Department of Justice to investigate allegations of false claims on DoD contracts.”
The settlement resolves a lawsuit filed under the whistleblower provisions of the False Claims Act, which permit private parties to sue on behalf of the government when they believe that a defendant has submitted false claims for government funds and receive a share of any recovery. The settlement in this case provides for the whistleblower to receive an $851,000 share of the settlement amount. The qui tam case is captioned United States ex rel. Berich v. MORSECORP, Inc., et al., No. 23-cv-10130 (D. Mass.).
The settlement announced today was the result of a coordinated effort between the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts, the Civil Division’s Commercial Litigation Branch, Fraud Section, with assistance from the Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Division’s Fraud Field Office, the Air Force Office of Special Investigations, DCIS and the General Services Administration Office of Inspector General. The matter was handled by Brian LaMacchia, Chief of the Affirmative Civil Enforcement Unit, Assistant U.S. Attorney Julien Mundele in the U.S. Attorney’s Office and DOJ Senior Trial Counsel Christopher Terranova.
Source: Office of United States Attorneys
ELKINS, WEST VIRGINIA – Justin Ray Guessford, age 40, of Fisher, West Virginia, has admitted to the unlawful possession of a firearm.
According to court documents, Guessford, also known as “Justin Ray Gilbert,” was found with a .22 caliber rifle in Hardy County. Guessford is prohibited from having firearms because of prior malicious wounding and child neglect convictions.
Guessford is facing up to 10 years in federal prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen Warner is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the West Virginia State Police investigated.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael John Aloi presided.
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)
VIDALIA, Ga., March 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Lendmark Financial Services (Lendmark), a leading provider of household credit and consumer loan solutions, continues to expand its Georgia footprint, opening a new branch in Vidalia.
The branch is located at 2339 E. 1st Street and is expected to serve hundreds of customers in its first year. Margaret Argo, who serves as the branch manager, will be responsible for the administration of all daily operations. These include building personal relationships with customers and integrating into the community to ensure area residents receive a superior level of individualized loan services that meet their unique financial needs.
“Our very first Lendmark branch opened in Georgia in 1996 and 29 years later we are still expanding right where we started. Continued growth in Georgia shows the tremendous impact we make by focusing on delivering the tailored loan solutions our customers need to meet planned and unplanned life events,” said Jerry Sharp, Vice President of Branch Operations at Lendmark. “Our Georgia branch openings and overall branch growth demonstrate an ongoing need for diverse household financial options for consumers here and throughout the country.”
In addition to serving consumers directly, Lendmark provides financing solutions for thousands of retailers and independent auto dealerships, allowing these businesses’ customers to obtain Lendmark financing. Local businesses that are interested in partnering with Lendmark to provide financing solutions for their customers should visit the branch or call 912-386-7300.
Lendmark’s ‘Climb to Cure’ is its signature cause-related initiative. The company has committed to raising $10 million by 2025 to mark its 10-year anniversary partnering with CURE Childhood Cancer. So far, Lendmark’s employees, partners and customers have raised $8.83 million to support CURE, an Atlanta-based nonprofit dedicated to funding targeted pediatric cancer research that is utilized nationwide.
Lendmark customers can participate by donating $1 when closing their loan. Lendmark matches the donation.
About Lendmark Financial Services
Lendmark Financial Services (Lendmark) provides personal and household credit and loan solutions to consumers. Founded in 1996, Lendmark strives to be the lender, employer, and partner of choice by protecting household wealth, offering stability and helping consumers meet both planned and unplanned life events through affordable loan offerings. Today, Lendmark operates more than 515 branches in 22 states across the country, providing personalized services to customers and retail business partners with every transaction. Lendmark is headquartered in Lawrenceville, Ga. For more information, visit www.lendmarkfinancial.com.
Media Contact
Jeff Hamilton
Senior Manager, Corporate Communications
jhamilton@lendmarkfinancial.com
678-625-3128
The Law Council of Australia is pleased to see its long-standing call for a Commonwealth Parole Board recognised in tonight’s Federal Budget, but is disappointed the Commonwealth has failed to ensure the sustainability of the vital legal aid services provided by private practitioners that underpin access to justice in this country.
“We commend the Federal Government for the support it had previously announced under the new National Access to Justice Partnership, and we recognise the important funding announcements tonight for the establishment of a Commonwealth Parole Board and to extend specialist trauma informed sexual assault legal services pilots,” Law Council of Australia President, Juliana Warner said.
“However, the Law Council remains concerned that a vital pillar of access to justice in this country remains overlooked.
“What is still missing is additional funding to ensure the thousands of private practitioners who provide legal aid do not have to walk away from providing this service because it is simply unviable.
“Around 72 per cent of legal aid approved matters are assigned to private practitioners. Each year, these practitioners are delivering more than 100,000 cases to assist Australians in times of crisis and distress.
“The vast majority of law firms in this country are small businesses. It is these small businesses – particularly in rural, regional and remote (RRR) areas – that most often deliver legal aid and ensure that people in need have somewhere to turn when they are seeking access to justice. They are the lifeblood of justice in Australia.
“As we know from the recently released National Legal Aid Private Practitioner Census, these small businesses are at breaking point and tonight’s Budget was a critical moment for many hoping that fairer legal aid grants funding – as recommended in a recent independent review commissioned by the Government – would finally be delivered.
“In some cases, the payments lawyers receive for legal aid work have not changed in
10 years and are around three times less than what they can earn privately. Private practitioners are still choosing to provide this vital service, but at great personal cost and at the expense of their small business’s viability.
“The Private Practitioner Census found that a third of private lawyers are having to contemplate doing less legal aid work in the next five years – if they can even continue to provide legal aid at all.
“National Legal Aid has warned that a crisis is looming and that in just five years, by 2030, Australia’s legal aid system could collapse. Tonight’s Budget was an opportunity to turn the ship around before it is too late. Unfortunately, it was an opportunity which was missed.
“Despite the inaction on these issues in the Budget tonight, the upcoming Federal Election is another important opportunity for those seeking to be our elected representatives to commit to addressing this looming crisis and ensure that legal help will be there for those who need it,” Ms Warner said.
The Law Council has had a long-standing position supporting the establishment of a Commonwealth Parole Board and welcomes the Government’s announcement that it will provide $28.3 million over four years from 2025–26, and $7.3 million per year ongoing, for this purpose.
“Currently, once a federal offender is sentenced, responsibility for determining parole shifts to the executive branch of the government. The Law Council strongly supports taking the politics out of parole.” Ms Warner said.
“The establishment of a Commonwealth Parole Board will help to protect the right of incarcerated individuals to have their application for liberty considered in a transparent and accountable manner and address the risk of perceived political interference in parole decisions.
“The successful functioning of a Commonwealth Parole Board will be determined by the extent to which the final model is underpinned by four key design principles—independence, transparency, procedural fairness, and accountability.”
Other welcome measures include:
• $21.4 million over three years from 2025–26 to improve victim and survivor engagement in the justice system and inform the response to the Australian Law Reform Commission’s (ALRC) Inquiry into the Justice System’s Response to Sexual Violence. Funding includes:
o $19.6 million over three years from 2025–26 to extend three specialist trauma informed sexual assault legal services pilots in Victoria, WA and the ACT, expand the pilots nationally and trial additional non-legal support services;
o $1.2 million over two years from 2025–26 to extend the ALRC’s lived experience Advisory Group for one year to advise on implementation of the ALRC’s report and support stakeholder engagement; and
o $0.6 million in 2025–26 for research into systemic issues and other matters arising from the ALRC’s inquiry, including a mechanism to seek review of police decisions not to pursue charges.
• $1.6 million in 2025–26 to the Attorney-General’s Department to continue law and justice capacity building in the Pacific.
• $1.0 million in 2025–26 to Attorney-General’s Department to provide grants for community‑based projects to prevent modern slavery.
Source: US Immigration and Customs Enforcement
CAMDEN, N.J. — A Pennsylvania man was found guilty of conspiring to distribute cocaine following an U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement investigation.
Marvin Murphy, 48, of Philadelphia, was convicted on March 18 after a two-day bench trial at the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey in Camden. Murphy was remanded into custody after the verdict.
“Murphy and his co-conspirators had ill intentions of pedaling poison into American communities from coast to coast,” said ICE Homeland Security Investigations Newark Special Agent in Charge Ricky J. Patel. “Their devious plan to traffic at least ten kilograms of cocaine into New Jersey was thwarted thanks to our partnership with HSI San Diego and Mount Laurel Police.”
According to the investigation, from June 2021 through July 13, 2021, Murphy conspired with Carl Lee Holloway, Lavinston Lamar, and others to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute cocaine.
On June 23, 2021, Holloway traveled to San Diego, California, to meet with an undercover agent posing as a drug dealer. Holloway and the undercover agent discussed arranging a drug deal in New Jersey during which the undercover agent would deliver at least 10 kilograms of cocaine for Holloway and his associates. During the meeting, Holloway called Murphy, and the two proceeded to communicate about the drug deal during the subsequent weeks.
On July 13, 2021, Holloway, Murphy, and Lamar separately arrived at a hotel in Mount Laurel, New Jersey, each with bags containing U.S. currency collectively totaling over $340,000. They met with undercover agents inside a hotel room at the hotel. They briefly inspected one of the kilograms of cocaine previously brought into the room by undercover agents, after which agents entered the room and arrested Holloway, Lamar, and Murphy.
Holloway was previously sentenced to 120 months in prison after he pleaded guilty to his involvement in the same conspiracy. Lamar was previously sentenced to 114 months in prison, which was later reduced to 100 months, after Lamar pleaded guilty to his involvement in the same conspiracy and to violating the conditions of his supervised release from a prior conviction for conspiring to distribute cocaine.
Source: US Federal Emergency Management Agency
Headline: Media Advisory: Secretary Noem Announces Trip to El Salvador, Colombia, and Mexico
ASHINGTON, DC – This week, the Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem will travel to El Salvador, Colombia, and Mexico
Below are more details on the Secretary’s trip
Travel Pool:
Print: The Wall Street Journal, Michelle Hackman
Photo: AP, Alex Brandon
TV: Fox News, Krista Garvin, Ali Rad, and Mahreon Johnson
DAILY GUIDANCE AND PRESS SCHEDULE
Wednesday, March 26th: El Salvador
Secretary Noem tours Terrorist Confinement Center CECOT with the Minister of Justice Gustavo Villatoro
Secretary Noem meets with President Nayib Bukele
Thursday, March 27th: Colombia
Secretary Noem meets with Foreign Minister Laura Sarabia, Defense Minister Pedro Sanchez, National Police General Carlos Fernando Triana, and Migration Director Nigeria Renteria
Secretary Noem meets with President Gustavo Petro
Friday March 28th: Mexico
Secretary Noem meets with President Sheinbaum and Foreign Minister Juan Ramon De La Fuente
Source: WTO
Headline: Members look into bolstering support for trade policies, fast-tracking digital trade growth
The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) noted that Aid-for-Trade disbursements reached USD 48 billion in 2023, representing a 5 per cent decrease from 2022. While most funds were channelled towards strengthening infrastructure and productive sectors, the OECD noted, only 2 per cent of Aid for Trade was allocated to trade policy and regulations.
Representatives from Australia, Barbados, the Pacific Islands Forum and the United Kingdom shared their insights into ways to increase the participation of developing economies in the multilateral trading system. They highlighted that it is important for economies to develop and implement national strategies and to coordinate effectively with development partners. For example, progress in implementing the Pacific Aid-for-Trade Strategy, covering services, e-commerce, trade facilitation and quality infrastructure, was acknowledged.
The financial support dedicated to the WTO accession of Comoros and Timor-Leste was highlighted. Speakers also acknowledged the support provided under the Advisory Centre on WTO Law, the Enhanced Integrated Framework, the Fish Fund and the Standards and Trade Development Facility.
The role of cooperation among developing economies in strengthening these economies’ trade capacities was also recognized. Speakers welcomed greater collaboration with the private sector on scaling up financial support.
Members also examined the European Union’s 2024 Aid for Trade Progress Report. As one of the top donors of Aid for Trade, the European Union and its member states provided 36 per cent of the total disbursements in 2022, accounting for EUR 22 billion. The report also highlighted the role of Aid for Trade in creating an enabling environment for investments under the EU’s Global Gateway investment strategy.
According to the Digital Trade Integration Database of the European University Institute, the level of integration into digital trade differs widely across economies, with fewer enabling policies observed in lower-income economies. The database contains information on the digital trade policies of 146 economies.
Speakers noted that in Africa, digital trade integration is being held back by regulatory fragmentation, infrastructure gaps and limited access of small businesses to digital markets.
To bolster the continent’s digital trade expansion, speakers underlined the importance of technical assistance and capacity-building activities to harmonize digital trade regulations, investments in broadband and logistics and greater access of small businesses to digital trade finance. For example, speakers stressed the importance of fully implementing the Digital Trade Protocol of the African Continental Free Trade Area. Estimates indicate this could increase intra-regional trade in services by up to 10.3 per cent.
More information on the WTO-led Aid for Trade initiative can be found here.
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Source: United Nations – Geneva
Committee Experts Commemorate the Day of Remembrance for Truth and Justice in Argentina and the International Day for the Right to the Truth Concerning Gross Human Rights Violations and for the Dignity of Victims
The Committee on Enforced Disappearances today concluded its consideration of the initial report of Malta on its implementation of the International Convention on the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance. Committee Experts asked questions on the State’s efforts to establish a stand-alone law on enforced disappearance and a national human rights institution, and to prevent disappearances of migrants.
Several experts raised concerns that the State party did not have a stand-alone crime of enforced disappearance. Fidelis Kanyongolo, Committee Expert and Country Rapporteur, asked about steps taken to establish an autonomous offence of enforced disappearance with appropriate penalties.
Barbara Lochbihler, Committee Expert and Country Rapporteur, said the human rights and equality commission bill, which would establish a national human rights institution, had not yet been enacted. What parts of the bill were under review and what was the timeline for its adoption?
Ms. Lochbihler also cited reports of tactics of non-assistance to migrants and refugees in distress at sea, as well as pushbacks to Libya, leading to deaths and disappearances. Refugees in Libya were reportedly kept in appalling conditions, and exposed to abuse, extortion, abduction and human trafficking. What measures had the State party taken to prevent disappearances of migrants and dangerous pushbacks at sea?
Introducing the report, Fiorella Fenech Vella, Office of the State Advocate of Malta and head of the delegation, said Malta had consistently recognised that enforced disappearance was a crime under customary international law, and the State had classified enforced disappearances as inhumane acts under its umbrella provision of crimes against humanity since its independence in 1964.
The delegation added that Malta had no reported cases of enforced disappearance and the State party criminalised all elements of the crime of enforced disappearance, though it did not have a stand-alone crime of enforced disappearance or plans to create one.
The establishment of an independent national human rights institution remained a high priority for Malta, Ms. Fenech Vella said. The equality and human rights commission bill had been previously presented to Parliament; however, the legislative process was halted due to the dissolution of Parliament for the 2022 general elections. Since then, efforts had been made to develop the bill to ensure full compliance with the Paris Principles and relevant European Union directives. The delegation could not provide a timeline for its adoption, however.
The delegation said Malta had saved several migrants at sea. Maltese authorities acted on distress calls at sea in accordance with relevant international laws and had not engaged in any pushbacks to Libya. The Government signed a memorandum of understanding with Libya in 2020 on setting up coordination centres in Tripoli and Malta to improve the reception of migrants and combat trafficking in the region.
In concluding remarks, Ms. Fenech Vella said the dialogue was an essential component for further strengthening Malta’s implementation of the Convention and for strengthening protections for rights holders in the State. The State party would carefully analyse and take into account the Committee’s recommendations in its development of laws and policies.
Olivier de Frouville, Committee Chair, in concluding remarks, said the State party and the Committee’s common goal was to ensure the implementation of the Convention. Mr. de Frouville called on Malta and other States that had ratified the Convention to petition States that had not ratified to do so. The Committee looked forward to continuing to work with Malta in future.
The delegation of Malta consisted of representatives of the Ministry for Home Affairs, Security and Employment; Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Tourism; Office of the State Advocate; Office of the Attorney General; Ministry for Justice and Reform of the Construction Industry; and the Permanent Mission of Malta to the United Nations Office at Geneva.
At the end of the first day of the dialogue, the Committee heard statements marking the Day of Remembrance for Truth and Justice in Argentina and the International Day for the Right to the Truth Concerning Gross Human Rights Violations and for the Dignity of Victims.
Horacio Ravenna, Committee Vice-Chair, recounted that 49 years ago, the armed forces in Argentina initiated a coup against the State’s leadership and imposed a military dictatorship. In this era, when many political dissidents were subjected to enforced disappearance, the exiled mothers of victims led the fight and bravely spoke out. On this day, the Committee honoured persons who had passed away and continued to raise public awareness for the next generations, so that the horrendous crime could be eradicated forever.
Mr. de Frouville, Committee Chair, said all needed to remember the courageous struggle of the Mothers of Plaza de Mayo, whose actions had led to the development of the Convention.
The Committee will issue its concluding observations on the report of Malta at the end of its twenty-eighth session, which concludes on 4 April. Summaries of the public meetings of the Committee can be found here, while webcasts of the public meetings can be found here. The programme of work and other documents related to the session can be found here.
The Committee will next meet in public on Friday, 4 April at 5 p.m. to close its twenty-eighth session.
Report
The Committee has before it the initial report of Malta (CED/C/MLT/1).
Presentation of Report
FIORELLA FENECH VELLA, Office of the State Advocate of Malta and head of the delegation, said the dialogue was an opportunity to reaffirm Malta’s unwavering commitment to the Convention and its unwavering support to the United Nations human rights treaty bodies. Malta had consistently recognised that enforced disappearance was a crime under customary international law amounting to torture, inhuman and degrading treatment. The State had classified enforced disappearances as inhumane acts under its umbrella provision of crimes against humanity since its independence in 1964. It also signed in February of last year the Ljubljana-Hague Convention on prosecuting war crimes and genocide, which would help deliver justice to victims of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes, facilitating effective international cooperation in domestic investigations and prosecutions.
Malta’s 1964 Constitution and Bill of Rights, adopted upon Malta’s establishment as a State, enshrined key rights, including the right to life; protection against arbitrary arrest or detention, and inhuman treatment; the right to a fair hearing; and the prohibition of deportation, among others. The Constitution stipulated that detention could only occur under lawful conditions. The International Criminal Court Act incorporated international crimes, including enforced disappearances categorised as crimes against humanity, into the State’s law. Malta had ratified several international treaties aimed at preventing enforced disappearances and protecting human rights, including the European Convention on Human Rights; had ratified several United Nations human rights treaties and their protocols; and had accepted communications procedures under a number of these. It was constantly reviewing the Committee’s communications procedure and would keep it updated on any developments.
Combatting trafficking in persons remained a priority for the State. Malta had launched a national strategy and action plan on combatting trafficking in human beings in Malta (2024-2030), which aimed to strengthen the necessary national framework required to prevent human trafficking, protect victims, and prosecute offenders of this crime. Anti-trafficking actions were being developed to address root causes, risks, threats, new methods used by traffickers, and demand. The strategy took a human rights-focused, gender-sensitive, interdisciplinary, and cross-sectoral approach. The Police, via the Vulnerable Victims Unit, conducted investigations into human trafficking and collaborated closely with the Financial Crime Investigation Department to effectively target traffickers and prevent them from reaping financial gains from their criminal activities. In 2024, Malta initiated two prosecutions which combined human trafficking charges with money laundering charges, with legal proceedings currently underway.
Victims of human rights violations – including heirs of individuals subjected to enforced disappearances – were entitled to initiate court proceedings against the State Advocate in the First Hall of Malta’s Civil Court. An individual could only be presumed dead when their absence had lasted for a continuous period exceeding 10 years. The Constitutional Court could issue orders to safeguard affected individuals’ rights and ensure that any law, entity or individual, including all State officials, in breach of fundamental human rights were held accountable. Even the President could face legal action for acts committed outside the scope of functions of the Office.
Malta had incorporated effective remedies for victims of human rights violations in its legislation. The State was in full compliance with article 17(3) of the Convention, which mandated that official registers of individuals deprived of liberty were maintained by the appropriate authorities and updated as necessary.
The establishment of an independent national human rights institution in accordance with the Paris Principles remained a high priority for Malta. The equality and human rights commission bill had been previously presented to Parliament; however, the legislative process was halted due to the dissolution of Parliament for the 2022 general elections. Since then, efforts were ongoing to further develop the bill to ensure full compliance with the Paris Principles and European Union directives that established minimum standards for equality bodies’ independence, resources and powers. The proposed institution was conceived to function as an independent, well-resourced, and effective entity to be endowed with the necessary legal mandate to promote and protect human rights fervently.
Malta was resolutely committed to the promotion and protection of human rights, including related to enforced disappearances, and ensuring justice and accountability. The State party’s efforts reflected its moral commitment to uphold the dignity and rights of all individuals.
Questions by Committee Experts
BARBARA LOCHBIHLER, Committee Expert and Country Rapporteur, said the human rights and equality commission bill, which would establish a national human rights institution, had not yet been enacted. What parts of the bill were under review and what was the timeline for its adoption? Why had the State party not yet accepted the Committee’s competence to receive individual and inter-State communications? Had any national courts directly invoked the Convention? Why had the State party not consulted with civil society organizations in preparing the report?
FIDELIS KANYONGOLO, Committee Expert and Country Rapporteur, said the emergency powers act empowered the President to make necessary regulations for public safety, health and the defence of Malta in states of emergency. Had the President ever exercised this power? Which legal provisions specifically guaranteed non-derogation from legislation stipulating the right of every person to be protected from enforced disappearances during states of emergency?
Was State legislation in line with article two of the Convention? What steps had been taken to establish an autonomous offence of enforced disappearance with penalties commensurate to the seriousness of the offence in State legislation? Did the State party have a law which established its jurisdiction over the offence of enforced disappearance committed outside of Malta when the alleged offender was present in the country, including in cases where the alleged offender was not subject to military law and when the crime was not a crime against humanity?
There was no up-to-date statistical information available on the number of disappeared persons or persons involved in enforced disappearances in Malta. What challenges was the State party facing in this regard? What plans did it have to systematically collect data on enforced disappearances in future? How many cases of enforced disappearance had been investigated by the State? What measures had been taken to ensure the impartiality of such investigations and that public officers allegedly involved in the crime did not take part in the proceedings?
Malta’s whistleblower act offered some degree of protection to whistleblowers and witnesses. However, it did not extend its protection to members of a “disciplined force”, the Security Service or persons employed in the foreign, consular or diplomatic service of the Government. What measures were in place to protect such internal whistleblowers and witnesses, as well as relatives of victims and defence counsel? Did the Code of Ethics of Police Officers provide protection to police officers who witnessed acts of violence, inhumane or offensive treatment?
Had the State party concluded any extradition agreement with other State parties? Had it participated in mutual legal assistance and cooperation with other States in respect to offences of enforced disappearances and abduction? Were there any inter-country procedures in place to govern the search for and release of disappeared persons, and the identification and return of their remains in case of death?
A Committee Expert asked whether the Convention could be directly enforced in Malta. The State party did not have a stand-alone crime of enforced disappearance. What mechanisms were in place to harmonise domestic law with the Convention?
Another Committee Expert asked about plans to involve civil society in the development of State party reports.
Responses by the Delegation
The delegation said Malta had no reported cases of enforced disappearance and the State maintained a robust legal framework to prevent occurrences of enforced disappearance. The Criminal Code classified enforced disappearance as a crime against humanity. It was in line with article two of the Convention. All cases of suspected enforced disappearance and missing persons were treated with the highest priority by the police and promptly investigated. Authorities immediately checked detention records after reports of missing persons. Investigations utilised a range of forensic techniques and legal electronic surveillance tools. In cases of cross-border activities, the State party engaged with Interpol in investigations. The police compiled a centralised system containing all reports of missing persons and disappearances, which was used to track searches and investigations.
Several oversight mechanisms were in place to investigate alleged human rights violations by State officials, including the police’s internal investigation unit. The police conducted regular human rights training, which addressed the prohibition of enforced disappearance and arbitrary detention. Early warning mechanisms were in place to identify arbitrary detentions at an early stage. All persons in police custody needed to be registered in the police detention registry. The maximum period of police detention, which was 48 hours, could be extended for an equivalent period for serious offences when permitted by a magistrate.
The Criminal Code stated that detained persons had the right to a lawyer and to communicate with consular authorities if they were foreigners. When detained persons required an interpreter, one needed to be provided without delay. Police officers were required to follow the Police Code of Ethics, considering the potential effects of their actions. They were required to take immediate action to protect people and private property from violence.
Persons subjected to extradition proceedings had the right to engage with lawyers and to appeal extradition decisions. Malta had the competence to try cases of enforced disappearance that were crimes against humanity committed inside and outside of Malta. When unable to extradite a person accused of enforced disappearance, the State had the competence to prosecute the person domestically. Malta had colonial-era extradition agreements with the United States, Tunisia, Libya and Egypt. It was bound by the European Convention on Extradition, which superseded any provisions implemented by bilateral agreements. There had been no cases of extradition of persons accused of enforced disappearance, but there were cases related to abduction and trafficking in persons.
Detention services had a central registry of detentions. All immigration detentions and involuntary admissions to psychiatric institutions were registered. Persons under arrest could challenge the lawfulness of their detention at any time. The detention of persons in places that were not classified as prisons was an offence. Police investigations into trafficking cases checked for enforced disappearance. Persons who had conspired to commit enforced disappearance were prosecuted. All public officers accused of enforced disappearance or abductions were immediately suspended and were not involved in searches or investigations.
Maltese law was derogable; Parliament had the power to change national laws, except for the Constitution. All directives given by the President needed to be in line with the Constitution, which prevailed in cases where domestic legislation conflicted with it. Parliament could not make amendments to laws without reaching a two-thirds majority, meaning that the ruling party could not impose laws on its own.
The bill establishing the national human rights institution had been suspended in 2022 due to the general election and assessment of it had started afresh. Malta was not able to provide a date for the enactment of the bill. There were no civil society organizations active in the field of enforced disappearance in Malta.
Questions by Committee Experts
FIDELIS KANYONGOLO, Committee Expert and Country Rapporteur, asked about the State party’s jurisdiction over enforced disappearances that did not amount to crimes against humanity. Suspensions could be imposed by the heads of government departments in cases of allegations against inferiors. Were there provisions that ensured that heads of departments exercised this discretion from the beginning of investigations and for their entire duration? To what extent did domestic legislation address concealment of the fate or whereabouts of disappeared persons? To what extent was the State obliged to investigate when enforced disappearance was perpetrated by non-State actors? Was the right to be protected from enforced disappearance derogable in Malta? Could persons be extradited to places where they could be subjected to enforced disappearance? Were police officers who reported enforced disappearances to persons other than their superior officers protected under whistle-blower legislation?
BARBARA LOCHBIHLER, Committee Expert and Country Rapporteur, said enforced disappearances related to issues such as trafficking in persons and migration. Why were civil society organizations that dealt with these issues not involved in preparing the State party’s report?
Another Committee Expert asked if State legislation addressed the act of aiding and abetting the crime of trafficking in persons. There were barriers to enforced disappearance being invoked as grounds for an extradition in Malta due to the principle of double jeopardy, which required both the extraditing and receiving States to have the same laws on the crime. How would the State party address this issue?
A Committee Expert asked if the Executive, the Attorney General, non-governmental organizations or private individuals had the power to develop legal norms that could be assessed and approved by the legislature.
One Committee Expert said the Committee was delighted that Malta had never recorded cases of enforced disappearances, but the Convention required that the State party set up legal mechanisms, including a stand-alone offence of enforced disappearance, that would allow it to deal with enforced disappearances that could occur on national territory in future.
Responses by the Delegation
The delegation said the State party criminalised all elements of the crime of enforced disappearance, though it did not have a stand-alone crime of enforced disappearance or plans to create one. The State party could prosecute all cases of enforced disappearance occurring on its territory. The emergency powers of the President had never been applied. The delegation was unable to provide a timeline for the adoption of the bill establishing the national human rights institution.
There were no bilateral agreements that Malta had concluded that addressed enforced disappearances. Acts that constituted offences to the laws of Malta were extraditable offences. Double criminality was adopted in most extradition cases. When offences listed as grounds for extradition in a foreign State’s extradition request were not included in Malta’s laws, the State party was obliged to indicate an applicable domestic law. How certain countries interpreted trafficking in persons crimes could differ, which could lead to complications. The State party needed to do its best to find common ground between jurisdictions in cases of this kind.
Comprehensive witness protection measures were in place. Witnesses whose safety was at risk were entitled to identity changes and relocation measures. Punishments could be mitigated based on witnesses’ cooperation.
When there were allegations against a police officer, the officer involved was immediately suspended. When a civil servant under suspicion of having committed a crime was suspended, they could appeal their suspension with the civil service complaints authority.
Malta was a Westminster democracy, so the Executive could not submit draft laws for consideration, but citizens could.
State laws addressed aiding and abetting crimes of human trafficking and abduction, including financing and supporting the crime and making use of products obtained through the crime of trafficking in persons.
Questions by Committee Experts
BARBARA LOCHBIHLER, Committee Expert and Country Rapporteur, asked about mechanisms applied prior to an extradition to assess whether persons could be at risk of enforced disappearance. Did registers of detained persons include all the details required by the Convention? Were registers regularly updated? Had the State party revised its legal definition of “places of deprivation of liberty” in line with the recommendation of the Sub-Committee for the Prevention of Torture
Malta’s policies and practices reportedly increased the risk of enforced disappearances of migrants and victims of trafficking. Tactics of non-assistance or delay in assistance to migrants and refugees in distress at sea, as well as pushbacks to Libya, violating the non-refoulement principle, had led to deaths and disappearances of migrants at sea. The widespread use of immigration detention and alleged episodes of violence in pre-removal detention centres also continued to be a human rights concern in Malta. The State party had been called on to stop pushbacks at sea to Libya, which could not be considered a safe space. Refugees in Libya were reportedly kept in appalling conditions, and exposed to abuse, extortion, abduction and human trafficking. What measures had the State party taken to prevent disappearances of migrants and dangerous pushbacks at sea? Malta had had a Memorandum of Understanding with Libya since 2020 that included the funding of two coordination centres in Libya. What were the contents of this memorandum and how did it prevent migrant pushbacks?
Open centres for migrants in Malta reportedly lacked space, forcing the State party to place migrants in detention centres. Could the delegation update the Committee on this practice? Were there migration detention facilities that were not operated by the detention service? What progress had been made in establishing a central register for detained migrants? How long was the maximum and minimum period of migrant detention? Could data on the nationality of detained migrants be provided? What was the timeline for extending the mandate of the national preventive mechanism?
Did the content of training activities referred to in the reply to the list of issues address the Convention? Was the State party planning on providing human rights training to medical personnel in prisons, members of the judiciary, immigration personnel and social workers? Would training address illegal intercountry adoptions?
Did national laws place a time limit on access by victims of enforced disappearance and their relatives to reparation? Did laws address victims’ relatives’ rights to information and property?
What policies and measures had been taken to protect children, particularly unaccompanied minors, from enforced disappearances in the context of migration and trafficking? Could the delegation provide figures on trafficking of children? How had the State party’s policies on illegal intercountry adoption developed, taking into account international norms on the practice?
FIDELIS KANYONGOLO, Committee Expert and Country Rapporteur, said the State party’s obligations under the Convention still existed, although there were no recorded cases of enforced disappearance in the State. Were there plans to expand the definition of “victims” in Malta’s victims of crime act to align it with article 24 of the Convention, particularly to include family members of individuals who had suffered harm as a result of enforced disappearances that had not directly caused deaths? What measures were in place to provide victims’ relatives the right to know the progress of investigations and the fate of disappeared persons, and the right to be returned remains in cases of death? Did relatives have the right to various forms of reparation, including restitution, rehabilitation, and guarantees of non-repetition? Were there laws that obliged the State to continue the investigation of cases until the fate of the disappeared person had been clarified? Had measures been taken in law and practice to guarantee the right of people in Malta to establish and participate freely in associations attempting to establish the fate of disappeared persons and to assist victims and relatives?
Another Committee Expert asked how detained persons were informed of their rights, including their right to counsel? How were women and children protected in cases of enforced disappearance?
Responses by the Delegation
The delegation said no person was to be subjected to inhumane or degrading treatment or punishment during extradition proceedings. Persons were not to be returned if they could be subjected to inhumane treatment or other human rights violations. Under European arrest warrant laws, the State was bound by a 10-day surrender period, during which time persons subjected to extradition proceedings could appeal the extradition. Last year, a judgement was made by the Court of Criminal Appeal deciding to prevent the extradition of a person to Romania due to deficiencies in prison conditions in that State.
Malta was in the process of amending the whistleblowers act so that whistleblowers who were members of the disciplinary forces and other persons would be protected under the act.
Malta’s laws on trafficking in persons were in line with international norms and ensured protection for vulnerable groups, including women and children. The victims of crime act ensured that victims had access to legal aid, psychological support and shelter, and granted them the right to be informed about the progress of legal proceedings. The Malta police had a unit for investigating trafficking and non-governmental organizations provided shelters and support for victims. Training was provided to police on identifying victims of trafficking. The State party had ratified several international norms on trafficking, including the Palermo Protocol.
Records of immigration detention were kept in an online database that relevant State authorities could access. Data was recorded upon admission to migrant facilities. Many police officers had participated in training courses addressing human rights, investigating missing persons, and victim and witness protection.
The judiciary had received training on the rights of victims, including to access compensation and justice. The definition in the victims of crime act was not the only definition of a “victim” in State legislation. Victims had the right to be understood, and were informed about the protection and legal aid measures they were entitled to and methods of accessing compensation. There were many avenues to compensation under Malta’s legislation, including provisions in the Criminal Code addressing compensation and a process for obtaining compensation for civil cases. Agencies had been established to ensure victims received timely individual assessments regarding the support measures they were entitled to. The State party prioritised the protection of vulnerable victims and victims of serious crimes, guarding against intimidation and reprisals against victims. Child victims testified to magistrates in separate rooms to trial rooms to prevent traumatisation.
Migration remained a challenge for Malta, as the State was located on a major migration route. It had saved several migrants at sea over the past 20 years. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees had assisted the State party to improve its asylum system and to establish services such as migrant health services and return counselling. The State party was dedicated to meeting its human rights obligations regarding migrants, to providing protection to those who needed it, and to returning other migrants in a safe and humane manner. Maltese authorities acted on distress calls at sea in accordance with relevant international laws.
Malta had not engaged in any pushbacks to Libya and there had been no occurrences of collective expulsions. The Government signed a memorandum of understanding with Libya in 2020 on setting up coordination centres in Tripoli and Malta to improve reception of migrants and combat trafficking in the region. Libyan authorities needed to be given the necessary resources to combat migrant smuggling. The memorandum of understanding had led to reduced loss of life in the Mediterranean region.
The detention of migrants was enforced on clear legal grounds. Detention orders were issued following individual assessments and only as a last resort. Such orders were subject to an automatic review and subsequent reviews every 14 days. Migrants were notified of removal decisions verbally and in writing. Removal orders provided explanations of the reasons for the order and options for voluntary removals. All return activities were monitored by an independent monitoring board. Free legal aid and interpretation services were provided in legal proceedings on removals.
All unaccompanied minors were protected by care orders issued by the courts. They were cared for by the agency for the welfare of asylum seekers, which collaborated with the police force and reported signs of trafficking and risks of minors leaving the country without consent.
Overcrowding in detention and open centres had not been a problem since 2021. Malta’s open centre was closed in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The centre was reopened in 2021 and an additional centre was constructed, resolving the problem. The current occupancy rate in detention centres was less than 30 per cent. Violence in detention centres was not an issue. Independent correctional centre monitoring boards had been appointed as the State’s national preventive mechanism. These boards submitted regular reports to the State regarding conditions in detention centres.
The legal status of victims of enforced disappearance was defined in the Civil Code, which specified that the assets of such persons were managed by curators who were appointed by the courts. There were safeguards on victims’ assets. Courts ensured the protection and supervision of unattended children. The directorate for child protection services operated a children’s house and had powers to carry out and request investigations into cases of violations of children’s rights.
The Constitution provided for freedom of association. Any person was entitled to associate regarding issues of enforced disappearance. No legislation could restrict the freedom of association of any person.
Questions by Committee Experts
BARBARA LOCHBIHLER, Committee Expert and Country Rapporteur, said the State party had formed a further memorandum of understanding with Libya in 2024. Did it address the prevention of enforced disappearance? Some persons employed by the Libyan Coastguard were reportedly themselves involved in trafficking in persons. How did the State party respond to these reports? How did it respond to reports that Maltese authorities had failed to rescue over 200 migrants whose vessel sank in the Mediterranean in 2013? Did migrants deprived of liberty have the right to a lawyer? Did the State party address the situation of potentially disappeared persons in its work on locating missing migrants? Had the State party referenced the Committee’s general comment on illegal intercountry adoptions in its regulations on the practice?
FIDELIS KANYONGOLO, Committee Expert and Country Rapporteur, asked about amendments being contemplated for the whistleblowers act and the potential timeline for their adoption. Did registers of persons deprived of liberty include all details stipulated in article 17 (3) of the Convention? Were the State’s registers interconnected and interoperable? Did the State’s various definitions of “victims” reflect the breadth of the definition of victims in article 24 of the Convention? Were victims entitled to compensation and remedies as broadly defined in article 24 (5)? Mr. Kanyongolo appreciated the details provided by the delegation regarding Malta’s legislation.
Another Committee Expert said the State party had proceedings to declare absences and deaths. What procedure was used to declare disappearances?
Responses by the Delegation
The delegation said that when a person was charged with a criminal offence, victims could participate in criminal proceedings and could file a petition to claim compensation. The Criminal Code included a compensation scheme. Under Maltese law, victims could also file actions against the Government before the Civil Court requesting damages. Damages were timebound and could be renewed after certain periods. In cases where breaches of human rights were found, courts could grant pecuniary and non-pecuniary damages. Victims also had the right to file applications for reparation with the Constitutional Court and the European Court of Human Rights.
Adoptions were regulated by State laws and there was an authority that oversaw adoptions, including intercountry adoptions, to ensure that they were legal.
Migrants were granted the same rights as other individuals in criminal proceedings, including the right to a lawyer, the right to contact family members, and the right to medical assistance as required. They were given information on their rights upon detainment in a language that they understood.
The memorandum of understanding with Libya had been renewed in 2024 with the same terms and conditions of the previous one. It aimed to dismantle trafficking activities and prevent the loss of life of migrants at sea. When the State party received requests for information on missing migrants at sea, responsible authorities conducted necessary investigations. Malta abided by its international obligations and had never relinquished a search case for migrants in distress at sea.
Amendments to the whistleblower act were still in the drafting stage and the delegation could not provide a timeline for its adoption.
Malta was in full compliance with article 17 (3) of the Convention. Registers of detained persons were maintained by authorities and updated as necessary. They included the detainees’ personal details, and the time of and reason for arrest, among other details. Registers were regularly reviewed to ensure compliance with domestic and international norms.
The Civil Code defined the process for declaring absences. Disappeared persons could be declared as absentees. Presumptive heirs of absentees could file petitions to courts to obtain their assets. The will of the absentee was opened after 10 years of absence, and courts determined who received assets in cases where the absentee had not made a will.
Closing Remarks
OLIVIER DE FROUVILLE, Committee Chair, thanked the delegation for the dialogue. The Committee would prepare concluding observations based on the topics discussed and call on the State party to report on implementation of these concluding observations after a certain period. The Committee would decide whether or not to hold a follow-up dialogue with Malta based on its assessment of this report. The State party and the Committee’s common goal was to ensure the implementation of the Convention. Mr. de Frouville called on Malta and other States that had ratified the Convention to petition States that had not ratified to do so. The Committee looked forward to continuing to work with Malta in future.
FIORELLA FENECH VELLA, Office of the State Advocate of Malta and head of the delegation, said the delegation had engaged fully with the Committee in the dialogue. The Committee had posed pertinent questions related to the implementation of the Convention. The dialogue was an essential component for further strengthening Malta’s implementation and for strengthening protections for rights holders in the State. Malta had never implemented policies that had amounted to enforced disappearance, a reflection of its dedication to promoting human rights principles. The State party would carefully analyse and take into account the Committee’s recommendations in its development of laws and policies.
Statements Marking the Day of Remembrance for Truth and Justice in Argentina and the International Day for the Right to the Truth Concerning Gross Human Rights Violations and for the Dignity of Victims
At the end of the first day of the dialogue, HORACIO RAVENNA, Committee Vice-Chairperson, said that 24 March was a special day in Argentina, the Day of Remembrance for Truth and Justice. Forty-nine years ago today, the armed forces in Argentina initiated a coup against the State’s leadership and imposed a dictatorship. Several similar coups were also carried out in other countries in South and Latin America. Many political dissidents were killed, arbitrarily detained and subjected to enforced disappearance in this era as part of Operation Condor, and legislation in many countries did not sufficiently address the phenomenon of enforced disappearance. In this context, the exiled mothers of victims of enforced disappearance led the fight and bravely spoke out, meeting in Paris to discuss the issue, and these discussions led to the development of the Convention, which had been in force for 14 years. Today, the Committee honoured persons who had passed away and continued to raise public awareness for the next generations, so that the horrendous crime could be eradicated forever.
OLIVIER DE FROUVILLE, Committee Chair, said today was also, in addition to being the Day of Remembrance for Truth and Justice, the International Day for the Right to the Truth Concerning Gross Human Rights Violations and for the Dignity of Victims. All needed to remember the courageous struggle of the Mothers of Plaza de Mayo, whose actions had led to the development of the Convention. They had spoken the truth bravely to combat dictatorships.
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not an official record. English and French versions of our releases are different as they are the product of two separate coverage teams that work independently.
CED25.007E
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator John Kennedy (Louisiana)
WASHINGTON – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) joined Sens. Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and colleagues in reintroducing the bipartisan Major Richard Star Act. The bill would allow combat-injured veterans with fewer than 20 years of military service to receive full retirement benefits—without reduction—concurrent with their disability compensation.
“Our veterans made heroic scarifies to protect our nation. I’m proud to help introduce the Major Richard Star Act to make sure that Louisiana’s and America’s brave veterans are able to receive retirement benefits and disability compensation,” said Kennedy.
Currently, only veterans with over 20 years of military service and a 50% or more disabled rating can qualify to receive Department of Defense retirement and Department of Veterans Affairs disability payments concurrently.
Major Richard Star was a decorated war veteran after whom this legislation is named. Major Star retired due to combat related injuries and passed away from cancer in 2021.
Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), John Boozman (R-Ark.), Katie Britt (R-Ala.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), John Fetterman (D-Pa.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), Jim Justice (R-W.Va.), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Andy Kim (D-N.J.), Angus King (I-Maine), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), James Risch (R-Idaho), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Mark Warner (D-Va.) and Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.) also cosponsored the bill.
The full bill text is available here.
Source: New Zealand Government
The Proceeds of Crime Fund will open a new funding round based on new criteria on 31 March Associate Minister of Justice Nicole McKee says.
“The new criteria will focus on supporting initiatives that will reduce violent crime contributing to the Government’s target of 20,000 fewer victims by December 2029.
“Government agencies are invited to submit using the funding proposal template and we encourage agencies to work with community groups as part of their proposals. We want to see targeted initiatives that prevent crime before it escalates into violent crime.
“The new template will support clear and consistent assessment of proposed initiatives, and I expect it to also capture information on the delivery, impact, and long-term benefits of each proposal.
“Our expectation is that proposals under the new criteria will be able to demonstrate clear outcomes. Rather than gangs benefiting through a programme which is yet to present its final report – some nine months after its conclusion – as was the case under the previous government,” Mrs McKee says.
The Proceeds of Crime Fund is not to be used as an on-going permanent funding source. Approved initiatives will be for short-term (maximum three year) funding applications that meet the Government’s targeted criteria.
The first funding round will open on 31 March 2025, with submissions due by 1 May 2025 and funding available to be utilised from 1 July 2025.
The terms of reference can be found here and more information on the Proceeds of Crime Fund can be found on the Ministry of Justice website here.
Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime Alerts (b)
INDIANAPOLIS— 14 individuals have been charged in a federal indictment alleging a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, heroin, fentanyl, and cocaine in Indianapolis, Lafayette, and surrounding communities. The charges follow a successful law enforcement operation in which 13 total individuals have been arrested and are in federal custody. Eight individuals were arrested on March 21, 2025. The following lists the individuals indicted and the charges they face:
| Defendant | Charge(s) |
| Tanesha M. Turner, 39 |
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| Charles T. Dunson, 44 |
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| Tre J. Dunn, 27 |
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| Nahamani I. Sargent, 34 |
|
| Byron A. Mason, 38 |
|
| Adrian J. Bullock, 34 |
|
| Avery J. Bullock, 27 |
|
| John M. Whitfield, 37 |
|
| Aaliyah Hackett, 23 |
|
| Emorrie J. Dunn, 26 |
|
| Chancelor R. Walker, 38 |
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| D’Ericka Lee, 30 |
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| Lamar T. Browning, 39 |
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| Mark C. Marshall, 57 |
|
This was a multi-agency operation, involving ten agencies who assisted with the investigation and the arrests on the morning of March 21, 2025. Law enforcement has asked the public for assistance in locating fugitive Lamar T. Browning. He should be considered armed and dangerous. Those with information are asked to call 1-800-CALL-FBI.
According to the indictment, all 14 defendants allegedly operated a drug trafficking conspiracy, selling meth, fentanyl, cocaine and heroin out of several trap houses in Indianapolis.
Some members of the conspiracy allegedly committed multiple acts of violence, including murder, firing gunshots, throwing Molotov cocktails at a home, kidnapping, and pistol-whipping in order to intimidate drug customers and rival drug dealers The violence was used as a tool to collect money owed to them by their drug customers, to protect the locations that they used to distribute drugs, and to retaliate against potential witnesses.
Specifically, Nahamani Sargent allegedly fired gunshots and threw Molotov cocktails at the home of a customer, believing that the victim had provided information about the conspiracy to law enforcement.
Additionally, Tanesha Turner allegedly kidnapped a victim at gunpoint and held them for ransom because they owed $40. Tre Dunn then allegedly shot the same victim for owing money and providing information to law enforcement.
Tre Dunn also allegedly aided and abetted the murder of a man because he disrespected him and his associate during a failed drug deal. Tanesha Turner then allegedly aided Dunn by driving him to another location following the murder to prevent his arrest.
If convicted, each defendant faces up to life in federal prison.
The following investigative agencies collaborated to make this investigation and recent warrant execution possible:
Acting U.S. Attorney Childress thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Bradley A. Blackington and Kelsey Massa, who are prosecuting this case.
This investigation 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 operation is part of the Indiana High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) program.
An indictment or criminal complaint are merely allegations, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
###
Source: US Immigration and Customs Enforcement
NEWARK, N.J. – U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, assisted by New York/New Jersey Port Authority Police, the United States Customs and Border Protection and Federal Air Marshals Service, located and apprehended a Hungarian national at the Newark Liberty International Airport March 13 who was wanted for allegedly raping a child.
Mihaly Bodner was arrested on a Hornell City Court warrant for first degree statutory rape of a child under 13 years of age by ICE Homeland Security Investigations Newark.
“When our team at Newark’s airport received a call from HSI Buffalo that the suspect was believed to be attempting to flee the United States, they immediately coordinated a search for the individual” said ICE Homeland Security Investigations Newark Special Agent in Charge Ricky J. Patel. “I commend the efficiency of the subject matter experts who utilized their skills and advanced technology to locate the target without incident. Their actions proved how the partnership of law enforcement agencies is the most valuable resource in leading investigations and achieving mission success.”
Bodnar admitted to law enforcement that he was attempting to flee the country on an outbound international flight the same day. He will be prosecuted by the Stueben County District Attorney’s Office, New York.
“This is the way law enforcement is supposed to work – together,” said Steuben County District Attorney Brooks Baker. “Using experience and expertise to maximize all available resources, city, county and federal agencies were able to take a child predator off the streets to face justice.”
Sgt. Tom Aini, an investigator with the Hornell County Police Department in New York was credited with confirming the identity of the suspect and rapidly engaging with other law enforcement partners to assist in the arrest and prevent Bodnar from leaving the United States.
Stueben County DA said Bodnar could face up to 25 years in prison.
The charges and allegations are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Source: European Parliament
The Commission remains committed to strengthening and deepening the internal market, which is a cornerstone of the European Union and central to this College’s ambitions for European prosperity and competitiveness.
As outlined in his mission letter[1], the Executive Vice-President for Prosperity and Industrial Strategy is responsible for industry, small and medium-sized enterprises and the single market, and the mission letter of the Commissioner for Democracy, Justice and the Rule of Law and Consumer Protection[2] sets out his responsibility for consumers.
The College of Commissioners is structured to ensure effective coordination and cooperation across all policy areas, with all Commissioners expected to take an active role across all priorities, including the internal market.
The Commission does not intend to revisit the structure of the College of Commissioners as presented by the Commission President to the Conference of Presidents on 17 September 2024 and approved by the European Parliament on 27 November 2024.
The Commission will continue to work closely with the European Parliament, including the Committee on the internal market and Consumer Protection, to ensure that the internal market and consumer protection remain key priorities for the EU.
Source: Office of United States Attorneys
Newark, N.J. – A furniture rental company based in Pennsauken, New Jersey entered into a settlement agreement with the United States resolving allegations that the company violated the False Claims Act by taking a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan to which it was not entitled, United States Attorney John Giordano announced today.
According to the allegations in the complaint and the contentions of the United States in the settlement agreement:
In January 2021, American Furniture Rentals, Inc. (AFR) applied for and received a $2 million PPP loan. Under the eligibility rules in effect at that time, a company was required to have 300 employees or less to qualify for a PPP loan. Despite the fact that AFR had more than 300 employees at the time, AFR certified in its loan application that it was eligible to participate in the PPP program. After receiving the PPP loan, AFR sought and received forgiveness of the total amount of the loan, plus interest that had accrued.
AFR fully cooperated in the investigation and resolution of this matter. In accordance with the terms of the settlement agreement, AFR will pay the United States $2,907,703. The settlement resolves a lawsuit filed under the whistleblower provision of the False Claims Act, which permits private parties, called relators, to file suit on behalf of the United States for false claims and share in a portion of the government’s recovery.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney David V. Simunovich of the Health Care Fraud Unit in Newark.
Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
The qui tam case is captioned United States ex rel. Verity Investigations, LLC v. American Furniture Rentals, Inc., 24-7540 (D.N.J.).
25-086 ###
Counsel for American Furniture Rentals, Inc.: Brian K. Kidd, Esq., Washington, D.C.
Counsel for Relator Verity Investigations, LLC: Steven Shepard, Esq., New York, NY
Source: Office of United States Attorneys
BOSTON – A Boston man was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Worcester for child exploitation offenses.
Jalen Latimer, 26, of Roxbury, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Margaret R. Guzman to 28 years in prison, to be followed by 15 years of supervised release. The defendant was also ordered to pay restitution in an amount to be determined at a later date. In December 2024, Latimer pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit sex trafficking and two counts of sexual exploitation of a minor. Latimer is currently serving a state prison sentence on related offenses. The defendant was previously charged by criminal complaint with one count of sexual exploitation of a minor on Feb. 16, 2024.
In July 2022, Latimer and another adult recorded themselves raping a ten year old. The minor victim’s five year old sibling was used to create the recording of the sexual assault. Over a year later, in July 2023, Latimer conspired with that same adult to arrange the sexual assault of another child. Latimer was asked to pay $50 for the child, however, Latimer offered $20 and marijuana.
Latimer was arrested in January 2024. He was subsequently convicted by state authorities in Worcester Superior Court of three counts of aggravated rape of a child, four counts of aggravated indecent assault and battery on a child and human trafficking of a minor. On March 17, 2024, he was sentenced to 15 years in state prison which will run concurrent with the federal sentence.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; Worcester Police Chief Paul B. Saucier; and Oxford Police Chief Michael K. Daniels made the announcement. Valuable assistance was provided by Rhode Island State Police and Massachusetts State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristen M. Noto of the Worcester Branch Office prosecuted the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.
Source: Office of United States Attorneys
COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa – A Council Bluffs woman and man were sentenced on March 20, 2025 to federal prison for their roles in conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.
According to public court documents and evidence presented at sentencing, Heather Lee Vore, 34, and Nicholas Carl Thomas, 42, facilitated the distribution of methamphetamine in Council Bluffs, Omaha, and elsewhere. Vore sent money to a drug source of supply in Mexico, and recruited others, including Thomas, to communicate with the Mexican source of supply and send money to Mexico for meth.
On January 16, 2025, Vore received a ten-year prison sentence, followed by a five-year term of supervised release. On March 20, 2025, Thomas received a twelve-year sentence, followed by a five-year term of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.
United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. This case was investigated by the Council Bluffs Police Department.
Source: Office of United States Attorneys
Marc H. Silverman, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that ERIC HERMAN, 32, of Bridgeport, pleaded guilty yesterday before U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden in New Haven to drug distribution and firearm possession offenses.
According to court documents and statements made in court, following two fatal overdoses involving fentanyl in 2021, both of which were believed to be connected to Herman, the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Bridgeport High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force and Stratford Police Department began investigating Herman’s drug trafficking activities. In May and June 2022, investigators made two controlled purchases of fentanyl, heroin, and crack cocaine from Herman.
Herman was arrested on September 15, 2022. At the time of his arrest, he possessed a distribution quantity of cocaine, a loaded 9mm “ghost gun” with a laser sight attached, and additional rounds of ammunition.
Herman’s criminal history includes state felony convictions for drug and firearm 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.
Herman pleaded guilty to two counts of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, cocaine base (“crack”), fentanyl, and heroin, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years on each count; one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years; and one count of unlawful possession of ammunition by a felon, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 15 years.
Herman has been detained since his arrest. He has also pleaded guilty in state court to narcotics and manslaughter charges stemming from an overdose death investigation.
The DEA’s HIDTA Task Force includes personnel from the DEA Bridgeport Resident Office, the Connecticut State Police, and the Bridgeport, Danbury, Norwalk, Stamford, and Stratford Police Departments. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Karen L. Peck.
Source: Office of United States Attorneys
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Today, William Powell, 34, of Huntington, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud, and Jasmine Spencer, 32, of Charleston, pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting bank fraud. Powell and Spencer each received $15,625 in proceeds from criminally derived Paycheck Protection Plan (PPP) loans, guaranteed by the Small Business Administration (SBA) under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act).
According to court documents and statements made in court, co-defendant Kisha Sutton conspired with Powell, Spencer, and others to obtain fraudulent PPP loans. Sutton submitted a PPP loan application on Powell’s behalf on April 19, 2021, and a PPP loan application on Spencer’s behalf of May 27, 2021. Powell and Spencer were each listed as a sole proprietor hair stylist who received $75,000 in gross income in 2020. Each application was filed with an Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Form 1040, Schedule C Profit or Loss from Business, stating that the applicant had earned $75,000 in 2020. As part of their guilty pleas, Powell and Spencer admitted that they never earned $75,000 as a hair stylist in one year and that the IRS Form 1040 submitted with their application was fraudulent and created solely to obtain the PPP loan.
A PPP lender in Florida approved Powell’s loan application and a PPP lender in California approved Spencer’s. The $15,625 in proceeds from each loan was deposited in their respective personal bank accounts in late June 2021. Between June 30 and July 20, 2021, Sutton received $2,000 from Powell and $3,000 from Spencer as her shares of the fraudulent PPP loan proceeds. Powell and Spencer each transferred the money to Sutton using a digital wallet application. Powell and Spencer spent the remainder of their respective fraudulent loan proceeds on personal expenses.
The CARES Act made forgivable PPP loans available to qualifying sole proprietors, independent contractors and self-employed individuals adversely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, to replace their normal income and for certain other expenses. Applicants were required to certify that they were in operation on February 15, 2020, and provide documentation showing their prior gross income from either 2019 or 2020.
Powell is scheduled to be sentenced on July 2, 2025, and Spencer is scheduled to be sentenced on July 9, 2025. Each faces a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison, up to five years of supervised release, and a $1 million fine. Powell and Spencer each also owe $15,625 in restitution.
Powell, Spencer, and Sutton, 44, of Jersey City, New Jersey, are among seven individuals indicted by a federal grand jury on charges alleging they and others conspired, as well as aided and abetted one another, to obtain fraudulent PPP loans totaling $140,625. The indictment against Sutton and the other defendants remains pending. An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the West Virginia State Police – Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI), and the West Virginia State Auditor’s Office (WVSAO) Public Integrity and Fraud Unit (PIFU).
United States District Judge Irene C. Berger presided over the hearings. Assistant United States Attorneys Jonathan T. Storage, Jennifer D. Gordon, and Holly Wilson are prosecuting the case.
Individuals with information about allegations of fraud involving COVID-19 are encouraged to report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721, or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:24-cr-192.
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Source: Office of United States Attorneys
PROVIDENCE – A Johnston man, identified in court documents as the leader of a conspiracy that used stolen personal identifications of unsuspecting individuals to gain financing for the purchase of Land Rovers from dealerships in Rhode Island and New Hampshire, has been sentenced to two-and-one-half years in federal prison, announced Acting United States Attorney Sara Miron Bloom.
Dennis Odoom, 27, previously admitted to a federal judge that he enlisted others to join the conspiracy. Odoom admitted that he provided a co-conspirator with a fraudulent ID and that he drove that person to a dealership in New Hampshire to pick up a Land Rover valued at $96,256 purchased with fraudulently obtained credit. The person accompanying him was expecting to be paid $2,000 by Odoom.
Additionally, court documents allege that fraudulently obtained financing was used by co-conspirators to purchase a Land Rover from a Rhode Island dealership. The final sales price for the vehicle and financing was $111,183.
Odoom was sentenced today by U.S. District Court Judge Melissa R. Dubose to a term of 30 months of incarceration to be followed by three years of supervised release. He was ordered to pay a fine of $1,000. Restitution will be determined by the court at a later date. Odoom pleaded guilty on December 12, 2024, to charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and aggravated identity theft.
A co-defendant in this matter, Roy Sweets, 27, of Pawtucket, pleaded guilty on March 18, 2025, to a charge of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. He is scheduled to be sentenced on June 10, 2025.
A third defendant, Adalberto Mauricio Romero, 28, of Providence, is charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and aggravated identity theft.
The cases are being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Paul F. Daly, Jr.
The matter was investigated by Warwick, RI, and Bedford, NH, Police Departments, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Department of Labor Office of Inspector General.
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Source: Office of United States Attorneys
Burton used a loaded handgun to intimidate and frighten a female bartender for over an hour.
Jamiah Burton, age 30, from Sioux City, was sentenced March 21, 2025, to five years in federal prison, after an August 8, 2024, guilty plea to possession of a firearm by a felon.
Evidence in the case revealed on January 19, 2024, Burton entered a Sioux City, Iowa bar with a female companion. The couple argued, the female left, and Burton turned his attention to the sole remaining person in the bar: the female bartender. For the next hour and half or so, Burton who had been drinking, refused to leave, repeatedly came behind the bar, simulated a sex act on his victim, manhandled her, at various points become emotional, brandished a loaded handgun — claiming he had a bullet for his victim and one for himself — and stole a bottle of alcohol all before being tricked out of the bar by his victim’s promise to leave with him. A video of the event shows the victim’s attempts to navigate an impossible situation: she laughs and drinks and plays along with Burton all while secretly texting for help and trying to escape. The moment she tricks him out of the bar, she locked the doors, hid in the bathroom, and called 911.
Approximately 16 minutes after Burton left the bar, law enforcement in South Sioux City, Nebraska located the vehicle he was using which was high centered and stranded in the snow. Law enforcement located several open containers and a bottle of tequila (consistent with the one he stole from the bar) in the vehicle.
Burton has a serious criminal history. Among numerous convictions, Burton has twice committed violent home invasions, and driven drunk while attempting to elude police.
Burton was sentenced in Sioux City by United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand to 60 months’ imprisonment. He must also serve a 3-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). PSN is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
Burton is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.
The case was investigated by the South Sioux City, Nebraska and the Sioux City, Iowa Police Departments and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Forde Fairchild.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 24-4015.
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Source: The Conversation – UK – By Berna Akcali Gur, Lecturer in Outer Space Law, Queen Mary University of London
Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore, the Nasa astronauts who were stuck on the International Space Station (ISS) for nine months, have finally returned to Earth.
Spacesuits were an important consideration that Nasa had to factor into its plans to bring the astronauts back home. Wilmore and Williams had travelled to the ISS in Boeing’s experimental Starliner spacecraft, so they arrived wearing Boeing “Blue” spacesuits.
Following helium leaks and thruster (engine) issues with Starliner, Nasa decided it was safer not to send them back to Earth on that vehicle. The astronauts had to wait to return on one of the other spacecraft that ferry crew members to the ISS, the SpaceX Crew Dragon.
This meant they needed a different type of spacesuit, made by SpaceX for use in its vehicle only. Boeing’s suits cannot be used in Crew Dragon in part because the umbilicals (the flexible “pipes” that supply air and cooling to the suit) have connections and standards that don’t work with the ports inside a Crew Dragon.
This highlights a general problem for the growing number of space agencies and companies sending people into orbit, and for planned missions to the Moon and beyond. Ensuring that different spacesuits are compatible, or “interoperable”, with spacecraft they weren’t designed to be used in is vital if we are to protect astronauts’ lives during an emergency in space, especially in joint missions.
The spacesuits worn during a return from space are called “launch, entry and abort” (LEA) suits. These are airtight and provide life support to the astronauts in case there is a decompression, when air is lost from the cabin.
Unfortunately, a decompression has already caused loss of life in space. During the Soyuz 11 mission in 1971, three Soviet cosmonauts visited the world’s first space station, Salyut 1. But during preparations for re-entry, the crew cabin lost its air, killing cosmonauts Georgy Dobrovolsky, Vladislav Volkov and Viktor Patsayev, who were not wearing LEA suits. All cosmonauts wore them after this incident.
As well as the connections for life support, the Boeing and SpaceX suits also have restraints and connections for communications that are specific to each vehicle. For their return home from the ISS in a SpaceX capsule, Williams was able into use a spare SpaceX suit that was already aboard the space station and the company sent up an additional suit on a cargo delivery for Wilmore to wear.
Two spacecraft are usually docked at the ISS as “lifeboats” to evacuate the astronauts in the event of an emergency. These are generally a SpaceX Crew Dragon and a Russian Soyuz capsule.
If an emergency evacuation were to occur and there weren’t enough of the right spacesuits available – for either the Crew Dragon or Soyuz – it could endanger astronauts during the fiery re-entry through Earth’s atmosphere. Interoperability between spacesuits has therefore become a matter of survival.
The Outer Space Treaty, which provides the basic framework for international space law, recognises astronauts as “envoys of humankind” and grants them specific legal protections. These were expanded on in subsequent UN treaties – notably the Rescue Agreement, which imposes a range of duties on states to render assistance to each others’ astronauts in cases of emergency, accident or distress.
For the ISS, a collaborative space programme with international flight crews, protocols include terms that set forth how this obligation is to be met. However, these protocols do not contain terms relating to spacesuit interoperability.
A major potential cause of an emergency evacuation is space debris. The ISS has regularly had to manoeuvre to avoid collisions with debris – including entire defunct satellites.
In his memoir, Endurance, Nasa astronaut Scott Kelly describes being commanded to enter the Soyuz vehicle with two other crew members and prepare to detach from the ISS because of a close approach by a large defunct satellite. Luckily, the spacecraft passed by harmlessly.
As orbits become increasingly congested, with an exponential increase in the number of space objects being launched, the risk of collisions will also increase.
Ever more companies and governments are entering the human spaceflight arena. The Tiangong space station, China’s orbiting laboratory, has been fully operational since 2022, and there are plans to open it to space tourism, just like the ISS.
India is planning to join the community of nations with the capability to launch humans into space, under a programme called Gaganyaan. And while most space travellers remain government-funded astronauts, the number of private space-farers is increasing.
Billionaire Jared Isaacman (who is President Trump’s nominee to run Nasa) has commanded two private missions into orbit using Crew Dragon. On the second of these, he participated in the first spacewalk by privately funded astronauts. The ISS is set to be retired in 2030 – but one company, Houston-based Axiom Space, is already building a private space station.
Against this complex and part-unregulated backdrop, ensuring the interoperability of different spacecraft systems, including spacesuits, will increase levels of safety in this inherently risky activity.
While the safety and practicality of spacesuits has always been the top priority, compatibility between different suits and vehicles should also be high on the list. This requires space agencies and private spaceflight companies to engage with each other in a process to agree on standard interfaces and connections for life support and communications, across all their suits and space vehicles.
Amid this period of increased commercialisation and competition between the organisations and companies involved in orbital spaceflight, a move toward greater collaboration can only be a good thing.
Berna Akcali Gur does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
– ref. Modern spacesuits have a compatability problem. Astronauts’ lives depend on fixing it – https://theconversation.com/modern-spacesuits-have-a-compatability-problem-astronauts-lives-depend-on-fixing-it-252935
Source: European Commission – Justice
European Commission Speech Warsaw, 25 Mar 2025 Dear Minister Leszczyna,
I want to first of all thank you and your team for this day. It’s been a very busy day. The Minister made us work really hard, but I th…